Supersonically spray-coated zinc ferrite/graphitic-carbon nitride composite as a stable high-capacity anode material for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2018-11, Vol.768, p.525-534
• Main Authors: Joshi, Bhavana, Samuel, Edmund, Kim, Tae-Gun, Park, Chan-Woo, Kim, Yong-Il, Swihart, Mark T., Yoon, Woo Young, Yoon, Sam S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Batteries; Carbon nitride; Cold spraying; Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Graphitic carbon nitride; Lithium-ion batteries; Lithium-ion battery; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Rechargeable batteries; Supersonic cold spraying; Thin films; Zinc coatings; Zinc ferrites; ZnFe2O4
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.07.027

This manuscript reports the preparation, characterization, and testing of stable high-capacity lithium-ion battery anodes based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) nanosheets hosting ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles (ZFCN). The ZFCN is prepared by a one-pot thermal process, then supersonic cold spraying is used to rapidly deposit films with a lamellar morphology that allows enhanced capacity retention by preventing particle agglomeration. The presence of g-CN nanosheets minimizes degradation of ZnFe2O4 by providing a buffering space during the lithiation/delithiation process. The ZFCN composite anodes exhibit first reversible capacities of 1550 mAh·g−1 at 50 mA·g−1 and up to 934 mAh·g−1 at 1000 mA·g−1 after 20 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance and capacity retention (88% after 160 cycles at 100 mA·g−1 relative to the first reversible capacity) are attributed to highly reversible alloying/conversion mechanisms. The combination of high performance and stability with the use of low-cost earth-abundant elements and scalable processing approaches gives this ZFCN composite immense potential for use as a stable high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. •ZnFe2O4/g-C3N4 films were fabricated as LIB anode via rapid supersonic spraying.•Lamellar morphology prevented particle agglomeration ensuing enhanced capacity retention.•High capacity retention of 93% is observed at 100 mA·g-1 after 70th cycle.•The ZFCN composite shows high capacity of 934 mAh·g-1 at 1000 mA·g-1 current rate.