Improved Li storage performance of SnO nanodisc on SnO2quantum dots embedded carbon matrix

Li-ion batteries with conversion type anode are attractive choice, for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, because of their high theoretical capacity and cycle stability. On the contrary, enormous volume change during lithiation/delithiation and irreversible conversion reaction limits use of such anodes. To overcome these challenges, incorporating nano-sized SnO_xon flexible carbonaceous matrix is an efficient approach. A facile and scalable fabrication of SnO nanodisc decorated on SnO₂quantum dots embedded carbon (SnO_x@C) is reported in the present study. Detailed structural and morphological investigation confirms the successful synthesis of SnO_x@C composite with 72.3 wt% SnO_xloading. The CV profiles of the nanocomposite reveal a partial reversibility of conversion reaction for the active materials SnO_x. Such partial reversible conversion enhances the overall capacity of the nanocomposite. It delivers a very high discharge capacity of 993 mAh g^-1at current density of 0.05 A g^-1after 200 cycles; which is 2.6 times higher than that of commercial graphitic anode (372 mAh g^-1) and very close to the calculated capacity of the SnO_x@C composite. This unique nanocomposite remarkably improves Li storage performance in terms of reversible capacity, rate capability and cycling performance. It is established that such engineered anode can efficiently reduce the electrode pulverization and in turn make conversion reaction of tin partially reversible.

Review of ZnO Binary and Ternary Composite Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

To enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries, zinc oxide (ZnO) has generated interest as an anode candidate owing to its high theoretical capacity. However, because of its limitations such as its slow chemical reaction kinetics, intense capacity fading on potential cycling, and low rate capability, composite anodes of ZnO and other materials are manufactured. In this study, we introduce binary and ternary composites of ZnO with other metal oxides (MOs) and carbon-based materials. Most ZnO-based composite anodes exhibit a higher specific capacity, rate performance, and cycling stability than a single ZnO anode. The synergistic effects between ZnO and the other MOs or carbon-based materials can explain the superior electrochemical characteristics of these ZnO-based composites. This review also discusses some of their current limitations.

A nanostructured SnO2/Ni/CNT composite as an anode for Li ion batteries

A SnO₂/Ni/CNT nanocomposite was synthesized using a simple one-step hydrothermal method followed by calcination. A structural study via XRD shows that the tetragonal rutile structure of SnO₂ is maintained. Further, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman studies confirm the existence of SnO₂ along with CNTs and Ni nanoparticles. The electrochemical performance was investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. The nanocomposite has been used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The SnO₂/Ni/CNT nanocomposite exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 5312 mA h g⁻¹ and a corresponding charge capacity of 2267 mA h g⁻¹ during the first cycle at 50 mA g⁻¹. Pristine SnO₂ showed a discharge/charge capacity of 1445/636 mA h g⁻¹ during the first cycle at 50 mA g⁻¹. This clearly shows the effects of the optimum concentrations of CNTs and Ni. Further, the nanocomposite (SnNiCn) shows a discharge capacity as high as 919 mA h g⁻¹ after 210 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g⁻¹ in a Li-ion battery set-up. Thus, the obtained capacity from the nanocomposite is much higher compared to pristine SnO₂. The higher capacity in the nanoheterostructure is due to the well-dispersed nanosized Ni-decorated stabilized SnO₂ along with the CNTs, avoiding pulverization as a result of the volumetric change of the nanoparticles being minimized. The material accommodates huge volume expansion and avoids the agglomeration of nanoparticles during the lithiation and delithiation processes. The Ni nanoparticles can successfully inhibit Sn coarsening during cycling, resulting in the enhancement of stability during reversible conversion reactions. They ultimately enhance the capacity, giving stability to the nanocomposite and improving performance. Additionally, the material exhibits a lower Warburg coefficient and higher Li ion diffusion coefficient, which in turn accelerate the interfacial charge transfer process; this is also responsible for the enhanced stable electrochemical performance. A detailed mechanism is expressed and elaborated on to provide a better understanding of the enhanced electrochemical performance.

SnO₂/Ni/CNT nanocomposite approach has been demonstrated which confers shielding against volume expansion due to the use of optimum % of Ni & CNT exhibiting superior cycling stability and rate capabilities of the stable electrode structure.

Facile synthesis of SnO2@carbon nanocomposites for lithium-ion batteries

SnO₂@C nanocomposite nanostructure approach is demonstrated, which confers shielding for volume expansion because of carbon. The SnO₂@C nanocomposite anode exhibits superior cycling stability and rate capability due to the stable electrode structure.

Adsorption mechanism of Pb2+ ions by Fe3O4, SnO2, and TiO2 nanoparticles

Nanosized sorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions are preferred due to high surface area, smaller size, and enhanced reactivity during adsorbate/adsorbent interactions. In the present study, Fe₃O₄, SnO₂, and TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by microemulsion-assisted precipitation method. The particles were characterized by BET surface area, X-rays diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy. The respective particle sizes calculated from TEM were 7 nm (± 2), 10 nm (± 2), and 20 nm (± 3) for Fe₃O₄, SnO₂, and TiO₂. The adsorbents were employed for the adsorption of Pb²⁺ ions from the aqueous solutions. The respective maximum adsorption capacity for Fe₃O₄, SnO₂, and TiO₂ nanoparticles was 53.33, 47.21, and 65.65 mg/g at 313 K. Based on the exchange reaction taking place on the surfaces of Fe₃O₄, SnO₂, and TiO₂, it is concluded that Pb²⁺ ions are adsorbed in hydrated form. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies also support the exchange mechanism and confirmed the presence of elements like Fe, Sn, Ti, Pb, and O and their oxidation states. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models in non-linear form were applied, however, based on R_L values, the Langmuir model fits well to the sorption data. Moreover, adsorption parameters were also determined by using non-linear form of the Langmuir model along with statistical approaches to remove error. The q_m and K_b values confirm better adsorption capacity and binding strength for Pb²⁺ ions as compared to the values reported in the literature.

M. Biowaste derived graphene quantum dots interlaced with SnO2 nanoparticles – a dynamic disinfection agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A biocidal GQD/SnO₂ nanocomposite derived from discarded sugarcane bagasse is a cost effective, renewable and green replacement for the traditional hazardous microbicides.

Tin Oxide-Carbon-Coated Sepiolite Nanofibers with Enhanced Lithium-Ion Storage Property

Natural sepiolite (Sep) nanofibers were coated with carbon and nanoscale SnO2 to prepare an emerging nanocomposite (SnO2-C@Sep), which exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance. Sepiolite could act as a steady skeleton, carbon coating principally led sepiolite from an isolated to an electric state, and decoration of nanoscale SnO2 was beneficial to the functionization of sepiolite. Cycling performances indicated that SnO2-C@Sep showed higher discharge capacities than commercial SnO2 after 50 cycles. The nanocomposite SnO2-C@Sep possessed enhanced lithium storage properties with stable capacity retention and low cost, which could open up a new strategy to synthesize a variety of functional hybrid materials based on the cheap and abundant clay and commercialization of lithium-metal oxide batteries.

SnO2@a-Si core-shell nanowires on free-standing CNT paper as a thin and flexible Li-ion battery anode with high areal capacity

Here, we report 3D hierarchical SnO₂ nanowire (NW) core-amorphous silicon shell on free-standing carbon nanotube paper (SnO₂@a-Si/CNT paper) as an effective anode for flexible lithium-ion battery (LIB) application. This binder-free electrode exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 3020 mAh g^-1 with a large reversible charge capacity of 1250 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 250 mA g^-1. Compared to other SnO₂ NW or its core-shell nanostructured anodes, the fabricated SnO₂@a-Si/CNT structure demonstrates an outstanding performance with high mass loading (∼5.9 mg cm^-2), high areal capacity (∼5.2 mAh cm^-2), and large volumetric capacity (∼1750 mAh cm^-3) after 25 cycles. Due to the incorporation of CNT paper as the current collector, the weight and thickness of the total electrode is effectively reduced with respect to the conventional LIB anodes. The fabricated electrode has a total thickness of only 30 μm and considering the total weight of the electrode (active mass + current collector), an initial discharge/charge capacity of 2460/1018 mAh g^-1 is obtained. Hence, this thin, lightweight and highly flexible structure is proposed as an excellent candidate for high-performance LIB anode materials, especially in flexible electronics.

Facile synthesis of 3D hierarchical MnO2 microspheres and their ultrahigh removal capacity for organic pollutants

The weight ratio of degraded MB to catalyst (40 mg mg⁻¹) is much higher than most reported values.

Hierarchical LiMn2O4 Hollow Cubes with Exposed {111} Planes as High-Power Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Hierarchical LiMn2O4 hollow cubes with exposed {111} planes have been synthesized using cube-shaped MnCO3 precursors, which are fabricated through a facile co-precipitation reaction. Without surface modification, the as-prepared LiMn2O4 exhibits excellent cyclability and superior rate capability. Surprisingly, even over 70% of primal discharge capacity can be maintained for up to 1000 cycles at 50 C, and with only about 72 s of discharge time the as-prepared materials can deliver initial discharge capacity of 96.5 mA h g(-1). What is more, the materials have 98.4% and 90.7% capacity retentions for up to 100 cycles at 5 C under the temperatures of 25 and 60 °C, respectively. The superior electrochemical performance can be attributed to the unique hierarchical and interior hollow structure, exposed {111} planes, and high-quality crystallinity.

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Porous NiCo2O4 Microspheres: Application as High Performance Asymmetric and Symmetric Supercapacitors with Large Areal Capacitance

Large areal capacitance is essentially required to integrate the energy storage devices at the microscale electronic appliances. Energy storage devices based on metal oxides are mostly fabricated with low mass loading per unit area which demonstrated low areal capacitance. It is still a challenge to fabricate supercapacitor devices of porous metal oxides with large areal capacitance. Herein we report microwave method followed by a pyrolysis of the as-prepared precursor is used to synthesize porous nickel cobaltite microspheres. Porous NiCo2O4 microspheres are capable to deliver large areal capacitance due to their high specific surface area and small crystallite size. The facile strategy is successfully demonstrated to fabricate aqueous-based asymmetric &symmetric supercapacitor devices of porous NiCo2O4 microspheres with high mass loading of electroactive materials. The asymmetric &symmetric devices exhibit maximum areal capacitance and energy density of 380 mF cm(-2) &19.1 Wh Kg(-1) and 194 mF cm(-2) &4.5 Wh Kg(-1) (based on total mass loading of 6.25 &6.0 mg) respectively at current density of 1 mA cm(-2). The successful fabrication of symmetric device also indicates that NiCo2O4 can also be used as the negative electrode material for futuristic asymmetric devices.

A high performance solid state asymmetric supercapacitor device based upon NiCo2O4nanosheets//MnO2microspheres

The volumetric energy density and power density of a novel solid state device (NiCo₂O₄//MnO₂) are much higher than most reported devices.