Colloidal synthesis of greigite nanoplates with controlled lateral size for electrochemical applications.

The excellent electrochemical performance of greigite (Fe3S4) coupled with its vast abundance and low toxicity make it a good prospect as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this research, a simple and feasible approach for producing pure phase, small sized, shape-controllable, and stable Fe3S4 nanoplates (NPs) through hot injection of sulfur solution into Fe(iii) solution was demonstrated. The growth of Fe3S4 NPs involves the primary formation of a pyrite (FeS2) nucleus and subsequent Fe(iii) doping. The lateral size of the Fe3S4 NPs was controlled further by tuning the experimental variable-dependent reactivity of Fe sources in the nucleation and growth stage. The Fe3S4 NPs embedded in LIBs present a low electrochemical resistance and are highly active in lithiation/delithiation processes.