Structural Construction of WO3 Nanorods as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries to Improve Their Electrochemical Performance

Abstract

WO3 nanobundles and nanorods were prepared using a facile hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirms that the obtained samples are pure hexagonal WO3. Transmission electron microscope images detected the gap between the different nanowires that made up the nanobundles and nanorods. As the anode materials of lithium-ion batteries, the formed WO3 nanobundles and WO3 nanorods deliver an initial discharge capacity of 883.5 and 971.6 mA h g−1, respectively. Both WO3 nanostructures deliver excellent capacity retention upon extended cycling. At a current density of 500 mA g−1, the reversible capacities of WO3 nanobundle and WO3 nanorod electrodes are 444.0 and 472.3 mA h g−1, respectively, after 60 cycles.