Multilayer graphene sheets converted directly from anthracite in the presence of molten iron and their applications as anode for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Synthetic metals 2020-05, Vol.263, p.1-6, Article 116364
• Main Authors: Yan, Jiawei, Zhong, Min, Yu, Chenglong, Zhang, Jiali, Ma, Mei, Li, Li, Hao, Qiaoe, Gao, Feng, Tian, Yafei, Huang, Ye, Shen, Wenzhuo, Guo, Shouwu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Anthracite; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemical property; Graphene; Iron; Lithium; Lithium ion batteries; Molten iron; Morphology; Multilayer graphene; Multilayers; Rechargeable batteries; Sheets; Transition metals
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2020.116364

[Display omitted] •Anthracite is converted directly to multilayer graphene assisted with molten iron.•Polycyclic aromatic fragments in anthracite facilitate the conversion to graphene.•The molten iron plays dual roles as catalyst and solvent in the conversion process.•The iron/anthracite ratio affects the morphology and layer number.•As-prepared multilayer graphene shows excellent lithiation/delithiation performance. Generation of multilayer graphene sheets in the presence of transition metals has been widely studied, but it is still challenging to convert directly the solid coal-based carbon source to graphene in bulk scale. This work describes a convenient approach to convert anthracite to multilayer graphene sheets directly in the presence of molten iron. By tuning the ratio of iron with anthracite in the starting reactant, the morphology and layer number of as-prepared multilayer graphene sheets can be controlled accordingly. The possible mechanism is outlined, implying that the molten iron serves as both catalyst and solvent during the conversion process. Furthermore, as anode for lithium ion batteries, the as-obtained multilayer graphene sheets show excellent electrochemical properties.