Natural Cellulose Derived Nanocomposites as Anodic Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Bio‐inspired synthetic method provides an effective shortcut to fabricate functional nanostructured materials with specific morphologies and designed functionalities. Natural cellulose substances (e. g., commercial laboratory cellulose filter paper) possesses unique three‐dimensionally cross‐linked porous structures and abundant functional groups for the functional modification on the surfaces. The deposition of metal oxide gel film on the surfaces of the cellulose nanofibers is facilely to be achieved through the surface sol‐gel process, resulting in metal oxide replicas of the initial cellulose substance or metal‐oxide/carbon nanocomposites. Moreover, the as‐deposited metal oxide gel films coated on the cellulose fiber surfaces provide ideal platforms for the further formation of specific functional assemblies, and eventually to the corresponding nanocomposite materials. Based on this methodology, various nanostructured composites were prepared and employed as anodic materials for lithium‐ion batteries, including metal‐oxides‐based (such as SnO2, TiO2, MoO3, FexOy, and SiO2) and Si‐based composites, as summarized in this personal account. Benefiting from the unique hierarchically porous network structures and the synergistic effects among the composite components of the anodic materials, the transfer of electrons/ions is accelerated and the structural stability of the electrode is enhanced, leading to the improved lithium storage performances and promoted cycling stability.

Progress of NiO‐Based Anodes for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries

“…Flat substrates mainly include copper foil, nickel foil, titanium foil, stainless steel foil and graphite disk. [146] They are usually used as current collectors to support NiO based nanocompo-sites for the preparation of binder free electrodes. [147] The main challenge of this method is how to firmly combine the active nano materials with the substrate.…”

The Critical Role of Carbon Nanotubes in Bridging Academic Research to Commercialization of Lithium Batteries

“…[6][7][8][9][10] As we know, the intrinsic intercalation mechanism of conventional LIBs based on LiCoO 2 cathode and graphite anode places an upper limit on their energy density (~387 Wh kg À 1 ). [11][12][13] Such a performance limit implies that it would be challenging to achieve long-distance transport (e. g., 300-500 miles per charge) when they are employed to power electrical vehicles. [14][15][16] Battery technology and chemistry are therefore being actively sought with a targeted energy density of up to 500 Wh kg À 1 and a cost within $100 kWh À 1 .…”

A Cellulose-Derived Nanofibrous MnO2-TiO2-Carbon Composite as Anodic Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…However, the low theoretical capacity of around 335 mAh g −1 and the inherently slow transport kinetics for both Li ions and electrons severely hinder TiO 2 ’s practical application [ 21 , 22 ]. Various nanostructured TiO 2 and TiO 2 -based carbon composites have been developed, aiming at improving the ionic and electric transportation of electrodes during Li/Li + processes [ 23 ]. A bio-inspired multilevel nanofibrous silver-nanoparticle-anatase-rutile-titania composite material, which was composed of anatase-phase titania nanotubes with rutile-phase titania and further immobilized with silver nanoparticles, displayed a stable capacity of 120 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles, with a Coulombic efficiency of approximately 100% [ 24 ].…”