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April 22, 2026Open Access

ZnAl-LDH template-induced formation of ZnO/ZnSe heterostructures on the surface of coal tar pitch-derived carbon for high-efficiency sodium storage

Key Points

The aim is to develop high-performance anodes from low-cost industrial by-products for sodium-ion batteries.
Utilized ZnAl-LDH as a template for fabricating ZnO/ZnSe heterojunctions within porous carbon.
Conducted kinetic analysis to assess performance contributions.
Tested anode performance by constructing a full cell with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode.
Achieved a reversible capacity of 637.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ and retained 259.7 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹.
Identified a dominant capacitive contribution of 93.7% at 1.2 mV s⁻¹ for improved rate performance.
Demonstrated practical viability with a full cell retaining 147.5 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles.

Abstract

Developing high-performance anodes from low-cost industrial by-products is crucial for advancing sodium-ion batteries. Herein, we report a Zinc Aluminum layered double hydroxides (ZnAl-LDH) template-induced strategy to fabricate ZnO/ZnSe heterojunctions embedded within hierarchical porous carbon derived from coal tar pitch. The LDH serves a dual role as a structural template and pore-forming agent, enabling the in-situ construction of intimately coupled ZnO/ZnSe-C interfaces. The designed ZnO/ZnSe heterostructure features prominent advantages: the heterojunction boosts charge transfer via interfacial contact between the two active components, while the mixed O²⁻/Se²⁻ anion environment, combined with nano-dispersed ZnO/ZnSe and the conductive carbon matrix, effectively enhances reaction kinetics and mitigates volume strain.Consequently, the composite anode delivers a high reversible capacity of 637.5 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 and maintains 259.7 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. Kinetic analysis attributes the superior rate performance to a dominant capacitive contribution (93.7% at 1.2 mV s-1). A full cell configured with an Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode demonstrates practical viability, retaining 147.5 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. This work highlights the effectiveness of LDH-templated synthesis in constructing advanced heterostructure anodes for efficient sodium storage.

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