Issue 36, 2024

Yttrium doping stabilizes the structure of Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 cathodes for application in advanced Ni–Zn batteries

Abstract

Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 has a high theoretical specific capacitance, low cost, and environmental friendliness, making it a promising electrode material. Specifically, Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 electrodes have a larger layer spacing (c = 6.898 Å) than Ni(OH)2 electrodes since NO3 has a much larger ionic radius than OH. The larger layer spacing stores more electrolyte ions, significantly improving the electrochemical activity of the electrodes. Additionally, the interlayer NO3 can enhance the structural stability of Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4. However, since Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 has a higher molar mass than Ni(OH)2, it has a lower theoretical specific capacity. Consequently, Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 has not been used in zinc-based alkaline batteries. Studies showed that doping could enhance the electrochemical performance of electrode materials. Therefore, this study used a simple solvothermal reaction to synthesize yttrium-doped Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 (Y-Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4), assembling a Y-Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4//Zn battery for electrochemical testing. Y-Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 served as the cathode in the battery. The analysis of Y-Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 showed that yttrium (Y) doping increased the specific surface area and pore size of Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 significantly. The increased specific surface area improved the active material utilization, and the abundant mesopores facilitated OH transport, substantially enhancing the battery's specific capacity and energy density. Ultimately, the specific discharge capacity of the advanced Y-Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4//Zn battery reached 177.97 mA h g−1 at a current density of 4 A g−1, nearly doubling the capacity of the earlier Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4//Zn battery (103.59 mA h g−1).

Graphical abstract: Yttrium doping stabilizes the structure of Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 cathodes for application in advanced Ni–Zn batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
09 5月 2024
Accepted
12 7月 2024
First published
08 8月 2024

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 16933-16941

Yttrium doping stabilizes the structure of Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 cathodes for application in advanced Ni–Zn batteries

X. Feng, S. Zhang, J. Li, Y. Hu, R. Ge, Y. Shi, Y. Yao, B. Yin and T. Ma, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 16933 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR02011A

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