Abstract
The performance of anodes of lithium-ion batteries relies largely on the architecture and composition of the hybrid active materials. We present a two-step, seed-free, solution-based method for the direct growth of hierarchical charantia-like TiO2/Fe2O3 core/shell nanotube arrays on carbon cloth substrates. An ultrahigh loading of the nanomaterial on carbon fibers was achieved with this method without the use of a binder. This three-dimensional porous hollow architecture and its direct contact with the CC current collector ensure an efficient electronic pathway. The hollow TiO2 framework effectively protects the hierarchical charantia-like TiO2/Fe2O3 hollow core/shell arrays from collapsing because of its negligible volume change during cycling. Meanwhile, the self-assembled α-Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres guarantee a large capacity and contact area with the electrolyte. This flexible anode with a 3D porous charantia-like hollow architecture exhibits high cycle performance, reversible capacity, and rate capability. These nanotube arrays maintain a high reversible capacity of 875 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g−1. This simple, cost-effective, and scalable electrode fabrication strategy can be implemented in the fabrication of high-performance wearable energy storage devices.
Highlights
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are popular energy storage devices because of their high energy density, high open-circuit voltage, lack of memory effects, and shape controllability (Joshi et al, 2016; Zhao et al, 2016; Shen et al, 2018; Deng et al, 2019)
The carbon cloth (CC)/TiO2 nanotube arrays decreased the fracture risk caused by the volume fluctuation during lithium-ion insertion and extraction, while the α-Fe2O3 nanosphere shell assembled on the surface of TiO2 nanotube increased the surface area and number of active sites
Scheme 1 shows the synthesis of the 3D hierarchical charantialike CC/TiO2/Fe2O3 nanotube arrays
Summary
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are popular energy storage devices because of their high energy density, high open-circuit voltage, lack of memory effects, and shape controllability (Joshi et al, 2016; Zhao et al, 2016; Shen et al, 2018; Deng et al, 2019). When Fe2O3 is anchored onto the surface of a TiO2 nano-backbone, its high theoretical capacity compensates for the deficient capacity of the TiO2 nano-backbone, while the good conductivity and low volume expansion of TiO2 ensures excellent cyclic stability of the hybrid material (Luo et al, 2012; Yang et al, 2017). The CC/TiO2 nanotube arrays decreased the fracture risk caused by the volume fluctuation during lithium-ion insertion and extraction, while the α-Fe2O3 nanosphere shell assembled on the surface of TiO2 nanotube increased the surface area and number of active sites. Direct contact of the active material with the CC substrate and the hollow structure facilitated an efficient electronic pathway. Their unique hollow core-shell structure endowed the final electrodes with high energy, reversible capacity, and cycle performance
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