Electrochemical study of specially designed graphene-Fe₃O₄-polyaniline nanocomposite as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion battery

In this work, an anode material with improved thermal stability, charge capacity, charge capacity retention, energy density, cyclic performance, operation safety, reversible capacity, and rate capability was synthesized for battery applications. The graphene-magnetite-polyaniline (Gr-Fe₃O₄-PANI) nanocomposites (NCs) are believed to deliver outstanding performance owing to the collective effect of the layered graphene (Gr) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) hollow rods (HRs), as well as the better conductivity of polyaniline (PANI). The Gr-Fe₃O₄-PANI NCs easily enable the insertion and deinsertion of Li⁺, the passage of ions in the electrode, fast kinetics of Li⁺, and low volume expansion. Gr-Fe₃O₄-PANI NC was prepared by polymerizing aniline in the presence of already prepared Fe₃O₄ HRs, then dispersing in Gr. Fe₃O₄ HRs were synthesized by a hydrothermal route. Electrochemical properties were investigated by galvanostatic charge-discharge analysis and cyclic voltammetry. A lithium-ion battery (LIB) based on the Gr-Fe₃O₄-PANI exhibited a superior reversible current capacity of 1214 mA h g⁻¹, excellent power capability, low volume expansion, high cycling stability and 99.6% coulombic efficiency over 250 cycles.