Engineering of Metal-Organic Framework-Derived CoTiO₃ Micro-Prisms for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile precursors for advanced energy materials.
• Transition metal compounds derived from MOFs show promise for energy conversion and storage.
• Developing efficient electrode materials is crucial for next-generation batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize Ni-doped CoTiO3 composited with amorphous carbon (Ni_xCTO/C) using MOF precursors.
• To investigate the effect of Ni doping and carbon compositing on electrochemical performance.
• To explore the synergistic effects of dual modification for enhanced lithium storage.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of hexagonal micro-prisms of Ni-doped CoTiO3/C using Ti-Co-based MOFs.
• Characterization of material properties, including structural and electrochemical analysis.
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to confirm Ni doping and conductivity improvements.

Main Results:

• Substitutional doping of Ni2+ for Co2+ in CoTiO3 was confirmed, enhancing conductivity.
• Ni-doped CTO without carbon showed improved lithium storage compared to pristine CTO.
• Ni0.05CTO/C micro-prisms achieved a reversible capacity of 584.8 mA h g-1 with excellent rate capability and cycling stability.

Conclusions:

• Ni doping and in situ carbon coating synergistically enhance the electrochemical performance of CoTiO3.
• MOF-derived Ni-doped CTO/C composites are promising candidates for high-performance lithium storage.
• The study demonstrates a viable strategy for designing advanced electrode materials for energy storage.