3D hierarchical assembly of MoO3 nanobelt microflowers for enhanced lithium-ion battery anodes

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity. However, significant volume changes during lithiation/delithiation cycles can cause electrode pulverization, leading to rapid capacity degradation. This study reports the facile synthesis of 3D hierarchical MoO 3 microflowers composed of interconnected nanobelts via a single-step hydrothermal method using CrCl 3 as a catalyst. Characterization techniques revealed the formation of well-defined MoO 3 microflowers with a porous structure. When evaluated as anodes in lithium-ion batteries, these MoO 3 microflowers exhibited exceptional electrochemical performance, demonstrating excellent rate capability and outstanding cycling stability. A high reversible capacity of 634 mAh g −1 was achieved at a current density of 1114 mA g −1 , with minimal capacity decay over 3000 cycles. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique 3D hierarchical architecture, which effectively accommodates volume changes during lithiation/delithiation, thereby improving structural stability and enhancing electron/ion transport kinetics. This work demonstrates the potential of rationally designed MoO 3 architectures for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.