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Fe3O4@starch-derived carbon composites (Fe3O4@C-SD composites) were produced via chemical bowling, an economic and a scalable method, and a subsequent calcination with starch as the carbon resource and iron(III) nitrate as the iron resource. The Fe3O4@C-SD composites present an alveolate-like structure, with ultrafine Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the carbon framework. The Fe3O4@C-SD1 composite delivers a larger specific surface area of ∼132.5 m2 g−1, which can supply more active sites for lithium storage and benefit lithium flux across the interface. The interior hollow structure provides a void space for the volume change of Fe3O4 particles, thus ensuring the integrity of the electrode materials. When used as an anode material, it shows great potential in lithium storage. The specific capacity of the Fe3O4@C-SD1 electrode could reach 581.5 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1, which indicated that the electrode exhibited an excellent cycling stability during the charge/discharge process. The synergistic effects between the carbon matrix and the Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the Fe3O4@C-SD1 composite led to the superior lithium storage performance. This above-mentioned synthetic strategy is simple, economical, scalable and controllable, thereby providing an approach for the synthesis of other composites with similar structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation methods of iron/carbon composites and the types of iron and its compounds are introduced, including nano-iron, ferroferric oxide, ferric oxide, iron hydroxide, iron-manganese oxide, etc. The characteristics of the composites, such as improving iron leaching rate, improving reproducibility and adjusting pH range, were reviewed, and the relationship between them. Meanwhile, the regeneration method and advantages and disadvantages of the composite material based on the Fenton principle are expounded, and the recycling of the composite material can be realized in the future. Finally, the problems and challenges of the composite material were summarized, and several possible topics for material optimization, environmental impact and cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]