•We report a facile strategy to prepare FeP@graphene nanocomposites.•The reversible discharge capacity of FeP@graphene is 1000 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1.•FeP@graphene nanocomposites elucidate excellent long-term cyclic stability.•FeP@graphene nanocomposites exhibit attractive rate capability.Strongly coupled FeP@reduced graphene oxide (FeP@rGO) nanocomposites are synthesized by low-temperature phosphorization of α-FeOOH@graphene oxide (α-FeOOH@GO). The introduced graphene sheets not only effectively buffer the volume change during lithiation/delithiation, but also largely facilitate the ionic/electron diffusion kinetics. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), FeP@rGO nanocomposites show excellent electrochemical performance. Among them, FeP@rGO nanocomposite prepared with the mass ratio of 1:5 (graphene oxide to FeCl3·6H2O) shows the best lithium storage properties. It delivers a reversible discharge capacity of 1000 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, as well as an ultra-stable capacity of 460 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 for 400 cycles. The outstanding lithium storage performance of FeP@rGO nanocomposites opens venues for the potential applications of advanced LIBs.

Three metal–organic frameworks based on trinuclear building blocks, isomeric α-{[NH2(CH3)2]2[Zn3(FDA)4]·2DMF}n (1) and β-{[NH2(CH3)2]2[Zn3(FDA)4]·2DMF}n (2), as well as {[NH2(CH3)2][Zn3(FDA)2(μ2-OH)2(μ3-OH)]·1.03H2O}n (3) (H2FDA = furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid), have been obtained under solvothermal conditions by adjusting the anions of zinc salts and solvents. These compounds are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and luminescence measurements. The building blocks of the three MOFs are trinuclear clusters stabilized by carboxylic groups, and the resulting three-dimensional frameworks are differentiated by the structural nature of the secondary building units (SBU). MOFs 1 and 2 display pcu and bcu nets, respectively. MOF 3 exhibits a new topology, which is a 3,8-connected net with the point symbol of (3·4·5)2(34·44·52·66·710·82). The photoluminescence spectra of 1–3 are reported for the first time, and all the Zn(II) complexes emit blue luminescence.

•Two novel Ln-MOFs were synthesized and structurally characterized.•Compound 2 exhibits new topology.•Both 1 and 2 display the typical luminescence of Dy3 + ions in the visible region.Two new lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) based on Dy(III) binuclear nodes, with formulas {[NH2(CH3)2][Dy2(FDA)3(NO3)]·CH2Cl2·H2O}n (1) and [Dy2(FDA)2(ox)(glycol)2]n (2) (H2FDA = furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid), are synthesized and structurally characterized. The building blocks of two MOFs are both binuclear clusters stabilized by carboxylic groups, but the architectures are different. MOF 1 is a rare 3,9-connected FEZNUU net with point symbol of (4.62)(410.617.89)(43), whereas MOF 2 exhibits a new topology, in which a four nodes 4,4,5,5-connected net with the point symbols of (43.52.6)(43.53.62.72), respectively. Moreover, luminescence investigation of 1 and 2 shows intense and characteristic emission bands of Dy(III) ions in the solid state.Two novel Ln-MOFs {[NH2(CH3)2][Dy2(FDA)3(NO3)]·CH2Cl2·H2O}n (1) and [Dy2(FDA)2(ox)(glycol)2]n (2) based on Dy(III) binuclear nodes were synthesized and structurally characterized. 1 is a rare 3,9-connected FEZNUU net, whereas 2 exhibits a new topology. Moreover, the luminescence properties of compounds were investigated.

•We report a fast microwave heating way to prepare LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C.•The effects of different carbon sources were discussed in detail.•LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP2000 shows a discharge capacity of 160 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C.•LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP2000 elucidates excellent cyclic stability.•LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP2000 exhibits attractive rate capability.Core-shell type olivine solid solutions, LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C, are synthesized via a very simple and rapid microwave heating route with different carbon sources. The obatined LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C materials are characterized thoroughly by various analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy instrument. The particle sizes and distribution of the carbon layer of BP2000 carbon black coated LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4 (LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP) are more uniform than that obtained from acetylene black (LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/AB) and Super P (LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/SP). Moreover, the LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP nanocomposite shows superior electrochemical properties such as high discharge capacity of 160 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C, excellent cyclic stability (143 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C after 30 cycles) and rate capability (76 mAh g−1 at 20 C), which are better than other two samples. Cyclic voltammetric and electrical tests disclose that the Li-ion diffusion, the reversibility of lithium extraction/insertion and electrical conductivity are significantly improved in LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP composite. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy illustrates that LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/BP composite electrode possesses low contact and charge-transfer impedances, which can lead to rapid electron transport during the electrochemical lithium insertion/extraction reaction. It is believed that olivine solid solution LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4 decorated with carbon from appropriate carbon source is a promising cathode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

A facile two-step strategy is developed for in situ fabrication of hierarchical nanostructured Fe3O4@C mesoporous nanowires. Coordination polymers that served as a precursor and self-template are hydrothermally synthesized in the first step, and subsequently thermally treated in an inert atmosphere. Well-defined mesoporous nanowires that are assembled from a large number of core–shell structured Fe3O4@C spherical particles with an ultrasmall and uniform size (∼8 nm) are successfully obtained. As a proof-of-concept application, they are used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. These Fe3O4@C mesoporous nanowires exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with high reversible capacity, good cycling stability and rate capability. The remarkable electrochemical performance is due to the effective combination of ultrasmall and uniform Fe3O4 nanoparticles, mesoporous nanowire structures and carbon networks, which simultaneously supply a high contact area, mitigate the volume change during the lithiation/delithiation process, and enhance the electronic conductivity.

•We firstly report a fast microwave heating way to prepare LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C.•The reversible discharge capacity of LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C is about 169 mA h g−1.•LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C nanocomposite elucidates excellent cyclic stability.•LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C nanocomposite exhibits attractive rate capability.A microwave assisted method is developed for synthesizing pure LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4 and LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C nanocomposite. Olivine LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4 coated with uniform amorphous carbon film of ∼5 nm in thickness with an average size of ∼200 nm is successfully obtained. Compared with pure LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4, LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4/C composite presents enhanced electrochemical Li-ion intercalation performances. It exhibits a high discharge capacity of 169 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C (theoretical capacity is 170 mA h g−1). The capacity retention is 99% after 30 cycles. Furthermore, the capacities are still retained 101 at 5 C and 76 mA h g−1 and 20 C, respectively. Carbon coating can significantly improve the Li-ion diffusion, the reversibility of lithium extraction/insertion and electrical conductivity of LiCo1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3PO4.

•We successfully synthesized Y-doped LiCoPO4 via a citric acid-based sol–gel route.•Y-doping can optimize the morphology and crystal microstructure of LiCoPO4.•Y-doped LiCoPO4 presents a higher discharge capacity and better cyclic stability.Pure and Y-doped LiCoPO4 samples are prepared by a citric acid-based sol–gel route followed by heat treatment. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and charge–discharge tests show that a small amount of Y3 + doping can significantly improve the capacity delivery and cycling properties of LiCoPO4 without affecting its structural properties. Y-doped LiCoPO4 (x = 0.01) cathode material presents a high discharge capacity of 154.3 mAh g− 1 (0.1 C) at room temperature. Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectra tests disclose that the Li-ion diffusion, the reversibility of lithium extraction/insertion, electrical conductivity and electrochemical reaction are significantly improved in Y-doped LiCoPO4.