Rational design of hierarchical ZnO@Carbon nanoflower for high performance lithium ion battery anodes

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 387; pp. 64 - 71
• Main Authors: liu, Huichao, Shi, Ludi, Li, Dongzhi, Yu, Jiali, Zhang, Han-Ming, Ullah, Shahid, Yang, Bo, Li, Cuihua, Zhu, Caizhen, Xu, Jian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 31.05.2018
• Subjects: Anode material; Carbon coating; Dopamine; Micro-nano secondary structure; Zinc oxide nanoflower; Anode material; Micro-nano secondary structure; Dopamine; Carbon coating; Zinc oxide nanoflower
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.03.047

The rational structure design and strong interfacial bonding are crucially desired for high performance zinc oxide (ZnO)/carbon composite electrodes. In this context, micro-nano secondary structure design and strong dopamine coating strategies are adopted for the fabrication of flower-like ZnO/carbon (ZnO@C nanoflowers) composite electrodes. The results show the ZnO@C nanoflowers (2–6 μm) are assembled by hierarchical ZnO nanosheets (∼27 nm) and continuous carbon framework. The micro-nano secondary architecture can facilitate the penetration of electrolyte, shorten lithium ions diffusion length, and hinder the aggregation of the nanosheets. Moreover, the strong chemical interaction between ZnO and coating carbon layer via C-Zn bond improves structure stability as well as the electronic conductivity. As a synergistic result, when evaluated as lithium ion batteries (LIBs) anode, the ZnO@C nanoflower electrodes show high reversible capacity of ca. 1200 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 80 cycles. As well as good long-cycling stability (638 and 420 mA h g−1 at 1 and 5 A g−1 after 500 cycles, respectively) and excellent rate capability. Therefore, this rational design of ZnO@C nanoflowers electrode is a promising anode for high-performance LIBs. •Micro-nano secondary structure design of ZnO@C nanoflowers were obtained.•Strong interaction between ZnO and coating carbon by dopamine coating strategies.•ZnO@C nanoflowers exhibit excellent electrochemical performances.