Preparation and electrochemical performance of foam–like CeO2 nanofoam as negative electrode material for rechargeable lithium–ion batteries

Abstract

Oxides of transition metal oxides have been discovered as candidate anode materials for lithium–ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their extraordinary specific capacity. Moreover, to improve the electrochemical performance of energy–storage devices, the use of porous electrode materials is considered one of the most effective strategies. Herein, we report highly porous cerium oxide (CeO2) nanofoam synthesized using a facile and simple solution combustion technique (SCT). In this technique, we use two different fuels to synthesis CeO2. The prepared S–CeO2 nanofoam delivers the highest specific surface area of 142.99 m2 g−1 with a highly enhanced contact area between the electrolyte and electrode. The prepared S–CeO2–based anode offers an initial specific capacity of 1154 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, which is three times higher than that of carbon–based materials. Additionally, the mesoporous S–CeO2 nanofoam exhibits good rate capability at high current densities. These attractive results suggest that S–CeO2 has great potential for use in high–performance LIB applications.