Three-dimensional network structured α-Fe2O3 made from a stainless steel plate as a high-performance electrode for lithium ion batteries

Three-dimensional network structured α-Fe2O3 was prepared by a facile chemical corrosion of a stainless steel plate followed by thermal oxidation. When the architecture was directly used as an electrode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), a high reversible capacity of 858.2 mA h g−1 was obtained at a current density of 200 mA g−1 for the 2nd discharge. Especially, it retained a capacity of 1105.6 mA h g−1 at the 100th discharge–charge cycle. The mechanism behind the capacity increase with cycling has been investigated based on the capacity changes in different voltage regions. After cycling with various current densities, it can deliver a capacity of 520.0 mA h g−1 at a current density as high as 5000 mA g−1, indicating that the electrode prepared by such a simple route can be a promising candidate for high-power LIBs.