Helical carbon nanofibers modified with Fe₂O₃ as a high performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Helical carbon nanofibers (HCNFs) modified with Fe2O3 (Fe2O3/HCNFs) with a particle size of about 10-20 nm were first introduced for potential use as a novel anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Fe2O3/HCNFs were successfully prepared via a chemical liquid deposition (CLPD) method in this study. HCNFs with a special three-dimensional helical structure improve the conductivity and also provide a strong supporting network space for stress and strain during the volume expansion of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The Fe2O3/HCNF anode still retains its capacity of 816.3 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at the current density of 200 mA g-1, which is significantly better than those of contrast samples (only 144.2 mA h g-1 for the bare Fe2O3, 241.2 mA h g-1 for HCNFs and 486.4 mA h g-1 for Fe2O3-HCNFs). These superior properties and facile preparation represent the potential of Fe2O3/HCNF anode materials for LIB application.