A facile self-catalyzed CVD method to synthesize Fe3C/N-doped carbon nanofibers as lithium storage anode with improved rate capability and cyclability

Abstract Uniform Fe3C/N-doped carbon nanofibers were successfully synthesized through a facile self-catalyzed CVD method by using acetylene as carbon source and Fe3O4 as iron source and autocatalytic template for the reaction under moderate preparation conditions. The experimental and theoretical calculation results demonstrate that Fe3C can improve the lithium storage performance of carbon nanofibers. Besides, the addition of PPy can not only control the growth rate of carbon fibers but also help to form uniform carbon fibers. As a result, the obtained Fe3C/N-doped carbon nanofiber composites display favorable electrochemical performance as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, which including satisfactory rate performance of 402 mA h g-1 under 1.2 A g-1, and good cycling stability of 502.3 mA h g-1 under 200 mA g-1 over 400 cycles. The introduction of Fe3C species and the uniform carbon fiber morphology are responsible for the long-cycling and high rate performance of materials.