Zn2SnO4-carbon cloth freestanding flexible anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Highlights: • Zn₂SnO₄-carbon cloth freestanding flexible anodes have been successfully prepared. • The hierarchical structure provides the fast Li-ion and electron exchange path. • The reversible capacity can keep at 1510 mA h/g after 60 discharge-charge cycles. • The flexible electrode delivers 536 mA h/g at current density of 1000 mA/g. • Synergistic effect between Zn₂SnO₄ and carbon greatly enhanced performance of battery. Zn₂SnO₄-carbon cloth, prepared via the coherent growth of Zn₂SnO₄ on pre-functionalized carbon cloth, was employed as a freestanding and binder-free anode for lithium-ion batteries. The 2D Zn₂SnO₄ nano-plates were uniformly anchored on the surface of 1D carbon cloth to form a hierarchical structure, providing the fast Li-ion and electron exchange path and reducing the volume change during the Li-ion planting/stripping. The binder-free electrode delivered significantly enhanced electrochemical performance by maintaining a reversible capacity of 1510 mA h/g after 60 discharge-charge cycles at a current density of 100 mA/g compared with that of the Zn₂SnO₄. Systematic structural and electrochemical characterizations suggested that the synergistic effect between Zn₂SnO₄ nanoplates and carbon cloth was responsible for the high electrochemical performance. Therefore, this study would be of significance for promoting the application of binary transition metal oxides in lithium-ion batteries.