Ultralong life lithium-ion battery anode with superior high-rate capability and excellent cyclic stability from mesoporous Fe2O3@TiO2 core–shell nanorods

Abstract

Mesoporous core–shell nanocomposites with porous α-Fe2O3 nanorods as the core and porous TiO2 as the shell are synthesized by calcination treatment of FeOOH@TiO2 core–shell nanorods. Due to the high capacity of Fe2O3 core and durable outer shell of TiO2, as well as the specific mesoporous nanostructures, the products deliver an excellent electrochemical performance towards lithium storage, including stable reversible capacity as high as ∼860 mA h g−1 at high current density of 1 A g−1, excellent cyclic stability with ultralong cycling life over 1000 cycles, and outstanding rate capability. The disclosure of the relationship between the components/structure and the lithium storage properties will greatly benefit the rational design and synthesis of high-performance nanocomposites for lithium-ion batteries.