PEDOT-PSS coated ZnO/C hierarchical porous nanorods as ultralong-life anode material for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Nano energy 2015-11, Vol.18 (C), p.253-264
• Main Authors: Xu, Gui-Liang, Li, Yan, Ma, Tianyuan, Ren, Yang, Wang, Hsien-Hau, Wang, Lifen, Wen, Jianguo, Miller, Dean, Amine, Khalil, Chen, Zonghai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode; Hierarchical porous nanorods; In-situ HEXRD; Lithium ion batteries; PEDOT-PSS; ZnO
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.10.020

ZnO/C hierarchical porous nanorods were synthesized through one-pot wet-chemical reaction followed by thermal calcination. It was found that ZnO/C porous nanorods are composed of numerous nanograins, exhibiting a hierarchical micro/nanostructure. In-situ synchrotron high energy X-ray diffraction study revealed that ZnO/C hierarchical porous nanorods involve a two-step reversible lithiation mechanism during charge/discharge; and part of ZnO and Zn remains at the end of the first discharge and charge process, respectively, leading to a low coulombic efficiency in the initial few cycles. The electrochemical test demonstrated that the reversible capacity and the rate performance of ZnO/C hierarchical porous nanorods anode have been greatly improved by PEDOT-PSS coating, which could maintain a reversible capacity of 623.94mAhg−1 after 1500 cycles at 1C. Its excellent high rate capability and long cycle stability were attributed to the high electronic conductivity of PEDOT-PSS coating layer and the hierarchical structures of ZnO/C porous nanorods. PEDOT-PSS coated ZnO/C hierarchical porous nanorods were fabricated as anode of lithium ion batteries. Thanks to the unique hierarchical micro/nanostructures and PEDOT-PSS coating, it has demonstrated a high reversible capacity with an ultralong cycle life and excellent rate capability. In-situ synchrotron high energy X-ray diffraction was further utilized to study the lithiation mechanism of ZnO anode. [Display omitted] •PEDOT-PSS coated ZnO/C hierarchical porous nanorods was fabricated as anode for LIBs.•The hierarchicalstructures and PEDOT-PSS coating lead to excellent performance.•In-situhigh energy X-ray diffraction was utilized to study the lithiation mechanism.