Zn2TiO4 spheres coated with polypyrrole as high-performance negative for Li-ion batteries

In this study, polypyrrole-coated Zn2TiO4 (Zn2TiO4@PPy) composites were constructed through solvothermal route and a facile ice-water bath strategy, and the PPy coating layer possessing preeminent electrical conductivity could enhance the electronic conductivity of pristine Zn(2)TiO(4 )and further elevate the whole electrochemical performance of composites as negative materials for Li-ion batteries. All samples possessed the similar spherical morphologies with diameter from 150 to 200 nm and the introduction of PPy layer rendered the surface of the Zn2TiO4 rough but did not affect the crystal structure of Zn2TiO4. Additionally, the as-prepared Zn2TiO4@PPy composites display higher specific capacities than that of pristine Zn2TiO4. Among them, the Zn2TiO4@PPy (3.7wt%) sample can deliver delithiation/lithiation capacities of 297.5 (330.7), 248.4 (256.1), 235.0 (242.2), 211.7 (214.9), 197.0 (199.0), 184.8 (185.5), and 159.6 (160.9) mAh g(-1) cycled at 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 1000 mA g(-1), respectively. The research results testified that the decoration with appropriate high conductive PPy coating layer could largely promote the electrochemical properties of Zn2TiO4 as negative for Li-ion batteries.