Facile preparation of Fe3O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnS/C composite from the leaching liquor of jarosite residue as a high-performance anode material for Li-ion batteries

A Fe3O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnS/C composite is synthesized through a facile thermal decomposition method under an oxygen insufficient condition with the leaching liquor of ammonium jarosite residue and sucrose as raw materials. It reveals that the sucrose dosage (with nFe:nsucrose of 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3, respectively) has a crucial impact on the microstructure, composition, and lithium storage property of the prepared samples. Particularly, the sample prepared with the nFe:nsucrose of 1:2 (labeled as FZ-2) has a porous structure in which nanosized Fe3O4, ZnFe2O4, and ZnS are embedded in the carbon matrix. Due to the porous morphology and synergistic effects of different components in the sample, this Fe3O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnS/C composite exhibits high lithium storage activity, superior cycling stability (928 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 500 mA g−1), and excellent high-rate capability (371 mAh g−1 at 5000 mA g−1). Lithium storage kinetics analysis demonstrates that the Fe3O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnS/C has much lower electrochemical reaction resistance, smaller polarization, faster Li+ diffusivity, and more remarkable pseudocapacitive behavior than the Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 counterpart. This work realizes the low-cost and facile fabrication of high-valued anode material for LIBs and the comprehensive utilization of Fe, Zn, and S resource in jarosite residue, achieving the interdisciplinary between resource recovery and electrochemical energy storage. [Display omitted] •A Fe3O4/ZnFe2O4/ZnS/C composite was prepared from jarosite residue.•The Fe, Zn, and S sources in jarosite residue are comprehensively utilized.•The composite exhibits superior lithium storage performance.