Realizing the synergy of Sn cluster incorporation and nitrogen doping for a carbonaceous hierarchical nanosheet-assembly enables superior universal alkali metal ion storage performance with multiple active sites

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2020-12, Vol.8 (46), p.24774-24781
• Main Authors: Wang, Gongrui, Li, Yapeng, Jiao, Shuhong, Li, Jie, Peng, Bo, Shi, Liang, Zhang, Genqiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkali metals; Assembly; Batteries; Capacitors; Clusters; Cycles; Doping; Energy storage; Ion diffusion; Ion storage; Metal ions; Nanosheets; Nitrogen; Potassium; Raman spectroscopy; Retention; Sodium; Specific capacity; Stability; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta08535a

Energy storage devices with the merits of low cost and high energy/power densities ( e.g. , sodium/potassium ion batteries and hybrid capacitors) have recently drawn increasing interest due to their unique advantages as promising candidates for grid-level applications. However, the relatively larger K + /Na + radius generally causes sluggish ion diffusion kinetics and inferior cycling stability. Herein, we realize the synergy of Sn cluster incorporation and nitrogen doping into a carbonaceous hierarchical nanosheet-assembly (denoted as c-SnNC-HNA) through a scalable one-pot strategy based on a supramolecular formation process, which can act as a universal alkali metal ion storage host with remarkable specific capacity and outstanding cycling performance. Specifically, a high specific capacity (411.4/386.2/1065.4 mA h g −1 at 100 mA g −1 for K + /Na + /Li + , respectively) and ultra-stable cycling capability can be obtained (74.8% retention rate for K + after 4000 cycles at 5 A g −1 ; almost 100% retention rate for Na + after 4000 cycles at 5 A g −1 ). The underlying mechanism is investigated based on ex situ XPS, in situ Raman analysis and GITT measurements. Importantly, potassium ion hybrid capacitors based on the c-SnNC-HNA anode can deliver a decent energy/power density of 112.5 W h kg −1 /49.1 W kg −1 and exhibit superior cycling stability up to 10 K cycles at 2000 mA g −1 . Carbonaceous hierarchical nanosheet-assembly with Sn cluster incorporation and nitrogen doping (c-SnNC-HNA) have been prepared, acting as universal alkali metal ion storage host with remarkable specific capacity and outstanding cycling performance.