Simultaneous interfacial interaction and built-in electric field regulation of GaZnON@NG for high-performance lithium-ion storage

Interfacial interaction and built-in electric field regulation strategy is developed to construct (Ga1−xZnx)(N1−xOx) (GaZnON) nanoparticles coupled with nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) (GaZnON@NG) via a simple and facile method. Advanced structural characterization and density functional theory (DFT) analysis reveals the strong bridging bonds (Ga–N/N–C) and the interfacial charge transfer in GaZnON@NG. This interfacial interaction can subtly regulate the interfacial electronic state and improve the surface electron density and charge transport kinetics for efficient lithium-ion storage. As a proof-of-concept study, this well-designed GaZnON@NG heterostructure anode shows an enhanced lithium-ion storage performance of 1073.6 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 200 cycles. Even at 5.0 A g−1, the reversible capacity is still maintained at 338.6 mA h g−1 after 2000 cycles. Electrochemical kinetic analysis corroborates the enhanced pseudocapacitive contribution and lithium-ion reaction kinetics in the GaZnON@NG anode. Furthermore, XRD and XPS analysis of the GaZnON@NG heterostructure reveals good structural stability and reversible lithium-ion intercalation mechanism. DFT analysis further reveals that this GaZnON@NG heterostructure anode possesses lower lithium-ion adsorption energy and higher charge and discharge rates. This interfacial interaction strategy can open opportunities for advanced energy storage applications and beyond.