High performance Li2ZnTi3O8@C anode material fabricated by a facile method without an additional carbon source

•Li2ZnTi3O8@C anode material is synthesized via a facile solid-state reaction.•C6H5Li3O7·4H2O is used as the simultaneous source of lithium and carbon.•Carbon layer increases the electronic conductivity of Li2ZnTi3O8.•The Li2ZnTi3O8@C composite exhibits an excellent electrochemical performance.

Li2ZnTi3O8@C anode material has been synthesized by a facile solid-state reaction method, in which C6H5Li3O7·4H2O is used as the lithium source, as well as the single-source carbon. With the formation of carbon-wrapped lithium oxide by the thermolysis of single-component precursor C6H5Li3O7·4H2O, Li2ZnTi3O8 particles are produced in a limited area, which could effectively hinder their growth/agglomeration. Moreover, the carbon layer coating on the outer surface of Li2ZnTi3O8 is also beneficial to the transfer of both Li+ and electrons, then an enhanced electrochemical performance is expected to achieve. From the electrochemical test results, a reversible capacity of 227.4 mAh g−1 could be delivered by Li2ZnTi3O8@C after 100 cycles at the current rate of 2 C.