MnS hollow microspheres combined with carbon nanotubes for enhanced performance sodium-ion battery anode

MnS as anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) has recently attracted great attention because of the high theoretical capacity, great natural abundance, and low cost. However, it suffers from inferior electrical conductivity and large volume expansion during the charge/discharge process, leading to tremendous damage of electrodes and subsequently fast capacity fading. To mitigate these issues, herein, a three-dimensional (3D) interlaced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) threaded into or between MnS hollow microspheres (hollow MnS/CNTs composite) has been designed and synthesized as an enhanced anode material. It can effectively improve the electrical conductivity, buffer the volume change, and maintain the integrity of the electrode during the charging and discharging process based on the synergistic interaction and the integrative structure. Therefore, when evaluated as anode for SIBs, the hollow MnS/CNTs electrode displays enhanced reversible capacity (275 mAh/g at 100 mA/g after 100 cycles), which is much better than that of pure MnS electrode (25 mAh/g at 100 mA/g after 100 cycles) prepared without the addition of CNTs. Even increasing the current density to 500 mA/g, the hollow MnS/CNTs electrode still delivers a five times higher reversible capacity than that of the pure MnS electrode. The rate performance of the hollow MnS/CNTs electrode is also superior to that of pure MnS electrode at various current densities from 50 mA/g to 1000 mA/g.     

Net-like SnS/carbon nanocomposite film anode material for lithium ion batteries

SnS particles with sizes of 5.0–6.5 nm were prepared by a facile method. Resorcinol–formaldehyde sol with addition of the as-prepared SnS nanoparticles was spin-coated on a copper foil to prepare net-like SnS/C composite thin-film electrode for lithium ion batteries after carbonization at 650 °C. The SnS/C nanocomposite thin-film electrode showed preferable first coulombic efficiency and excellent cycling stability. The discharge and charge capacities were respectively 542.3 and 531.3 mAh/g after 40 cycles. The attractive electrochemical performances were mainly ascribed to the ultra fine particle, which showed no evident aggregation in high-resolution TEM image, and the effects of 3-dimensional net-like carbon structure, which uniformly surrounded the SnS nanoparticles to guarantee the contact, acted as a buffer matrix to alleviate the volume expansion of Li–Sn alloy and provided enough paths for electrolyte to reach SnS active material during discharge–charge process.     

Synthesis of MXene-supported layered MoS2 with enhanced electrochemical performance for Mg batteries

In this paper, the petal-like MoS₂/MXene composite has been successfully synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method. With the combination of few-layer MoS₂ nanosheets and the high conductive MXene substrate, the composite exhibits enhanced capacities and rate performance as cathode material of Mg batteries.     

Polyimide-derived carbon nanofiber membranes as anodes for high-performance flexible lithium ion batteries

Heteroatoms-doped carbon nanofiber membranes with flexible features were prepared by electrospinning with heterocyclic polyimide (PI) structures containing biphenyl and pyrimidine rings. The products with optimized treatment could achieve 695 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and retain 245 mAh/g at 1.5 A/g after 300 cycles when used as anode for Li-ion batteries.     

MOF-derived ZnCo2O4/C wrapped on carbon fiber as anode materials for structural lithium-ion batteries

In this work, large area MOF-derived ZnCo₂O₄/C anchored on carbon fiber as high-performance anode materials was fabricated via a facile method and subsequent annealing treatment.     

Nano-LiCoO2 as cathode material of large capacity and high rate capability for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries

Crystalline nanoparticles of LiCoO₂ are prepared by a sol–gel method at 550 °C and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Their electrochemical behaviors were characterized by cyclic voltammograms, capacity measurement and cycling performance. Results show that the reversible capacity of the nano-LiCoO₂ can be up to 143 mAh/g at 1000 mA/g and still be 133 mAh/g at 10,000 mA/g (about 70C) in 0.5 mol/l Li₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte. In addition, their cycling behavior is also very satisfactory, no evident capacity fading during the initial 40 cycles. These data present great promise for the application of aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries.     

Facile synthesized Cu-SnO2 anode materials with three-dimensional metal cluster conducting architecture for high performance lithium-ion batteries

A novel Cu-SnO₂ anode material derived from Cu₆Sn₅ alloy, retaining high conductivity of Cu and high theoretical capacity of SnO₂ with a facile synthesizing process by oxidation and reduction method. The novel Cu structure penetrates in the composite particles inducing high conductivity and spaceconfined SnO₂, which restrict the pulverization of SnO₂ during lithiation/delithiation process.     

Protection of Li metal anode by surface-coating of PVDF thin film to enhance the cycling performance of Li batteries

The PVDF thin film on the surface of the lithium metal can highly suppress the lithium dendrites.     

Bismuth oxide nanoflake@carbon film: A free-standing battery-type electrode for aqueous sodium ion hybrid supercapacitors

An efficient strategy is developed to fabricate binder-free Bi₂O₃@C nanoflake film anode, which is utilized to assemble a high-performance aqueous sodium ion hybrid supercapacitor.     

Porous nanocomposite derived from Zn,Ni-bimetallic metal-organic framework as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A highly stable and Zn, Ni-bimetallic porous composite was synthesized via a one-step pyrolysis of a bimetal-organic framework as an efficient anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Remarkably the obtained composite shows 1105.2 mAh/g at a current density of 5000 mA/g after 400 cycles which makes it a promising candidate to improve the volumetric energy density.     

A Co(OH)2−graphene nanosheets composite as a high performance anode material for rechargeable lithium batteries

A Co(OH)₂?graphene nanosheets (Co(OH)₂?GNS) composite as a high performance anode material was firstly prepared through a simultaneous hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the obtained samples were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electrochemical measurements. According to the TEM analysis, the surface of the Co(OH)₂ is surrounded with GNS in the Co(OH)₂?GNS composite. The specific discharge (lithiation) and charge (delithiation) capacities of Co(OH)₂?GNS attain to 1599 and 1120 mAh/g at a current density of 200 mA/g in the first cycle, respectively. After 30 cycles, the reversible capacity of Co(OH)₂?GNS is still 910 mAh/g with the retention of 82%. The particular structure of Co(OH)₂ particles surrounded by the GNS could limit the volume change during cycling and provide an excellent electronic conduction pathway, which could be the main reason for the remarkable improvement of electrochemical performance.     

Si–AB5 composites as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

The Si–AB₅ (MmNi_3.6Co_0.7Al_0.3Mn_0.4 alloy) composites with a high tap density as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were synthesized by ball-milling. Si nanoparticles are distributed homogeneously on the surface of the AB₅ matrix. The electrochemical performance of the Si–AB₅ composites as a function of Si content was investigated. It is demonstrated that the Si–AB₅ composite delivers a larger reversible capacity and better cycle ability because the inactive AB₅ alloy can accommodate the large volume changes of Si nanoparticles distributed on the surface of the Si–AB₅ composite during cycling. In particular, the Si–AB₅ composite containing 20 wt% Si with the high tap density of 2.8 g/cm³ obtained after ball-milling for 11 h exhibits an initial and maximum reversible (charge) capacity of 370 and 385 mAh/g. The high capacity retention can be achieved after 50 cycles in the potential range from 0.02 to 1.5 V.     

Laser processed micro-supercapacitors based on carbon nanotubes/manganese dioxide nanosheets composite with excellent electrochemical performance and aesthetic property

A laser processed micro-supercapacitor (LPMS) based on carbon nanotubes/manganese dioxide composite is fabricated through slurry dispensing and laser scribing techniques. This device presents superior electrochemical performance and aesthetic property.     

Paper-like free-standing polypyrrole and polypyrrole–LiFePO4 composite films for flexible and bendable rechargeable battery

Highly flexible, paper-like, free-standing polypyrrole and polypyrrole–LiFePO₄ composite films were prepared using the electropolymerization method. The films are soft, lightweight, mechanically robust and highly electrically conductivity. The electrochemical behavior of the free-standing films was examined against lithium counter electrode. The electrochemical performance of the free-standing pure PPy electrode was improved by incorporating the most promising cathode material, LiFePO₄, into the PPy films. The cell with PPy–LiFePO₄ composite film had a higher discharge capacity beyond 50 cycles (80 mA h/g) than that of the cell with pure PPy (60 mA h/g). The free-standing films can be used as electrode materials to satisfy the new market demand for flexible and bendable batteries that are suitable for the various types of design and power needs of soft portable electronic equipment.     

Vertical crosslinking MoS2/three-dimensional graphene composite towards high performance supercapacitor

The vertical crosslinking MoS₂/three-dimensional graphene composite has been prepared by hydrothermal method, which delivered a superior and stable electrochemical capacitive performance.     

Electrostatic Interactions Leading to Hierarchical Interpenetrating Electroconductive Networks in Silicon Anodes for Fast Lithium Storage

Recently, the frequency of combining MXene, which has unique properties such as metal-level conductivity and large specific surface area, with silicon to achieve excellent electrochemical performance has increased considerably. There is no doubt that the introduction of MXene can improve the conductivity of silicon and the cycling stability of electrodes after elaborate structure design. However, most exhaustive contacts can only improve the electrode conductivity on the plane. Herein, a MXene@Si/CNTs (HIEN-MSC) composite with hierarchical interpenetrating electroconductive networks has been synthesized by electrostatic self-assembly. In this process, the CNTs are first combined with silicon nanoparticles and then assembled with MXene nanosheets. Inserting CNTs into silicon nanoparticles can not only reduce the latter‘s agglomeration, but also immobilizes them on the three-dimensional conductive framework composed of CNTs and MXene nanosheets. Therefore, the HIEN-MSC electrode shows superior rate performance (high reversible capacity of 280 mA h⁻¹ even tested at 10 A g⁻¹), cycling stability (stable reversible capacity of 547 mA h g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹) and applicability (a high reversible capacity of 101 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles when assembled with NCM622 into a full cell). These results may provide new insights for other electrodes with excellent rate performance and long-cycle stability.     

A non-aqueous Li/organosulfur semi-solid flow battery

A non-aqueous Li/organosulfur semi-solid flow battery is constructed. The battery with a high cell voltage of 3.36 V achieves coulombic efficiency of 99%, voltage efficiency of 73% and energy efficiency of 72% at the current density of 5 mA/cm².     

Microstructure changes to iron nanoparticles during discharge/charge cycles

Iron nanoparticles that were synthesized by chemical reduction were used as the active material at the electrode, followed by measurement of their capacity during discharge/charge cycles. The discharge capacity of the first cycle was extremely high, 510 mAh/g-Fe, at a current density of 200 mA/g-Fe, indicating a marked increase in the capacity and the output current of iron electrodes when nanoparticles of iron, instead of micron-sized particles were used as the active materials. However, this capacity deteriorated rapidly during the discharge/charge cycles, while the size of iron nanoparticles increased, suggesting that the dissolution and re-crystallization of iron could have occurred during these cycles. A good correlation was found between the capacities and the surface areas of iron nanoparticles following each cycle. Our result further demonstrated that the capacity depends only on the surface area of iron particles, varying by 30 mAh with every 1 m² of iron.     

K0.67Ni0.17Co0.17Mn0.66O2: A cathode material for potassium-ion battery

A novel layered ternary material K_0.67Ni_0.17Co_0.17Mn_0.66O₂ has been fabricated via a co-precipitation assisted solid-phase method and further evaluated as a cathode for potassium-ion batteries for the first time. Highly reversible K⁺ intercalation/deintercalation is demonstrated in this material. It delivers a reversible capacity of 76.5 mAh/g with average voltage of 3.1 V and shows good cycling performance with capacity retention of 87% after 100 cycles at 20 mA/g. This work may give a new insight into developing cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries.     

NiSe2 nanoparticles encapsulated in CNTs covered and N-doped TiN/carbon nanofibers as a binder-free anode for advanced sodium-ion batteries

Metal selenides are promising anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to the high theoretical capacity through conversion reaction mechanism. However, developing metal selenides with superior electrochemical sodium-ion storage performance is still a great challenge. In this work, a novel composite material of free-standing NiSe₂ nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped TiN/carbon composite nanofibers with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in-situ grown on the surface (NiSe₂@N-TCF/CNTs) is prepared by electrospinning and pyrolysis technique. In this composite materials, NiSe₂ nanoparticles on the surface of carbon nanofibers were encapsulated into CNTs, thus avoiding aggregation. The in-situ grown CNTs not only improve the conductivity but also act as a buffer to accommodate the volume expansion. TiN inside the nanofibers further enhances the conductivity and structural stability of carbon-based nanofibers. When directly used as anode for SIBs, the NiSe₂@N-TCF/CNT electrode delivered a reversible capacity of 392.1 mAh/g after 1000 cycles and still maintained 334.4 mAh/g even at a high rate of 2 A/g. The excellent sodium-ion storage performance can be attributed to the fast Na⁺ diffusion and transfer rate and the pseudocapacitance dominated charge storage mechanism, as is evidenced by kinetic analysis. The work provides a novel approach to the fabrication of high-performance anode materials for other batteries.