Multiwalled carbon nanotubes anchored with maghemite nanocrystals for high-performance lithium storage

[Display omitted] •γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystals uniformly anchored on MWCNT via facile layer-by-layer technique.•The hybrid exhibits enhanced structural stability and charge transport capability.•Superior lithium storage performance by virtue of unique structural characteristics. In this paper, we have anchored maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanocrystals compactly and uniformly on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) via a polyelectrolyte-assisted layer-by-layer assembly approach based on electrostatic attraction. When evaluated as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the as-synthesized MWCNT-γ-Fe2O3 nanohybrid displays high reversible capacities, remarkable cycling stability, and magnificent high rate capability, facilitating its application as an advanced anode for high-energy, long-life, and high-power LIBs.