Arc-discharge production of high-quality fluorine-modified graphene as anode for Li-ion battery.

High-quality F-doped graphene as rate capability anode for Li-ion battery is prepared by a one-step arc-discharge method. The in-situ formation of LiF nano-particles in the first lithium insertion process enhance the interlayer spacing of graphene, thus provid enough void for rapid ion diffusion, which is capable to deliver much high reversible capacity, outstanding rate performance, and excellent cycling stability. • A high-quality F-modified graphene as rate capability anode for Li-ion battery is reported. • The structural evolution of F-modified graphene electrode during the Li+ insertion/extraction is investigated. • The F-modified graphene delivers a high reversible capacity, outstanding rate performance, and excellent cycling stability. The application of lithium ion battery (LIB) in portable electronics and electric vehicle has received tremendous attention, however, challenges remain in seeking suitable high-capacity anode materials with excellent rate performance and thus potentially to boost the energy/power density. Here we report an arc-discharge production of high-quality F-modified graphene as anode for LIB with high-rate capability. As a result of F-modified, the acquired graphene exhibits high atomic ratio of C/O, excellent electric conductivity and more crumpled and wrinkled surface. Interestingly, the in-situ formation of LiF nanoparticles during the first Li+ insertion process not only act as barriers to effectively prevent the agglomeration and re-stacking of graphene sheets but also enhance the interlayer spacing, thus providing enough void for rapid Li+ ion insertion/extraction. These optimized features enable the resultant F-modified graphene delivers a high reversible capacity (783.2 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1), outstanding rate performance (298.5 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), and excellent cycling stability (>91% capacity retention after 1000 cycles), providing great application prospect in high-enegy-power LIB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]