Hydrothermal synthesis of a lamellar zinc dimolybdate hydroxide with application as the anode for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A lamellar zinc dimolybdate hydroxide Zn3Mo2O8(OH)2 was prepared for the first time by a facile hydrothermal synthesis. The electrochemical properties of the lamellar Zn3Mo2O8(OH)2 as an anode material were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), reversible capacity, cycling stability and rate capability for lithium ion batteries (LIB). The lamellar zinc dimolybdate hydroxide exhibits a reversible capacity of 404.6 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. The reversible capacity of the lamellar Zn3Mo2O8(OH)2 remained at 60 mAh g−1 even at a current density of 3000 mA g−1. When the current density was returned to 100 mA g−1, a discharge capacity of 380 mAh g−1 was maintained after 200 discharge/charge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance may be due to its unique lamellar structure, which buffers the volume change during the Li+ intercalation/de-intercalation and provides the electrode with convenient lithium ions and electron transport pathways. These results suggest the promising potential application of the lamellar zinc dimolybdate hydroxide in lithium-ion batteries.