New High-Performance Pb-Based Nanocomposite Anode Enabled by Wide-Range Pb Redox and Zintl Phase Transition

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 31; no. 2
• Main Authors: Han, Jinhyup, Park, Jehee, Bak, Seong‐Min, Son, Seoung‐Bum, Gim, Jihyeon, Villa, Cesar, Hu, Xiaobing, Dravid, Vinayak P., Su, Chi Cheung, Kim, Youngsik, Johnson, Christopher, Lee, Eungje
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley 13-09-2020
• Subjects: alloying; conversion; ENERGY STORAGE; lead (Pb) anode; Lead anode; lithium-ion batteries; Zintl phase
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028

This paper describes a new, high-performance, Pb-based nanocomposite anode material for lithium-ion batteries. A unique nanocomposite structure of Pb@PbO core-shell nanoparticles in a carbon matrix is obtained by using a simple high-energy ball milling method using the low-cost starting materials PbO and carbon black. Electrochemical performance tests show its excellent reversible capacity (approximate to 600 mAh g(-1)) and cycle stability (92% retention at 100th cycle), which are one of the best values reported for Pb-based anodes in the literature. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and absorption techniques revealed the detailed lithium storage mechanism that can be highlighted with the unexpectedly wide reversible Pb redox range (between Pb(2+)and Pb4-) and the evolution of Zintl-type LiyPb structures during the electrochemical lithium reaction. The results provide new insights into the lithium storage mechanism of these Pb-based materials and their potential as low-cost, high-performance anodes.