Booting the electrochemical properties of Fe-based anode by the formation multiphasic nanocomposite for lithium-ion batteries

Fe-based compounds with good environmental friendliness and high reversible capacity have attracted considerable attention as anode for lithium-ion batteries.But,similar to other transition metal oxides(TMOs),it is also affected by large volume changes and inferior kinetics during redox reactions,resulting in the destruction of the crystal structure and poor electrochemical performance.Here,Fe_3O_4/C nanospheres anchored on the two-dimensional graphene oxide as precursors are phosphated and sintered to build the multiphasic nanocomposite.XRD results confirmed the multiphasic nanocomposite composed of Fe_2O_3,Fe_3O_4 and Fe_3PO_7,which will facilitate the Li~+ diffusion.And the carbonaceous matrix will buffer the volume changes and enhance electron conduction.Consequently,the multiphasic Febased anode delivers a large specific capacity of 1086 mAh/g with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 87% at 0.1 C.It also has excellent cycling stability and rate property,maintaining a capacity retention of～87% after 300 cycles and a high reversible capacity of 632 mAh/g at 10 C.The proposed multiphasic structure offers a new insight into improving the electrochemical properties of TMO-based anodes for advanced alkali-ion batteries.     

Copper-cobalt-nickel oxide nanowire arrays on copper foams as self-standing anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Numerous scientists are in the pursuit of energy storage materials with high energy and high power density by assembly of electrochemically active materials into conductive scaffolds, owing to the emerging need for next-generation energy storage devices. In this architectures, the active materials bonded to the conductive scaffold can provide a robust and free-standing structure, which is crucial to the fabrication of materials with high gravimetric capacity. Thus, hierarchical copper-cobalt-nickel ternary oxide (CuCoNi-oxide) nanowire arrays grown from copper foam were successfully fabricated as free-standing anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). CuCoNi-oxide nanowire arrays could provide more active sites owing to the hyperbranched structure, leading to a better specific capacity of 1191 mAh/g, cycle performance of 73% retention in comparison to CuO nanowire structure, which exhibited a specific capacity of 1029 mAh/g and capacity retention of 43%, respectively.     

电动汽车与锂离子电池

文章简要介绍了混合动力汽车、插电式混合动力汽车、纯电动汽车和锂离子动力电池及其关键材料。发展电动汽车可以大幅度降低人们对石油的依赖和改善城市空气质量。锂离子电池性能优越,为电动汽车的发展提供了支撑。近期,新一代锂离子动力电池正极材料即将走向应用,可使电动汽车里程增加一倍,材料选择和电池设计及制造工艺与电池储存能量、寿命、安全等密切相关,尊道而重德,可做出“好”电池。     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical performances of LiFePO4/graphene cathode material for high power lithium-ion batteries

LiFePO₄/graphene (LiFePO₄/G) cathode with exciting electrochemical performance was successfully synthesized by liquid phase method. LiFePO₄ nanoparticles wrapped with multi-layered grapheme can be fabricated in a short time. This method did not need external heating source. Heat generated by chemical reaction conduct the process and removed the solvent simultaneously. The LiFePO₄/G were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), magnetic properties analysis and electrochemical performance tests. The LiFePO₄/G delivered a capacity of 160 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1C and could tolerate various dis-charge currents with a capacity retention rate of 99.8%, 99.2%, 99.0%, 98.6%, 97.3% and 95.0% after stepwise under 5C, 10C, 15C, 20C, 25C and 30C, respectively.     

Metal Oxide‐Coated Three‐Dimensional Graphene Prepared by the Use of Metal–Organic Frameworks as Precursors

A simple method for the preparation of metal‐oxide‐coated three‐dimensional (3D) graphene composites was developed. The metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that served as the precursors of the metal oxides were first synthesized on the 3D graphene networks (3DGNs). The desired metal oxide/3DGN composites were then obtained by a two‐step annealing process. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the obtained ZnO/3DGN and Fe₂O₃/3DGN materials were used in a photocatalytic reaction and a lithium‐ion battery, respectively. We believe this method could be extended to the synthesis of other metal oxide/3DGN composites with 3D structures simply through the appropriate choice of specific MOFs as precursors.     

A Rechargeable Hydrogen Battery Based on Ru Catalysis

Apart from energy generation, the storage and liberation of energy are among the major problems in establishing a sustainable energy supply chain. Herein we report the development of a rechargeable H₂ battery which is based on the principle of the Ru‐catalyzed hydrogenation of CO₂ to formic acid (charging process) and the Ru‐catalyzed decomposition of formic acid to CO₂ and H₂ (discharging process). Both processes are driven by the same catalyst at elevated temperature either under pressure (charging process) or pressure‐free conditions (discharging process). Up to five charging–discharging cycles were performed without decrease of storage capacity. The resulting CO₂/H₂ mixture is free of CO and can be employed directly in fuel‐cell technology.     

Facile Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nano SnO2/Graphene Composite from Coarse Metallic Sn and Graphite Oxide: An Outstanding Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A facile method for the large‐scale synthesis of SnO₂ nanocrystal/graphene composites by using coarse metallic Sn particles and cheap graphite oxide (GO) as raw materials is demonstrated. This method uses simple ball milling to realize a mechanochemical reaction between Sn particles and GO. After the reaction, the initial coarse Sn particles with sizes of 3–30 μm are converted to SnO₂ nanocrystals (approximately 4 nm) while GO is reduced to graphene. Composite with different grinding times (1 h 20 min, 2 h 20 min or 8 h 20 min, abbreviated to 1, 2 or 8 h below) and raw material ratios (Sn:GO, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, w/w) are investigated by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The as‐prepared SnO₂/graphene composite with a grinding time of 8 h and raw material ratio of 1:1 forms micrometer‐sized architected chips composed of composite sheets, and demonstrates a high tap density of 1.53 g cm^?3. By using such composites as anode material for LIBs, a high specific capacity of 891 mA h g^?1 is achieved even after 50 cycles at 100 mA g^?1.     

Germanium Quantum Dots Embedded in N‐Doping Graphene Matrix with Sponge‐Like Architecture for Enhanced Performance in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Germanium quantum dots embedded in a nitrogen‐doped graphene matrix with a sponge‐like architecture (Ge/GN sponge) are prepared through a simple and scalable synthetic method, involving freeze drying to obtain the Ge(OH)₄/graphene oxide (GO) precursor and subsequent heat reduction treatment. Upon application as an anode for the lithium‐ion battery (LIB), the Ge/GN sponge exhibits a high discharge capacity compared with previously reported N‐doped graphene. The electrode with the as‐synthesized Ge/GN sponge can deliver a capacity of 1258 mAh g^?1 even after 50 charge/discharge cycles. This improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the pore memory effect and highly conductive N‐doping GN matrix from the unique sponge‐like structure.     

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Metallic Sn in NiO/SnO2 Nanocomposite

It is well accepted that metallic tin as a discharge (reduction) product of SnO_x cannot be electrochemically oxidized below 3.00 V versus Li⁺/Li⁰ due to the high stability of Li₂O, though a similar oxidation can usually occur for a transition metal formed from the corresponding oxide. In this work, nanosized Ni₂SnO₄ and NiO/SnO₂ nanocomposite were synthesized by coprecipitation reactions and subsequent heat treatment. Owing to the catalytic effect of nanosized metallic nickel, metallic tin can be electrochemically oxidized to SnO₂ below 3.00 V. As a result, the reversible lithium‐storage capacities of the nanocomposite reach 970 mAh g^?1 or above, much higher than the theoretical capacity (ca. 750 mAh g^?1) of SnO₂, NiO, or their composites. These findings extend the well‐known electrochemical conversion reaction to non‐transition‐metal compounds and may have important applications, for example, in constructing high‐capacity electrode materials and efficient catalysts.     

Using Simple Spray Pyrolysis to Prepare Yolk–Shell‐Structured ZnO–Mn3O4 Systems with the Optimum Composition for Superior Electrochemical Properties

A spray‐pyrolysis process is introduced as an effective tool for the preparation of yolk–shell‐structured materials with electrochemical properties suitable for anode materials in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). Yolk–shell‐structured ZnO–Mn₃O₄ systems with various molar ratios of the Zn and Mn components are prepared. The yolk–shell‐structured ZnO–Mn₃O₄ powders with a molar ratio of 1:1 of the Zn and Mn components are shown to have high capacities and good cycling performances.