A facile self-catalyzed CVD method to synthesize Fe3C/N-doped carbon nanofibers as lithium storage anode with improved rate capability and cyclability. (1st May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Liang; Li, Zhi; Li, Gangyong; Zhou, Minjie; He, Binhong; Ouyang, Jie; Xu, Wenyuan; Wang, Wei; Hou, Zhaohui
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials science & technology. Volume 44(2020)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2020-05-01
• Subjects: Self-catalyzed CVD -- Fe3C -- N-doped carbon fibers -- Anode materials -- Lithium-ion batterie; Metals -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Metals; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1005-0302

Abstract

Highlights: A self-catalyzed CVD is utilized to synthesize Fe3 C/ N-doped carbon nanofibers (Fe3 C-N-CNFs) composites. Fe3 C-N-CNFs composite shows superior lithium storage performance than N-CNFs. DFT calculations reveal that Fe3 C can enhance surface reaction kinetics between carbonaceous materials and Li + ions. The strategy can potentially be extended to enhance the lithium storage properties of other carbon-based materials. Abstract: Uniform Fe3 C/N-doped carbon nanofibers were successfully synthesized through a facile self-catalyzed CVD method by using acetylene as carbon source and Fe3 O4 as iron source and autocatalytic template for the reaction under moderate preparation conditions. The experimental and theoretical calculation results demonstrate that Fe3 C can improve the lithium storage performance of carbon nanofibers. Besides, the addition of PPy can not only control the growth rate of carbon fibers but also help to form uniform carbon fibers. As a result, the obtained Fe3 C/N-doped carbon nanofiber composites display favorable electrochemical performance as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, which including satisfactory rate performance of 402 mA h g −1 under 1.2 A g -1, and good cycling stability of 502.3 mA h g -1 under 200 mA g -1 over 400 cycles. The introduction of Fe3 C species and the uniform carbon fiber morphology are responsible for the long-cycling and high rate performance of materials.