1 research outputs found
Embedding NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles into a 3DHPC Assisted by CO<sub>2</sub>‑Expanded Ethanol: A Potential Lithium-Ion Battery Anode with High Performance
A high-performance anode material,
NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/3DHPC composite, for lithium-ion batteries
was developed through
direct nanoparticles nucleation on a three-dimensional hierarchical
porous carbon (3DHPC) matrix and cation substitution of spinel Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles. It was synthesized via a supercritical
carbon dioxide (scCO<sub>2</sub>) expanded ethanol solution-assisted
deposition method combined with a subsequent heat-treatment process.
The NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles were uniformly embedded
into the porous carbon matrix and efficiently avoided free-growth
in solution or aggregation in the pores even at a high content of
55.0 wt %. In particular, the 3DHPC was directly used without pretreatment
or surfactant assistance. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries,
the NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/3DHPC composite showed high reversible
capacity and improved rate capability that outperformed those composites
formed with single metal oxides (NiO/3DHPC, Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/3DHPC), their physical mixture, and the composite prepared in pure
ethanol (NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/3DHPC-E). The superior performance
is mainly contributed to the unique advantages of the scCO<sub>2</sub>-expanded ethanol medium, and the combination of high utilization
efficiency and improved electrical conductivity of NiCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> as well as the electronic and ionic transport advantages
of 3DHPC