Designing a Freestanding Electrode of Intermetallic Ni-Sn Alloy Deposit as an Anode for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Carbon fiber (CF)-based freestanding intermetallic Ni-Sn alloy is prepared by a facile one-pot electrodeposition method and used as an anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) and sodium-ion batteries (SIB). Unique fern leaves-like morphology with nanotubular channels of the Sn-rich deposit of Ni-Sn@CF diminishes the challenges of large volume changes with maximum capacity utilization from Sn. Furthermore, the electro-inactive Ni phase and conductive carbon fiber backbone provide mechanical flexibility and prevent particle agglomeration during alloying/de-alloying. Electrochemistry reveals that the deposit in LIB exhibits superior C-rate performance and long-term cycling stability with an initial capacity of 984 mAh g-1 at 500 mA g-1 current density and 580 mAh g-1 capacity at the end of 500 cycles. In addition, it delivers 220 mAh g-1 capacity at 150 mAh g-1 with 77% capacity retention over 300 cycles in SIBs. This work enlightens the metal current collector-free carbon fibre-based 3D electrode designing approach toward high-performance Li-ion and Na-ion storage capability.

High capacity/reversible Fe/Sn alloys for Na-storage anodes enabled by thermal reaction and then anchoring on exfoliated graphite

“…3e), higher than those of most recently reported Sn-, and Sb-alloy anodes. 15,19–21,23–31,38 At around 2.75 V on the initial charge curve, both FSS-3/G-15% and FSS-3 exhibit a brief voltage plateau. However, this voltage plateau is not observed in subsequent cycles, indicating the occurrence of a chemical reaction during the initial charge that does not persist beyond the second cycle.…”

“…As-prepared FeSn/FeSn 2 /FeS/SnS-15% reached an initial reversible capacity (charge capacity) of 401.5 mA h g −1 and retained 353.0 mA h g −1 after 200 cycles under a current density of 1.0 A g −1 , surpassing the state-of-the-art analogous alloy anodes. 20,23–31 Besides, the initial coulombic efficiency of as-fabricated FeSn/FeSn 2 /FeS/SnS-15% reached 83.3% at 0.1 A g −1 , higher than those of Sn-, Sb-based alloy anodes. The proposed experimental method can be applied to synthesize another type of Sn/metal alloy, i.e.…”

“…11–17 Transition metals have garnered significant attention because of their ability to form high electronic conductivity Sn-based alloys (M 1 Sn x , M 1 = transition metal). 15,18–21 Nonetheless, nanoscale, well-dispersed Sn-based alloys often involve redundant processes, leading to high material processing costs.…”

Synergistic Effect of CNT-TiO2 Catalyst and 3D Electrode Architecture for Electrochemical Performance in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

“…This work explains the designing of a free-standing electrode via replacing the conventional aluminum (Al) foil current collector with the carbon fiber mat (CF), incorporates the additional advantages of conductivity enhancement via the network connectivity and structural integrity, minimizing the volume change in the sulfur cathode in the inner void space of CF backbone. 21 Conventional metallic foil current collector experiences limited access to the electrolyte in the interior part, resulting in the electrochemical inactivity of the active material. In contrast, a free-standing porous CF matrix efficiently infiltrates electrolytes into the bulk of the electrode with overall utilization of the electrode material.…”

Synergistic Effect of 3D Electrode Architecture and In Situ Carbon Coating on the Electrochemical Performance of SnO2 Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

“…40 The in situ carbon-SnO 2 composite with 3D electrode architecture provides interfacial stability, reduces pulverization, and improves cycling stability. 41,42 The binder-less and conductive additive-free composition of this kind of free-standing electrodes helps to improve the overall energy and power density by reducing dead mass and decreasing the weight of the overall cell. Pitch-coated carbon fiber forms a network connectivity, which is beneficial for the movement of ions and electrons compared to conventional metal foil current collector-based SIB systems.…”