Core-shell structured α-Fe2O3@Li4Ti5O12 composite as anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, core-shell structured α-Fe2O3@Li4Ti5O12 composite has been reported based on the design of structure and heterogeneous composite. Compared with pure α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3@TiO2 composite, the core-shell structured α-Fe2O3@Li4Ti5O12 composite can deliver a favorable reversible capacity of 898 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 (642 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1) after 200 cycles and the reversible capacity still maintain 482 mAh g−1 at 3.2 A g−1. The improved electrochemical property of the composite is attributed to its heterogeneous composite and unique structural advantages: high specific capacity and outstanding rate capability can be guaranteed by the synergistic effect between the inner core of α-Fe2O3 and outer shell of spinel Li4Ti5O12, the large volume variation of α-Fe2O3 can be effectively relieved by spinel Li4Ti5O12 with unexceptionable structure stability, and the extra lithium ions storage as well as enhanced kinetics can be contributed by abundant grain boundaries and heterogeneous phase interfaces. •Core-shell structured α-Fe2O3@Li4Ti5O12 composite is successfully synthesized.•Consisting of core of porous α-Fe2O3 microspheres and shell of spinel Li4Ti5O12 as well as nanoplates.•The α-Fe2O3@Li4Ti5O12 composite delivers excellent electrochemical performance for LIBs.