Rational design of N-doped C-encapsulated flower-like nickel-based heterostructured microsphere anodes for high-capacity and stable lithium storage

Designing a unique morphology and nanoarchitecture with a heterostructure is regarded as an efficient strategy to achieve lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high capacity and cycle life. Herein, N-doped C-encapsulated flower-like NiS/Ni3(BO3)2 heterostructures (NiS/Ni3(BO3)2/NC) with a core-shell morphology are successfully synthesized by a facile general method to improve the rate performance and prolong the cycle life of LIBs. The coated NC layer and core-shell structure with elasticity can relieve the volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process to strengthen the stability of the structure. Moreover, the NC layer and NiS/Ni3(BO3)2/NC heterostructure can enhance the electronic conductivity of the electrode and guarantee fast and unimpeded electron transfer channels, thereby improving the electrochemical reaction kinetics. Owing to the synergy of heterostructures and core-shell layer, the as-synthesized NiS/Ni3(BO3)2/NC anode acquires a specific charge capacity of 549 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 after 100 cycles; meanwhile, a reversible capacity of 322 mA h g-1 can be maintained even at 1 A g-1 after 500 cycles. This study develops a universal interface manipulation strategy for the synthesis of M3B2O6-based or/and other advanced transition metal compound anode materials for the practical applications of LIBs.

Machine Learning enabled High-Throughput Screening of Inorganic Solid Electrolytes for Regulating Dendritic Growth in Lithium Metal Anodes

The Li-S secondary battery system has gained popularity owing to their advantage of higher specific energy compared to the Li ion battery. However, it suffers majorly due to the Li...

Pristine S,N-containing Mn-based metal organic framework nanorods enable efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

Uniform Mn^II[(Tdc)(4,4′-Bpy)]_n nanorods have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method and they show high performance for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium.

An iron oxyborate Fe3BO5 material as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries

The surface pseudocapacitance contribution is dominant in Na⁺ storage processes in favour of the high rate performance of Fe₃BO₅.

Three-Dimensional Porous Iron Vanadate Nanowire Arrays as a High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery

Development of three-dimensional nanoarchitectures on current collectors has emerged as an effective strategy for enhancing rate capability and cycling stability of the electrodes. Herein, a new type of three-dimensional porous iron vanadate (Fe0.12V2O5) nanowire arrays on a Ti foil has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared Fe0.12V2O5 nanowires are about 30 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length. The effect of reaction time on the resulting morphology is investigated and the mechanism for the nanowire formation is proposed. As an electrode material used in lithium-ion batteries, the unique configuration of the Fe0.12V2O5 nanowire arrays presents enhanced capacitance, satisfying rate capability and good cycling stability, as evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic discharge-charge cycling. It delivers a high discharge capacity of 293 mAh·g(-1) at 2.0-3.6 V or 382.2 mAh·g(-1) at 1.0-4.0 V after 50 cycles at 30 mA·g(-1).