Mn-doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with enhanced performances as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Highlights: • Mn-doped ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrothermal method. • Zn{sub 0.96}Mn{sub 0.04}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} electrode shows the highest reversible capacity of 1157 mA h g{sup −1}. • The Zn{sub 0.96}Mn{sub 0.04}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} electrode shows promising cycling stability. - Abstract: Nanocrystalline Zn{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1) have been successfully synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method. The morphologies and electrochemical performance of Mn-doped ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} in various proportions were investigated at room temperature, respectively. The Zn{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x = 0.04) electrode in the as-synthesized samples showed the highest specific capacity of 1547 mA h g{sup −1} and 1157 mA h g{sup −1} in the initial discharge/charge process, with a coulombic efficiency of 74.8%. Additionally, excellent cycling stability was performed with a 1214 mA h g{sup −1} capacity retention at a current density of 100 mA g{sup −1} after 50 cycles. The corresponding mechanism was proposed which indicated that the Mn-doped ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles experienced an aggregation thermochemical reaction among ZnO, MnO and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} subparticles.