Controlled Synthesis of Carbon Nanofibers Anchored with Zn_xCo_3–xO₄ Nanocubes as Binder-Free Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The direct growth of complex ternary metal oxides on three-dimensional conductive substrates is highly desirable for improving the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). We herein report a facile and scalable strategy for the preparation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) anchored with ZnxCo3-xO4 (ZCO) nanocubes, involving a hydrothermal process and thermal treatment. Moreover, the size of the ZCO nanocubes was adjusted by the quantity of urea used in the hydrothermal process. Serving as a binder-free anode material for LIBs, the ZnCo2O4/CNFs composite prepared using 1.0 mmol of urea (ZCO/CNFs-10) exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability, and good rate capability. More specifically, a high reversible capacity of ∼600 mAh g(-1) was obtained at a current density of 0.5 C following 300 charge-discharge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance could be associated with the controllable size of the ZCO nanocubes and synergistic effects between ZCO and the CNFs.