BARC/PUB/2020/0187

 
 

Composites of Sb2O4 and Biomass-Derived Mesoporous Disordered Carbon as Versatile Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

 
     
 
Author(s)

Dutta, D. P.
(ChD)

Source

ChemistrySelect, 2020. Vol. 5 (6): pp. 1846-1857

ABSTRACT

The quest for better electrode materials for sodium ion battery (SIB) with high specific capacity, good rate capability and cyclability continues to be the prime focus area of research for practical applications of this technology. In this regard, Sb2O4 with its high theoretical capacity of 1227 mAhg-1 can be an excellent anode material for SIB but its poor electrical conductivity and low reversibility resulting from severe volume expansion of the material, mars its prospects considerably. Here, an attempt is being made to circumvent these drawbacks by forming a composite of sonochemically derived Sb2O4 nanorods with mesoporous disordered carbon. The disordered carbon is synthesized from Indian blackberry seed biowaste which makes it a low-cost material. The disordered carbon, pristine Sb2O4 nanorods and Sb2O4 / disordered carbon compo- site is characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy techniques. The porosity of the materials which plays an important role in sodium ion transport, is analyzed using Brunauer-Emmett-Taylor (BET) method. The electrochemical measurements confirm improvement in properties for the composite anode compared to its pristine counterparts. At a current density of 0.1 Ag-1 he Sb2O4/C anode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 935 mAhg-1 which indicates a retention of 97.8% of the initial charge capacity after 125 cycles. Our studies demonstrate that the disordered carbon obtained from Indian blackberry seed, helps in increasing electrical conductivity and retaining structural integrity of the Sb2O4/C anode which enhances its electrochemical properties.

 
 
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