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Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
Selenium@mesoporous carbon composite with superior lithium and sodium storage capacity
Chao Luo1, Yunhua Xu, Yujie Zhu
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland 20742, United States.
ACS Nano
|August 16, 2013
Summary
New selenium-impregnated carbon composites offer stable, high-capacity cathodes for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The mesoporous carbon matrix effectively stabilizes polyselenide intermediates, preventing capacity loss during cycling.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Developing high-performance cathode materials is crucial for advancing rechargeable battery technologies.
- Selenium (Se) offers high theoretical capacity but suffers from polyselenide dissolution and shuttle effects.
- Mesoporous carbon provides a conductive matrix and confinement for active materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize selenium-impregnated mesoporous carbon composites for battery applications.
- To investigate the electrochemical performance of these composites in lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.
- To evaluate the stability and rate capability of the novel cathode material.
Main Methods:
- Selenium (Se) infused into mesoporous carbon at 600 °C under vacuum.
- Synthesis of ring-structured Se8 confined within the carbon matrix.
- Electrochemical testing in LiPF6/EC/DEC electrolyte for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries.
Main Results:
- Achieved exceptional electrochemical performance in both Li-ion and Na-ion batteries.
- Li-ion batteries: 480 mAh g⁻¹ reversible capacity over 1000 cycles with no capacity loss.
- Na-ion batteries: Initial capacity of 485 mAh g⁻¹, retained 340 mAh g⁻¹ after 380 cycles.
- Demonstrated excellent rate capability, retaining significant capacity at high current densities.
Conclusions:
- Mesoporous carbon effectively stabilizes low-order polyselenide intermediates, mitigating shuttle reactions.
- The Se8/mesoporous carbon composites show great promise as durable and high-performance cathode materials for next-generation energy storage.
- The material exhibits superior cycling stability and rate performance in both Li-ion and Na-ion systems.
