Leaf-like α-Fe2O3 micron-particle: Preparation and its usage as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

For the first time, the preparation of leaf-like α-Fe2O3 micron-particles via a pyrolysis method using potassium ferricyanide (K3[Fe(CN)6]) as the precursor was reported in this work. The characterizations of the synthesized samples were mainly conducted by using XRD, XPS and SEM. The existence of α-Fe2O3 in the final samples was effectively demonstrated by the XRD patterns and XPS spectra, and the SEM images indicated that the micron-particles with leaf-like crystal morphology as the main components were observed in sample b, and instead, more micron-particles with cubic crystal morphology were displayed in sample a. The electrochemical performances of the prepared samples as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) were principally evaluated by using CV, galvanostatic charge-discharge tests and EIS. The results of electrochemical measurements demonstrated that at the current density of 100 mA g−1, the initial specific capacity of sample b was about 741 mAh g−1, much larger than that of sample a (564 mAh g−1). More importantly, after 10 cycles, at the current density of 500 mA g−1, the capacity of sample b was maintained as high as 317 mAh g−1, significantly larger than that of sample a (244 mAh g−1).