Mesoporous Fe2O3 nanoparticles as high performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

This work introduces an effective, inexpensive, and large-scale production approach to the synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles with a favorable configuration that 5 nm iron oxide domains in diameter assembled into a mesoporous network. The phase structure, morphology, and pore nature were characterized systematically. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the mesoporous Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibit excellent cycling performance (1009 mA h g− 1 at 100 mA g− 1 up to 230 cycles) and rate capability (reversible charging capacity of 420 mA h g− 1 at 1000 mA g− 1 during 230 cycles). This research suggests that the mesoporous Fe2O3 nanoparticles could be suitable as a high rate performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

► The extremely simple method only uses Fe(NO3)3·9H2O and H2O as starting materials.
► Fe2O3 nanoparticles with a diameter of 5 nm are assembled into a porous network.
► The Fe2O3 nanoparticles have a high capacity of 1009 mA h g− 1 at 230th cycle.