A novel fiber bundle structure ZnCo2O4 as a high capacity anode material for lithium-ion battery

A novel fiber bundle nanostructured ZnCo2O4 (ZCO) 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 crystals have a high purity and a good crystallinity, and the ZCO nanowires with a diameter of 10-30 nm are composed of uniform ZCO nanocrystals with a size of 30-60 nm. The novel structure with enough free space is beneficial to improving the electrochemical performance. The as-prepared ZCO fiber bundle used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries exhibits a high specific capacity of 1026.3 mA h g−1 at a current rate of 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, as well as a high power capability at elevated current rates, i.e., 1015.1 and 606.2 mA h g−1 at current rates of 500 and 2000 mA g−1, respectively. It has a great prospect for the application of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.