High performance Li2ZnTi3O8@C anode material fabricated by a facile method without an additional carbon source

Abstract Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 @C anode material has been synthesized by a facile solid-state reaction method, in which C 6 H 5 Li 3 O 7 ·4H 2 O is used as the lithium source, as well as the single-source carbon. With the formation of carbon-wrapped lithium oxide by the thermolysis of single-component precursor C 6 H 5 Li 3 O 7 ·4H 2 O, Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 particles are produced in a limited area, which could effectively hinder their growth/agglomeration. Moreover, the carbon layer coating on the outer surface of Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 is also beneficial to the transfer of both Li + and electrons, then an enhanced electrochemical performance is expected to achieve. From the electrochemical test results, a reversible capacity of 227.4 mAh g −1 could be delivered by Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 @C after 100 cycles at the current rate of 2 C.