In-situ synthesis of Bi nanospheres anchored in 3D interconnected cellulose nanocrystal derived carbon aerogel as anode for high-performance Mg-ion batteries

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2023-01, Vol.451, p.138824, Article 138824
• Main Authors: Cheng, Miao, Liu, Junjie, Wang, Xiaomian, Li, Yabing, Xia, Wentao, Liu, Qianqian, Hu, Jing, Wei, Tao, Ling, Yun, Liu, Bo, Li, Wanfei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bi nanospheres; Carbon aerogel; Cellulose nanocrystal; Magnesium-ion batteries
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.138824

[Display omitted] •►Unique Bi nanospheres anchored in CNC derived CA was synthesized as anode for MIBs.•► CNC-CA@Bi-NS delivered high reversible capacity and superior rate capability.•► CNC-CA@Bi-NS showed excellent long-term cycling stability at 2.0C over 5000cycles.•►Nanostructured Bi and CA matrix synergistically enhanced electrochemical performance. Rechargeable magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) are considered to be promising electrochemical energy storage systems because of their low-cost and high safety features. However, the absence of suitable anodes severely impeded the development of high-performance MIBs. Herein, a unique Bi nanospheres homogenously anchored in cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) derived carbon aerogel (CNC-CA@Bi-NS) hybrid, was for the first time fabricated as anode for MIBs through ion-induced gelation and in-situ thermal reduction processes. The successfully incorporation of near-monodisperse Bi nanospheres (4–9 nmdiameter) into the interconnected CA matrix could effectively alleviate the volume changes during magnesiation/de-magnesiation alloying reaction, as well as prevent the agglomeration and pulverization of Bi nanospheres. Meanwhile, the N-doped porous matrix not only served as a highly electronic conductive framework but also provided enough space and large surface area for electrolyte storage and penetration, which would facilitate the charge transfer kinetics process. Attractively, the CNC-CA@Bi-NS electrode delivered a remarkable reversible specific capacity of 346 mAh/g at 0.5C (90 % of theoretical capacity) after 100cycles. Furthermore, the CNC-CA@Bi-NS exhibited an excellent rate performance and unprecedented long-term cycling stability with a high coulombic efficiency of ∼ 100 % at 2.0C after 5000cycles. This work provided a new strategy to design and synthesize high-performance Bi-based anode for advanced next-generation MIBs.