VN@C hollow structures derived from ZIF-8 templates for a lithium-ion battery anode

A rationally designed strategy was employed for the preparation of VN@C hollow structures using ZIF-8 polyhedra as sacrificial templates. Meanwhile, ZIF-8 also plays the role of both nitrogen and carbon sources during the synthetic process. Benefiting from the unique loose hollow structure with high surface area of VN@C, as well as the support of carbon, the product displays an outstanding lithium storage performance. The discharge capacity can reach 495.3 mA h g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) after 500 cycles.

Automated summary

A rationally designed strategy was employed to prepare VN@C hollow structures using ZIF-8 polyhedra as sacrificial templates, which also acted as nitrogen and carbon sources during the synthesis. The resulting product demonstrated outstanding lithium storage performance due to the unique loose hollow structure with high surface area of VN@C and the support of carbon, achieving a discharge capacity of 495.3 mA h g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) after 500 cycles.