Novel nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon as high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

In the present study, by a simple template method, biomass waste (gelatin) acting as precursor and mesoporous SBA-15 (highly ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica structure) serving as hard template, novel nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (NOMC) was prepared. The NOMC serves as anode material for sodium-ion batteries, exhibiting a high reversible discharge capacity of 173.8 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles at 50 mA g−1. Moreover, even at 1000 mA g−1, prominent long-term cycling stability reaching 2000 cycles is also observed. According to the results, the electrochemical performance of NOMC electrode is remarkable (high reversible capacity, prominent rate performance, and superior cycling stability). Synergy effect between the N-doping and the ordered mesoporous structure most probably lead to the prominent electrochemical properties of NOMC electrode, the N-doping can improve the electrical conductivity and capacity of the carbonaceous anodes, and the ordered mesoporous structure can be fully contacted with the electrolyte to achieve better transportation of sodium ion/electrons.