Time-Efficient Fabrication of Stable Core–Shell Spinel Ferrites on a Self-Assembled Nanoarchitectonic Graphene Matrix as a New-Gen Anode for Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

With the considerations of attaining high-capacity anode material for longer cycles at a high charge−discharge rate, in this work, a facile core−shell manganese ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (CSMF/rGO) was fabricated in situ through a rapid two-step ultrasonication method. For that, the CSMF was synthesized by adopting a simple but effective electrochemical method with ultrasound assistance. The prepared three-dimensional network of CSMF was incorporated into the self-assembled graphene matrix by in situultrasonication to form a hybrid nanoarchitectonic composite (CSMF/rGO). The coupled effect of redox reactions and ultrasonic cavitation for the formation of CSMF/rGO were discussed. The self-assembled hybrid nanoarchitectonic structure has the beneficial features of tight-packing configuration, which resolves the volume expansion−contraction nature of magnetite and simultaneously provides improvement for the movement of lithium ions and electrons during charge−discharge cycles. As a result, the CSMF/rGO electrode delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1512 mAh g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 current density and provides a better reversible capacity of 492 mAh g −1 at a high-current density of 2.0 A g −1 after 500 cycles with high Coulombic efficiency (>99%). The results of this report would be helpful to design a CSMF/rGO hybrid electrode as a new-gen anode for the utilization of lithium-ion batteries under an economic and rapid synthesis method.