The structural and morphological changes occurred during the molten salt treatment of ilmenite (FeTiO₃) are investigated by a variety of techniques including X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as Raman and photoelectron spectroscopy. The phase evolution of ilmenite in molten LiCl under humid atmosphere leads to the facile formation of Li-containing phases such as Li_0.8Ti_2.2O₄ and LiFeO₂. Moreover, graphene nanosheets are successfully incorporated in the molten salt produced material through ball milling, and the Li-storage performance of the electrode made of the hybrid material is investigated. Unlike ilmenite, the hybrid structure exhibit an excellent electrochemical performance with a stable capacity of around 300 mAh g⁻¹ after 500 successive discharge/charge cycles. This enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the presence of lithium oxide in the molten salt product that reduces the overall volume changes taking place during the lithiation/delithiation of the material, increasing the structural stability of the electrode. Furthermore, the presence of graphene nanosheets not only provides the electrical conductivity for the electrode, but also contributes to the structural stability of electrode by agglomerating the nanoparticles formed during cycling of the electrode. This article suggests a green and low-cost approach for the facile conversion of ilmenite into materials applicable for energy storage systems.

钛铁矿 (FeTiO ₃ )的熔盐处理过程中发生的结构和形态变化通过各种技术进行研究，包括 X 射线衍射、扫描和透射电子显微镜以及拉曼和光电子能谱。潮湿气氛下钛铁矿在熔融 LiCl 中的相演变导致含锂相的容易形成，如 Li _0.8 Ti _2.2 O ₄和 LiFeO ₂. 此外，石墨烯纳米片通过球磨成功地掺入熔融盐生产的材料中，并研究了由混合材料制成的电极的储锂性能。与钛铁矿不同，混合结构表现出优异的电化学性能，稳定的容量约为 300 mAh g ^-1经过 500 次连续放电/充电循环后。这种增强的电化学性能归因于熔盐产物中氧化锂的存在，这减少了材料锂化/脱锂过程中发生的总体体积变化，提高了电极的结构稳定性。此外，石墨烯纳米片的存在不仅为电极提供了导电性，而且通过在电极循环过程中形成的纳米颗粒团聚而有助于电极的结构稳定性。本文提出了一种将钛铁矿轻松转化为适用于储能系统的材料的绿色低成本方法。