Boosting Reaction Kinetics in Co3O4/ZnCo2O4 Frameworks with Heterostructures for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

When metal oxides are employed as anodes in lithium-ion batteries, their practical application is often constrained by sluggish reaction kinetics. Structure optimization and heterointerface regulation are effective strategies for improving the aforementioned issue. Herein, a series of Co3O4/ZnCo2O4 heterostructured materials with hollow structures is prepared. The effects of the two-phase ratio on the interfacial activity and electrochemical performance are systematically investigated. Among them, the optimized Co3O4/ZnCo2O4-2 material exhibits enhanced interfacial interactions and abundant oxygen vacancies, which optimize the local electronic environment and facilitate charge transfer. Electrochemical test results indicate that the Co3O4/ZnCo2O4-2 anode maintains a reversible capacity of 582.4 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1, demonstrating good cycling stability. Furthermore, the full cell assembled with a LiFePO4 cathode maintains a discharge capacity of 115.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, validating the practical application potential of the material. This work reveals the key role of interface regulation in boosting Li+ diffusion kinetics of transition metal oxides, providing new insights for the rational design of heterostructured anodes.