In-situ grown hierarchical ZnCo2O4 nanosheets on nickel foam as binder-free anode for lithium ion batteries

Nickle foam-supported hierarchical ZnCo2O4 nanosheets was prepared via a facile solution-based method. Porous ZnCo2O4 nanosheets were in-situ grown on current collector, forming a binder-free electrode. When evaluated as anode for Lithium ion batteries (LIBS), the binder-free electrode showed an attractive electrochemical performance. A reversible capacity of 773 mAh g−1 could be stably delivered after a 500-cycle test at a current density of 0.25 A g−1, with a high capacity retention of 87%. The electrode could maintain a high reversible capacity of 245 mA h g−1 even at an elevated current density of 8.0 A g−1. Integrated structure and rich porosity of the binder-free electrode were believed to contribute to the superior performance. Thus, the Nickle foam-supported ZnCo2O4 electrode is a promising anode for high performance LIBs in the coming future.