Co/ZnO/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composite Anode Derived from Metal Organic Frameworks for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Through high-temperature sintering and carbonization, two Co/ZnO nitrogen-doped porous carbon (NC) composites derived from ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 were manufactured for use as anodes for Li ion batteries: composite-type Co/ZnO-NC and core-shell-type Co@ZnO-NC. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method were performed to identify the pore distribution and surface morphology of these composites. The findings of the BET method indicated that the specific surface area of Co/ZnO-NC was 350 m2/g, which was twice that of Co@ZnO-NC. Electrochemical measurements revealed that Co@ZnO-NC and Co/ZnO-NC had specific capacities of over 400 mAh g−1 at a current density 0.2 A g−1 after 50 cycles. After 100 cycles, Co/ZnO-NC exhibited a reversible capacity of 411 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.2 A g−1 and Co@ZnO-NC had a reversible capacity of 246 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.2 A g−1. The results indicated that Co/ZnO-NC exhibited superior electrochemical performance to Co@ZnO-NC as a potential anode for use in Li ion batteries.