Synthesis of hierarchically flower-like FeWO4 as high performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries by a simple hydrothermal process

•A novel nanoflakes organized flower-like structure of FeWO4 crystal have been synthesized by a glucose-guided method.•A tentative formation mechanism is suggested.•This material has an enhanced lithium storage capacity and better rate performance as anode for Li-ion batteries.

The self-assembled hierarchically flower-like FeWO4 microcrystals have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The microstructure and electrocatalytic properties of synthesized FeWO4 nanoflakes are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical techniques. The hierarchically flower-like FeWO4 nanoflake provide adequate amount of active component for the lithium storage, resulting in a high lithium storage capability for the present system. The hierarchical structure of the 2-dimensional nanoflake is capable to mediate the massive volume expansion and contraction during lithiation and delithiation processes. This is probably the reason for the enhancement of the electrochemical performance of the FeWO4 nanoflake structure based electrode.

Graphical abstractThe self-assembled hierarchical rose-like FeWO4 microcrystals have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and it shows an enhanced lithium storage capacity and better rate performance as anode for Li-ion batteries.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide