Colloidal synthesis of greigite nanoplates with controlled lateral size for electrochemical applications.

Tingting Li, Huanhuan Li, Zhennan Wu, Hongxia Hao, Jiale Liu, Tingting Huang, Haizhu Sun, Jingping Zhang, Hao Zhang, Zuoxing Guo

Index: Nanoscale 7(9) , 4171-8, (2015)

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Abstract

The excellent electrochemical performance of greigite (Fe3S4) coupled with its vast abundance and low toxicity make it a good prospect as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this research, a simple and feasible approach for producing pure phase, small sized, shape-controllable, and stable Fe3S4 nanoplates (NPs) through hot injection of sulfur solution into Fe(iii) solution was demonstrated. The growth of Fe3S4 NPs involves the primary formation of a pyrite (FeS2) nucleus and subsequent Fe(iii) doping. The lateral size of the Fe3S4 NPs was controlled further by tuning the experimental variable-dependent reactivity of Fe sources in the nucleation and growth stage. The Fe3S4 NPs embedded in LIBs present a low electrochemical resistance and are highly active in lithiation/delithiation processes.