Porous hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanorods as an anode material with enhanced rate capability in lithium-ion batteries

The porous hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanorods, having diameters of 30-60 nm, were prepared through thermal decomposition of FeC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O nanorods that were readily synthesized through poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted precipitation process. Compared to the commercial alpha-Fe2O3 powders in submicrometer sizes, the porous alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods, as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, exhibited significantly enhanced rate capability due to their nanorod shape and porous structure. When discharging at 0.1C (1C = 1005 mA/g) and charging at different rates (0.1C, 0.5C, and 1C), the porous alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods could deliver a capacity of over than 1130 mAh/g: while cycling at 1C rate, the nanorods could maintain a discharge capacity as high as 916 mAh/g after 100 cycles. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.