One-step gas-phase construction of carbon-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle/carbon nanotube composite with enhanced electrochemical energy storage

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as superior support materials for functional nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely demonstrated. Nevertheless, the homogeneous loading of these NPs is still frustrated due to the inert surface of CNTs. In this work, a facile gas-phase pyrolysis strategy that the mixture of ferrocene and CNTs are confined in an isolated reactor with rising temperature is developed to fabricate a carbon-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle/carbon nanotube (Fe₃O₄@C/CNT) composite. It is found the ultra-small Fe₃O₄ NPs (<10 nm) enclosed in a thin carbon layer are uniformly anchored on the surface of CNTs. These structural benefits result in the excellent lithium-ion storage performances of the Fe₃O₄@C/CNT composite. It delivers a stable reversible capacity of 861 mA·h·g⁻¹ at the current density of 100 mA·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. The capacity retention reaches as high as 54.5% even at 6000 mA·g⁻¹. The kinetic analysis indicates that the featured structural modification improves the surface condition of the CNT matrix, and contributes to greatly decreased interface impendence and faster charge transfer. In addition, the post-morphology observation of the tested sample further confirms the robustness of the Fe₃O₄@C/CNT configuration.

Keywords

nanocomposite / carbon nanotube / gas-phase method / lithium-ion battery

References

[1] Deng K Q, Li C X, Qiu X Y, . Synthesis of cobalt hexacyanoferrate decorated graphene oxide/carbon nanotubes-COOH hybrid and their application for sensitive detection ofhydrazine. Electrochimica Acta, 2015, 174: 1096–1103

[2] Beitollahi H, Movahedifar F, Tajik S, . A review on the effects of introducing CNTs in the modification process of electrochemical sensors. Electroanalysis, 2019, 31(7): 1195–1203

[3] Wu L, Zhang X J, Wang M H, . Preparation of Cu₂O/CNTs composite and its application as sensing platform for detecting nitrite in water environment. Measurement, 2018, 128: 189–196

[4] Chen Z H, Ma Z P, Song J J, . Novel one-step synthesis of wool-ball-like Ni-carbon nanotubes composite cathodes with favorable electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution. Journal of Power Sources, 2016, 324: 86–96

[5] Wu S S, Dai W L. Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of SnO₂–CNTs hybrid nanocomposites with visible light photocatalytic activity. Nanomaterials, 2017, 7(3): 54

[6] Song Y J, Ren J T, Yuan G, . Facile synthesis of Mo₂C nanoparticles on N-doped carbon nanotubes with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2019, 38: 68–77

[7] Wu J Z, Li X Y, Zhu Y R, . Facile synthesis of MoO₂/CNTs composites for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes. Ceramics International, 2016, 42(7): 9250–9256

[8] Sun L M, Wang X H, Wang Y R, . Roles of carbon nanotubes in novel energy storage devices. Carbon, 2017, 122: 462–474

[9] Hu A, Long J, Shu C, . Three-dimensional interconnected network architecture with homogeneously dispersed carbon nanotubes and layered MoS₂ as a highly efficient cathode catalyst for lithium-oxygen battery. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2018, 10(40): 34077–34086

[10] Xu Y, Feng J D, Chen X C, . Beaded structured CNTs–Fe₃O₄@C with low Fe₃O₄ content as anode materials with extra enhanced performances in lithium ion batteries. RSC Advances, 2015, 5(37): 28864–28869

[11] Luo D W, Lin F, Xiao W D, . Silica aerogels modified SnSb/CNTs as high cycling performance anode materials for lithium batteries. Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society, 2016, 75(3): 161–165

[12] Wang Z Y, Zhang S G, Yue L C, . Synthesis of Co₃O₄ nanocubes/CNTs composite with enhanced sodium storage performance. Solid State Ionics, 2017, 312: 32–37

[13] Chen H, Jia B E, Lu X, . Two-dimensional SnSe₂/CNTs hybrid nanostructures as anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Chemistry, 2019, 25(42): 9973–9983

[14] Liu P, Ru Q, Zheng P M, . One-step synthesis of Zn₂GeO₄/CNT-O hybrid with superior cycle stability for supercapacitor electrodes. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 374: 29–38

[15] Yue L C, Zhang S G, Zhao H Q, . One-pot synthesis CoFe₂O₄/CNTs composite for asymmetric supercapacitor electrode. Solid State Ionics, 2019, 329: 15–24

[16] Zhang R Z, Palumbo A, Kim J C, . Flexible graphene-, graphene-oxide-, and carbon-nanotube-based supercapacitors and batteries. Annalen der Physik, 2019, 531(10): 1800507

[17] Lun J, Wu T, Amine K. State-of-the-art characterization techniques for advanced lithium-ion batteries. Nature Energy, 2017, 2(3): 17011

[18] Deng D, Kim M, Lee J, . Green energy storage materials: Nanostructured TiO₂ and Sn-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Energy & Environmental Science, 2009, 2(8): 818–837

[19] Deng D. Li-ion batteries: basics, progress, and challenges. Energy Science & Engineering, 2015, 3(5): 385–418

[20] Chen Y M, Yu L, Lou X W. Hierarchical tubular structures composed of Co₃O₄ hollow nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes for lithium storage. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2016, 55(20): 5990–5993

[21] Hao S J, Zhang B W, Ball S, . Porous and hollow NiO microspheres for high capacity and long-life anode materials of Li-ion batteries. Materials & Design, 2016, 92: 160–165

[22] Kumar R, Singh R K, Alaferdov A V, . Rapid and controllable synthesis of Fe₃O₄ octahedral nanocrystals embedded- reduced graphene oxide using microwave irradiation for high performance lithium-ion batteries. Electrochimica Acta, 2018, 281: 78–87

[23] Xu L, Sitinamaluwa H, Li H, . Low cost and green preparation process for α-Fe₂O₃@gum arabic electrode for high performance sodium ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(5): 2102–2109 

[24] He C, Wu S, Zhao N, . Carbon-encapsulated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a high-rate lithium ion battery anode material. ACS Nano, 2013, 7(5): 4459–4469

[25] Duan L H, Huang Y D, Jia D Z, . Fe₃O₄ fuzzy spheroids as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Materials Letters, 2012, 71: 151–153

[26] Han D D, Guo G N, Yan Y C, . Pomegranate-like, carbon-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle superparticles for high-performance lithium storage. Energy Storage Materials, 2018, 10: 32–39

[27] Liang X, Gao G H, Liu Y D, . Carbon nanotubes/vanadium oxide composites as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 2017, 82(1): 224–232

[28] Ren J G, Yang J B, Abouimrane A, . SnO₂ nanocrystals deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes with superior stability as anode material for Li-ion batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2011, 196(20): 8701–8705

[29] Wenelska K, Neef C, Schlestein L, . Carbon nanotubes decorated by mesoporous cobalt oxide as electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. Chemical Physics Letters, 2015, 635: 185–189

[30] Xu X B, Geng H Z, Meng Y, . Synthesis and optimization of tin dioxide/functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube composites as anode in lithium-ion battery. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2015, 153: 155–160

[31] Zhuo L H, Wu Y Q, Ming J, . Facile synthesis of a Co₃O₄–carbon nanotube composite and its superior performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2013, 1(4): 1141–1147

[32] Abbas S M, Ali S, Niaz N A, . Superior electrochemical performance of mesoporous Fe₃O₄/CNT nanocomposites as anode material for lithium ion batteries. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2014, 611: 260–266

[33] Yang L, Hu J H, Dong A G, . Novel Fe₃O₄–CNTs nanocomposite for Li-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance. Electrochimica Acta, 2014, 144: 235–242

[34] Li J X, Li Y H, Chen X C, . Selective synthesis of magnetite nanospheres with controllable morphologies on CNTs and application to lithium-ion batteries. Physica Status Solidi A: Applications and Materials Science, 2019, 216(11): 1800924 

[35] Xie X Q, Zhao M Q, Anasori B, . Porous heterostructured MXene/carbon nanotube composite paper with high volumetric capacity for sodium-based energy storage devices. Nano Energy, 2016, 26: 513–523

[36] Li D, Gong Y, Pan C. Facile synthesis of hybrid CNTs/NiCo₂S₄ composite for high performance supercapacitors. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6: 29788

[37] Lv X X, Deng J J, Wang J, . Carbon-coated α-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures for efficient anode of Li-ion battery. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2015, 3(9): 5183–5188 

[38] Brandt A, Balducci A. Ferrocene as precursor for carbon-coated α-Fe₂O₃ nano-particles for rechargeable lithium batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 230: 44–49

[39] Petnikota S, Marka S K, Banerjee A, . Graphenothermal reduction synthesis of ‘exfoliated graphene oxide/iron(II) oxide’ composite for anode application in lithium ion batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 293: 253–263

[40] Gao G, Zhang Q, Cheng X B, . Ultrafine ferroferric oxide nanoparticles embedded into mesoporous carbon nanotubes for lithium ion batteries. Scientific Reports, 2015, 5: 17553 

[41] Huang L, Cai J S, He Y, . Structure and electrochemical performance of nanostructured Sn–Co alloy/carbon nanotube composites as anodes for lithium ion batteries. Electrochemistry Communications, 2009, 11(5): 950–953

[42] Qi W, Li X, Li H, . Sandwich-structured nanocomposites of N-doped graphene and nearly monodisperse Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as high-performance Li-ion battery anodes. Nano Research, 2017, 10(9): 2923–2933 

[43] Fan X L, Shao J, Xiao X Z, . Carbon encapsulated 3D hierarchical Fe₃O₄ spheres as advanced anode materials with long cycle lifetimes for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2014, 2(35): 14641–14648 

[44] Cao Z J, Ma X B. Encapsulated Fe₃O₄ into tubular mesoporous carbon as a superior performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020, 815: 152542

[45] Wang R, Li B, Lai L, . 3D urchin-like architectures assembled by MnS nanorods encapsulated in N-doped carbon tubes for superior lithium storage capability. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 355: 752–759

[46] Gu S L, Zhu A P. Graphene nanosheets loaded Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020, 813: 152160

[47] Liu J, Wen Y, Wang Y, . Carbon-encapsulated pyrite as stable and earth-abundant high energy cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries. Advanced Materials, 2014, 26(34): 6025–6030

[48] Wang X J, Ma J Y, Wang J M, . N-doped hollow carbon nanofibers anchored hierarchical FeP nanosheets as high-performance anode for potassium-ion batteries. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020, 821: 153268

[49] Zhao Y, Wang J J, Ma C L, . Cr₂O₃ ultrasmall nanoparticles filled carbon nanocapsules deriving from Cr(VI) for enhanced lithium storage. Chemical Physics Letters, 2018, 704: 31–36

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51702191), the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province (Grant No. 201701D221062), the Scientific and Technological Innovation Programs of High Education Institutions in Shanxi (Grant No. 2017110), and the Shanxi “1331 Project” Key Innovative Research Team.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2020 Higher Education Press