Enhanced Roles of Carbon Architectures in High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS • Assembly strategies that reinforce the roles of carbon architectures as active materials, electrochemical reaction frameworks, and current collectors in high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries are summarized. • To enhance structural stability and volumetric performance, the rational design of carbon architectures for high-capacity noncarbons in terms of the interface, network skeleton, void space, and densification, is discussed in detail. • Designing carbon cages that protect the electroactive noncarbon is highlighted as a promising strategy that solves the challenges associated with future high-capacity noncarbon anode construction. ABSTRACT Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are high-energydensity and low-safety-risk secondary batteries, are underpinned to the rise in electrochemical energy storage devices that satisfy the urgent demands of the global energy storage market. With the aim of achieving high energy density and fast-charging performance, the exploitation of simple and low-cost approaches for the production of high capacity, high density, high mass loading, and kinetically ion-accessible electrodes that maximize charge storage and transport in LIBs, is a critical need. Toward the construction of high-performance electrodes, carbons are promisingly used in the enhanced roles of active materials, electrochemical reaction frameworks for high-capacity noncarbons, and lightweight current collectors. Here, we review recent advances in the carbon engineering of electrodes for excellent electrochemical performance and structural stability, which is enabled by assembled carbon architectures that guarantee sufficient charge delivery and volume fluctuation buffering inside the electrode during cycling. Some specific feasible assembly methods, synergism between structural design components of carbon assemblies, and electrochemical performance enhancement are highlighted. The precise design of carbon cages by the assembly of graphene units is potentially useful for the controlled preparation of high-capacity carbon-caged noncarbon anodes with volumetric capacities over 2100 mAh cm −3. Finally, insights are given on the prospects

Architectured ZnO–Cu particles for facile manufacturing of integrated Li-ion electrodes

“…beyond what is currently achieved using carbon-based additives (e.g. super-P) [16][17][18] . This has been achieved using for example copper, nickel and carbon-based foams, percolating networks 19,20 or electrodeposited nanopillars 21,22 .…”

“…To also ensure sufficient electrical conductivity of the electrode, methods have also been proposed to incorporate a metallic phase into the active material to enhance the transport of electrons beyond what is currently achieved using carbon-based additives (e.g. super-P) 16 – 18 . This has been achieved using for example copper, nickel and carbon-based foams, percolating networks 19 , 20 or electrodeposited nanopillars 21 , 22 .…”

Laser Irradiation of Electrode Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion

“…In real devices for energy storage and conversion, the electrode materials function in aggregated forms where the materials, polymer binder, and conductive additives are glued together to produce an electrode with a thickness of several tens, and even hundreds of micrometers. 108 The active species in the electrolytes are transferred to the surfaces of materials through the pores of the electrode architectures, engaging in the electron-driven electrochemical processes. As a result, the performance is highly dependent on the architecture of the electrodes, triggering extensive interest in their rational design.…”

Nanohollow Carbon for Rechargeable Batteries: Ongoing Progresses and Challenges

“…For example, carbon materials in any bulk form offer a limited population of active sites and require long ion diffusion pathways, leading to badly compromised reaction kinetics and poor performance. In view of this, carbon-based materials have been largely developed with unique nanostructures to improve the overall electrochemical performance, safety, and durability [17][18][19][20][21][22]. The development of nanohollow carbon materials (NHCMs) is an effective approach to address some of the bottleneck problems for batteries and other energy storage devices, where their advantages can be listed as follows: Firstly, NHCMs exhibit high surface-to-volume ratios and thus more active sites for charge storages, which would also be beneficial to the shortened electrons transfer/ions diffusion, improved interfacial contact with electrolyte and wettability, resulting in high specific capacity and excellent rate performance.…”