Electrospun hollow glassy carbon–reduced graphene oxide nanofibers with encapsulated ZnO nanoparticles: a free standing anode for Li-ion batteries

摘要: Although zinc oxide (ZnO) has a high theoretical capacity for lithium (Li) storage, it poor cyclability because of the huge volume changes during charge–discharge cycles resulting in particle pulverization and detachment from current collector. In this paper, novel anode architecture Li-ion batteries fabricated by encapsulation ZnO nanoparticles hollow core glassy carbon–reduced graphene (C–rGO) electrospun composite nanofibers, is described. A one-step, co-axial electrospinning method used to synthesize mat core–shell structured nanofibers composed rGO embedded poly(acrylonitrile) (shell) nanoparticle precursor with carrier polymer (core). Subsequent calcination carbonization produce mechanically stable material, which directly as free-standing (∼60 μm thick) without any binder collector, are inactive materials that only add battery mass volume. The ZnO–C–rGO nanofiber was characterized scanning electron microscopy, transmission Raman spectroscopy X-ray diffraction. electrochemical performance studied galvanostatic measurements at different densities, slow scan cyclic voltammetry (CV) impedance measurements. Incorporation an network shell enhances both electrical conductivity electrode faster kinetics, thus, improved rate capability. interior void spaces combined mechanical strength flexibility C–rGO act structural buffer effectively relieving volumetric stresses generated cycles. synergistic effect metal oxide, design results 815 mA h g−1 density 50 retention almost 80% after 100 cycles, thus demonstrating significant potential substitute next generation batteries.