In-situ loading of ZnO nanoparticles on carbon felt as novel binder-free flexible anode for high performance lithium-ion batteries

The paper reports a novel ZnO/carbon felt (CF) flexible electrode via a facile solvothermal method. The flexible electrode presents a unique architecture with well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles on shallow grooves of carbon felt. As a binder-free LIB anode, it exhibits a stable reversible capacity of 520.2 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1. The improved lithium storage properties can be attributed to the combined effect of both CF matrix and nano-sized embedded ZnO. The shallow grooves of elastic carbon fibers are favorable to accommodate the large volume expansion of ZnO and sustain good cycle stability. Moreover, the conductive network of CF may promote the electrical contact of the flexible electrode, making contribution to the enhanced rate performance. The structure, morphology and the electrochemical performances of ZnO/CF electrode for flexible LIBs are analyzed in details.