High‐performance Sn‐based anode with robust lignin‐derived hard carbon support for sodium‐ion batteries

Abstract

Tin anode has great potential for sodium-ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity, but its tremendous volume expansion during the sodium (de)alloying processes leads to the structural degradation and cycling instability. Herein, we report a new design strategy by using low-cost enzymatic hydrolysis lignin-derived hard carbon as an ideal support for Sn particles dispersion. Sn can be uniformly anchored on the robust carbon substrate, to efficiently relieve Sn volume expansion upon cycling. In addition, conductive hard carbon support can facilitate electrons to transfer and further enhance Na + storage capacity and accelerate facile Na + diffusion in the Sn/C hybrid anodes. The resultant Sn/C hybrids as anodes deliver high-rate performance as well as distinguished cycling stability in view of high reversible capacity of 374 mAh g À1 at 20 mA g À1 and capacity retention of 91% at 1000 mA g À1 after 1000 cycles, benefiting from high electrical conductivity, highly dispersed Sn particles and suitable pore structure. This work is expected to provide fresh insight into cost-effective Sn-based anodes for sodium ion batteries.

Lignin for energy applications – state of the art, life cycle, technoeconomic analysis and future trends

“…To achieve good cyclability with a Sn anode (91% of capacity retention after 1000 cycles) Wang et al employed lignin as a precursor to form Sn/C particles. 136 Similar approaches could be investigated to enable different alloying metal anodes for high energy density SIBs and KIBs in the future.…”

Lignin‐derived carbon materials for catalysis and electrochemical energy storage

“…The N, P co‐doped hard carbon microspheres provided a specific capacity of 248 mAh g −1 for 200 cycles at 0.1 A g −1 with a retention rate close to 92.2% (Figure 13b,c). Wang et al [ 113 ] uniformly loaded Sn particles with high theoretical capacity on the lignin carbon substrate. The results showed that the hard carbon substrate could effectively dilute the aggregation effect of Sn nanoparticles and buffer the volume expansion of Sn during charging/discharging.…”

Lignocellulosic Biomass‐Based Carbon Dots: Synthesis Processes, Properties, and Applications

“…Lignin has more than 60% carbon content, with the majority existing in the form of an aromatic structure. [40,41] Oxygen elements, which mostly exist in the form of functional groups in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, can significantly enhance the molecular activity of these three compounds. Utilizing lignocellulosic biomass as precursors not only reduces the exposure of synthesis processes to chemicals but also facilitates the potential of commercializing current developed technologies of producing CDs.…”