{"title":"Tightly confined tellurium nanocrystals in few-layer expanded graphite with Te–C bonds toward highly reversible zinc storage","authors":"Hengyu Yang, Yongle Liang, Fengjun Niu, Huaijun Zhang, Guobao Xu, Xiaolin Wei, Liwen Yang","doi":"10.1063/5.0209116","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Tellurium (Te) has great potential as high-performance cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) owing to high electronic conductivity and volumetric capacity. Nevertheless, its poor utilization and large volume expansion result in insufficient rate and cycle performances, thereby, impeding practical application. Herein, a kind of Te/carbon composite was prepared via a ball-milling method, in which Te nanocrystals were tightly confined in few-layer expanded graphite (EG) with Te–C bonds (denoted as Te@EG). In addition to maintaining structural stability, such unique nanocomposite shows abundant electrochemically active sites and efficient charge transfer channels, which is beneficial to the utilization of Te. More importantly, the Te–C bonds between Te nanocrystals and EG can enhance the adsorption of Zn2+ and reduce the Zn2+ migration barrier, which contributes to promoting electrochemical kinetics. Consequently, the Te@EG cathode for the AZIBs exhibits sufficient specific capacity (412 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1), high-rate performance (284 mAh g–1 at 3 A g–1), and reliable cycling stability (94% capacity retention at 1 A g–1 after 500 cycles). Furthermore, the soft-packaged Zn//Te@EG battery delivers excellent flexibility and cycling stability. This study offers a perspective on rational design of Te-based cathodes for practical AZIBs.","PeriodicalId":8094,"journal":{"name":"Applied Physics Letters","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Physics Letters","FirstCategoryId":"101","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0209116","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PHYSICS, APPLIED","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Tellurium (Te) has great potential as high-performance cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) owing to high electronic conductivity and volumetric capacity. Nevertheless, its poor utilization and large volume expansion result in insufficient rate and cycle performances, thereby, impeding practical application. Herein, a kind of Te/carbon composite was prepared via a ball-milling method, in which Te nanocrystals were tightly confined in few-layer expanded graphite (EG) with Te–C bonds (denoted as Te@EG). In addition to maintaining structural stability, such unique nanocomposite shows abundant electrochemically active sites and efficient charge transfer channels, which is beneficial to the utilization of Te. More importantly, the Te–C bonds between Te nanocrystals and EG can enhance the adsorption of Zn2+ and reduce the Zn2+ migration barrier, which contributes to promoting electrochemical kinetics. Consequently, the Te@EG cathode for the AZIBs exhibits sufficient specific capacity (412 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1), high-rate performance (284 mAh g–1 at 3 A g–1), and reliable cycling stability (94% capacity retention at 1 A g–1 after 500 cycles). Furthermore, the soft-packaged Zn//Te@EG battery delivers excellent flexibility and cycling stability. This study offers a perspective on rational design of Te-based cathodes for practical AZIBs.
期刊介绍:
Applied Physics Letters (APL) features concise, up-to-date reports on significant new findings in applied physics. Emphasizing rapid dissemination of key data and new physical insights, APL offers prompt publication of new experimental and theoretical papers reporting applications of physics phenomena to all branches of science, engineering, and modern technology.
In addition to regular articles, the journal also publishes invited Fast Track, Perspectives, and in-depth Editorials which report on cutting-edge areas in applied physics.
APL Perspectives are forward-looking invited letters which highlight recent developments or discoveries. Emphasis is placed on very recent developments, potentially disruptive technologies, open questions and possible solutions. They also include a mini-roadmap detailing where the community should direct efforts in order for the phenomena to be viable for application and the challenges associated with meeting that performance threshold. Perspectives are characterized by personal viewpoints and opinions of recognized experts in the field.
Fast Track articles are invited original research articles that report results that are particularly novel and important or provide a significant advancement in an emerging field. Because of the urgency and scientific importance of the work, the peer review process is accelerated. If, during the review process, it becomes apparent that the paper does not meet the Fast Track criterion, it is returned to a normal track.