Three‐Dimensional Carbon@Fe2O3@SnO2 Hierarchical Inverse Opals Arrays as Li–ion Battery Anode with Improved Cycling Life and Rate Capability

Abstract

AbstractWe report a novel three‐dimensional (3D) cabon@Fe2O3@SnO2 hierarchical composite inverse opals arrays electrode for binder‐free Li‐ion battery anode. In this electrode design, the ordered macroporous SnO2 acts as conductive skeletons for supporting the 1D Fe2O3 nanorods, offering a high specific surface area and fast pathways for both electron and ion transport, while the carbon coated on the Fe2O3 surfaces works as a buffer layer to improve the conductivity and structural stability. Benefiting from this smart design, the hierarchical carbon@Fe2O3@SnO2 composite inverse opals electrode as a Li ion battery anode exhibits a high discharge capacity of 1021 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g, better cycling life (capacity retaining at 388 mAh/g after 200 cycles) and excellent rate capability, which is superior to those of individual SnO2 inverse opals and SnO2@Fe2O3 inverse opals electrodes.