Enhanced lithium storage by ZnFe2O4 nanofibers as anode materials for lithium-ion battery

Synthesis of ZnFe2O4 Nanospheres with Tunable Morphology for Lithium Storage

ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanospheres with complex structures have been synthesized by a one-step simple solvothermal method using two different types of precursors-metal chlorides and nitrates -and were fully characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, and EDS. The ZFO nanospheres synthesized from chloride salts (ZFO_C) were loose with a size range of 100-200 nm, while the ZFO nanospheres synthesized from nitrate salts (ZFO_N) were dense with a size range of 300-500 nm but consisted of smaller nanoplates. The different morphologies may be caused by the different hydrolysis rates and different stabilizing effects of chloride and nitrate ions interacting with the facets of forming nanoparticles. Electrochemical tests of nitrate-based ZFO nanospheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries demonstrated their higher cyclic stability. The ZFO_C and ZFO_N samples have initial specific discharge/charge capacities of 1354/1020 and 1357/954 mAh∙g-1, respectively, with coulombic efficiencies of 75% and 71%. By the 100th cycle, ZFO_N has a capacity of 276 mAh∙g-1, and for ZFO_C, only 210 mAh∙g-1 remains after 100 cycles.

Bimetallic Cobalt-Nickel Selenide Nanocubes Embedded in a Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Matrix as an Excellent Li-Ion Battery Anode

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used for portable electronics and electric vehicles; however, the low capacity in the graphite anode limits the improvement of energy density. Transition-metal selenides are promising anode material candidates due to their high theoretical capacity and controllable structure. In this study, we successfully synthesize a bimetallic transition-metal selenide nanocube composite, which is well embedded in a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (denoted as CoNiSe₂/NC). This material shows a high capacity and excellent cycling for Li-ion storage. Specifically, the reversible capacity approaches ∼1245 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1. When cycled at 1 A g^-1, the capacity still remains at 642.9 mA h g^-1 even after 1000 cycles. In-operando XRD tests have been carried out to investigate the lithium storage mechanism. We discover that the outstanding performance is due to the unique CoNiSe₂/NC nanocomposite characteristics, such as the synergistic effect of bimetallic selenide on lithium storage, the small particle size, and the stable and conductive carbon structure. Therefore, this morphology structure not only reduces the volume change of metal selenides but also produces more lithium storage active sites and shortens lithium diffusion paths, which results in high capacity, good rate, and long cycling.

Graphene-based TiO2 composites for photocatalysis & environmental remediation: synthesis and progress

Photoactive nanomaterials constitute an emerging field in nanotechnology, finding an extensive array of applications spanning diverse areas, including electronics and photovoltaic devices, solar fuel cells, wastewater treatment, etc. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), in its thin-film form, has been exhaustively surveyed as potential photocatalysts for environmental remediation owing to its innocuousness, stability, and photocatalytic characteristics when subjected to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. However, TiO₂ has some shortcomings associated with a large bandgap value of around 3.2 eV, making it less efficient in the visible spectral range. TiO₂ is often consolidated with various carbon nanomaterials to overcome this limitation and enhance its efficiency. Graphene, a 2-dimensional allotrope of carbon with a bandgap tuned between 0 and 0.25 eV, exhibits unique properties, making it an attractive candidate to augment the photoactivity of semiconductor (SC) oxides. Encapsulating graphene oxide onto TiO₂ nanospheres demonstrates intensified photocatalytic properties and exceptional recyclability for the degeneration of certain dyes, including Rhodamine B. This review encompasses various techniques to synthesize graphene-based TiO₂ photoactive composites, emphasizing graphene capsulized hollow titania nanospheres, nanofibers, core/shell, and reduced graphene oxide-TiO₂-based nanocomposites. It also consolidates the application of the aforestated nanocomposites for the disintegration of various synthetic dyes, proving efficacious for water decontamination and degradation of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, graphene-based TiO₂ nanocomposites used as lithium (Li)-ion batteries manifesting substantial electrochemical performance and solar fuel cells for energy production are discussed here.

Facile synthesis of ZnNC derived from a ZIF-8 metal-organic framework by the microwave-assisted solvothermal technique as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) electrode is a good candidate as an anode material.

F-doped zinc ferrite as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Fluorine-doped ZnFe2O4via a quick ice-cold KF/NH4F quenching method effectively improved the electrochemical performance of ZnFe2O4 for LIBs.

The lithium ions storage behavior of heteroatom-mediated echinus-like porous carbon spheres: From co-doping to multi-atom doping

This study proposed a facile method to prepare echinus-like porous carbon spheres (PCS) with different heteroatom doping for lithium ions battery (LIBs). A metal-organophosphine framework (MOPF) was synthesized by employing riboflavin sodium phosphate as an organic ligand to conjugate with metal ions and then carbonized at mild temperature, leading to the formation of heteroatom doped PCS (H-PCS). As a result, (N, P) co-, (N, P, Ni) tri-, (N, P, Co) tri- and (N, Ni, Co, P) tetra-doped PCS were obtained to examine the insight into lithium-ion storage behavior of H-PCS. It was found that the specific surface area, pore texture and structural defects of H-PCS were dependent on doping of heteroatoms as well as the charge transfer resistance and Li-ion diffusion coefficient. Significantly, the redox reaction potential during the charge/discharge could be mediated upon the doping. Thus, when evaluated as anode for LIBs, the (N, Ni, Co, P) tetra-doped PCS exhibited highly reversible capacity of 680 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1, excellent rate capability (115.9 mAh g^-1 at 1.0 A g^-1) and superior cycling performance (399.6 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1). Moreover, the cyclic voltammogram measurements demonstrated that the doping of metal atoms was favorable for improving the capacitive contribution of surface limited diffusion. Thus, this work highlighted the importance of HCP with defined doping which could be considered as one of the prominent candidates for high-performance LIBs' anode.

A new spinel high-entropy oxide (Mg0.2Ti0.2Zn0.2Cu0.2Fe0.2)3O4 with fast reaction kinetics and excellent stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries

It is well known that transition metal oxides (TMOs) have attracted extensive attention as promising anodes for next-generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their low cost and high theoretical capacities. However, the huge volume changes upon lithiation/delithiation cycling gradually cause drastic particle pulverization in the electrodes, thus leading to fast capacity fading and limiting their practical applications. High-entropy oxides with enhanced electronic conductivity and multiple electrochemically active elements display stepwise lithium storage behaviors, thus efficiently alleviating the volume change induced electrode pulverization problem. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new kind of spinel (Mg_0.2Ti_0.2Zn_0.2Cu_0.2Fe_0.2)₃O₄ material via a facile one-step solid state reaction method and subsequent high-energy ball-milling. When used as anodes for LIBs, the submicrometer-sized (Mg_0.2Ti_0.2Zn_0.2Cu_0.2Fe_0.2)₃O₄ particles exhibit superior lithium storage properties, delivering a large reversible capacity of 504 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹ after 300 cycles, and notably an exceptional rate capacity of 272 mA h g⁻¹ at 2000 mA g⁻¹. Our work highlights that rational design of high-entropy oxides with different electrochemically active elements and novel structures might be a useful strategy for exploring high-performance LIB anode materials in next-generation energy storage devices.

Here we present novel (Mg_0.2Ti_0.2Zn_0.2Cu_0.2Fe_0.2)₃O₄ materials prepared via one-step solid state reaction method and subsequently high-energy ball-milling. When used as anodes for LIBs, it exhibits superior lithium storage properties.

Spinel ferrite (AFe2O4)-based heterostructured designs for lithium-ion battery, environmental monitoring, and biomedical applications

The development of spinel ferrite nanomaterial (SFN)-based hybrid architectures has become more popular owing to the fascinating physicochemical properties of SFNs, such as their good electro-optical and catalytic properties, high chemothermal stability, ease of functionalization, and superparamagnetic behaviour. Furthermore, achieving the perfect combination of SFNs and different nanomaterials has promised to open up many unique synergistic effects and advantages. Inspired by the above-mentioned noteworthy properties, numerous and varied applications have been recently developed, such as energy storage in lithium-ion batteries, environmental pollutant monitoring, and, especially, biomedical applications. In this review, recent development efforts relating to SFN-based hybrid designs are described in detail and logically, classified according to 4 major hybrid structures: SFNs/carbonaceous nanomaterials; SFNs/metal–metal oxides; SFNs/MS₂; and SFNs/other materials. The underlying advantages of the additional interactions and combinations of effects, compared to the standalone components, and the potential uses have been analyzed and assessed for each hybrid structure in relation to lithium-ion battery, environmental, and biomedical applications.

We have summarized recent developments in SFN-based hybrid designs. The additional interactions, combination effects, and important changes have been analyzed and assessed for LIB, environmental monitoring, and biomedical applications.

Facile thermochemical conversion of FeOOH nanorods to ZnFe2O4 nanorods for high-rate lithium storage

We successfully prepared ZnFe2O4 nanorods (ZFO-NRs) by a simple thermochemical reaction of FeOOH nanorods with Zn(NO3)2 to use as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries. The FeOOH nanorod shape was well maintained after conversion into ZFO-NR with the formation of porous structures. The nanorod structure and porous morphology facilitate Li+ transport, improve the reaction rates owing to the larger contact area with the electrolyte, and reduce the mechanical stress during lithiation/delithiation. The ZFO-NR electrode exhibited a reversible capacity of 725 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 and maintained a capacity of 668 mA h g-1 at 2 A g-1; these capacities are much higher and more stable than those of ZFO nanoparticles prepared by a hydrothermal method (ZFO-HT) (216 and 117 mA h g-1 at 1 and 2 A g-1, respectively). Although ZFO-NRs exhibited high, stable capacities at moderate current densities for charging and discharging, the capacity rapidly decreased under fast charging/discharging conditions (>4 A g-1). However, carbonized ZFO-NR (C/ZFO-NR) exhibited an improved reversible capacity and rate capability resulting from an increased conductivity compared with ZFO-NRs. The specific capacity of C/ZFO-NRs at 1 A g-1 was 765 mA h g-1; notably, a capacity of 680 mA h g-1 was maintained at 6 A g-1.