Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries

In recent years, transition metal oxides (TMOs) have emerged as promising candidates for anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high theoretical capacities. Regrettably, most TMOs exhibit poor electronic/ionic conductivity and undergo substantial volume expansion during the l...

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Main Authors: Jun Du, Liwei Liao, Binbin Jin, Xinyi Shen, Zhe Mei, Qingcheng Du, Hailin Nong, Bingxin Lei, Liying Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/387
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author Jun Du
Liwei Liao
Binbin Jin
Xinyi Shen
Zhe Mei
Qingcheng Du
Hailin Nong
Bingxin Lei
Liying Liang
author_facet Jun Du
Liwei Liao
Binbin Jin
Xinyi Shen
Zhe Mei
Qingcheng Du
Hailin Nong
Bingxin Lei
Liying Liang
author_sort Jun Du
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, transition metal oxides (TMOs) have emerged as promising candidates for anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high theoretical capacities. Regrettably, most TMOs exhibit poor electronic/ionic conductivity and undergo substantial volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation processes. In this study, an electrostatic spinning method using polyacrylonitrile, graphene, and iron(III) acetylacetonate as precursors was employed to synthesize the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C composite through carbon coating and graphene doping. The composition, phase structure, and morphology of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C composite were thoroughly investigated. The electrochemical performance of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C composite as a lithium-ion battery anode was evaluated through a continuous charge–discharge cycling test. After 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A/g, the specific capacity of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C material remained at 595.8 mAh/g. Additionally, the incorporation of graphene leads to a reduction in the electron orbital energy of Fe, which was verified by comparing the density of states (DOS) before and after the doping. Simultaneously, the electrochemical performance of CoO@G/C and NiO@G/C composites further demonstrates that doping transition metal oxides with graphene can enhance their performance as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. We anticipate that this design concept will open new avenues for the development of transition metal oxides (TMOs) and propel their adoption in practical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-a3e3d12fce1c443c97ac8de9f64a26112025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-03-0115438710.3390/met15040387Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion BatteriesJun Du0Liwei Liao1Binbin Jin2Xinyi Shen3Zhe Mei4Qingcheng Du5Hailin Nong6Bingxin Lei7Liying Liang8School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaSchool of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530105, ChinaIn recent years, transition metal oxides (TMOs) have emerged as promising candidates for anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high theoretical capacities. Regrettably, most TMOs exhibit poor electronic/ionic conductivity and undergo substantial volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation processes. In this study, an electrostatic spinning method using polyacrylonitrile, graphene, and iron(III) acetylacetonate as precursors was employed to synthesize the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C composite through carbon coating and graphene doping. The composition, phase structure, and morphology of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C composite were thoroughly investigated. The electrochemical performance of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C composite as a lithium-ion battery anode was evaluated through a continuous charge–discharge cycling test. After 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A/g, the specific capacity of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@G/C material remained at 595.8 mAh/g. Additionally, the incorporation of graphene leads to a reduction in the electron orbital energy of Fe, which was verified by comparing the density of states (DOS) before and after the doping. Simultaneously, the electrochemical performance of CoO@G/C and NiO@G/C composites further demonstrates that doping transition metal oxides with graphene can enhance their performance as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. We anticipate that this design concept will open new avenues for the development of transition metal oxides (TMOs) and propel their adoption in practical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/387transition metal oxideselectrospinninggrapheneelectrochemical performanceanode materials
spellingShingle Jun Du
Liwei Liao
Binbin Jin
Xinyi Shen
Zhe Mei
Qingcheng Du
Hailin Nong
Bingxin Lei
Liying Liang
Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Metals
transition metal oxides
electrospinning
graphene
electrochemical performance
anode materials
title Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
title_full Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
title_fullStr Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
title_full_unstemmed Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
title_short Graphene Doped with Transition Metal Oxides: Enhancement of Anode Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
title_sort graphene doped with transition metal oxides enhancement of anode performance in lithium ion batteries
topic transition metal oxides
electrospinning
graphene
electrochemical performance
anode materials
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/387
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