A three-dimensional hierarchical Fe2O3@NiO core/shell nanorod array on carbon cloth: a new class of anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A Fe₂O₃@NiO core/shell nanorod array on carbon cloth was prepared with the aid of hydrothermal synthesis combined with subsequent chemical bath deposition. The resultant array structure is composed of Fe₂O₃ nanorods as the core and interconnected ultrathin NiO nanoflakes as the shell. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the heterostructured array electrode delivers a high discharge capacity of 1047.2 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹, and 783.3 mA h g⁻¹ at a high current density of 2000 mA g⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique 3D core/shell nanorod array architecture and a rational combination of two electrochemical active materials. Our growth approach offers a simple and effective technique for the design and synthesis of a transition metal oxide hierarchical array that is promising for high-performance electrochemical energy storage.