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One-step preparation of graphene nanosheets via ball milling of graphite and the application in lithium-ion batteries

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Abstract

An improved method for mass production of good-quality graphene nanosheets (GNs) via ball milling pristine graphite with dry ice is presented. We also report the enhanced performance of these GNs as working electrode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this improved method, the decrease of necessary ball milling time from 48 to 24 h and the increase of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area from 389.4 to 490 m2/g might be resulted from the proper mixing of stainless steel balls with different diameters and the optimization of agitation speed. The as-prepared GNs are investigated in detail using a number of techniques, such as scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, X-ray diffractometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic. To demonstrate the potential applications of these GNs, the performances of the LIBs with pure Fe3O4 electrode and Fe3O4/graphene (Fe3O4/G) composite electrode were carefully evaluated. Compared to Fe3O4-LIBs, Fe3O4/G-LIBs exhibited prominently enhanced performance and a reversible specific capacity of 900 mAh g−1 after 5 cycles at 100 and 490 mAh g−1 after 5 cycles at 800 mA g−1. The improved cyclic stability and enhanced rate capability were also obtained.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China with Grant Nos. 51173087 and 21305133, and Taishan Scholars Program for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemical Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Huihui Zhu, Yanlin Cao, Jizhen Zhang, Wenling Zhang, Yuanhong Xu & Jingquan Liu

  2. Laboratory of Fiber Materials and Modern Textile, Growing Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Huihui Zhu, Yanlin Cao, Jizhen Zhang, Wenling Zhang, Yuanhong Xu & Jingquan Liu

  3. College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China

    Jinxue Guo

  4. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3217, Australia

    Wenrong Yang

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  1. Huihui Zhu
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Correspondence to Jinxue Guo or Jingquan Liu.

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Zhu, H., Cao, Y., Zhang, J. et al. One-step preparation of graphene nanosheets via ball milling of graphite and the application in lithium-ion batteries. J Mater Sci 51, 3675–3683 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9655-z

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