Impact of Synthesis Techniques on the Electrochemical Properties of ZnCo2O4 as Alternative Anode for Lithium-ion Batteries

Abstract

Nowadays, mixed metal oxides like AB₂O₄-type structures are gaining more and more attention as energy storage materials due to their superior electrochemical performance, better structure stability, good electronic conductivity, and excellent reversible capacity. Herein, ZnCo₂O₄ has been synthesized via two different routes of material synthesis such as urea-assisted combustion and ball milling method. The physicochemical characterization was carried out with the help of XRD, FESEM, and EDX to confirm the phase, morphology, and elemental composition, respectively. The average crystallite size of ZnCo₂O₄ via urea-assisted combustion (ZCU) and the ball milled (ZCB) is observed to be 57 nm and 70 nm as estimated from XRD. The average particle of ZnCo₂O₄ via urea combustion and the ball mill is 20 µm and 49 µm, respectively, as observed by FESEM. The influence of the synthesis route on the electrochemical properties was analyzed via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry