Green Synthesis of Corn Cob Derived Carbon Quantum Dots and Its Applications as Electrolyte Additive for Lithium-Metal Batteries

Abstract

Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) is a progressive type of zero-dimensional material, inherits the benefits of tiny molecules (e.g., fluorophores) and classic semiconductors (e.g., inorganic quantum dots), as well as new features. A novel attempt has been made in synthesizing photo luminescent CQDs using corn cob extract by adopting a hydrothermal approach. The synthesized CQDs were characterized to understand their chemical, structural, and morphological portrayals. The application of CQD as a deposition regulating additive in lithium metal anode batteries has been explored. Lithium/lithium (Li-Li) symmetric cells fabricated using CQD additive loaded with LiPF6 electrolyte displayed small overpotential and relatively good cycling stability when compared to the Li-Li cell without additive. Full cells (Li-NMC) fabricated using Li-NMC cathode, lithium metal anode, and CQD additive loaded electrolyte showed about 10% increment in specific discharge capacity in comparison to the coin cells fabricated using LiPF6 electrolyte, signifying the positive contribution in controlling the dendrite growth.