Advanced Li‐Ion Batteries with High Rate, Stability, and Mass Loading Based on Graphene Ribbon Hybrid Networks.

To optimize the cycle life and rate performance of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), ultra‐fine Fe2O3 nanowires with a diameter of approximately 2 nm uniformly anchored on a cross‐linked graphene ribbon network are fabricated. The unique three‐dimensional structure can effectively improve the electrical conductivity and facilitate ion diffusion, especially cross‐plane diffusion. Moreover, Fe2O3 nanowires on graphene ribbons (Fe2O3/GR) are easily accessible for lithium ions compared with the traditional graphene sheets (Fe2O3/GS). In addition, the well‐developed elastic network can not only undergo the drastic volume expansion during repetitive cycling, but also protect the bulk electrode from further pulverization. As a result, the Fe2O3/GR hybrid exhibits high rate and long cycle life Li storage performance (632 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1, and 471 mAh g−1 capacity maintained even after 3000 cycles). Especially at high mass loading (≈4 mg cm−2), the Fe2O3/GR can still deliver higher reversible capacity (223 mAh g−1 even at 2 A g−1) compared with the Fe2O3/GS (37 mAh g−1) for LIBs. Winning ribbon: Graphene ribbon networks can effectively improve electron/ion transfer to enhance the battery performance of hybrids, especially at high mass loading. Ultra‐fine Fe2O3 nanowires uniformly anchored on interconnected graphene ribbon networks are successfully synthesized, and exhibit high rate and long cycle life performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]