Enhanced lithium storage by ZnFe2O4 nanofibers as anode materials for lithium-ion battery

摘要

We synthesized polycrystalline ZnFe2O4 nanofibers via a facile electrospinning and annealing process. The ZnFe2O4 nanofibers exhibit continuous frameworks and uniform porosity through the abrupt combustion of the polymer and crystallization of inorganic elements. This well-defined structure and morphology facilitates Li+ transport, enhances the effective contact area with the electrolyte, and offers abundant active sites. For the ZnFe2O4 nanofiber anode, the reversible capacity reaches 753 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles at the high current density of 5 A g(-1) and the anode shows excellent rate performance. The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the one-dimensional nanostructure and shortened diffusion pathways, which ensure full conversion reactions during lithiation-delithiation between Zn, Fe, and Li+, relieve volume expansion, and prevent pulverization/aggregation upon prolonged cycling at high current densities. Thus, we believe that ZnFe2O4 nanofibers present great potential as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.