Excellent performance of few-layer borocarbonitrides as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries

Borocarbonitrides (BxCyNz) with a graphene-like structure exhibit a remarkable high lithium cyclability and current rate capability. The electrochemical performance of the Bx Cy Nz materials, synthesized by using a simple solid-state synthesis route based on urea, was strongly dependent on the composition and surface area. Among the three compositions studied, the carbon-rich compound B0.15C0.73N0.12 with the highest surface area showed an exceptional stability (over 100 cycles) and rate capability over widely varying current density values (0.05-1 A g(-1)). B0.15C0.73N0.12 has a very high specific capacity of 710 mA h g(-1) at 0.05 A g(-1) . With the inclusion of a suitable additive in the electrolyte, the specific capacity improved drastically, recording an impressive value of nearly 900 mA h g(-1) at 0.05 A g(-1) . It is believed that the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer at the interface of BxCyNz and electrolyte also plays a crucial role in the performance of the BxCyNz .