A High‐Performance Anode Material for Li‐Ion Batteries Based on a Vertically Aligned CNTs/NiCo2O4 Core/Shell Structure

3D vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell structures are successfully synthesized as binder‐free anode materials for Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) via a facile electrochemical deposition method followed by subsequent annealing in air. The vertically aligned CNTs/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell structures are used as binder‐free anode materials for LIBs and exhibit high and stable reversible capacity (1147.6 mAhg^?1 at 100 mAg^?1), excellent rate capability (712.9 mAh g^?1 at 1000 mAg^?1), and good cycle stability (no capacity fading over 200 cycles). The improved performance of these LIBs is attributed to the unique 3D vertically aligned CNTs/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell structures, which support high electron conductivity, fast ion/electron transport in the electrode and at the electrolyte/electrode interface, and accommodate the volume change during cycling. Furthermore, the synthetic strategy presented can be easily extended to fabricate other metal oxides with a controlled core/shell structure, which may be a promising electrode material for high‐performance LIBs.     

Synthesis of Porous NiO Nanorods as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

1D nanostructured metal oxides with porous structure have drawn wide attention to being used as high‐performance anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). This study puts forward a simple and scalable strategy to synthesize porous NiO nanorods with the help of a thermal treatment of metal‐organic frameworks in air. The NiO nanorods with an average diameter of approximately 38 nm are composed of nanosized primary particles. When evaluated as anode materials for LIBs, an initial discharge capacity of 743 mA h g^?1 is obtained at a current density of 100 mA g^?1, and a high reversible capacity is still maintained as high as 700 mA h g^?1 even after 60 charge–discharge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance is mainly ascribed to the 1D porous structure.     

A Nano‐Micro Hybrid Structure Composed of Fe7S8 Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Framework for High‐Performance Lithium/Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Iron sulfides are attractive anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities, low cost, and eco‐friendliness. However, their real application is greatly hindered by the rapid capacity fading caused by the large volume changes and sluggish kinetics of iron sulfides during the charge and discharge processes. Combining with carbonaceous materials and tuning the structure at nanoscale are essential to address this issue. Here, a facile hydrothermal method coupled with a carbonization process is developed to synthesize a nano‐micro hybrid porous structure, which is composed of Fe₇S₈ nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen‐doped carbon framework (Fe₇S₈@NC‐PS). This hierarchical sphere is constructed by interconnected 2D nanowalls. The as‐prepared Fe₇S₈@NC‐PS electrodes reveal excellent rate capability and cycling stability in LIBs and SIBs. The remarkable electrochemical properties are attributed to the porous nano‐micro hybrid architecture and the high conductivity and structural stability of the nitrogen‐doped carbon framework.     

Dandelion-like mesoporous Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

A dandelion-like mesoporous Co₃O₄ was fabricated and employed as anode materials of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The architecture and electrochemical performance of dandelion-like mesoporous Co₃O₄ were investigated through structure characterization and galvanostatic charge/discharge test. The as-prepared dandelion-like mesoporous Co₃O₄ consisted of well-distributed nanoneedles (about 40 nm in width and about 5 μm in length) with rich micropores. Electrochemical experiments illustrated that the as-prepared dandelion-like mesoporous Co₃O₄ as anode materials of LIBs exhibited high reversible specific capacity of 1430.0 mA h g^?1 and 1013.4 mA h g^?1 at the current density of 0.2 A g^?1 for the first and 100th cycle, respectively. The outstanding lithium storage properties of the as-prepared dandelion-like mesoporous Co₃O₄ might be attributed to its dandelion-like mesoporous nanostructure together with an open space between adjacent nanoneedle networks promoting the intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions and the charge transfer on the electrode. The enhanced capacity as well as its high-rate capability made the as-prepared dandelion-like mesoporous Co₃O₄ to be a good candidate as a high-performance anode material for LIBs.     

Three‐Dimensional Multilayer Assemblies of MoS2/Reduced Graphene Oxide for High‐Performance Lithium Ion Batteries

Three‐dimensional (3D) multilayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites are prepared by a solution‐processed self‐assembly based on the interaction using different sizes of MoS₂ and GO nanosheets followed by in situ chemical reduction. 3D multilayer assemblies with MoS₂ wrapped by large RGO nanosheets and good interface are observed by transmission electron microscopy. The interaction of Na⁺ ions with oxygen‐containing groups of GO is also investigated. The measurement of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) shows that MoS₂/RGO anode nanocomposite with a weight ratio of MoS₂ to GO of 3:1 exhibits an excellent rate performance of 750 mAh g^?1 at 3 A g^?1 outperforming many previous studies and a high reversible capacity up to ≈1180 mAh g^?1 after 80 cycles at 100 mA g^?1. Good rate performance and high capacity of MoS₂/RGO with 3D unique layered‐structures are attributed to the combined effects of continuous conductive networks of RGO, good interface facilitating charge transfer, and strong RGO sheets preventing the volume expansion. Results indicate that 3D multilayer MoS₂/RGO prepared by a facile solution‐processed assembly can be developed to be an excellent nanoarchitecture for high‐performance LIBs.     

Hierarchical Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@C hollow microspheres with high capacity as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Three-dimensional hierarchical Co₃O₄@C hollow microspheres (Co₃O₄@C HSs) are successfully fabricated by a facile and scalable method. The Co₃O₄@C HSs are composed of numerous Co₃O₄ nanoparticles uniformly coated by a thin layer of carbon. Due to its stable 3D hierarchical hollow structure and uniform carbon coating, the Co₃O₄@C HSs exhibit excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The Co₃O₄@C HSs electrode delivers a high reversible specific capacity, excellent cycling stability (1672 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g^?1 and 842.7 mAh g^?1 after 600 cycles at 1 A g^?1), and prominent rate performance (580.9 mAh g^?1 at 5 A g^?1). The excellent electrochemical performance makes this 3D hierarchical Co₃O₄@C HS a potential candidate for the anode materials of the next-generation LIBs. In addition, this simple synthetic strategy should also be applicable for synthesizing other 3D hierarchical metal oxide/C composites for energy storage and conversion.     

Ge Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Interconnected Hollow Carbon Boxes as Anodes for Sodium Ion and Lithium Ion Batteries with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

A carbothermal reaction route to Ge nanoparticle homogeneously encapsulated hollow carbon boxes from NH₄H₃Ge₂O₆/resorcinol formaldehyde precursors is designed, using NH₄H₃Ge₂O₆ as a Ge precursor from commercial GeO₂ and NH₄OH. The Ge/C hybrid anode for sodium ion battery displays a higher Na⁺ storage capacity of 346 mA h g^?1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 100 mA h g^?1, almost approaching the theoretical capacity of Ge. Furthermore, Ge/C anode shows significantly improved electrochemical performance for Li⁺ storage, showing a higher initial Coulombic efficiency of 85.1% and a superior reversible capacity of 1336 mA h g^?1 at a high current density of 200 mA g^?1 after 150 cycles. An excellent rate capability with a capacity of 825 mA h g^?1 at a current density of 4.0 A g^?1 can be obtained based on Ge/C anodes. The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the unique microstructures of Ge/C hybrid anode. The internal void space of hollow carbon boxes can accommodate the volume expansion of Ge during lithiation or sodiation process, thus preserving the structural integrity of electrode material. The interconnected carbon shell can increase the electronic conductivity of the electrode, resulting in the high rate capability and cycling stability.     

Vanadium Pentoxide‐Based Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Morphology Control,Carbon Hybridization,and Cation Doping

Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) is a promising cathode material for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high specific capacity, low cost, and abundant source. However, the practical application of V₂O₅ in commercial LIBs is still hindered by its intrinsic low ionic diffusion coefficient and moderate electrical conductivity. In the past decades, progressive accomplishments have been achieved that rely on the synthesis of nanostructured materials, carbon hybridization, and cation doping. Generally, fabrication of nanostructured electrode materials can effectively decrease the ion and electron transport distances while carbon hybridization and cation doping are able to significantly increase the electrical conductivity and diffusion coefficient of Li⁺. Implementation of these strategies addresses the problems that are related to the ionic and electronic conductivity of V₂O₅. Accordingly, the electrochemical performances of V₂O₅‐based cathodes are significantly improved in terms of discharge capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability. In this review, the recent advances in the synthesis of V₂O₅‐based cathode materials are highlighted that focus on the fabrication of nanostructured materials, carbon hybridization, and cation doping.     

Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> quantum dots on 3D-framed graphene aerogel as an advanced anode material in lithium-ion batteries

Three-dimensional fabricated Fe₃O₄ quantum dots/graphene aerogel materials (Fe₃O₄ QDs/GA) were obtained from a facile hydrothermal strategy, followed by a subsequently heat treatment process. The Fe₃O₄ QDs (2–5 nm) are anchored tightly and dispersed uniformly on the surface of three-dimensional GA. The as-prepared anode materials exhibit a high reversible capacity of 1078 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 100 mA g^?1 after 70 cycles in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) system. Moreover, the rate capacity still remains 536 mAh g^?1 at 1000 mA g^?1. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to that the GA not only acts as a three-dimensional electronic conductive matrix for the fast transportation of Li⁺ and electrons, but also provides with double protection against the aggregation and pulverization of Fe₃O₄ QDs during cycling. Apparently, the synergistic effects of the three-dimensional GA and the quantum dots are fully utilized. Therefore, the Fe₃O₄ QDs/GA composites are promising materials as advanced anode materials for LIBs.     

Hollow Silica Spheres Embedded in a Porous Carbon Matrix and Its Superior Performance as the Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Silica (SiO₂) is regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries due to the high theoretical specific capacity and extremely low cost. However, the low intrinsic electrical conductivity and the big volume change during charge/discharge cycles result in a poor electrochemical performance. Here, hollow silica spheres embedded in porous carbon (HSS–C) composites are synthesized and investigated as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. The HSS–C composites demonstrate a high specific capacity of about 910 mA h g^?1 at a rate of 200 mA g^?1 after 150 cycles and exhibit good rate capability. The porous carbon with a large surface area and void space filled both inside and outside of the hollow silica spheres acts as an excellent conductive layer to enhance the overall conductivity of the electrode, shortens the diffusion path length for the transport of lithium ions, and also buffers the volume change accompanied with lithium‐ion insertion/extraction processes.     

Graphene‐Based Phosphorus‐Doped Carbon as Anode Material for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Graphene‐based phosphorus‐doped carbon (GPC) is prepared through a facile and scalable thermal annealing method by triphenylphosphine and graphite oxide as precursor. The P atoms are successfully doped into few layer graphene with two forms of P–O and P–C bands. The GPC used as anode material for Na‐ion batteries delivers a high charge capacity 284.8 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 50 mA g^?1 after 60 cycles. Superior cycling performance is also shown at high charge?discharge rate: a stable charge capacity 145.6 mAh g^?1 can be achieved at the current density of 500 mA g^?1 after 600 cycles. The result demonstrates that the GPC electrode exhibits good electrochemical performance (higher reversible charge capacity, super rate capability, and long‐term cycling stability). The excellent electrochemical performance originated from the large interlayer distance, large amount of defects, vacancies, and active site caused by P atoms doping. The relationship of P atoms doping amount with the Na storage properties is also discussed. This superior sodium storage performance of GPC makes it as a promising alternative anode material for sodium‐ion batteries.     

A facile synthesis of heteroatom-doped carbon framework anchored with TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles for high performance lithium ion battery anodes

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based materials have been well studied because of the high safety and excellent cycling performance when employed as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), whereas, the relatively low theoretical capacity (only 335 mAh g^?1) and serious kinetic problems such as poor electrical conductivity (~?10^?13S cm^?1) and low lithium diffusion coefficient (~?10^?9 to 10^?13 cm² s^?1) hinder the development of the TiO₂-based anode materials. To overcome these drawbacks, we present a facile strategy to synthesize N/S dual-doping carbon framework anchored with TiO₂ nanoparticles (NSC@TiO₂) as LIBs anode. Typically, TiO₂ nanoparticles are anchored into the porous graphene-based sheets with N, S dual doping feature, which is produced by carbonization and KOH activation process. The as-obtained NSC@TiO₂ electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 250 mAh g^?1 with a coulombic efficiency of 99% after 500 cycles at 200 mA g^?1 and excellent rate performance, indicating its promising as anode material for LIBs.     

Fabrication and electrochemical investigation of Li<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Hexagonal and cubic Li_0.5TiO₂ particles have been fabricated through magnesiothermic reduction of Li₂TiO₃ particles in a temperature range of 600 to 640 °C. The prolonged reduction time results in lattice transition from hexagonal to cubic structure of Li_0.5TiO₂. Their microstructures, valance state, chemical composition, as well as electrochemical performance as anode candidates for lithium ion batteries have been characterized and evaluated. The hexagonal Li_0.5TiO₂ exhibits better electrochemical activity compared with the cubic one. Further, the carbon-coated hexagonal Li_0.5TiO₂ displays improved electrochemical performance with initial reversible capacity of 176.6 mAh g^?1 and excellent cyclic behavior except capacity fading in the initial 10 cycles, which demonstrate a novel anode candidate for long lifetime lithium ion batteries.     

Template‐Free Fabrication of Hollow NiO–Carbon Hybrid Nanoparticle Aggregates with Improved Lithium Storage

Hollow NiO–carbon hybrid nanoparticle aggregates are fabricated through an environmental template‐free solvothermal alcoholysis route. Controlled hollow structure is achieved by adjusting the ratio of ethylene glycol to water and reaction time of solvothermal alcoholysis. Amorphous carbon can be loaded on the NiO nanoparticles uniformly in the solvothermal alcoholysis process, and the subsequent calcination results in the formation of hollow NiO–C hybrid nanoparticle aggregates. As anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, it exhibits a stable reversible capacity of 622 mAh g^?1, and capacity retention keeps over 90.7% after 100 cycles at constant current density of 200 mA g^?1. The NiO–C electrode also exhibits good rate capabilities. The unique hollow structures can shorten the length of Li‐ion diffusion and offer a sufficient void space, which sufficiently alleviates the mechanical stress caused by volume change. The hybrid carbon in the particles renders the electrode having a good electronic conductivity. Here, the hollow NiO‐C hybrid electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance.     

Facile Synthesis of Porous MnO Microspheres for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Manganese oxide is a highly promising anode material of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for its low insertion voltage and high reversible capacity. Porous MnO microspheres are prepared by a facile method in this work. As an anode material of LIB, it can deliver a high reversible capacity up to 1234.2 mA h g^?1 after 300 cycles at 0.2 C, and a capacity of 690.0 mA h g^?1 in the 500th cycle at 2 C. The capacity increase with cycling can be attributed to the growth of reversible polymer/gel‐like film, and the better cycling stability and the superior rate performance can be attributed to the featured structure of the microspheres composed of nanoparticles with a short transport path for lithium ions, a large specific surface, and material/electrolyte contact area. The results suggest that the porous MnO microspheres can function as a promising anode material for high‐performance LIBs.     

An electrochemical cell with sapphire windows for operando synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and spectroscopy studies of high‐power and high‐voltage electrodes for metal‐ion batteries

A new multi‐purpose operando electrochemical cell was designed, constructed and tested on the Swiss–Norwegian Beamlines BM01 and BM31 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Single‐crystal sapphire X‐ray windows provide a good signal‐to‐noise ratio, excellent electrochemical contact because of the constant pressure between the electrodes, and perfect electrochemical stability at high potentials due to the inert and non‐conductive nature of sapphire. Examination of the phase transformations in the Li_1–xFe_0.5Mn_0.5PO₄ positive electrode (cathode) material at C/2 and 10C charge and discharge rates, and a study of the valence state of the Ni cations in the Li_1–xNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode material for Li‐ion batteries, revealed the applicability of this novel cell design to diffraction and spectroscopic investigations of high‐power/high‐voltage electrodes for metal‐ion batteries.     

Encapsulation of SnO2/Sn Nanoparticles into Mesoporous Carbon Nanowires and its Excellent Lithium Storage Properties

A peculiar nanostructure of encapsulation of SnO₂/Sn nanoparticles into mesoporous carbon nanowires (CNWs) has been successfully fabricated by a facile strategy and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), BET, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectrometer, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterizations. The 1D mesoporous CNWs effectively accommodate the strain of volume change, prevent the aggregation and pulverization of nanostructured SnO₂/Sn, and facilitate electron and ion transport throughout the electrode. Moreover, the void space surrounding SnO₂/Sn nanoparticles also provides buffer spaces for the volumetric change of SnO₂/Sn during cycling, thus resulting in excellent cycling performance as potential anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. Even after 499 cycles, a reversible capacity of 949.4 mAh g^?1 is retained at 800 mA g^?1. Its unique architecture should be responsible for the superior electrochemical performance.     

Carbon‐Encapsulated Tube‐Wire Co3O4/MnO2 Heterostructure Nanofibers as Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

This study presents a general approach for the synthesis of carbon‐encapsulated wire‐in‐tube Co₃O₄/MnO₂ heterostructure nanofibers (Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C) via electrospinning followed by calcination. The as‐synthesized Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C is investigated as the sodium‐ion batteries anode material, which not only exhibits a high reversible capacity of 306 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ over 200 cycles, but also shows a cycling stability of 126 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 800 mA g⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the contribution from carbon‐encapsulated outer‐tube Co₃O₄ and inner‐wire MnO₂ heterostructures, which offer a large internal space and good electrical conductivity. The present work can be helpful in providing new insights into heterostructures for sodium‐ion batteries and other applications.     

Electrospinning Synthesis of Porous NiCoO2 Nanofibers as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Nanostructured ternary/mixed transition metal oxides have attracted considerable attentions because of their high‐capacity and high‐rate capability in the electrochemical energy storage applications, but facile large‐scale fabrication with desired nanostructures still remains a great challenge. To overcome this, a facile synthesis of porous NiCoO₂ nanofibers composed of interconnected nanoparticles via an electrospinning–annealing strategy is reported herein. When examined as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, the as‐prepared porous NiCoO₂ nanofibers demonstrate superior lithium storage properties, delivering a high discharge capacity of 945 mA h g^?1 after 140 cycles at 100 mA g^?1 and a high rate capacity of 523 mA h g^?1 at 2000 mA g^?1. This excellent electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the novel hierarchical nanoparticle‐nanofiber assembly structure, which can not only buffer the volumetric changes upon lithiation/delithiation processes but also provide enlarged surface sites for lithium storage and facilitate the charge/electrolyte diffusion. Notably, a facile synthetic strategy for fabrication of ternary/mixed metal oxides with 1D nanostructures, which is promising for energy‐related applications, is provided.     

Parallelepipedally shaped ZnCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> particles with a hierarchical porous structure as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

The micrometer-sized ZnCo₂O₄ parallelepipeds with a hierarchical porous structure have been fabricated by a simple two-step procedure, i.e., the synthesis of the Zn_1/3Co_2/3CO₃ parallelepipeds and the subsequent calcination. When tested in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the hierarchical porous ZnCo₂O₄ parallelepipeds could exhibit a reversible capacity of >860 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 0.1 C. This clearly demonstrates the potential use of the hierarchical porous ZnCo₂O₄ parallelepipeds in LIBs. The high electrochemical performance of the hierarchical porous ZnCo₂O₄ parallelepipeds might originate from the unique porous structure which consists of the secondary ZnCo₂O₄ particles. First, the porous structure allows for a better accessibility of the active material to the Li⁺ ion storage, favoring easier diffusion of electrolyte in and out of electrode material. Second, the presence of the secondary particles shortens a pathway of Li⁺ diffusion in ZnCo₂O₄, facilitating the better utilization of the active material.