Hydrothermally Processed Oxide Nanostructures and Their Lithium-ion Storage Properties.

Jung-Ho Ahn,Yong-Jin Kim,Guoxiu Wang

doi:10.1007/s11671-010-9722-y

Abstract

Y- and Si-based oxide nanopowders were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction of Y or Si powders with NaOH or LiOH aqueous solution. Nanoparticles with different morphology such as elongated nanospheres, flower-like nanoparticles and nanowires were produced by a control of processing parameters, in particular, the starting composition of solution. The preliminary result of electrochemical examination showed that the hydrothermally processed nanowires exhibit high initial capacities of Li-ion storage: 653 mAh/g for Y2O3 nanowires as anode materials and 186 mAh/g for Li2Si2O5 nanowires as cathode materials in a Li secondary cell. Compared to the powder with elongated sphere or flower-like shapes, the nanowires showed a higher Li-ion capacity and a better cycle property.

Highlights

Nano-sized metal oxides have interesting properties, which cannot be expected in conventional microcrystalline materials [1–5]
Y- and Si-based oxide nanopowders were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction of Y or Si powders with NaOH or LiOH aqueous solution
We examined Li-ion storage property of the synthesized nanopowders to be potentially used as anode or cathode materials for Li-ion cells

Summary

Introduction

Nano-sized metal oxides have interesting properties, which cannot be expected in conventional microcrystalline materials [1–5]. One-dimensional (1-D) nanomaterials such as nanotubes and nanowires are expected to have novel properties due to higher specific surface area than 2-D or 3-D materials. A variety of methods has been employed to synthesize 1-D nanomaterial [7–10]. The chemical methods, such as a hydrazine reduction route in aqueous ethanol solutions assisted by external magnetic fields, are very effective to synthesize nanowires [11]. Hydrothermal process is considered as one of the most effective methods for the scaled-up to produce high-quality nanopowders. By a proper control of processing parameters such as the composition of starting solution, the morphology of nanopowders can be effectively controlled in this method [12–14]

Methods

Results

Conclusion