Highly ordered iron oxide nanotube arrays as electrodes for electrochemical energy storage

Highly ordered alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanotube arrays have been fabricated by a simple and cost-effective anodization method on iron foils. The alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanotube arrays exhibit high specific capacitance (138 F.g(-1) at 1.3 A.g(-1)), remarkable rate capability (91 F.g(-1) at 12.8 A.g(-1)) and good cycling stability (the capacitance retention close to 89% after 500 cycles), clue to the unique nanostructures of the alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanotube arrays, which providing high surface area, fast ion transport pathways and robust structures. These features made the alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanotube array electrode very attractive for supercapacitor applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.