Nanotubular Hard Carbon Derived from Renewable Natural Seed Gel for High Performance Sodium‐Ion Battery Anode

Abstract

Electrical energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors are perhaps the most researched topic today in view of its critical implications for the successful implementations of various renewable energy harvesting initiatives. Amongst the various battery systems being currently examined, the Libattery continues to be a main player, but the Na-ion battery has been attracting significant attention lately due to the concerns about the limited reserves and high cost of Li. Hard carbon is recognized to be a good anode material for Nabattery. In this work we present a novel approach to synthesize such hard carbon from a natural gel derived from the commonly used Basil seeds (Osimum Basilicum) which swell 30 times their weight by absorbing water. The hard carbon obtained by pyrolysis of the freeze-dried mucilage possesses sheet-like and tubular morphology with decorated surface defects attributed to the presence of oxygen functionalities. This hard carbon shows a good reversible capacity of 195 mAh g À1 at 0.1 A g À1 with an impressive~91 % retention of initial capacity after 300 cycles and sustains high current densities with not much change in capacity value.[a] Prof.

Hard Carbons for Sodium‐Ion Battery Anodes: Synthetic Strategies, Material Properties, and Storage Mechanisms

“…The open channels offer better ionic transport through these solvent‐conducting channels, which offer high power delivery, as revealed by the evaluation of a better rate performance . In another report from our group, we highlight the morphological advantage gained from natural seed gel derived hard carbon for SIB anodes . The hard carbon product obtained by pyrolyzing freeze‐dried flakes of basil seed mucilage had a surface area of 40 m 2 g −1 .…”

“…[94] In another report from our group, we highlight the morphological advantage gained from natural seed gel derived hard carbon for SIB anodes. [95] The hard carbon product obtainedb yp yrolyzing freeze-dried flakes of basil seed mucilage had as urfacea rea of 40 m 2 g À1 .T he natural gel derived hard carbon (NGHC) has ar eversible capacity of 214 mAh g À1 at ac urrentd ensity of 100 mA g À1 ,w ith long cycling stability up to 300 cycles.T he NGHC shows excellent rate performance of 95 mAh g À1 at 2Ag À1 .I th as as uperior performance to that of commercially availablehard carbon.…”

Alternative lithium-ion battery using biomass-derived carbons as environmentally sustainable anode

“…Microtubular carbons obtained from bamboo and woods by acid treatment, and carbonization were used in lithium battery with capacity of 435 mA h g −1 at 50 mA g −1 , 150 mA h g −1 at 2 A g −1 , and 76% capacity retention at 500 mA g −1 upon 500 cycles [30]. Hard carbon from a natural gel derived from the Basil seeds (Osimum Basilicum) obtained by pyrolysis of the freeze-dried mucilage possesses sheet-like, showed a reversible capacity of 195 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 with 91 % retention after 300 cycles [31]. Threedimensional (3D) rod-like carbon micro-structures derived from natural ramie fibers, and twodimensional (2D) carbon nanosheets derived from corncobs prepared by heat treatment exhibited a capacity of 489 and 606 mAhg −1 after 180 cycles at current density of 100 mAg −1 [32].…”

“…The material has been lithiated, and it delivered an energy density of about 216 Wh kg −1 , retaining about 94% initial capacity after 5000 cycles [24]. Various carbons, obtained from loofah [25], coffee [26], honey [27], walnut shells [28], and cherry pits [29] residues, have been already reported as suitable electrode for lithium-ion battery, while other activated carbons derived from bamboo [30], natural seed [31], corncobs [32] or tea [33] residues have also been proposed for sodium batteries. In addition, olive stone [34], almond shell [35], walnut shell, peanut shell, and pistachio hull [36], have been used as precursor for carbons employed in Li-S batteries.…”

Engineering homotype heterojunctions in hard carbon to induce stable solid electrolyte interfaces for sodium‐ion batteries

“…[10][11][12] As a kind of carbon material, HC is difficult to graphitize above 2500°C, which has favorable sodium storage capacity, low cost of raw materials, and environmental friendliness. 10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Currently, researchers have obtained HC materials with excellent sodium storage properties from various renewable biomaterials, such as bagasse, 19 basil seeds, 20 lotus seedpod, 21 tamarind fruits, 22 and so on. Unfortunately, the low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of HC materials in ester electrolytes limits their practical application.…”