Micron-Sized Cobalt Niobium Oxide with Multiscale Porous Sponge-Like Structure Boosting High-Rate and Long-Life Lithium Storage

Niobium-based oxides show great potential as intercalation-type anodes in lithium-ion batteries due to their relatively high theoretical specific capacity. Nevertheless, their electrochemical properties are unsatisfactorily restricted by the poor electronic conductivity. Here, micron-sized Co0.5Nb24.5O62 with multiscale sponge-like structure is synthesized and demonstrated to be a fast-charging anode material. It can deliver a remarkable capacity of 287 mA h g–1 with a safe average working potential of ≈1.55 V vs Li+/Li and a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 91.1% at 0.1C. Owing to the fast electronic/ionic transport derived from the multiscale porous sponge-like structure, Co0.5Nb24.5O62 exhibits a superior rate capability of 142 mA h g–1 even at 10C. In addition, its maximum volume change during the charge/discharge process is determined to be 9.18%, thus exhibiting excellent cycling stability with 75.3% capacity retention even after 3000 cycles at 10C. The LiFePO4//Co0.5Nb24.5O62 full cells also achieve good rate performance of 101 mA h g–1 at 10C, as well as an excellent cycling performance of 81% capacity retention after 1200 cycles at 5C, further proving the promising application prospect of Co0.5Nb24.5O62

The relationship of the supply chain cost and depreciation value per pallet of TPO.

The relationship of the supply chain cost and depreciation value per pallet of TPO.</p

The relationship of the supply chain cost and maintenance cost of TPO.

The relationship of the supply chain cost and maintenance cost of TPO.</p

Pallet and cost flow of a TPO system.

Pallet and cost flow of a TPO system.</p

Operations of TPO.

Operations of TPO.</p

Total rental pallets in China from 2012 to 2017.

Total rental pallets in China from 2012 to 2017.</p

Agent.

Agent.</p

Value of parameters.

Value of parameters.</p

Optimization scheme for period 5.

Optimization scheme for period 5.</p

Optimization scheme for period 3.

Optimization scheme for period 3.</p