A Facile Synthesis of ZnCo2O4 Nanocluster Particles and the Performance as Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

ZnCo2O4nanocluster 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 ZnCo2O4were investigated by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and BET analyses. The results of SEM and TEM suggest a clear nanocluster particle structure of cubic ZnCo2O4(*100 nm in diameter), which consists of aggregated primary nanoparticles(*10 nm in diameter), is achieved. The electrochemical behavior of synthesized ZnCo2O4NCPs was investigated by galvanostatic discharge/charge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The ZnCo2O4NCPs exhibit a high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g-1over 100 cycles under a current density of 100 mA g-1with an excellent coulombic efficiency of 98.9% and a considerable cycling stability. This work demonstrates a facile technique designed to synthesize ZnCo2O4NCPs which show great potential as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.