High-performance Li-ion battery driven by a hybrid Li storage mechanism in a three-dimensional architectured ZnTiO 3 -CeO 2 microsphere anode.

ZnTiO ₃ and ZnTiO ₃ -CeO ₂ microspheres with particle sizes of about 100-300 nm were synthesized for the first time by a simple solvothermal process followed by calcination. The results indicate that CeO ₂ modification does not alter the morphology of the microspheres. ZnTiO ₃ -CeO ₂ (0, 3, 6, and 9 wt%) show an initial charge (discharge) capacity of 171.01 (253.2), 204.6 (507.5), 213.4 (451.6) and 126.2 (367.2) mA h g ^-1 at 500 mA g ^-1 , respectively. After 500 cycles, the corresponding charge (discharge) capacities were 191.1 (192.3), 298.7 (300.3), 322.4 (328.5) and 211.2 (212.3) mA h g ^-1 , respectively. Obviously, the charge (discharge) capacities of the ZnTiO ₃ -CeO ₂ composites are superior to those of pristine ZTO, which demonstrates that the Li storage performance of the CeO ₂ -modified ZTO electrodes is improved. The CeO ₂ shell provides a good electronic contact between ZnTiO ₃ and CeO ₂ , decreasing charge transfer resistance and facilitating the charge transportation of the ZnTiO ₃ -CeO ₂ composite. In addition, the formed phase interface between CeO ₂ and ZnTiO ₃ may provide more active sites for electrochemical reactions, improving the reversibility of Li-ion intercalation and decreasing the electrochemical polarization during cycling, especially at high current densities. Therefore, such ZnTiO ₃ -CeO ₂ microspheres can be regarded as hopeful candidates for anode materials for Li-ion batteries.