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Microwave-assisted synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals as a novel anode material for lithium ion battery

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Abstract

In this paper, we report a simple microwave-assisted method for the synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals. The as-prepared CZTS nanoparticles have a mono-dispersed size of about 10–15 nm. CZTS is preliminarily applied as a novel anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). It is composed of three elements that are electrochemically active toward Li, which lead to LIBs with good power density, ratio ability, and cycling performance. The synthesis process of CZTS nanocrystals is simple, low cost, and broadly applicable providing a new avenue for electrode materials with enhanced conductivity and power. The CZTS nanocrystal anode has a reversible capacity of 288 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 current density and it can still maintain a retention capacity of 81 % after 30 cycles. These results show that CZTS nanocrystals have interesting electrochemical properties and might have the potential for application in LiBs.

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Acknowledgments

This project has been financially supported by the Research Grants Council of HKSAR (No. CityU 101910).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

    Xia Yang, Jun Xu, Yanli Yao, Qingdan Yang & Chun-Sing Lee

  2. Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

    Xia Yang, Jun Xu, Liujiang Xi, Yanli Yao, Qingdan Yang, C. Y. Chung & Chun-Sing Lee

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  1. Xia Yang
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  2. Jun Xu
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  3. Liujiang Xi
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  4. Yanli Yao
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  5. Qingdan Yang
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  6. C. Y. Chung
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  7. Chun-Sing Lee
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Correspondence to Chun-Sing Lee.

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Yang, X., Xu, J., Xi, L. et al. Microwave-assisted synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals as a novel anode material for lithium ion battery. J Nanopart Res 14, 931 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0931-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0931-4

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