Porous Fe2O3 nanotubes as advanced anode for high performance lithium ion batteries

Abstract

One-dimensional porous Fe2O3 nanotubes with 2µm length, 220nm outer diameter and 65nm wall thickness were firstly synthesized via a low temperature hydrothermal method followed by thermal treatment. As advanced anode for lithium ion batteries, porous Fe2O3 nanotubes exhibit obviously enhanced electrochemical properties in terms of lithium storage capacity (1050.1mAhg−1 at 100mAg−1 rate), initial coulombic efficiency (78.4%), cycle performances (90.6% capacity retention at 50th cycle), and rate capability (613.7mAhg−1 at 1000mAg−1 rate). This enhancement could be attributed to the one-dimensional nanostructure of porous Fe2O3 nanotubes which could increase contact area between electrolyte and active materials, shorten migration path for Li+ ions and electrons, and accommodate the volume variations via additional void space during cycling.