MOF-Derived ZnO/Ni₃ZnC0.7/C Hybrids Yolk–Shell Microspheres with Excellent Electrochemical Performances for Lithium Ion Batteries

In this study, ZnO/Ni3ZnC0.7/C spheres were synthesized successfully via a simple method based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The experimental results show that the reaction time has a great influence on the structure of the material. ZnO/Ni3ZnC0.7/C spheres with controlled solid and yolk-shell structures have been obtained by altering the reaction time. When applied as anode materials, both the solid and the yolk-shell ZnO/Ni3ZnC0.7/C composites present excellent electrochemical performance. In addition, it is worth mentioning that the yolk-shell structure composite's property is superior to that of the solid one's in terms of lithium storage. The stable reversible capacity of yolk-shell ZnO/Ni3ZnC0.7/C can be retained at 1002 mA h g(-1) at 500 mA g(-1) after completion of 750 cycles, and it also exhibits superior rate performance. In contrast, the solid ZnO/Ni3ZnC0.7/C under the same conditions of testing shows a reversible capacity of 824 mA h g(-1).