Mechanochemical Synthesis of ZnMn2O4 and its Electrochemical Properties as an Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

ZnMn2O4 has been prepared by a mechanochemical process using a mixture of Mn2O3 and ZnO as starting materials, and investigated as a possible anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The phase evolution and morphologies of the ball-milled and annealed powders are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive microanalysis (EDX), respectively. The solid-state reaction for the formation of ZnMn2O4, under the given experimental conditions, is achieved in a short time (30 min), and the prepared samples exhibit excellent electrochemical performances including an enhanced initial coulombic efficiency, high reversible capacity, and stable capacity retention with cycling.