Anchoring Nitrogen-Doped TiO2 Nanocrystals on Nitrogen-Doped 3D Graphene Frameworks for Enhanced Lithium Storage.

An advanced architecture design of nitrogen-doped TiO2 anchored on nitrogen-doped 3D graphene framework composites (denoted as N-TiO2 /N-3D GFs) have been fabricated by a facile template process and further NH3 treatment. The 3D graphene framework allows the electrolyte to penetrate into the inverse opal structure, and possesses high electronic conductivity. The close contact between the N-TiO2 and the graphene suppresses the growth and aggregation of TiO2 nanoparticles during heating process, leading to decreased Li+ diffusion length. The N-doping in both TiO2 and the graphene matrix could improve the electronic conductivity on the TiO2 particle surface and between adjacent particles. As expected, when used as an anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs), the N-TiO2 /N-3D GFs composite delivers an excellent reversible capacity of 165 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g-1 and an outstanding rate capability of 114 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 Ag-1 . With rational design, this strategy could be extended to other electrode materials that may hold great promise for the development of high energy storage systems.

A carbon coated NASICON structure material embedded in porous carbon enabling superior sodium storage performance: NaTi2(PO4)3 as an example.

Sodium super ion conductor (NASICON) type structure materials (e.g. Na3V2(PO4)3, NaTi2(PO4)3) have been considered as promising electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs). However, the inherent poor electronic conductivity of the NASICON type structure materials owing to their poor electronic conductivity of phosphates leads to poor cyclability and rate capability. Here, we develop a general strategy to achieve high rate capability and long cycle life by preparing "double carbon coating" NASICON NaTi2(PO4)3 using a soft-chemical method. The obtained carbon-coated NaTi2(PO4)3 within the porous carbon matrix (denoted as NTP@C@PC) imparts a reversible capability of 103 mA h g(-1) at 5 C after 5000 cycles and a rate capability of 64 mA h g(-1) at 50 C for sodium storage. The high capacity, stable cyclability and excellent rate capability of the NTP@C@PC are attributed to the advantages of the special structure: the fast Na(+)/e(-) transfer in the nanocomposites, large surface area and mesoporous nature of the 3D porous carbon matrix that facilitate the electrolyte to soak in, an intimate interaction between the particles and the carbon matrix. In addition, the 3D porous carbon matrix could effectively accommodate the volume variation during a repeated sodiation/desodiation process.

Free-standing porous carbon nanofibers-sulfur composite for flexible Li-S battery cathode.

Flexible and free-standing sulphur/(PCNFs-CNT) composite (S@PCNFs-CNT) electrode was successfully prepared by infiltrating sulfur into microporous carbon nanofibers-carbon nanotube (PCNFs-CNT) composite. When used as a cathode material for Li-S batteries, the S@PCNFs-CNT exhibits much better cycle performance and rate performance compared to CNT-free S@PCNFs. It delivers a reversible capacity of 637 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles at 50 mA g(-1) and a rate capability of 437 mA h g(-1) at 1 A g(-1). The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to synergistic effect of the 3D interconnected structure, the additive of CNT, and the uniform distribution of micropores (<2 nm) in the PCNFs-CNT matrix. Our results indicate the potential suitability of PCNFs-CNT for efficient, free-standing, and high-performance batteries.