Submicron-sized cube-like alpha-Fe2O3 agglomerates as an anode material for Li-ion batteries

Submicron-sized cube-like alpha-Fe2O3 agglomerates were successfully fabricated via hydrothermal technique The material showed a high reversible capacity of 900 2 mAh g(-1) and excellent capacity retention of 88 9% after 35 cycles at a current density of 40 mA g(-1) The initial columbic efficiencies of the as-prepared powder were 82 65 and 80 57% at current densities of 40 and 80 mA g(-1) respectively which is higher than that of other alpha-Fe2O3 electrodes reported so far We believe that the small crystal size and the high structure stability are responsible for the drastic improvement in initial coulombic efficiency and reversibility (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved