Self-assembly of a CoFe2O4/graphene sandwich by a controllable and general route: towards a high-performance anode for Li-ion batteriesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: SEM image of bare CFO, SEM and TEM of CoFe2O4/G with a larger size of CoFe2O4, SEM images of sandwich structured MnFe2O4/G and NiFe2O4/G, TG plot of CFO/GS, voltage profiles of bare CFO at 50 mA g1, cycling stability of CFO/GS and bare CFO at 50 mA g1, TEM image and SAED patterns of CFO/GS after cycling. See D

• Main Authors: Liu, Shuangyu, Xie, Jian, Fang, Chengcheng, Cao, Gaoshao, Zhu, Tiejun, Zhao, Xinbing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0959-9428; 1364-5501
• DOI: 10.1039/c2jm34019d

A CoFe 2 O 4 -nanocrystal/graphene-nanosheet (CFO/GS) nanohybrid has been synthesized by a facile in situ solvothermal route and has been investigated as a promising high-performance anode material for Li-ion batteries. The crystal size of CoFe 2 O 4 can be controlled to 10-20 nm by pre-treating the precursors before the solvothermal reactions. The method for synthesizing the CFO/GS hybrid can be extended to synthesize MFe 2 O 4 /graphene (MFe 2 O 4 /G, M = Mn and Ni) hybrids. The CFO/GS hybrid exhibits superior cycling stability and rate capability compared to bare CoFe 2 O 4 . The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to a combination of the conducting, confining and dispersing effects of graphene. A nanohybrid of CoFe 2 O 4 /graphene has been self-assembled and exhibits high specific capacity, excellent high-rate cycling stability and superior rate capability.