Synthesis and electrochemical performance of rod-like CuFe2O4 as an anode material for Na-ion battery

doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2014.10.019

Materials Letters

Volume 138, 1 January 2015, Pages 192-195

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2014.10.019 Get rights and content

Highlights

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Rod-like CuFe₂O₄ was synthesized by a co-precipitation method in ethanol–water at room temperature.
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The rod-like CuFe₂O₄ showed the formation of mesopores and large specific surface area.
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The rod-like CuFe₂O₄ exhibit excellent sodium storage properties as an anode material for Na-ion battery.

Abstract

The rod-like CuFe₂O₄ was synthesized by a co-precipitation method in ethanol–water solution at room temperature. When evaluated as an anode material for Na-ion battery, the CuFe₂O₄ sample obtained at 400 °C could deliver a discharge capacity of 281 mAh g^–1 in the 20th cycle at 100 mA g^–1, which corresponds to 70.5% of the 2nd discharge capacity. Such excellent performance is a result of the formation of mesopores and large specific surface area of the rod-like CuFe₂O₄.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are considered to be the most advanced energy storage systems for electric vehicles and smart grid applications [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Unfortunately, the large-scale commercial manufacturing of LIBs faces severe challenges from the increasing cost of lithium and the limited lithium metal resources [7], [8]. As a result, alternatives to lithium are needed to satisfy the increasing demands in the near future. Similar to LIBs, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are also good energy storage systems. Therefore, SIBs is considered to be a promising alternative to LIBs due to natural abundance, low cost, and low toxicity of sodium resources [9]. Recently, researchers have developed some promising cathode materials, including sodium-inserted phosphates [9], [10], [11], [12] and mixed metal oxides [13], [14], [15], [16]. At the same time, considerable attention was paid on exploring the anode material for Na-ion battery.

To date, various materials have been explored to use as anode material for Na-ion battery, including non-graphitic carbonaceous materials [17], Na-alloying metals [18], [19], [20], and transition metal oxides [21], [22], [23], [24], [25]. Compared to non-graphitic carbonaceous materials and Na-alloying metals, transition metal oxides have larger reversible capacity, better capacity retention, and low cost for Na-ion battery. Therefore, transition metal oxides have become a focus of study.

This study aims to prepare rod-like CuFe₂O₄ by a co-precipitation method in ethanol–water solution at room temperature and study the electrochemical performance of CuFe₂O₄ as an anode material for Na-ion battery.

Section snippets

Experimental

Reagent and apparatus: All chemicals used are of reagent-grade purity (purity>99.9%). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was performed using a Rigaku D/Max 2500 V diffractometer equipped with a graphite monochromator and a Cu target. The morphologies of the synthesis products were observed using a S-3400 scanning electron microscope (SEM). The nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms were measured at 77 K on a Micromeritics Tristar 3020 analyzer.

Preparation of CuFe₂O₄: The rod-like CuFe₂O₄

Results and discussion

XRD and SEM analyses of the calcined products: Fig. 1a shows the XRD patterns of the calcined products. The diffraction peaks of calcined product at 400 °C can be assigned into the cubic CuFe₂O₄ (PDF card 25–0283). When the precursor was calcined at 450 °C, one weak diffraction peak of rhombohedral Fe₂O₃ at 33.3° for 2θ appeared. However, when the precursor was calcined at 550 °C, four weak diffraction peaks of rhombohedral Fe₂O₃ and one stronger diffraction peak of monoclinic CuO appeared,

Conclusions

The rod-like CuFe₂O₄ was successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method. When evaluated as anode materials for Na-ion battery, the CuFe₂O₄ sample obtained at 400 °C could deliver a reversible specific capacity of 281 mAh g^–1 at a current density of 100 mA g^–1 after 20th cycles. Such excellent performance is a result of the formation of large specific surface area and mesopores in the rod-like CuFe₂O₄. This study has important scientific significance and application prospects in the

Acknowledgment

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 21161002).

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View full text

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of rod-like CuFe2O4 as an anode material for Na-ion battery

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Experimental

Results and discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgment

Ceram Int

Ceram Int

Ceram Int

Mater Lett

Mater Lett

Nano Energ

Power Sources

J Power Sources

J Power Sources

Mater Lett

Electrochem Commun

J Power Sources

Electrochem Commun

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of rod-like CuFe₂O₄ as an anode material for Na-ion battery