The α-FeO/graphite anode composites with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries.

The α-FeO/graphite composites were prepared by a thermal decomposition method using the expanded graphite as the matrix. The α-FeO nanoparticles with the size of 15-30 nm were embedded into interlayers of graphite, forming a laminated porous nanostructure with a main pore distribution from 2 to 20 nm and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 33.54 m g. The porous structure constructed by the graphite sheets can alleviate the adverse effects caused by the huge volume change of the α-FeO grains during the charge/discharge process. The composite electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1588 mAh g after 100 cycles at 100 mA g, 702 mAh g at 5 A g, 460 mAh g at 10 A g after 160 cycles, respectively, showing good cycle stability and outstanding rate capability at high current densities.