Integrated Intercalation‐Based and Interfacial Sodium Storage in Graphene‐Wrapped Porous Li4Ti5O12 Nanofibers Composite Aerogel. Issue 13 (3rd May 2016) - Chen, Chaoji
Abstract : Sodium storage in both solid–liquid and solid–solid interfaces is expected to extend the horizon of sodium‐ion batteries, leading to a new strategy for developing high‐performance energy‐storage materials. Here, a novel composite aerogel with porous Li4 Ti5 O12 (PLTO) nanofibers confined in a highly conductive 3D‐interconnected graphene framework (G‐PLTO) is designed and fabricated for Na storage. A high capacity of 195 mA h g −1 at 0.2 C and super‐long cycle life up to 12 000 cycles are attained. Electrochemical analysis shows that the intercalation‐based and interfacial Na storage behaviors take effect simultaneously in the G‐PLTO composite aerogel. An integrated Na storage mechanism is proposed. This study ascribes the excellent performance to the unique structure, which not only offers short pathways for Na + diffusion and conductive networks for electron transport, but also guarantees plenty of PLTO–electrolyte and PLTO–graphene interfacial sites for Na + adsorption. Abstract : Integrated structure designs allowing for intercalation‐based and interfacial Na storage contribute to an excess capacity of 195 mA h g −1 at 0.2 C and an excellent durability of up to 12 000 cycles, positioning the graphene‐porous Li4 Ti5 O12 composite aerogel as a promising anode for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries.