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 Fe 2 O 3 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, Fe 2 O 3 nanowires on graphene ribbons (Fe 2 O 3 /GR) are easily accessible for lithium ions compared with the traditional graphene sheets (Fe 2 O 3 /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 Fe 2 O 3 /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 Fe 2 O 3 /GR can still deliver higher reversible capacity (223 mAh g −1 even at 2 A g −1 ) compared with the Fe 2 O 3 /GS (37 mAh g −1 ) for LIBs.