Designing N-doped graphene/ReSe_2/Ti_3C_2 MXene heterostructure frameworks as promising anodes for high-rate potassium-ion batteries

Developing high-performance anodes for potassium ion batteries(KIBs) is of paramount significance but remains challenging.In the normal sense,electrode materials are prepared by ubiquitous wet chemical routes,which otherwise might not be versatile enough to create desired heterostructures and/or form clean interfacial areas for fast transport of K-ions and electrons.Along this line,rate capability/cycling stability of resulting KIBs are greatly handicapped.Herein we present an all-chemical vapor deposition approach to harness the direct synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphene(NG)/rhenium diselenide(ReSe_2)hybrids over three-dimensional MXene supports as superior heterostructure anode material for KIBs.In such an innovative design,1 T'-ReSe2 nanoparticles are sandwiched in between the NG coatings and MXene frameworks via strong interfacial interactions,thereby affording facile K~+ diffusion,enhancing overall conductivity,boosting high-power performance and reinforcing structural stability of electrodes.Thus-constructed anode delivers an excellent rate performance of 138 mAh g^-1 at 10.0 A g^-1 and a high reversible capacity of 90 mAh g^-1 at 5 A g^-1 after 300 cycles.Furthermore,the potassium storage mechanism has been systematically probed by advanced in situlex situ characterization techniques in combination with first principles computations.     

Ca_2Nb_2O_7 as a Novel Open-framework Anode Material for Potassium-ion Batteries

Potassium-ion batteries(KIBs)are a promising alternative to Lithium-based energy storage systems owning to the low cost and rich abundance of potassium resources,but are facing challenges in designing low-cost hosts that can reversibly accommodate large-size K⁺with fast diffusion kinetics.Herein,we report a novel 3D inorganic open framework of Ca₂Nb₂O₇(CNO)as an anode for KIBs.The open framework structure affords interstitial vacancies available for storing K⁺and allows a facile diffusion of K⁺,thus resulting in excellent structural stability and fast reaction kinetics.The CNO electrode delivers a reversible specific capacity of 65.3 and 52.2 mAh/g at 5 and 10 mA/g,respectively.Moreover,CNO exhibits excellent long-term cyclability with 92.53%capacity retention over 700 cycles at 10 mA/g.This will trigger more investigations into open-framework-based materials for stable and fast KIBs.     

Porous surfur-doped hard carbon for excellent potassium storage

Hard carbon is promising anode for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs),however,the poor rate capability hinders its development as potential anode.To address this question,we design a sulfur-doped porous hard carbon(S-HC)for PIBs through the combination of structural design and composition adjustment.The as-designed S-HC exhibits a long cycling life with^191 mAh/g after 300 cycles at 1 A/g,and an excellent rate capability with^100 mAh/g at 5 A/g,which was attributed to its structural characteristics and compositions.The S-HC demonstrates to be promising anode in the future.     

Fabricating multi-porous carbon anode with remarkable initial coulombic efficiency and enhanced rate capability for sodium-ion batteries

Due to the abundant sodium reserves and high safety, sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are foreseen a promising future. While, hard carbon materials are very suitable for the anode of SIBs owing to their structure and cost advantages. However, the unsatisfactory initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) is one of the crucial blemishes of hard carbon materials and the slow sodium storage kinetics also hinders their wide application. Herein, with spherical nano SiO₂ as pore-forming agent, gelatin and polytetrafluoroethylene as carbon sources, a multi-porous carbon (MPC) material can be easily obtained via a co-pyrolysis method, by which carbonization and template removal can be achieved synchronously without the assistance of strong acids or strong bases. As a result, the MPC anode exhibited remarkable ICE of 83% and a high rate capability (208 mAh/g at 5 A/g) when used in sodium-ion half cells. Additionally, coupling with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ as the cathode to assemble full cells, the as-fabricated MPC//NVP full cell delivered a good rate capability (146 mAh/g at 5 A/g) as well, implying a good application prospect the MPC anode has     

Mesoporous carbon nanosheet-assembled flowers towards superior potassium storage

Potassium-ion batteries(PIBs) are attracted tremendous interest for large-scale energy storage systems(ESSs) owing to their economic merits.However,the main challenges of the PIBs are sluggish K-ion diffusion and large volume variations in the potassium repeated intercalation/deintercalation.Herein,mesoporous carbon nanosheet-assembled flowers(abbreviated as F-C) are designed as an original anode for superior-performance PIBs.Specifically,the F-C anode exhibits a high K-storage capacity(e.g.,381 mAh/g at 50 mA/g during the 2~(nd) cycle),excellent rate performance(e.g.,101 mAh/g at 2.0 A/g) and superior long cycle capability.Such excellent K-ion storage property is largely benefited from the large surface area(～141 m~2/g) and reasonable pore volume(0.465 cm~3/g),which not only stimulates rapid Kions diffusion and relieves the huge volume strain,but also exposes extensive active sites for K-ion capacitive storage.     

B-incorporated,N-doped hierarchically porous carbon nanosheets as anodes for boosted potassium storage capability

Carbonaceous nanomaterials with porous structure have become the highly promising anode materials for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs) due to their abundant resources, low-cost, and excellent conductivity. Nevertheless, the sluggish reaction kinetics and inferior cycling life caused by the large radius of K ions severely restrict their commercial development. Herein, B,N co-doped hierarchically porous carbon nanosheets(BNPC) are achieved via a facile template-assisted route, followed by a simple on...     

Dispersing SnO_2 nanocrystals in amorphous carbon as a cyclic durable anode material for lithium ion batteries

We demonstrate a facile route for the massive production of SnCb/carbon nanocomposite used as high-capacity anode materials of nextgeneration lithium-ion batteries.The nanocomposite had a unique structure of ultrafine SnO_2 nanocrystals(~5 nm,80 wt%) homogeneously dispersed in amorphous carbon matrix.This structure design can well accommodate the volume change of Li~+ insertion/desertion in SnO_2,and prevent the aggregation of the nanosized active materials during cycling,leading to superior cycle performance with stable reversible capacity of 400 mAh/g at a high current rate of 3.3 A/g.     

Dispersing SnO2 nanocrystals in amorphous carbon as a cyclic durable anode material for lithium ion batteries

We demonstrate a facile route for the massive production of SnCb/carbon nanocomposite used as high-capacity anode materials of nextgeneration lithium-ion batteries.The nanocomposite had a unique structure of ultrafine SnO2 nanocrystals（5 nm,80 wt%） homogeneously dispersed in amorphous carbon matrix.This structure design can well accommodate the volume change of Li＋ insertion/desertion in SnO2,and prevent the aggregation of the nanosized active materials during cycling,leading to superior cycle performance with stable reversible capacity of 400 mAh/g at a high current rate of 3.3 A/g.     

Poly(anthraquinonyl sulfide) cathode for potassium-ion batteries

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are a promising sustainable energy storage technology due to the high abundance and low cost of potassium. Carbon anode materials for KIBs have seen great successes, but the development of cathode materials is yet to catch up. In this study, poly(anthraquinonyl sulfide) (PAQS) is evaluated as a cathode material for KIBs. It exhibits a high reversible capacity of 200 mAh/g, which is the highest value for a potassium storage cathode material. The cell shows two slopes averaged at 2.1 and 1.6 V vs. K⁺/K. It shows a good cycling performance with the capacity retention of 75% after 50 cycles at a rate of C/10. These preliminary results indicate that PAQS is a promising cathode material for KIBs.     

A solvothermal pre-oxidation strategy converting pitch from soft carbon to hard carbon for enhanced sodium storage

Due to its low cost and easy availability, the pitch is considered a promising precursor for soft carbon anodes. However, pitch-derived soft carbon shows a high graphitization degree and small interlayer spacing, resulting in its much lower sodium storage performance than hard carbon. We propose a novel pre-oxidation strategy to introduce additional oxygen atoms into the low-cost soft carbon precursor pitch to fabricate a defect-rich and large-interlayer spacing hard carbon anode (HPP-1100). Compared with the direct pyrolysis of pitch carbon, the sodium storage capacity of HPP-1100 is significantly improved from 120.3 mAh/g to 306.7 mAh/g, with an excellent rate and cycling capability (116.5 mAh/g at 10 C). Moreover, when assorted with an O3-Na(NiFeMn)_1/3O₂ cathode, the full cell delivers a high reversible capacity of 274.0 mAh/g at 0.1 C with superb cycle life. This work provides a new solution for realizing the application of low-cost pitch anodes in Na-ion batteries.     

Soft carbon-coated bulk graphite for improved potassium ion storage

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have attracted tremendous attention for large-scale energy storage fields based on abundant potassium resources. Graphite is a promising anode material for PIBs due to its low potassium ion intercalation voltage and mature industrialized preparation technology. However, the inability of graphitic structures to endure large volume change during charge/discharge cycles is a major limitation in their advancement for practical PIBs. Herein, a soft carbon-coated bulk graphite composite is synthesized using PTCDA as a carbon precursor. The PTCDA-derived soft carbon coating layer with large interlayer distance facilities fast potassium ion intercalation/extraction in the BG@C composite and buffers severe volume change during the charge/discharge cycles. When tested as anode for PIBs, the composite realizes enhanced rate capability (131.3 mAh/g at 2 C, 1 C = 279 mA/g) and cycling performance (capacity retention of 76.1% after 150 cycles at 0.5 C). In general, the surface modification route to engineer graphite anode could inherently improve the electrochemical performance without any structural alteration.     

Reversible 3-Li storage reactions of amorphous phosphorus as high capacity and cycling-stable anodes for Li-ion batteries

An amorphous phosphorus/carbon nanocomposite demonstrates a reversible 3-Li storage capacity of 2355 mAh g(-1) with an excellent capacity retention of 90% over 100 cycles and a superior power capability with 62% of its capacity realizable at a very high rate of 8000 mA g(-1), possibly serving as a high capacity and high rate alternative anode for next-generation Li-ion batteries.     

Facile simultaneous polymerization enabled in-situ confinement of size-tailored GeO2 nanocrystals in continuous S-Doped carbons for lithium storage

GeO₂ is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity (1126 mAh g^?1 for reversibly storing 4.4 Li⁺), and moderately low operating voltage (<1.5 V). Nevertheless, the fabrication of truly durable GeO₂ anode with satisfactory rate capability and cycling stability remains a big challenge because of its inherent low conductivity, and the large volume expansion upon charge-discharge that causes severe capacity fading. In this study, an innovative nanostructure with size-adjustable GeO₂ nanoparticles (16–26 nm) embedded in continuous S-doped carbon (GeO₂/S-doped carbon, GSC) has been successfully fabricated via a facile in-situ simultaneous polymerization method followed by heat treatment. The electrochemical results indicate that the as-prepared GSC composites show high reversible capacity (672.9 mAh g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1), superior rate capability (332.9 mAh g^?1 at 1000 mA g^?1), and long-term cycle life (179 mAh g^?1 after 500 cycles at 1000 mA g^?1) as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The excellent electrochemical performance of GSC nanocomposites could be ascribed to the homogeneous and continuous S-doped carbon matrix, which provides shortened ion diffusion pathway, increased electrical conductivity, enhanced structural stability, and introduced surface/interface property.     

Construction of CoS_2 nanoparticles embedded in well-structured carbon nanocubes for high-performance potassium-ion half/full batteries

Metal sulfides have been widely investigated as promising electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities.However,the practical application of metal sulfides in PIBs is still hindered by their intrinsic shortcomings of low conductivity and severe volume changes during the potassiation/depotassiation process.Herein,a simple template-based two-step annealing strategy is proposed to impregnate CoS_2 nanoparticles in the well-structured carbon nanocubes(denoted CoS_2/CNCs) as an advanced anode material for PIBs.The ex-situ XRD measurements reveal the K storage mechanism in CoS_2/CNCs.Benefiting from the unique structures,including abundant active interfacial sites,high electronic conductivity,and significantly alleviated volume variation,CoS_2/CNCs present a high specific capacity(537.3 mAh g~(-1) at0.1 A g~(-1)),good cycling stability(322.4 mAh g~(-1) at 0.5 A g~(-1) after 300 cycles),and excellent rate capability(153.1 mAh g~(-1) at5 A g~(-1)).Moreover,the obtained nanocomposite shows superior potassium storage properties in K-ion full cells when it is coupled with a KVP04 F cathode.     

Se-decorated SnO2/rGO composite spheres and their sodium storage performances

SnO₂ is considered a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost.However,the poor electrical conductivity and dramatic volume variation during cha rge/discharge cycling is a major limitation in its practical applicability.Here we propose a simple onepot spray pyrolysis process to construct unique pomegranate-like SnO₂/rGO/Se spheres.The ideal structural configuration of these architectures was effective in alleviating the large volume variation of SnO₂,besides facilitating rapid electron transfer,allowing the devised anode to exhibit superior sodium sto rage performances in terms of capacity(506.7 mAh/g at 30 mA/g),cycle performance(397 mAh/g after100 cycles at 50 mA/g) and rate capability(188.9 mAh/g at an ultrahigh current density of 10 A/g).The experimental evidence confirms the practical workability of p-SnO₂/rGO/Se spheres in SIBs.     

A novel synthesis of Nb_2O_5@rGO nanocomposite as anode material for superior sodium storage

The development of novel anode materials,with superior rate capability,is of utmost significance for the successful realization of sodium-ion batteries(SIBs).Herein,we present a nanocomposite of Nb_2 O_5 and reduced graphene oxide(rGO) by using hydrothermal-assisted microemulsion route.The water-in-oil microemulsion formed nanoreactors,which restrained the particle size of Nb_2 O_5 and shortened the diffusion length of ions.Moreover,the rGO network prevented agglomeration of Nb_2 O_5 nanoparticles and improved electronic conductivity.Consequently,Nb_2 O_5@rGO nanocomposite is employed as anode material in SIBs,delivering a capacity of 195 mAh/g after 200 charge/discharge cycles at 0.2 A/g.Moreover,owing to conductive rGO network,the Nb_2 O_5@rGO electrode rende red a specific capacity of 76 mAh/g at high current density of 10 A/g and maintained 98 mAh/g after 1000 charge/discharge cycles at 2 A/g.The Nb_2 O_5@rGO electrode material prepared by microemulsion method shows promising possibilities for application of SIBs.     

Constructing oxygen-deficient V2O3@C nanospheres for high performance potassium ion batteries

Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) have been regarded as promising alternatives to lithium ion batteries (LIBs) on account of their abundant resource and low cost in large scale energy storage applications. However, it still remains great challenges to explore suitable electrode materials that can reversibly accommodate large size of potassium ions. Here, we construct oxygen-deficient V₂O₃ nanoparticles encapsulated in amorphous carbon shell (O_d-V₂O₃@C) as anode materials for PIBs by subtly combining the strategies of morphology and deficiency engineering. The MOF derived nanostructure along with uniform carbon coating layer can not only enables fast K⁺ migration and charge transfer kinetics, but also accommodate volume change and maintain structural stability. Besides, the introduction of oxygen deficiency intrinsically tunes the electronic structure of materials according to DFT calculation, and thus lead to improved electrochemical performance. When utilized as anode for PIBs, O_d-V₂O₃@C electrode exhibits superior rate capability (reversible capacities of 262.8, 227.8, 201.5, 179.8, 156.9 mAh/g at 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 mA/g, respectively), and ultralong cycle life (127.4 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at 2 A/g). This study demonstrates a feasible way to realize high performance PIBs through morphology and deficiency engineering.     

Tea-derived carbon materials as anode for high-performance sodium ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIB) have attracted widespread attention in large-scale energy storage fields owing to the abundant reserve in the earth and similar properties of sodium to lithium. Biomass-based carbon materials with low-cost, controllable structure, simple processing technology, and environmental friendliness tick almost all the right boxes as one of the promising anode materials for SIB. Herein, we present a simple novel strategy involving tea tomenta biomass-derived carbon anode with enhanced interlayer carbon distance (0.44 nm) and high performance, which is constructed by N,P co-doped hard carbon (Tea-1100-NP) derived from tea tomenta. The prepared Tea-1100-NP composite could deliver a high reversible capacity (326.1 mAh/g at 28 mA/g), high initial coulombic efficiency (ICE = 90% at 28 mA/g), stable cycle life (262.4 mAh/g at 280 mA/g for 100 cycles), and superior rate performance (224.5 mAh/g at 1400 mA/g). Experimental results show that the excellent electrochemical performance of Tea-1100-NP due to the high number of active N,P-containing groups, and disordered amorphous structures provide ample active sites and increase the conductivity, meanwhile, large amounts of microporous shorten the Na⁺ diffusion distance as well as quicken ion transport. This work provides a new type of N,P co-doped high-performance tomenta-derived carbon, which may also greatly promote the commercial application of SIB.     

Rational Synthesis of “Grape-like” Ni2V2O7 Microspheres as High-capacity Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Vanadates have received booming attention recently as promising materials for extensive electrochemical devices such as batteries and electrocatalysis. However, the enormous difficulties of achieving pure-phase transition metal vanadates, especially for nickel-based, hinder their exploitations. Herein, for the first time, by controlling the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) and reaction time, grape-like Ni₂V₂O₇ (or V₂O₅/Ni₂V₂O₇) microspheres were rationally fabricated. It is demonstrated that the EG can chelate both Ni²⁺ and VO₃⁻ to form organometallic precursors. As anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), it could deliver superior reversible capacity of 1050 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and excellent rate capability of 600 mAh/g at 4 A/g. The facile hydrothermal synthesis broadens the material variety of nickel vanadates and offers new opportunities for their wider applications in electrochemistry.     

Low-coordination water Prussian white as cathode for high-performance potassium-ion batteries

Prussian whites(PWs) with a three-dimensional framework can accommodate the insertion and extraction of ions with large radius,which have been widely used in potassium ion batteries.However,PWs show the poor cycling performance and inferior rate ability because of high coordinated water.In this work,PWs with different water content were synthesized via a coprecipitation method by controlling the reaction temperature.The sample with low-coordination water prohibits the best electrochemical performance.It shows a high capacity of 120.5 mAh/g at 100 mA/g for potassium-ion batteries(KIBs).It also exhibits a good rate performance,displaying a capacity of 73.2 mAh/g at 500 mA/g.