Three dimensionals α-Fe2O3/polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoarray as anode for micro lithium ion batteries

• Main Authors: Lai, Linfei, Yang, Huanping, Lim, San Hua, Zhen, Yongda, Yu, Ting, Shen, Zexiang, Lin, Jianyi, Liu, Jilei, Zhou, Weiwei
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/98576; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/17282
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Three dimensional, self-supported α-Fe2O3/Ppy composite electrode with enhanced specific areal capacity and rate performance was successfully fabricated by a simple, low-cost, two-steps process consisting of direct heating of iron foil in air and subsequent coating of conducting polymer Ppy on the α-Fe2O3 nanoflakes. By using α-Fe2O3/Ppy as the anode materials with iron foil as the current collector, the unique structure affords a highly conductive pathway for electron, a short diffusion length for ions, a fast mass transport channel for electrolyte, and sufficient void space for accommodating large volume variations during Li intercalation/diintercalation for Li-ion battery. A relatively high specific capacity of 0.42 mA h/cm2 can be achieved at 0.1 mA/cm2 even after 100 charge/discharge cycles, with a plateau potential of 1 V and nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency, suggesting the feasibility to use this unique 3D nanostructured hybrid composite for microbattery in both small and large scale applications.