Issue 48, 2016

Reconstructing ZnO quantum dot assembled tubular structures from nanotubes within graphene matrix via ongoing pulverization towards high-performance lithium storage

Abstract

Transition metal oxides are very promising anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, they experience large volume expansion upon cycling, resulting in electrode pulverization and poor cycling stability. Here, we demonstrate a rational design and synthesis of graphene-wrapped ZnO nanotubes, and graphene oxide nanosheets in the reaction form a “soft” sealing layer to confine the crystal growth within a small space, which enables the nanotubes to be tightly bound with the graphene matrix. It is interesting to find that electrode pulverization upon cycling is not so much a drawback but a blessing in disguise, which reconstructs the starting nanotubes into quantum dots with an average size of ∼2.3 nm within the graphene matrix in the form of a tubular structure. The formed quantum dots not only provide a high contact area with the electrolyte but also shorten the solid-phase ion diffusion. Meanwhile, the graphene nanosheets are still tightly bound with the quantum dot assembled tubular structure, which can accommodate volume change and facilitate efficient electron transport and lithium-ion diffusion in electrodes. When used as an anode in LIBs, they demonstrate excellent cycling stability with a high reversible specific capacity of 891 mA h g−1 over 1000 cycles at 2000 mA g−1.

Graphical abstract: Reconstructing ZnO quantum dot assembled tubular structures from nanotubes within graphene matrix via ongoing pulverization towards high-performance lithium storage

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 Sep 2016
Accepted
11 Nov 2016
First published
11 Nov 2016

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016,4, 19123-19131

Reconstructing ZnO quantum dot assembled tubular structures from nanotubes within graphene matrix via ongoing pulverization towards high-performance lithium storage

Z. Li, X. Yu, Y. Liu, W. Zhao, H. Zhang, R. Xu, D. Wang and H. Shen, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 19123 DOI: 10.1039/C6TA07627K

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