Facile synthesis of ZnFe2O4 with inflorescence spicate architecture as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with outstanding performance

ZnFe2O4 with inflorescence spicate architecture has been synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method with the presence of oxalic acid. The ZnFe2O4 as an anode material with novel morphological structure was emphasized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy and so on. As an anode for LIBs, the inflorescence spicate ZnFe2O4 exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with an initial discharge capacity of 1647.2 mA h g−1, maintaining a reversible discharge capacity of 1398.1 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1 (84.9% of the first discharge capacity) and favorable rate capacity (766 mA h g−1 at 1.2 A g−1). Such attractive performance is ascribed mainly to its unique inflorescence spicate electrode morphology, which can provide good electrical contact and conductivity, and provide a buffer medium to accommodate the volume expansion of electrode materials during the electrochemical reaction process. More importantly, this study not only provides a simple synthesis method for lithium-ion batteries, but also helps in designing novel electrode materials with high performance.