Research and analysis on electrochemical performances of α-Fe2O3 electrode in Li-ion battery with different current collectors

• We achieved a reversible capacity of 415 mAh g−1 after 30 cycles for α-Fe2O3 electrode in Li-ion battery.
• Better electrical performance was obtained when using Cu foam as current collector.
• As current collector for α-Fe2O3 electrode, Cu foam is better than Cu foil and Ni foam.
• It could avoid the active materials falling off from the current collector during cycling.
• It is owe to smaller surface film resistance, charge-transfer resistance, etc.

In this work, we reported a simple synthesis of submicron α-Fe2O3 with rod-like structure. When it evaluated as electrode material for lithium ion battery, comparing with Cu foil and Ni foam, the as-prepared α-Fe2O3 electrodes with Cu foam current collector exhibited higher reversible capacity of 415 mAh g−1 and more stable cycle performance after 30 cycles. Comparative researches on electrochemical performances of the α-Fe2O3 employing different current collectors (Cu foil, Cu foam and Ni foam) were discussed here in detail. According to our results, the improved electrochemical behaviors of α-Fe2O3 electrode with Cu foam current collector could be attributed to its particular electrode structure, i.e., porous, good electric conductivity, closed adhere to the electrode materials. Just because of that, it may make sure an easy accessibility of electrolytes and fast transportation of lithium ions, importantly, it could avoid the active materials falling off from the current collector on account of volume expansion.

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