One-step hydrothermal synthesis of 2D WO3 nanoplates@ graphene nanocomposite with superior anode performance for lithium ion battery

Highlights: • The combination of 2D WO₃ nanosheet and graphene at different points reduces the reunion in some degree by a simple hydrothermal method. • The WO₃ nanosheet@rGO remains a high discharge specific capacity of 1005.7 mA h g⁻¹ after 150 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹. • Incorporating highly conductive the graphene into a 2D nanostructure to enhance the fast charge transfer and a long-term cyclability. -- Abstract: The WO₃ nanosheet@reduced graphene oxide (WO₃ nanosheet@rGO) square particles have been synthesized successfully by a hydrothermal method. The structure and polymorphy of the particle are well characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XPS, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, Raman spectra and BET analysis. The electrochemical behaviors are researched by using CV, galvanostatic cycle and EIS. The results indicate that the special combination about the two-dimension WO₃ nanoplate and graphene scales can promote the electrochemical properties of the metallic oxide effectively. Compared with the pure WO₃, a higher initial discharge capacity of the WO₃ nanosheet@rGO composite is 1143 mA h g⁻¹, the reversible capacity can also maintain in 1005.7 mA h g⁻¹ after 150 cycles in the condition of 100 mA g⁻¹ and 0.01–3 V. The outstanding electrochemical performances composite demonstrates that WO₃ nanosheet@rGO synthesized by this method is feasible and could be used as a promising anode material for LIBs.