Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Lithium Carboxylate 2D Compounds as High‐Performance Anodes for Li−Ion Batteries

Abstract

AbstractThe large‐scale utilization of Li‐ion batteries in electric vehicles requires urgent development of cost‐effective and high‐performance electrode materials. Herein, we report the synthesis of conjugated carboxylate (Li4C8H2O6) and non‐conjugated carboxylate (Li4C4H2O6) by using a simple solvothermal method and its utilization as anode materials in Li‐ion batteries. Atomic force microscopy reveals that as‐prepared Li4C8H2O6 and Li4C4H2O6 possess a sheet‐like morphology with a thickness of 3–5 nm. An initial discharge capacities of 251.7 mAh/g and 251.6 mAh/g at a current density of 50 mA/g can be obtained for Li4C8H2O6 and Li4C4H2O6, respectively. In addition, Li4C8H2O6 is combined with a small amount (5 wt. %) of graphene and nano‐Si to enhance the cyclic performance and specific capacity. Consequently, Li4C8H2O6/graphene and Li4C8H2O6/nano‐Si composites rendered a high discharge capacity of 350 mAh/g and 240 mAh/g, respectively, at a relatively higher current density of 100 mA/g. These results demonstrate that lithium carboxylates are promising anode materials for Li‐ion batteries.