Synthesis of the Fe2O3/CoFe2O4 composite nanomaterials for application as anode in lithium – ion batteries

Thi My Dung Ngo1, Ngoc Trung Tran1, Anh Huy Phan1, Tuan Loi Nguyen2,3, Hai Dang Ngo1,
1 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2 Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
3 Faculty of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang City 50000, Vietnam

Main Article Content

Abstract

In this study, Fe2O3/CoFe2O4 (CFO) nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method at pH values from 9 to 11 and heat treated at 750°C for 3 h. XRD results confirmed the existence of two phases CoFe2O4 and Fe2O3, with the degree of crystallinity increasing with increasing pH. SEM images showed that the particle size decreased from ~51 nm to ~35 nm with increasing pH and the particle distribution was more uniform. When applied as anode electrodes for Li-ion batteries, CFO electrodes exhibited high discharge capacity and stability after multiple cycles. The CFO_pH 10 sample achieved the highest capacity at the first cycle (969.12 mAh/g) and maintained 906.97 mAh/g after 40 cycles, with a Coulomb efficiency of nearly 100% from the second cycle. The variation in grain size, crystallinity, and phase distribution between samples directly affects the electrochemical performance. The results show that CFO is a potential material to replace commercial graphite as an anode for lithium-ion batteries.

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References

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