Electrodeposited ZnO coatings suffer severe capacity fading when used as conversion anodes in sealed Li cells. Capacity fading is attributed to (i) the large charge transfer resistance, $R_{\rm ct}$ (300–700 $\Omega$) and (ii) the low Li$^+$ ion diffusion coefficient, D$^+_{\rm Li}$ (10$^{−15}$ to 10$^{−13}$ cm$^2$ s$^{−1}$). The measured value of R$_{\rm ct}$ is nearly 10 times higher and D$^+_{\rm Li}$ 10–100 times lower than the corresponding values for Cu$_2$O, which delivers a stable reversible capacity.

NO$^−_2$ and SCN$^−$ are two common small inorganic anions. The former is a common industrial pollutant. Thelatter is linear and is a good mimic for the toxic CN$^−$ ion. The structures of these two anions are refined within the gallery ofthe [Zn–Al]-layered double hydroxide (LDH). Both LDHs crystallize as mixed anion phases. The nitrite is found to co-existwith the nitrate ion. The nitrite ion is intercalated with its molecular plane inclined to the metal hydroxide layer. In the caseof the SCN$^−$ intercalated LDH, no other anion was detected by ion chromatography, suggesting that the SCN$^−$ deficiencyis compensated by intercalated hydroxyl ions. In this case, the SCN$^−$ ion is found to be intercalated with its molecular axisinclined to the metal hydroxide layer.