Flake-by-flake ZnCo2O4 as a high capacity anode material for lithium-ion battery

• The ZnCo2O4 with porous structure was prepared by co-precipitation method.
• Flake-by-flake used in ZnCo2O4 was studied for the first time.
• The as-prepared ZCO shows excellent electrochemical performances.
• The preparation method has mild experiment conditions and high production rate.

A novel flake-by-flake ZnCo2O4 (ZCO) with porous nanostructure is prepared by a typical and facile co-precipitation method using oxalic acid as complex agent. XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses show the as-prepared ZCO nanoparticles have a high purity and a good crystallinity, and the ZCO nanoflakes with a thickness of 30–80 nm are composed of uniform ZCO nanocrystals with a diameter of 20–40 nm. The novel structure with enough free space is beneficial to improving the electrochemical performance. The as-prepared ZCO used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries exhibits a high specific capacity of 1275 mA h/g at a current rate of 100 mA/g after 50 cycles, as well as a high power capability at elevated current rates, i.e., 1130 and 730 mA h/g at current rates of 500 and 3000 mA/g, respectively. It has a great prospect for the application of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.