Assembled-sheets-like MoO3 anodes with excellent electrochemical performance in Li-ion battery

Assembled-sheets-like MoO3 (A-MoO3) has been synthesized from precursor hexagonal-rods (H-MoO3) with a facile heat treatment route. The assembled sheets structure is much looser than H-MoO3. As an anode for lithium ion batteries, A-MoO3 maintains an improved discharge capacity of 889 mAh g−1 over 100 cycles with capacity retention of ∼100%, compared with H-MoO3. Meanwhile, A-MoO3 delivers enhanced rate capability (567 mAh g−1 at 2 C). The excellent cycle stability and better rate performance of A-MoO3 are associated with a porous-interweaved structure obtained after several cycles. The porous-interweaved structure can facilitate lithium ion and electron transfer. Over 100 cycles, the stable structure can be still preserved, exhibiting better structural stability than precursor H-MoO3. The enhanced electrochemical performance makes the A-MoO3 a promise for applications as high capacity lithium ion batteries anodes.