Rationally designed capacitive enhanced three-dimensionally feather-like Co₃O₄/ZnCo₂O₄/NF composite as efficient anode for lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, three-dimensional feather-like Co₃O₄/ZnCo₂O₄/NF is synthesized by one-dimensional Co₃O₄ nanorods and ZnCo₂O₄ nanowires on nickel foam. The special feather-like structure significantly improves the electrochemical performance of Co₃O₄/ZnCo₂O₄/NF. As anode for lithium-ion batteries, its initial capacity is 1480 mAh g⁻¹ and keeps at 934 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles. After sequentially charge/discharge cycles with high current density, the discharge capacity returns to 942 mAh g⁻¹ when the current density returns to 0.2 A g⁻¹, showing excellent rate performance. In addition, a unique feather-like structure reduces the transport distance of lithium ions and accelerates the gather and release of lithium ions, making the battery have a large capacitance contribution ratio and exhibit significant pseudocapacitance characteristics. Besides, the excellent electrochemical performance of Co₃O₄/ZnCo₂O₄/NF is also attributed to its unique feather-like structure, synergistic effect, and good electrical conductivity.