Synthesis of Mesoporous ZnO Nanosheets via Facile Solvothermal Method as the Anode Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries

Abstract

Mesoporous ZnO nanosheets are synthesized through a room temperature solvothermal method. Transmission and scanning electronic microscopy observations indicate that as-prepared ZnO hierarchical aggregates are composed and assembled by nanosheets with a length of 1–2 μm and a thickness of 10–20 nm, and interlaced ZnO nanosheets irregularly stack together, forming a three-dimensional network. Furthermore, large mesopores are embedded in the walls of ZnO nanosheets, confirmed by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurement. Accordingly, the resulting ZnO anode exhibits a high and stable specific discharge capacity of 421 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1 and a good rate capability. Such electrochemical performance could be attributed to the multiple synergistic effects of its mesoporous nanosheet structure, which can not only provide a large specific surface area for lithium storage, but also favor the ion transport and electrolyte diffusion.