General construction of molybdenum-based compounds embedded in flexible 3D interconnected porous carbon nanofibers with protective porous shell for high-performance lithium-ion battery

• Published in: Carbon (New York) 2021-07, Vol.179, p.142-150
• Main Authors: Zhou, Xing-hai, Gao, Yuan, Lyu, Li-hua, Liang, Yue-yao, Li, Zhen-huan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Anodic protection; Carbon; Carbon fibers; Carbon nanofibers; Coupling; Electrochemical analysis; Electrodes; Energy storage; Interconnected porous structure; Ion storage; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Lithium-ion battery; Molybdenum compounds; Molybdenum-based compounds; Nanofibers; Nanomaterials; Protective shell; Rechargeable batteries; Structural integrity
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2021.04.031

The rational design of electrode architecture coupling with high specific capacity nanomaterials is highly desirable to build superior energy storage system. Herein, molybdenum-based compounds embedded in flexible 3D interconnected porous carbon nanofibers with protective porous carbon shell are constructed via a facile electro-blowing spinning technique using as free-standing lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. Such a well-designed architecture possesses large surface area, protective porous carbon shell and 3D interconnected porous structure. Moreover, various high specific capacity molybdenum-based compounds, including MoS2, MoO2 and MoN, can homogenously disperse within the fibers under different carbonization condition, especially, some of them are bridged to the fiber skeleton through a thin graphite carbon layer. The synergetic coupling effects benefited from the structural and material advantages are effective to provide more lithium-ion storage active sites, fast electrons/ions transfer pathways and good structural integrity. Using as free-standing anodes of LIB, the three fibrous anodes deliver an excellent electrochemical performance in terms of high specific capacity, superior rate capability and satisfied cycling stability. Extraordinarily, the well-designed architecture of fibrous anodes might open a new paradigm to boost the creation of high-performance electrodes for various energy storage devices. [Display omitted] •A general approach to construct Mo-based compounds embedded in carbon nanofiber matrix is developed.•Protective porous shell and 3D interconnected porous structure is promising to maximize ion/electron transfer rate.•The proposed architecture paved a way for the construction of advanced electrode material for LIB.