The Effect of Crystal Face of Fe(2)O(3) on the Electrochemical Performance for Lithium-ion Batteries

Fe(2)O(3) nanorods exposing (001) and (010) plane as well as Fe(2)O(3) nanosheets exposing (001) plane have been successfully synthesized. Fe(2)O(3) nanosheets exhibit better cycle performance and rate capabilities than that of Fe(2)O(3) nanorods. The discharge capacity of Fe(2)O(3) nanosheets can stabilize at 865 mAh/g at the rate of 0.2 C (1C = 1000 mA/g) and 570 mAh/g at the rate of 1.2 C after 80 cycles, which increased by 90% and 79% compared with 456 mAh/g and 318 mAh/g of Fe(2)O(3) nanorods. In comparison with (010) plane, the (001) plane of hematite possesses larger packing density of Fe(3+) and O(2−), which is responsible for the superior electrochemical performances of Fe(2)O(3) nanosheets than that of Fe(2)O(3) nanorods. In addition, potentiostatic intermittent titration (PITT) results show the diffusion coefficients of Li(+) (D(Li)) of Fe(2)O(3) nanosheets is higher than that of Fe(2)O(3) nanorods. The higher diffusion coefficients of Li(+) is favorable for the excellent lithium-storage capabilities and rate capability of Fe(2)O(3) nanosheets. Inspired by our results, we can design and synthesize Fe(2)O(3) or other electrodes with high performances according to their structure features in future.