Metal–organic framework derived Fe3O4/C/rGO composite as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries

Fe3O4 has attracted widespread attention mainly due to their high theoretical specific capacity and low cost, which determine its large potential application as an anode material in Li-ion batteries. However, the poor electronic conductivity and structural stability lead to the rapid capacity loss and limit their commercialization process. Herein, a Fe-based (Fe3O4/C/rGO) composite was constructed by using Fe-based metal–organic framework (MIL-88A) as the precursor and in situ recombination of reduced grapheme oxide (rGO). The abundant pore structure and excellent structural stability of the MIL-88A are inherited by Fe3O4/C composite, while rGO connects the relatively independent Fe3O4/C particles and provides a fast Li+/e− transmission channel, which further improves the electronic conductivity and structural stability of the Fe3O4/C/rGO composite. The as-synthesized mesoporous Fe3O4/C/rGO composite can exhibit obviously enhanced electrochemical properties in terms of lithium storage performance (932 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1), with the cyclic performance (333 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 200 mA g−1) and rate performance. This work can also be extended to the research of other advanced electrode materials.