Single crystalline flowerlike α-MoO3 nanorods and their application as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A facile one-step solvothermal method was developed to synthesize single crystalline flowerlike α-MoO3 nanorods without using any catalysts, surfactants or templates. Highly crystalline α-MoO3 nanorods grow along [001] with length up to 2–4 μm and diameter ranging between 150 and 200 nm. The as-prepared nanorods are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The flowerlike α-MoO3 nanorod electrodes display initial discharge and charge capacities of 1182 and 1158 mAh g−1, respectively, with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.45%. Moreover, owing to the unique flowerlike morphology, they exhibit good cyclability, durability and reliability, demonstrating an auspicious anode candidate for lithium-ion batteries.