ZnFe2O4-nanocrystal-assembled microcages as an anode material for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) is a promising anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity, which is three-times higher than that of graphitic materials. The main challenges remained for the ZnFe2O4 anode are the structure instability due to large strain introduced during charging/discharging process. In this study, ZnFe2O4-nanoparticle-assembled microcages (ZnFe2O4-NAMCs) are prepared using a template sacrifice route. The porous ZnFe2O4-NAMCs with firmly interconnected nanoparticulate architecture ensure fast transport of both electrons and ions, and allow enduring the volume expansion upon the charge/discharge process. Benefiting from the unique construction, ZnFe2O4-NAMCs deliver a high specific capacity of similar to 824 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA g(-1), and obtain capacity retention of 102% after 100 cycles relative to the capacity value at the 30th cycle. This work may open a new path for configuration of binary transition metal oxides for high-performance electrochemical energy storages. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.