Ultra‐stable and High‐rate Lithium Ion Batteries Based on Metal–organic Framework‐derived In2O3 Nanocrystals/Hierarchically Porous Nitrogen‐doped Carbon Anode

Abstract

Exploring electrode materials with attractive specific capacity and prominent cyclic durability is of the essence for promoting lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In2O3 has shown an extraordinary promise for LIBs with advantageous gravimetric capacity (theoretically 965 mA h g−1) and low working voltage. However, In2O3 still suffers from the inherent weaknesses of metal oxides in practical application, especially low conductivity and incorrigible volume expansion upon the cycling process. Here, we demonstrate the architecture of metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived In2O3 nanocrystals/hierarchically porous nitrogen‐doped carbon composite (In2O3/HPNC) for ultra‐stable LIBs anode. This hierarchically porous structure (micro/meso/macro‐pores) with nitrogen doping not only ensures exceptional mechanical strength and accommodates the volume expansion of In2O3 nanocrystals, but also offers electrons and lithium ions efficient interpenetrating pathways to migrate rapidly during charge/discharge processes. Thus, In2O3/HPNC exhibits excellent cyclic stability with a high specific capacity of 623 mA h g−1 over 2000 cycles at 1000 mA g−1, corresponding to an ultra‐low specific capacity decay of 0.017% per cycle (the best among the In2O3‐based anode for LIBs), and outstanding rate performance, suggesting a critical step toward achieving long‐life and high‐rate LIBs in practical devices.