α-Fe₂O₃ anchored on porous N doped carbon derived from green microalgae via spray pyrolysis as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

The α-Fe₂O₃@nitrogen doped carbon (as donated α-Fe₂O₃@NC) composites derived from green microalgae was synthesized using one-pot spray pyrolysis, which showed a high discharge capacity of 1281.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ as anode materials for lithium ion storage. They also provided good rate performance in a range of 200 mA g⁻¹–1000 mA g⁻¹, and maintained a capacity of 92% after 100 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹. It demonstrated not only improved electrical conductivity but also effective prevention of the volume expansion of iron oxide during battery charge/discharge by uniformly forming iron oxide nanoparticles on microalgae via spray pyrolysis.