Single crystalline flowerlike α-MoO3 nanorods and their application as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A facile one-step solvothermal method was developed to synthesize single crystalline flowerlike alpha-MoO3 nanorods without using any catalysts, surfactants or templates. Highly crystalline alpha-MoO3 nanorods grow along [001] with length up to 2-4 mu m and diameter ranging between 150 and 200 nm. The as-prepared nanorods are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The flowerlike alpha-MoO3 nanorod electrodes display initial discharge and charge capacities of 1182 and 1158 mAh g(-1) respectively, with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.45%. Moreover, owing to the unique flowerlike morphology, they exhibit good cyclability, durability and reliability, demonstrating an auspicious anode candidate for lithium-ion batteries. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.