Advanced Tri-Layer Carbon Matrices with π–π Stacking Interaction for Binder-Free Lithium-Ion Storage

Abstract

Enabling materials with distinct features toward achieving high-performance energy storage devices is of huge importance but highly challenging. Commercial carbon cloth (CC), because of its appealing chemical and mechanical properties, has been proven to be an excellent conductive substrate for active electrode materials. However, its performance is notably poor when directly used as an electrode in energy storage, due to its low theoretical capacity and surface area. Herein, we successfully endow the CC with enhanced storage capacity via formation of a π−π stacking interaction by integrating electrochemically activated CC (denoted CC/ACC) with biomass-derived carbon (BMDC) (denoted π-CC/ECC@BMDC). The π-CC/ECC@BMDC electrode displays excellent storage performance with a high capacity of 2.53 mAh cm −2 under 0.2 mA cm −2 when used as anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Due to the induction energy, the negatively charged molecules of the CC/ACC functional groups interact with the BMDC during carbonization, creating the π−π stacking interaction. Based on first-principles calculations, the structural design of the tri-layer carbon enables the movement of electrons around the π−π stacking interaction, which significantly facilitates rapid transportation of electrons, creates threedimensional (3D) ion tunnels for fast transportation of ions, and improves the electrode's mechanical and electronic properties.

Ternary Si–SiO–Al Composite Films as High-Performance Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…The traditional LIB anode is graphite, which has a specific capacity of 372 mAh g –1 . Despite the efforts made to improve the capacity of the carbon-based anode material, − the most attractive and promising anode is still Si that has the highest theoretical capacity of 4200 mAh g –1 among all anode materials. − However, the Si anode experiences enormous volume change (>300%) during the lithiation and delithiation processes, leading to high stress, fracture, and eventually fatal capacity reduction. − To address this issue, a lot of efforts have been made to design various Si-based anode structures such as Si nanotube, , nanowire, , nanoparticle, pomegranate-inspired nanostructure, and Si-based nanocomposite. − Although these well-designed anodes exhibited improved cycling performance than bulk Si, the long and expensive synthetic process has restricted their commercial applications. In contrast, the Si anode in the form of a film can be easily fabricated.…”

Heterostructures Stimulate Electric‐Field to Facilitate Optimal Zn2+ Intercalation in MoS2 Cathode

“…The broad peak around 26° is the characteristic peak of the CFC. [ 44 ] As shown in Figure S2, Supporting Information, there is no obvious shift in the diffraction peak positions except those at 36.8°, 42.7°, 62.0°, 74.4°, and 78.3°, which are well indexed to the osbornite TiN phase (JCPDS No. 87–0632) and assigned to the (1 1 1), (2 0 0), (2 2 0), (3 1 1), and (2 2 2) lattice planes, respectively, indicating successful synthesis of highly crystallinity TNC.…”

Pretreatment Process Before Heat Pyrolysis of Plant‐based Precursors Paving Way for Fabricating High‐Performance Hard Carbon for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…In addition, the arrangement of electron clouds in the carbon layer is also a very important influence on ion adsorption. The π‐π interaction between molecules is enhanced by a more compact electron cloud, [69] which can not only improve thermal stability, but also maintain the original dominant form in carbonization, promote graphitization, and regulate the balance between defects and them. The crystal structure of hard carbon material is the main part of sodium storage.…”

“…In addition, more suitable L a and L c can bring more suitable adsorption storage, so that sodium ions can be further stored in the defect. Similarly, the denser electron cloud arrangement makes it possible for sodium ions to move rapidly between layers [69] …”