Boosting the high-rate performance of lithium-ion battery anodes using MnCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite interfaces

Herein, a mesoporous MnCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite was fabricated using a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method by maintaining only the non-stoichiometric ratio of Mn and Co (2 : 6), leading to an extra phase of Co3O4 coupled with MnCo2O4. Microstructural analysis showed that the obtained sample has a uniform nanowire-like morphology composed of interconnected nanoparticles. The stoichiometric ratio (2 : 4) was maintained to synthesize pure MnCo2O4 for comparative analysis. However, the obtained structure of pure MnCo2O4 was found to be irregular and fragile. After their employment as anode-active materials, the nanocomposite electrode showed superior high rate capability (1043.8 mA h g-1 at 5C) and long-term cycling stability (773.6 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles at 0.5C) in comparison to the pure MnCo2O4 electrode (771.5 mA h g-1 at 5C and 638.9 mA h g-1 at 0.5C after 500 cycles). It was believed that the extra phase of Co3O4 may also participate in the electrochemical reactions due to its high electrochemically active nature. Benefiting from the appealing architectural features and striking synergistic effect, the integrated MnCo2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite anode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties and high cycle stability for LIBs.

Hollow Porous CoO@Reduced Graphene Oxide Self-Supporting Flexible Membrane for High Performance Lithium-Ion Storage

We report an environment-friendly preparation method of rGO-based flexible self-supporting membrane electrodes, combining Co-MOF with graphene oxide and quickly preparing a hollow CoO@rGO flexible self-supporting membrane composite with a porous structure. This unique hollow porous structure can shorten the ion transport path and provide more active sites for lithium ions. The high conductivity of reduced graphene oxide further facilitates the rapid charge transfer and provides sufficient buffer space for the hollow Co-MOF nanocubes during the charging process. We evaluated its electrochemical performance in a coin cell, which showed good rate capability and cycling stability. The CoO@rGO flexible electrode maintains a high specific capacity of 1103 mAh g^-1 after 600 cycles at 1.0 A g^-1. The high capacity of prepared material is attributed to the synergistic effect of the hollow porous structure and the 3D reduced graphene oxide network. This would be considered a promising new strategy for synthesizing hollow porous-structured rGO-based self-supported flexible electrodes.

Low-content SnO2 nanodots on N-doped graphene: lattice-confinement preparation and high-performance lithium/sodium storage

Rational construction of nanosized anode nanomaterials is crucial to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium-/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs). Various anode nanoparticles are created mainly via templating surface confinement, or encapsulation within precursors (such as metal-organic frameworks). Herein, low-content SnO₂ nanodots on N-doped reduced graphene oxide (SnO₂@N-rGO) were prepared as anode nanomaterials for LIBs and SIBs, via a distinctive lattice confinement of a CoAlSn-layered double hydroxide (CoAlSn-LDH) precursor. The SnO₂@N-rGO composite exhibits the advantagous features of low-content (17.9 wt%) and uniform SnO₂ nanodots (3.0 ± 0.5 nm) resulting from the lattice confinement of the Co and Al species to the surrounded Sn within the same crystalline layer, and high-content conductive rGO. The SnO₂@N-rGO composite delivers a highly reversible capacity of 1146.2 mA h g^-1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g^-1 for LIBs, and 387 mA h g^-1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g^-1 for SIBs, outperforming N-rGO. Furthermore, the dominant capacitive contribution and the rapid electronic and ionic transfer, as well as small volume variation, all give rise to the enhancement. Precursor-based lattice confinement could thus be an effective strategy for designing and preparing uniform nanodots as anode nanomaterials for electrochemical energy storage.

Gas-solid two-phase flow (GSF) mechanochemical synthesis of dual-metal-organic frameworks and research on electrochemical properties

As an alternative approach for conventional mechanochemical synthesis, a novel gas-solid two-phase flow (GSF) synthetic technique for the mechanochemical synthesis of dual metal-organic frameworks (DMOFs) was reported for the first time. The prepared CoMn₂(BTC)₂ was characterized by FT-IR, DTA, TG/DTG, and XRD studies. The results indicated that CoMn₂(BTC)₂ (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) was successfully synthesized after 10 min at a rate of 60 kg h^-1. CoMn₂O₄ microspheres were also prepared via the CoMn₂(BTC)₂ precursor method and characterized using FT-IR, XPS, XRD, SEM, EDS, and BET methods. The electrochemical properties of the as-prepared CoMn₂O₄ were investigated, and the GSF results showed that the microsphere electrodes of CoMn₂O₄ had a high specific capacitance (969 F g^-1) at a current density of 1 A g^-1 in 3 M aqueous KOH solution.

Recent advances in the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) using multifunctional materials:a review

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have gained heightened attentions in recent years owing to their persistent property and hazard influence on wild life and human beings. Removal of POPs using varieties of multifunctional materials have shown a promising prospect compared with conventional treatments. Herein, three main categories, including thermal degradation, electrochemical remediation, as well as photocatalytic degradation with the use of diverse catalytic materials, especially the recently developed prominent ones were comprehensively reviewed. Kinetic analysis and underlying mechanism for various POPs degradation processes were addressed in detail. The review also systematically documented how catalytic performance was dramatically affected by the nature of the material itself, the structure of target pollutants, reaction conditions and treatment techniques. Moreover, the future challenges and prospects of POPs degradation by means of multiple multifunctional materials were outlined accordingly. Knowing this is of immense significance to enhance our understanding of POPs remediation procedures and promote the development of novel multifunctional materials.

Influence of the Synthesis Route on the Properties of Hybrid NiO-MnCo2 O4 -Ni6 MnO8 Anode Materials and their Electrochemical Performances

New materials with different morphologies, nanostructures, and components can have structural advantages for application in materials science. Multicomponent-active hybrid nanostructured materials are among the best candidates for application in electrode materials. Spray pyrolysis and solvothermal synthesis are two popular methods for the preparation of multicomponent-active hybrid nanostructured materials. In this study, the two types of NiO-MnCo₂ O₄ -Ni₆ MnO₈ hybrid anode materials for use in lithium-ion batteries were synthesized by two different methods (spray pyrolysis and solvothermal synthesis), and the differences in their physical and electrochemical properties were compared. The two types of anode material exhibited the same hierarchical hybrid composition, but some different physical characteristics, which affected their electrochemical performance.

Three-dimensional mesoporous sandwich-like g-C3N4-interconnected CuCo2O4 nanowires arrays as ultrastable anode for fast lithium storage

Inspite of their impressive high theoretical capacity as Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anodes, spinel transition-metal oxides (TMOs) suffer serious volume expansion, aggregation and the pulverization of crystal structures during lithiation/delithiation, and this process severely restrict their industrial application. Multi-dimensional morphological engineering of spinel TMO nanostructures is an effective way to solve this issue. In this work, using facile hydrothermal synthetic methods, spinel CuCo₂O₄ nanowires arrays are synthesized and supported on g-C₃N₄ nanosheets, thus forming a unique sandwich-like interconnected three-dimensional mesoporous structure containing high amount of void spaces. Addition of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets to CuCo₂O₄ nanowire arrays may shorten the Li⁺ diffusion distance and electron transfer pathway, and may also provide more active sites for Li⁺ diffusion into electrolyte and buffer for the volume expansion and aggregation of CuCo₂O₄. As a LIB anode material, CuCo₂O₄@g-C₃N₄ shows initial lithiation capacity of 840.6 mAh g^-1, and capacity retention of 641.2 mAh g^-1 after 60 cycles at the current density of 0.1 A g^-1 and 499.2 mAh g^-1 after 40 cycles at high current of 1 A g^-1, which is significantly better than value of pure CuCo₂O₄ nanowires. This work affords a new way to tackle the problem of volume expansion of high capacity spinel TMO anode materials using g-C₃N₄ nanosheets as buffering agent.

Hierarchical Porous NiO/β-NiMoO4 Heterostructure as Superior Anode Material for Lithium Storage

Ternary transition metal oxides (TTMOs) have attracted considerable attention for rechargeable batteries because of their fascinating properties. However, the unsatisfactory electrochemical performance originating from the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and inferior structural stability impedes their practical applications. Here, the novel hierarchical porous NiO/β-NiMoO₄ heterostructure is fabricated, and exhibits high reversible capacity, superior rate capability, and excellent cycling stability in Li-ion batteries (LIBs), which is much better than the corresponding single-phase NiMoO₄ and NiO materials. The significantly enhanced electrochemical properties can be attributed to its superior structural characteristics, including the large surface area, abundant pores, fast charge transfer, and catalytic effect of the intermediate product of metallic nickel. The NiO/β-NiMoO₄ heterostructure delivers a high capacity of 1314 mA h g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1 after 100 cycles. Furthermore, even after 400 cycles at 1 A g^-1 , the reversible capacity remains at around 500 mA h g^-1 . These results indicate that the NiO/β-NiMoO₄ heterostructure shows great potential as an anode material for high-performance LIBs.

Heteromorphic NiCo2S4/Ni3S2/Ni Foam as a Self-Standing Electrode for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Solution

Considerable works have been devoted on developing high-efficiency nonplatinum electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, 3D heteromorphic NiCo₂S₄/Ni₃S₂ nanosheets network has been constructed on Ni foam (denoted as NiCo₂S₄/Ni₃S₂/NF) serving as a self-standing electrocatalyst through directly thermal sulfurization of a single-source NiCo-layered double hydroxide precursor. The resultant NiCo₂S₄/Ni₃S₂/NF electrode exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic HER performance with an extremely low onset overpotential of 15 mV and long-term durability in alkaline solution. Such enhanced HER performance can be credited to (1) the massive exposed active sites provided by mixed transition metal chalcogenides (NiCo₂S₄ and Ni₃S₂), (2) the strong interfacial interaction at NiCo₂S₄/Ni₃S₂ heterojunction interfaces with the strengthened H binding, and (3) the porous highly conductive Ni foam substrate with accelerated electron transfer. This work opens up a new direction to fabricate effective and non-noble-metal electrodes for water splitting and hydrogen generation.

Graphene-wrapped CoNi-layered double hydroxide microspheres as a new anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A high-performance and easily prepared graphene-wrapped CoNi-layered double hydroxide microsphere electrode material for the lithium ion battery.

Engineering 2D Nanofluidic Li-Ion Transport Channels for Superior Electrochemical Energy Storage

Rational surface engineering of 2D nanoarchitectures-based electrode materials is crucial as it may enable fast ion transport, abundant-surface-controlled energy storage, long-term structural integrity, and high-rate cycling performance. Here we developed the stacked ultrathin Co₃ O₄ nanosheets with surface functionalization (SUCNs-SF) converted from layered hydroxides with inheritance of included anion groups (OH^- , NO₃^- , CO₃^2- ). Such stacked structure establishes 2D nanofluidic channels offering extra lithium storage sites, accelerated Li-ion transport, and sufficient buffering space for volume change during electrochemical processes. Tested as an anode material, this unique nanoarchitecture delivers high specific capacity (1230 and 1011 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 and 1 A g^-1 , respectively), excellent rate performance, and long cycle capability (1500 cycles at 5 A g^-1 ). The demonstrated advantageous features by constructing 2D nanochannels in nonlayered materials may open up possibilities for designing high-power lithium ion batteries.

General Strategy for Integrated SnO2/Metal Oxides as Biactive Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes with Ultralong Cycling Life

Integration of bicomponents into a greater object or assemblage is a new avenue to acquire multifunctionality for metal oxide-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we report a versatile means by which precursors serve as self-sacrificing templates to form architectures of SnO₂ phase and other metal oxides. The vital challenge is the determination of appropriate synthetic system that can benefit the formation of respective precursors in a structure or single-source precursors of tin and other metal species. In the current work, by the aids of synergy action between l-proline and ethylene glycol (EG), precursors containing two metal ions are generally fabricated. Adequate flexibility of the present method has been achieved for SnO₂/M _x O _y hierarchical hybrids, including Mn₂O₃, Co₃O₄, NiO, and Zn₂SnO₄, by calcination of their corresponding SnMn, SnCo, SnNi, and SnZn precursors, respectively. When evaluated as anode materials for LIBs, the obtained SnO₂/Mn₂O₃ homogeneous hybrids, as expected, show higher specific capacity and ultralong cycling stability, gaining a reversible specific capacity of 610.3 mA h g^-1 after 600 cycles with only decay of 0.29 mA h g^-1 per cycle at 1 A g^-1 and 487 mA h g^-1 after 1001 cycles at a high current density of 2 A g^-1.

Self-Climbed Amorphous Carbon Nanotubes Filled with Transition Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Large Rate and Long Lifespan Anode Materials in Lithium Ion Batteries

A composed material of amorphous carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) and encapsulated transition metal oxide (TMOs) nanoparticles was prepared by a common thermophysics effect, which is named the Marangoni effect, and a simple anneal process. The prepared ropy solution would form a Marangoni convection and climb into the channel of anodic aluminum oxide template (AAO) spontaneously. The ingenious design of the preparation method determined a distinctive structure of TMOs nanoparticles with a size of ∼5 nm and amorphous carbon coated outside full in the ACNTs. Here we prepared the ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles and Fe₂O₃ mixed with manganic oxide (Fe₂O₃&Mn₂O₃) nanoparticles encapsulated in ACNTs as two anode materials of lithium ion batteries' the TMOs-filled ACNTs presented an evolutionary electrochemical performance in some respects of highly reversible capacity and excellent cycling stability (880 mA h g^-1 after 150 cycles).

Hierarchical NiCo2O4 Micro- and Nanostructures with Tunable Morphologies as Anode Materials for Lithium- and Sodium-Ion Batteries

NiCo₂O₄ microrods with open structures are successfully synthesized using a solvothermal method. Compared with those of dense microspheres, the one-dimensional (1D) porous microrods show much higher capacities and stability for both Li- and Na-ion batteries due to the 1D open structure facilitating fast ion transport and buffering volumetric change during charge/discharge. This work demonstrates that the electrochemical performance of NiCo₂O₄ is highly dependent on morphologies of the active material.

Hierarchically scaffolded CoP/CoP2 nanoparticles: controllable synthesis and their application as a well-matched bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

Transition metal phosphide (TMP) nanostructures have stimulated increasing interest for use in water splitting owing to their abundant natural sources and high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Typically, the preparation of hierarchical TMPs involves the utilization of expensive or dangerous phosphorus sources, and, in particular, the understanding of topotactic transformations of the precursors to crystalline phases-which could be utilized to enhance electrocatalytic performance-remains very limited. We, herein, report a controllable preparation of CoP/CoP₂ nanoparticles well dispersed in flower-like Al₂O₃ scaffolds (f-CoP/CoP₂/Al₂O₃) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the HER and OER via the phosphorization of a flower-like CoAl layered double hydroxide precursor. Characterization by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) monitored the topotactic transformation underlying the controllable formation of CoP/CoP₂via tuning the phosphorization time. Electrocatalytic tests showed that an f-CoP/CoP₂/Al₂O₃ electrode exhibited a lower onset potential and higher electrocatalytic activity for the HER and OER in the same alkaline electrolyte than electrodes of flower-like and powdered CoP/Al₂O₃. The enhanced electrochemical performance was experimentally supported by measuring the electrochemically active surface area. The f-CoP/CoP₂/Al₂O₃ composite further generated a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 at 1.65 V when used as a bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting. Our results demonstrate that the preparation route based on the LDH precursor may provide an alternative for investigating diverse TMPs as bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Highly efficient electrocatalysts with CoO/CoFe2O4 composites embedded within N-doped porous carbon materials prepared by hard-template method for oxygen reduction reaction

Low-cost dual transition metal (Fe and Co) based non-noble metal electrocatalysts (NNMEs) with large surface area and porous structure boost oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance in alkaline solution.

Triple-Confined Well-Dispersed Biactive NiCo2S4/Ni0.96S on Graphene Aerogel for High-Efficiency Lithium Storage

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcite-like anionic clay compounds, have attracted increasing interest in electrochemical energy storage, in the main form of LDH precursor-derived transition metal oxides (TMOs). One typical approach to improve cycling stability of the LDH-derived TMOs is to introduce one- and two-dimensional conductive carbonaceous supports, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene. We herein demonstrate an effective approach to improve the electrochemical performances of well-dispersed biactive NiCo₂S₄/Ni_0.96S as anode nanomaterials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), by introducing a three-dimensional graphene aerogel (3DGA) support. The resultant 3DGA supported NiCo₂S₄/Ni_0.96S (3DGA/NCS) composite, obtained by sulfuration of NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) precursor in situ grown on the 3DGA support (3DGA/NiCo-LDH). Electrochemical tests show that the 3DGA/NCS composite indeed delivers the greatly enhanced electrochemical performances compared with the NiCo₂S₄/Ni_0.96S counterpart on two-dimensional graphene aerogel, i.e., a high reversible capacity of 965 mA h g^-1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g^-1 and especially a superlong cycling stability of 620 mA h g^-1 after 800 cycles at 1 A g^-1. The enhancements could be ascribed to the compositional and structural advantages of boosting electrochemical performances: (i) well-dispersed NiCo₂S₄/Ni_0.96S nanoparticles with interfacial nanodomains resulting from both the dual surface confinements of the 3DGA support and the crystallographic confinement of NiCo-well-arranged LDH crystalline layer, (ii) an appropriate specific surface area and a wide pore size distribution of mesopores and macropores, and (iii) highly conductive 3DGA support that is measured experimentally by using electrochemical impedance spectra to underlie the enhancement. Our results demonstrate that the tunable LDH precursor-derived synthesis route may be extended to prepare various transition metal sulfides and even transition metal phosphides for energy storage with the aid of tunable cationic type and molar ratio.

Metal-organic-framework-derived two-dimensional ultrathin mesoporous hetero-ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanosheets with enhanced lithium storage properties for Li-ion batteries

Mesoporous hetero-structures have drawn tremendous attention due to their unprecedented inherent advantages in advanced Li-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, we developed a facile metal-organic-framework-engaged synthetic methodology for large-scale fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) mesoporous hetero-ZnFe₂O₄/ZnO nanosheets (ZFOZ NSs) with homogeneously dispersed hetero-nanodomains of spinel ZnFe₂O4 and ZnO. When evaluated as a promising anode for LIB applications, the resultant 2D ultrathin mesoporous hetero-ZFOZ NSs exhibited extraordinary electrochemical Li storage performance with long-cycle behavior and large reversible capacities for next-generation LIB applications, thanks to the attractive synergetic contributions from ultrathin mesoporous architecture and electroactive bi-component hetero-interfaces at the nanoscale. Even more encouragingly, the electrode concept we developed here can be easily generalized to rational design and synthesis of other mesoporous hetero-hybrids with remarkable lithium storage capacities for LIBs.

Nitrogen-doped carbon and high-content alumina containing bi-active cobalt oxides for efficient storage of lithium

Low-content ultrathin coating of non-active alumina (Al2O3) has been extensively utilized as one of the most effective strategies to improve electrochemical performances of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), however, typically by employing expensive atomic layer deposition equipment. We herein demonstrate a simple preparation of high-content and well-dispersed Al2O3 (24.33wt.%)-containing multi-component composite (CoO/Co3O4/N-C/Al2O3) by calcination of melamine/CoAl-layered double hydroxide (CoAl-LDH) mixture. The resulting composite bundles the advantages expected to improve electrochemical performances: (i) bi-active CoO/Co3O4, (ii) highly conductive N-doped carbon, and (iii) N-doped carbon and high-content non-active Al2O3 as buffering reagents, as well as (iv) good distribution of bi- and non-active components resulted from the lattice orientation and confinement effect of the LDH layers. Electrochemical evaluation shows that the composite electrode delivers a highly enhanced reversible capacity of 1078mAhg(-1) after 50cycles at 100mAg(-1), compared with the bi-active CoO/Co3O4 mixtures with and without non-active Al2O3. Transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy observations and electrochemical impedance spectra experimentally provide the information on the good distributions of multiple components and the improved conductivity underlying the enhancements, respectively. Our LDH precursor-based preparation route may be extended to design and prepare various multi-component transition metal oxides for efficient lithium storage.

Controlled synthesis of CoxMn3−xO4 nanoparticles with a tunable composition and size for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Preparation of Co_xMn_3−xO₄ nanoparticles using bimetallic coordination-polymer precursors, and a case study of MnCo₂O₄ for LIBs, suggesting an optimal size for improved capacity retention.

Influence of annealing temperature on microstructure and lithium storage performance of self-templated CuxCo3−xO4 hollow microspheres

Spinel Cu_xCo_3−xO₄ (x ≤ 0.30) hollow microspheres have been readily prepared via a self-templated solvothermal reaction followed by a thermal annealing step.

Controlled synthesis of CoO/C and Co/C nanocomposites via a molten salt method and their lithium-storage properties

A simple procedure for the preparation of CoO and Co nanoparticles and using Na₂SO₄ as the template for the small nanoparticles encapsulated with thin carbon layers.

Graphene-supported binary active Mn0.25Co0.75O solid solution derived from a CoMn-layered double hydroxide precursor for highly improved lithium storage

Graphene-supported binary active solid solution (Mn_0.25Co_0.75O) is derived from CoMn-layered double hydroxide/graphene oxide precursor. Electrochemical test shows the highly improved electrochemical performances of the composite.

Synthesis of hierarchical ZnO/ZnCo2O4 nanosheets with mesostructures for lithium-ion anodes

Novel bi-component-active hierarchical ZnO/ZnCo₂O₄ nanosheets with mesostructures presented a good high-rate performance for lithium ion batteries.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Porous Core/Shell Structured ZnO/ZnCo2O4/C Hybrids as Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived porous core/shell ZnO/ZnCo2O4/C hybrids with ZnO as a core and ZnCo2O4 as a shell are for the first time fabricated by using core/shell ZnCo-MOF precursors as reactant templates. The unique MOFs-derived core/shell structured ZnO/ZnCo2O4/C hybrids are assembled from nanoparticles of ZnO and ZnCo2O4, with homogeneous carbon layers coated on the surface of the ZnCo2O4 shell. When acting as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the MOFs-derived porous ZnO/ZnCo2O4/C anodes exhibit outstanding cycling stability, high Coulombic efficiency, and remarkable rate capability. The excellent electrochemical performance of the ZnO/ZnCo2O4/C LIB anodes can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the porous structure of the MOFs-derived core/shell ZnO/ZnCo2O4/C and homogeneous carbon layer coating on the surface of the ZnCo2O4 shells. The hierarchically porous core/shell structure offers abundant active sites, enhances the electrode/electrolyte contact area, provides abundant channels for electrolyte penetration, and also alleviates the structure decomposition induced by Li(+) insertion/extraction. The carbon layers effectively improve the conductivity of the hybrids and thus enhance the electron transfer rate, efficiently prevent ZnCo2O4 from aggregation and disintegration, and partially buffer the stress induced by the volume change during cycles. This strategy may shed light on designing new MOF-based hybrid electrodes for energy storage and conversion devices.

ZnO/CoO and ZnCo2O4 Hierarchical Bipyramid Nanoframes: Morphology Control, Formation Mechanism, and Their Lithium Storage Properties

Mastery over the structure of nanoscale materials can effectively tailor and regulate their electrochemical properties, enabling improvement in both rate capability and cycling stability. We report the shape-controlled synthesis of novel mesoporous bicomponent-active ZnO/CoO hierarchical multilayered bipyramid nanoframes (HMBNFs). The as-synthesized micro/nanocrystals look like multilayered bipyramids and consist of a series of structural units with similar frames and uniform sheet branches. The use of an appropriate straight-chain monoalcohol was observed to be critical for the formation of HMBNFs. In addition, the structure of HMBNFs could be preserved only in a limited range of the precursor ratio. An extremely fast crystal growth process and an unusual transverse crystallization of the ZnCo-carbonate HMBNFs were newly discovered and proposed. By calcination of ZnCo-carbonate HMBNFs at the atmosphere of nitrogen and air, ZnO/CoO and ZnCo2O4 HMBNFs were obtained, respectively. Compared to the ZnCo2O4 HMBNFs, the ZnO/CoO HMBNFs with a uniform distribution of nanocrystal ZnO and CoO subunits exhibited enhanced electrochemical activity, including greater rate capability and longer cycling performance, when evaluated as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The superior electrochemical performance of the ZnO/CoO HMBNFs is attributed to the unique nanostructure, bicomponent active synergy, and uniform distribution of ZnO and CoO phases at the nanoscale.

Reprocessable squeezing electrode fabrication of olive-like Fe/Co/O nanoparticle@three dimensional nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxides for high performance lithium batteries

A one step in situ synthesis approach is developed to construct 3D nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxides, in which olive-like multi-component metal oxides are homogeneously dispersed. The novel hybrid nanoarchitecture shows some particular properties derived from synergistic effects. The size of Fe/Co/O oxides is reduced and better controlled compared to that of individual oxides due to mutual dispersant interactions. Furthermore, the positive synergistic interaction between heterogeneous oxides and graphene nanosheets has effective control on the particle size and dispersion of nanoparticles. Taking advantage of the flexibility and the cohesiveness of graphene nanosheets, the obtained composite can be directly processed into a binder-free electrode through a unique time-saving "squeezing" process. The obtained electrode possesses a reprocessable feature, which provides possibilities for convenient storage and quick fabrication at any time and presents attractive electrochemical performance of robust long-term capability retention (562 mA h g(-1) after 300 cycles at 10 A g(-1)) and superior rate performances (1162 mA h g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1), 737 mA h g(-1) at 5 A g(-1), and 585 mA h g(-1) at 10 A g(-1)).