Facile Way to Synthesis of Nanocable-like Electrode Materials for High-Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Recently, One-dimensional (1D) CNT@ metal oxide coaxial nanocomposites with controlled size and chemical composition have attracted particular interests because of their superb lithium storage capability provided by their unique structure.^1-3 However, so far these reported synthetic approaches usually involve multiple time-consuming procedures, toxic chemicals, and encounter nonuniform morphology problem.

In this report, we present a simple and green one-pot route to form a new nanostructured CNT@ metal oixdes-C nanocable by using glucose as structure-directing agent and carbon source without any prerequisite for covalent/ non-covalent functionalization of CNTs. Although glucose is often used as a carbon source in hydrothermal reactions,^4,5 it is the first time to be used as a structure-directing agent to form CNT@ metal oxides-C nanocable.

This simple and green approach can be used for the fabrication of metal oxide/CNT nanocomposites, including but not limited to CNT@TiO₂-C nanocable, CNT@Fe₃O₄-C nanocable, CNT@SnO₂-C nanocable (showing in Figure 1). Due to the synergistic effect of the high electronic conductivity support and the inner CNT/outer carbon buffering matrix, the nanocables show improved lithium storage behavior when used as anode materials. For example, The CNT@TiO₂-C nanocables show remarkable rate capability with reversible charge capacity of 210,178 and 127 mAh g^-1at 10C, 20C and 50C, respectively (showing in Figure 2), as well as excellent high rate cycling stability with a capacity retention of 87% after 2000 cycles at 50C.

In summary, by using a simple synthesis method and low cost starting materials, it is now possible to prepare sandwiched CNT@ metal oxdies-C nanocables for high performance of LIBs. We anticipate that the one-pot synthesis method proposed in this study will provide more choices for addressing the problems of LIBs. This talk will further describe testing and capabilities of these materials.

Reference

1.            M. Sathiya, A. S. Prakash, K. Ramesha, J. M. Tarascon and A. K. Shukla, J Am Chem Soc, 2011, 133, 16291-16299.

2.            F. F. Cao, Y. G. Guo and L. J. Wan, Energ Environ Sci, 2011, 4, 1634-1642.

3.            A. L. M. Reddy, M. M. Shaijumon, S. R. Gowda and P. M. Ajayan, Nano Lett, 2009, 9, 1002-1006.

4.            X. W. Lou, J. S. Chen, P. Chen and L. A. Archer, Chem Mater, 2009, 21, 2868-2874.

5.            X. M. Sun and Y. D. Li, Angew Chem Int Edit, 2004, 43, 597-601.