Amorphous Phosphorus/Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Paper for Ultrastable Sodium-Ion Batteries

As the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), elemental phosphorus (P) has recently gained a lot of interest due to its extraordinary theoretical capacity of 2596 mAh/g. The main drawback of a P anode is its low conductivity and rapid structural degradation caused by the enormous volume expansion (>490%) during cycling. Here, we redesigned the anode structure by using an innovative methodology to fabricate flexible paper made of nitrogen-doped graphene and amorphous phosphorus that effectively tackles this problem. The restructured anode exhibits an ultrastable cyclic performance and excellent rate capability (809 mAh/g at 1500 mA/g). The excellent structural integrity of the novel anode was further visualized during cycling by using in situ experiments inside a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and the associated sodiation/desodiation mechanism was also thoroughly investigated. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the N-doped graphene not only contributes to an increase in capacity for sodium storage but also is beneficial in regards to improved rate performance of the anode.

Comprehensive Understanding of High Polar Polyacrylonitrile as an Effective Binder for Li-Ion Battery Nano-Si Anodes

Well-defined polyacrylonitriles (PANs) with different molecular weights were synthesized through an activator regenerated by electron-transfer atom-transfer radical polymerization method and employed as binders in silicon negative electrode for lithium-ion batteries. Compared with poly(vinylidene fluoride) and carboxyl methyl cellulose as binders, the electrode performance of PANs is well-improved. Specifically, at 100 mA g(-1) from 0.01 to 1.5 V, the initial discharge capacity of PAN100-based electrode is 4147.8 mA h g(-1) and still remains about 1639.6 mA h g(-1) over 50 cycles. A comprehensive understanding on the improvement mechanism is preliminarily discussed. The results indicate that the superior performance largely depends on the higher lithium ion diffusion efficiency in PAN which results from the weak interaction between lithium ions and PAN polymer chain, and the hydrogen bonds among the nitrile group (C≡N) of PAN, Si nanoparticles, and the current collector, which will lead to an efficient coating of PAN with the Si particles and well-improved adhesion strength, synergistically depressing the structural deterioration of silicon electrodes.

Rational Design of Graphene-Reinforced MnO Nanowires with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Li-Ion Batteries

Recently, transition metal oxides (TMOs) mixed with carbon materials have attracted attention as lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode materials. However, the aggregation issue in TMOs hinders the development of an ideal encapsulation structure with carbon materials. In this paper, we report graphene reinforced MnO nanowires with enhanced electrochemical performance as an anode in LIB. The graphene nanosheets (GNs)/MnO feature was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The GNs/MnO nanowires delivered a highly stable discharge capacity of ∼815 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) after 200 cycles, which is 1.5 times higher than that of pure MnO nanowires. This GNs/MnO structure with a specific capacity of ∼995 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 50 mA g(-1) also exhibited excellent Li storage properties. The superior cycling and high rate capability were attributed to the intimate incorporation between the MnO and GNs. The structure of the GNs/MnO nanowires effectively accommodated the volume change of the MnO nanowires and prevented structure collapse during cycling.

Dual Function Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer in Simulated Pore Solution

The mechanical and electrochemical performance of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) were investigated regarding a novel improvement in the load-carrying capacity and durability of reinforced concrete structures by adopting CFRP as both a structural strengthener and an anode of the impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system. The mechanical and anode performance of CFRP were investigated in an aqueous pore solution in which the electrolytes were available to the anode in a cured concrete structure. Accelerated polarization tests were designed with different test durations and various levels of applied currents in accordance with the international standard. The CFRP specimens were mechanically characterized after polarization. The measured feeding voltage and potential during the test period indicates CFRP have stable anode performance in a simulated pore solution. Two failure modes were observed through tensile testing. The tensile properties of the post-polarization CFRP specimens declined with an increased charge density. The CFRP demonstrated success as a structural strengthener and ICCP anode. We propose a mathematic model predicting the tensile strengths of CFRP with varied impressed charge densities.

Cross-Linked Chitosan as an Efficient Binder for Si Anode of Li-ion Batteries

We investigate the use of chitosan (CS) as a new cross-linkable and water-soluble binder for the Si anode of Li-ion batteries. In contrast to the traditional binder utilizing a hydrogen bond and/or van der Waals force-linked anode electrodes, CS can easily form a 3D network to limit the movement of Si particles through the cross-linking between the amino groups of CS and the dialdehyde of glutaraldehyde (GA). Chemical, mechanical, and morphological analyses are conducted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing, and scanning electron microscopy. The cross-linked Si/CS-GA anode exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 2782 mAh g(-1) with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 89% and maintained a capacity of 1969 mAh g(-1) at the current density of 500 mA g(-1) over 100 cycles.

Controlled Synthesis of Carbon Nanofibers Anchored with Zn(x)Co(3-x)O4 Nanocubes as Binder-Free Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The direct growth of complex ternary metal oxides on three-dimensional conductive substrates is highly desirable for improving the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). We herein report a facile and scalable strategy for the preparation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) anchored with ZnxCo3-xO4 (ZCO) nanocubes, involving a hydrothermal process and thermal treatment. Moreover, the size of the ZCO nanocubes was adjusted by the quantity of urea used in the hydrothermal process. Serving as a binder-free anode material for LIBs, the ZnCo2O4/CNFs composite prepared using 1.0 mmol of urea (ZCO/CNFs-10) exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability, and good rate capability. More specifically, a high reversible capacity of ∼600 mAh g(-1) was obtained at a current density of 0.5 C following 300 charge-discharge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance could be associated with the controllable size of the ZCO nanocubes and synergistic effects between ZCO and the CNFs.

Uniform Incorporation of Flocculent Molybdenum Disulfide Nanostructure into Three-Dimensional Porous Graphene as an Anode for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries and Hybrid Supercapacitors

Hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs) with lithium-ion battery-type anodes and electric double layer capacitor-type cathodes are attracting extensive attention and under wide investigation because of their combined merits of both high power and energy density. However, the performance of most HSCs is limited by low kinetics of the battery-type anode which cannot match the fast kinetics of the capacitor-type cathode. In this study, we have synthesized a three-dimensional (3D) porous composite with uniformly incorporated MoS2 flocculent nanostructure onto 3D graphene via a facile solution-processed method as an anode for high-performance HSCs. This composite shows significantly enhanced electrochemical performance due to the synergistic effects of the conductive graphene sheets and the interconnected porous structure, which exhibits a high rate capability of 688 mAh/g even at a high current density of 8 A/g and a stable cycling performance (997 mAh/g after 700 cycles at 2 A/g). Furthermore, by using this composite as the anode for HSCs, the HSC shows a high energy density of 156 Wh/kg at 197 W/kg, which also remains at 97 Wh/kg even at a high power density of 8314 W/kg with a stable cycling life, among the best results of the reported HSCs thus far.

Anchoring Nanostructured Manganese Fluoride on Few-Layer Graphene Nanosheets as Anode for Enhanced Lithium Storage

Manganese fluoride (MnF2)/few-layer graphene nanosheets (GNS) composites are successfully prepared via a facile solvothermal method. It is found that in situ formed tetragonal MnF2 submicron crystals (50-200 nm) with good crystallinity anchoring homogeneously onto conducting GNS, allows the electrically insulating MnF2 particles to be wired up to the current collector with enhanced electron transport pathway. The MnF2/GNS composites act as anode in LIBs and display prominently improved electrochemical performance in comparison to that of pure MnF2, on account of the close interactions between the underlying graphene nanosheets and MnF2 particles grown atop. Distinctly enhanced capacity as high as 489 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles can be obtained at 600 mA g(-1), while the self-activation process can be greatly accelerated at 6000 mA g(-1) with a maximum specific capacity of 530 mAh g(-1). With long cycling stability for 4000 cycles at 6000 mA g(-1), the MnF2/GNS composite can be deemed as an attractive candidate anode for high-capacity, long cycle life, and environmentally friendly LIBs.

Hollow Nanobarrels of α-Fe2O3 on Reduced Graphene Oxide as High-Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Alpha-phase iron oxide nanoparticles (α-NPs), α-iron oxide hollow nanobarrels (α-HNBs), and α-HNBs on reduced graphene oxide (α-HNBs/RGO) for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) were synthesized by a time-efficient microwave method to improve the low electrical conductivity of iron oxide and exploit the porous structure of RGO, which prevents the volume expansion of α-Fe2O3 during the insertion/extraction. On the other hand, α-HNBs (∼200 nm in diameter, ∼360 nm in length) provide a short diffusion path for Li ions and accommodate the strain generated by the volume change. The α-HNBs/RGO hybrid structure was synthesized by a one-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal method to bond α-HNBs with RGO. The as-prepared α-HNBs/RGO electrode exhibited a superior reversible capacity of 1279 mA h g(-1) at 0.5 C after the first cycle; such a capacity was nearly recovered after numerous cycles (2nd to 100th cycle, 95%). The long-term cyclability of α-HNBs/RGO shows 478 mA h g(-1) after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the α-HNBs/RGO electrode shows a high rate capacity of 403 mA h g(-1) even at 10 C. The α-HNBs/RGO exhibited a better electrochemical performance that could be attributed to the absence of nanoparticle agglomeration and RGO restacking, which provided a buffer effect against the volume expansion, promoted electrical conductivity and high structural integrity.

Antimony Nanocrystals Encapsulated in Carbon Microspheres Synthesized by a Facile Self-Catalyzing Solvothermal Method for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes

Antimony/carbon (Sb@C) microspheres are initially synthesized via a facile self-catalyzing solvothermal method, and their applicability as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries is investigated. The structural and morphological characterizations reveal that Sb@C microspheres are composed of Sb nanoparticles (∼20 nm) homogeneously encapsulated in the C matrix. The self-catalyzing solvothermal mechanism is verified through comparative experiments by using different raw materials. The as-prepared Sb@C microspheres exhibit superior sodium storage properties, demonstrating a reversible capacity of 640 mAh g(-1), excellent rate performance, and an extended cycling stability of 92.3% capacity retention over 300 cycles, making them promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Hierarchical Graphene-Containing Carbon Nanofibers for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

We present a method to produce composite anodes consisting of thermally reduced graphene oxide-containing carbon nanofibers (TRGO/CNFs) via electrospinning a dispersion of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and graphene oxide (GO) sheets in dimethylformamide followed by heat treatment at 650 °C. A range of GO (1-20 wt % GO relative to polymer concentration) was added to the polymer solution, with each sample comprising similar polymer chain packing and subsequent CNF microstructure, as assessed by X-ray diffraction. An increase from 0 to 20 wt % GO in the fibers led to carbonized nonwovens with enhanced electronic conductivity, as TRGO sheets conductively connected the CNFs. Galvanostatic half-cell cycling revealed that TRGO addition enhanced the specific discharge capacity of the fibers. The optimal GO concentration of 5 wt % GO enhanced first-cycle discharge capacities at C/24 rates (15.6 mA g(-1)) 150% compared to CNFs, with a 400% capacity increase at 2-C rates (750 mA g(-1)). We attribute the capacity enhancement to a high degree of GO exfoliation. The TRGO/CNFs also experienced no capacity fade after 200 cycles at 2-C rates. Impedance spectroscopy of the composite anodes demonstrated that charge-transfer resistances decreased as GO content increased, implying that high GO loadings result in more electrochemically active material.

Hollow-Cuboid Li3VO4/C as High-Performance Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Li3VO4 has been demonstrated to be a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries with a low, safe voltage and large capacity. However, its poor electronic conductivity hinders its practical application particularly at a high rate. This work reports that Li3VO4 coated with carbon was synthesized by a one-pot, two-step method with F127 ((PEO)100-(PPO)65-(PEO)100) as both template and carbon source, yielding a microcuboid structure. The resulting Li3VO4/C cuboid shows a stable capacity of 415 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 C and excellent capacity stability at high rates (e.g., 92% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 10 C = 4 A g(-1)). The lithiation/delithiation process of Li3VO4/C was studied by ex situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed that Li3VO4/C underwent a reversible intercalation reaction during discharge/charge processes. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed largely to the unique microhollow structure. The voids inside hollow structure can not only provide more space to accommodate volume change during discharge/charge processes but also allow the lithium ions insertion and extraction from both outside and inside the hollow structure with a much larger surface area or more reaction sites and shorten the lithium ions diffusion distance, which leads to smaller overpotential and faster reaction kinetics. Carbon derived from F127 through pyrolysis coats Li3VO4 conformably and thus offers good electrical conduction. The results in this work provide convincing evidence that the significant potential of hollow-cuboid Li3VO4/C for high-power batteries.

Ultrafast Solvent-Assisted Sodium Ion Intercalation into Highly Crystalline Few-Layered Graphene

A maximum sodium capacity of ∼35 mAh/g has hampered the use of crystalline carbon nanostructures for sodium ion battery anodes. We demonstrate that a diglyme solvent shell encapsulating a sodium ion acts as a "nonstick" coating to facilitate rapid ion insertion into crystalline few-layer graphene and bypass slow desolvation kinetics. This yields storage capacities above 150 mAh/g, cycling performance with negligible capacity fade over 8000 cycles, and ∼100 mAh/g capacities maintained at currents of 30 A/g (∼12 s charge). Raman spectroscopy elucidates the ordered, but nondestructive cointercalation mechanism that differs from desolvated ion intercalation processes. In situ Raman measurements identify the Na(+) staging sequence and isolates Fermi energies for the first and second stage ternary intercalation compounds at ∼0.8 eV and ∼1.2 eV.

Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Nanocrystal/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites as Lithium Ion Battery Anode Material with High Capacity and Cycling Stability

Tin oxide (SnO2) is a kind of anode material with high theoretical capacity. However, the volume expansion and fast capability fading during cycling have prevented its practical application in lithium ion batteries. Herein, we report that the nanocomposite of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is an ideal anode material with high capacity, high rate capability, and high stability. The FTO conductive nanocrystals were successfully anchored on RGO nanosheets from an FTO nanocrystals colloid and RGO suspension by hydrothermal treatment. As the anode material, the FTO/RGO composite showed high structural stability during the lithiation and delithiation processes. The conductive FTO nanocrystals favor the formation of stable and thin solid electrolyte interface films. Significantly, the FTO/RGO composite retains a discharge capacity as high as 1439 mAhg(-1) after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mAg(-1). Moreover, its rate capacity displays 1148 mAhg(-1) at a current density of 1000 mAg(-1).

Hierarchical Fe₃O₄@Fe₂O₃ Core-Shell Nanorod Arrays as High-Performance Anodes for Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Anode materials with relatively low capacitance remain a great challenge for asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) to pursue high energy density. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) has attracted intensive attention as anode material for ASCs, because of its suitable reversible redox reactions in a negative potential window (from 0 V to -1 V vs Ag/AgCl), high theoretical capacitance, rich abundance, and nontoxic features. Nevertheless, the Fe2O3 electrode cannot deliver large volumetric capacitance at a high rate, because of its poor electrical conductivity (∼10(-14) S/cm), resulting in low power density and low energy density. In this work, a hierarchical heterostructure comprising Fe3O4@Fe2O3 core-shell nanorod arrays (NRAs) is presented and investigated as the negative electrode for ASCs. Consequently, the Fe3O4@Fe2O3 electrode exhibits superior supercapacitive performance, compared to the bare Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 NRAs electrodes, demonstrating large volumetric capacitance (up to 1206 F/cm(3) with a mass loading of 1.25 mg/cm(2)), as well as good rate capability and cycling stability. The hybrid electrode design is also adopted to prepare Fe3O4@MnO2 core-shell NRAs as the positive electrode for ASCs. Significantly, the as-assembled 2 V ASC device delivered a high energy density of 0.83 mWh/cm(3) at a power density of 15.6 mW/cm(3). This work constitutes the first demonstration of Fe3O4 as the conductive supports for Fe2O3 to address the concerns about its poor electronic and ionic transport.

Facile Preparation of Graphene/SnO₂ Xerogel Hybrids as the Anode Material in Li-Ion Batteries

SnO2 has been considered as one of the most promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries due to its theoretical ability to store up to 8.4 Li(+). However, it suffers from poor rate performance and short cycle life due to the low intrinsic electrical conductivity and particle pulverization caused by the large volume change upon lithiation/delithiation. Here, we report a facile synthesis of graphene/SnO2 xerogel hybrids as anode materials using epoxide-initiated gelation method. The synthesized hybrid materials (19% graphene/SnO2 xerogel) exhibit excellent electrochemical performance: high specific capacity, stable cyclability, and good rate capability. Even cycled at a high current density of 1 A/g for 300 cycles, the hybrid electrode can still deliver a specific capacity of about 380 mAh/g, corresponding to more than 60% capacity retention. The incorporation of graphene sheets provides fast electron transfer between the interfaces of the graphene nanosheets and the SnO2 and a short lithium ion diffusion path. The porous structure of graphene/xerogel and the strong interaction between SnO2 and graphene can effectively accommodate the volume change and tightly confine the formed Li2O and Sn nanoparticles, thus preventing the irreversible capacity degradation.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as Sandwich Coating Cushion for Silicon Anode in Lithium Ion Batteries

A novel metal-organic framework (MOF) sandwich coating method (denoted as MOF-SC) is developed for hybrid Li ion battery electrode preparation, in which the MOF films are casted on the surface of a silicon layer and sandwiched between the active silicon and the separator. The obtained electrodes show improved cycling performance. The areal capacity of the cheap and readily available microsized Si treated with MOF-SC can reach 1700 μAh cm(-2) at 265 μA cm(-2) and maintain at 850 μAh cm(-2) after 50 cycles. Beyond the above, the commercial nanosized Si treated by MOF-SC also shows greatly enhanced areal capacity and outstanding cycle stability, 600 μAh cm(-2) for 100 cycles without any apparent fading. By virtue of the novel structure prepared by the MOFs, this new MOF-SC structure serves as an efficient protection cushion for the drastic volume change of silicon during charge/discharge cycles. Furthermore, this MOF layer, with large pore volume and high surface area, can adsorb electrolyte and allow faster diffusion of Li(+) as evidenced by decreased impedance and improved rate performance.

Enhanced Reaction Kinetics and Structure Integrity of Ni/SnO2 Nanocluster toward High-Performance Lithium Storage

SnO2 is regarded as one of the most promising anodes via conversion-alloying mechanism for advanced lithium ion batteries. However, the sluggish conversion reaction severely degrades the reversible capacity, Coulombic efficiency and rate capability. In this paper, through constructing porous Ni/SnO2 composite electrode composed of homogeneously distributed SnO2 and Ni nanoparticles, the reaction kinetics of SnO2 is greatly enhanced, leading to full conversion reaction, superior cycling stability and improved rate capability. The uniformly distributed Ni nanoparticles provide a fast charge transport pathway for electrochemical reactions, and restrict the direct contact and aggregation of SnO2 nanoparticles during cycling. In the meantime, the void space among the nanoclusters increases the contact area between the electrolyte and active materials, and accommodates the huge volume change during cycling as well. The Ni/SnO2 composite electrode possesses a high reversible capacity of 820.5 mAh g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) up to 100 cycles. More impressively, large capacity of 841.9, 806.6, and 770.7 mAh g(-1) can still be maintained at high current densities of 2, 5, and 10 A g(-1) respectively. The results demonstrate that Ni/SnO2 is a high-performance anode for advanced lithium-ion batteries with high specific capacity, excellent rate capability, and cycling stability.

Potassium-Ion Oxygen Battery Based on a High Capacity Antimony Anode

Recent investigations into the application of potassium in the form of potassium-oxygen, potassium-sulfur, and potassium-ion batteries represent a new approach to moving beyond current lithium-ion technology. Herein, we report on a high capacity anode material for use in potassium-oxygen and potassium-ion batteries. An antimony-based electrode exhibits a reversible storage capacity of 650 mAh/g (98% of theoretical capacity, 660 mAh/g) corresponding to the formation of a cubic K3Sb alloy. The Sb electrode can cycle for over 50 cycles at a capacity of 250 mAh/g, which is one of the highest reported capacities for a potassium-ion anode material. X-ray diffraction and galvanostatic techniques were used to study the alloy structure and cycling performance, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to provide insight into the thermodynamics and kinetics of the K-Sb alloying reaction. Finally, we explore the application of this anode material in the form of a K3Sb-O2 cell which displays relatively high operating voltages, low overpotentials, increased safety, and interfacial stability, effectively demonstrating its applicability to the field of metal oxygen batteries.

Mesoporous Li3VO4/C Submicron-Ellipsoids Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide as Practical Anode for High-Power Lithium-Ion Batteries

Despite the enormous efforts devoted to high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the present state-of-the-art LIBs cannot meet the ever-increasing demands. With high theoretical capacity, fast ionic conductivity, and suitable charge/discharge plateaus, Li3VO4 shows great potential as the anode material for LIBs. However, it suffers from poor electronic conductivity. In this work, we present a novel composite material with mesoporous Li3VO4/C submicron-ellipsoids supported on rGO (LVO/C/rGO). The synthesized LVO/C/rGO exhibits a high reversible capacity (410 mAh g-1 at 0.25 C), excellent rate capability (230 mAh g-1 at 125 C), and outstanding long-cycle performance (82.5% capacity retention for 5000 cycles at 10 C). The impressive electrochemical performance reveals the great potential of the mesoporous LVO/C/rGO as a practical anode for high-power LIBs.

Graphene Oxide Wrapped Amorphous Copper Vanadium Oxide with Enhanced Capacitive Behavior for High-Rate and Long-Life Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

Graphene oxide-wrapped amorphous copper vanadium oxide is fabricated through a template-engaged redox reaction followed by vacuum dehydration. This material exhibits high reversible capacity, excellent rate capability, and out standing high-rate cyclability. The outstanding performance is attributed to the fast capacitive charge storage and the in situ formed copper with enhanced electrical conductivity.

Two-Dimensional Tin Disulfide Nanosheets for Enhanced Sodium Storage

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as complementary alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for grid energy storage due to the abundance of sodium. However, low capacity, poor rate capability, and cycling stability of existing anodes significantly hinder the practical applications of SIBs. Herein, ultrathin two-dimensional SnS2 nanosheets (3-4 nm in thickness) are synthesized via a facile refluxing process toward enhanced sodium storage. The SnS2 nanosheets exhibit a high apparent diffusion coefficient of Na(+) and fast sodiation/desodiation reaction kinetics. In half-cells, the nanosheets deliver a high reversible capacity of 733 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 A g(-1), which still remains up to 435 mAh g(-1) at 2 A g(-1). The cell has a high capacity retention of 647 mA h g(-1) during the 50th cycle at 0.1 A g(-1), which is by far the best for SnS2, suggesting that nanosheet morphology is beneficial to improve cycling stability in addition to rate capability. The SnS2 nanosheets also show encouraging performance in a full cell with a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode. In addition, the sodium storage mechanism is investigated by ex situ XRD coupled with high-resolution TEM. The high specific capacity, good rate capability, and cycling durability suggest that SnS2 nanosheets have great potential working as anodes for high-performance SIBs.

Direct Synthesis of Carbon-Doped TiO2-Bronze Nanowires as Anode Materials for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Carbon-doped TiO2-bronze nanowires were synthesized via a facile doping mechanism and were exploited as active material for Li-ion batteries. We demonstrate that both the wire geometry and the presence of carbon doping contribute to the high electrochemical performance of these materials. Direct carbon doping for example reduces the Li-ion diffusion length and improves the electrical conductivity of the wires, as demonstrated by cycling experiments, which evidenced remarkably higher capacities and superior rate capability over the undoped nanowires. The as-prepared carbon-doped nanowires, evaluated in lithium half-cells, exhibited lithium storage capacity of ∼306 mA h g(-1) (91% of the theoretical capacity) at the current rate of 0.1C as well as excellent discharge capacity of ∼160 mAh g(-1) even at the current rate of 10 C after 1000 charge/discharge cycles.

Sodium-Ion Storage in Pyroprotein-Based Carbon Nanoplates

Pyroprotein-based carbon nanoplates are fabricated from self-assembled silk proteins as a versatile platform to examine sodium-ion storage characteristics in various carbon environments. It is found that, depending on the local carbon structure, sodium ions are stored via chemi-/physisorption, insertion, or nanoclustering of metallic sodium.

Hollow Structured Silicon Anodes with Stabilized Solid Electrolyte Interphase Film for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon has been considered as a promising anode material for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity. Its huge volume expansion during the alloying reaction with lithium spoils the stability of the interface between electrode and electrolyte, resulting in capacity degradation. Herein, we synthesized a novel hollow structured silicon material with interior space for accumulating the volume change during the lithiation. The as-prepared material shows excellent cycling stability, with a reversible capacity of ∼1650 m Ah g(-1) after 100 cycles, corresponding to 92% retention. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were carried out to monitor the growth of SEI film, and the results confirm the stable solid electrolyte interphase film on the surface of hollow structured silicon.