Self-Assembled Framework Formed During Lithiation of SnS2 Nanoplates Revealed by in Situ Electron Microscopy

5 years ago

Self-Assembled Framework Formed During Lithiation of SnS2 Nanoplates Revealed by in Situ Electron Microscopy

Kuibo Yin, Minghao Zhang, Ying Shirley Meng, Zachary D. Hood, Jie Pan, Miaofang Chi

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) commercially dominate portable energy storage and have been extended to hybrid/electric vehicles by utilizing electrode materials with enhanced energy density. However, the energy density and cycling life of LIBs must extend beyond the current reach of commercial electrodes to meet the performance requirements for transportation applications. Carbon-based anodes, serving as the main negative electrodes in LIBs, have an intrinsic capacity limitation due to the intercalation mechanism. Some nanostructured carbon materials offer very interesting reversible capacities and can be considered as future anode materials. However, their fabrication processes are often complicated and expensive. Theoretically, using a lithium metal anode is the best way of delivering high energy density due to its largest theoretical capacity of more than 3800 mAh g^–1; however, lithium metal is highly reactive with liquid electrolytes. Alternative anodes are being explored, including other lithium-reactive metals, such as Si, Ge, Zn, V, and so forth. These metals react reversibly with a large amount of Li per formula unit to form lithium–metal alloys, rendering these materials promising candidates for next-generation LIBs with high energy density. Though, most of these pure metallic anodes experience large volume changes during lithiation and delithiation processes that often results in cracking of the anode material and a loss electrical contact between the particles.

Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00086

DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00086