ZnO-Embedded N-Doped Porous Carbon Nanocomposite as a Superior Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

•ZnO impregnated N-doped carbon composite (ZnO/N-CF) is fabricated by using ZIF-8 and mesoporous carbon foam (CF).•Utilization of ZIF-8 significantly improves the impregnation process due to the hydrophobic interaction with CF matrix.•The ZnO/N-CF sample shows superior electrochemical properties to those of bare ZnO.

A nano-sized ZnO-loaded/N-doped carbon composite (ZnO/N-CF) was prepared by anchoring the zeolitic imidazolate framework, ZIF-8, onto a porous carbon foam (CF) with water vapor-assisted method, followed by the controlled two-step heat treatments. Utilization of ZIF-8 as a Zn source facilitated the impregnation of Zn species into the mesopores of the CF matrix, establishing the beneficial conductive networks between ZnO particles and preventing the growth and aggregation of ZnO particles during the prolonged cycles. The ZnO/N-CF sample exhibited stable discharge capacities of more than 1177 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles with a current density of 98 mA g−1 between 0.01 and 3.0 V. It also showed excellent rate capabilities compared to bare ZnO and previously reported other ZnO-based electrodes.

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