Three-dimensional tungsten nitride nanowires as high performance anode material for lithium ion batteries

•WN nanowires were synthesized on carbon cloth by a facile hydrothermal process.•The WNNW electrode could deliver a high capacity of 400 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1.•The WNNW electrode also show a good rate and cyclic performance.

Nanostructure materials often achieve low capacity when the active material mass loading is high. In this communication, high mass-loading tungsten nitride nanowires (WNNWs) were fabricated on a flexible carbon cloth by hydrothermal method and post annealing. The prepared electrode exhibited remarkable cyclic stability and attractive rate capability for lithium storage. It delivers at a current density of 200 mA g−1, a high capacity of 418 mAh g−1, which is higher than that of conventional graphite. This research opens more opportunity for the fabrication of three-dimensional metal nitrides as negative electrode material for flexible lithium ion batteries.

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