One-pot synthesis of Fe2O3 yolk-shell particles with two, three, and four shells for application as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries

Yolk-shell nanostructures: synthesis, photocatalysis and interfacial charge dynamics

Solar energy has long been regarded as a promising alternative and sustainable energy source. In this regard, photocatalysts emerge as a versatile paradigm that can practically transform solar energy into chemical energy. At present, unsatisfactory conversion efficiency is a major obstacle to the widespread deployment of photocatalysis technology. Many structural engineering strategies have been proposed to address the issue of insufficient activity for semiconductor photocatalysts. Among them, creation of yolk-shell nanostructures which possess many beneficial features, such as large surface area, efficient light harvesting, homogeneous catalytic environment and enhanced molecular diffusion kinetics, has attracted particular attention. This review summarizes the developments that have been made for the preparation and photocatalytic applications of yolk-shell nanostructures. Additional focus is placed on the realization of interfacial charge dynamics and the possibility of achieving spatial separation of charge carriers for this unique nanoarchitecture as charge transfer is the most critical factor determining the overall photocatalytic efficiency. A future perspective that can facilitate the advancement of using yolk-shell nanostructures in sophisticated photocatalytic systems is also presented.

A Comprehensive Review of Li-Ion Battery Materials and Their Recycling Techniques

In the context of constant growth in the utilization of the Li-ion batteries, there was a great surge in the quest for electrode materials and predominant usage that lead to the retiring of Li-ion batteries. This review focuses on the recent advances in the anode and cathode materials for the next-generation Li-ion batteries. To achieve higher power and energy demands of Li-ion batteries in future energy storage applications, the selection of the electrode materials plays a crucial role. The electrode materials, such as carbon-based, semiconductor/metal, metal oxides/nitrides/phosphides/sulfides, determine appreciable properties of Li-ion batteries such as greater specific surface area, a minimal distance of diffusion, and higher conductivity. Various classifications of the anode materials such as the intercalation/de- intercalation, alloy/de-alloy, and various conversion materials are illustrated lucidly. Further, the cathode materials, such as nickel-rich LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM), were discussed. NCM members such as NCM 333, NCM 523 that enabled to advance for NCM622 and NCM81are reported. The nanostructured materials bridged the gap in the realization of next-generation Li-ion batteries. Li-ion batteries’ electrode nanostructure synthesis, performance, and reaction mechanisms were considered with great concern. The serious effects of Li-ion batteries disposal need to be cut significantly to reduce the detrimental effect on the environment. Hence, the recycling of spent Li-ion batteries has gained much attention in recent years. Various recycling techniques and their effect on the electroactive materials are illustrated. The key areas covered in this review are anode and cathode materials and recent advances along with their recycling techniques. In light of crucial points covered in this review, it constitutes a suitable reference for engineers, researchers, and designers in energy storage applications.

Yolk-Shell Nanostructures: Syntheses and Applications for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

Yolk-shell nanostructures have attracted tremendous research interest due to their physicochemical properties and unique morphological features stemming from a movable core within a hollow shell. The structural potential for tuning inner space is the focal point of the yolk-shell nanostructures in a way that they can solve the long-lasted problem such as volume expansion and deterioration of lithium-ion battery electrodes. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the design, synthesis, and battery anode applications of yolk-shell nanostructures. The synthetic strategies for yolk-shell nanostructures consist of two categories: templating and self-templating methods. While the templating approach is straightforward in a way that the inner void is formed by removing the sacrificial layer, the self-templating methods cover various different strategies including galvanic replacement, Kirkendall effect, Ostwald ripening, partial removal of core, core injection, core contraction, and surface-protected etching. The battery anode applications of yolk-shell nanostructures are discussed by dividing into alloying and conversion types with details on the synthetic strategies. A successful design of yolk-shell nanostructures battery anodes achieved the improved reversible capacity compared to their bare morphologies (e.g., no capacity retention in 300 cycles for Si@C yolk-shell vs. capacity fading in 10 cycles for Si@C core-shell). This review ends with a summary and concluding remark yolk-shell nanostructures.

Advances in the synthesis and design of nanostructured materials by aerosol spray processes for efficient energy storage

The increasing demand for energy storage has motivated the search for highly efficient electrode materials for use in rechargeable batteries with enhanced energy density and longer cycle life. One of the most promising strategies for achieving improved battery performance is altering the architecture of nanostructured materials employed as electrode materials in the energy storage field. Among numerous synthetic methods suggested for the fabrication of nanostructured materials, aerosol spray techniques such as spray pyrolysis, spray drying, and flame spray pyrolysis are reliable, as they are facile, cost-effective, and continuous processes that enable the synthesis of nanostructured electrode materials with desired morphologies and compositions with controlled stoichiometry. The post-treatment of spray-processed powders enables the fabrication of oxide, sulfide, and selenide nanostructures hybridized with carbonaceous materials including amorphous carbon, reduced graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, etc. In this article, recent progress in the synthesis of nanostructured electrode materials by spray processes and their general formation mechanisms are discussed in detail. A brief introduction to the working principles of each spray process is given first, and synthetic strategies for the design of electrode materials for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, lithium-selenium, and lithium-oxygen batteries are discussed along with some examples. This analysis sheds light on the synthesis of nanostructured materials by spray processes and paves the way toward the design of other novel and advanced nanostructured materials for high performance electrodes in rechargeable batteries of the future.

Synthesis of Single-Component Metal Oxides with Controllable Multi-Shelled Structure and their Morphology-Related Applications

Multi-shelled hollow spheres metal oxides, namely materials with more than three shells, have attracted increasing attention due to their unique structure. The preparation methods of typical metal oxides including NiO, Co₃ O₄ and ZnO etc. have been summarized in this review. Simultaneously, the parameters that influence the ultimate morphologies, shell number as well as the compositions have also been discussed. The potential application fields in energy conversion and storage, electromagnetic wave absorption, photocatalysis that related to the unique structure are also highlighted. Finally, the future researches of multi-shelled hollow spheres metal oxides are further discussed.

A metal-organic-framework approach to engineer hollow bimetal oxide microspheres towards enhanced electrochemical performances of lithium storage

Nanosized electrode materials with a hollow structure, larger specific surface area, and lower energy density as well as more void space are widely adopted for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we obtained bimetal-organic frameworks of Fe/Mn-MOF-74 with a hollow microsphere morphology via a facile one-step microwave method and further used it to fabricate hollow Fe-Mn-O/C microspheres. Endowed with the metal-organic-framework-derived carbon-coated nanoparticle-assembled hollow structure with hierarchical porous characteristics and synergistic effects between two different metal species, the Fe-Mn-O/C electrode exhibits outstanding electrochemical performances as the anode of lithium-ion batteries. It achieves improved cycling performance (1294 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 A g-1) and good rate capability (722, 604, and 521 mA h g-1 at 0.2, 0.5 and 1 A g-1). The smart design of a hollow morphology with uniform two metal species can promote the synthesis of multimetal oxides and their carbon composites, as well as their further potential application for energy-storage.

Advances in nanostructures fabricated via spray pyrolysis and their applications in energy storage and conversion

This review provides insight into various nanostructures designed by spray pyrolysis and their applications in energy storage and conversion.

Porous CaFe2O4 as a promising lithium ion battery anode: a trade-off between high capacity and long-term stability

Metal oxides are considered as attractive candidates as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high capacities compared to commercialized graphite. However, fast capacity fading, which is caused by inherent large volume expansions and agglomeration of active particles upon cycling, is a great challenge. Herein, we propose the design of porous CaFe2O4 electrode material to address the above issue. Compared to pristine iron oxides, CaFe2O4 exhibits a distinct trade-off in terms of high capacity and long-term stability, which is beneficial to the potential practical applications. Such a trade-off effect is attributed to the synergistic effect between the porous structure and the in situ formed CaO nanograins during charging/discharging processes. This work provides an effective strategy in achieving anode materials with high capacity and long-term stability for next-generation LIBs.

A Review: Enhanced Anodes of Li/Na-Ion Batteries Based on Yolk-Shell Structured Nanomaterials

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have received much attention in energy storage system. In particular, among the great efforts on enhancing the performance of LIBs and SIBs, yolk-shell (YS) structured materials have emerged as a promising strategy toward improving lithium and sodium storage. YS structures possess unique interior void space, large surface area and short diffusion distance, which can solve the problems of volume expansion and aggregation of anode materials, thus enhancing the performance of LIBs and SIBs. In this review, we present a brief overview of recent advances in the novel YS structures of spheres, polyhedrons and rods with controllable morphology and compositions. Enhanced electrochemical performance of LIBs and SIBs based on these novel YS structured anode materials was discussed in detail.

Intricate Hollow Structures: Controlled Synthesis and Applications in Energy Storage and Conversion

Intricate hollow structures garner tremendous interest due to their aesthetic beauty, unique structural features, fascinating physicochemical properties, and widespread applications. Here, the recent advances in the controlled synthesis are discussed, as well as applications of intricate hollow structures with regard to energy storage and conversion. The synthetic strategies toward complex multishelled hollow structures are classified into six categories, including well-established hard- and soft-templating methods, as well as newly emerging approaches based on selective etching of "soft@hard" particles, Ostwald ripening, ion exchange, and thermally induced mass relocation. Strategies for constructing structures beyond multishelled hollow structures, such as bubble-within-bubble, tube-in-tube, and wire-in-tube structures, are also covered. Niche applications of intricate hollow structures in lithium-ion batteries, Li-S batteries, supercapacitors, Li-O₂ batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells, photocatalysis, and fuel cells are discussed in detail. Some perspectives on the future research and development of intricate hollow structures are also provided.

Microwave-Assisted Morphology Evolution of Fe-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Derived Fe2O3 Nanostructures for Li-Ion Storage

The metal-organic-framework (MOF) approach is demonstrated as an effective strategy for the morphology evolution control of MIL-53(Fe) with assistance of microwave irradiation. Owing to the homogeneous nucleation offered by microwave irradiation and confined porosity and skeleton by MOF templates, various porous Fe₂O₃ nanostructures including spindle, concave octahedron, solid octahedron, yolk-shell octahedron, and nanorod with porosity control are derived by simply adjusting the irradiation time. The formation mechanism for the MOF precursors and their derived iron oxides with morphology control is investigated. The main product of the mesoporous yolk-shell octahedron-in-octahedron Fe₂O₃ nanostructure is also found to be a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its excellent Li-storage performance. It can deliver a reversible larger-than-theoretical capacity of 1176 mAh g^-1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g^-1 and good high-rate performance (744 mAh g^-1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g^-1).

Rapid fabrication of hollow and yolk–shell α-Fe2O3 particles with applications to enhanced photo-Fenton reactions

α-Fe₂O₃ microspheres with hollow and yolk–shell (X@Fe₂O₃) morphologies are fabricated through synthesis in the confined environment of aerosol droplets.

Iron Telluride-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Microspheres as Anode Materials with Improved Na-Ion Storage Properties

Transition-metal telluride materials are studied as the anode materials for Na-ion batteries (NIBs). The FeTe2-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid powders (first target material) are prepared via spray pyrolysis and subsequent tellurization. The H2Te gas treatment transforms the Fe3O4-rGO powders to FeTe2-rGO hybrid powders with FeTe2 nanocrystals (various sizes <100 nm) embedded within the rGO. The FeTe2-rGO hybrid powders contain 5 wt % rGO. The Na-ion storage mechanism for FeTe2 in NIBs is described by FeTe2 + 4Na(+) + 4e(-)↔Fe + 2Na2Te. The FeTe2-rGO hybrid discharge process forms metallic Fe nanocrystals and Na2Te by a conversion reaction of FeTe2 with Na ions. The discharge capacities of the FeTe2-rGO hybrid powders for the first and 80th cycles are 493 and 293 mA h g(-1), respectively. The discharge capacities of the bare FeTe2 powders for the first and 80th cycles are 462 and 83 mA h g(-1), respectively. The FeTe2-rGO hybrid powders have superior Na-ion storage properties compared to bare FeTe2 powders owing to their high structural stability and electrical conductivity.

Large-scale aerosol-assisted synthesis of biofriendly Fe₂O₃ yolk-shell particles: a promising support for enzyme immobilization

Multiple-shelled Fe2O3 yolk-shell particles were synthesized using the spray drying method and intended as a suitable support for the immobilization of commercial enzymes such as glucose oxidase (GOx), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and laccase as model enzymes. Yolk-shell particles have an average diameter of 1-3 μm with pore diameters in the range of 16 to 28 nm. The maximum immobilization of GOx, HRP, and laccase resulted in the enzyme loading of 292, 307 and 398 mg per g of support, respectively. After cross-linking of immobilized laccase by glutaraldehyde, immobilization efficiency was improved from 83.5% to 90.2%. K(m) and V(max) values were 41.5 μM and 1722 μmol min(-1) per mg protein for cross-linked laccase and those for free laccase were 29.3 μM and 1890 μmol min(-1) per mg protein, respectively. The thermal stability of the enzyme was enhanced up to 18-fold upon cross-linking, and the enzyme retained 93.1% of residual activity after ten cycles of reuse. The immobilized enzyme has shown up to 32-fold higher stability than the free enzyme towards different solvents and it showed higher efficiency than free laccase in the decolorization of dyes and degradation of bisphenol A. The synthesized yolk-shell particles have 3-fold higher enzyme loading efficiency and lower acute toxicity than the commercial Fe2O3 spherical particles. Therefore, the use of unique yolk-shell structure Fe2O3 particles with multiple-shells will be promising for the immobilization of various enzymes in biotechnological applications with improved electrochemical properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of one pot synthesized Fe2O3 yolk-shell structure particles for the immobilization of enzymes.

All-in-One Beaker Method for Large-Scale Production of Metal Oxide Hollow Nanospheres Using Nanoscale Kirkendall Diffusion

A simple and easily scalable process for the formation of metal oxide hollow nanospheres using nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion called the "all-in-one beaker method" is introduced. The Fe2O3, SnO2, NiO, and Co3O4 hollow nanospheres are successfully prepared by the all-in-one beaker method. The detailed formation mechanism of aggregate-free hematite hollow nanospheres is studied. Dimethylformamide solution containing Fe acetate, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polystyrene (PS) transforms into aggregate-free Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres. The porous structure formed by the combustion of PS provides a good pathway for the reducing gas. The carbon matrix formed from PAN acts as a barrier, which can prevent the aggregation of metallic Fe nanopowders by surrounding each particle. The Fe-C bulk material formed as an intermediate product transforms into aggregate-free Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres by the nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion process. The mean size and shell thickness of the hollow Fe2O3 nanospheres measured from the TEM images are 52 and 9 nm, respectively. The discharge capacities of the Fe2O3 nanopowders with hollow and dense structures and the bulk material for the 200th cycle at a current density of 0.5 A g(-1) are 1012, 498, and 637 mA h g(-1), respectively, and their capacity retentions calculated compared to those in the second cycles are 92, 45, and 59%, respectively. Additionally, Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres cycled at 1 A g(-1) after 1000 cycles showed a high discharge capacity of 871 mA h g(-1) (capacity retention was 80% from the second cycle). The Fe2O3, SnO2, NiO, and Co3O4 hollow nanospheres show excellent cycling performances for lithium-ion storage because they have a high contact area with the liquid electrolyte and space for accommodating a huge volume change during cycling.

The formation and mechanism of nano-monocrystalline γ-Fe2O3 with graphene-shell for high-performance lithium ion batteries

We have synthesized nano-monocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ coated with graphene having high rate performance for lithium ion batteries.

Facile synthesis of Mn-doped hollow Fe2O3 nanospheres coated with polypyrrole as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Hollow Mn-doped Fe₂O₃/PPy nanospheres have been fabricated, which exhibited excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

α-Fe2O3@PANI Core-Shell Nanowire Arrays as Negative Electrodes for Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Highly ordered three-dimensional α-Fe2O3@PANI core-shell nanowire arrays with enhanced specific areal capacity and rate performance are fabricated by a simple and cost-effective electrodeposition method. The α-Fe2O3@PANI core-shell nanowire arrays provide a large reaction surface area, fast ion and electron transfer, and good structure stability, which all are beneficial for improving the electrochemical performance. Here, high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are designed using α-Fe2O3@PANI core-shell nanowire arrays as anode and PANI nanorods grown on carbon cloth as cathode, and they display a high volumetric capacitance of 2.02 mF/cm3 based on the volume of device, a high energy density of 0.35 mWh/cm3 at a power density of 120.51 mW/cm3, and very good cycling stability with capacitance retention of 95.77% after 10,000 cycles. These findings will promote the application of α-Fe2O3@PANI core-shell nanowire arrays as advanced negative electrodes for ASCs.

Ethanol Gas Detection Using a Yolk-Shell (Core-Shell) α-Fe2O3 Nanospheres as Sensing Material

Three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures of α-Fe2O3 materials, including both hollow sphere-shaped and yolk-shell (core-shell)-shaped, have been successfully synthesized via an environmentally friendly hydrothermal approach. By expertly adjusting the reaction time, the solid, hollow, and yolk-shell shaped α-Fe2O3 can be selectively synthesized. Yolk-shell α-Fe2O3 nanospheres display outer diameters of 350 nm, and the interstitial hollow spaces layer is intimately sandwiched between the inner and outer shell of α-Fe2O3 nanostructures. The possible growth mechanism of the yolk-shell nanostructure is proposed. The results showed that the well-defined bilayer interface effectively enhanced the sensing performance of the α-Fe2O3 nanostructures (i.e., yolk-shell α-Fe2O3@α-Fe2O3), owing predominantly to the unique nanostructure, thus facilitated the transport rate and augmented the adsorption quantity of the target gas molecule under gas detection.

Design and synthesis of micron-sized spherical aggregates composed of hollow Fe2O3 nanospheres for use in lithium-ion batteries

A novel structure denoted a "hollow nanosphere aggregate" is synthesized by introducing nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion to the spray pyrolysis process. The hollow Fe2O3 nanosphere aggregates with spherical shape and micron size are synthesized as the first target material. A solid iron oxide-carbon composite powder that is prepared by a one-pot spray pyrolysis process is transformed into the hollow Fe2O3 nanosphere aggregates by sequential post-pyrolysis treatments under reducing and oxidizing atmospheres. The nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion plays a key role in the formation of the hollow Fe2O3 nanosphere aggregates with spherical shape and micron size. The unique structure of the hollow Fe2O3 nanosphere aggregates results in their superior electrochemical properties as an anode material for lithium ion batteries by improving the structural stability during cycling. The hollow metal oxide nanosphere aggregates with various compositions for wide applications including energy storage can be prepared by the simple fabrication method introduced in this study.

Design and Synthesis of Bubble-Nanorod-Structured Fe2O3-Carbon Nanofibers as Advanced Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

A structure denoted as a "bubble-nanorod composite" is synthesized by introducing the Kirkendall effect into the electrospinning method. Bubble-nanorod-structured Fe2O3-C composite nanofibers, which are composed of nanosized hollow Fe2O3 spheres uniformly dispersed in an amorphous carbon matrix, are synthesized as the target material. Post-treatment of the electrospun precursor nanofibers at 500 °C under 10% H2/Ar mixture gas atmosphere produces amorphous FeOx-carbon composite nanofibers. Post-treatment of the FeOx-carbon composite nanofibers at 300 °C under air atmosphere produces the bubble-nanorod-structured Fe2O3-C composite nanofibers. The solid Fe nanocrystals formed by the reduction of FeOx are converted into hollow Fe2O3 nanospheres during the further heating process by the well-known Kirkendall diffusion process. The discharge capacities of the bubble-nanorod-structured Fe2O3-C composite nanofibers and hollow bare Fe2O3 nanofibers for the 300th cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g(-1) are 812 and 285 mA h g(-1), respectively, and their capacity retentions measured from the second cycle are 84 and 24%, respectively. The hollow nanospheres accommodate the volume change that occurs during cycling. The unique structure of the bubble-nanorod-structured Fe2O3-C composite nanofibers results in their superior electrochemical properties by improving the structural stability during long-term cycling.

Nano electrochemical reactors of Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded in shells of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres as high-performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Iron oxides are extensively investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their large specific capacities. However, they undergo huge volume changes during cycling that result in anode pulverization and loss of electrical connectivity. As a result, the capacity retention of the iron oxide anodes is poor and should be improved for commercial applications. Herein, we report the preparation of ultrasmall Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped hollow carbon sphere shells (Fe2O3@N-C) by the direct pyrolysis of Fe-based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Fe-ZIF) at 620 °C in air. As an anode material for LIBs, the capacity retained was 1573 mA h g(-1) after 50 cycles at a current density of 0.1 C (1 C = 1000 mA g(-1)). Even undergoing the high-rate capability test twice, it can still deliver a remarkably reversible and stable capacity of 1142 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles at a current density of 1 C. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique structure of ultrasmall Fe2O3 nanoparticles uniformly distributed in the shell of nitrogen-doped carbon spheres, which simultaneously solve the major problems of pulverization, facilitate rapid electrochemical kinetics, and effectively avoid the aggregation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles during de/lithiation. The novel method developed in this work for the synthesis of functional hybrid materials can be extended to the preparation of various MOFs-derived functional nanocomposites owing to the versatility of links and metal centers in MOFs.

Encapsulation of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in graphitic carbon microspheres as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

A novel "spray drying-carbonization-oxidation" strategy has been developed for the fabrication of α-Fe2O3-graphitic carbon (α-Fe2O3@GC) composite microspheres, in which α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with sizes of 30-50 nm are well-encapsulated by onion-like graphitic carbon shells with a thickness of 5-10 nm. In the constructed composite, the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles act as the primary active material, providing a high capacity. Meanwhile, the graphitic carbon shells serve as the secondary active component, structural stabilizer, interfacial stabilizer, and electron-highway. As a result, the synthesized α-Fe2O3@GC nanocomposite exhibits a superior lithium-ion battery performance with a high reversible capacity (898 mA h g(-1) at 400 mA g(-1)), outstanding rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. Our product, in terms of the facile and scalable preparation process and excellent electrochemical performance, demonstrates its great potential as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Synthesis and H2S sensing performance of MoO3/Fe2(MoO4)3 yolk/shell nanostructures

A facile method was developed to fabricate MoO₃/Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ yolk/shell nanostructures with small pores, exhibiting good H₂S gas sensing performance including high sensor response, short recovery and response times, and good selectivity and stability.

Synthesis and the comparative lithium storage properties of hematite: hollow structures vs. carbon composites

The cycling performance of hollow structure α-Fe₂O₃ improves with the increase of aspect ratio.

A systematic study on the synthesis of α-Fe2O3 multi-shelled hollow spheres

Well-defined α-Fe₂O₃ multi-shelled hollow spheres have been fabricated by a facile spray drying method. The resulting material exhibits high reversible capacity and good cycling performance in lithium storage.

Ultra-high capacitance hematite thin films with controlled nanoscopic morphologies

We synthesized α-Fe₂O₃ (hematite) thin films with two different nanoscopic morphologies through self-assembly between a Fe-precursor and a Pluronic tri-block copolymer (F127) followed by aging and calcination. Relative humidity (RH) during the aging step of the spin-coated films was found to be critical in determining the morphologies. A network structure of nanowires ∼6 nm in diameter formed when the RH was 75%. The resulting nanowire hematite thin film (NW) had 150-250 nm-sized macropores. When the RH was 0%, a mesoporous hematite thin film (MP) with a wormlike pore structure and a pore size of ∼9 nm formed. Investigation of the electrochemical properties of these films revealed that they had very high specific capacitances of 365.7 and 283.2 F g(-1) for NWs and MPs, respectively, at a current density of 3 A g(-1) in a 0.5 M Na₂SO₃ electrolyte. Both of these capacitance values are considerably higher than those previously reported for hematite-based electrodes. We attributed this to the high porosity of the thin films, which enables ready access of electrolyte ions to the electrode surfaces, and their ultra-thin size, comparable to that of the depletion layer, allowing the low conductivity of hematite to be overcome. The higher capacitance of NWs than MPs is likely due to the accelerated electron transport through the crystalline nanowires in NWs.

Metal-organic framework derived Fe2O3@NiCo2O4 porous nanocages as anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with high surface areas and uniform microporous structures have shown potential application in many fields. Here we report a facial strategy to synthesize Fe2O3@NiCo2O4 porous nanocages by annealing core-shell Co3[Fe(CN)6]2@Ni3[Co(CN)6]2 nanocubes in air. The obtained samples have been systematically characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The results show that the Fe2O3@NiCo2O4 porous nanocages have an average diameter of 213 nm and a shell thickness of about 30 nm. As anode materials for Li-ion batteries, the Fe2O3@NiCo2O4 porous nanocages exhibit a high initial discharge capacity of 1311.4 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) (about 0.1 C). The capacity is retained at 1079.6 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles. The synergistic effect of the different components and the porous hollow structure contributes to the outstanding performance of the composite electrode.

Low temperature plasma synthesis of mesoporous Fe3O4 nanorods grafted on reduced graphene oxide for high performance lithium storage

Transition metal oxide coupling with carbon is an effective method for improving electrical conductivity of battery electrodes and avoiding the degradation of their lithium storage capability due to large volume expansion/contraction and severe particle aggregation during the lithium insertion and desertion process. In our present work, we develop an effective approach to fabricate the nanocomposites of porous rod-shaped Fe3O4 anchored on reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4/rGO) by controlling the in situ nucleation and growth of β-FeOOH onto the graphene oxide (β-FeOOH/GO) and followed by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) hydrogen plasma treatment. Such well-designed hierarchical nanostructures are beneficial for maximum utilization of electrochemically active matter in lithium ion batteries and display superior Li uptake with high reversible capacity, good rate capability, and excellent stability, maintaining 890 mA h g(-1) capacity over 100 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g(-1).

Facile synthesis of nanostructured carbon nanotube/iron oxide hybrids for lithium-ion battery anodes

Nanostructured carbon nanotubes/iron oxide hybrids (CNIOHs) were synthesized by a scalable Bake-Break-Mix process which involves three simple steps.