Sarofil, Anith Dzhanxinah Mohd Sugiarto, Junjung Rohmat Devina, Winda Singh, Lalit Kumar Kim, Mingony Chung, Kyung Yoon Chang, Won Young Kwak, Sang Kyu Kim, Jaehoon 2025-06-23T05:00:07Z 2025-06-23T05:00:07Z 2025-06-23 2025-08 2352-152X https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/152654 Bismuth is a promising anode material for next-generation energy storage systems due to its high theoretical volumetric capacity. However, its practical application is hindered by severe structural instability arising from large volume changes during cycling. Drawing inspiration from conversion/alloying-based anode design strategies, hierarchical micro/nano-structured Bi/ZnO@C composites is developed to mitigate rapid capacity fading and enhance electrochemical performance. The optimized Bi/ZnO@C anode exhibits outstanding reversibility and cycling stability, delivering high gravimetric and volumetric capacities of 797 mAh g-1 and 1546 mAh cm-3, respectively, after 180 cycles at 0.1 A g-1, and retaining 379 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g-1-surpassing the performance of conventional Bi-based anodes. Furthermore, a full-cell configuration paired with a LiCoO2 cathode achieves a high energy density of 829 Wh L-1. This exceptional performance is attributed to the uniform dispersion of Bi and ZnO nanoparticles within a carbon microsphere matrix, which forms beneficial heterointerfaces and defect structures. These features effectively accommodate (de)lithiation-induced stress, preserve continuous ion/electron transport pathways, and promote rapid ion and charge transfer. Ex situ characterizations combined with density functional theory (DFT) simulations confirm enhanced Li+ adsorption capability, accelerated reaction kinetics, reduced charge-transfer resistance, and improved structural integrity of the Bi/ZnO@C electrode. English Elsevier BV Carbon-coated bismuth-zinc oxide heterojunction microspheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries Article 10.1016/j.est.2025.117039 1 Journal of Energy Storage, v.128 Journal of Energy Storage 128 N scie scopus 001502532000001 2-s2.0-105006776462 Energy & Fuels Energy & Fuels Article PERFORMANCE ZNO NANOPARTICLES CONVERSION CAPACITY SODIUM STORAGE Anode Li-ion battery Conversion/alloying Zinc oxide Bismuth