Low temperature oxidation synthesis of carbon encapsulated Cr₂O₃ nanocrystals and its lithium storage performance

Abstract

A highly efficient and convenient strategy is developed for the one-step in-situ synthesis of carbon encapsulated Cr2O3 nanocrystals with core-shell structure (Cr2O3@C). The explosive reaction of chromocene with ammonium persulfate in an autoclave at 200[Formula: see text]C is crucial for the formation of this nanostructure. The Cr2O3 nanocrystals have a diameter of 5 to 20[Formula: see text]nm, which are entirely encapsulated by the amorphous carbon shell. The Cr2O3@C anode can retain a stable reversible capacity of 397[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] after 50 cycles at a current density of 119[Formula: see text]mA g[Formula: see text].