NiFe-LDH/MXene nano-array hybrid architecture for exceptional capacitive lithium storage

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) offer potential for energy storage due to their anion exchange and surface area.
• However, poor conductivity, nanosheet stacking, and volume variation limit LDH performance in batteries.
• Addressing these limitations is crucial for advancing energy storage applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize NiFe-LDH nanoarrays on Ti3C2Tz-MXene.
• To evaluate the performance of the NiFe-LDH/MXene hybrid material as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
• To investigate the synergistic effects of LDHs and MXene on electrochemical properties and cycling stability.

Main Methods:

• Homogeneous nanoarrays of NiFe-LDH were synthesized on Ti3C2Tz-MXene via a refluxing process.
• The resulting NiFe-LDH/MXene-500 hybrid material was fabricated into an electrode for LIB testing.
• Electrochemical performance, including discharge capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability, was systematically analyzed.

Main Results:

• The NiFe-LDH/MXene-500 anode delivered a discharge capacity of 894.8 mA h g⁻¹ at 200 mA g⁻¹ over 300 cycles.
• A reversible capacity of 547.1 mA h g⁻¹ was maintained at 1 A g⁻¹, demonstrating excellent rate performance.
• The electrode exhibited significantly reduced volume expansion (31% after 50 cycles) compared to pure NiFe-LDH.

Conclusions:

• The NiFe-LDH/MXene hybrid material significantly enhances lithium-ion battery performance.
• MXene integration improves electrical conductivity, structural stability, and ion diffusion kinetics.
• Capacitance control is identified as the primary electrochemical reaction mechanism, highlighting the material's potential for advanced energy storage.