The α-Fe2O3/graphite anode composites with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries.

The α-Fe₂O₃/graphite composites were prepared by a thermal decomposition method using the expanded graphite as the matrix. The α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with the size of 15–30 nm were embedded into interlayers of graphite, forming a laminated porous nanostructure with a main pore distribution from 2 to 20 nm and the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller surface area of 33.54 m² g⁻¹. The porous structure constructed by the graphite sheets can alleviate the adverse effects caused by the huge volume change of the α-Fe₂O₃ grains during the charge/discharge process. The composite electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1588 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹, 702 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹, 460 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹ after 160 cycles, respectively, showing good cycle stability and outstanding rate capability at high current densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]