Graphitic carbon with increased interlayer spacing derived from low-temperature CO₂ rapid conversion for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Graphitic carbon is a promising anode for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to its conductivity and stability.
• Potassium ions' large radius causes irreversible damage to graphitic carbon structures during battery cycling.
• Existing preparation methods often lack efficiency or involve high carbon footprints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, low-carbon synthesis route for graphitic carbon with enhanced properties for PIBs.
• To investigate the effect of CO2/NaAlH4 ratio on graphitic carbon structure and morphology.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance of the synthesized graphitic carbon as an anode material in PIBs.

Main Methods:

• A rapid chemical conversion reaction between carbon dioxide (CO2) and sodium aluminum hydride (NaAlH4) at approximately 62°C.
• Characterization of the resulting graphitic carbon, focusing on lattice spacing, degree of graphitization, and morphology.
• Electrochemical testing of the material as an anode in potassium-ion battery cells, assessing cycling stability and rate performance.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized graphitic carbon with larger lattice spacing using a low-carbon approach.
• The CO2/NaAlH4 ratio was found to be critical for controlling graphitization and achieving a flaky morphology.
• The prepared graphitic carbon anode demonstrated excellent cycling stability, retaining 95.9% capacity (210 mAh g⁻¹) after 1000 cycles at 0.1 A g⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• The developed CO2/NaAlH4 rapid conversion method offers an efficient and low-carbon pathway for producing advanced graphitic carbon anodes.
• The enhanced graphitic carbon exhibits superior electrochemical performance and stability for potassium-ion battery applications.
• This approach provides valuable insights for designing next-generation energy storage materials.