Search

Gallium (Ga) electrodes have been used as anodes in Li-ion batteries, due to their low-melting-point and self-healing properties. However, the use of Ga without a binder or a conductive agent together as the anode material is rare. In this study, AlCl3 was added as an additive to the electrolyte formed by [EMIm]Cl and GaCl3. The obtained binder-free Ga particles were used as the anode of the Li-ion battery; the initial specific capacity was 528.2 mA h g−1 and the initial coulombic efficiency was 97.8%. After 100 cycles, the specific capacity of discharge was 441.6 mA h g−1 at 0.1C. Ga particles obtained from ionic liquids can be used to improve the cycling stability of anodes in lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ge nanotube array anodes are prepared by template-assisted electrodeposition from an ionic liquid to obtain superior cycling performance. They show remarkable cycling ability at 0.2 C, with a very high initial discharge capacity of 1641 mA h g−1 and a charge capacity of 1260 mA h g−1. After 250 cycles the capacity retention is 98% relative to that at the 50th cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to overcome the problems about the volume expansion and poor electronic conductivity of Si, a flexibility and rigidity double coating layer CNTs-rGO- PAIN was constructed. The CNTs-rGO-PANI network with porous structure and high electronic conductivity provides sufficient space to accommodate the volume change of Si, and abundant transmission path for electron and Li ion. Moreover, the coating network with flexibility and rigidity characteristic could absorb the expansion stress of Si, maintain electrode structural integrity, promote the growth of stable SEI. The polymer-nanocarbon network dual coating layer effectively safeguards the electrochemical-mechanical interplay within the electrode. The 20Si-CNTs-rGO-PANI exhibits a reversible capacity as high as 1856 mAh g−1 after 400 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and a remarkable rate capacity of 570 and 459 mAh g−1, at 5 and 10 A g−1, respectively. The outstanding Li ion storage performance of 20Si-CNTs-rGO-PANI anode, suggests the flexibility-rigidity dual coating layer strategy is a potential way to improve the performance of alloy type anode. The CNTs-rGO-PAIN flexibility-rigidity double coating layer is synthesized to mitigate volume expansion stress of Si. [Display omitted] • A flexibility-rigidity film is constructed to mitigate volume expansion of Si. • CNTs-rGO-PANI provides a protection of electrochemical-mechanical interplay in Si. • After cycling, the free-standing electrode also can be bent without breaking. • The 20Si-CNTs-rGO-PANI anode shows excellent cycling and rate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A stable graphene anode with high storage Li+ capacity for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is to be desired for energy storage. In the present paper, a new scalable method is adopted for preparation of three-dimensional porous graphene microspheres (3DGPM) by a template sacrificing method. The 3DGPM were utilized as an anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The macrostructure of the 3DGPM anode was characterized by the scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. As anode for LIBs, the first discharge/charge capacities of the 3DGPM are 851.1 and 402.4 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. The 500th discharge capacity of the 3DGPM anode at a current density of 2 A g−1 is 245.8 mA h g−1. Besides, the 3DGPM exhibit low charge transfer resistance and high Li-ion diffusivities. The porous nanospheres of graphene offer voids for volume expansion and pathways for fast electron transfer during repeated cycling. We believe that the specific micro-/nano-hollow microspherical structure is the main origins of their high electrochemical storage Li performance. Highlights • 3D porous graphene microspheres were fabricated by template sacrificing method. • The specific hollow graphene structure was detected. • The 3D porous graphene microspheres were utilized as an anode for lithium ion batteries • The electrochemical properties of graphene based anode are improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]