Article Title

One-step hydrothermal synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄ nano-octahedrons as a high capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries

Authors

Zheng Xing, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Zhicheng Ju, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Jian Yang, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Huayun Xu, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Yitai Qian, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China

Keywords

Hydrothermal method, ZnFe2O4 octahedrons, Li-ion batteries, anode materials, rate performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT Binary transition metal oxides are considered as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIB), because they can effectively overcome the drawbacks of simple oxides. Here, a one-step hydrothermal method is described for the synthesis of regular ZnFe2O4 octahedrons about 200 nm in size at a low temperature without further annealing being required. The ZnFe2O4 octahedrons were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of the ZnFe2O4 octahedrons was examined in terms of cyclic voltammetry and discharge/charge profiles. The ZnFe2O4 octahedrons exhibit a high capacity of 910 mA•h/g at 60 mA/g between 0.01 and 3.0 V after 80 cycles. They also deliver a reversible specific capacity of 730 mA•h/g even after 300 cycles at 1000 mA/g, a much better performance than those in previous reports. A set of reactions involved in the discharge/charge processes are proposed on the basis of ex situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns of the electrode materials. The insights obtained will be of benefit in the design of future anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-012-0233-2

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Zheng Xing,Zhicheng Ju,Jian Yang,Huayun Xu,Yitai Qian, One-step hydrothermal synthesis of ZnFe2O4 nano-octahedrons as a high capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries. NanoRes.2012, 5(7): 477–485