Advanced Li-Ion Batteries with High Rate, Stability, and Mass Loading Based on Graphene Ribbon Hybrid Networks

To optimize the cycle life and rate performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), ultra-fine Fe₂ O₃ nanowires with a diameter of approximately 2 nm uniformly anchored on a cross-linked graphene ribbon network are fabricated. The unique three-dimensional structure can effectively improve the electrical conductivity and facilitate ion diffusion, especially cross-plane diffusion. Moreover, Fe₂ O₃ nanowires on graphene ribbons (Fe₂ O₃ /GR) are easily accessible for lithium ions compared with the traditional graphene sheets (Fe₂ O₃ /GS). In addition, the well-developed elastic network can not only undergo the drastic volume expansion during repetitive cycling, but also protect the bulk electrode from further pulverization. As a result, the Fe₂ O₃ /GR hybrid exhibits high rate and long cycle life Li storage performance (632 mAh g^-1 at 5 A g^-1 , and 471 mAh g^-1 capacity maintained even after 3000 cycles). Especially at high mass loading (≈4 mg cm^-2 ), the Fe₂ O₃ /GR can still deliver higher reversible capacity (223 mAh g^-1 even at 2 A g^-1 ) compared with the Fe₂ O₃ /GS (37 mAh g^-1 ) for LIBs.