Self-assembly synthesis of a unique stable cocoon-like hematite @C nanoparticle and its application in lithium ion batteries

A novel cocoon-like Fe 2 O 3 @C nanoparticle was fabricated via a facile hydrothermally molecular self-assembly procedure. Compared to bare Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, the carbon coated Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles exhibit higher specific capacity, excellent rate capacity and cyclic stability as the anode in lithium ion batteries . These cocoon-like Fe 2 O 3 @C nanoparticles carry enhanced lithium storage properties with a reversible capacity of 358   mA   h   g −1 after 150 cycles under the current density of 1000   mA   g −1 , while the carbon-free bare Fe 2 O 3 can only deliver a much lower capacity of 127.6   mA   h   g −1 with a continuously decreasing trend. The excellent performance of Fe 2 O 3 @C is attributed to the coated carbon layers , which not only enhance the electronic conductivity but also reduce the stress upon the Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles caused by the volume change during the charge/discharge process.