Facile renewable synthesis of nitrogen/oxygen co-doped graphene-like carbon nanocages as general lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries anode

• Published in: Carbon (New York) 2020-10, Vol.167, p.685-695
• Main Authors: Sun, Yuanhe, Zhu, Daming, Liang, Zhaofeng, Zhao, Yuanxin, Tian, Weifeng, Ren, Xiaochuan, Wang, Juan, Li, Xiaoyan, Gao, Yi, Wen, Wen, Huang, Yaobo, Li, Xiaolong, Tai, Renzhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Batteries; Carbon; Chemical synthesis; Density functional theory; Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Electron transport; Flux density; Graphene; Interlayers; Lithium; Lithium ions; Metal ions; Nanocrystals; Nitrogen; Oxygen; Potassium; Rechargeable batteries; Sodium chloride; Storage capacity
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2020.06.046

Environmentally-friendly carbon-based materials possess the potential applications as general anode for alkali-ion batteries. However, the existing carbon-based materials cannot satisfy the increasing demand for high energy density and need further active exploration. Herein, nitrogen/oxygen co-doped graphene-like carbon nanocages (NOGCN) is synthesized from biomass cytidine on hydro-soluble sodium chloride nanocrystals by a one-step method as a general lithium and potassium-ion batteries anode. All reactants are completely renewable and readily available. The nitrogen/oxygen-doping, large interlayer spacing and robust self-supporting nanocage architecture greatly favour electrolyte penetration and improve the kinetics for ion and electron transport, resulting in extraordinary electrochemical performance. The synthesized NOGCN electrodes exhibit a high lithiation storage capacity of 620 mA h g−1 over 500 cycles at 500 mA g−1, with continuously magnifying capacity. Moreover, the impressive reversible potassiation capacity (355 mA h g−1 at 200 mA g−1) and rate capability (114 mA h g−1 at 1000 mA g−1) were achieved despite the large-sized potassium ions. Kinetic analysis and density functional theory calculations elaborately illustrate the Li/K-absorption properties of the N/O-doped graphene-like structure, further demonstrating the chemical affinity and superiority in Li/K storage. This study provides a facile and completely renewable method to prepare promising general anode material for alkali-ion batteries. [Display omitted]