Carbon-nanofibers encapsulated metal oxide nanocomposite and its application as conversion anode material for lithium ion batteries

Functional metal oxide/C-fibers composites were synthesized by a simple pyrolysis-oxidation process and have been investigated as promising conversion anode materials for Li-ion batteries. Metallocene was used as precursor and acts as both metal and carbon source. No templates or solvents were involved in the fabrication process. Three different composites of Fe₃O₄/C, Co₃O₄/C and CoFe₂O₄/C were synthesized by applying this method and tentatively studied as active anode materials. The synergistic effects by combining metal oxide nanoparticles and carbon fibers and also their intimate contact developed in the synthetic process are suggested to be crucial for the observed good cycling performance of the composites. This work offers a facile and broadly applicable way for fabrication and utilization of metal oxide/mixed metal oxide-C composites as electrode materials for Li-ion batteries.