Facile preparation of [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·4H2O, [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O and [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O/C as novel high capacity anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2014-05, Vol.254, p.88-97
• Main Authors: Wu, Kaiqiang, Shao, Lianyi, Jiang, Xinxin, Shui, Miao, Ma, Rui, Lao, Mengmeng, Lin, Xiaoting, Wang, Dongjie, Long, Nengbing, Ren, Yuanlong, Shu, Jie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode material; Applied sciences; Basic bismuth nitrate; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Lithium-ion batteries; Materials
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.12.121

[Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·4H2O, [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O and [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O/C, derivated from Bi(NO3)3·5H2O, are firstly investigated for the electrochemical activity as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Electrochemical results show that [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·4H2O can deliver a higher initial discharge specific capacity (2792.9 mAh g−1) than that of [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O (832.2 mAh g−1) and [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O/C (1169.3 mAh g−1). However, the capacity retention (60.3%) and reversible specific capacity (365.5 mAh g−1) of [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O/C are much higher than those of [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O (4.75% and 39.6 mAh g−1) and [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·4H2O (15.9% and 289.4 mAh g−1) in the first 30 cycles. The improved electrochemical properties are attributed to the decrease of crystal water in the structure and the introduction of carbon black as conductive additive and volume change buffer. The reaction mechanism of [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O/C with Li is also studied in detail by using various ex-situ and in-situ techniques during the initial charge-discharge cycle. It can be found that the electrochemical reaction of [Bi6O4](OH)4(NO3)6·H2O with Li leads to the preliminary formation of metal Bi, LiNO3, LiOH, Li2O and H2O and then the alloying reaction to form Li–Bi alloys. [Display omitted] •Facile preparation of basic bismuth nitrates as novel anode materials.•Basic bismuth nitrates show an initial discharge capacity of 2792.9 mAh g−1.•The lithiation process of basic bismuth nitrates is partially reversible.