Spherical CeO2 synthesized by molten-salt with unique fast variable valence properties for lithium-ion battery anode

Abstract

As an important rare earth oxide, fluorite CeO2 is widely used in lithium ion batteries because it can quickly and directly change the oxidation state of cerium from Ce3+ to Ce4+. In this work, the ball milling method and the molten salt approach were both used to successfully produce amorphous carbon-coated CeO2 composite. The CeO2@C composite has excellent rate characteristics, high reversibility, and cycling stability. In contrast to the pure CeO2 electrode, the reversible capacity of CeO2@C remains at 264.8 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1, with a capacity retention rate of 79.3%. The CeO2@C specific capacity is returned to 257.2 mAh/g, accounting for 89% of the initial capacity, after large current fluctuations and returning to the initial current density.