Investigation on In Situ Carbon-Coated ZnFe(2)O(4) as Advanced Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

ZnFe(2)O(4) as an anode that is believed to attractive. Due to its large theoretical capacity, this electrode is ideal for Lithium-ion batteries. However, the performance of ZnFe(2)O(4) while charging and discharging is limited by its volume growth. In the present study, carbon-coated ZnFe(2)O(4) is synthesized by the sol–gel method. Carbon is coated on the spherical surface of ZnFe(2)O(4) by in situ coating. In situ carbon coating alleviates volume expansion during electrochemical performance and Lithium-ion mobility is accelerated, and electron transit is accelerated; thus, carbon-coated ZnFe(2)O(4) show good electrochemical performance. After 50 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A·g(−1), the battery had a discharge capacity of 1312 mAh·g(−1) and a capacity of roughly 1220 mAh·g(−1). The performance of carbon-coated ZnFe(2)O(4) as an improved anode is electrochemically used for Li-ion energy storage applications.