Effects of Various Hybrid Carbon Matrices on the ZnSe Composite Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Zinc selenide-based hybrid carbon composites were synthesized by a high-energy mechanical milling process under an Ar atmosphere. The as-synthesized ZnSe-based carbon composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. First, we examined the effect of single-component carbon matrices on the electrochemical performance of ZnSe. The results showed the best performance for graphite (G), followed by carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and amorphous carbon. Based on these results, in order to further enhance the performance of ZnSe, we introduced a binary-carbon matrix consisting of graphite and CNTs at various ratios of 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1, respectively. As a result, ZnSe©G/CNT (1:3) exhibited the best performance in terms of cyclic life and rate capability. Specifically, ZnSe©G/CNT (1:3) delivered a specific capacity of 1041 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 300 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of over 99% with high rate performance.