Scalable dry-production of superior 3D net-like FeOx/C composite anode material for lithium ion battery

Carbon-based transition metal oxides are considered as an appropriate anode material candidate for lithium ion batteries. Herein, a simple and scalable dry-production method is developed to produce carbon-encapsulated 3D net-like FeOx/C material. The process simply associates with pyrolysis of solid carbon source of filter paper with adsorbed ferrite nitrate. The carbon derived from filter paper induces a carbothermal reduction to form metallic Fe, the adding carbon and metal Fe increase the conductivity of this material. As expected, this 3D net-like FeOx/C composite delivers excellent charge capacity of 851.3 mAh g-1 after 50 cycles at 0.2 A g-1 as well as high stability and rate performance of 714.7 mAh g-1 after 300 cycles at 1 A g-1. Superior performance, innocuity, low-cost, and high yield may greatly stimulate the practical application of the products as anode materials in lithium ion batteries.