Lithium Storage in Carbon‐coated Zinc Iron Oxides as Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Carbon‐coated zinc iron oxides (ZnFe 2 O 4 /C) are synthesized by a hydrothermal method and subsequent calcination at three different temperatures. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicate that the spherical ZnFe 2 O 4 /C samples are well‐crystallized and that an amorphous layer of carbon, derived from thermal decomposition of glucose, is deposited on the surface of the ZnFe 2 O 4 samples. The testing results demonstrate that ZnFe 2 O 4 /C sintered at 600 °C shows a high reversible capacity of 579 mAh g −1 at a current density of 100 mA g −1 after 100 cycles and good rate capability. This indicates the potential use of ZnFe 2 O 4 /C as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries.