Graphene anchored with ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles as a high-capacity anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Heterostructured ZnFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared ZnFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis and galvanostatic charge and discharge measurements. Compared with the pure ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles, the ZnFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites exhibit much larger reversible capacity up to 980 mAh g(-1), greatly improved cycling stability, and excellent rate capability. The superior electrochemical performance of the ZnFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites could be attributed to the synergetic effect between the conducting graphene nanosheets and the ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.