Sb₂O₃ Nanoparticles Anchored on Graphene Sheets via Alcohol Dissolution–Reprecipitation Method for Excellent Lithium-Storage Properties

Abstract

Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles are uniformly anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets via a facile and ecofriendly route based on the alcohol dissolution-reprecipitation method. Such obtained Sb₂O₃/rGO composite demonstrates a highly reversible specific capacity (1355 mA h g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1), good rate capability, and superior life cycle (525 mA h g^-1 after 700 cycles at 600 mA g^-1) when used an anode electrode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The outstanding electrochemical properties of Sb₂O₃/rGO composite could be attributed to its unique structure in which the strong electronic coupling effect between Sb₂O₃ and rGO leads to an enhanced electronic conductivity, structure stability, and electrochemical activity during reversible conversion-alloying reactions. Also, these findings are helpful in both developing novel high-performance electrodes for LIBs and synthesizing functional materials in an ecofriendly and economical way.