Issue 3, 2017

Exfoliated clay nanosheets as an efficient additive for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites

Abstract

An effective and economical method to enhance the electrode activity of metal oxide–graphene nanocomposites has been developed using exfoliated clay nanosheets as an additive. The close similarities in 2D sheet-like morphologies and negative surface charges between exfoliated clay and graphene nanosheets make possible the homogeneous mixing of these two colloidal nanosheets. The crystal growth of Mn3O4 nanocrystals on the surface of negatively-charged clay/graphene nanosheets in the presence of ammonia yields Mn3O4–N-doped graphene–clay nanocomposites. The incorporation of rigid clay nanosheets is effective in decreasing the strong π–π interaction and severe aggregation of graphene nanosheets and in optimizing the porosity of the resulting nanocomposites. The clay-incorporated Mn3O4–N-doped graphene–clay nanocomposites show better electrode performance for lithium ion batteries than the clay-free homologue, underscoring the beneficial effect of clay addition on the electrochemical activity of Mn3O4–N-doped graphene nanocomposites. This is attributable to the improvement of charge transport properties and the optimization of pore structure upon the addition of clay nanosheets. The addition of clay nanosheets is also effective in improving the electrode performance of graphene-based nanocomposites for sodium ion batteries, confirming the universal usefulness of exfoliated clay nanosheets as an additive for exploring efficient electrode materials.

Graphical abstract: Exfoliated clay nanosheets as an efficient additive for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
24 okt 2016
Accepted
26 dek 2016
First published
27 dek 2016

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2017,4, 521-529

Exfoliated clay nanosheets as an efficient additive for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites

K. Adpakpang, S. M. Oh, B. Park and S. Hwang, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2017, 4, 521 DOI: 10.1039/C6QI00446F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements