Synthesis of Sodium Cobalt Fluoride/Reduced Graphene Oxide (NaCoF(3)/rGO) Nanocomposites and Investigation of Their Electrochemical Properties as Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries

In this study, sodium cobalt fluoride (NaCoF(3))/reduced graphene oxide (NCF/rGO) nanocomposites were fabricated through a simple one-pot solvothermal process and their electrochemical performance as cathodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) was investigated. The NCF nanoclusters (NCs) on the composites (300–500 nm in size) were formed by the assembly of primary nanoparticles (~20 nm), which were then incorporated on the surface of rGO. This morphology provided NCF NCs with a large surface area for efficient ion diffusion and also allowed for close contact with the conductive matrix to promote rapid electron transfer. As a cathode for LIBs, the NCF/rGO electrode achieved a high reversible capacity of 465 mAh·g(−1) at 20 mA·g(−1) via the conversion reaction, and this enhancement represented more than five times the reversible capacity of the bare NCF electrode. Additionally, the NCF/rGO electrode exhibited both better specific capacity and cyclability within the current density testing range (from 20 to 200 mA·g(−1)), compared with those of the bare NCF electrode.