MXene/Fe₂O₃ composite synthesized by electrostatic adsorption method as a high-performance anode material for Li-ion...

The creation of anode materials with high capacity and stability is vital for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Although Fe₂O₃ has a high theoretical capacity, its practical use is limited by significant volume expansion during cycling and low electrical conductivity. To address these challenges, a MXene/Fe₂O₃ composite is designed and prepared synthesized through a simple yet effective electrostatic adsorption strategy. Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis indicates that polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) effectively anchors itself to the surfaces of both MXene and Fe₂O₃ through the quaternary ammonium cations located at each end, thereby serving as an efficient bridge between MXene and Fe₂O₃. Kinetics analysis reveals that the incorporation of MXene establishes an efficient conductive network that facilitates charge transfer and ion transport. MXene can also mitigate the aggregation and volume expansion of Fe₂O₃. As a result, the optimal MXene/Fe₂O₃ composite anode delivers a remarkable reversible capacity of 600 mAh g^-1 after 3500 cycles at 5 A g^-1, demonstrating improved cycling stability. This study proposes a versatile approach to designing MXene-supported composites incorporating metal oxides for use in high-performance energy storage systems.