Anode Material For Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

The Effect of Nickel Addition on α-Fe2O3 Synthesis Using NaOH and Application as Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Material

Research has been conducted in the pursuit of developing the performance of batteries. The increasing demand for electronic devices and electric vehicles has driven the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Among the various anode materials, α-Fe2O3 has attracted significant attention due to its high theoretical specific capacity of 1007 mAh/g. However, its low conductivity and poor rate capability limit its practical application. To address these issues, this study investigates the addition of nickel (Ni) into α-Fe2O3 through a co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The electrochemical performance was evaluated using an LCR meter and charge-discharge cycling. The results showed the addition of Ni improved the conductivity of the α-Fe2O3 material. The optimal Ni content was found as much as 18×10-4 mol which exhibits the highest conductivity and specific capacity. The synthesized α-Fe1.965Ni0.035O3 material demonstrated a specific charging capacity of 1.8433 mAh/g and a specific discharging capacity of 1.8388 mAh/g. These findings suggest that Ni-doped α-Fe2O3 has the potential to be a promising anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles Anchored in Hydrogel-Derived Three-Dimensional N-Doped Porous Carbon Anode Materials as Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been identified as the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, these materials tend to undergo volumetric expansion during battery operation, which disrupts their internal structure and ultimately leads to a degradation of battery performance. Cr2O3/N-doped porous carbon (Cr2O3@NC) composites were successfully synthesized through high-temperature calcination using Cr2O3-containing hydrogels as precursors. The results show that the carbon material not only improves the electron transfer ability of Cr2O3 but also effectively prevents its agglomeration. The Cr2O3@CN composite as a novel anode material for LIBs exhibits a reversible capacity of 936 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 1 A g-1, showcasing excellent cycling and structural stability during cycling. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals that the Cr2O3@NC composite remains structurally intact throughout cycling. The innovative approach proposed in this study provides a new direction for the advancement of electrode materials for energy storage technologies.

Liquid metal-enhanced MoS2 nanocomposite for self-healing colloidal anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Energy storage is pivotal in addressing global energy challenges, with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at the forefront. However, their longevity is often limited by anode material degradation. Here, we introduce a novel LM/AgNWs@MoS2 nanocomposite anode material, synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, which integrates liquid metal's fluidity with silver nanowires' conductivity and MoS2's rapid lithium-ion diffusion. This composite demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, maintaining 468 mA h g−1 over 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1, and self-heals electrode cracks, offering a significant advancement for LIBs durability and safety. The LM/AgNWs@MoS2 nanocomposite addresses the critical need for durable, self-healing anode materials in LIBs, pushing forward the development of next-generation energy storage solutions.

Waxberry-like TiO2 with Synergistic Surface Modification of Pyrolytic Carbon Coating and Carbon Nanotubes as an Anode for Li-Ion Battery.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has the advantages of tiny volume expansion, high operating voltage, and outstanding safety performance. However, due to the low conductivity of TiO2 and the slow diffusion rate of lithium ions (Li+), it is limited in the application of LIBs. Therefore, waxberry-like TiO2 comodified by pyrolytic carbon coating and carbon nanotubes was prepared in this work. The waxberry-like TiO2 with nanorods on its surface shortens the diffusion distance of Li+. Carbon nanotubes and waxberry-like TiO2 are tightly combined through electrostatic assembly and form a cross-linked conductive network to provide more electron transmission paths. A thin layer of pyrolytic carbon wraps carbon nanotubes and waxberry-like TiO2, which enhance the conductivity of the composites and ensure the structural integrity of the materials throughout the cycling process. The experimental data revealed that the discharge-specific capacity of TiO2@CNT@C is 170.5 mAh g-1 after 3000 cycles at a large current density of 5 A g-1, and the discharge-specific capacity is still 143 mAh g-1 at the superhigh rate of 10 A g-1, which provides excellent rate performance and cyclic stability. The efficient dual-carbon modification strategy could potentially be extended to other materials.

Molten salt assisted synthesis of Si/C nanocomposite derived from palygorskite and sodium alginate for electrochemical lithium storage.

Silicon/carbon (Si/C) nanocomposites are considered as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high capacity and suitable lithiation potential. However, the complex and time-consuming preparation processes of silicon-based nanocomposites and the unexpected silicon carbide generated during high treatment make it difficult to achieve high-performance Si/C nanocomposites for practical applications. Herein, a silicon/carbon nanocomposite is successfully prepared through a facile and eco-friendly molten salt assisted precarbonization-reduction method using palygorskite (PAL) and sodium alginate as raw materials. Based on physical characterizations, it is demonstrated that the sodium alginate plays a key role in the successful preparation of Si/C nanocomposite, which not only boosts uniform embedding of PAL nanoparticles in the carbon matrix but also releases molten sodium salt to suppress the formation of unexpected SiC. When used as an alternative anode material for lithium-ion battery applications, the as-obtained Si/C composite delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 1362.7 mA h g-1 with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 70.3% at a current density of 200 mA g-1 and excellent long-term cycling stability. The findings here provide a facile and eco-friendly molten salt assisted precarbonization-reduction method for high-performance silicon/carbon anode materials.

N, P co-Doped Hard Carbon Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries with Enhanced Capacity Retention and Cycle Stability.

Compared to the traditional graphite anode, heteroatom-doped polymer carbon materials have high capacity retention due to their high porosity and porous structure. Therefore, they have great potential for application in lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. In this work,an N, P co-doped precursor polymer material (MBPp), synthesized via a one-pot method using bisphenol-A (C-source), melamine (N-source), and 9,10-Dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (P-source). The resulting N, P-co-doped hard carbon materials (MBPs) were prepared at various pyrolysis temperatures, yielding microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous structures. MBP materials demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance as LIB anodes. Notably, MBP-900 achieved a reversible capacity of 262 mAh g-1 at 1000 mA g-1 (in 0.005-2.0 V voltage range) with a capacity retention rate of 97.2% after 1000 cycles. These findings highlight the significance of MBP materials, which possess numerous defects, large layer gaps, and excellent cycle stability, in advancing the development of polymer anode materials for LIBs.

A DFT Study of Band-Gap Tuning in 2D Black Phosphorus via Li+, Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ Ions.

Black phosphorus (BP) and its two-dimensional derivative (2D-BP) have garnered significant attention as promising anode materials for electrochemical energy storage devices, including next-generation fast-charging batteries. However, the interactions between BP and light metal ions, as well as how these interactions influence BP's electronic properties, remain poorly understood. Here, we employed density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the effects of monovalent (Li+ and Na+) and divalent (Mg2+ and Ca2+) ions on the valence electronic structure of 2D-BP. Molecular orbital analysis revealed that the adsorption of divalent cations can significantly reduce the band gap, suggesting an enhancement in charge transfer rates. In contrast, the adsorption of monovalent cations had minimal impact on the band gap, suggesting the preservation of 2D-BP's intrinsic electrical properties. Energetic and charge analyses indicated that the extent of charge transfer primarily governs the ability of ions to modulate 2D-BP's electronic structure, especially under high-pressure conditions where ions are in close proximity to the 2D-BP surface. Moreover, charge polarization calculations revealed that, compared with monovalent cations, divalent cations induced greater polarization, disrupting the symmetry of the pristine 2D-BP and further influencing its electronic characteristics. These findings provide a molecular-level understanding of how ion interactions influence 2D-BP's electronic properties during ion-intercalation processes, where ions are in close proximity to the 2D-BP surface. Moreover, the calculated diffusion barrier results revealed the potential of 2D-BP as an effective anode material for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and magnesium-ion batteries, though its performance may be limited for calcium-ion batteries. By extending our understanding of interactions between ions and 2D-BP, this work contributes to the design of efficient and reliable energy storage technologies, particularly for the next-generation fast-charging batteries.

Exploring the potential of MXene nanohybrids as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are an integral part of modern life, powering diverse applications from transportable devices to electric vehicles. Efficacy of LIBs depends on the performance of their components with anode material playing the pivotal role. Traditional graphite anodes have limitations in capacity and rate capability. This review comprehensively discusses utilization of MXene-based composites as anode materials in LIBs. MXene composites exhibit versatile lithium storage mechanisms, involving intercalation and/or conversion reactions. Pure MXenes offer advantages of high capacity and cycling stability having challenges due to limited conductivity and mechanical fragility, restricting their practical utility, thereby affecting their performance in solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs). MXene composites overcome unsystematic dispersal and accumulation issues of pure MXene. MXenes in composite form could increase LIBs performance by overcoming limitations of pure MXenes, enabling breakthroughs in energy storage. The review covers different MXene composites viz., MXene/graphene, MXene/silicon, MXene/tin, MXene/carbon, MXene/metal oxide, and MXene/conducting polymer providing a holistic overview. Their performance, cycling stability, and rate capability are discussed to cover challenges and future prospects.

Functionalized MXene anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Investigating the fundamental properties of anode materials is essential for developing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, ab initio calculations are used to determine the suitability of MXene M2CTX (M = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, and Mn; TX = Cl, Br, S, Se, O, and Te) sheets as anode materials for LIBs. We revealed that Cr2CSe2 sheet exhibited a Li storage capacity of 391.340mAh/g, surpassing that of graphite (372mAh/g). Furthermore, diffusion barrier analysis revealed considerably lower energy barriers (~0.05eV) for Li-ion diffusion along the C1–A–C2 pathway compared to graphite, demonstrating the potential for enhanced rate and capacity in MXene-based anode materials. These findings provide valuable insights into developing LIBs with enhanced performance.

Solid-Liquid-Solid Growth of Doped Silicon Nanowires for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anode

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have great potential in electronic devices, sensors, energy storage, and conversion devices. Despite various ways to synthesize SiNWs, however, the growth of SiNWs directly from stable, abundant, sustainable silica sources has yet to be achieved. Herein, we report a modified alumino-reduction process of the silica to produce tin (Sn)-doped SiNWs that can be initiated at low temperature (250 °C) based on a solid-liquid-solid growth mechanism in analogy to the well-known vapor-liquid-solid (VLS). In this growth process, the reduced silicon atoms migrate freely in the molten salt and alloy with pre-reduced Sn. The supersaturation of silicon in the Sn-Si alloy leads to the precipitation of single-crystal SiNWs. The prepared SiNWs are of excellent crystallinity and doped with high non-equilibrium concentration (~3.0at.%) of Sn. This process with the solid-liquid-solid mechanism can also be extended to produce other group IV elements-based nanowires such as germanium. In addition, the prepared Sn-doped SiNWs as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries exhibit excellent performance with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 85.4%, and a substantial reversible capacity of 1133 mAh g-1 even after 500 cycles at 4Ag-1. By utilizing the solid-liquid-solid mechanism, this modified alumino-reduction process offers a novel route for synthesizing doped SiNWs, holding promise for diverse applications.

Preparation of Fe2O3 nanoparticles with ultrathin carbon covered as lithium storage anodes

This study focuses on the development of ultrathin carbon (UTC) treated with Fe2O3 nanoparticles as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, a simple hydrothermal method has been adopted to prepare Fe2O3@C nanocomposite, followed by annealing. The obtained Fe2O3@C demonstrates Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) with uniform carbon, which effectively mitigates volume expansion and enhances electrochemical performance. Encouraging, the first principal calculations ensure that carbon doping in Fe2O3 can notably reduce the band gap from 2.12 to 1.10 eV and enhance electronic conductivity.

Pomegranate-like cobalt Phosphides@P-Doped carbon Nanostructures with controlled phase as anode materials for Lithium-Ion batteries

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have recently emerged as prominent energy conversion and storage materials owing to their unique physicochemical property. Nevertheless, it’s still a difficult task to obtain phase-control of TMPs owing to multiple energetically favorable stoichiometries. Herein, a phase-controllable cobalt phosphide@C with the pomegranate core–shell structure are successfully realized by employing Co-glycerate as precursors and phytic acid (PA) as P sources, etching and coordination agents. With the presence of six phosphoryl groups and the strong coordination ability, PA allows the self-phosphating of Co atoms and the P-doped carbon shell, as well as the confinement of the obtained nanoparticles Additionally, as an organic acid, PA can etch the Co-glycerate precursors with the formation of hollow structures. With different etching time, metal-rich phosphides Co2P@C and monophosphides CoP@C are successfully achieved. When applied as anode materials, CoP@C demonstrates superior lithium storage performance by delivering a prominent reversible capacity up to 1187 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and shows no capacity loss at 1 A/g after 500 cycles. This work presents a simple protocol to obtain TMPs with tunable metal/phosphorus ratios, phase selectivity and interface engineering, which could be applied in the field of energy storage and electrocatalysis.

Synthesis of high-entropy perovskite metal fluoride anode materials for lithium-ion batteries via a one-pot solution method

Synthesis of high-entropy perovskite metal fluoride anode materials for lithium-ion batteries via a one-pot solution method

Pre-lithiation synergized with magnesiothermic reduction to enhance the performance of SiO anode for Advanced lithium-ion batteries

Due to its high theoretical specific capacity, micron-sized silicon monoxide (SiO) is regarded as one of the most competitive anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with high specific energy density. However, originating from the low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and large volume expansion, its large-scale application is seriously hindered. Herein, an easy-to-implement solid-state pre-lithiation method synergized with the magnesiothermic reduction process was performed to enhance the ICE of SiO and a common bimetallic hydride was used as a prelithiation reagent. Moreover, the effects of different pre-lithiation reagent amounts on the physical and electrochemical properties of SiOx are investigated. Notably, the SiOx-LA@C composite anchored by in-situ generated LiAl(SiO3)2 shows a more stable microstructure and excellent electrochemical properties, which delivers an ultrahigh ICE of 89.4 % and an excellent initial capacity of 1864.4 mAh g−1. Furthermore, the full cells were successfully assembled by using the prepared anodes, which exhibit relatively stable cycle performance over 150 cycles. This work suggests a safe and feasible route to enhance the ICE of SiOx for the applicable SiO-based anode materials.

Fast kinetics for lithium storage rendered by Li3VO4 nanoparticles/porous N-doped carbon nanofibers

Li3VO4 (LVO) has been recognized as an alternative anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its appropriate lithium storage potential and capacity merits. However, its practical application is seriously hindered by slow reaction kinetics stemming from poor electronic conductivity. Herein, Li3VO4/porous N-doped carbon nanofibers (LVO/PNC NFs) are firstly designed and fabricated via an electrospinning method, utilizing the thermal decomposition characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA). The porous N-doped carbon nanofibers provide efficient electrolyte diffusion paths and facilitate ion transport. In addition, LVO nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed along the nanofibers to effectively inhibit particle aggregation. The obtained LVO/PNC NFs are evaluated as anodes for LIBs and deliver high reversible capacity of 768 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 0.2 A g−1, along with excellent rate capability (average capacity of 355 mAh g−1 at 8 A g−1 after 6 periodic rate testing) and long cycling life (286 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles at 4 A g−1). The special porous nanofiber represents an effective strategy for improving the electronic conductivity, inhibiting particle aggregation, and ensuring rapid ion/charge transport towards advanced energy storage technologies.

Structural regulation of 1T-MoS2/Graphene composite materials for high-performance lithium-ion capacitors

Heterogeneous composite structures are considered an effective strategy by utilizing the advantages of heterogeneous components. However, the relationship between structural modifications and electrochemical performance remains inadequately understood. In this study, we leveraged DFT calculations to elucidate the key advantages of the 1T-MoS2/Gr heterostructure, including its exceptional electrical conductivity, enhanced Li+ adsorption capabilities, and improved Li+ diffusion kinetics. To synthesize the 1T-MoS2/Gr composite, we developed a facile, one-step hydrothermal method using glucose as a reducing agent, achieving an optimal heterostructure that maximized the synergistic properties of the components. By comparing different levels of graphene content, the relationship between structural regulation and electrochemical performance has been studied, and a remarkably significant heterostructure composite material (1T-MoS2/Gr-0.8) was identified. As the anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), 1T-MoS2/Gr-0.8 presents excellent cycle performance with 467 mAh g−1 under the condition (0.5 A g−1, 600 cycles). Simultaneously, when assembling the lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) device with an activated carbon (AC) cathode, even at a high power density of 11.7 kW kg−1, the energy density of the 1T-MoS2/Gr-0.8//AC LIC is as high as 137.0 Wh kg−1. Moreover, the capacity retention rate remains at 89.9 % even after 2000 cycles at 2 A g−1, demonstrating its candidacy as a high-performance anode material for LICs.

Electrochemical performance of three-dimensional porous Sn/Cu3Sn/CuO/SnO composite as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Sn is used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity, conductivity, and safety. However, due to the huge volume change during charging and discharging, it suffers serious mechanical degradation, and the capacity rapidly decays. In this study, a simple and feasible strategy was used to electroplate Sn on Cu foam, followed by heat treatment to obtain Sn composite anodes (Sn/Cu3Sn/CuO/SnO). The composite anode served to mitigate the volumetric expansion that was a consequence of the lithiation–delithiation process. It also prevented electrode pulverization and ensured that the overall integrity of the electrode was maintained, thereby enhancing its electrochemical performance. The capacity of the electrode reached 653.56 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2 C after 300 charge-discharge cycles. Thus, the prepared composite materials had a high capacity and long-term cyclic stability.

Performance of high-energy storage activated carbon derived from olive pomace biomass as an anode material for sustainable lithium-ion batteries

In this work, we investigate how activated carbon (AC) derived from olive pomace biomass can be used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries. The biomass-derived activated carbon has the potential to be highly efficient, deliver high performance, sustainable, and cost-effective in LIBs-related production. The activated carbon is prepared by using H3PO4 as a chemical activation agent, and then calcining the obtained product at 500°C for different controlled atmospheres under (i) air (AC-Atm), (ii) vacuum (AC-Vac), and (iii) argon (AC-Arg). The different samples were systematically analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to assess their properties. The electrochemical properties of the carbonaceous materials were studied by galvanostatic cycling, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed high specific capacity and stable cycling performance, with capacities of 288, 184, and 56 mAh g-1 at the current density of 25 mA g-1 after 70 cycles for AC-Arg, AC-Vac, and AC-Atm respectively. Furthermore, the CE efficiency was nearly 100% from the first cycles. This study opens up interesting prospects and offers promising opportunities for more efficient recovery of unused olive pomace waste, by integrating it into energy storage applications, particularly sustainable lithium-ion batteries.

Devitrified silica minerals glass of tanohataite (LiMn2Si3O8F) mineral as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Devitrified silica minerals glass was obtained from stoichiometric tanohataite (LiMn2Si3O8F) mineral prepared by melt quench route. Low-quartz and cristobalite (∼19.5 %) were developed in glass during melt cooling and casting the glass melt. However, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the devitrified glass showed nanoscale particles scattered in a few crystallized spots. When it was tested as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, a relatively high initial capacity of ca.785 mAh g−1 was obtained at 50 mA g−1 as an initial discharge capacity. Very good stability with excellent capacity retention (sometimes it exceeds 100 %) was observed based on the 2nd discharge capacity until the 500th cycle with about 100 % coulombic efficiency. The sample showed good rate capability as it still delivers a capacity of 26 mAh g−1 after increasing the current density 40 times of magnitude. Also, it is a flexible material as after this considerable load, it can restore 185 mAh g−1 after returning to the initial low current (50 mA g−1). The electrochemical performance was supported by electrochemical impedance (EIS) measurement, which showed a decrease in EIS and an increase in lithium diffusion upon extended cycling. This unique electrochemical performance for this multicomponent non-crystalline glass was formerly supported by XPS characterization, which emphasized the presence of Mn4+ in the synthesized sample.

Nano ZnO modified amorphous carbon materials enabling long-cycle performance and high-capacity for lithium/sodium-ion batteries

Zinc-modified carbon materials exhibit high specific capacity, good safety, and low self-discharge, making them promising anode materials for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. However, the high cost of raw materials, complex fabrication processes, and limited cycle life remain significant challenges to their further development. In this study, we elucidated a two-step process, simple in technique and suitable for large-scale production, for in-situ zinc modification of amorphous carbon. The synthesized carbon material exhibited superior reversible specific capacity (maintaining 780.27 mAh·g−1 capacity after 80 cycles at 50 mA·g−1 current density), high cycling stability (maintaining Coulombic efficiency at 100.06 % after 15,000 cycles at 10 A·g−1 current density), and good application value (achieving a capacity of 89.67 mAh·g−1 after 1000 cycles at 200 mA·g−1 current density for the assembled MFAC-Zn||NVP full cell). Through our investigation, we discovered that Nano ZnO not only directly participate in electrochemical reactions but also effectively improve the microstructure of amorphous carbon, increasing its three-dimensional axial stacking and providing more reaction sites. The enrichment of open pores significantly enhances the diffusion efficiency of ions within the carbon-based matrix. The superior diffusion ability of alkali metal-ion in the electrode is the reason for the excellent electrochemical performance of Zinc-modified amorphous carbon. Moreover, the incorporation of Nano ZnO aids in the formation of a robust and thin SEI layer. This significantly enhances the stability of the electrode materials during cycling and improves charge transfer efficiency during the charge-discharge process. Our study provides a new strategy for adjusting the internal microstructure of amorphous carbon materials to achieve high-performance lithium/sodium storage.