Nanofibrous ZnSnO3/C composite derived from natural cellulose substance as an enhanced lithium-ion battery anode

• A nanofibrous ZnSnO 3 /C composite derived from natural cellulose substance was synthesized. • The nanocomposite consisted of interwoven carbon nanofibers anchored with the ZnSnO 3 nanoparticles. • The nanocomposite exhibited outstanding cycle stability and rate capability as an anodic material for lithium-ion batteries. A new nanofibrous ZnSnO 3 /C composite material derived from natural cellulose substance ( e.g. , commercial laboratory cellulose filter paper) was successfully fabricated through a simple hydrothermal synthesis process followed by carbonization treatment. The nanocomposite exhibited enhanced electrochemical performances and delivered a high reversible capacity of 695 mAh g −1 after 200 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g −1 employed as the anode material of lithium ion battery. The excellent electrochemical properties of the ZnSnO 3 /C nanocomposite are owing to the hierarchical three-dimensional structure inherited form the initial cellulose substance, which can efficiently buffer the volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process to maintain the structural stability of the electrode. In addition, the good conductivity of the carbon matrix in the nanocomposite can facilitate the lithium ion and electron transport upon cycling.