Nanotubular Fe2O3 and Mn3O4 with hierarchical porosity as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Developing eco-friendly and low-cost advanced anode materials, such as Fe₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄, is fundamental to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The rational engineering of the microstructure of Fe₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ to endow it with one-dimensionally and hierarchically porous architecture is a feasible way to further improve and optimize the electrochemical performance of the anode materials. Herein, we demonstrate a facile strategy to prepare nanotubular Fe₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ as advanced anode materials for high-performance LIBs. By combining the merits of the one-dimensionally nanotubular morphology and hierarchically porous structure, limitations in the lithiation activity of Mn₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃ anode materials, such as low electrical conductivity, large volume expansion, and sluggish lithium-ion diffusion within the materials, have been effectively overcome. When used as anode materials, t-Fe₂O₃ and t-Mn₃O₄ exhibited outstanding electrochemical performances, including a high reversible discharge capacity (859.7 and 901.4 mA h g⁻¹ for t-Fe₂O₃ and t-Mn₃O₄, respectively), excellent rate performance, and ultra-stable cycling stability. Such superior electrochemical performances proved the exceptional potential of the materials for the real-world application in LIBs.