In-situ bonding with sulfur in petroleum asphalt to synthesize transition metal (Mn, Mo, Fe, or Co)-based/carbon composites for superior lithium storage. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yun; Yang, Wang; Tu, Zhiqiang; Che, Sai; Xu, Chong; Liu, Hanlin; Huang, Guoyong; Li, Yongfeng
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 182(2021)
• Page Start: 700
• Page End: 710
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Petroleum asphalt -- Transition metal sulfides -- Network-nanosheets structure -- Lithium-ion batteries -- Full cell; Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2021.06.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Nowadays, rational yet high value-added utilization of low-cost petroleum asphalt still faces a significant challenge. In light of its high carbon content and abundant sulfur atoms, here, an in-situ bonding sulfur strategy is proposed to fabricate transition metal (Mn, Mo, Fe, or Co)-based/carbon composites (TM-based/C). This strategy successfully achieves the conversion from thiophenic-S of asphalt into transition metal sulfides (TMSs). When tested as anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the TM-based/C electrodes deliver better specific capacity and cycling performance than those of sulfur-doped carbon nanosheets (SCN) electrode. As a typical example, a 3D network-nanosheets structure of Mn-based/C composite is constructed, and the optimized MnO2 /MnS2 /C-2 electrode achieves low charging/discharging voltage platform of 1.2 V/0.58 V, and delivers long-term life of 827 mAh g −1 after 400th cycle at 0.5 A g −1 . These excellent electrochemical properties benefit from its structural integrity upon cycling and the formation of MnS2 /MnO2 phases. Furthermore, LiFePO4 /(MnO2 /MnS2 /C-2) full cell exhibits a remarkably reversible capacity of 168 mAh g −1 at 0.8C, and impressive cycling stability of 78% after 400 cycles at 1 C, better than those of LiFePO4 /(commercial graphite). This work may provide a new perspective for the high value-added utilization of low-cost petroleum asphalt for efficient anodes toward LIBs. Graphical abstract: An in-situ bonding sulfur strategy converts thiophenic-S of asphalt to transition metal sulfides, forming transition metal-based/carbon (TM-based/C) composites. TM-based/C electrodes deliver better specific capacity and cycling ability, and the LiFePO4 /(MnO2 /MnS2 /C-2) full cell exhibits a remarkably reversible capacity. Image 1 Highlights: High value-added utilization of low-cost petroleum asphalt is achieved. The thiophenic-S of asphalt is converted into transition metal sulfides. A 3D network-nanosheets structure of MnO2 /MnS2 /C-2 composite is constructed. Transition metal-based/carbon electrodes deliver excellent rate and cycling performance. LiFePO4 /(MnO2 /MnS2 /C-2) full cell exhibits impressive cycling stability of 78% after 400 cycles.