Self-Assembly of Bi(2)Te(3)-Nanoplate/Graphene-Nanosheet Hybrid by One-Pot Route and Its Improved Li-Storage Properties

A sandwich structured Bi(2)Te(3)-nanoplates/graphene-nanosheet (Bi(2)Te(3)/G) hybrid has been synthesized by a facile in situ solvothermal route and has been investigated as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries. Bi(2)Te(3) grows during the solvothermal process with the simultaneous reduction of graphite oxide into graphene. The in situ formation process of the hybrid has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectra. The Li-storage mechanism and performance of Bi(2)Te(3)/G and bare Bi(2)Te(3 )have been studied by galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry. The Bi(2)Te(3)/G sandwich exhibits an obviously improved cycling stability compared to bare Bi(2)Te(3). The enhancement in electrochemical performance can be attributed to the combined conducting, confining and dispersing effects of graphene for Bi(2)Te(3) nanoplates and to the self-assembled sandwich structure.