A Facile Synthesis of ZnCoO Nanocluster Particles and the Performance as Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Abstract: ZnCoO nanocluster particles (NCPs) were prepared through a designed hydrothermal method, with the assistance of a surfactant, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of ZnCoO were investigated by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and BET analyses. The results of SEM and TEM suggest a clear nanocluster particle structure of cubic ZnCoO (~100 nm in diameter), which consists of aggregated primary nanoparticles (~10 nm in diameter), is achieved. The electrochemical behavior of synthesized ZnCoO NCPs was investigated by galvanostatic discharge/charge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The ZnCoO NCPs exhibit a high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g over 100 cycles under a current density of 100 mA g with an excellent coulombic efficiency of 98.9% and a considerable cycling stability. This work demonstrates a facile technique designed to synthesize ZnCoO NCPs which show great potential as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.