Supersonic solution blowing: a novel approach to producing self-supported carbon-silica microporous nanofibers for Li-ion battery anodes

Author(s)

Silva, Vinicius D. ; Goncalves, Josue M. ; Dias, Yasmin J. ; Simoes, Thiago A. ; Macedo, Daniel A. ; Shahbazian-Yassar, Reza ; Torresi, Roberto M. ; Yarin, Alexander L. ; Medeiros, Eliton S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Materials Science; v. 59, n. 6, p. 17-pg., 2024-02-03.

Abstract

The development of self-supporting electrodes, which are binder-, and additives-free, is essential for increased performance and practical applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). With this aim, we report here the synthesis of carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites containing silica (SiO2) nanoparticles via Supersonic Solution Blowing (SSB) as self-supporting electrodes of LIBs. Nanofibers with average diameter in the 86-271 nm range, and specific surface area (SSA) in the 619-1981 m2/g were obtained. SiO2 content altered not only the diameter and the SSA, but also the pore-size distribution. A tri-modal pore-size distribution pattern was obtained for all specimens. Used as a self-supporting anode material for LIBs, carbon nanofiber-based composite electrodes achieved high reversible capacity, high-rate capacity, and superior cyclic stability (305-444 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 200 cycles), at the Coulombic efficiencies of 97-99%. Lastly, enhanced capacity can be attributed to the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles up to 2.5%. However, for higher silica content, the loss in performance can be attributed to an increase in the mean nanofiber diameter and a drastic reduction in SSA and porosity caused by the presence of nanoparticles. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/06176-7 - Studying the layered hydroxide electrode materials with in situ transmission electron microscopy
• Grantee: Josué Martins Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 22/12609-9 - Hard carbon nanofibers as a self-supporting negative electrode for the next generation of sodium-ion batteries
• Grantee: Vinícius Dias Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/00675-4 - Tying up materials for electrochemical energy storage and catalysis
• Grantee: Roberto Manuel Torresi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants