Plant Oil-Inspired 3D Flower-Like Zn3V3O8 Nanospheres Coupled with N-Doped Carbon as Anode Material for Li-/Na-Ion Batteries

Plant oil-inspired 3D flower-like Zn3V3O8 nanospheres coupled with nitrogen doped (N-doped) carbon synthesized via the microemulsion/calcination strategy are used as anodes for lithium-/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs). The synergistic interaction between the unique 3D flower-like structure and the existence of N-doped carbon can provide enough space to buffer volume expansion during the Li+/Na+ intake/outlet process and enhance conductivity, respectively. Thus, the material delivers progressive electrochemical performance. Specifically, the Zn3V3O8 nanospheres exhibit a reversible specific capacity of 1140.6 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles for LIBs and 113.0 mAh g(-1) after 400 cycles for SIBs at a current density of 200 mA g(-1). Furthermore, the Zn3V3O8 nanospheres electrode owns rate capability for LIBs such as 933.8, 847.9, 780.8, and 664.1 mAh g(-1) at elevated current densities of 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mAh g(-1), respectively. In addition, it delivers reversible capacities of 207.5, 119.2, 74.1, and 42.7 mAh g(-1) at 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mA g(-1) for SIBs, respectively.