Preparation and electrochemical properties of urchin-like α-Fe2O3 nanomaterials

Based on a facile glucose-guided hydrolyzing-heat-treating approach, urchin-like alpha-Fe2O3 nanomaterials with controllable morphology and crystallinity were prepared via adjusting the heat-treating temperature, and their electrochemical performances were investigated. The results showed that changing the heat-treating temperature can effectively control the structure and electrochemical property of the as-made products. The urchin-like alpha-Fe2O3 nanomaterials obtained by heat-treating at 300A degrees C, composed of a mass of the shuttle fibrous brunches, had higher initial discharge capacity(1475 mAhg(-1)) than those consisting of nanorods formed at 700A degrees C. The above difference is ascribed to the urchin-like samples obtained at the relatively low heat-treating temperature, which, with low crystallinity, large S (BET), and well-regulated porous, is helpful to the adsorption of electrolyte and the transport of lithium ion, resulting in the high activity and discharge-charge capacity.