Maghemite nanosheets as high performance cathodes for lithium-ion batteries
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Iron oxides as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries typically show low specific capacities and poor rate capabilities. Two-dimensional (2D) materials show high potential for energy storage materials because of their large surface area, no/small solid lithium ion diffusion, and electron confinement that result in increased surface-based charge storage through higher electrode surface areas and improved electronic conductivities. In this work, iron oxide, γ-Fe2O3, nanosheets were prepared and tested as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. The results show that γ-Fe2O3 nanosheets exhibit better electrochemical properties with higher capacities and improved rate capabilities compared with γ-Fe2O3/ α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to their 2D structure that provides a large surface area, primarily surface-based charge storage, and higher electronic conductivity. The γ-Fe2O3 nanosheets prepared using a facile reaction are potential cathode materials for next generation, low-cost lithium-ion batteries.