Three-dimensional carbon cloth-supported ZnO nanorod arrays as a binder-free anode for lithium-ion batteries

Three-dimensional ZnO nanorod arrays on flexible high surface area carbon cloth were successfully synthesized and directly used as negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries without using any binder additive. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared hybrid ZnO electrode were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). When tested as anodes in a lithium cell, the hybrid electrode demonstrated a high discharge capacity along with excellent rate capability and good cycling stability, delivering a reversible capacity of 891 mAh g−1 at the second cycle and retaining a capacity of 469 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles.