Molybdenum-Tellurite Oxide Glass: Synthesis and Applications for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Zn-Air Batteries

In this work, MoO3-TeO2 (MT) glasses are synthesized (xMoO3-100-xTeO2, in mol.%) by a simple melt-quenching method. It is found that the MT glass exhibits high specific capacities, significantly improved cycling performance for Li-ion batteries and catalytic activity when applied in Zn-air batteries. The 30%MoO3-70%TeO2 glass (MT30) shows a stable capacity of 124.4 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 5 A g−1 after 5000 cycles. The MT glass is accompanied by a crystallization process during discharge/charge cycles. The precipitated nanocrystals are uniformly dispersed in the MT glass matrix to form an ordered/disordered structure. It is also found that Li2MoO4 nanocrystal formed in glass matrix during the charge/discharge cycles. The newly formed homogeneous nanocrystal dispersed in glass matrix can enhance the conductivity and Li+ diffusion coefficient of glass materials. This kind of structure can restrain the volume expansion during the Li+ insertion/extraction. Furthermore, when used as a cathode catalyst for Zn-air batteries, the performance of the MT30 is maintained for 35 h under a current density of 5 mA cm−2, showing long-term cycling stability. This work reports the application of glass materials in catalysis, which will provide a scheme for developing glass-based energy storage materials.