Synthesis of spherical tremella-like Sb2O3 structures derived from metal-organic framworks and its lithium storage properties

A novel spherical tremella-like Sb 2 O 3 was prepared by using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) method under a mild liquid-phase reaction condition, and was further employed as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The effect of reaction temperature and time on morphologies of Sb 2 O 3 was studied. The results from SEM and TEM demonstrate that the tremella-like Sb 2 O 3 architecture are composed of numerous nanosheets with high specific surface area. When the tremella-like Sb 2 O 3 was used as LIBs anode, the discharge and charge capacities can achieve 724 and 446 mA.h/g in the first cycle, respectively. Moreover, the electrode retains an impressive high capacity of 275 mA-h/g even after 50 cycles at 20 mA/g, indicating that the material is extremely promising for application in LIBs.