A New Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries Based on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene: Improved Performance through a Binary Network Design

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials, especially graphene and carbon nanotubes, are considered to be favorable alternatives to graphite-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries, owing to their high specific surface area, electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical flexibility. However, the limited number of storage sites for lithium ions within the sp -carbon hexahedrons leads to the low storage capacity. Thus, rational structure design is essential for the preparation of high-performance carbon-based anode materials. Herein, we employed flexible single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with ultrahigh electrical conductivity as a wrapper for 3D graphene foam (GF) by using a facile dip-coating process to form a binary network structure. This structure, which offered high electrical conductivity, enlarged the electrode/electrolyte contact area, shortened the electron-/ion-transport pathways, and allowed for efficient utilization of the active material, which led to improved electrochemical performance. When used as an anode in lithium-ion batteries, the SWCNT-GF electrode delivered a specific capacity of 953 mA h g at a current density of 0.1 A g and a high reversible capacity of 606 mA h g after 1000 cycles, with a capacity retention of 90 % over 1000 cycles at 1 A g and 189 mA h g after 2200 cycles at 5 A g .

Recent Progress in Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for Li-Ion and Na-Ion Batteries—A Review

“…Nowadays, graphite (Gr) is the most common anode material for LIBs [11][12][13]. Carbon nanotubes and graphene appear as important anode materials as well [14,15]. However, these types of carbonaceous materials face serious drawbacks including high production costs, extremely complex large-scale fabrication, and or non-sustainable routes/processes [16].…”

Intercalation Engineering of 2D Materials at Macroscale for Smart Human–Machine Interface and Double‐Layer to Faradaic Charge Storage for Ions Separation

“…Graphene foam has the potential to be functionalized to alter its surface chemistry by inheriting the features of 2D graphene and overcoming the aggregation of graphene sheets in the 3D environment. [ 40 ] Moreover, binary composite foams of graphene and single‐walled CNT are known for high electrical conductivity and ease of rapid lithium ion and electron diffusion. The incorporation of doped ions can bring into the more charging site and free electrons with increased conductivity, which could boost the charge and discharge capacity of graphene for metal ion batteries.…”

Polymorphs of Nb2O5 Compound and Their Electrical Energy Storage Applications

“…Graphite (Gr) is the most widely utilized anode material in LIBs [147]. Carbon nanotubes and graphene also hold significance as anode materials [148]. However, these carbonaceous materials are limited by high production costs, complex, large-scale manufacturing processes, and unsustainable routes.…”