High-performance Li-ion battery driven by a hybrid Li storage mechanism in a three-dimensional architectured ZnTiO 3 -CeO 2 microsphere anode

• Published in: Dalton transactions : an international journal of inorganic chemistry 2021-12, Vol.51 (1), p.168-178
• Main Authors: Li, Xue-Zhong, Ji, Yu-Rui, Chai, Wu-Yi, Huo, Zhenxing, Yi, Ting-Feng, Xie, Ying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1477-9226; 1477-9234
• DOI: 10.1039/D1DT03588F

ZnTiO and ZnTiO -CeO microspheres with particle sizes of about 100-300 nm were synthesized for the first time by a simple solvothermal process followed by calcination. The results indicate that CeO modification does not alter the morphology of the microspheres. ZnTiO -CeO (0, 3, 6, and 9 wt%) show an initial charge (discharge) capacity of 171.01 (253.2), 204.6 (507.5), 213.4 (451.6) and 126.2 (367.2) mA h g at 500 mA g , respectively. After 500 cycles, the corresponding charge (discharge) capacities were 191.1 (192.3), 298.7 (300.3), 322.4 (328.5) and 211.2 (212.3) mA h g , respectively. Obviously, the charge (discharge) capacities of the ZnTiO -CeO composites are superior to those of pristine ZTO, which demonstrates that the Li storage performance of the CeO -modified ZTO electrodes is improved. The CeO shell provides a good electronic contact between ZnTiO and CeO , decreasing charge transfer resistance and facilitating the charge transportation of the ZnTiO -CeO composite. In addition, the formed phase interface between CeO and ZnTiO may provide more active sites for electrochemical reactions, improving the reversibility of Li-ion intercalation and decreasing the electrochemical polarization during cycling, especially at high current densities. Therefore, such ZnTiO -CeO microspheres can be regarded as hopeful candidates for anode materials for Li-ion batteries.