Chuanjian Zhang

Nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets with excellent lithium storage properties

In this work, nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets serving as lithium storage materials are presented. The nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets were prepared by heat treatment of graphite oxide under an ammonia atmosphere at 800 degrees C for 2 h. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the prepared product as nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets with a doping level of ca. 2% nitrogen, where the N binding configuration of the graphene includes 57.4% pyridinic, 35.0% pyrrolic and 7.6% graphitic N atoms. Galvanostatic charge/discharge experiments revealed that these nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets exhibited a high reversible capacity (900 mA h g(-1) at 42 mA g(-1) (1/20 C)), excellent rate performance (250 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 2.1 A g(-1) (2.5 C)), and significantly enhanced cycling stability, which demonstrated nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets to be a promising candidate for anode materials in high rate lithium-ion batteries.

Synthesis of Nitrogen-Doped MnO/Graphene Nanosheets Hybrid Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Nitrogen-doped MnO/graphene nanosheets (N-MnO/GNS) hybrid material was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method followed by ammonia annealing. The samples were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. N-doped MnO (N-MnO) nanoparticles were homogenously anchored on the thin layers of N-doped GNS (N-GNS) to form an efficient electronic/ionic mixed conducting network. This nanostructured hybrid exhibited a reversible electrochemical lithium storage capacity as high as 772 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1) after 90 cycles, and an excellent rate capability of 202 mA h g(-1) at a high current density of 5 A g(-1). It is expected that N-MnO/GNS hybrid could be a promising candidate material as a high capacity anode for lithium ion batteries.

Renewable and Superior Thermal-Resistant Cellulose-Based Composite Nonwoven as Lithium-Ion Battery Separator

A renewable and superior thermal-resistant cellulose-based composite nonwoven was explored as lithium-ion battery separator via an electrospinning technique followed by a dip-coating process. It was demonstrated that such nanofibrous composite nonwoven possessed good electrolyte wettability, excellent heat tolerance, and high ionic conductivity. The cells using the composite separator displayed better rate capability and enhanced capacity retention, when compared to those of commercialized polypropylene separator under the same conditions. These fascinating characteristics would endow this renewable composite nonwoven a promising separator for high-power lithium-ion battery.

Strategies for improving the cyclability and thermo-stability of LiMn2O4-based batteries at elevated temperatures

Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) is one of the most suitable cathode materials for widespread large-scale applications of lithium ion batteries due to its advantages of high thermal stability, guaranteed safety, low cost, environmental friendliness, relatively good power density and acceptable energy density. However, LiMn2O4-based batteries with LiPF6-based carbonate electrolytes always suffer from severe capacity deterioration and poor thermostability, especially at elevated temperatures. Hence, it is necessary to systematically and comprehensively summarize the progress in understanding and modifying LiMn2O4-based batteries from various aspects. In this review, different reported possible fading mechanisms of LiMn2O4-based batteries are first discussed in detail. Then, the various proposed strategies to improve the cyclability and thermostability of LiMn2O4-based batteries at elevated temperatures, including electrolyte optimization, element doping, surface coating, development of functional separators/gel electrolytes and binders, control of special morphologies etc., are covered. Finally, several perspectives are summarized based on the elaborated progress and our own experimental evaluations, aiming to provide some possible attractive strategies and research directions for future upgrading of LiMn2O4-based batteries with improved high temperature performances.

Molybdenum nitride based hybrid cathode for rechargeable lithium-O2 batteries

Molybdenum nitride/nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (MoN/NGS) are synthesized and used as an alternative O(2) electrode for Li-O(2) batteries. In comparison with electrocatalysts proposed previously, this hybrid cathode exhibits a high discharge potential (around 3.1 V) and a considerable specific capacity (1490 mA h g(-1), based on carbon + electrocatalyst).

Nanostructured Titanium Nitride/PEDOT:PSS Composite Films As Counter Electrodes of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The composite films of titanium nitride in conjunction with polystyrenesulfonate-doped poly (3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT:PSS) were prepared by a simple mechanical mixture of TiN and PEDOT:PSS under ultrasonication, which was demonstrated to deliver an effectively combined network of both high electrical conductivity and superior electrocatalytic activity. The composite films have been explored as an alternative for the counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. It was manifested that these nanostructured TiN-PEDOT:PSS composite films displayed excellent performance comparable to Pt-FTO counter electrode due to the combined network endowing more favorable and efficient interfacial active sites. Among them, the energy conversion efficiency of the cell with TiN(P)-PEDOT:PSS as counter electrode reached 7.06%, which was superior to 6.57% of the cell with Pt-FTO counter electrode under the same experimental conditions.

Sustainable, heat-resistant and flame-retardant cellulose-based composite separator for high-performance lithium ion battery

A sustainable, heat-resistant and flame-retardant cellulose-based composite nonwoven has been successfully fabricated and explored its potential application for promising separator of high-performance lithium ion battery. It was demonstrated that this flame-retardant cellulose-based composite separator possessed good flame retardancy, superior heat tolerance and proper mechanical strength. As compared to the commercialized polypropylene (PP) separator, such composite separator presented improved electrolyte uptake, better interface stability and enhanced ionic conductivity. In addition, the lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2)/graphite cell using this composite separator exhibited better rate capability and cycling retention than that for PP separator owing to its facile ion transport and excellent interfacial compatibility. Furthermore, the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)/lithium cell with such composite separator delivered stable cycling performance and thermal dimensional stability even at an elevated temperature of 120°C. All these fascinating characteristics would boost the application of this composite separator for high-performance lithium ion battery.

Nickel Disulfide–Graphene Nanosheets Composites with Improved Electrochemical Performance for Sodium Ion Battery

Nickel disulfide-graphene nanosheets (NiS2-GNS) composites were successfully synthesized via a simple and mild hydrothermal method. It was revealed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images that the spherical NiS2 nanoparticles with a diameter of 200-300 nm were uniformly dispersed on graphene nanosheets. Na(+) electrochemical storage properties including cycling performance and high-rate capability of NiS2-GNS composites were investigated, demonstrating a superior reversible capacity of 407 mAh g(-1) with the capacity retention of 77% over 200 cycles at a current density of 0.1 C. Furthermore, even at a large current density of 2 C, a high capacity of 168 mAh g(-1) can still remain, which is much higher than that of pristine NiS2 materials. The enhancement in electrochemical properties might be attributed to the synergetic effect endowed by high conductivity of graphene and novel structure of the electrode material. Combined with the advantages of low cost and environmental benignity, NiS2-GNS composite would be a potential anode material for sodium ion batteries.

A hybrid material of vanadium nitride and nitrogen-doped graphene for lithium storage

Vanadium nitride and nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheet (G) hybrid materials were prepared by a facile sol–gel method combined with a thermal treatment at 800 °C under ammonia atmosphere. It was found that VN nanoparticles adhered to the surface of nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets and/or were embedded in the graphene layers of the hybrid material (VN-G). This nanostructured material promises an efficient electronic and ionic conducting network, which exhibits dramatically increased specific capacities after rate capability test in comparison to the original value under the same current density. The most probable explanations for these distinct characteristics are deduced from observations by advanced transmission electron microscopy together with X-ray diffraction and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, which illustrate a gradual activation of nitride during lithiation/delithiation processes, owing to slow kinetics of VN reaction with lithium. The electrochemical results demonstrate that the weight ratio of VN to G has a significant effect on the performance and related kinetics of the materials.

Taichi-inspired rigid-flexible coupling cellulose-supported solid polymer electrolyte for high-performance lithium batteries

Inspired by Taichi, we proposed rigid-flexible coupling concept and herein developed a highly promising solid polymer electrolyte comprised of poly (ethylene oxide), poly (cyano acrylate), lithium bis(oxalate)borate and robust cellulose nonwoven. Our investigation revealed that this new class solid polymer electrolyte possessed comprehensive properties in high mechanical integrity strength, sufficient ionic conductivity (3 × 10−4 S cm−1) at 60°C and improved dimensional thermostability (up to 160°C). In addition, the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)/lithium (Li) cell using such solid polymer electrolyte displayed superior rate capacity (up to 6 C) and stable cycle performance at 80°C. Furthermore, the LiFePO4/Li battery could also operate very well even at an elevated temperature of 160°C, thus improving enhanced safety performance of lithium batteries. The use of this solid polymer electrolyte mitigates the safety risk and widens the operation temperature range of lithium batteries. Thus, this fascinating study demonstrates a proof of concept of the use of rigid-flexible coupling solid polymer electrolyte toward practical lithium battery applications with improved reliability and safety.