Three dimensional self-assembly ZnSb nanowire balls with good performance as sodium ions battery anode

The passivity breakdown of zinc antimony alloy as an anode in the alkaline batteries

Zn is utilized as an anode in alkaline batteries because of its propensity to produce a passive colloidal layer on its surface. Then the surface should be reactivated in the passive region. Therefore, the passive state on the surface can be significantly hindered by utilizing a tiny percentage of Sb alloyed with Zn. Accordingly, the effect of minor Sb alloying with Zn on the performance of anodic dissolution and passivation in concentrated alkaline media (6 M KOH, which is used in the batteries) was studied using potentiodynamic and potentiostatic techniques. Besides, the passive layers formed at various anodic potentials were characterized utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The data of potentiodynamic measurements exhibited the active–passive transition curve of all studied specimens. All obtained results revealed that passivation is gradually hindered with increasing Sb content in the alloy, and less passivity was obtained at 1% Sb. Along this, a dramatic rise in current density at a particular positive potential (+ 2.0 V vs. SCE) to markedly higher values only of the electrodes containing Sb is observed.

Ion-assisted construction of Sb/N-doped graphene as an anode for Li/Na ion batteries

Although secondary batteries are common in many fields, new electrode materials with a reasonable structure are desired for high battery performance. Herein, Sb/N-doped graphene nanosheets (NGNS-Q) were constructed with the help of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane anions (TCNQ·^-). TCNQ·^- were used to anchor Sb³⁺ into the graphene layer by electrostatic interaction, which improves the distribution of Sb nanoparticles. Meanwhile, TCNQ·^- act as a N source to form N-doped graphene, enhancing the electron conductivity of the composite. Benefiting from the stable structure and good conductivity, the Sb/NGNS-Q composite achieved good electrochemical battery performance for Li/Na ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs). At a current density of 0.1 A g^-1, Sb/NGNS-Q exhibited a capacity of 615 mAh g^-1 after cycling 200 times and 240 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles for LIBs and SIBs, respectively.

Two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks and their derivatives for electrochemical energy storage and electrocatalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives with excellent dimension-related properties, e.g. high surface areas, abundantly accessible metal nodes, and tailorable structures, have attracted intensive attention as energy storage materials and electrocatalysts. A major challenge on the road toward the commercialization of 2D MOFs and their derivatives is to achieve the facile and controllable synthesis of 2D MOFs with high quality and at low cost. Significant developments have been made in the synthesis and applications of 2D MOFs and their derivatives in recent years. In this review, we first discuss the state-of-the-art synthetic strategies (including both top-down and bottom-up approaches) for 2D MOFs. Subsequently, we review the most recent application progress of 2D MOFs and their derivatives in the fields of electrochemical energy storage (e.g., batteries and supercapacitors) and electrocatalysis (of classical reactions such as the HER, OER, ORR, and CO2RR). Finally, the challenges and promising strategies for the synthesis and applications of 2D MOFs and their derivatives are addressed for future development.

High Volumetric and Gravimetric Capacity Electrodeposited Mesostructured Sb2 O3 Sodium Ion Battery Anodes

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are considered promising alternatives to lithium ion batteries for grid-scale and other energy storage applications because of the broad geographical distribution and low cost of sodium relative to lithium. Here, fabrication and characterization of high gravimetric and volumetric capacity 3D Ni-supported Sb₂ O₃ anodes for SIBs are presented. The electrodes are prepared by colloidal templating and pulsed electrodeposition followed by heat treatment. The colloidal template is optimized to provide large pore interconnects in the 3D scaffold to enable a high active materials loading and accommodate a large volume expansion during cycling. An electrodeposited loading of 1.1 g cm^-3 is chosen to enable a combined high gravimetric and volumetric capacity. At this loading, the electrodes exhibit a specific capacity of ≈445 mA h g^-1 and a volumetric capacity of ≈488 mA h cm^-3 with a capacity retention of 89% after 200 cycles at 200 mA g^-1 . The stable cycling performance can be attributed to the 3D metal scaffold, which supports active materials undergoing large volume changes, and an initial heat treatment appears to improve the adhesion of the Sb₂ O₃ to the metal scaffold.

Hierarchical GeP5/Carbon Nanocomposite with Dual-Carbon Conductive Network as Promising Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Due to the Earth's scarcity of lithium, replacing lithium with earth-abundant and low-cost sodium for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) has recently become a promising substitute for lithium-ion batteries. However, the shortage of appropriate anode materials limits the development of SIBs. Here, a dual-carbon conductive network enhanced GeP₅ (GeP₅/acetylene black/partially reduced graphene oxide sheets (GeP₅/AB/p-rGO)) composite is successfully prepared by a facile ball milling method. The dual-carbon network not only provides more transport pathways for electrons but also relaxes the huge volume change of the electrode material during the charge/discharge process. Compared with only AB- or GO-modified GeP₅ (GeP₅/AB or GeP₅/GO) composite, the GeP₅/AB/p-rGO composite shows a superior sodium storage performance with an excellent rate and cycle performance. It delivers a high reversible capacity of 597.5 and 175 mAh/g at the current density of 0.1 and 5.0 A/g, respectively. Furthermore, at the current density of 0.5 A/g, the GeP₅/AB/p-rGO composite shows the reversible capacity of 400 mAh/g after 50 cycles with a little capacity attenuation. All above results prove that the GeP₅/AB/p-rGO composite has a good prospect of application as an anode material for SIBs.

Preparation of 3D hierarchical porous Co3O4 nanostructures with enhanced performance in lithium-ion batteries

Three-dimensional hierarchical Co₃O₄ microspheres assembled by well-aligned 1D porous nanorods were successfully fabricated. The sample exhibited excellent electrochemical properties as anode materials for LIBs.

Alloy-Based Anode Materials toward Advanced Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries owing to the abundant sodium resources. However, the limited energy density, moderate cycling life, and immature manufacture technology of SIBs are the major challenges hindering their practical application. Recently, numerous efforts are devoted to developing novel electrode materials with high specific capacities and long durability. In comparison with carbonaceous materials (e.g., hard carbon), partial Group IVA and VA elements, such as Sn, Sb, and P, possess high theoretical specific capacities for sodium storage based on the alloying reaction mechanism, demonstrating great potential for high-energy SIBs. In this review, the recent research progress of alloy-type anodes and their compounds for sodium storage is summarized. Specific efforts to enhance the electrochemical performance of the alloy-based anode materials are discussed, and the challenges and perspectives regarding these anode materials are proposed.

One-Dimensional Yolk-Shell Sb@Ti-O-P Nanostructures as a High-Capacity and High-Rate Anode Material for Sodium Ion Batteries

Development of high energy/power density and long cycle life of anode materials is highly desirable for sodium ion batteries, because graphite anode cannot be used directly. Sb stands out from the potential candidates, due to high capacity, good electronic conductivity, and moderate sodiation voltage. Here, one-dimensional yolk-shell Sb@Ti-O-P nanostructures are synthesized by reducing core-shell Sb₂O₃@TiO₂ nanorods with NaH₂PO₂. This structure has Sb nanorod as the core to increase the capacity and Ti-O-P as the shell to stabilize the interface between electrolyte and electrode material. The gap between the core and the shell accommodates the volume change during sodiation/desodiation. These features endow the structure outstanding performances. It could deliver a capacity of about 760 mA h g^-1 after 200 cycles at 500 mA g^-1, with a capacity retention of about 94%. Even at 10 A g^-1, the reversible capacity is still at 360 mA h g^-1. The full battery of Sb@Ti-O-P//Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃-C presents a high output voltage (∼2.7 V) and a capacity of 392 mA h g^-1_anode after 150 cycles at 1 A g^-1_anode.

Synthesis of ZnSb@C microflower composites and their enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries

Benefiting from their special flower-like porous structure, ZnSb@C composites exhibit better electrochemical performance than ZnSb–C composites.

A flexible Sb2O3/carbon cloth composite as a free-standing high performance anode for sodium ion batteries

A flexible Sb₂O₃/carbon cloth (CC) composite is synthesized using a simple solvothermal method.