3D Porous iron oxide/carbon with large surface area as advanced anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Nanostructures have received great attention to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries, due to their advantages in dealing with critical issues associated with large volume change, low electrical conductivity, and slow rate of Li + diffusion. To realize large lithium storage capacity and excellent rate capability of iron oxide electrode. Carbon-modified three-dimensional porous iron oxide was prepared by chemical reaction with in situ formation of templating agent followed by the calcination is reported herein. Benefit from the regulation of the number of pores in the precursor, part of Fe is oxidized to Fe 3 O 4 and part of Fe is peroxidized to Fe 2 O 3 , thus forming Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 heterostructure during oxidation process. Attributed to its unique structural feature, the 3D Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 -C heterostructure electrode for the anode of lithium-ion batteries exhibits outstanding rate capability, i.e., 911.4, 797.9, 736.3, 597.8, and 402.6 mAh g −1 at 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 A g −1 , respectively, and high reversible capacity, i.e., 929.1 mAh g −1 at a low current density of 300 mA g −1 .