Porous α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods supported on carbon nanotubes-graphene foam as superior anode for lithium ion batteries

A novel flexible and lightweight Fe₂O₃-based lithium-ion battery anode has been developed by growing porous α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods onto carbon nanotubes-graphene foam (CNT-GF). The CNT-GF 3D network provides a highly conductive, high surface areas and lightweight scaffold for the active Fe₂O₃ nanorods. Such unique electrodes for lithium-ion battery exhibit an 80% initial columbic efficiency, high-rate capabilities, and >1000mAh/g capacities at 200mA/g up to 300 cycles without obvious fading. These properties can be attributed to the fast electrochemical reaction kinetics and electron transport rendered by the conductive 3D network. Our structural design protocol can be extended to many other nanostructured metal oxides or sulfides, and thus provides a new strategy for construction of high-performance electrodes for energy storage.