Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet (i.e., g-C 3 N 4) has been identified as a suitable graphene analogue due to its high theoretical capacity, wider and vacant structure and easy synthesis method. Currntly, g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet has limited application in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) which is mainly due to the lack of effective intercalation/deintercalation reaction sites, the high binding energy of the Li to the manosheet and insufficient conductivity and stability. Our Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation predict that the edges of g-C 3 N 4 fibre have a suitable adsorption energy and bestow a balanced adsorption force and desorption freedom to Li. In order to verify this prediction, we synthesized g-C 3 N 4 nanofibre with the edges and pores, as well as higher pyridinic nitrogen content, using a simple polymerization/polycondensation method. The as-prepared g-C 3 N 4 fibre delivers a remarkable specific capacity of 181.7 mAh/g, as well as extraordinary stability and power density. At a high rate of 10C, the g-C 3 N 4 fibre still has a specific capacity of 138.6 mAh/g even after 5,000 cycles, being the best performing g-C 3 N 4 electrode so far in literature. This work is exemplary in combining theoretical computing and experimental techniques in designing the next generation of electroactive materials for LIBs.
Carbon nitrides (including CN, C2N, C3N, C3N4, C4N, and C5N) are a unique family of nitrogen-rich carbon materials with multiple beneficial properties in crystalline structures, morphologies, and electronic configurations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive review on these materials properties, theoretical advantages, the synthesis and modification strategies of different carbon nitride-based materials (CNBMs) and their application in existing and emerging rechargeable battery systems, such as lithium-ion batteries, sodium and potassium-ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, lithium oxygen batteries, lithium metal batteries, zinc-ion batteries, and solid-state batteries. The central theme of this review is to apply the theoretical and computational design to guide the experimental synthesis of CNBMs for energy storage, i.e., facilitate the application of first-principle studies and density functional theory for electrode material design, synthesis, and characterization of different CNBMs for the aforementioned rechargeable batteries. At last, we conclude with the challenges, and prospects of CNBMs, and propose future perspectives and strategies for further advancement of CNBMs for rechargeable batteries.
Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and boron-doped diamond (BDD) are two of the most popular functional materials in recent years. In this work, TiO(2) nanoparticles were immobilized onto the BDD electrodes by a dip-coating technique. Continuous and uniform mixed-phase (anatase and rutile) and pure-anatase TiO(2)/BDD electrodes were obtained after calcination processes at 700 and 450 degrees C, respectively. The particle sizes of both types of TiO(2) film range from 20 to 30 nm. In comparison with a TiO(2)/indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, the TiO(2)/BDD electrode demonstrates a higher photoelectrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of organic compounds, such as glucose and potassium hydrogen phthalate. Among all the tested TiO(2) electrodes, the mixed-phase TiO(2)/BDD electrode demonstrated the highest photoelectrocatalytic activity, which can be attributed to the formation of the p-n heterojunction between TiO(2) and BDD. The electrode was subsequently used to detect a wide spectrum of organic compounds in aqueous solution using a steady-state current method. An excellent linear relationship between the steady-state photocurrents and equivalent organic concentrations was attained. The steady-state oxidation photocurrents of the mixed-phase TiO(2)/BDD electrode were insensitive to pH in the range of pH 2-10. Furthermore, the electrodes exhibited excellent robustness under strong acidic conditions that the TiO(2)/ITO electrodes cannot stand. These characteristics bestow the mixed-phase TiO(2)/BDD electrode to be a versatile material for the sensing of organic compounds.
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