Nanostructured Zn-based composite anodes for rechargeable Li-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry Vol. 22; no. 25; pp. 12767 - 12773
• Main Authors: Hwa, Yoon, Sung, Ji Hyun, Wang, Bin, Park, Cheol-Min, Sohn, Hun-Joon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; Anodes; Electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries; Low currents; Mechanical milling; Nanostructure; Rechargeable batteries; Zinc
• ISSN: 0959-9428; 1364-5501
• DOI: 10.1039/c2jm31776a

The mechanism of the electrochemical reaction of Zn with Li was investigated by ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis combined with a differential capacity plot of the Zn electrode at a low current of 10 mA g −1 . The pure Zn electrode showed a high reactivity with Li, with first discharge and charge capacities of 574 and 351 mA h g −1 , respectively. In addition, Zn-C and Zn-Al 2 O 3 -C composites prepared by simple high-energy mechanical milling were evaluated for use as anode materials in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The Zn-C nanocomposite was composed of nanosized Zn in an amorphous C matrix, while the Zn-Al 2 O 3 -C nanocomposite (obtained by the mechanochemical reduction of ZnO and Al) was composed of nanocrystalline Zn and amorphous Al 2 O 3 in the amorphous C matrix. Electrochemical tests showed that the Zn-Al 2 O 3 -C nanocomposite electrode exhibited a high volumetric capacity of more than 1800 mA h cm −3 over 100 cycles. Zn is cost-effective and environmentally benign when used as an energy storage material. Although Zn activity with Li was very poor, it was engineered to fully react directly by a simple process. It exhibited a strong potential as a promising anode for Li-ion batteries.