NiO/ZnO/Fe₂O₃ ternary metal oxide-based nanoarchitecture as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

The urgent demand for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries necessitates anode materials that outperform conventional graphite. In this work, a NiO/ZnO/Fe₂O₃ (NZF) ternary nanocomposite was synthesized via a pH-controlled co-precipitation method and evaluated as a conversion-type LIB anode. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful formation of the ternary heterostructure with nanoscale morphology and possible heterointeractions among the constituent metal oxides. The synergistic integration of Fe₂O₃, NiO, and ZnO provided enhanced redox activity, improved electronic conductivity, and structural stability during lithiation/delithiation processes. The electrochemical measurements revealed an initial discharge capacity of approximately 1300 mAh·g^–1 and a reversible charge capacity of 860 mAh·g^–1 at 0.1 A·g^–1, retaining approximately 87% capacity after 100 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated significantly reduced charge-transfer resistance for the NZF electrode compared with the individual metal oxides. Furthermore, the interconnected porous morphology facilitated efficient electrolyte penetration and Li-ion diffusion. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to synergistic heterointerfacial interactions and improved structural stability within the ternary nanocomposite. These findings demonstrate the potential of NZF as a promising anode material for next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries.