Self-assembled multifunctional Fe3O4 hierarchical microspheres: high-efficiency lithium-ion battery materials and hydrogenation catalysts

• Published in: Science China materials 2021-05, Vol.64 (5), p.1058-1070
• Main Authors: Wu, Konglin, Ling, Min, Zeng, Peiyuan, Zhang, Liang, Wu, Tao, Guan, Pingli, Cheong, Weng-Chon, Chen, Zheng, Fang, Zhen, Wei, Xianwen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Anodes; Catalysts; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Electrode materials; Glycerol; Hydrogenation; Iron oxides; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Magnetic saturation; Materials Science; Microspheres; Multifunctional materials; Nitro compounds; Potassium ferricyanide; Rechargeable batteries; Reducing agents; Room temperature; Self-assembly
• ISSN: 2095-8226; 2199-4501
• DOI: 10.1007/s40843-020-1526-0

Self-assembled Fe 3 O 4 hierarchical microspheres (HMSs) were prepared by a one-pot synchronous reduction-self-assembling (SRSA) hydrothermal method. In this simple and inexpensive synthetic process, only glycerol, water, and a single iron source (potassium ferricyanide (K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ])) were employed as reactants without additional reductants, surfactants, or additives. The iron source, K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ], and glycerol significantly affected the synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 HMSs. Fe 3 O 4 HMSs with a self-assembled spherical shape readily functioned as high-performance anode materials for lithiumion batteries with a specific capacity of > 1000 mA h g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 after 270 cycles. Further charging and discharging results revealed that Fe 3 O 4 HMSs displayed good reversible performance (> 1000 mA h g −1 ) and cycling stability (700 cycles) at 0.5 A g −1 . Furthermore, as multifunctional materials, the as obtained Fe 3 O 4 HMSs also exhibited high saturation magnetization (99.5 emu g −1 ) at room temperature (25°C) and could be further employed as efficient and magnetically recyclable catalysts for the hydrogenation of nitro compounds.