Multi-channel rod structure hard carbon for high initial Coulombic efficiency and low-potential sodium storage

• Published in: Diamond and related materials Vol. 129; p. 109392
• Main Authors: Liao, Yongchao, Luo, Fenqiang, Lyu, Taiyu, Chen, Minghao, Liu, Chaoran, Xu, Dawei, Chen, Peizhen, Liu, Qian, Wang, Zhuang, Li, Shuirong, Ye, Yueyuan, Wang, Duo, Miao, Cunbiao, Liu, Zhun, Wang, Dechao, Zheng, Zhifeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-11-2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anodes; Carbon; Chemical composition; Commercialization; Efficiency; Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Hard carbon; High initial Coulombic efficiency; High temperature; Multi-channel rod structure; Na-storage at low-potential plateau; Poplar; Sodium; Sodium ion batteries; Storage batteries; Storage capacity; Thermal decomposition; Hard carbon; Sodium ion batteries; Multi-channel rod structure; Na-storage at low-potential plateau; High initial Coulombic efficiency
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2022.109392

Hard carbon is one of the most promising anode materials that can be commercialized on a large scale for sodium ion batteries due to its resource abundance, cost-effectiveness, and high sodium storage capacity. Nevertheless, the improvement of high initial Coulombic efficiency and high energy density remains an urgent problem to be solved for the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, poplar wood was used as the precursor to prepare multi-channel rod structure hard carbon via one-step high-temperature thermal decomposition. The results showed that the microstructure and surface chemical composition of poplar-derived hard carbon can be adjusted by changing the carbonization temperature. Due to its unique multi-channel rod structure, suitable d(002)-spacing (0.370 nm) and ultra-low specific surface area (8.9 m2 g−1), the PHC-1600 exhibits a high reversible capacity of 325 mA h g−1 at current density of 50 mA g−1. It shows a capacity of 245 mA h g−1 at low-potential plateau (75 %). At the same time, the PHC-1600 also exhibits a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 88.3 % and good electrochemical property. The ex-situ XRD and CV revealed that PHCs is dominated by intercalation mechanism. This work provides a new perspective from biomass for the development of outstanding electrochemical performance anode materials with highly profitable and environment-friendly.
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•A novel multi-channel rod structure of PHC samples were prepared by using natural poplar wood.•PHC exhibits suitable multi-channel rod structure, d(002)-spacing and ultra-low specific surface area.•PHC-1600 exhibits high initial coulombic efficiency (88.3 %).