Hydrothermal synthesis of carbon nanotube/cobalt oxide core-shell one-dimensional nanocomposite and application as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Carbon nanotube/cobalt oxide core-shell one-dimensional nanostructures were prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis method, in which nanosize cobalt oxide crystals were homogeneously coated on the surface of carbon nanotubes. The morphologies and crystal structures of the as-prepared core-shell nanocomposites were analysed by X-ray diffraction, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. When applied as anodes in lithium-ion cells, carbon nanotube/cobalt oxide core-shell nanostructures exhibited an initial lithium storage capacity of 1250 mAh/g and a stable capacity of 530 mAh/g over 100 cycles. The good electrochemical performance could be attributed to the nanocrystalline cobalt oxide and the unique core-shell one-dimensional nanostructures.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of carbon-coated TiO2 nanobarbed fibers as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

We report the electrochemical performance of carbon-coated TiO₂ nanobarbed fibers (TiO₂@C NBFs) as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The TiO₂@C NBFs are composed of TiO₂ nanorods grown on TiO₂ nanofibers as a core, coated with a carbon shell. These nanostructures form a conductive network showing high capacity and C-rate performance due to fast lithium-ion diffusion and effective electron transfer. The TiO₂@C NBFs show a specific reversible capacity of approximately 170 mAh g^− 1 after 200 cycles at a 0.5 A g^− 1 current density, and exhibit a discharge rate capability of 4 A g^− 1 while retaining a capacity of about 70 mAh g^− 1. The uniformly coated amorphous carbon layer plays an important role to improve the electrical conductivity during the lithiation–delithiation process.     

Magnetically recyclable Schiff-based palladium nanocatalyst [Fe3O4@SiNSB-Pd] and its catalytic applications in Heck reaction

A magnetically separable palladium nanocatalyst has been synthesized through the immobilization of palladium onto 3-aminopropylphenanthroline Schiff based functionalized silica coated superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The nanocatalyst (Fe₃O₄@SiNSB-Pd) was fully characterized using several spectroscopic techniques, such as FT-IR, HR-SEM, TEM, XRD, ICP, and XPS. The microscopic image of Fe₃O₄ showed spherical shape morphology and had an average size of 150 nm. The Pd-nanoparticles exhibited an average size 3.5 ± 0.6 nm. The successful functionalization of Fe₃O₄@SiNSB-Pd was identified by FT-IR spectroscopy and the appearance of palladium species in Fe₃O₄@SiNSB-Pd was confirmed by XRD analysis. While XPS has been utilized for the determination of the chemical oxidation state of palladium species in Fe₃O₄@SiNSB-Pd. Several activated and deactivated arene halides and olefines were employed for Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions in the presence of Fe₃O₄@SiNSB-Pd, each of which produced the respective cross-coupling products with excellent yields. The Fe₃O₄@SiNSB-Pd shows good reactivity and reusability for up to seven consecutive cycles.     

A novel green synthesis of Fe3O4 magnetic nanorods using Punica Granatum rind extract and its application for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous environment

We described a novel and eco-friendly approach to remove toxic heavy metal of Pb(II) by using dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) anchored Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanorods (MNRs) which were synthesized via facile method utilizing Punica Granatum rind extract which was a non toxic waste material. The DMSA@Fe₃O₄ MNRs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared analysis (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), nitrogen adsorption and desorption techniques, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). These DMSA@Fe₃O₄ MNRs have been used for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The adsorption isotherm data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich model, the monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 46.18 mg/g at 301 K. The experimental kinetic data fitted very well with the pseudo-second-order model. The results indicate that the biogenic synthesized DMSA@Fe₃O₄ MNRs act as significant adsorbent material for removal of Pb (II) from aqueous environment.     

High-performance Na1.25V3O8 nanosheets for aqueous zinc-ion battery by electrochemical induced de-sodium at high voltage

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are expected to replace organic electrolyte batteries owing to its low price, safe and environmentally friendly characteristics. Herein, we fabricated vanadium-based Na_1.25V₃O₈ nanosheets as a cathode material for ARZIBs, which present a high performance by electrochemical de-sodium at high voltage to form Na₂V₆O₁₆ phase in the first cycle: high capacity of 390 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g, high rate performance (162 mAh/g at 10 A/g) and superior cycle stability (179 mAh/g with a high capacity retention of 88.2% of the maximum capacity after 2000 cycles). In addition, the cell exhibits a high energy density of 416.9 Wh/kg at 143.6 W/kg, suggesting great potential of the as-prepared Na_1.25V₃O₈ nanosheets for ARZIBs     

Chrysanthemum-like Co3O4 architectures: Hydrothermal synthesis and lithium storage performances

Three-dimensional chrysanthemum-like Co₃O₄ was prepared via a facile hydrothermal route without any template, and a subsequent calcination process. With a controlled concentration of the homogeneous precipitation agent, urea, a chrysanthemum-like precursor was hydrothermally obtained at 120 °C for 20 h, and the morphology was kept for Co₃O₄ after a subsequent calcination at 300 °C for 2 h. Co₃O₄ chrysanthemum-like architectures are assemblies of nanorods radiating from a common centre, and the nanorods consisted of interconnected nanoparticles with the size of about 30 nm. When tested as an anode material of Li-ion batteries, chrysanthemum-like Co₃O₄ presented a discharge capacity of ∼450 mA h/g after 50 discharge/charge cycles.     

Enhancing the rate capability of high capacity xLi2MnO3 · (1 − x)LiMO2 (M = Mn,Ni, Co) electrodes by Li–Ni–PO4 treatment

The rate capability of high capacity xLi₂MnO₃ · (1 ? x)LiMO₂ (M = Mn, Ni, Co) electrodes for lithium-ion batteries has been significantly enhanced by stabilizing the electrode surface by reaction with a Li–Ni–PO₄ solution, followed by a heat-treatment step. Reversible capacities of 250 mAh/g at a C/11 rate, 225 mAh/g at C/2 and 200 mAh/g at C/1 have been obtained from 0.5Li₂MnO₃ · 0.5LiNi_0.44Co_0.25Mn_0.31O₂ electrodes between 4.6 and 2.0 V. The data bode well for their implementation in batteries that meet the 40-mile range requirement for plug-in hybrid vehicles.     

On the electrochemical behavior of LiMXFe1 − XPO4 [M = Cu,Sn; X = 0.02] anodes – An approach to enhance the anode performance of LiFePO4 material

An attempt, for the first time, has been made to explore the possible electrochemical activity of partially substituted LiFePO₄ as negative electrode for lithium battery applications. In this regard, cationic substitution of Cu and Sn to the native LiFePO₄/C electroactive material has been made individually via. ball milling treatment. This simple procedure has resulted in the formation of metal substituted LiFePO₄ powders of phase pure nature and finer crystallite size (<1 μm) with better distribution of particles. Herein, 2% of metals such as Cu (transition) and Sn (non-transition) were chosen as dopants with a view to understand the effect of transition and non-transition metals upon LiFePO₄ individually. It is interesting to note that irrespective of the nature of the dopant metal, the simple route of cationic substitution via. ball milling endowed with improved conductivity of LiFePO₄, as evidenced by the augmented reversible specific capacity values of substituted LiFePO₄ anodes. In other words, the LiCu_0.02Fe_0.98PO₄/C anode delivered a reversible capacity of ∼380 mAh/g with an enhancement in the capacity retention behavior and excellent coulumbic efficiency value compared to that of LiFePO₄. In contrast, LiSn_0.02Fe_0.98PO₄/C anode displayed an appreciable reversible capacity of ∼400 mAh/g with a significant steady discharge profile. Results of Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetric studies of LiM_XFe_1 − XPO₄ (M = Cu, Sn)/C composites are also appended and correlated suitably.     

Uniform hematite nanocapsules based on an anode material for lithium ion batteries

Uniform α-Fe₂O₃ nanocapsules with a high surface area were synthesized by a novel wrap–bake–peel approach consisting of silica coating, heat treatment and finally the removal of the silica coating layer. The length, diameter and shell thickness of the hematite nanocapsules were about 65, 15 and 5 nm, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the α-Fe₂O₃ nanocapsules were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge measurements. The α-Fe₂O₃ nanocapsules showed a high reversible capacity of 888 mAh/g in the initial cycle and 740 mAh/g after 30 cycles as well as good capacity retention. This excellent electrochemical performance was attributed to the high surface area, thin shell and volume space of the hollow structure.     

High capacity Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2–V2O5 composite cathodes with low irreversible capacity loss for lithium ion batteries

With an aim to suppress the huge irreversible capacity loss encountered in high capacity layered oxide solid solutions between Li₂MnO₃ and LiMO₂ (M = Mn, Ni, and Co), layered Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂–V₂O₅ composite cathodes with various V₂O₅ contents have been investigated. The irreversible capacity loss decreases from 68 mAh/g at 100% Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂ to 0 mAh/g around 89 wt.% Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂–11 wt.% V₂O₅ as the lithium-free V₂O₅ serves as an insertion host to accommodate the lithium ions that could not be inserted back into the layered lattice after the first charge. The Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂–V₂O₅ composite cathodes with about 10–12 wt.% V₂O₅ exhibit an attractive discharge capacity of close to 300 mAh/g with little irreversible capacity loss and good cyclability.     

Removal of arsenic from aqueous solution: A study of the effects of pH and interfering ions using iron oxide nanomaterials

Nanophase Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃ were synthesized through a precipitation method and were utilized for the removal of either arsenic (III) or (V) from aqueous solution as a possible method for drinking water treatment. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, which showed that the Fe₃O₄ and the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles had crystal structures of magnetite and hematite, respectively. In addition, Secherrer's equation was used to determine that the grain size nanoparticles were 12 ± 1.0 nm and 17 ± 0.5 nm for the Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄, respectively. Under a 1 h contact time, batch pH experiments were performed to determine the optimum pH for binding using 300 ppb of either As(III) or (V) and 10 mg of either Fe₃O₄ or Fe₂O₃. The binding was observed to be pH independent from pH 6 through pH 9 and a significant drop in the binding was observed at pH 10. Furthermore, batch isotherm studies were performed using the Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ to determine the binding capacity of As(III) and As(V) to the iron oxide nanomaterials. The binding was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm and the capacities (mg/kg) of 1250 (Fe₂O₃) and 8196 (Fe₃O₄) for As(III) as well as 20,000 (Fe₂O₃) and 5680 (Fe₃O₄) for As(III), at 1 and 24 h of contact time, respectively. The As(V) capacities were determined to be 4600 (Fe₂O₃), 6711(Fe₃O₄), 4904 (Fe₂O₃), and 4780 (Fe₃O₄) mg/kg for nanomaterials at contact times of 1 and 24 h respectively.     

Ether-based electrolyte enabled Na/FeS2 rechargeable batteries

We demonstrate for the first time that by simply substituting ether-based electrolyte (1.0 M NaCF₃SO₃ in diglyme) for the commonly used carbonate-based electrolyte, the cyclability of FeS₂ towards sodium storage can be significantly improved. A sodiation capacity over 600 mAh/g and a discharge energy density higher than 750 Wh/kg are obtained for FeS₂ at 20 mA/g. When tested at 60 mA/g, FeS₂ presents a sodiation capacity of 530 mAh/g and retains 450 mAh/g after 100 cycles, much better than the cycling performance of Na/FeS₂ tested in carbonate-based electrolyte.     

Na4Mn9O18 as a positive electrode material for an aqueous electrolyte sodium-ion energy storage device

Here we demonstrate Na₄Mn₉O₁₈ as a sodium intercalation positive electrode material for an aqueous electrolyte energy storage device. A simple solid-state synthesis route was used to produce this material, which was then tested electrochemically in a 1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte against an activated carbon counter electrode using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. Optimized Na₄Mn₉O₁₈ was documented as having a specific capacity of 45 mAh/g through a voltage range of 0.5 V, or an equivalent specific capacitance of over 300 F/g. With the proper negative:positive electrode mass ratio, energy storage cells capable of being charged to at least 1.7 V without significant water electrolysis are documented. Cycling data and rate studies indicate promising performance for this unexplored low-cost positive electrode material.     

Li0.93[Li0.21Co0.28Mn0.51]O2 nanoparticles for lithium battery cathode material made by cationic exchange from K-birnessite

Li_0.93[Li_0.21Co_0.28Mn _0.51]O₂ nanoparticles with an R-3m space group is hydrothermally prepared from Co_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ obtained from an ion-exchange reaction with K-birnessite K_0.32MnO₂ at 200 °C. Even at a hydrothermal reaction temperature of 150 °C, the spinel (Fd3m) phase is dominant, and a layered phase became dominant by combining an increase in the temperature to 200 °C with an increase in lithium concentration. The as-prepared cathode particle has plate-like hexagonal morphology with a size of 100 nm and thickness of 20 nm. The first discharge capacity of the cathode is 258 mAh/g with an irreversible capacity ratio of 22%, and the capacity retention after 30 cycles is 95% without developing a plateau at ∼3 V. Capacity retention of the cathode discharge is 84% at 4C rate (=1000 mA/g) and shows full capacity recovery when decreasing the C rate to 0.1 C.     

Li2ZnTi3O8 nanorods: A new anode material for lithium-ion battery

Spinel Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ nanorods were first synthesized using titanate nanowires as a precursor. The synthesized nanorods are highly crystalline and used as an anode material in a rechargeable Li-ion battery. A large capacity of 220 mA h g^? 1 was kept after 30 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g^? 1, which is close to the theoretic capacity. The electrochemical measurements indicate that the anode material made of spinel Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ nanorods displayed a highly reversible capacity and excellent cycling stability.     

Nanorods of transition metal oxalates: A versatile route to the oxide nanoparticles

A versatile route has been explored for the synthesis of nanorods of transition metal (Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Co and Fe) oxalates using reverse micelles. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the as-prepared nanorods of nickel and copper oxalates have diameter of 250 nm and 130 nm while the length is of the order of 2.5 μm and 480 nm, respectively. The aspect ratio of the nanorods of copper oxalate could be modified by changing the solvent. The average dimensions of manganese, zinc and cobalt oxalate nanorods were 100 μm, 120 μm and 300 nm, respectively, in diameter and 2.5 μm, 600 nm and 6.5 μm, respectively, in length. The aspect ratio of the cobalt oxalate nanorods could be modified by controlling the temperature.The nanorods of metal (Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Co and Fe) oxalates were found to be suitable precursors to obtain a variety of transition metal oxide nanoparticles. Our studies show that the grain size of CuO nanoparticles is highly dependent on the nature of non-polar solvent used to initially synthesize the oxalate rods. All the commonly known manganese oxides could be obtained as pure phases from the single manganese oxalate precursor by decomposing in different atmospheres (air, vacuum or nitrogen). The ZnO nanoparticles obtained from zinc oxalate rods are ～55 nm in diameter. Oxides with different morphology, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles faceted (cuboidal) and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (spherical) could be obtained.     

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.     

Tremella-like molybdenum dioxide consisting of nanosheets as an anode material for lithium ion battery

Tremella-like structured MoO₂ consisting of nanosheets was obtained via a Fe₂O₃-assisted hydrothermal reduction of MoO₃ in ethylenediamine aqueous solution. The as-prepared product was characterized and tested with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and capacity measurement as anode material for lithium ion batteries. This structured MoO₂ shows very high reversible capacity (>600 mA h g⁻¹), good rate capability and cycling performance, presenting potential application as anode material for lithium ion batteries with high rate capability and high capacity.     

Preparation of core-shell magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2-dithiocarbamate nanoparticle and its application for the Ni2+, Cu2+ removal

A typical superparamagnetic nanoparticles-based dithiocarbamate absorbent (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-DTC) with core-shell structure was applied for aqueous solution heavy metal ions Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ removal.     

High-capacity LiV3O8 thin-film cathode with a mixed amorphous–nanocrystalline microstructure prepared by RF magnetron sputtering

LiV₃O₈ thin films with a mixed amorphous–nanocrystalline microstructure were deposited on stainless steel substrates using radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering for the first time. The films exhibited good performance as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries. Results indicate that the film electrodes had a smooth surface and consisted mainly of an amorphous structure containing nanocrystalline zones dispersed within it. Depending on its microstructure, the films delivered an initial discharge capacity as high as 382 mAh/g and exhibited good capacity retention, with discharge capacity of 301 mAh/g after 100 cycles representing a loss rate of 0.21% per cycle.