Carbon nanofibers impregnated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a flexible and high capacity negative electrode for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2021-05, Vol.862, p.158045, Article 158045
• Main Authors: Velásquez, C.A., Vásquez, F.A., Alvarez-Láinez, M., Zapata-González, A., Calderón, J.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Carbon fibers; Carbon Nanofiber; Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Electrospinning; Energy storage; Flexible negative electrode; Image transmission; Iron oxides; Lithium; Lithium batteries; Lithium ion-battery; Lithium-ion batteries; Magnetite; Nanofibers; Nanoparticles; Portable equipment; Raman spectroscopy; Rechargeable batteries; Smart materials; Storage batteries; Textiles; Transmission electron microscopy
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.158045

The development of E-textiles requires portable devices for energy storage that do not compromise the comfort and functionality of the textile. In this work, a flexible carbon electrode, obtained by impregnation of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) on electrospinning carbon nanofibers (CNFs), was developed as a negative electrode for lithium batteries. The active anodic material was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical techniques. TEM images showed that Fe3O4-NPs particles, 32 nm in size, are well adsorbed on ~400 nm CNFs. The electrochemical tests indicate that the presence of Fe3O4-NPs improves the electrochemical performance of the CNFs, achieving an initial high discharge capacity of 1146 mAh g−1, superior to that exhibited for pure CNFs (480 mAh g−1). Also, higher coulombic efficiency (90%) was exhibited by the composite active material. However, a slight reduction of capacity retention at high C-rates was observed in the composite due to the lower electronic conductivity of Fe3O4-NPs. •Flexible magnetite-carbon nanofibers negative electrodes were successful achieved.•Flexible electrodes exhibited high capacity of 1146 mAh g−1and high reversibility.•Fe3O4-NPs improves the electrochemical performance of the CNFs.•Low conductivity of magnetite affects the rate capability of the electrodes.