Ordered mesoporous carbon-supported CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite with enhanced lithium storage properties

A high and stable reversible specific capacity (1277.7 mAh g^?1) was successfully achieved by the CoFe₂O₄/ordered mesoporous carbon nanohybrids (CFO/CMK-3) composite anode at the current density of 0.1 A g^?1 after 100 cycles. CFO/CMK-3 electrode also exhibited a stable capacity up to 733.2 and 482.6 mAh g^?1 at the current densities of 0.5 and 1 A g^?1 after 500 cycles, respectively. The CFO particles were found to be uniformly distributed inside the pore channels of CMK-3. Structure characterization before and after 100 tests revealed that the specific CMK-3 mesoporous structure and CFO crystallites remained unchanged. The stability of the anode composite stability and the rapid redox capability of CFO gave rise to superior lithium storage capacity and excellent cycling stability. CFO/CMK-3 showed a great promise to serve as anode for high-performance lithium-ion battery.     

Facile one-pot synthesis of NiCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> hollow spheres with controllable number of shells for high-performance supercapacitors

In this work,single-and double-shelled NiCo2O4 hollow spheres have been synthesized in situ by a one-pot solvothermal method assisted by xylose,followed by heat treatment.Employed as supercapacitor electrode materials,the double-shelled NiCo2O4 hollow spheres exhibit a remarkable specific capacitance (1,204.4 F·g-1 at a current density of 2.0 A·g-1) and excellent cycling stability (103.6％ retention after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A·g-1).Such outstanding electrochemical performance can be attributed to their unique internal morphology,which provides a higher surface area with a larger number of active sites available to interact with the electrolyte.The versatility of this method was demonstrated by applying it to other binary metal oxide materials,such as ZnCo2O4,ZnMn2O4,and CoMn2O4.The present study thus illustrates a simple and general strategy for the preparation of binary transition metal oxide hollow spheres with a controllable number of shells.This approach shows great promise for the development of next-generation high-performance electrochemical materials.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>F<Subscript>3</Subscript> for Na-ion batteries with nanostructure and carbon coating

Carbon-coating Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ nanoparticles (NVPF@C NP) were prepared by a hydrothermal assisted sol–gel method and applied as cathode materials for Na-ion batteries. The as-prepared nanocomposites were composed of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ nanoparticles with a typical size of ~?100 nm and an amorphous carbon layer with the thickness of ~?5 nm. Cyclic voltammetry, rate and cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests were used to discuss the effect of carbon coating and nanostructure. Results display that the as-prepared NVPF@C NP demonstrates a higher rate capability and better long cycling performance compared with bare Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ bulk (72 mA h g^?1 at 10 C vs 39 mA h g^?1 at 10 and 1 C capacity retention of 95% vs 88% after 50 cycles). The remarking electrode performance was attributed to the combination of nanostructure and carbon coating, which can provide short Na-ion diffusion distance and rapid electron migration.     

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.     

Size-controlled MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanodots supported on reduced graphene oxide for hydrogen evolution reaction and sodium-ion batteries

Transition metal dichalcogenide nanodots (NDs) have received considerable interest.We report a facile bottom-up synthetic route for MoS2 NDs by using molybdenum pentachloride and L-cysteine as precursors in oleylamine.The synthesis of NDs with a narrow size distribution ranging from 2.2 to 5.3 nm,was tailored by controlling the reaction time.Because of its coating characteristics,oleyalmine leads to uniformity and monodispersity of the NDs.Moreover,the NDs synthesized have large specific surface areas providing active sites.Graphene possesses outstanding conductivity.Combining the advantages of the two materials,the 0D/2D material exhibits superior electrochemical performance because of the 2D permeable channels for ion adsorption,energy storage,and conversion.The as-prepared MoS2/rGO (～2.2 nm) showed a stable capacity of 220 mAh·g-1 after 10,000 cycles at the current density of 20 A·g-1.Furthermore,a reversible capacity ～140 mAh·g-1 was obtained at a much higher current density of 40 A·g-1.Additionally,this composite exhibited superior catalytic performance evidenced by a small overpotential (222 mV) to afford 10 mA·cm-2,and a small Tafel slope (59.8 mV·decade-1) with good acid-stability.The facile approach may pave the way for the preparation of NDs with these nanostructures for numerous applications.     

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。      

锂离子电池多孔硅/碳复合负极材料的研究

以商业化多晶硅粉为原料, 采用金属银催化剂诱导化学腐蚀的方法制得三维多孔硅材料。通过优化腐蚀条件, 得到孔径约为130 nm, 比表面为4.85 m²/g的多孔硅材料。将多孔硅和PAN溶液混合球磨并经高温烧结后在多孔硅表面包覆上一层致密的无定形碳膜, 从而制得多孔硅/碳复合材料作为锂离子电池的负极材料。3D多孔硅结构可以缓解电化学嵌/脱锂过程中材料的体积效应, 无定形碳膜层可有效改善复合材料的导电性能。电化学性能测试表明, 该多孔硅/碳复合负极材料电池在0.4 A/g的恒电流下, 首次放电容量3345 mAh/g, 首次循环库伦效率85.8%, 循环55次后容量仍保持有1645 mAh/g。并且在4 A/g的倍率下, 容量仍维持有1174 mAh/g。该方法原料成本低廉, 可规模化生产。     

Phosphorus Enhanced Intermolecular Interactions of SnO2 and Graphene as an Ultrastable Lithium Battery Anode

SnO₂ suffers from fast capacity fading in lithium‐ion batteries due to large volume expansion as well as unstable solid electrolyte interphase. Herein, the design and synthesis of phosphorus bridging SnO₂ and graphene through covalent bonding are demonstrated to achieve a robust structure. In this unique structure, the phosphorus is able to covalently “bridge” graphene and tin oxide nanocrystal through P? C and Sn? O? P bonding, respectively, and act as a buffer layer to keep the structure stable during charging–discharging. As a result, when applied as a lithium battery anode, SnO₂@P@GO shows very stable performance and retains 95% of 2nd capacity onward after 700 cycles. Such unique structural design opens up new avenues for the rational design of other high‐capacity materials for lithium battery, and as a proof‐of‐concept, creates new opportunities in the synthesis of advanced functional materials for high‐performance energy storage devices.     

A facile method to enhance electrochemical performance of high-nickel cathode material Li(Ni<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>)O<Subscript>2</Subscript> via Ti doping

The cycle stability of Li(Ni_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1)O₂ is enhanced obviously by titanium doping via a facile solid-state method. The property of crystal structure is evaluated by XRD, which illustrates the samples possessed a layered α-NaFeO₂ structure with R-3m space group. According to the charge/discharge studies, the capacity retention of pristine sample is around 51% after 125 cycles at 5 C, and the sample with Ti dopant displays a good cyclic stability, after 125 cycles, the capacity retention increases to 75% under 5 C, suggesting it could be possibly applied in fast charge Lithium-ion battery area. The superb electrochemical performance might be attributed to the Ti⁴⁺ occupy the layer structure to broaden the Lithium-ion channel, which is benefit to lithium intercalation and deintercalation during cycling.     

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.     

Scalable 2D Mesoporous Silicon Nanosheets for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode

Constructing unique mesoporous 2D Si nanostructures to shorten the lithium‐ion diffusion pathway, facilitate interfacial charge transfer, and enlarge the electrode–electrolyte interface offers exciting opportunities in future high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries. However, simultaneous realization of 2D and mesoporous structures for Si material is quite difficult due to its non‐van der Waals structure. Here, the coexistence of both mesoporous and 2D ultrathin nanosheets in the Si anodes and considerably high surface area (381.6 m² g^?1) are successfully achieved by a scalable and cost‐efficient method. After being encapsulated with the homogeneous carbon layer, the Si/C nanocomposite anodes achieve outstanding reversible capacity, high cycle stability, and excellent rate capability. In particular, the reversible capacity reaches 1072.2 mA h g^?1 at 4 A g^?1 even after 500 cycles. The obvious enhancements can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the unique 2D mesoporous nanostructure and carbon capsulation. Furthermore, full‐cell evaluations indicate that the unique Si/C nanostructures have a great potential in the next‐generation lithium‐ion battery. These findings not only greatly improve the electrochemical performances of Si anode, but also shine some light on designing the unique nanomaterials for various energy devices.     

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.     

Carbon nanotube directed three-dimensional porous Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeSiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite for lithium batteries

Lithium iron silicate (Li₂FeSiO₄) is capable of affording a much higher capacity than conventional cathodes, and thus, it shows great promise for high-energy battery applications. However, its capacity has often been adversely affected by poor reaction activity due to the extremely low electronic and ionic conductivity of silicates. Here, we for the first time report on a rational engineering strategy towards a highly active Li₂FeSiO₄ by designing a carbon nanotube (CNT) directed three-dimensional (3D) porous Li₂FeSiO₄ composite. As the CNT framework enables rapid electron transport, and the rich pores allow efficient electrolyte penetration, this unique 3D Li₂FeSiO₄-CNT composite exhibits a high capacity of 214 mAh·g^?1 and retains 96% of this value over 40 cycles, thus, outstripping many previously reported Li₂FeSiO₄-based materials. Kinetic analysis reveals a high Li⁺ diffusivity due to coupling of the migration of electrons and ions. This research highlights the potential for engineering 3D porous structure to construct highly efficient electrodes for battery applications.

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Thermally stable Ir/Ce<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>La<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for high temperature methane dry reforming reaction

In this study,the use of a thermally stable Ir/Ce0.gLa0.1O2 catalyst was investigated for the dry reforming of methane.The doping of La2O3 into the CeO2 lattice enhanced the chemical and physical properties of the Ir/Ce0.9La0.1O2 catalyst,such as redox properties,Ir dispersion,oxygen storage capacity,and thermal stability,with respect to the Ir/CeO2 catalyst.Hence,the Ir/Ce0.gLa0.1O2 catalyst exhibits higher activity and stabler performance for the dry reforming of methane than the Ir/CeO2 catalyst.This observation can be mainly attributed to the stronger interaction between the metal and support in the Ir/Ce0.gLa0.1O2 catalyst stabilizing the catalyst structure and improving the oxygen storage capacity,leading to negligible aggregation of Ir nanoparticles and the Ce0.gLa0.1O2 support at high temperatures,as well as the rapid removal of carbon deposits at the boundaries between the Ir metal and the Ce0.gLa0.1O2 support.     

NaFeTiO4 nanorod/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries with high performances in both half and full cells

NaFeTiO4 nanorods of high yields (with diameters in the range of 30-50 nm and lengths of up to 1-5 μm) were synthesized by a facile sol-gel method and were utilized as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries for the first time.The obtained NaFeTiO4 nanorods exhibit a high initial discharge capacity of 294 mA·h·g-1 at 0.2 C (1 C =177 mA·g-1),and remain at 115 mA·h·g-1 after 50 cycles.Furthermore,multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were mechanically milled with the pristine material to obtain NaFeTiO4/MWCNTs.The NaFeTiO4/MWCNTs electrode exhibits a significantly improved electrochemical performance with a stable discharge capacity of 150 mA·h·g-1 at 0.2 C after 50 cycles,and remains at 125 mA·h·g-1 at 0.5 C after 420 cycles.The NaFeTiO4/MWCNTs//Na3V2(PO4)3/C full cell was assembled for the first time;it displays a discharge capacity of 70 mA·h·g-1 after 50 cycles at 0.05 C,indicating its excellent performances.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,ex situ X-ray diffraction,and Raman measurements were performed to investigate the initial electrochemical mechanisms of the obtained NaFeTiO4/MWCNTs.     

高性能自支撑CuS/SnS2锂电池负极材料

过渡金属硫化物作为锂电池负极材料具有极高比容量,但其制备的电极普遍存在导电性差、体积变化大等问题,本研究设计了一种新型的自支撑CuS/SnS₂镂空片状锂电池负极材料,以导电碳布作为基底,生长包覆CuS/SnS₂镂空纳米片,具备特殊的纳米包覆结构及双金属协同效应,使其在保持较高比容量的同时具备良好的循环稳定性,整体电化学性能优异。研究不同Cu/Sn含量对CuS/SnS₂负极材料电化学性能的影响,最佳配比的CuS/SnS₂负极材料在0.2 A·g?1电流密度下循环50次后比容量为1480 mAh·g?1,库伦效率稳定在99.5%,在2 A·g?1电流密度下循环200次后比容量仍能保持在697 mAh·g?1,库伦效率为99.8%。      

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.     

Novel Co2VO4 Anodes Using Ultralight 3D Metallic Current Collector and Carbon Sandwiched Structures for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries

A novel spinel Co₂VO₄ is studied as the Li‐ion battery anode material and it is sandwiched with a 3D ultralight porous current collector (PCC) and amorphous carbon. Co₂VO₄ demonstrates the high capacity and excellent cyclability because of the mixed lithium storage mechanisms. The 3D composite structure requires no binders and replaces the conventional current collector (Cu foil) with a 3D ultralight porous metal scaffold, yielding the high electrode‐based capacity. Such a novel composite anode also enables the close adhesion of Co₂VO₄ to the PCC scaffold. The resulting monolithic electrode has the rapid electron pathway and stable mechanical properties, which lead to the excellent rate capabilities and cycling properties. At a current density of 1 A g^?1, the PCC and carbon sandwiched Co₂VO₄ anode is able to deliver a stable reversible capacity of about 706.8 mAh g^?1 after 1000 cycles. Generally, this study not only develops a new Co₂VO₄ anode with high capacity and good cyclability, but also demonstrates an alternative approach to improve the electrochemical properties of high capacity anode materials by using ultralight porous metallic current collector instead of heavy copper foil.     

Nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon coated mesocarbon microbeads as excellent high rate Li storage anode materials

A composite anode material consisting of a stable inner core of mesocarbon microbeads and a porous nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon shell active for lithium storage is prepared. The thin birnessite MnO₂ nanosheets hydrothermally deposited on mesocarbon microbeads are in situ replaced by polypyrrole, which is then transformed to nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon layer by calcination in nitrogen atmosphere. The surface modified mesocarbon microbeads exhibit average discharge capacities of 444 and 103?mA?h?g^?1 at the current densities of 0.1 and 3?A?g^?1, respectively, obvious higher than the corresponding values of the bare sample, 371 and 60?mA?h?g^?1. Moreover, the composite anode maintains a discharge capacity of 306?mA?h?g^?1 after 500 cycles at 1?A?g^?1, suggesting an excellent cycle stability. It is believed that the nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon layer has provided additional lithium storage capacity and stabilized the structure integrity of mesocarbon microbeads. This work demonstrates that the capacity and rate performance of commercial graphitic carbons can be much improved by simply introducing a nitrogen-doped carbon coating layer active for Li storage, making them attractive for high power Li-ion batteries.     

Micro-nano structured VNb9O25 anode with superior electronic conductivity for high-rate and long-life lithium storage

The oxygen vacancies and micro-nano structure can optimize the electron/Li+migration kinetics in anode materials for lithium batteries(LIBs).Here,porous micro-nano structured VNb9O25 composites with rich oxygen vacancies were reasonably prepared via a facile solvothermal method combined with annealing treatment at 800℃for 30 h(VNb9 O25-30 h).This micro-nano structure can enhance the contact of active material/electrolyte,and shorten the Li+diffusion distance.The introduction of oxygen vacancies can further boosts the intrinsic conductivity of VNb9O25-30 h for achieving excellent LIB performance.The as-prepared VNb9O25-30 h anode showed advanced rate capability with reversible capacity of 122.2 mA h g-1 at 4 A g-1,and delivered excellent capacity retention of～100％after 2000 cycles.Meanwhile,VNb9O25-30 h provides unexpected long-cycle life(i.e.,reversible capacity of 165.7 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 with a high capacity retention of 85.6％even after 8000 cycles).Additionally,coupled with the LiFePO4 cathode,the LiFePO4//VNb9O25-30 h full cell delivers superior LIB properties with high reversible capacities of 91.6 mA h g-1 at 5C for 1000 cycles.Thus,such reasonable construction method can assist in other high-performance niobium-based oxides in LIBs.