A 3D Organically Synthesized Porous Carbon Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

We report the first organically synthesized sp–sp³ hybridized porous carbon, OSPC‐1. This new carbon shows electron conductivity, high porosity, the highest uptake of lithium ions of any carbon material to‐date, and the ability to inhibit dangerous lithium dendrite formation. The new carbon exhibits exceptional potential as anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with high capacity, excellent rate capability, long cycle life, and potential for improved safety performance.     

Bismuth Nanoparticles Embedded in Carbon Spheres as Anode Materials for Sodium/Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as an attractive alternative to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for large‐scale commercial applications, because of the abundant terrestrial reserves of sodium. Exporting suitable anode materials is the key to the development of SIBs and LIBs. In this contribution, we report on the fabrication of Bi@C microspheres using aerosol spray pyrolysis technique. When used as SIBs anode materials, the Bi@C microsphere delivered a high capacity of 123.5 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^?1. The rate performance is also impressive (specific capacities of 299, 252, 192, 141, and 90 mAh g^?1 are obtained under current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 A g^?1, respectively). Furthermore, the Bi@C microsphere also proved to be suitable LIB anode materials. The excellent electrochemical performance for both SIBs and LIBs can attributed to the Bi@C microsphere structure with Bi nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in carbon spheres.     

Mesoporous Amorphous Silicon: A Simple Synthesis of a High‐Rate and Long‐Life Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Amorphous Si (a‐Si) shows potential advantages over crystalline Si (c‐Si) in lithium‐ion batteries, owing to its high lithiation potential and good tolerance to intrinsic strain/stress. Herein, porous a‐Si has been synthesized by a simple process, without the uses of dangerous or expensive reagents, sophisticated equipment, and strong acids that potential cause environment risks. These porous a‐Si particles exhibit excellent electrochemical performances, owing to their porous structure, amorphous nature, and surface modification. They deliver a capacity of 1025 mAh g^?1 at 3 A g^?1 after 700 cycles. Moreover, the reversible capacity after electrochemical activation, is quite stable throughout the cycling, resulting in a capacity retention about around 88 %. The direct comparison between a‐Si and c‐Si anodes clearly supports the advantages of a‐Si in lithium‐ion batteries.     

High‐Loading Nano‐SnO2 Encapsulated in situ in Three‐Dimensional Rigid Porous Carbon for Superior Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO₂ NPs) have been encapsulated in situ in a three‐dimensional ordered space structure. Within this composite, ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) acts as a carbon framework showing a desirable ordered mesoporous structure with an average pore size (≈6 nm) and a high surface area (470.3 m² g^?1), and the SnO₂ NPs (≈10 nm) are highly loaded (up to 80 wt %) and homogeneously distributed within the OMC matrix. As an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, a SnO₂@OMC composite material can deliver an initial charge capacity of 943 mAh g^?1 and retain 68.9 % of the initial capacity after 50 cycles at a current density of 50 mA g^?1, even exhibit a capacity of 503 mA h g^?1 after 100 cycles at 160 mA g^?1. In situ encapsulation of the SnO₂ NPs within an OMC framework contributes to a higher capacity and a better cycling stability and rate capability in comparison with bare OMC and OMC ex situ loaded with SnO₂ particles (SnO₂/OMC). The significantly improved electrochemical performance of the SnO₂@OMC composite can be attributed to the multifunctional OMC matrix, which can facilitate electrolyte infiltration, accelerate charge transfer, and lithium‐ion diffusion, and act as a favorable buffer to release reaction strains for lithiation/delithiation of the SnO₂ NPs.