Electrospun porous ZnCo2O4 nanotubes as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Porous ZnCo2O4 nanotubes were synthesized for the first time by an easy single-nozzle electrospinning strategy combined with subsequent heating treatment. The ZnCo2O4 nanotubes are polycrystalline with diameters of 200–300 nm and lengths up to several millimeters. The walls are ∼50 nm thick, comprising interconnected ZnCo2O4 nanocrystals (∼30 nm) and numerous nanopores (∼3 nm). When tested as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the resulting ZnCo2O4 nanotubes exhibit superior electrochemical lithium-storage performances with high specific capacity, good cyclability, and excellent rate capability. A high reversible capacity of 1454 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 is achieved, and even reaches 794 mAh g−1 at a current density as high as 2000 mA g−1 after 30 discharge/charge cycles, indicating a promising anode candidate for lithium-ion batteries.