Fabrication of Nb2O5/C nanocomposites as a high performance anode for lithium ion battery

Nb₂O₅/C nanosheets are successfully prepared through a mixing process and followed by heating treatment.Such Nb₂O₅/C based electrode exhibits high rate performance and remarkable cycling ability, showing a high and stable specific capacity of ~380 mAh g^-1 at the current density of 50 mA g^-1(much higher than the theoretical capacity of Nb₂O₅).Further more,at a current density of 500 mA g^-1,the nanocomposites electrode still exhibits a specific capacity of above 150 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles.These results suggest the Nb₂O₅/C nanocomposite is a high performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.     

基于三维花状五氧化二铌及活性炭的锂离子混合电容器

锂离子混合电容器由于兼备锂离子电池和超级电容器的优势,即较高的能量密度和功率密度,而成为当前能量存储体系的研究热点。本工作合成了具有三维花状微纳结构的正交相五氧化二铌(T-Nb_2O_5),并将其与活性炭(AC)相匹配,设计出一种新型的T-Nb_2O_5/AC锂离子混合电容器。循环伏安和恒电流充放电的测试结果表明该锂离子混合电容器具有较好的电化学性能,如在碳酸酯类的有机电解液中,工作电压可达到3.0 V;在100 m A·g~(-1)的电流密度下,电容器的比能量和比功率密度可达到53.79 Wh·kg~(-1)和294 W·kg~(-1);在200 m A·g~(-1)的电流密度下,经过1000次充放电循环后,该电容器的比能量保持率为73%。由此可见,本工作开发的T-Nb_2O_5/AC锂离子混合电容器将在高功率的储能设备中有很好地应用前景。     

Microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis of tin niobates nanosheets with high cycle stability as lithium-ion battery anodes

SnNb₂O₆ and Sn₂Nb₂O₇ nanosheets were synthetized via microwave assisted hydrothermal method, and innovatively employed as anode materials for lithium-ion battery. Compared with Sn₂Nb₂O₇ and the previously reported pure Sn-based anode materials, the SnNb₂O₆ electrode exhibited outstanding cycling performance.     

SnS2/graphene nanocomposite: A high rate anode material for lithium ion battery

In this work,via a facile solvothermal route,we synthesized an anode material for lithium ion batteries(LIBs)—SnS_2 nanoparticle/graphene(SnS_2 NP/GNs) nanocomposite.The nanocomposite consists of SnS_2nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4 nm and graphene nanosheets without restacking.The SnS_2 nanoparticles are firmly anchored on the graphene nanosheets.As an anode material for LIBs,the nanocomposite exhibits good Li storage performance especially high rate performance.At the high current rate of 5,10,and 20 A/g,the nanocomposite delivered high capacities of 525,443,and 378 mAh/g,respectively.The good conductivity of the graphene nanosheets and the small particle size of SnS_2contribute to the electrochemical performance of SnS_2 NP/GNs.     

Synthesis and Visible-light Photocatalytic Performance of C-doped Nb2O5 with High Surface Area

C-doped Nb₂O₅ with abundant mesopores has been successfully synthesized through a facile solvothermal synthetic strategy followed by calcination treatment. The resulting C-doped Nb₂O₅ displayed the highest BET surface area(345 m²/g) and large mesopore size(ca. 4.2 nm), capable of offering more accessible active sites as well as faster mass transfer for catalysis. Besides, the doping of C(2.21%, molar fraction) at the O sites in Nb₂O₅ lattice greatly enhanced visible-light response by lowering the band gap, thereby making the material a photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation. Typically, the C-doped Nb₂O₅ exhibited a high H₂ evolution rate of ca. 39.10 μmol·g^-1·h^-1 and also degraded RhB dye completely after 30 min of visible light exposure, which turned out to be much better than Degussa P25 and pure Nb₂O₅ catalysts.     

Fabrication of high performance thin films from metal fluorocomplex aqueous solution by the liquid phase deposition

The hetro-structured oxide thin films from metal fluorocomplex solution have been prepared by the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method. The Pt/Nb₂O₅ and Au/Nb₂O₅ composite films can be prepared from a mixed solution of niobium source, H₃BO₃, Pt(NH₃)₄Cl₂ and HAuCl₄ aqueous solutions under the ambient temperature and atmosphere. In the case of Au/SiO₂ composite film, (NH₄)₂SiF₆ solution is used as a mother solution. The Pt and Au ionic species are deposited in Nb₂O₅ and SiO₂ matrices. They are reduced to their metallic state after treatment above 200 °C. The size of dispersed particles can be controlled by heat treatment temperature. It is also clear that, gold nanoparticles are also found to interact with SiO₂, although the interaction is smaller than that with Nb₂O₅ showing the size of Au nanoparticles remain smaller in Nb₂O₅ that in SiO₂.     

Synthesis of iron oxide cubes/reduced graphene oxide composite and its enhanced lithium storage performance

Fe₃O₄ is considered as a promising electrode material for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) due to its low cost and high theoretical capacity(928 mAh/g).Nevertheless,the huge volume expansion and poor conductivity seriously hamper its practical applications.In this study,we use a facile hydrothermal reaction together with a post heat treatment to construct the three-dimensional heterostructured composite(Fe₃O₄/rGO) inwhich reduced graphene oxide sheets wraped the Fe₃O₄ submicron cubes as the conductive network.The electric conduction and electrode kinetics of lithium ion insertion/extraction reaction of the composite is enhanced due to the assist of conductive rGO,and thus the Listorage performance is obviously improved.The composite exhibits a reversible charge capacity of772.1 mAh/g at the current density of 0.1 A/g,and the capacity retention reaches 70.3% after400 cycles at0.5 A/g,demonstrating obviously higher specific capacity and rate capability over the Fe₃O₄ submicron cubes without rGO,and much superior cycling stability to the parent Fe_2 O_3 submicron cubes without rGO.On the other hand,as a synergic conductive carbon support,the flexible rGO plays an important role in buffering the large volume change during the repeated discharge/charge cycling.     

Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Nanowires with NiO Nanosheet as Precursor via a Topochemical Solid State Method

Large scale NiFe₂O₄ nanowires were synthesized with NiO nanosheets as precursor by means of the topochemical solid state method. The morphologies and magnetic properties of NiFe₂O₄ annealed at different temperatures were studied. An appropriate annealing temperature was requested to transfer NiO nanosheets and Fe^- ions into NiFe₂O₄ nanowires. In the beginning stage of synthesizing process, the shape of NiO nanosheets remained unchanged at low temperatures. And then, NiO nanosheets split into nanowires from 400℃ to 600℃. At last they transformed into nanoparticles from 700℃ to 1000℃. Thus, the optimized annealing temperature was selected as 600℃ because the NiFe₂O₄ obtained at 600℃(N600) exhibited a maximum aspect ratio of 50 with a diameter of 20 nm and a length of 1 μm. Furthermore, N600 also displayed the largest magnetization value of 26.86 A·m²/kg and the lowest coercivity(H_c) of 8914 A/m.     

Ni3S2@碳纳米管复合材料的制备及其储钠性能

采用一步固相煅烧工艺制备了碳纳米管原位封装Ni₃S₂纳米颗粒（Ni₃S₂@CNT）,并研究了其作为钠离子电池（SIBs）负极材料的电化学性能. 通过X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、循环伏安测试、恒流充放电以及交流阻抗等研究了Ni₃S₂@CNT的物相结构、形貌特征以及电化学性能. 电化学测试表明,材料在100 mA·g ^-1电流密度下,放电容量可以达到541.6 mAh·g ^-1,甚至在2000 mA·g ^-1的大电流密度下其放电比容量也可以维持在274.5 mAh·g ^-1. 另外,材料在100 mA·g ^-1电流密度下,经过120周充放电循环后其放电和充电比容量仍然可以保持在374.5 mAh·g ^-1和359.3 mAh·g ^-1,说明其具有良好倍率性能和循环稳定性能. 良好的电化学性能归因于这种独特的碳纳米管原位封装Ni₃S₂纳米颗粒结构. 碳纳米管不但可以提高复合材料的导电性,也可以缓冲Ni₃S₂纳米颗粒在反复充放电过程中产生的体积膨胀效应,明显改善了Ni₃S₂@CNT负极复合材料的电化学性能.     

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 as a concentration-gradient cathode material for lithium batteries

A well-ordered and spherical LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode material was successfully synthesized from Ni and Mn concentration-gradient precursors via co-precipitation. The crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and charge-discharge tests. The material delivered an initial discharge capacity of 174.3 mAh/g at 180 mA/g （1 C rate） between 2.8 and 4.3 V and more than 93.1% of that was retained after 100 cycles. In addition, it also exhibited excellent rate capability, high cut-off voltage and temperature performance.     

Fe_3O_4/RGO复合材料的制备及其电化学性能研究

以改进Hummers法合成的氧化石墨烯(GO)为前驱体,通过水热法结合烧结工艺制备了四氧化三铁/还原氧化石墨烯(Fe_3O_4/RGO)复合材料。利用X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)等手段对复合材料的理化性能进行表征;通过充放电测试、循环伏安(CV)和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)等技术,综合考察了材料的储锂性能及电化学性能增强机制。结果表明,在200和600 m A/g电流密度下,Fe_3O_4/RGO复合负极循环60次后的放电比容量分别保持在709和479 mAh/g,表现出良好的倍率性能;相较于纯Fe_3O_4负极,复合负极呈现出更优异的锂电性能,其电化学性能的改善得益于RGO能增强材料的电导性和结构稳定性。     

微纳结构富锂锰基层状正极材料的形貌调控与储锂性能

以金属醋酸盐为原料, 尿素为沉淀剂, 采用水热法辅助高温煅烧制备了三维微纳结构富锂锰基层状材料Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂. 通过调整反应溶剂实现了镍钴锰碳酸盐前驱体向球状和纺锤体状的导向性生长. 其中纺锤体状富锂材料在0.1C倍率下首次放电容量接近300 mA·h/g, 在5C大倍率下放电容量能够达到92 mA·h/g, 在0.5C倍率下循环70周容量保留率能够达到85%.     

Synthesis of carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 and its electrochemical performance as anode material for lithium-ion battery

Carbon-coated Li_4Ti_5O_(12) sample was synthesized by a sol-gel method. The Li_4Ti_5O_(12) powders were obtained by calcinations of the gels at 750, 800, 850,900 ℃ at N_2 atmosphere. The structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of the materials were characterized by SEM, XRD and charge and discharge. The final product sintered at 850 ℃ demonstrates excellent performance with a specific capacity of 163.5 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 1C. Furthermore, the discharge specific capacity of the sample can retain 80 mAh/g at 10C.     

Free-standing vanadium pentoxide nanoribbon film as a high-performance cathode for rechargeable sodium batteries

Vanadium pentoxide(V_2O_5·nH_2O) nanoribbons are synthesized via a hydrothermal process. These ribbons are 20 nm thick, 200 nm to 1 μm wide and several tens of micrometers long. Free-standing binder-free films are prepared by using these nanoribbons with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) and used as the cathode for rechargeable sodium batteries. The large interlayer space between the V_2O_5 bilayers can enhance the kinetics of sodium ion intercalation/deintercalation. In addition, the intertwining network of the V_2O_5·0.34 H_2O film provides efficient electron conduction pathways and shortens diffusion distances of sodium ion. The electrochemical tests prove that the freestanding V_2O_5 · 0.34 H_2O film cathode delivers high reversible specific capacities(190 mAh/g) and good cycling stabilities(170 mAh/g after 150 cycles) in the voltage range between 1.5 V and 3.5 V.     

A novel nonaqueous route to V2O3 and Nb2O5 nanocrystals

The reaction between transition metal alkoxides and benzyl alcohol provides a novel soft chemistry route to metal oxide nanoparticles. The method allows the preparation of nanocrystals of two important transition metal oxides, namely V₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅. Although the reaction temperatures of 200–220 °C are comparably low, the obtained particles are highly crystalline. According to TEM investigations, the V₂O₃ crystals exhibit particle sizes between 20 and 50 nm, and the Nb₂O₅ crystals display platelet-like particle shapes with sizes of 50–80 nm, without any indications of amorphous character.     

三维多级孔类石墨烯载三氧化二铁锂离子电池负极材料

采用简单的水解、热处理方法合成三氧化二铁（Fe₂O₃）负载在三维多级孔类石墨烯（3D HPG）上的复合材料. 3D HPG有效的导电网络有利于负载纳米Fe₂O₃,使其呈均匀分散状态,并有效增强纳米复合物的导电率,提高Fe₂O₃利用率,抑制纳米Fe₂O₃的团聚,从而制得稳定、高性能的锂离子电池负极材料. Fe₂O₃-3D HPG电极在50 mA·g^-1电流密度下首次放电容量达1745 mAh·g^-1,50周期放电容量保持于1095 mAh·g^-1.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Co3O4/Graphene

Co3O4/reduced graphene oxide composites were synthesized via a simple electrochemical method from graphene oxide and Co（NO3）2·6H2O as raw materials.Co3O4 nanoparticles with sizes of around 30-50 nm were distributed on the surface of graphene nanosheets confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.Electrochemical properties of Co3O4/graphene composite were tested by cyclic voltammetry,galvanostatic charge-discharge,and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.The Co3O4/reduced graphene oxide composite was used as the pseudocapacitor electrode in the 2 mol/L NaOH aqueous electrolyte solution.The Co3O4/reduced graphene oxide composite electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 357 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g in a three-electrode system.72％ of capacitance was retained when the current density increased to 3 A/g.The Co3O4/reduced graphene oxide composite prepared electrodes show a high rate capability and excellent long-term stability.After 1000 cycles of charge and discharge,the capacitance is still maintained 87％ at a current density of 1 A/g,indicating that the composite is a oromising alternative electrode material used for supercapacitors.     

Evidence of defect associates in yttrium-stabilized zirconia

After Nb₂O₅ was added to Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂, the bulk conductivity decreased distinctly. Positron annihilation lifetime and Doppler broadening spectra were measured to study the effects of Nb₂O₅ on electrical properties of Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂. The result shows that the additions of Nb₂O₅ can decrease the V²⁺_O concentration and increase the (Y⁻_ZrV²⁺_OY⁻_Zr)⁰ concentration, which is why bulk conductivity decreases. The additions of Nb₂O₅ were expected to suppress the formation of defect associates, however, only adverse experimental results were found in the present work.     

基于NiCo2O4纳米片电极的非对称混合电容器

The looming global energy crisis and ever-increasing energy demands have catalyzed the development of renewable energy storage systems. In this regard, supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted widespread attention because of their advantageous attributes such as high power density, excellent cycle stability, and environmental friendliness. However, SCs exhibit low energy density and it is important to optimize electrode materials to improve the overall performance of these devices. Among the various electrode materials available, spinel nickel cobaltate (NiCo₂O₄) is particularly interesting because of its excellent theoretical capacitance. Based on the understanding that the performances of the electrode materials strongly depend on their morphologies and structures, in this study, we successfully synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets on Ni foam via a simple hydrothermal route followed by calcination. The structures and morphologies of the as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and the results showed that they were uniformly distributed on the Ni foam support. The surface chemical states of the elements in the samples were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-synthesized NiCo₂O₄ products were then tested as cathode materials for supercapacitors in a traditional three-electrode system. The electrochemical performances of the NiCo₂O₄ electrode materials were studied and the area capacitance was found to be 1.26 C·cm^-2 at a current density of 1 mA·cm^-2. Furthermore, outstanding cycling stability with 97.6% retention of the initial discharge capacitance after 10000 cycles and excellent rate performance (67.5% capacitance retention with the current density from 1 to 14 mA·cm^-2) were achieved. It was found that the Ni foam supporting the NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets increased the conductivity of the electrode materials. However, it is worth noting that the contribution of nickel foam to the areal capacitance of the electrode materials was almost zero during the charge and discharge processes. To further investigate the practical application of the as-synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets-based electrode, a device was assembled with the as-prepared samples as the positive electrode and active carbon (AC) as the negative electrode. The assembled supercapacitor showed energy densities of 0.14 and 0.09 Wh·cm^-3 at 1.56 and 4.5 W·cm^-3, respectively. Furthermore, it was able to maintain 95% of its initial specific capacitance after 10000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets could be ascribed to their unique spatial structure composed of interconnected ultrathin nanosheets, which facilitated electron transportation and ion penetration, suggesting their potential applications as electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors. The present synthetic route can be extended to other ternary transition metal oxides/sulfides for future energy storage devices and systems.     

中空多壳层CoFe2O4的制备及锂离子电池性能研究

以二元金属氧化物CoFe₂O₄为研究对象,通过次序模板法制备了CoFe₂O₄中空多壳层结构(HoMS)材料;对其形貌、结构进行了表征;考察了壳层结构与电化学性能之间的关系.电化学测试结果表明,双壳层-核CoFe₂O₄中空球具有最高的放电比容量(1354.4 mA·h/g)、优异的倍率性能和循环稳定性,其独特的结构优势和最优的空腔体积占有率使其在多次循环过程中能始终保持结构和电化学性质的稳定.