Temperature effect on morphology and electrochemical properties of nanostructured ZnO as anode for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) with different morphology has been synthesised by a facile hydrothermal method combining calcination procedure at different temperatures. The effect of calcination temperature on the morphology and electrochemical properties of as-synthesised ZnO is investigated. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to characterise the phase composition and microstructure of the synthesised samples. The electrochemical tests of as-synthesised ZnO as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) reveal that ZnO nanoparticles prepared at 700°C deliver the largest capacity of 1815.8 mAh g−1, while cabbage-like ZnO nanosheets prepared at lower temperatures display better cycling stability. It is believed that the diverse morphologies of nanostructured ZnO crucially affect their electrochemical properties as an anode material for LIBs.