Facile Synthesis and Lithium Storage Properties of Zn_1-CoCO₃ Microspheres

Zn1-xCoxCO3 (ZCCO) microspheres were synthesized by a modified solvothermal method (ball milling-solvothermal combination method) using ZnCl2, CoCl2, and NH4HCO3 as raw materials. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The results showed the introduction of Co and molar ratio of Zn and Co play crucial roles in the morphology and electrochemical performance of the ZCCO. As anode materials for lithium ion battery (LIB), all ZCCO electrodes possess high specific capacities and good cycle performance. The as-obtained Zn0.5Co0.5CO3 electrode exhibits higher discharge capacity (1526 mAh/g) and better rate properties with the reversible capacity of 976 mAh/g after 100 cycles when the molar ratio of Zn/Co is 1:1. Moreover, the present work provides a new and simple approach to the fabrication of novel anode materials (transition metal carbonates) for LIB applications.