Carbon fiber@ pore-ZnO composite as anode materials for structural lithium-ion batteries

The carbon fiber (CF) provides the possibility for both structural and energy functions in the structural lithium-ion batteries (SLIBs). One of the intractable problems in SLIBs is the low energy density of CF. In order to overcoming the defect of CF, an integrated CF@ pore-ZnO composite is fabricated, by using ZnO nanoparticles (from the metal organic frameworks, MOFs) uniformly coated onto the surface of CF. As an anode material, the CF@ pore-ZnO composite showing a high reversible capacity of 510mAhg−1 was maintained over 300cycles at a current density of 100mAg−1 (3.42 times than that of CF). Furthermore, even at a high current density of 2000mAg−1, the substantial discharge capacity of 395mAhg−1 could be delivered after 1000cycles. These good electrochemical performances in capacity can attributed to the combined superiority of the pore-ZnO with high theoretical specific capacity, desired specific surface areas (porous structure). This work presents a solution to the limitation of capacity in current SLIBs, when using commercial CF as anode materials. •An integrated CF@ pore-ZnO composite is fabricated by using ZnO nanoparticles uniformly coated onto the surface of CF.•The CF@ pore-ZnO composite shows enhanced cycling and rate capacity.•The prepared CF@ pore-ZnO composite can act as an anode material for future structural lithium-ion batteries.