LAUSR

Abstract To pursue Fe2O3-based electrode with high-rate and long-life lithium storage capacity, we have developed a porous Fe2O3@C core@shell nanotube synthesized by a facile thermal treatment combining with hydrothermal method. As an advanced anode for lithium ion batteries, the Fe2O3@C core@shell nanotubes deliver high initial coulombic efficiency of 80.3% at 0.1 C with the first charge/discharge capacity of 1097.7/1366.9 mAh g−1, and excellent high-rate and long cycling stability with reversible capacity of 811.3 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 C. The greatly improved performance is ascribed to the 1D porous nanotube and carbon shell: the 1D porous nanotube can not only effectively increase the contact area between active materials and electrolyte, but also shorten the migration path for Li+ ions and electrons. The carbon shell works as buffer to accommodate volume changes of Fe2O3 during cycling and as conductive support to improve the electrical conductivity of Fe2O3.