ZnFe2O4/MoS2/rGO composite as an anode for rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries

The transition metal oxide ZnFe2O4 can be used as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries because of its higher theoretical capacity (1072 mA h g−1), and MoS2 has also received extensive attention because of its low cost and environmental friendliness. However, the expansion and contraction of the volume during charge and discharge limit the commercial application of ZnFe2O4 and MoS2. We synthesize ZnFe2O4/MoS2/reduced graphite oxide (ZnFe2O4/MoS2/rGO) ternary composite material by a simple two-step hydrothermal synthesis method and subsequent heat treatment. ZnFe2O4/MoS2/rGO displays a good electrochemical performance due to a synergistic effect of MoS2 with a three-dimensional spherical structure and rGO as a conductive agent. At a current density of 200 mA g−1, the discharge capacity still reaches 1568 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. At the same time, high-rate performance is also good (638 mAh g−1 at 1800 mA g−1).