Electrochemical properties of Fe2O3 microparticles and their application in Fe/air battery anodes

To identify an adequate material for Fe/air battery anodes, we used pure α-Fe2O3 with 1-10 μm grain size as active material to for comparison with commercial materials. Highly relative homogeneous micro α-Fe2O3 with mainly rhombohedral-like shape was prepared by a controlled synthesis method. The effect of morphology, shape, and particle size of Fe2O3 on the electrochemical behavior of Fe2O3/AB electrode was investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic cycling performance. Results showed that the prepared α-Fe2O3 provided shaper redox peaks and deposition peaks that were separate from hydrogen evolution. In the initial cycles, both commercial Fe2O3 nanoparticles and prepared α-Fe2O3 microparticles yielded similar discharge capacities but the prolonged cycling of the prepared microparticles provided higher capacities.