A new nanocomposite system based on Ni-doped Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticles embedded in three-dimensional porous carbon nanopipes framework CMK-5 is developed by combination of repeat templating and wet-impregnation techniques to evaluate its performances as anode for rechargeable batteries. The nanocomposite materials are synthesized by varying the Mn 3 O 4 and nickel amounts. Among the nanocomposites, the Ni(5)-Mn 3 O 4 (1)@CMK-5 anode exhibits outstanding discharge capacity of 1269 mA h g À1 after 200 cycles and 832 mA h g À1 beyond 500 cycles at 100 and 1000 mA g À1 , respectively, for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Even at high current of 2000 mA g À1 , the electrode possesses the capacity of 669 mA h g À1 . When the Ni(5)-Mn 3 O 4 (1) @CMK-5 anode is used in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), it provides remarkable discharge capacities of 490 and 334 mA h g À1 after 500 cycles at 50 and 100 mA g À1 , respectively. The excellent electrochemical performances of the Ni(5)-Mn 3 O 4 (1)@CMK-5 nanocomposite reveal its promising potentials as anode for LIBs and SIBs.
In this study, a new crosslinked organic-inorganic hybrid polymer electrolyte membrane is developed by first reacting polyetherdiamine with diphenylmethane diisocyanate, followed by addition of organosilane precursors 3-(glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane and 2-[methoxy(polyethyleneoxy) propyl] trimethoxysilane and LiClO 4 salt. Various characterization methods are employed to probe the crystallinity behavior, morphology, ionic interactions, thermal stability, architectural durability and dynamic performance of the hybrid solid polymer electrolyte (HSPE) membranes. Among the electrolytes, the HSPE membrane with [EO]/[Li] ratio of 32 delivers the excellent ionic conductivity value of 1.2 × 10 À 4 S cm À 1 at 30 °C. When the hybrid membrane without salt is plasticized with various electrolyte solvents, the ionic conductivity enhances significantly to values in the range of 1.2 to 1.8 × 10 À 3 S cm À 1 at 30 °C. The lithium metal battery (LMB) assembled with the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), lithium anode and LiFePO 4 cathode provides excellent rate and cycle performances. The LMB delivers very stable discharge capacity of 121.1 mAh g À 1 after 150 cycles at the rate of 0.1 C with 97.6 % capacity holding compared to first cycle and exhibits above 99 % Coulombic efficiency values. The present crosslinked hybrid polymer electrolytes are potentially promising for the future development of high performance lithium-metal batteries.
The Cover Feature shows the application of 3 D cubic bimodal ordered mesoporous carbon CMK‐9 to encapsulate ultrafine CoO particles into the mesopores. The developed nanocomposite material is employed as an anode in the fabrication of lithium‐ and sodium‐ion batteries. The cubic bimodal interconnected mesoporous framework of CMK‐9 plays an important role in achieving excellent electrochemical performance by assisting the rapid mass and charge transfer. The fabricated battery shows high reversible capacity and remarkable rate capability along with long cycle life and structural durability. More information can be found in the Full Paper by D. Saikia et al. on page 2952 in Issue 11, 2020 (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202000009).
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