Preparation and electrochemical performance of bramble-like ZnO array as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Yan, Junfeng, Wang, Gang, Wang, Hui, Zhang, Zhiyong, Ruan, Xiongfei, Zhao, Wu, Yun, Jiangni, Xu, Manzhang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2015
• Subjects: Arrays; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystals; Electrochemical analysis; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Lithium-ion batteries; Materials Science; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Nuclei; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Research Paper; Three dimensional; Zinc; Zinc oxide; Bramble-like ZnO array; Electrochemical performance; Lithium-ion battery; Hydrothermal method; Energy storage
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-015-2870-3

A bramble-like ZnO array with a special three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure was successfully fabricated on Zn foil through a facile two-step hydrothermal process. A possible growth mechanism of the bramble-like ZnO array was proposed. In the first step of hydrothermal process, the crystal nucleus of Zn(OH) 4 2− generated by the zinc atoms and OH − ions fold together preferentially along the positive polar (0001) to form the needle-like ZnO array. In the second step of hydrothermal process, the crystal nuclei of Zn(OH) 4 2− adjust their posture to keep their c -axes vertical to the perching sites due to the sufficient environmental force and further grow preferentially along the (0001) direction so as to form bramble-like ZnO array. The electrochemical properties of the needle- and bramble-like ZnO arrays as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were investigated and compared. The results show that the bramble-like ZnO material exhibits much better lithium storage properties than the needle-like ZnO sample. Reasons for the enhanced electrochemical performance of the bramble-like ZnO material were investigated.