Imidazolium ionic liquid induced one-step synthesis of 𝜶-Fe2O3 nanorods and nanorod assemblies for lithium-ion battery

alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods and nanorod assemblies are prepared via a facile one-step method with the assistance of imidazolium-based ionic liquid. The aspect ratio of synthesized nanorods is determined by the alkyl chain length of [C(n)mim](+). The inter-molecular pi-pi interaction and intra-molecular dipole-dipole interaction among imidazole rings of [C(4)mim]+[ PhCOO](-) play critical roles in both nucleation and assembly processes of alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods. The alpha-Fe2O3 nanorod assemblies show an excellent performance in lithium-ion batteries with a reversible capacity of 1007.3 mAh g(-1) at the rate of 500 mAg(-1) after 150 cycles. (C) 2016 Author(s).