α-Fe2O3/SnO2 heterostructure composites: A high stability anode for lithium-ion battery

• Published in: Materials research bulletin Vol. 106; pp. 7 - 13
• Main Authors: Ding, Yanhua, Liu, Bing, Zou, Jiajia, Liu, Huanqing, Xin, Tuo, Xia, Linhua, Wang, Yiqian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: ANODES; Chemical synthesis; COMPOSITE MATERIALS; Composites; CRYSTAL STRUCTURE; Electrochemical properties; ELECTROCHEMISTRY; ENERGY STORAGE; HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; IRON OXIDES; LITHIUM; LITHIUM ION BATTERIES; Microstructure; NANOSTRUCTURES; Oxides; TIN OXIDES; Oxides; Composites; Electrochemical properties; Chemical synthesis; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2018.05.014

[Display omitted] •α-Fe2O3/SnO2 composites decorated with SnO2 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized.•The composites show high stability lithium storage performance as anode material.•The SnO2 layer serves as an inactive matrix for Fe2O3 particles to avoid agglomeration and keep structural integrity. α-Fe2O3 microoval structure decorated with SnO2 nanocrystals are fabricated by hydro-thermal process. The composite heterostructure has a uniform size of 310 nm in length and 110 nm in width, and SnO2 shell thickness is ∼10 nm. The SnO2 shell acts as a conductive layer to offer fast pathways for transport of electrons and ions. What is more, the SnO2 layer serves as an inactive matrix for α-Fe2O3 particles, avoiding agglomeration and keeping structural integrity. Benefiting from the smart design, the hierarchical α-Fe2O3/SnO2 composite as anode exhibits a higher specific capacity and a better rate performance than those of pristine α-Fe2O3 structures. The stability electrochemical performance of the hierarchical composite can be put down to the core-shell architecture, which improves the conductivity and stability of the electrodes. The heterostructure design in our work provides a possible approach to synthesis high stability materials for electrochemical energy storage.