Electrochemical synthesis of carbon-metal fluoride nanocomposites as cathode materials for lithium batteries

Herein we have demonstrated an electrochemical method for the synthesis of carbon-metal fluoride nanocomposites (CMFNCs). Electrochemical intercalation of transition metal ions into graphite fluoride (CF${}_x$) resulted in the formation of CMFNCs. As a proof-of-concept, we have synthesized C-FeF${}_2$ and C-NiF${}_2$ nanocomposites by the electrochemical intercalation of Fe${}^{2+}$ and Ni${}^{2+}$ into CF${}_x$ from corresponding non-aqueous electrolytes. The C-FeF${}_2$ and C-NiF${}_2$ nanocomposites synthesized by this method showed high reversible capacity and cycling stability compared to chemically synthesized analogs as cathode materials for lithium batteries. The reversible capacity of chemically synthesized C-FeF${}_2$ is 181 mAh g${}^{-1}$, whereas electrochemically synthesized material is 349 mAh g${}^{-1}$ after 20 cycles. The better cycling performance of electrochemically synthesized C-FeF${}_2$ was attributed to the homogeneous distribution of FeF${}_2$ nanoparticles within the carbon matrix enabled by the electrochemical intercalation of Fe${}^{2+}$. The electrochemical method described here is emission-free, cost-effective, occurs at room temperature, and extendable to the synthesis of several other CMFNCs. ... mehrMoreover, it might provide new avenues for the synthesis of advanced functional materials.