Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 January 2016
A paradigm for the synthetic manipulation of composition and crystallite size ofbimetallic composites via a low-temperature, aqueous co-precipitation techniqueemploying non-stoichiometric ratios of starting materials, AgNO3 andFe(NO3)3, is introduced. In-situ formation ofcomposites containing crystalline silver ferrite, AgFeO2, andnanocrystalline maghemite, γ-Fe2O3 isdemonstrated and established by Raman spectroscopic and X-ray absorptionanalyses. As a cathode, the lowest silver content composites exhibitedprofoundly improved electrochemical performance, with reversible capacitiesapproximately 100% higher relative to stoichiometric AgFeO2, anddemonstrate the lowest capacity fade.