ABSTRACT A novel dual‐step microwave‐assisted method was developed to synthesize core–shell ZnO‐coated TiNb 2 O 7 (TNO) anode materials. Pristine TNO microspheres were initially prepared through the microwave‐assisted solvothermal process. ZnO layers were then uniformly coated on the surface of TNO through a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method. The results indicated that the pristine TNO anode exhibited a charge capacity of 292.3 mAh g −1 at 0.1 C and a capacity retention value of 82.8% after 150 cycles at 5C. By contrast, the TNO sample coated with a 6‐nm‐thick ZnO layer exhibited a charge capacity of 319.8 mAh g −1 and a capacity retention value of 95%. This enhanced electrochemical performance of the ZnO‐coated TNO sample was attributable to the high Li + diffusion coefficient of 57.6 × 10 −11 cm 2 s −1 resulting from ZnO. Compared with the pristine TNO sample, the TNO sample coated with ZnO effectively suppressed the generation of gas. Specifically, the ZnO layers served as protective layers that inhibited side reactions in the interface between the anodes and electrolyte, thereby reducing gas evolution. These results indicate that coating the surface of TNO with ZnO enhances the charge capacity and cycling stability with reduced gas production.
Chiang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.