Porous Fe2O3 nanotubes as advanced anode for high performance lithium ion batteries

One-dimensional porous Fe2O3 nanotubes with 2 µm length, 220 nm outer diameter and 65 nm wall thickness were firstly synthesized via a low temperature hydrothermal method followed by thermal treatment. As advanced anode for lithium ion batteries, porous Fe2O3 nanotubes exhibit obviously enhanced electrochemical properties in terms of lithium storage capacity (1050.1 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 rate), initial coulombic efficiency (78.4%), cycle performances (90.6% capacity retention at 50th cycle), and rate capability (613.7 mA h g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 rate). This enhancement could be attributed to the one-dimensional nanostructure of porous Fe2O3 nanotubes which could increase contact area between electrolyte and active materials, shorten migration path for Li+ ions and electrons, and accommodate the volume variations via additional void space during cycling.