Hydrothermal synthesis of Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals as anode electrode materials for rechargeable Li-ion batteries

This paper describes a facile, economical and environment-friendly hydrothermal method of fabricating Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles at 180 °C for 12 h, respectively. The as-obtained products were characterized in detail. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the products’ properties of crystal form, size, and morphology. The results showed the Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals’ diameter were about 5 and 20 nm, respectively. Moreover, the electrochemical performances of the Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles as anode materials for Li-ion batteries were also evaluated. The first-discharge capacities of Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals were 1,380 and 1,280 mAh g−1, and stabled about 96 and 75 mAh g−1 after 20 cycles, respectively. These materials offer substantial promise for developing alternative, high capacity negative electrodes for safer lithium batteries as energy storage and conversion materials.