Facile preparation of Fe₃ O₄ nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide composite as an efficient anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Iron oxides are considered promising electrode materials owing to their capability of lithium storage, but their poor conductivity and large volume expansion lead to unsatisfactory cycling stability. In this paper, an inexpensive, highly effective, and facile approach to the synthesis of Fe₃ O₄ nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide composite (Fe₃ O₄ /RGO) is designed. The synthesized Fe₃ O₄ /RGO composite exhibits high reversible capability and excellent cyclic capacity as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A reversible capability of 701.8 mAh/g after 50 cycles at a current density of 200 mA·g⁻¹ can be maintained. The synergetic effect of unique structure and high conductivity RGO promises a well soakage of electrolyte, high structure stability, leading to an excellent electrochemical performance. It is believed that the study will provide a feasible strat-egy to produce transition metal oxide/carbon composite electrodes with excellent electrochemical performance for LIBs.