The α-Fe2O3/graphite anode composites with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries

The alpha-Fe2O3/graphite composites were prepared by a thermal decomposition method using the expanded graphite as the matrix. The alpha-Fe(2)O(3)nanoparticles with the size of 15-30 nm were embedded into interlayers of graphite, forming a laminated porous nanostructure with a main pore distribution from 2 to 20 nm and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 33.54 m(2)g(-1). The porous structure constructed by the graphite sheets can alleviate the adverse effects caused by the huge volume change of the alpha-Fe(2)O(3)grains during the charge/discharge process. The composite electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1588 mAh g(-1)after 100 cycles at 100 mA g(-1), 702 mAh g(-1)at 5 A g(-1), 460 mAh g(-1)at 10 A g(-1)after 160 cycles, respectively, showing good cycle stability and outstanding rate capability at high current densities.