Chemical-free synthesis of graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials for reversible lithium storage in lithium-ion batteries

Graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials were successfully prepared through the pi-pi interaction without using any chemical reagent. We found that the ratio between carbon nanotube and graphene had critical influences on the state in aqueous solution and morphology of hybrid materials. Field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis confirmed that graphene nanosheets wrap around individual carbon nanotubes and form a homogeneous three-dimensional hybrid nano-structure. When applied as an anode material in lithium ion batteries, graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials demonstrated a high reversible lithium storage capacity, a high Coulombic efficiency and an excellent cyclability. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.