Low dimensional nanostructures of fast ion conducting lithium nitride

As the only stable binary compound formed between an alkali metal and nitrogen, lithium nitride possesses remarkable properties and is a model material for energy applications involving the transport of lithium ions. Following a materials design principle drawn from broad structural analogies to hexagonal graphene and boron nitride, we demonstrate that such low dimensional structures can also be formed from an s-block element and nitrogen. Both one- and two-dimensional nanostructures of lithium nitride, Li3N, can be grown despite the absence of an equivalent van der Waals gap. Lithium-ion diffusion is enhanced compared to the bulk compound, yielding materials with exceptional ionic mobility. Li3N demonstrates the conceptual assembly of ionic inorganic nanostructures from monolayers without the requirement of a van der Waals gap. Computational studies reveal an electronic structure mediated by the number of Li-N layers, with a transition from a bulk narrow-bandgap semiconductor to a metal at the nanoscale

Carbon-Coated SnO2 Nanorod Array for Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Material

Carbon-coated SnO2 nanorod array directly grown on the substrate has been prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method for anode material of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical measurement. When used as anodes for LIBs with high current density, as-obtained array reveals excellent cycling stability and rate capability. This straightforward approach can be extended to the synthesis of other carbon-coated metal oxides for application of LIBs

The Use of Lithium (Poly)Sulfide Species in Li\textendashS Batteries

International audienceEmerging lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries for load levelling and transport is challenging, especially for materials chemistry, and will be a major focus for upcoming years. However, in the longer term, Li-ion batteries (LIBs) cannot deliver high-energy densities and more radical approaches are necessary. There are several options to go beyond this limit and one of the possibilities for achieving longer storage life and high-energy batteries associated with cost and environmental advantages is the lithium\textendash sulfur (Li\textendash S) system which can theoretically offer three to five fold increase in energy density compared with conventional Li-ion cells. Although the Li\textendash S system has interested the battery community for more than five decades, 1 it still faces issues such as poor cycle life, to reach the market place.2 \textcopyright 2017 by World Scientific Publishing Europe Ltd

The Use of Lithium (Poly)Sulfide Species in Li\textendashS Batteries

International audienceEmerging lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries for load levelling and transport is challenging, especially for materials chemistry, and will be a major focus for upcoming years. However, in the longer term, Li-ion batteries (LIBs) cannot deliver high-energy densities and more radical approaches are necessary. There are several options to go beyond this limit and one of the possibilities for achieving longer storage life and high-energy batteries associated with cost and environmental advantages is the lithium\textendash sulfur (Li\textendash S) system which can theoretically offer three to five fold increase in energy density compared with conventional Li-ion cells. Although the Li\textendash S system has interested the battery community for more than five decades, 1 it still faces issues such as poor cycle life, to reach the market place.2 \textcopyright 2017 by World Scientific Publishing Europe Ltd