Coal‐Based Hierarchically Porous Carbon Nanofibers as High‐Performance Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are considered one of the most promising alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundance of sodium resources. However, the deployment of SIBs is hindered severely by the lack of advanced electrode materials, especially anode materials. Herein, coal‐based hierarchically porous carbon nanofibers (HPCCNFs) are prepared by a simple electrospinning coupled with activation method. The chemical activation gives HPCCNF‐1 a micro/mesoporous integrated structure and appropriate specific surface area (2236.43 m2 g−1), while expanding the carbon layer spacing to 0.386 nm, which facilitates ion and electron transport. The N doping not only creates external defects and active sites, but also increases the electrical conductivity of the material. When used as an anode material for SIBs, the HPCCNFs‐1 exhibits excellent cycling stability (up to 1000 cycles) and good rate performance (121.7 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1). This work demonstrates that the coal‐based carbon nanofibers can be a promising anode for building high‐performance batteries.

Advantages of Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Graphene Prepared from Tectonically Deformed Coal

“…Figure 7 a shows the first GCD performance of TRGO-HW/JY and NRGO-HW/JY as anode materials at a current density of 200 mA/g. The first GCD specific capacity of TRGO-HW/JY is approximately twice that of NRGO-HW/JY ( Table 6 ), which is higher than the theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g of traditional graphite and better than the reversible specific capacity of 450 mAh/g of the coal-based graphene lithium battery prepared by Gao Shasha at the current density of 200 mA/g, 57 indicating that the electrochemical lithium storage performance of TRGO is obviously better. However, the first Coulombic efficiency of both TRGO and NRGO is low, indicating that the first GCD capacity of each RGO is largely lost, which is mainly due to the decomposition of the electrolyte on the electrode surface and the formation of the SEI film, resulting in the irreversible cycle of partial loss of the battery.…”

A Multifunctional Coating on Sulfur-Containing Carbon-Based Anode for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

“…), a carbon-based material is still the most promising one for its low cost, chemical inertness, adjustable structure, and abundant sources (Table S1). For example, Kang et al reported that graphite as a host for Na + -solvent complexes could provide a sodium storage specific 2 of 12 capacity in excess of 120 mAh g −1 [15]. In 2000, glucose-derived hard carbon (HC) as the anode of SIBs was first reported by Dahn et al and demonstrated a high reversible capacity of 300 mAh g −1 [16].…”

Construction of Ni2P-MoC/Coal-Based Carbon Fiber Self-Supporting Catalysts for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution

“…Transforming it into coal-based carbon fiber (C-CFs) will improve the utilization rate and the market prospect of coal resources [ 45 ]. Additionally, the introduction of coal will cause more defects in CFs [ 46 ]. For example, researchers have developed a method of applying coal to catalysts for fuel cells and battery materials [ 46 , 47 ].…”

“…Additionally, the introduction of coal will cause more defects in CFs [ 46 ]. For example, researchers have developed a method of applying coal to catalysts for fuel cells and battery materials [ 46 , 47 ]. Moreover, the self-supporting C-CF electrode not only simplifies the electrode preparation process but also avoids the coating falling off of the electrode and the burying of active sites by the adhesive.…”