Carbon entrapped nanosized Fe3O4 on Ni foam as integrated electrode with large and fast lithium storage.

To pursue anode materials with large and fast lithium storage properties, the carbon entrapped Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are directly grown on Ni foam as binder-free integrated electrode for the first time. The synthesis strategy includes an in situ polymerization method and the following thermal annealing process. The charge transfer is dramatically improved due to the advantageous features of high electric conductivity of carbon layer and Ni substrate, nanosized Fe 3 O 4 particles, close contact between active materials and current collector. The carbon shell can also buffer the volume changes of Fe 3 O 4 during the lithiation/delithiation. Therefore, the integrated electrode exhibits high capacity, superior rate capability, and good cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]