Atomic layer deposition of ZnO on carbon black as nanostructured anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Although zinc oxide (ZnO), a low-cost and naturally abundant material, has a high theoretical specific capacity of 987 mA h g for hosting lithium ions, its application as an anode material has been hindered by its rapid capacity fading, mainly due to a large volume change (around 228%) upon repeated charge-discharge cycles. Herein, using carbon black (CB) powder as a support, ZnO-carbon black (denoted as ZnO-CB) nanocomposites were successfully fabricated using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. This method was able to produce strong interfacial molecular bindings between ZnO nanoclusters and the carbon surface that provide stable and robust electrical contact during lithiation and delithiation processes, as well as ZnO nanoclusters rich in oxygen vacancies (OVs) for faster Li-ion transport. Overall, the nanocomposites were able to deliver a high discharge specific capacity of 2096 mA h g at 100 mA g and stable cyclic stability with a specific capacity of 1026 mA h g maintained after 500 cycles. The composites also have excellent rate capability, and a reversible capacity at a high 1080 mA h g at 2000 mA g. The facile but unique synthesis method demonstrated in this work for producing nanostructures rich in OVs and nanocomposites with strong coupling via interfacial molecular bindings could be extended to the synthesis of other oxide based anode materials and therefore could have general significance for developing high energy density lithium ion batteries.

Dual Electrostatic Assembly of Graphene Encapsulated Nanosheet‐Assembled ZnO‐Mn‐C Hollow Microspheres as a Lithium Ion Battery Anode

“…Unambiguously, ZMCG electrode demonstrates the highest initial Coulombic efficiency than ZMC and ZZMO. The modification of graphene and the presence of oxygen vacancies in ZMCG (would be discussed in the following part) can promote the transport of electron and lithium ions within the active materials, which are responsible for its significantly enhanced initial Coulombic efficiency …”

“…For comparison, the lithium storage properties of other ZnO‐based anodes reported previously are summarized and illustrated in Table S1 (Supporting Information) . For example, carbon coated ZnO yolk–shell microspheres were produced by calcination of zinc‐cyanide hybrid coordination polymer microspheres, and delivered 659 mA h g −1 of specific capacity after 300 cycles at 500 mA g −1 and 372.5 mA h g −1 at 5000 mA g −1 .…”

Formation of N‐Doped Carbon‐Coated ZnO/ZnCo2O4/CuCo2O4 Derived from a Polymetallic Metal–Organic Framework: Toward High‐Rate and Long‐Cycle‐Life Lithium Storage

“…The spectrum shows five distinct peaks at 181.7, 479.2, 516.6, 615.9, and 699.3 cm −1 , which correspond to the F 2g , E g , F 2g , F 2g , and A 1g vibrational modes of ZnCo 2 O 4 or CuCo 2 O 4 . The three other Raman active modes at 305.4, 438.2, and 577.3 cm −1 are ascribed to the E 2H −E 2L , E 2 (high) and A 1L modes of ZnO . Additionally, two strong peaks were observed at 1355 cm −1 (D‐band) and 1594 cm −1 (G‐band) (inset in Figure b), which are characteristic of carbon.…”

Low‐Weight 3D Al2O3 Network as an Artificial Layer to Stabilize Lithium Deposition

“…[21,23,36,37] Because the ALD process can be used to prepare conformal, high-quality, and nanometer-thick 2D films, [38,39] it has been attempted to realize the non-dendritic deposition of Li metal. [21,23,36,37] Because the ALD process can be used to prepare conformal, high-quality, and nanometer-thick 2D films, [38,39] it has been attempted to realize the non-dendritic deposition of Li metal.…”

“…From previousr esearch, the utilization of an artificial layer is a good way to suppress Li dendrite growth. [21,23,36,37] Because the ALD process can be used to prepare conformal, high-quality, and nanometer-thick 2D films, [38,39] it has been attempted to realize the non-dendritic deposition of Li metal. On the other hand, the conformal 2D films are usually rigid and compact, which can neither bear volumechanges during Li plating/stripping nor provide fast Li-ion transportation.…”