ZnSn(OH)6 nanocubes as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

Single-phase bi-metal oxides and sulfides have attracted considerable research interest recently for battery application because of their outstanding electrochemical properties, but there are few reports on single-phase bi-metal hydroxides in battery research. Herein, we pioneer the electrochemical study of ZnSn(OH)6 nanocubes for lithium-ion battery application. The ZnSn(OH)6 nanocubes, synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, can deliver a favorable specific discharge capacity of 599.3 mA h g -1 at 500 mA g -1 after 200 cycles and maintain good rate capability even at 2 A g -1 . The excellent electrochemical performance of these ZnSn(OH)6 nanocubes can be attributed to the synergetic Li storage capability of Zn and Sn elements with diverse electrochemical reactions, the small uniform nanocubes (30−50 nm) that alleviate the pulverization and cracking of the electrode and shorten electron/ion transport paths, and the good mechanical properties of ZnSn(OH)6, which facilitate mainten