A hierarchical dual-carbon supported ZnMn2O4/C composite as an anode material for Li-ion batteries

In order to improve the Li-storage performance of spinel-type ZnMn2O4 anode material, a hierarchical dual-carbon supported ZnMn2O4/carbonized melamine foam and vapor-grown carbon fiber (ZMO/CMF-VGCF) composite was prepared by a multi-step approach and investigated as a high-capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries. This composite material exhibits superior Li-storage performance to the ZMO/CMF and ZMO/VGCF composite materials prepared under similar conditions, in terms of specific capacity, rate capability and cyclability. The ZMO/CMF-VGCF exhibits a high reversible charge specific capacity of 988.8 mA h g(-1) at the current density of 100 mA g(-1) and remains 474.4 mA h g(-1) at 2000 mA g(-1). After 200 cycles at 1000 mA g(-1), the charge capacity is decreased from 526.1 to 454.2 mA h g(-1), giving capacity retention of 86.3%. The combined CMF and VGCF have synergistic effects on the Li-storage performance of ZnMn2O4/CMF-VGCF composite. The highly conductive VGCF and N-doped CMF with different sizes, shapes and spatial distributions act as the conductive and structural supporting networks, which can alleviate the effect of volume change of the active material during the repeated discharge/charge cycling. Moreover, the component CMF and VGCF can also contribute some lithium storage capacity during cycling, especially the contribution of the VGCF. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The hierarchical dual-carbon supported ZnMn2O4/CMF-VGCF composite material showed superior Li-storage performance compared to other composite materials, with high reversible charge specific capacity and excellent capacity retention, attributed to the synergistic effects of CMF and VGCF as conductive and structural supporting networks.