Wet chemical synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline ZnWO4 for application in Li-ion batteries

Nanocrystalline ZnWO4 anode material has been synthesized by a simple wet chemical method. The precursor is heated at different calcination temperatures (T = 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C) under an air atmosphere. XRD pattern reveals that ZnWO4 has been formed with no secondary phase. A well-defined nanocrystalline ZnWO4 is identified by FE-TEM analysis. The reversible cycling performance of the as-synthesized ZnWO4 anode is examined by CV and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling. As an anode material, ZnWO4 demonstrates initial discharge capacities of 581.2 mAh/g, 783.8 mAh/g, and 452.8 mAh/g corresponding to ZW@500, ZW@600, and ZW@700, respectively. The ZW@600 sample delivers a good cycle life between the voltage range of 0.01 and 3.0 V. Due to small size and high exchange current density the ZW@600 sample shows better electrochemical properties than others.