α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticle-Loaded Carbon Nanofibers as Stable and High-Capacity Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofiber composites were fabricated via electrospinning FeCl3·6H2O salt-polyacrylonitrile precursors in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent and the subsequent carbonization in inert gas. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis were used to study the morphology and composition of α-Fe2O3-carbon nanofiber composites. It was indicated that α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with an average size of about 20 nm have a homogeneous dispersion along the carbon nanofiber surface. The resultant α-Fe2O3-carbon nanofiber composites were used directly as the anode material in rechargeable lithium half cells, and their electrochemical performance was evaluated. The results indicated that these α-Fe2O3-carbon nanofiber composites have high reversible capacity, good capacity retention, and acceptable rate capability when used as anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.