In2O3 nanoparticles/carbon fiber hybrid mat as free-standing anode for lithium-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance

Pure In2O3 has a high specific capacity but suffers a short cycling life when used as an anode because of the huge volume change during the lithiation and delithiation processes. To overcome this problem, here In2O3 nanoparticles (10-20 nm)/carbon fiber hybrid mat has been synthesized via a facile electrospinning process. The as-prepared mat is textile-like with considerable flexibility, and directly used as binder- and current collector-free anode for lithium-ion battery. It exhibits a good electrochemical performance with a stable capacity of 435 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 500 cycles and a high rate performance (190 mA h g−1 at 1500 mA g−1), which are hugely enhanced compared with those of both pure In2O3 and powder In2O3@CF with binder and current collector. This work offers a promising approach to fabricate free-standing flexible anode for practical energy storage and conversion devices.