Three‐dimensional carbon nanotube framework enables low‐cost LiFe5O8 anode material for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries

Abstract

LiFe5O8 is regarded as a promising material, which is used as anode for lithium‐ion batteries on account of its lower cost and higher theoretical capacity. However, its practical applications are hindered by the low electron transfer rate, poor cycling performance, and huge magnification of lattice volume. In this work, a LiFe5O8/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite anode is designed to realize the ideal anode for low‐cost lithium‐ion batteries, showing broad commercial application prospects. It is found that the three‐dimensional conductive network of CNTs is used to accelerate electron transfer rate within the LiFe5O8 particles, thereby significantly reducing the reversible reaction barrier (Fe/Fe3O4). In addition, it can also alleviate the volume change of electrode, which maintains a stable Li+ insertion/extraction behavior during long‐term cycles. As a consequence, there is still a high capacity (427.3 mAh g−1) of the LiFe5O8/CNTs 3% anode reserved after 50 cycles at 0.5 C whereas the bare LiFe5O8 anode only delivers a low capacity of 220.6 mAh g−1 along with a poor cycling stability. This work highlights the outstanding contribution of electronic conductivity toward the electrochemical performance of LiFe5O8 anode and provides a low‐cost and commercially applicable composite anode for developing lower cost lithium‐ion batteries.