Assembling Co_9S_8 nanoflakes on Co_3O_4 nanowires as advanced core/shell electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

Rational design of advanced cost-effective electrocatalysts is vital for the development of water electrolysis. Herein, we report a novel binder-free efficient Co_9S_8@Co_3O_4 core/shell electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction(OER) via a combined hydrothermal-sulfurization method. The sulfurized net-like Co_9S_8 nanoflakes are strongly anchored on the Co_3O_4 nanowire core forming self-supported binder-free core/shell electrocatalysts. Positive advantages including larger active surface area of Co_9S_8 nanoflakes,and reinforced structural stability are achieved in the Co_9S_8@Co_3O_4 core/shell arrays. The OER performances of the Co_9S_8@Co_3O_4 core/shell arrays are thoroughly tested and enhanced electrocatalytic performance with lower over-potential(260 m V at 20 m A cm~(-2)) and smaller Tafel slopes(56 mV dec-1) as well as long-term durability are demonstrated in alkaline medium. Our proposed core/shell smart design may provide a new way to construct other advanced binder-free electrocatalysts for applications in electrochemical catalysis.     

A Yolk–Shell‐Structured FePO4 Cathode for High‐Rate and Long‐Cycling Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Amorphous iron phosphate (FePO₄) has attracted enormous attention as a promising cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) because of its high theoretical specific capacity and superior electrochemical reversibility. Nevertheless, the low rate performance and rapid capacity decline seriously hamper its implementation in SIBs. Herein, we demonstrate a sagacious multi‐step templating approach to skillfully craft amorphous FePO₄ yolk–shell nanospheres with mesoporous nanoyolks supported inside the robust porous outer nanoshells. Their unique architecture and large surface area enable these amorphous FePO₄ yolk–shell nanospheres to manifest remarkable sodium storage properties with high reversible capacity, outstanding rate performance, and ultralong cycle life.     

一种新型的碳复合钼掺杂的钒氧化物纳米线钠离子电池正极材料

近年来,由于锂资源逐渐紧缺而导致其成本增加,锂离子电池发展受到了限制. 作为一个有潜力的替代者,有着相似电化学机制且成本较低的钠离子电池则发展迅速. 但由于钠离子与锂离子相较有着更大半径,在钠离子脱嵌过程中,对大多数电极材料的晶体结构破坏严重. 因此,开发新型电极材料对钠离子电池的进一步发展尤为重要. 其中,层状钒氧化物作为正极材料被广泛研究. 在这项工作中,作者基于钒氧化物,引入钼元素并与碳复合,首次设计合成了一种新型的碳复合钼掺杂的钒氧化物纳米线电极材料,并获得了优良的电化学性能（在50 mA•g^-1的电流密度下,最高放电比容量达135.9 mAh•g^-1,并在循环75次后仍有82.6mAh•g^-1的可逆容量,容量保持率高达71.8%;在1000mA•g^-1的高电流密度下循环并回到50mA•g^-1后,可逆放电比容量仍能回复至111.5mAh•g^-1）. 本工作的研究结果证明,这种具有超大层间距的新型碳复合钼掺杂的钒氧化物纳米线是一种非常有潜力的储钠材料,并且我们的工作为钠离子电池的进一步发展提供了一定的理论基础.     

A Yolk–Shell-Structured FePO4 Cathode for High-Rate and Long-Cycling Sodium-Ion Batteries

Amorphous iron phosphate (FePO₄) has attracted enormous attention as a promising cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of its high theoretical specific capacity and superior electrochemical reversibility. Nevertheless, the low rate performance and rapid capacity decline seriously hamper its implementation in SIBs. Herein, we demonstrate a sagacious multi-step templating approach to skillfully craft amorphous FePO₄ yolk–shell nanospheres with mesoporous nanoyolks supported inside the robust porous outer nanoshells. Their unique architecture and large surface area enable these amorphous FePO₄ yolk–shell nanospheres to manifest remarkable sodium storage properties with high reversible capacity, outstanding rate performance, and ultralong cycle life.     

The design and fabrication of Co_3O_4/Co_3V_2O_8/Ni nanocomposites as high-performance anodes for Li-ion batteries

The Co_3O_4/Co_3V_2O_8/Ni nanocomposites were rationally designed and prepared by a two-step hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent annealing treatment. The one-dimensional(1D) Co_3O_4 nanowire arrays directly grew on Ni foam, whereas the 1D Co_3V_2O_8 nanowires adhered to parts of Co_3O_4 nanowires.Most of the hybrid nanowires were inlayed with each other, forming a 3D hybrid nanowires network.As a result, the discharge capacity of Co_3O_4/Co_3V_2O_8/Ni nanocomposites could reach 1201.8 mAh/g after100 cycles at 100 mA/g. After 600 cycles at 1 A/g, the discharge capacity was maintained at 828.1 mAh/g.Moreover, even though the charge/discharge rates were increased to 10 A/g, it rendered reversible capacity of 491.2 mAh/g. The superior electrochemical properties of nanocomposites were probably ascribed to their unique 3D architecture and the synergistic effects of two active materials. Therefore, such Co_3O_4/Co_3V_2O_8/Ni nanocomposites could potentially be used as anode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries.     

Binder-free carbon fiber/TiNb2O7 composite electrode as superior high-rate anode for lithium ions batteries

Carbon fibre supported titanium niobium oxide (TiNb₂O₇) composite electrodes are prepared via a simple solvothermal method and show superior high-rate performance with large capacity and good cycling performance.     

Na2Ti3O7纳米片原位制备与钠离子电池负极材料应用

报道了Na₂Ti₃O₇纳米片的原位生长和钠离子电池负极材料的应用。通过简单的腐蚀市售的钛片制备出相互连接的微纳结构的Na₂Ti₃O₇纳米片。此外,腐蚀后的钛片在不用添加导电剂或粘结剂的情况下,可以直接作为电极材料使用。这种电极材料表现出优越的电化学性能,在50 mA·g^–1的电流密度下具有175 mAh·g^–1的可逆容量,在2000 mA·g^–1的电流密度下循环3000周后,其容量仍保持120 mAh·g^–1,容量保持率为96.5%。Na₂Ti₃O₇纳米片电极的优越电化学性能归因于二维结构具有较短的离子/电子扩散路径以及无粘结剂结构能有效的增加电极的电子传导能力。结果表明,这种微纳结构能够有效地克服Na₂Ti₃O₇作为电极材料离子/电子导电性差的缺点。因此,这种无粘结剂结构的Na₂Ti₃O₇纳米片负极材料是一种很有潜力的钠离子负极材料。     

One-dimensional core–shell motif nanowires with chemically-bonded transition metal sulfide-carbon heterostructures for efficient sodium-ion storage

Herein, a chemical-vapor deposition-like strategy was developed for the synthesis of versatile core–shell transition metal sulfide (TMS)@carbon nanowires with chemically-bonded heterostructures and significantly improved electrochemical performance. The morphological evolution observations revealed the simultaneous growth of TMS nanowires and their bonding with an ultrathin carbon layer. The resulting core–shell heterostructured nanowires possessed notable advantages, including fast ion/electron diffusion rates, improved conductivity, and chemical/mechanical stability, thereby leading to remarkable reversible capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability for Na-ion storage applications. The in situ transmission electron microscopy and in situ X-ray diffraction studies for FeS@C demonstrated the crystalline phase evolution between hexagonal and tetragonal FeS species during the electrochemical charging/discharging process, clearly indicating the excellent Na-ion storage performance of FeS@C nanowires. This work provides a new methodology for achieving 1D core–shell nanoarchitectures, while elucidating the electrochemical reaction mechanism underlying Na-ion storage in TMS materials.

A chemical-vapor deposition-like strategy was developed for the synthesis of versatile core–shell transition metal sulfide (TMS)@carbon heterostructured nanowires for electrochemical sodium ion storage.     

Bismuth Nanoparticles Embedded in Carbon Spheres as Anode Materials for Sodium/Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as an attractive alternative to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for large‐scale commercial applications, because of the abundant terrestrial reserves of sodium. Exporting suitable anode materials is the key to the development of SIBs and LIBs. In this contribution, we report on the fabrication of Bi@C microspheres using aerosol spray pyrolysis technique. When used as SIBs anode materials, the Bi@C microsphere delivered a high capacity of 123.5 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^?1. The rate performance is also impressive (specific capacities of 299, 252, 192, 141, and 90 mAh g^?1 are obtained under current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 A g^?1, respectively). Furthermore, the Bi@C microsphere also proved to be suitable LIB anode materials. The excellent electrochemical performance for both SIBs and LIBs can attributed to the Bi@C microsphere structure with Bi nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in carbon spheres.     

A Core–Shell Fe/Fe2O3 Nanowire as a High‐Performance Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The preparation of novel one‐dimensional core–shell Fe/Fe₂O₃ nanowires as anodes for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is reported. The nanowires are prepared in a facile synthetic process in aqueous solution under ambient conditions with subsequent annealing treatment that could tune the capacity for lithium storage. When this hybrid is used as an anode material for LIBs, the outer Fe₂O₃ shell can act as an electrochemically active material to store and release lithium ions, whereas the highly conductive and inactive Fe core functions as nothing more than an efficient electrical conducting pathway and a remarkable buffer to tolerate volume changes of the electrode materials during the insertion and extraction of lithium ions. The core–shell Fe/Fe₂O₃ nanowire maintains an excellent reversible capacity of over 767 mA h g^?1 at 500 mA g^?1 after 200 cycles with a high average Coulombic efficiency of 98.6 %. Even at 2000 mA g^?1, a stable capacity as high as 538 mA h g^?1 could be obtained. The unique composition and nanostructure of this electrode material contribute to this enhanced electrochemical performance. Due to the ease of large‐scale fabrication and superior electrochemical performance, these hybrid nanowires are promising anode materials for the next generation of high‐performance LIBs.     

一步硫/磷热处理制备空心Co9S8/CoP/C纳米复合材料及其储钠性能研究

低成本、高性能的钠离子电池有望成为代替锂离子电池的下一代核心器件.但是开发出高比容量、高倍率的钠离子电池负极材料依然是瓶颈.本文通过水热/溶剂热法制备了Co基前驱体,然后将其一步硫/磷热处理制得具有空心多孔结构的h-Co₉S₈/CoP/C纳米复合材料.通过X-射线粉末衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)和X-射线光电子能谱(XPS)等表征以确定纳米复合物的物相以及形貌特征.当h-Co₉S₈/CoP/C作为钠离子电池负极材料时,该电极材料展示了高的比容量(561 mAh g^-1@0.1 Ag^-1)、较好的循环性能(可逆比容量200 mAh g^-1@2 Ag^-1)和倍率性能.h-Co₉S₈/CoP/C之所以显示出良好的储钠性能,主要得益于其空心多孔结构不仅提供更多的空间缓解钠在反复嵌入和脱出过程造成的体积膨胀效应,而且可以缩短离子/电荷扩散途径以加快反应动力学,此外,Co₉S₈、CoP和C独特的电子结构优势得以共同发挥.     

Ultrahigh rate binder-free Na_3V_2(PO_4)_3/carbon cathode for sodium-ion battery

Sodium ion batteries(SIBs)are very promising for large-scale energy storage in virtue of its high energy density,abundant sodium resources and low environmental impact,etc.However,it is still a big challenge to develop high-performance and durable cathode materials for SIBs.Among different candidate materials,Na_3V_2(PO_4)_3has attracted great attentions due to its high theoretical capacity(117 mAh/g),stable framework structure and excellent ionic conductivity.However,Na_3V_2(PO_4)_3delivers inferior rate capability and cycling stability due to its poor electronic conductivity.In this work,free-standing Na_3V_2(PO_4)_3/carbon nanofiber membranes are synthesized by an electrospinning-sintering route.The sample could deliver excellent cycling capability with specific capacity of 112 mAh/g at 1 C after 250cycles and ultrahigh rate capability with 76.9 mAh/g even at 100 C,which is superior to many state-ofthe-art SIB cathode materials.This can be attributed to the hierarchically distributed Na_3V_2(PO_4)_3crystals in carbon nanofiber network,which possesses outstanding electronic/ionic conductivity and thus leads to an ultrahigh rate capability.     

Unraveling the stabilization mechanism of solid electrolyte interface on ZnSe by rGO in sodium ion battery

Transition metal selenides have been widely studied as anode materials of sodium ion batteries(SIBs),however,the investigation of solid-electrolyte-interface(SEI)on these materials,which is critical to the electrochemical performance of SIBs,remains at its infancy.Here in this paper,ZnSe@C nanoparticles were prepared from ZIF-8 and the SEI layers on these electrodes with and without reduced graphene oxide(rGO)layers were examined in details by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies at varied charged/discharged states.It is observed that fast and complicated electrolyte decomposition reactions on ZnSe@C leads to quite thick SEI film and intercalation of solvated sodium ions through such thick SEI film results in slow ion diffusion kinetics and unstable electrode structure.However,the presence of rGO could efficiently suppress the decomposition of electrolyte,thus thin and stable SEI film was formed.ZnSe@C electrodes wrapped by rGO demonstrates enhanced interfacial charge transfer kinetics and high electrochemical performance,a capacity retention of 96.4%,after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g.This study might offer a simple avenue for the designing high performance anode materials through manipulation of SEI film.     

Improving Na+ transport kinetics and Na+ storage of hierarchical rhenium-nickel sulfide (ReS2@NiS2) hollow architecture by assembling layered 2D-3D heterostructures

Mixed metal sulfides have been widely used as anode material of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their excellent conductivity and sodium ion storage performance. Herein, ReS₂@NiS₂ heterostructures have been triumphantly designed and prepared through anchoring ReS₂ nanosheet arrays on the surface of NiS₂ hollow nanosphere. Specifically, the carbon nanospheres was used as hard template to synthesize NiS₂ hollow spheres as the substrate and then the ultrathin two-dimensional ReS₂ nanosheet arrays were uniformly grown on the surface of NiS₂. The internal hollow property provides sufficient space to relieve the volume expansion, and the outer two-dimensional nanosheet realizes the rapid electron transport and insertion/extraction of Na⁺. Owing to the great improvement of the transport kinetics of Na⁺, NiS₂@ReS₂ heterostructure electrode can achieve a high specific capacity of 400 mAh/g at the high current density of 1 A/g and still maintain a stable cycle stability even after 220 cycles. This hard template method not only paves a new way for the design and construct binary metal sulfide heterostructure electrode materials with outstanding electrochemical performance for Na⁺ batteries but also open up the potential applications of anode materials of SIBs.     

多孔纳米立方FeSe2/石墨烯复合材料的可控构建及在钠离子电池中的应用

设计具有较高比容量和循环稳定性的负极材料对于钠离子电池的发展至关重要。过渡金属硒化物因其具有较高的理论容量而成为潜在的负极材料。但是,硒化物电导率低下且在钠离子嵌入/脱出的过程中会发生较大程度的体积膨胀,导致比容量快速下降。因此,结构调控显得尤为重要。通过常规水热法在二维还原氧化石墨烯（rGO）上原位生长多孔纳米立方体FeSe₂,制备了具有更多活性位点和结构更加稳定的FeSe₂/rGO复合材料。当用作钠离子电池的负极时,复合材料FeSe₂/rGO在0.2 A/g时比容量为694.6 mA?h/g,在2.0 A/g电流密度下,循环300圈后比容量为300 mA?h/g。     

Robust SnO2−x Nanoparticle‐Impregnated Carbon Nanofibers with Outstanding Electrochemical Performance for Advanced Sodium‐Ion Batteries

The sluggish sodium reaction kinetics, unstable Sn/Na₂O interface, and large volume expansion are major obstacles that impede practical applications of SnO₂‐based electrodes for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we report the crafting of homogeneously confined oxygen‐vacancy‐containing SnO_2?x nanoparticles with well‐defined void space in porous carbon nanofibers (denoted SnO_2?x/C composites) that address the issues noted above for advanced SIBs. Notably, SnO_2?x/C composites can be readily exploited as the working electrode, without need for binders and conductive additives. In contrast to past work, SnO_2?x/C composites‐based SIBs show remarkable electrochemical performance, offering high reversible capacity, ultralong cyclic stability, and excellent rate capability. A discharge capacity of 565 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1 is retained after 2000 cycles.     

Se-decorated SnO2/rGO composite spheres and their sodium storage performances

SnO₂ is considered a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost.However,the poor electrical conductivity and dramatic volume variation during cha rge/discharge cycling is a major limitation in its practical applicability.Here we propose a simple onepot spray pyrolysis process to construct unique pomegranate-like SnO₂/rGO/Se spheres.The ideal structural configuration of these architectures was effective in alleviating the large volume variation of SnO₂,besides facilitating rapid electron transfer,allowing the devised anode to exhibit superior sodium sto rage performances in terms of capacity(506.7 mAh/g at 30 mA/g),cycle performance(397 mAh/g after100 cycles at 50 mA/g) and rate capability(188.9 mAh/g at an ultrahigh current density of 10 A/g).The experimental evidence confirms the practical workability of p-SnO₂/rGO/Se spheres in SIBs.     

Ni3S2@碳纳米管复合材料的制备及其储钠性能

采用一步固相煅烧工艺制备了碳纳米管原位封装Ni₃S₂纳米颗粒（Ni₃S₂@CNT）,并研究了其作为钠离子电池（SIBs）负极材料的电化学性能. 通过X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、循环伏安测试、恒流充放电以及交流阻抗等研究了Ni₃S₂@CNT的物相结构、形貌特征以及电化学性能. 电化学测试表明,材料在100 mA·g ^-1电流密度下,放电容量可以达到541.6 mAh·g ^-1,甚至在2000 mA·g ^-1的大电流密度下其放电比容量也可以维持在274.5 mAh·g ^-1. 另外,材料在100 mA·g ^-1电流密度下,经过120周充放电循环后其放电和充电比容量仍然可以保持在374.5 mAh·g ^-1和359.3 mAh·g ^-1,说明其具有良好倍率性能和循环稳定性能. 良好的电化学性能归因于这种独特的碳纳米管原位封装Ni₃S₂纳米颗粒结构. 碳纳米管不但可以提高复合材料的导电性,也可以缓冲Ni₃S₂纳米颗粒在反复充放电过程中产生的体积膨胀效应,明显改善了Ni₃S₂@CNT负极复合材料的电化学性能.     

Multilayer Porous Vanadium Nitride Microsheets Anodes for Highly Stable Na-ion Batteries

Sodiumion batteries(SIBs)have attracted intensive attention as promising alternative to lithium-ionbatteries(LIBs)for large scale energy storage systems because of low cost of sodium,similar energy storage mechanism and the reasonable performance.However,it is still a great challenge to search and design a robust structure of anode materials with excellent cycling stability and high rate capability for SIBs.Herein,multilayer porous vanadium nitride(VN)microsheets are synthesized through a facile and scalable hydrothermal synthesis-nitrogenization strategy as an effective anode material for SIBs.The multilayer porous VN microsheets not only offer more active sites for fast Na+insertion/extraction process and short diffusion pathway,but also effectively buffer the volume change of anode due to more space in the multilayer porous structure.The large proportions of capacitive behavior imply that the Na+charge storage depends on the intercalation pseudocapacitive mechanism.The multilayer porous VN microsheets electrodes manifest excellent cycling stability and rate capability,delivering a discharge capacity of 156.1 mA·h/g at 200 mA/g after 100 cycles,and a discharge capacity of 111.9 mA·h/g at 1.0 A/g even after 2300 cycles with the Coulombic efficiency of nearly 100%.     

FeBO3 as a low cost and high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries

The research of borate materials as sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) anode is still in the early stages, but the boron polyoxoanions are attracting intense interest due to their low atomic weight and high electronegative features. In this work, FeBO₃ was prepared with low-cost raw materials and evaluated as SIBs anode. The FeBO₃ shows a high reversible capacity of 328 mAh/g at the current density of 0.4 A/g. In addition, the electrochemical performance of FeBO₃ can be improved by carbon coating. The prepared carbon-coated FeBO₃ composite has a reversible capacity of 426 mAh/g (at 0.4 A/g) and an outstanding rate capability of 272 mAh/g (at 1.6 A/g). Furthermore, the sodium storage mechanism of FeBO₃ was studied by in-situ XRD and ex-situ XPS.