Reduced Graphene Oxide Decorated Sb Nanoparticles: A High Performance Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable batteries have wide applications in portable electronics, and hybrid electric vehicles where there is always a demand for higher capacity and longer lifetime. Metal anodes (Sb, Sn, Si, Ge, etc.) can offer high sp. capacity and are amenable for room temperature Na-ion batteries. However, large volume expansion/contraction of metal anodes during alloying/de-alloying reactions with sodium is an impediment for their commercialization and growth. The present work try to tackle the above problems by developing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated antimony nanoparticles-based (SbNPs) anode using SbCl3, graphene oxide, and sodium borohydride. It is hypothesized that rGO coating on SbNPs will act as a buffer and will prevent the large volumetric shrinkage thereby improving the rate capability and capacity fade with cycles. Crystallinity, microstructure, morphology of as-synthesized Sb/rGO composite was characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, FTIR and BET surface analysis show the formation mesoporous rGO decorated SbNPs (~140 nm). Preliminary electrochemical results demonstrate that Sb/rGO can deliver a decent discharge and charge capacity of ~383 mAhg-1 and ~406 mAhg-1 respectively, at a constant current density of ~50 mAg-1 for first cycle