Controlled formation of BNb3O9 nanobelts as superior host material for high performance electrochemical energy storage
Graphical abstract
Introduction
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are extensively considered as one of the most advanced and vital energy storage devices owing to their high power density and low impact to environment [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]]. Graphite as a commercialized anode material is successful for LIBs because of its low cost and relatively large theoretical capacity (372 mAh g−1). However, lithium intercalation at low operating voltage (about 0.1–0.2 V vs. Li+/Li) may lead to the formation of lithium dendrites during high-rate charge and discharge [[8], [9], [10]]. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative anode materials which are able to react with lithium at voltages above 0.5 V in the organic electrolytes.
In this aspect, titanium-based oxides have attracted widespread attention because of their suitable lithium ion insertion/extraction voltage window of 1.0–2.0 V. Particularly, the zero-strain Li4Ti5O12 with spinel structure is reported to be a dominant candidate for high-performance LIBs [[11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]]. However, its low theoretical capacity cannot satisfy the demand of current market, which is the main drawback of Li4Ti5O12 [18,19]. Additionally, the other titanium-based oxides such as TiO2, LiCrTiO4 and LiTi2(PO4)3, also show the low theoretical capacity (<200 mAh g−1) with a Ti4+/Ti3+ redox couple [[20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25]]. Recent research trends in exploring anode materials for LIBs have been devoted to niobium-based oxides because of their relatively high theoretical capacity (389 mAh g−1, supposing 2e transfer formula unit). Besides, Nb5+/Nb4+ and Nb4+/Nb3+, as two pairs of redox couples, are located within the voltage range of 1–3 V, which may avoid the formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film during charge and discharge cycles [[26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31]].
Herein, we report a facile and efficient approach to synthesize BNb3O9 hollowed-out nanobelts (denoted as BNO-H) by electrostatic spinning technology for the first time. The resulting hollowed-out banded structure is characterized by interconnected nanocrystallines with an average diameter of 100 nm and macropores separated by these nanocrystallines. Excitingly, the BNO-H shows enhanced electrochemical performances. Moreover, we find that in the voltage window of 1.0–3.0 V, five lithium ions can be stored in BNO-H structure per formula unit during discharge process, leading to a discharge capacity of 309 mAh g−1. In order to further insight into the lithium storage mechanism, we investigated the structural change of the BNO-H electrodes based on in-situ X-ray diffraction technique. The results display that BNO-H suffers a complicated two-phase reaction and three solid solution processes. The BNO-H shows not only ultrahigh reversibility, but also a high capacity, indicating it is a pretty hopeful anode material for LIBs.
Section snippets
Synthesis of BNb3O9 nanomaterials
The raw materials of poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) (MW ≈ 1300000, Macklin), H3BO3 (AR, Macklin) and C10H5NbO20 (AR, Macklin) were commercially available. The distilled water and absolute ethanol at a volume ratio of 1:4 were used as the solvent. After that, 1.116 g of C10H5NbO20 and 0.043 g of H3BO3 were added into the above solvent to form a mixed solution. Then, 1.6 g PVP was dissolved in the above mixed solution (16 mL). After magnetic stirring for 12 h, the obtained precursor solution was
Results and discussion
The general formation procedure of complex one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures is studied via electrospinning. Firstly, the cross-section of the initial liquid jet is often in circular shape due to the applied static voltage. Secondly, the ejected circular precursor undergoes a transient movement towards the grounded collector driven by electrostatic field force. Thirdly, the spun precursor fibers are solidified and collected over the grounded collector. Based on the mentioned analysis, the
Conclusions
The designed concept for synthesizing the BNO-H presents in this work is easily reproducible and facile. The growth of 1D hollowed-out banded structure is controlled by a simple electrospinning technique with different applied voltages. This provides an alternative approach for fabricating valuable hollowed-out banded materials by varying applied voltages.
By right of the distinctive hollowed-out banded structure, the BNO-H shows ascendant electrochemical performance as the anode for lithium ion
Acknowledgments
This work is sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1632114), Ningbo Key Innovation Team (2014B81005), and K.C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University.
References (55)
- et al.
Three-dimensional porous graphene networks and hybrids for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors
Chem
(2017) - et al.
Graphite-encapsulated Li-metal hybrid anodes for high-capacity Li batteries
Chem
(2016) - et al.
TiNb2O7 hollow nanofiber anode with superior electrochemical performance in rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Nano Energy
(2017) - et al.
Carbon anode materials for lithium ion batteries
J. Power Sources
(2003) - et al.
Carbon materials for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries
Carbon
(1999) - et al.
Studies on the enhancement of solid electrolyte interphase formation on graphitized anodes in LiX-carbonate based electrolytes using Lewis acid additives for lithium-ion batteries
J. Power Sources
(2009) - et al.
Ternary LixTiO2 phases from insertion reactions
Solid State Ionics
(1983) - et al.
Structure and electrochemistry of the spinel oxides LiTi2O4 and Li4/3Ti5/3O4
J. Power Sources
(1989) - et al.
Electrochemical study of Li4Ti5O12 as negative electrode for Li-ion polymer rechargeable batteries
J. Power Sources
(1999) - et al.
Li4Ti5O12 as anode in all-solid-state, plastic, lithium-ion batteries for low-power applications
Solid State Ionics
(2001)
LiTi2(PO4)3 with NASICON-type structure as lithium-storage materials
J. Power Sources
Deep insights into kinetics and structural evolution of nitrogen-doped carbon coated TiNb24O62 nanowires as high-performance lithium container
Nano Energy
XPS studies and defect structure of pure and Li-doped SrBPO5
Mater. Res. Bull.
Synthesis of Ti2Nb10O29/C composite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Int. J. Hydrogen Energy
High-rate capability of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous T-Nb2O5 through Li+ intercalation pseudocapacitance
J. Power Sources
Mesoporous TiNb2O7 microspheres as high performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with high-rate capability and long cycle-life
Electrochim. Acta
Ti2Nb10O29-x mesoporous microspheres as promising anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
J. Power Sources
K6Nb10.8O30 groove nanobelts as high performance lithium-ion battery anode towards long-life energy storage
Nano Energy
Electrical energy storage for the grid: a battery of choices
Science
Building better batteries
Nature
Where do batteries end and supercapacitors begin
Science
Challenges for rechargeable Li batteries
Chem. Mater.
Zero-strain insertion material of Li[Lil/3Ti5/3]O4 for rechargeable lithium cells
J. Electrochem. Soc.
Electrochemistry of anodes in solid-state Li-ion polymer batteries
J. Electrochem. Soc.
Preparation of micron-sized Li4Ti5O12 and its electrochemistry in polyacrylonitrile electrolyte-based lithium cells
J. Electrochem. Soc.
Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Li4Ti5O12: effect of wall structure on electrochemical properties
Chem. Mater.
Nitridation-driven conductive Li4Ti5O12 for lithium ion batteries
J. Am. Chem. Soc.
Cited by (9)
Kinetics modulation of titanium niobium oxide via hierarchical MXene coating for high-rate and high-energy density lithium-ion half/full batteries
2022, Applied Surface ScienceCitation Excerpt :Therefore, it is of great research significance to explore a new material which can effectively replace graphite as anode material for lithium ion battery. Up to now, lithium titanate has been widely researched as anode material owing to the relatively high working voltage ∼ 1.5 V and the formation of solid electrolyte passivation film (SEI film) and lithium dendrite can be restricted [9–10]. As a spinel structure, the commercial lithium titanate material is relatively stable and results in good cycling stability.
Copper niobate nanowires immobilized on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets as rate capability anode for lithium ion capacitor
2021, Journal of Colloid and Interface ScienceCitation Excerpt :The Nb2O5@carbon/rGO composite, prepared via the pyrolysis of a Nb-based Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) immobilized on graphene oxide, exhibits a maximum energy density of 71.5 Wh kg−1 and excellent cycle stability of 94% capacity retention [30]. Specifically, recent reports on niobium-containing binary metal oxides have shown that they can offer a higher specific capacity compared to Nb2O5 [31,32]. WNb12O33 nanowires prepared by a simple electrospinning method have shown a high reversible capacity of 228 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 [33].
Ultrafast Carbothermal Shock Synthesis of Wadsley–Roth Phase Niobium-Based Oxides for Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries
2024, Advanced Functional MaterialsNanofiber Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
2023, Advanced Fiber MaterialsIn situ incorporation of CoP nanoparticles onto BP nanosheets to improve electrochemical performance of Li-ion battery
2022, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics