An excellent performance anode of ZnFe₂O₄/flake graphite composite for lithium ion battery

An approach of hydrothermal reaction for lithium ion battery was adopted, by which ZnFe₂O₄/flake graphite composites with excellent performance could be prepared as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. With nano-sized ZnFe₂O₄ particles coating on the electrochemical active matrix of flake graphite, the special composites allowed improved electronic conductivity and constructed an expressway for the transport of charges and lithium ions. Thus the ZnFe₂O₄/flake graphite anode became a compromise between capacity and cycle ability. The initial discharge-charge capacity was 848 mA h g^-1 and 744 mA h g^-1 at a constant current density of 100 mA g^-1, respectively. As high as 87.7% of the initial coulombic efficiency was obtained. Additionally, the charge capacity maintained constantly in the range of 720-735 mA h g^-1 in following cycles. And a high reversible charge capacity of 730 mA h g^-1 could be attained after 100 cycles, with the reversible capacity retention of 98%.