Sheet-like structure FeF3/graphene composite as novel cathode material for Na ion batteries

• Main Authors: Shen, Yongqiang, Wang, Xianyou, Hu, Hai, Jiang, Miaoling, Bai, Yansong, Yang, Xiukang, Shu, Hongbo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra02235e

A sheet-like structure FeF 3 /graphene composite is successfully synthesized by a novel and facile sol-gel method. The structure and electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized FeF 3 /graphene composite are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) and electrochemical measurement. The results indicate that the FeF 3 nanosheets are loaded on the surface of the graphene sheets to form the sheet-like structure hybrid. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum confirms that C-F bonds exist in FeF 3 /graphene composite, and it further indicates that a chemical bond between FeF 3 and graphene has been formed and FeF 3 can preferably stick to the surface of the graphene. The FeF 3 /graphene composite as cathode material of rechargeable Na ion batteries (NIB) exhibits a fairly high initial discharge capacity of 550 mA h g −1 at 0.1 C, and it still keeps a capacity of 115 mA h g −1 after 50 cycles at 0.3 C at a range of 1.0-4.0 V for NIB. A sheet-like structure FeF 3 /graphene composite is successfully synthesized by a novel and facile sol-gel method.