Electrochemical properties of α-Fe2O3 /MWCNTs as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

α-Fe2O3/MWCNTs composites were prepared by a simple hydrothermal process. The crystalline structure and the electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized samples were investigated. Results show that as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the α-Fe2O3/MWCNTs exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 1256 ± 5 mAh g−1 and a stable specific discharge capacity of 430 ± 5 mAh g−1 at ambient temperature, for up to 100 cycles with no noticeable capacity fading, while the initial discharge capacity of the bare Fe2O3 is 992.3 mAh g−1, and the discharge capacity is 146.6 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. Moreover, the α-Fe2O3/MWCNTs composites also exhibit excellent rate performance.

► α-Fe2O3/MWCNTs composites were prepared by a simple hydrothermal process.
► α-Fe2O3/MWCNTs exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 1256 ± 5 mAh g−1.
► A stable specific discharge capacity of 430 ± 5 mAh g−1 for up to 100 cycles.
► α-Fe2O3/MWCNTs composites also exhibit excellent rate performance.