Multiscale Interfacial Strategy to Engineer Mixed Metal-Oxide Anodes toward Enhanced Cycling Efficiency

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing efficient and stable anodes is crucial for advancing Li-ion battery technology.
• Existing anode materials often suffer from capacity loss and poor rate capability.
• Freestanding anodes offer advantages in terms of simplified battery assembly and improved conductivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create interconnected macro/mesoporous mixed metal oxide (MMO) structures on nickel foam as freestanding anodes.
• To enhance the cycling efficiency and stability of these anodes through multi-scale modification.
• To investigate the impact of iron doping and a novel encapsulation layer on interfacial chemistry and electrochemical performance.

Main Methods:

• Sustainable production of MMO structures via wet chemical etching with bio-friendly chemicals.
• In situ recrystallization process incorporating divalent iron doping.
• Development of a quasi-gel-state tri-copolymer (F127-resorcinol-melamine) as an N-doped carbon source for encapsulation.
• Electrochemical testing in half-cell and full-cell configurations.

Main Results:

• The developed MMO anodes exhibited enhanced cycling efficiency due to iron doping.
• The N-doped carbon encapsulation layer effectively regulated interfacial chemistry.
• The modified FeₓNi₁₋ₓO@NC-NiF anode showed suppressed irreversible capacity loss.
• Satisfactory cyclability was achieved at high rates in both half-cell and full-cell tests.

Conclusions:

• A multi-scale modification strategy was successfully demonstrated for improving electrode interfacial processes.
• The developed freestanding anodes offer a promising approach for enhancing Li-ion battery reversibility and performance.
• This work provides a proof-of-concept for sustainable anode development with tailored interfacial properties.