Boosting the lithium-ion and sodium-ion storage performances of pyrite by regulating the energy barrier of ion transport

Facile synthesis of in situ carbon-coated CoS2 micro/nano-spheres as high-performance anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

In situ carbon-coated CoS2 micro/nano-spheres were successfully prepared by sulfuric calcination using the solvothermal method with glycerol as the carbon source without introducing extraneous carbon. This method prevents carbon agglomeration and avoids the cumbersome steps of the current technology. The composite demonstrates excellent sodium storage capacity as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The initial charge and discharge capacities were 1027 and 1224 mA h g-1 at 50 mA g-1, respectively, with an initial coulombic efficiency of 83.9%. The capacity of CoS2@C at 350 °C was maintained at 937 mA h g-1 after 140 cycles at a current density of 2 A g-1. The outstanding electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the nanostructure design and the presence of in situ carbon. As revealed by the kinetic analysis, the pseudo-capacitive behaviour also contributed to the excellent electrochemical performance.

Phase Evolution of Multi-Metal Dichalcogenides With Conversion-Alloying Hybrid Mechanism for Superior Lithium Storage

Traditional lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes, whether intercalation-type like graphite or alloying-type like silicon, employing a single lithium storage mechanism, are often limited by modest capacity or substantial volume changes. Here, the kesterite multi-metal dichalcogenide (CZTSSe) is introduced as an anode material that harnesses a conversion-alloying hybrid lithium storage mechanism. Results unveil that during the charge-discharge processes, the CZTSSe undergoes a comprehensive phase evolution, transitioning from kesterite structure to multiple dominant phases of sulfides, selenides, metals, and alloys. The involvement of multi-components facilitates electron transport and mitigates swelling stress; meanwhile, it results in formation of abundant defects and heterojunctions, allowing for increased lithium storage active sites and reduced lithium diffusion barrier. The CZTSSe delivers a high specific capacity of up to 2266 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1; while, maintaining a stable output of 116 mA h g-1 after 10 000 cycles at 20 A g-1. It also demonstrates remarkable low-temperature performance, retaining 987 mA h g-1 even after 600 cycles at -40 °C. When employed in full cells, a high specific energy of 562 Wh kg-1 is achieved, rivalling many state-of-the-art LIBs. This research offers valuable insights into the design of LIB electrodes leveraging multiple lithium storage mechanisms.

Preparation and Evaluation of Co-Doped Fe7S8/C Composites for Lithium Storage

Fe₇S₈ has a high theoretical capacity (663 mAh g^-1) and can be prepared at a low cost, making it advantageous for production. However, Fe₇S₈ has two disadvantages as a lithium-ion battery anode material. The first is that the conductivity of Fe₇S₈ is not good. The second is that when the lithium ion is embedded, the volume expansion of the Fe₇S₈ electrode is serious. That is why Fe₇S₈ has not been used in real life yet. In this paper, Co-Fe₇S₈/C composites were prepared by doping Co into Fe₇S₈ through a one-pot simple hydrothermal method. In situ Co is doped into Fe₇S₈ to produce a more disordered microstructure to improve ion and electron transport performance, thereby reducing the activation barrier of the main material. The Co-Fe₇S₈/C electrode presents a high specific discharge capacity of 1586 mAh g^-1 and a Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 71.34% at an initial cycle at 0.1 A g^-1. After 1500 cycles, the specific discharge capacity remains at 436 mAh g^-1 (5 A g^-1). When the current density returns to 0.1 A g^-1, the capacity almost returns to the initial level, showing excellent rate performance.

Constructing a Stable Si-N-Enriched Interface Boosts Lithium Storage Kinetics in a Silicon-Based Anode

The stable operation of a SiOx anode largely depends on the intrinsic chemistry of the electrode/electrolyte interface; however, an unstable interface structure and undesirable parasitic reactions with the electrolyte of the SiOx anode often result in the formation of a fragile solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and serious capacity decay during the lithiation/delithiation process. Herein, a Si-N-enriched N-doped carbon coating is constructed on the surface of SiOx yolk-shell nanospheres (abbreviated as SiOx@NC) to optimize the SEI film. The two-dimensional covalently bound Si-N interface, on one hand, can suppress the interfacial reactivity of the SiOx anode to enable the formation of a thin SEI film with accelerated diffusion kinetics of ions and, on the other hand, acts as a Li+ conductor during the delithiation process, allowing Li+ to diffuse rapidly in the SiOx matrix, thereby improving the long-term cycling stability and rapid charge/discharge capability of the SiOx anode. A series of characterizations show that the interface charge-transfer barrier and the Li+ diffusion energy barrier through the SEI film are the main factors that determine the interfacial electrochemical behavior and lithium storage performance. This work clarifies the relationship between the SEI characteristics and the interfacial transfer dynamics and aims to offer a more basic basis for the screening of other electrode materials.