A strategy toward enhancing the lithium-storage performance of anode materials of ZIF-67-derived Co/N-doped carbon nanocubes by Ni-Co3ZnC

Abstract

Metal-organic framework draws widespread interest on account of its large specific surface areas, which could be employed as sacrificial templates to synthesize Co/N-doped carbon nanocubes. Herein, Ni-Co3ZnC is used as an additive for improving the electrical conductivity as well as lithium-storage performance of Co/N-doped carbon because of the conductivity and catalytic activity of metal nanoparticles. Co/N-doped carbon nanocubes and Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC anode materials are prepared through one-step precipitation and high-temperature calcination methods. The lithium-storage capabilities of Co/N-doped carbon and Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC are investigated. Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC manifests good electrochemical performance at 2.0 A g−1 compared to Co/N-doped carbon. The initial reversible capacities of Co/N-doped carbon and Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC are 877.4/548.4 and 1, 170.5/557.3 mAh g−1, and the reversible capacities could be maintained at 152.6/152.4 and 276.8/276.5 mAh g−1 after 2, 000 cycles. The electrode kinetic results evidence that Ni-Co3ZnC could enhance the conductivity of Co/N-doped carbon. The data provide a theoretical basis for improving the lithium-storage performance of prevalent anode materials.