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Porous Nb2O5 Nanofibers Prepared via Reactive Needle-Less Electrospinning for Application in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
- Source :
- Inorganics, Vol 11, Iss 12, p 456 (2023)
- Publication Year :
- 2023
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2023.
-
Abstract
- This contribution describes the preparation, coupled with detailed characterization, of Nb2O5 nanofibers and their application in lithium–sulfur batteries for the improvement of electrochemical performance. The utilization of reactive needle-less electrospinning allowed us to obtain, in a single step, amorphous pre-ceramic composite PAN/Nb2O5 fibers, which were transformed into porous ceramic Nb2O5 nanofibers via calcination. Thermogravimetric studies defined that calcination at 600 °C results in crystalline ceramic fibers without carbon residues. The fibrous morphology and mean diameter (614 ± 100 nm) of the ceramic nanofibers were analyzed via scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A surface area of 7.472 m2/g was determined through nitrogen adsorption measurements, while a combination of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy was used to show the crystallinity and composition of the fibers after calcination—single T-phase Nb2O5. Its performance in the cathode of lithium–sulfur batteries was defined through electrochemical tests, and the obtained results were compared to a similar blank electrode. The initial discharge capacity of 0.5 C reached a value of 570 mAh∙g−1, while the reversible capacity of 406 mAh∙g−1 was retained after 200 cycles, representing a capacity retention of 71.3%. The presence of Nb2O5 nanofibers in the carbon cathode inhibits the shuttle effect through polysulphide confinement, which originates from porosity and chemical trapping.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 23046740
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Inorganics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.915e9cb5de2a44008f13bf18c1b1bbd8
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11120456