Fe2O3@C nanocomposites as anode materials for lithium- and sodium ion batteries with high cyclic stability

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Rüdiger Klingeler
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2018 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 421062477

Due to easy synthesis, low cost, low toxicity, and high capacity, iron oxides nanomaterials and derived compounds are particularly promising regarding their potential for energy storage in Li- and Na-ion batteries. We hence propose to study the growth mechanisms and synthesis routes as well as the structural, magnetic, and electrochemical properties of Fe2O3-based carbon nanocomposites. This will be achieved by combining the competences of the host team, i.e. condensed matter physics and materials science including a battery laboratory, and of Dr. Zakharova, who is an internationally renowned inorganic chemist with great experience in synthesis of oxide nanostructures. In particular, we will study in detail the effect of structure, morphology, and particle size of the iron oxide nanocomposites on their physical and electrochemical properties. Particular emphasis will be put on improving the material aiming at a novel anode material with a good cycling stability and discharge capacity. The main scientific aims are (1) to gain fundamental understanding of growth mechanisms and synthesis routes, and (2) to search for anode material of Li- and Na-ion batteries with a good cycling stability and discharge capacity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Russia
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Galina Stepanova Zakharova