Green Template‐Free Synthesis of Hierarchical Shuttle‐Shaped Mesoporous ZnFe₂O₄ Microrods with Enhanced Lithium Storage for Advanced Li‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

In the work, a facile and green two-step synthetic strategy was purposefully developed to efficiently fabricate hierarchical shuttle-shaped mesoporous ZnFe2 O4 microrods (MRs) with a high tap density of ∼0.85 g cm(3) , which were assembled by 1D nanofiber (NF) subunits, and further utilized as a long-life anode for advanced Li-ion batteries. The significant role of the mixed solvent of glycerin and water in the formation of such hierarchical mesoporous MRs was systematically investigated. After 488 cycles at a large current rate of 1000 mA g(-1) , the resulting ZnFe2 O4 MRs with high loading of ∼1.4 mg per electrode still preserved a reversible capacity as large as ∼542 mAh g(-1) . Furthermore, an initial charge capacity of ∼1150 mAh g(-1) is delivered by the ZnFe2 O4 anode at 100 mA g(-1) , resulting in a high Coulombic efficiency of ∼76 % for the first cycle. The superior Li-storage properties of the as-obtained ZnFe2 O4 were rationally associated with its mesoprous micro-/nanostructures and 1D nanoscaled building blocks, which accelerated the electron transportation, facilitated Li(+) transfer rate, buffered the large volume variations during repeated discharge/charge processes, and provided rich electrode-electrolyte sur-/interfaces for efficient lithium storage, particularly at high rates.

Facile Fabrication of ZnFe2O4‐MWCNTs Composite as an Anode Material for Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…Up to now, different morphologies of ZnFe 2 O 4 , including nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires, and nano/microspheres, have been studied for LIBs because nanostructured ZnFe 2 O 4 anode material can effectively shorten the diffusion length of lithium ions ,,. Hou et al fabricated hierarchical shuttle‐shaped mesoporous ZnFe 2 O 4 microrods (MRs) by a facile and green two‐step synthetic strategy. After cycling 488 cycles, the discharge capacity of the MRs remains relatively stable and as large as 542 mAh g −1 at a current density of 1000 mA g −1 .…”

Solvothermal Synthesis of Hierarchical Colloidal Nanocrystal Assemblies of ZnFe2O4 and Their Application in Water Treatment

“…ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, which displayed enhanced gas sensing performance to acetone, were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal technology in the absence of structure directing agents or surfactant [19]. Hierarchical shuttle-shaped mesoporous ZnFe 2 O 4 microrods with enhanced lithium storage for advanced Li-ion batteries were obtained using a two-step synthetic strategy [20]. However, it is still a great challenge to find a facile way to controllably synthesize hollow and even hierarchical structures of zinc ferrite nanomaterials.…”

Facile Synthesis of NixZn1−xFe2O4 (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) as Anode Materials for Lithium Storage

“…Because of two different metal cations in a single‐crystal structure, ternary transition‐metal oxides possess many unique properties . ZnFe 2 O 4 emerges from these transition‐metal oxides on account of its large theoretical capacity (1072 mAh g −1 ), but rapid capacity attenuation, as a result of low electrical conductivity, and poor cycle stability arises from large volume variations during discharge/charge processes restrict its practical use . To improve these disadvantages of ZnFe 2 O 4 , elemental doping, carbon coating, and morphological optimization have been considered .…”

“…[35] ZnFe 2 O 4 emerges from these transition-metal oxides on account of its large theoreticalc apacity (1072 mAh g À1 ), [36,37] but rapid capacity attenuation, as ar esult of low electrical conductivity,a nd poor cycle stabilitya rises from large volumev ariations duringd ischarge/charge processes restricti ts practical use. [36,[38][39][40] To improvet hese disadvantageso fZ nFe 2 O 4 ,e lemental doping, [40,41] carbon coating, [42][43][44] and morphological optimization have been considered. [7,38,45,46] Te hetal.…”

“…[36,[38][39][40] To improvet hese disadvantageso fZ nFe 2 O 4 ,e lemental doping, [40,41] carbon coating, [42][43][44] and morphological optimization have been considered. [7,38,45,46] Te hetal. employed an electrospinning strategy to manufacture Zn 1Àx Mn x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) nanofibers;alower discharge potential and betterc ycling consistency werer ealized by replacing zinc with manganese.…”