Synthesis and electrochemical performance of α-Fe₂O₃ nano ellipse as anode for lithium-ion batteries

α-Fe₂O₃ with nano ellipse structure was successfully synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method with adding 3, 6, and 9 mmol glycine at 160 °C for 10 h. FE-SEM images present that the shape and size of α-Fe₂O₃ is nano ellipse with dimensions in the range length of 130-200 nm and in the range diameter of 77-120 nm. The as-prepared α-Fe₂O₃ nano ellipse with the addition of glycine by 6 mmol exhibited excellent cycling performance and rate capability when used as anode for lithium ion batteries, obtaining reversible discharge capacity of 206.75 mAh g^-1 at 0.3 C. This is attributed to the nano ellipse structure delivering a large particle surface area thus increasing the electric and ionic conductivity of the α-Fe₂O₃ particles as anode. This result demonstrates that α-Fe₂O₃ nano ellipse could be a good candidate as anode material for lithium-ion battery.