Ammonia-treatment assisted fully encapsulation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles in mesoporous carbons as stable anodes for lithium ion batteries

To improve the initial coulombic efficiency and bulk density of ordered mesoporous carbons, active Fe2O3 nanoparticles were introduced into tubular mesopore channels of CMK-5 carbon, which possesses high specific surface area (>1700 m2·g−1) and large pore volume (>1.8 cm3·g−1). Fine Fe2O3 nanoparticles with sizes in the range of 5–7 nm were highly and homogenously encapsulated into CMK-5 matrix through ammonia-treatment and subsequent pyrolysis method. The Fe2O3 loading was carefully tailored and designed to warrant a high Fe2O3 content and adequate buffer space for improving the electrochemical performance. In particular, such Fe2O3 and mesoporous carbon composite with 47 wt% loading exhibits a considerably stable cycle performance (683 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles, 99% capacity retention against that of the second cycle) as well as good rate capability. The fabrication strategy can effectively solve the drawback of single material, and achieve a high-performance lithium electrode material.