A simple synthesis of nanoporous Sb/C with high Sb content and dispersity as an advanced anode for sodium ion batteries. Issue 14 (23rd February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Yating; Jan, Safeer; Wang, Zhiyong; Jin, Xianbo
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 14(2018)
• Page Start: 5555
• Page End: 5559
• Publication Date: 2018-02-23
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ta00592c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Amorphous Sb/C with a nanoporous structure and subnanometric dispersity is synthesized by a simple, bottom up solid state reaction between Sb2 O3 and CaC2 . It exhibits an unprecedented performance of sodium storage. Abstract : Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted increasing attention for large-scale energy storage. Among all anodes for SIBs, antimony (Sb) is one of the most attractive ones, but it suffers from a rapid capacity fading because of about 290% volume change upon sodiation/desodiation. Here a facile bottom-up strategy has been developed to prepare nanoporous Sb/C with high Sb content and dispersity via a ball-milling assisted solid state reaction between Sb2 O3 and CaC2 . The simultaneous and stoichiometric generation of Sb and C facilitates a high dispersion of Sb in, theoretically, 23 wt% carbon. Feeding excess CaC2 can adjust the porosity of the composite, and tailor Sb particles from crystalline (10–20 nm in size) to amorphous (at the subnanometer scale). The synthesized amorphous Sb/C composite exhibits an unprecedented performance for sodium storage. It delivers a high reversible capacity of 480 mA h g −1 at 0.1 A g −1, 403 mA h g −1 after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g −1, and 283 mA h g −1 after 3000 cycles at 5.0 A g −1 . This study may provide a basis for developing high-capacity and long-cycle-life SIBs for practical applications.