Dodecylamine-derived thin carbon-coated single Fe3O4 nanocrystals for advanced lithium ion batteries. Issue 44 (18th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cho, Min-Young; Yoon, Seung-Beom; Kim, Kwang-Bum; Jung, Dae Soo; Roh, Kwang Chul
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 44(2016)
• Page Start: 37923
• Page End: 37928
• Publication Date: 2016-04-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra02205g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Thin carbon-coated single Fe3 O4 nanocomposite were synthesized by a solvothermal process using dodecylamine. The composite structure can accommodate the large volume change of Fe3 O4 and thus enabled excellent electrochemical performance. Abstract : Dodecylamine (DDA) was functionalized on Fe2 O3 nanocrystals (NCs) by a solvothermal process to allow electrostatic interaction on Brønsted acid sites induced on the surface of NCs, followed by carbonization to convert DDA into a thin layer of carbon on single Fe3 O4 NCs. The obtained carbon composite (IOC-Fe3 O4 ) is composed of Fe3 O4 NCs a few nanometers in size, each uniformly coated with a thin carbon layer. The carbon coating reduces the resistance at the NC-to-NC interface within the composite and retains a short lithium diffusion length by inhibiting crystal growth, as well as accommodating the volume change of Fe3 O4 during charge–discharge. The composite electrode exhibited a high reversible capacity of 1027 mA h g −1 in a lithium ion battery, as well as 100% capacity retention after 300 cycles and rate performance of 563 mA h g −1 at 3 A g −1, which was achieved with only 4.2 wt% carbon in the composite. The relationship between the enhanced diffusion kinetics of IOC-Fe3 O4 and excellent electrochemical performances is demonstrated through a voltammetric charge technique.