title: Chestnut-Like TiO2@α-Fe2O3Core-Shell Nanostructures with Abundant Interfaces for Efficient and Ultralong Life Lithium-Ion Storage.
abstract: Transition metal oxides caused much attention owing to the scientific interests and potential applications in energy storage systems. In this study, a free-standing three-dimensional (3D) chestnut-like TiO2@α-Fe2O3core-shell nanostructure (TFN) is rationally synthesized and utilized as a carbon-free electrode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Two new interfaces between anatase TiO2and α-Fe2O3are observed and supposed to provide synergistic effect. The TiO2microsphere framework significantly improves the mechanical stability, while the α-Fe2O3provides large capacity. The abundant boundary structures offer the possibility for interfacial lithium storage and electron transport. The as-prepared TFN delivers a high capacity of 820 mAh g-1even after 1000 continuous cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of ca. 99% at a current of 500 mA g-1, which is better than the works reported previously. A thin gel-like SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) film and Fe0phase yielded during charge/discharge cycling have been confirmed which makes it possible to alleviate the volumetric change and enhance the electronic conductivity. This confirmation is helpful for understanding the mechanism of lithium-ion storage in α-Fe2O3-based materials. The as-prepared free-standing TFN with excellent stability and high capacity can be an appropriate candidate for carbon-free anode material in LIBs.
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jingling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qili
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Analytical and Testing Center, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xianfeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shiman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Javid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yuying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiuming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shengfu
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4663-5007
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Environment and Energy Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Mingmei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
keywords: TiO2@α-Fe2O3; carbon-free; heterointerfaces; lithium-ion storage; synergistic effect