Hollow multicomponent zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-derived 3NiO·2Ni3/2Co1/2ZnO4 for high rate lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Hollow multicomponent transition metal oxide nanostructures have caused extensive attention due to their enhanced performances in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a hybrid of multicomponent 3NiO·2Ni 3/2 Co 1/2 ZnO 4 nanocomposite with porous hollow dodecahedron nanostructures (3NiO·2Ni 3/2 Co 1/2 ZnO 4 -HD) was fabricated by carbonization of NiCoZn-layered double hydroxides which were derived from multimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Zn/Co-ZIFs) as both self-sacrificial template and precursors. The 3NiO·2Ni 3/2 Co 1/2 ZnO 4 -HD nanocomposites were carefully characterized by various techniques including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, N 2 adsorption/desorption, transmission electron microscopy, Four-Point Probes and electrochemical techniques. When the 3NiO·2Ni 3/2 Co 1/2 ZnO 4 -HD nanocomposites were acted as anode materials for LIBs, a capacity of about 1337 mA h g −1 could be obtained after 100 cycles. The improved electrochemical performances might originate from synergistic effect of multicomponents, enhanced electrical conductivity and porous hollow dodecahedron nanostructures which could effectively alleviate volume deformation in the process of discharge/charge, accelerate mass transfer and increase the active sites for Li + storage.