Fullerene‐Intercalated Graphitic Carbon Nitride as a High‐Performance Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Two‐dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) is a promising anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but its insufficient interlayer spacing and poor electronic conductivity impede its sodium storage capacity and cycling stability. Herein, we report the fabrication of a fullerene (C60)‐modified graphitic carbon nitride (C60@CN) material which as an anode material for SIBs shows a high‐reversible capacity (430.5 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1, about 3 times higher than that of pristine g‐CN), excellent rate capability (226.6 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1) and ultra‐long cycle life (101.2 mA h g−1 after 5000 cycles at 5 A g−1). Even at a high‐active mass loading of 3.7 mg cm−2, a reversible capacity of 316.3 mA h g−1 can be obtained after 100 cycles. Such outstanding performance of C60@CN is attributed to the C60 molecules distributed in the g‐CN nanosheets, which enhance the electronic conductivity and prevent g‐CN sheets from restacking, thus resulting in enlarged interlayer spacing and exposed edge N defects (pyridinic N and pyrrolic N) for sodium‐ion storage. Furthermore, a sodium‐ion full cell combining C60@CN anode and NVPF@rGO cathode provides high‐coulombic efficiency (>96.5%), exceptionally high‐energy density (359.8 W h kganode−1 at power density of 105.1 W kganode−1) and excellent cycling stability (89.2% capacity retention over 500 cycles at 1 A ganode−1). This work brings new insights into the field of carbon‐based anode materials for SIBs.

Modulating In‐Plane Defective Density of Carbon Nanotubes by Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots for Enhanced Triiodide Reduction

“…[ 28 ] Nevertheless, the intrinsic semiconductor properties of g‐C 3 N 4 still hinder its electrochemical applications. [ 29–31 ]…”

“…[28] Nevertheless, the intrinsic semiconductor properties of g-C 3 N 4 still hinder its electrochemical applications. [29][30][31] Herein, we propose a facile strategy to modulate the in-plane defective density and electronic structure of MWCNTs with the help of g-C 3 N 4 quantum dots (CNQDs) via π-π stacking, finally producing the CNQDs/MWCNTs heterogeneous electrocatalysts. The well π-π stacking mode between CNQDs and MWCNTs is evidenced by controllable and increased defective density on MWCNTs and modulated electronic structure.…”

Phosphorus-doped copper sulfide microspheres with a hollow structure for high-performance sodium-ion batteries

“…Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their abundant Na resources, low cost, and similar ion storage mechanism to LIBs. [1][2][3][4] However, the large ionic radius of sodium ions hinders their insertion into traditional anode materials of LIBs. 5,6 Therefore, one of the key issues in the current development of high-performance SIBs is the search for suitable electrode materials.…”

Rational Design of a Low-Dimensional and Metal-free Heterostructure for Efficient Water Oxidation: DFT and Experimental Studies

“…Low-dimensional and metal-free materials have recently attracted particular interest due to their excellent electronic and mechanical properties, accessibility, practicability, and low-cost relative to noble-metal materials. − Fullerene (C 60 ), the 0D carbon material, has aroused significant interest in solar cells, sensors, and optoelectronic devices because of its unique physicochemical properties, processibility, abundance, and environmental friendliness. − However, the bare C 60 material has been less studied in electrocatalysis due to the low electrical conductivity and limited electrocatalytic active sites. Efforts have been made to drive electrocatalytic water splitting by compounding C 60 materials with transition-metal-based materials or constructing N-doped fullerene derivatives. , For instance, Lu et al.…”