Tuning Li⁺ and Na⁺ Functionality in Renewable Carbon Electroactive Material Through Site-Specific Nanostructural...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Optimizing carbon electrode materials for lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries is challenging due to complex hybrid structural characteristics.
• Traditional views emphasize localized disorder and porosity for Na-ion battery capacity.
• The role of hybrid structural features in Li-ion versus Na-ion battery performance requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dominant role of hybrid structural features in carbon for Li-ion battery performance compared to Na-ion systems.
• To establish a correlation between local microstructural attributes and ion storage kinetics in carbon materials.
• To elucidate distinct ion-storage mechanisms differentiating Li-ion and Na-ion systems.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive materials characterization techniques.
• Electrochemical analysis of carbon-based electrodes.
• Correlation analysis of microstructural features and electrochemical performance.

Main Results:

• Hybrid structural features of carbon are more critical for Li-ion energy storage than for Na-ion systems.
• A direct link exists between local carbon microstructure and ion storage kinetics.
• Distinct ion-storage mechanisms were identified for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries based on carbon structure.

Conclusions:

• Configurational defects are vital for high initial storage capacity in mixed-phase carbon structures.
• The in-plane size of nano-layered microdomains is key for long-term stable storage capacity in rechargeable batteries.
• Understanding hybrid structures is crucial for designing advanced carbon electrode materials for next-generation batteries.