Sustainable Nitrogen Self-Doped Carbon Nanofibers from Biomass Chitin as Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Herein, a cost-effective, green, and sustainable method was developed to fabricate N self-doped carbon nanofibers (CChCNs) as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). After simple direct pyrolysis of biomass chitin nanocrystals (ChCNs), a novel precursor, the obtained CChCNs presented a cross-linked fibrous structure with large specific surface areas and hierarchical porous structures, which was instrumental in charge-storage capacity for LIBs. As expected, the as-prepared CChCNs exhibited distinguished lithium storage properties. It was found that the increase in conductivity could optimize charge and discharge under high current densities. CChCNs900 possessed a reversible specific capacity of 215 mA h g–1 at 1.5 A g–1. In addition, all the samples presented excellent cycle stability, possessing capacity retention of 46.2, 67.4, 77.4, and 74.5% after a 500 cycle at a high current density of 1 A g–1. This novel strategy provided a successful avenue to prepare high-performance LIB anodes from biomass nanomaterials.

Structural Characteristics and Electrochemical Performance of N,P-Codoped Porous Carbon as a Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Electrode

“…As an example, the rate capability curves of the N@C counterpart are shown in Figure S6a; its discharge capacity is greatly inferior to that of N,P@C when the current density is returned to 0.1 A/g (Figure S6b). The reasonable explanation is ascribed to the synergistic contributions of heteroatom doping. ,,− ,,, These data indicate that the N,P@C anode shows a good rate capability and excellent reversibility.…”

“…The reasonable explanation is ascribed to the synergistic contributions of heteroatom doping. 4 , 7 , 11 − 13 , 32 , 39 , 40 These data indicate that the N,P@C anode shows a good rate capability and excellent reversibility.…”

“…The broad irreversible negative peak at about 0.75 V of the first cycle is characteristic of CV curves of biomass-derived carbon as anode material. The probably reasonable explanation is the decomposition of the electrolyte and the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. ,,,, In the second and third cycles, this wide reduction peak disappears, and the CV curves overlap. The galvanostatic charge–discharge curve of N,P@C in Figure b shows that the initial charge specific capacity is 1106 mAh/g and the corresponding initial CE is approximately 37%, slightly higher than those of C (31%), N@C (34%) and P@C (32%) (Figure S5).…”

“… 1 Commercial LIBs are very suitable for use in various portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. 2 Recently, to bridge the gaps in energy capacity and reliable operation using graphite as a LIB anode, biomass-derived porous carbonaceous materials have been used as alternative anode electrodes for LIBs, including carbon nanotubes, 3 carbon nanofibers, 4 carbon nanobeads, 5 hollow carbon nanospheres, 6 graphene, 7 graphitic carbon, 8 hierarchical porous carbon, 9 and their hybrids. 10 However, more attention should be paid to improving the electrochemical performance of these biomass-derived carbonaceous anode electrodes.…”

Aqueous Binders for Cathodes: A Lodestar for Greener Lithium Ion Cells

“…The binder holds the active materials and conductive agent together (cohesion) and also acts as a glue between the electrode components and current collector (adhesion). As a result, the electrons flow from/to the external circuit via the active materials–conductive agent–current collector chain. − Even though only small doses of binders with 2–5% by mass occupy electrodes for commercial purposes, the binder plays a crucial role for the improved performance of LIBs in general and cycle life in particular. The most important role of a binder is to retain the physical structure of electrode in the entire battery.…”