One-pot Aerosol Synthesis of Carbon Nanotube-Zn2GeO4 Composite Microspheres for Enhanced Lithium-ion Storage Properties.

Three-dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube (CNT)-multicomponent metal oxide composite microspheres with non-aggregation characteristics are prepared using a simple one-pot spray pyrolysis process, applying water-soluble metal salt and oxidized CNT fibers. The hierarchical porous 3D structure of the CNT is formed by networking the flexible CNTs with a high aspect ratio during the drying stage of a droplet. Subsequently, the Zn and Ge salts are deposited over the CNTs to form the ZnO-CNT and GeO 2 -CNT composite microsphere. Decomposition of Zn and Ge salts into their respective oxides and the conversion reaction to form Zn 2 GeO 4 at 700 °C, produce the Zn 2 GeO 4 -CNT composite microsphere. The initial discharge capacities of the Zn 2 GeO 4 , Zn 2 GeO 4 -CNT, ZnO-CNT, and GeO 2 -CNT microspheres, at a current density of 1.5 A g −1 , are 1351, 1211, 1387, and 1631 mA h g −1 , respectively, and their discharge capacities at the 300 th cycle are 415, 762, 261, and 480 mA h g −1 , respectively. The CNT-Zn 2 GeO 4 composite microspheres, selected as the first target material, show electrochemical properties superior to those of the bare Zn 2 GeO 4 , CNT-ZnO, and CNT-GeO 2 composite microspheres. The synergetic effect of the multicomponent composition of Zn 2 GeO 4 and the CNT support result in excellent Li-ion storage properties of the Zn 2 GeO 4 -CNT composite microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]