The Effects of the Binder and Buffering Matrix on InSb-Based Anodes for High-Performance Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries.

Vo Pham Hoang Huy,Il Tae Kim,Jaehyun Hur

doi:10.3390/nano11123420

Abstract

C-decorated intermetallic InSb (InSb–C) was developed as a novel high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). InSb nanoparticles synthesized via a mechanochemical reaction were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The effects of the binder and buffering matrix on the active InSb were investigated. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was found to significantly improve the cycling stability owing to its strong hydrogen bonding. The addition of amorphous C to InSb further enhanced mechanical stability and electronic conductivity. As a result, InSb–C demonstrated good electrochemical Li-ion storage performance: a high reversible specific capacity (878 mAh·g−1 at 100 mA·g−1 after 140 cycles) and good rate capability (capacity retention of 98% at 10 A·g−1 as compared to 0.1 A·g−1). The effects of PAA and C were comprehensively studied using cyclic voltammetry, differential capacity plots, ex-situ SEM, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In addition, the electrochemical reaction mechanism of InSb was revealed using ex-situ XRD. InSb–C exhibited a better performance than many recently reported Sb-based electrodes; thus, it can be considered as a potential anode material in LIBs.

Highlights

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in various portable devices and energy storage systems owing to their high energy density, high cell voltage, low selfdischarge, and low memory effect [1–4]
Sb-based materials have gained significant attention as promising anodes in LIBs owing to their low cost, high conductivity, high density, and high theoretical capacity [24–27]
We demonstrate C-decorated InSb (InSb–C) as a novel Sb-based bimetallic high-performance anode for LIBs

Summary

Introduction

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in various portable devices and energy storage systems owing to their high energy density, high cell voltage, low selfdischarge, and low memory effect [1–4]. Synthesized morphology-controllable Sn–Sb composites with micro- and nano-sized hollow, dendritic, or mixed-type structures; these designed composites exhibited good cycling stability and rate performance in LIBs and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) [29] Another effective approach that can enhance the performance of Sb-based electrodes is to introduce various nanoscale conductive carbon materials to create nanostructured Sb/C composites (e.g., 1D carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, nanorods, 2D graphene, 3D graphite, and porous carbon) [30–33]. Some In-based nanomaterials have been reported as good anode materials owing to the high theoretical capacity of In (1012 mAh·g−1 ) [27,28], intermetallic InSb has rarely been investigated as an anode material for LIBs. To achieve a high-performance InSb electrode, we investigate the effects of the binder and buffering matrix on the performance of InSb. This study demonstrates that PAA is an effective binder that impedes volume expansion and limits the structural degradation of the electrode owing to its strong hydrogen bonding with the active InSb. The addition of amorphous. The phase transformation mechanism of InSb during lithiation/delithiation is studied using ex-situ XRD

Synthesis of InSb and InSb–C

Material Characterization

Electrochemical Measurements

Results and Discussion

Electrochemical performance of the

Method