Bamboo-like porous CNTs encapsulated Zn3V3O8 nanoparticles as high-performance anodes for lithium ion batteries

Bamboo-like porous carbon nanotubes (CNTs) encapsulated Zn3V3O8 nanoparticles with high filling uniformity were synthesized for the first time using polymer nanotubes as the carbon source through a simple encapsulation-calcination strategy. The porous CNTs are a good encapsulation matrix for the Zn3V3O8 nanoparticles because of large internal cavity, good electrical conductivity, high surface area and high flexibility. As anodes for lithium ion batteries, this composite exhibits excellent capacity (1013.1 mA h g(-1) at 200 mAg(-1)), good rate capability (329.3 mA h g(-1) at 8000 mA g(-1)) and cycling stability (470.5 mA h g(-1) after 300 cycles at 3000 mA g(-1)). The one-dimensional encapsulation matrix of CNTs in the composites with a unique structure provides high conductivity, prevents the exfoliation of Zn3V3O8 nanoparticles and accommodates the volume changes. Besides, the composite electrode has a multistage pore structure, which can shorten the transmission distance of Li+ ions and electrons. As a result, the encapsulated nanocomposite shows excellent performances. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.