The facile preparation of a carbon coated Bi₂O₃ nanoparticle/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide hybrid as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A hybrid of carbon coated Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles distributed on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide is prepared by facile thermal treatment processes. In this hybrid electrode material, the nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide improves the electron and Li⁺ transport due to its good electrical conductivity and surface wettability. In addition, the carbon coating layer avoids direct contact between the Bi₂O₃ and electrolyte, so it effectively inhibits the repeated formation and decomposition of a solid electrolyte interface film. Furthermore, Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles can improve the Li⁺ diffusion because of the short Li⁺ diffusion distance. As a result, the hybrid has stable cycling retention (391 mA h g^-1 after 250 cycles at 3 A g^-1), and outstanding rate capability (326 mA h g^-1 at 4.8 A g^-1). The excellent electrochemical performance is associated with the synergistic effect of the highly conductive nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide matrix and carbon coating layer. The excellent lithium storage capability indicates that the hybrid of carbon coated Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles distributed on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide has significant potential as an anode for lithium-ion batteries.