Three-Dimensional Monolithically Self-Grown Metal Oxide Highly Dense Nanonetworks as Free-Standing High-Capacity Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been widely studied as potential next-generation anode materials, owing to their high theoretical gravimetric capacity. However, to date, these anodes syntheses are plagued with time-consuming preparation processes, two-dimensional electrode fabrication, binder requirements, and short operational cycling lives. Here, we present a scalable single-step reagentless process for the synthesis of highly dense Mn 3 O 4 -based nanonetwork anodes based on a simple thermal treatment transformation of low-grade steel substrates. The monolithic solid-state chemical self-transformation of the steel substrate results in a highly dense forest of Mn 3 O 4 nanowires, which transforms the electrochemically inactive steel substrate into an electrochemically highly active anode. The proposed method, beyond greatly improving the current TMO performance, surpasses state-of-the-art commercial silicon anodes in terms of capacity and stability. The three-dimensional self-standing anode exhibits remarkably high capacities (>1500 mA h/g), a stable cycle life (>650 cycles), high Coulombic efficiencies (>99.5%), fast rate performance (>1.5 C), and high areal capacities (>2.5 mA h/cm 2 ). This novel experimental paradigm acts as a milestone for nextgeneration anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, and pioneers a universal method to transform different kinds of widely available, low-cost, steel substrates into electrochemically active, free-standing anodes and allows for the massive reduction of anode production complexity and costs.

'Jelly to Joule': Direct Laser Writing of Sustainable Jellyfish-Based 'Graphenic Silicon' Anodes for Environmentally Remediating High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…The anode material is also directly deposited on the current collector during the synthesis and prior to battery assembly, ensuring sufficient adhesion and optimal electrical contact. The same is true for the increase in porosity of the anode material as a result of the development of the 3D porous carbon polymorph architecture, with the increase in contact area between the encapsulated silicon and electrolyte enabling enhanced wetting and ion transport 70 . Through the mitigation of recurrent SEI layer breakdown and active material loss caused by pulverization, as well as the improvement of ion and electron conductivity, the stability and capacity of the batteries is significantly enhanced 71 .…”

Universal Approach to Direct Spatiotemporal Dynamic in-situ Optical Visualization of On-Catalyst Water Splitting Electrochemical Processes

“…Electrochemistry is one of the most important domains of science and is known since decades for its immense applicability in various field of interest. It has a widespread application in the present day most important areas of energy [1][2][3][4][5] and healthcare [6][7][8][9][10][11] . As a result, this high impact research field has since its discovery received enormous research attention and efforts, with continuous accomplishment of fundamental and technological developments [12][13][14] .…”

Low volume expansion hierarchical porous sulfur-doped Fe2O3@C with high-rate capability for superior lithium storage

“…3,4 Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), as a representative of secondary energy technology, have been applied in various electronic devices and new energy electric vehicles due to their high energy density, recharge ability, and environmentally friendly property. [5][6][7] However, the theoretical specific capacity of graphite, a commercially available anode material, is only 372 mA h g −1 , which is inadequate for the incremental demand for high performance. 8,9 In recent years, a variety of electrode materials are studied in the hope of replacing graphite as the next generation anode material.…”