Self-assembled flower-like NiFe 2 O 4 decorated on 2D graphene nanosheets composite and their excellent electrochemical performance as anode materials for LIBs

Flower-like NiFe2O4 decorated on 2D graphene nanosheets composite and spherical NiFe2O4 decorated on 2D graphene nanosheets composite have been synthesized through an easy method including one-pot hydrothermal route and one-pot heat treatment, respectively. In the well-designed 3D dimensional system, 2D graphene nanosheets work as conductive matrix to support the flower-like NiFe2O4 and spherical NiFe2O4. The structure integrates the advantage of graphene nanosheets to preserve the electrode activity and integrity, improving the electrochemical performance. Lithium storage properties of the two kind of composites are compared as anode materials. The results presented that flower-like NiFe2O4/graphene composite shows better electrochemical performance and cycling stability. The first discharge capacity is 2632.6 mA h/g at a high current density of 100 mA/g. After 50 cycles, the reversible capacity is 606.2 mA h/g and the coulomb efficiency reaches at 98.86%. With the excellent electrochemical properties, flower-like NiFe2O4 decorated on 2D graphene nanosheets could be a kind of promising potential candidate anode materials for LIBs. This research offers possibility to improve the lithium ion storage capacity of transition metal oxides through advisablely controlling the architecture and composition of anode materials.