Controlling precise voids in the ion-selective carbon shell for zero-strain electrode

Abstract

Low-strain nanoarchitectures are the precondition for offering a stable electrochemical environment towards high-performance lithium-ion battery anode in the compaction system. Realizing the zero-strain for each particle of high-capacity anode is a scientific challenge, because of huge volume changes arising during the insertion/extraction process of Li+. Herein, we develop a facile and general strategy to construct a freestanding transition metal oxides (TMOs) anode with consecutive nanoarrays of yolk-shell nanorods. By confining the dehydration process in the ion-selective carbon-ene‑yne (CEY) nanotubes, free space can be precisely created for alleviating the excessive volume expansion of internal particles. The all-carbon CEY not only conducts the electrons and supports the nanoarchitecture of the anode, but also provides the high-areal-density atomic-level selective channels for Li+ diffusion and prevents the electrolyte from decomposition. The as-obtained strainless anode demonstrates an ultra-stable architecture and interface during cycling, leading to a high specific capacity and enhanced cycling ability. Our result demonstrates the significant advantages to largely produce zero-strain architecture, towards ideally solving the crucial issues confronted in the high-volume-change electrode.