Layer-by-layer synthesis of γ-Fe2O3@SnO2@C porous core-shell nanorods with high reversible capacity in lithium-ion batteries.

We demonstrated the layer-by-layer synthesis of γ-Fe2O3@SnO2@C porous core-shell nanorods. FeOOH nanorods were first synthesized via a hydrothermal process, and acted as a template for subsequent layer-by-layer deposition. It was indicated that the electrostatic attraction between the charged species may play the key role in the formation of the core-shell nanostructures. When used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, γ-Fe2O3@SnO2@C porous core-shell nanorods showed high initial Coulombic efficiency, high reversible capacity, and good cycling and rate performances. The correlation between the structure, composition and electrochemical performance was also discussed.