Fe₃O₄–Graphene Nanocomposites with Improved Lithium Storage and Magnetism Properties

Abstract

In this paper, we proposed a facile one-step strategy to prepare graphene-Fe3O4 (GN–Fe3O4) nanocomposites under hydrothermal conditions, where the reduction process of graphite oxide (GO) sheets into GN was accompanied by the generation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The reduction extent of GO by this process could be comparable to that by conventional methods. A transmission electron microscopy image has shown that the as-formed Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a diameter as small as 7 nm were densely and uniformly deposited on GN sheets, and, as a result, the aggregating of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles was effectively prevented. The GN–Fe3O4 nanocomposites exhibit improved cycling stability and rate performances as a potential anode material for high-performance lithium ion batteries. In addition, the GN–Fe3O4 nanocomposites exhibit a superparamagnetic behavior, making them promising candidates for practical applications in the fields of bionanotechnology/controlled targeted drug delivery.