Hierarchical Fe/Fe3C/C nanofibers as anodes for high capacity and rate in lithium ion batteries

Iron carbide (Fe3C) has gained significant attention for use in energy storage applications. Furthermore, using a nano-scale metal as the catalyst can reduce the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI), thus enhancing capacity. For these reasons, hierarchical Fe/Fe3C/C nanofibers are prepared by electrospinning with subsequent thermal treatment and used as the anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). These anodes demonstrate a good rate and high capacities. At 0.1 A g−1, the Fe/Fe3C/C nanofiber electrode maintains 518 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles. When tested at 1 A g−1, the discharge capacity gradually increases and reaches 663 mA h g−1 after 1200 cycles. This work demonstrates the possibility to design and develop transition metal carbides (TMCs) for use in energy storage.