SYNTHESIS OF SUB-MICROMETER CARBON SUPPORTED Fe3O4 HOLLOW SPHERES WITH ENHANCED LITHIUM STORAGE PROPERTIES

In this paper, we report an interesting approach for efficient synthesis of uniform sub-micrometer carbon supported Fe3O4 hollow spheres. Fe3O4 precursor was first coated on the surface of sulfonated polystyrene hollow microspheres. Then, the precursor and sulfonated polystyrene hollow microspheres were converted into Fe3O4 and carbon hollow spheres when heated at 550 degrees C in N-2 atmosphere. The obtained Fe3O4 @ carbon hollow microspheres exhibit enhanced lithium storage properties compared with Fe2O3 hollow spheres as anode materials, delivering a reversible capacity of 612 mA hg(-1) after 50 cycles at a high current density of 400 mA g(-1).