Direct growth of SnO2 nanocrystallites on electrochemically exfoliated graphene for lithium storage
Abstract
As a new generation of high quality graphene, electrochemically exfoliated graphene is an ideal platform for constructing integrated high-performance nanocomposites as advanced electrode materials for energy storage and conversion devices. To take on a challenge of direct growth of nanoparticles on electrochemically exfoliated graphene with limited oxygen-containing functional groups and its hydrophobic nature, a systematic study is carried out on growth of SnO2 nanocrystallites on the surface of electrochemically exfoliated graphene. The results indicate that these nanocrystals can efficiently grow on the functional group-free surface of electrochemically exfoliated graphene, if the precursor molecules can polymerize into larger molecules and aggregate on electrochemically exfoliated graphene followed by decomposition and phase transformation into the final metal oxide nanocrystallites. Some key factors affecting this non-classical crystal growth are investigated. Addition of a small amount of water in a polar aprotic solvent to stimulate polymerization of the precursor molecules and a solvothermal treatment to facilitate decomposition of the disordered aggregates of the polymerized precursors are crucial to the growth of nanocrystals on electrochemically exfoliated graphene. The improved electrical conductivity and structural stability of the hybrids may promote the performance of the materials in various applications, such as exceptional lithium storage capability.
Citation
Xu , Z , Yue , W , Lin , R , Chiang , C-Y & Zhou , W 2019 , ' Direct growth of SnO 2 nanocrystallites on electrochemically exfoliated graphene for lithium storage ' , Journal of Energy Storage , vol. 21 , pp. 647-656 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2019.01.001
Publication
Journal of Energy Storage
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2352-152XType
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2019.01.001
Description
This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21573023). WZ thanks EPSRC’s support to the electron microscopy Laboratory for a Capital Equipment Grant EP/L017008/1.Collections
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