Biomorphic combustion synthesis of hematite porous structure with enhanced Li storage properties

•We prepared porous Fe2O3 nanostructure via a biomorphic combustion synthesis.•The Fe2O3 is assembled by primary nanoparticles and lots of open pores.•The electrode shows high capacity, good cycle stability and rate performance.

Uniform porous Fe2O3 nanostructure was prepared by a facile and effective biomorphic combustion synthesis. Porous Fe2O3 nanostructure is assembled by primary nanoparticles and lots of open pores between interconnected nanoparticles. As an anode material for the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the resultant porous Fe2O3 electrode shows high specific capacity and good cycle stability (891.8 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 up to 150 cycles), as well as enhanced rate capability. The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to 3D porous structure with the short pathway for the diffusion of Li+, high interfacial contact area between the nanoparticles and electrolyte, and good accommodation of structural stress.