Hierarchical Structures Based on Two‐Dimensional Nanomaterials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Abstract

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials (i.e., graphene and its derivatives, transition metal oxides and transition metal dichalcogenides) are receiving a lot attention in energy storage application because of their unprecedented properties and great diversities. However, their re‐stacking or aggregation during the electrode fabrication process has greatly hindered their further developments and applications in rechargeable lithium batteries. Recently, rationally designed hierarchical structures based on 2D nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates in rechargeable lithium battery applications. Numerous synthetic strategies have been developed to obtain hierarchical structures and high‐performance energy storage devices based on these hierarchical structure have been realized. This review summarizes the synthesis and characteristics of three styles of hierarchical architecture, namely three‐dimensional (3D) porous network nanostructures, hollow nanostructures and self‐supported nanoarrays, presents the representative applications of hierarchical structured nanomaterials as functional materials for lithium ion batteries, lithium‐sulfur batteries and lithium‐oxygen batteries, meanwhile sheds light particularly on the relationship between structure engineering and improved electrochemical performance; and provides the existing challenges and the perspectives for this fast emerging field.

Challenges and perspectives for manganese‐based oxides for advanced aqueous zinc‐ion batteries

“…One effective method to solve this problem is to build a hierarchy. Addition to maintaining the advantages of 2D nanomaterials, the hierarchical structure with 2D nanomaterials as a unit can also obtain other structural characteristics at different scales, such as large size, high porosity, remarkable specific surface area and excellent permeability . Inspired by this, Liang et al reported Mn 3 O 4 flowers, which delivered higher specific capacity of 296 mA h/g and excellent cycle stability without capacity fading after 500 cycles (Figure D).…”

Transition Metal Carbide Complex Architectures for Energy‐Related Applications

“…2D TMC nanomaterials have a large surface‐to‐volume ratio, which endows them with a large surface/interface to increase the effective active sites for high‐performance energy storage and conversion applications . The ultra‐thin architecture can accelerate the electron and ion transport by shortening the diffusion pathways of the electrolytes, thus achieving high power density (rate performance) for batteries, and favourable kinetics for electro‐catalytic reactions .…”

“…Growing global energy consumption and associated environmental issues have stimulated great efforts to explore clean and renewable energy sources . The high‐performance electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices, such as metal‐ion batteries (MIBs), supercapacitors (SCs), rechargeable metal‐air batteries (RMABs), fuel cells, and water splitting, are regarded as promising technologies to resolve the worldwide energy and environmental crisis .…”

Enhanced Li‐Ion‐Storage Performance of MoS2 through Multistage Structural Design

“…[10] This inspires us to consider: whether the multistage structural design concept applicable to the folded proteins can be employed herein to create the advanced electrode materials for LIBs. [13][14][15][16] In recent years, various MoS 2 composites, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] including MoS 2 /C, [19,20,23,24] SnS 2 /MoS 2 /CFC, [21] MoO 2 @MoS 2 [22] and S-MoS 2 @α-Fe 2 O 3 [26] have been widely exploited as important anode materials for lithium ion batteries (see Table S1). [13][14][15][16] In recent years, various MoS 2 composites, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] including MoS 2 /C, [19,20,23,24] SnS 2 /MoS 2 /CFC, [21] MoO 2 @MoS 2 [22] and S-MoS 2 @α-Fe 2 O 3 [26] have been widely exploited as important anode materials for lithium ion batteries...…”