Stabilising Cobalt Sulphide Nanocapsules with Nitrogen-Doped Carbon for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Storage

Conversion-type anode materials with a high charge storage capability generally su er from large volume expansion, poor electron conductivity, and sluggish metal ion transport kinetics. The electrode material described in this paper, namely cobalt sulphide nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon cages(Co9S8@NC), can circumvent these problems. This electrode material exhibited a reversible sodium-ion storage capacity of 705 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 with an extraordinary rate capability and good cycling stability. Mechanistic study using the in situ transmission electron microscope technique revealed that the volumetric expansion of the Co9S8 nanoparticles is bu ered by the carbon cages, enabling a stable electrode–electrolyte interface. In addition, the carbon shell with high-content doped nitrogen significantly enhances the electron conductivity of the Co9S8@NC electrode material and provides doping-induced active sites to accommodate sodium ions. By integrating the Co9S8@NC as negative electrode with a cellulose-derived porous hard carbon/graphene oxide composite as positive electrode and 1 M NaPF6 in diglyme as the electrolyte, the sodium-ion capacitor full cell can achieve energy densities of 101.4 and 45.8 Wh kg^-1 at power densities of 200 and 10,000 W kg^-1, respectively.     

Interface-modulated fabrication of hierarchical yolk–shell Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C dodecahedrons as stable anodes for lithium and sodium storage

Transition-metal oxides (TMOs) have gradually attracted attention from researchers as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their high theoretical capacity.However,their poor cycling stability and inferior rate capability resulting from the large volume variation during the lithiation/sodiation process and their low intrinsic electronic conductivity limit their applications.To solve the problems of TMOs,carbon-based metal-oxide composites with complex structures derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising electrode materials for LIBs and SIBs.In this study,we adopted a facile interface-modulated method to synthesize yolk-shell carbon-based Co3O4 dodecahedrons derived from ZIF-67 zeolitic imidazolate frameworks.This strategy is based on the interface separation between the ZIF-67 core and the carbon-based shell during the pyrolysis process.The unique yolk-shell structure effectively accommodates the volume expansion during lithiation or sodiation,and the carbon matrix improves the electrical conductivity of the electrode.As an anode for LIBs,the yolk-shell Co3O4/C dodecahedrons exhibit a high specific capacity and excellent cycling stability (1,100 mAh·g-1 after 120 cycles at 200 mA·g-1).As an anode for SIBs,the composites exhibit an outstanding rate capability (307 mAh·g-1 at 1,000 mA·g-1 and 269 mAh·g-1 at 2,000 mA·g-1).Detailed electrochemical kinetic analysis indicates that the energy storage for Li+ and Na+ in yolk-shell Co3O4/C dodecahedrons shows a dominant capacitive behavior.This work introduces an effective approach for fabricating carbonbased metal-oxide composites by using MOFs as ideal precursors and as electrode materials to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs and SIBs.     

Sodium ion insertion in hollow carbon nanowires for battery applications

Hollow carbon nanowires (HCNWs) were prepared through pyrolyzation of a hollow polyaniline nanowire precursor. The HCNWs used as anode material for Na-ion batteries deliver a high reversible capacity of 251 mAh g(-1) and 82.2% capacity retention over 400 charge-discharge cycles between 1.2 and 0.01 V (vs Na(+)/Na) at a constant current of 50 mA g(-1) (0.2 C). Excellent cycling stability is also observed at an even higher charge-discharge rate. A high reversible capacity of 149 mAh g(-1) also can be obtained at a current rate of 500 mA g(-1) (2C). The good Na-ion insertion property is attributed to the short diffusion distance in the HCNWs and the large interlayer distance (0.37 nm) between the graphitic sheets, which agrees with the interlayered distance predicted by theoretical calculations to enable Na-ion insertion in carbon materials.     

Bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived substrate-free anode with superior cyclability for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries

Freestanding carbon nanofibers loaded with bimetallic hollow nanocage structures were synthesized.The nanocages inherited the rhombic dodecahedral morphology of the zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF)precursors,ZIF-8 and ZIF-67.As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),the bimetallic nanocage-loaded freestanding carbon nanofibers effectively buffered volume expansions and alleviated pulverization through their different reduction and oxidation potentials.The higher capacities of the composite anodes arose via the formation of the Li_xZn alloy and Li₂O by Zn and Co ions,respectively,and the enhanced conductivity conferred by the carbon nanofibers.A synergistic effect of the composite components toward the strong electrochemical performance(688 m A h·g^-1at 1200 m A·g^-1)of the bimetallic nanocage-loaded fibers was demonstrated through the superior long-term stability of the anode(1048 m A h·g^-1after 300 cycles at 100 m A·g^-1),suggesting that the fabricated anode can be a promising material for use in portable LIBs.     

Template Conversion of Covalent Organic Frameworks into 2D Conducting Nanocarbons for Catalyzing Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Progress over the past decades in porous materials has exerted great effect on the design of metal‐free carbon electrochemical catalysts in fuel cells. The carbon material must combine three functions, i.e., electrical conductivity for electron transport, optimal pores for ion motion, and abundant heteroatom sites for catalysis. Here, an ideal carbon catalyst is achieved by combining two strategies—the use of a 2D covalent organic framework (COF) and the development of a suitable template to guide the pyrolysis. The COF produces nanosized carbon sheets that combine high conductivity, hierarchical porosity, and abundant heteroatom catalytic edges. The catalysts achieve superior performance to authentic Pt/C with exceptional onset potential (0 V vs ?0.03 V), half‐wave potentials (?0.11 V vs ?0.16 V), high limit current density (7.2 mA cm^?2 vs 6.0 mA cm^?2), low Tafel slope (110 mV decade^?1 vs 121 mV decade^?1), long‐time stability, and methanol tolerance. These results reveal a novel material platform based on 2D COFs for designing novel 2D carbon materials.     

Ultrafine Sn nanocrystals in a hierarchically porous N-doped carbon for lithium ion batteries

We report a simple method of preparing a high performance,Sn-based anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs).Adding H2O2 to an aqueous solution containing Sn2+ and aniline results in simultaneous polymerization of aniline and oxidation of Sn2+ to SnO2,leading to a homogeneous composite of polyaniline and SnO2.Hydrogen thermal reduction of the above composite yields N-doped carbon with hierarchical porosity and homogeneously distributed,ultrafine Sn particles.The nanocomposite exhibits excellent performance as an anode material for lithium ion batteries,showing a high reversible specific capacity of 788 mAh·g-1 at a current density of 100 mA·g-1 after 300 cycles and very good stability up to 5,000 mA·g-1.The simple preparation method combined with the good electrochemical performance is highly promising to promote the application of Sn based anode materials.     

Experimental design and theoretical evaluation of nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped hierarchical porous carbon for high-performance sodium-ion storage

Starch has a wide range of sources and can be used as a high-quality precursor for sodium-ion battery anode materials.However,the carbonization yield and specific capacity of carbon materials obtained by directly pyrolyzing starch are low.Herein,starch is used as the carbon source,and ammonium polyphos-phate(APP)is used as the cross-linking agent and dopant to prepare a nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped porous carbon(NPPC).As the anode for sodium-ion batteries,NPPC-2 exhibits a high reversible capacity of 385.8 mA hg-1 at 50 mA g-1.Even after 1000 cycles at a large current density of 5 A g-1,the reversible capacity can still be maintained at 126.9 mA h g-1.Based on detailed data and first-principles calculations,the excellent performance of NPPC is due to the effective doping of nitrogen and phosphorus elements,which distorts the graphite sheet,introduces defects,and increases the graphite layer spacing,thereby enhancing the adsorption capacity of the carbon material for sodium ions,reducing the diffusion barrier of sodium ions.This work provides a new idea for heteroatom doping and carbon material modification.     

In-situ encapsulation of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles into ZnFe2O4 micro-sized capsules as high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes

Transition metal oxides as anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries suffer from severe capacity decay,originating primarily from particle pulverization upon volume expansion/shrinkage and the intrinsically sluggish electron/ion transport.Herein,in-situ encapsulation of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles into micro-sized ZnFe2O4 capsules is facilely fulfilled through a co-precipitation process and followed by heat-treatment at optimal calcination temperature.The porous ZnFe2C4 scaffold affords a synergistic confinement effect to suppress the grain growth of α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals during the calcination process and to accommodate the stress generated by volume expansion during the charge/discharge process,leading to an enhanced interfacial conductivity and inhibit electrode pulverization and mechanical failure in the active material.With these merits,the prepared α-Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 composite delivers prolonged cycling stability and improved rate capability with a higher specific capacity than sole α-Fe2O3 and ZnFe2O4.The discharge capacity is retained at 700 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles at 200 mA g-1 and 940 mAh g-1 after 50 cycles at 100 mA g-1.This work provides a new perspective in designing transition metal oxides for advanced lithium-ion batteries with superior electrochemical properties.     

Si/C particles on graphene sheet as stable anode for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon is considered as one of the most promising anodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs),but it is limited for commercial applications by the critical issue of large volume expansion during the lithiation.In this work,the structure of silicon/carbon (Si/C) particles on graphene sheets (Si/C-G) was obtained to solve the issue by using the void space of Si/C particles and graphene.Si/C-G material was from Si/PDA-GO that silicon particles was coated by polydopamine (PDA) and reacted with oxide graphene (GO).The Si/C-G material have good cycling performance as the stability of the structure during the lithiation/dislithiation.The Si/C-G anode materials exhibited high reversible capacity of 1910.5 mA h g-1 and 1196.1 mA h g-1 after 700 cycles at 357.9 mA g-1,and have good rate property of 507.2 mA h g-1 at high current density,showing significantly improved commercial viability of silicon electrodes in high-energy-density LIBs.     

Capillary‐Induced Ge Uniformly Distributed in N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes with Enhanced Li‐Storage Performance

Germanium (Ge) is a prospective anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, as it possesses large theoretical capacity, outstanding lithium‐ion diffusivity, and excellent electrical conductivity. Ge suffers from drastic capacity decay and poor rate performance, however, owing to its low electrical conductivity and huge volume expansion during cycling processes. Herein, a novel strategy has been developed to synthesize a Ge@N‐doped carbon nanotubes (Ge@N‐CNTs) composite with Ge nanoparticles uniformly distributed in the N‐CNTs by using capillary action. This unique structure could effectively buffer large volume expansion. When evaluated as an anode material, the Ge@N‐CNTs demonstrate enhanced cycling stability and excellent rate capabilities.     

Closely packed Si@C and Sn@C nano-particles anchored by reduced graphene oxide sheet boosting anode performance of lithium ion batteries

Both silicon and tin are promising anodes for new generation lithium ion batteries due to high lithium storage capacities (theoretically 4200 mA h g-1 and 992 mA h g-1,respectively).However,their large volumetric expansions (both are above 300 ％) usually lead to poor cycling stability.In this case,we synthesized closely packed Si@C and Sn@C nano-particles anchored by reduced graphene oxide (denoted as Si@C/Sn@C/rGO) by the way of solution impregnation and subsequent hydrogenation reduction.Sn particles with a diameter of 100 nm are coated by carbon and surrounded by Si@C particles around 40 nm in average diameter through the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.Expansions of Si and Sn are alleviated by carbon shells,and reduced graphene oxide sheets accommodate their volume changes.The prepared Si@C/Sn@C/rGO electrode delivers an enhanced initial coulombic efficiency (78％),rate capability and greatly improved cycle stability (a high reversible capacity of nearly 1000 mA h g-1 is achieved after 300 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA g-1).It can be believed that packing Sn@C nano-particles with Si@C relieves the volume expansion of both and releases the expansion stresses.Sn@C particles enhance anode process kinetics by reducing charge transfer resistance and increasing lithium ion diffusion coefficient.The present work provides a viable strategy for facilely synthesizing silicon-tin-carbon composite anode with long life.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of graphitic carbon-wrapped spherical FeOF nanoparticles using maleopimaric acid as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)are considered one of the most promising energy storage systems for replac-ing lithium-ion batteries because of the high abundance and low cost of sodium.Iron oxyfluoride(FeOF)is a promising conversion-based cathode material for SIBs because of its high theoretical capacity of about 855 mA h g-1,low-cost chemical compositions,and its lower sensitivity to the size of charged carrier ions.However,the poor electrical conductivity and ionic diffusion of FeOF result in a low rate capability and cyclability.In this work,FeOF nanoparticles wrapped by graphitic carbon layers were synthesized using abietic or maleopimaric acid as both the carbon source and organic ligand.In addition,the mor-phology of the FeOF particles was gradually controlled from rod to spherical shapes,simply depending on the rosin acids.The FeOF nanoparticles prepared with maleopimaric acid showed a large reversible discharge capacity of 356.7 mA h g-1 with a fading rate of 0.21％per cycle after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g-1 and an excellent rate capability.     

Nickel embedded porous macrocellular carbon derived from popcorn as sulfur host for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Due to the demands for high performance and ecological and economical alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LiBs),the development of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with remarkably higher theoretical capacity (1675 mA h g-1) has become one of the extensive research focus directions world-wide.However,poor conductivity of sulfur,critical cyclability problems due to shuttle of polysulfides as intermediate products of the cathodic reaction,and large volume variation of the sulfur composite cathode upon operation are the major bottlenecks impeding the implementation of the next-generation Li-S batteries.In this work,a unique three-dimensional (3D) interconnected macrocellular porous carbon (PC) architecture decorated with metal Ni nanopatticles was synthesized by a simple and facile strategy.The as-fabricated Ni/PC composite combines the merits of conducting carbon skeleton and highly adsorptive abilities of Ni,which resulted in efficient trapping of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and their fast conversion in the electrochemical process.Owing to these synergistic advantageous features,the composite exhibited good cycling stability (512.3 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 C with an extremely low capacity fading rate 0.03 ％ per cycle),and superior rate capability (747.5 mAh g-1 at 2 C).Accordingly,such Ni nanoparticles embedded in a renewable puffed corn-derived carbon prepared via a simple and effective route represent a promising active type of sulfur host matrix to fabricate high-performance Li-S batteries.     

Electrochemical properties of Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>/C and Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>/C/Ag nanomaterials

We have prepared and characterized lithium titanate-based anode materials, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C/Ag, using polyvinylidene fluoride as a carbon source. The formation of such materials has been shown to be accompanied by fluorination of the lithium titanate surface and the formation of a highly conductive carbon coating. The highest electrochemical capacity (175 mAh/g at a current density of 20 mA/g) is offered by the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-based anode materials prepared using 5% polyvinylidene fluoride. The addition of silver nanoparticles ensures a further increase in electrical conductivity and better cycling stability of the materials at high current densities.     

Metal-organic framework derived CoSe2 nanoparticles anchored on carbon fibers as bifunctional electrocatalysts for efficient overall water splitting

The development of efficient,low-cost,stable,non-noble-metal electrocatalysts for water splitting,particularly those that can catalyze both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode,is a challenge.We have developed a facile method for synthesizing CoSe2 nanoparticles uniformly anchored on carbon fiber paper (CoSe2/CF) via pyrolysis and selenization of in situ grown zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67).CoSe2/CF shows high and stable catalytic activity in both the HER and OER in alkaline solution.At a low cell potential,i.e.,1.63 V,a water electrolyzer equipped with two CoSe2/CF electrodes gave a water-splitting current of 10 mA.cm-2.At a current of 20 mA.cm-2,it can operate without degradation for 30 h.This study not only offers a cost-effective solution for water splitting but also provides a new strategy for developing various catalytic nanostructures by changing the metal-organic framework precursors.     

Facile Synthesis of Ultrasmall CoS2 Nanoparticles within Thin N‐Doped Porous Carbon Shell for High Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Cobalt sulfide (CoS₂) is considered one of the most promising alternative anode materials for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) by virtue of its remarkable electrical conductivity, high theoretical capacity, and low cost. However, it suffers from a poor cycling stability and low rate capability because of its volume expansion and dissolution of the polysulfide intermediates in the organic electrolytes during the battery charge/discharge process. In this study, a novel porous carbon/CoS₂ composite is prepared by using nano metal–organic framework (MOF) templates for high‐preformance LIBs. The as‐made ultrasmall CoS₂ (15 nm) nanoparticles in N‐rich carbon exhibit promising lithium storage properties with negligible loss of capacity at high charge/discharge rate. At a current density of 100 mA g^?1, a capacity of 560 mA h g^?1 is maintained after 50 cycles. Even at a current density as high as 2500 mA g^?1, a reversible capacity of 410 mA h g^?1 is obtained. The excellent and highly stable battery performance should be attributed to the synergism of the ultrasmall CoS₂ particles and the thin N‐rich porous carbon shells derieved from nanosized MOF precusors.     

SnSe2纳米晶耦合分层多孔碳微球作为长寿命钠离子电池负极材料（英文）

硒化锡用于钠离子电池负极时具有较高的理论比容量且其成本低廉,因而备受关注.然而,由于其固有的低导电性,以及在充放电过程中的缓慢动力学和体积膨胀,硒化锡作为钠离子电池负极材料表现出的性能较差.本文首次合成SnSe2纳米晶耦合分层多孔碳微球(SnSe2NCs/C)用于增强钠离子电池的比容量、倍率能力和持久性.SnSe2NCs/C独特的结构可以有效阻止SnSe2纳米晶的团聚,减轻材料体积膨胀,加快电子和离子的扩散,增大电解液与电极材料的接触面积,提高材料结构的稳定性.所制备的SnSe2NCs/C微球具有较高的可逆比容量(在100 mA g^-1的电流密度下循环100圈后仍保持565 mA hg^-1的比容量),出色的倍率能力和长循环寿命稳定性(在1 Ag^-1的电流密度下循环1000圈后仍保持363 mAhg^-1的比容量).     

Facile synthesis of rutile TiO2/carbon nanosheet composite from MAX phase for lithium storage

Titanium oxide (TiO₂), with excellent cycling stability and low volume expansion, is a promising anode material for lithium-ion battery (LIB), which suffers from low electrical conductivity and poor rate capability. Combining nano-sized TiO₂ with conductive materials is proved an efficient method to improve its electrochemical properties. Here, rutile TiO₂/carbon nanosheet was obtained by calcinating MAX (Ti₃AlC₂) and Na₂CO₃ together and water-bathing with HCl. The lamellar carbon atoms in MAX are converted to 2D carbon nanosheets with urchin-like rutile TiO₂ anchored on. The unique architecture can offer plentiful active sites, shorten the ion diffusion distance and improve the conductivity. The composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 247 mA h g⁻¹, excellent rate performance (38 mA h g⁻¹ at 50 C) and stable cycling performance (0.014% decay per cycle during 2000 cycles) for lithium storage.     

高能球磨法制备PTFE/科琴黑-C柔性复合材料及其电化学应用

对荷叶进行多阶温度炭化得到前驱炭材料,将材料与科琴黑（KB）、聚四氟乙烯（PTFE）按照2:2:3的质量比球磨混合后真空抽滤制备一种锂硫电池中间层柔性材料,PTFE/KB-C复合材料的多孔结构能为高阶硫化物Li₂S_n（4≤n≤8）的进一步还原提供较多的三相反应位点,并利用PTFE/KB-C复合材料良好的多层多孔化学吸附作用来抑制可溶性多硫化物的穿梭。该中间层在以纯硫材料为正极的锂硫电池电性能测试表征中,1.0 C（电流密度1 675 mA·g-1）倍率下首次放电比容量达1 350 mAh·g-1,没有硝酸锂添加剂条件下经过100次充放电循环后比容量依旧保持在960 mAh·g-1,库伦效率基本在95%以上,保持了良好的循环稳定性。      

Metal-organic framework derived hierarchical NiCo2O4 triangle nanosheet arrays@SiC nanowires network/carbon cloth for flexible hybrid supercapacitors

To overcome the disadvantages of traditional powder electrodes,such as the insufficient performance,the aggregation of active materials,and the complex fabrication process,rationally constructing free-standing electrode materials with hierarchical architecture is an effective and promising method,which could further improve the electrochemical properties.Herein,using metal-organic framework nanoar-rays (MOFNAs) as self-sacrificial templates and SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) network as nanoscale conductive skeletons,we successfully fabricated the hierarchical core-shell SiCNws@NiCo2O4NAs on carbon cloth (CC)substrate.Taking advantages of structural merits,such as hierarchical porous triangle-like NiCo2O4NAs,the interwoven SiCNWs network and conductive CC substrate,when evaluated as a binder-free superca-pacitor electrode,the CC/SiCNWs@NiCo2O4NAs shows a high specific capacitance of 1604.7 F g-1 (specific capacity of 222.9 mA h g-1) at 0.5 A g 1,good rate performance,and excellent cycling stability.Signifi-cantly,the hybrid supercapacitor assembled with CC/SiCNWs@NiCo2O4NAs as the cathode and MOF derived CC/SiCNWs@CNAs as the anode,could deliver a high specific density of 49.9 W h kg-1 at a specific power of 800 W kg-1,stable cycling performance,and good flexibility.Impressively,this feasible strategy for fabricating hierarchical structure displays great potential in the field of energy storage.