Snowflake Like ZnCo2O4-xF2x/Polypyrrole Composites as High Performance Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries

In this work, we develop a facile solvothermal method, sintering process as well as an in situ chemical polymerization route to efficiently fabricate hierarchical snowflake like ZnCo2O4-xF2x/polypyrrole composite. According to the electron microscope observations, the formation mechanism is proposed as an aggregation process and anisotropic growth mechanism. In favor of the element doping and the structural advantages, the ZnCo2O4-xF2x/polypyrrole composites display excellent electrochemical performance including a high reversible capacity, excellent cyclic ability, and good rate behavior. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of the mesoporous structure, F anions doping and coating of PPy layer, which shortens the diffusion path for the Li+ ions, improves the kinetic process, promotes the electron transfer on the electrode/electrolyte interface and buffers the volume change during Li+ ion insertion/extraction process.