ZIF-8 derived CuFe2O4 nanoparticles: Evolution of composition and microstructures, and their electrochemical performances as anode for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

• MOF-derived CuFe 2 O 4 anode materials were prepared by facile hydrothermal route. • The coulomb efficiency of CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 and CuFe 2 O 4 was 70.8 and 91.3% respectively. • Outstanding electrochemical behavior of CuFe 2 O 4 /anode materials generated from MOFs could be used in high-performance LIBs. Improving electrical conductivity and exposing more active surface area in metal–organic frameworks remains a challenge. Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are interesting precursor for developing new Li-ion battery electrode materials (LIBs). Herein, we report a convenient and straightforward one-pot hydrothermal strategy to prepare MOF-derived CuFe 2 O 4 . X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were used to evaluate the CuFe 2 O 4 and CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 composites. CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 nanocomposites showed a noticeable improvement electrochemical property in terms of increased the discharge/charge capacity of CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 was determined to be 1478/980 mAhg −1 as an anode for lithium ion batteries. Similarly the pure CuFe 2 O 4 electrode exhibits discharge/charge was 986/678 mAhg −1 . The coulomb efficiency of CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 and CuFe 2 O 4 was 70.8 and 91.3% respectively. In the end of 10th cycle, the discharge /charge capacity of CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 was found to be 790/695 mAhg −1 . Similarly the pure CuFe 2 O 4 electrode exhibits discharge/charge was 560/535 mAhg −1 . Whereas, the columbic efficiency of CuFe 2 O 4 /ZIF-8 and CuFe 2 O 4 was 79 and 69.5%, respectively (10th cycle). These outstanding electrochemical capabilities suggest that CuFe 2 O 4 anode materials generated from MOFs (ZIF-8) could be used in high-performance Li-ion batteries.