Ultra-high Areal Capacity Realized in Three-Dimensional Holey Graphene/SnO ₂ Composite Anodes

Summary

Nanostructured alloy-type electrode materials and its composites have shown extraordinary promise for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with exceptional gravimetric capacity. However, studies to date are usually limited to laboratory cells with too low mass loading (and thus too low areal capacity) to exert significant practical impact. Herein, by impregnating micrometer-sized SnO ₂/graphene composites into 3D holey graphene frameworks (HGF), we show that a well-designed 3D-HGF/SnO ₂ composite anode with a high mass loading of 12 mg cm ⁻² can deliver an ultra-high areal capacity up to 14.5 mAh cm ⁻² under current density of 0.2 mA cm ⁻² and stable areal capacity of 9.5 mAh cm ⁻² under current density of 2.4 mA cm ⁻², considerably outperforming those in the state-of-art research devices or commercial devices. This robust realization of high areal capacity defines a critical step to capturing the full potential of high-capacity alloy-type electrode materials in practical LIBs.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

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  3D holey graphene framework/SnO ₂ composite electrode was designed and prepared

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  Micrometer-sized SnO ₂/graphene was impregnated into 3D holey graphene frameworks

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  The 3D composite anode can deliver an ultra-high areal capacity up to 14.5 mAh cm ⁻²

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  This study defines a critical step in exploring the alloy-type electrode for LIBs

Abstract

Energy Storage; Nanomaterials; Energy Materials