Transition-Metal-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a New Lithium-Ion Anode Material

Herein, we present a new synthesis method for transition-metal-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles utilized and characterized for the first time as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. In fact, the introduction of a transition metal (for instance, iron or cobalt) into the zinc oxide lattice results in an advanced performance with reversible lithium storage capacities exceeding 900 mAh g(-1), i.e., more than twice that of graphite. In situ XRD analysis reveals the electrochemical reduction of the wurtzite structure and the reversible formation of a LiZn alloy. The additional application of a carbon coating of such nanoparticles enables further improvement in terms of capacity retention and high rate (dis)charge capability. Moreover, the newly developed, simple, and environmentally friendly synthesis of these n-type doped nanoparticles is considered to be also applicable to other transition metals, presumably showing comparable electrochemical performances.