In-situ Synthesis of Bismuth/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites as High Capacity Anode Materials for Mg-ion Battery

Herein, in-situ reduction of bismuth and graphene oxide was performed by a solvothermal method under a nitrogen atmosphere, and the resulting Bi on RGO nanocomposites were used as an anode material for Mg-ion batteries. The nanocomposite of 60% Bi:40% RGO is a beneficial anode material, delivering a discharge capacity as high as 413 and 372 mAh per g at the specific current of 39 mA per g in the 1st and 50th cycles, respectively. In addition, it shows high-rate capability with the discharge capacities of 381, 372, 354, 295, and 238 mAh per g at the specific currents of 53, 100, 200, 500, and 700 mA per g, respectively. The better electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite is due to improvement in the electronic conductivity and significant reduction of volume changes during electrochemical cycling. This study demonstrates the bismuth (Bi) on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite as a promising high-capacity anode for magnesium-ion batteries with longer life cycle and high-rate performance.