title: Synthesis of two-dimensional transition-metal phosphates with highly ordered mesoporous structures for lithium-ion battery applications.
abstract: Materials with ordered mesoporous structures have shown great potential in a wide range of applications. In particular, the combination of mesoporosity, low dimensionality, and well-defined morphology in nanostructures may exhibit even more attractive features. However, the synthesis of such structures is still challenging in polar solvents. Herein, we report the preparation of ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanoflakes of transition-metal phosphates, including FePO4, Mn3(PO4)2, and Co3(PO4)2, with highly ordered mesoporous structures in a nonpolar solvent. The as-obtained nanoflakes with thicknesses of about 3.7 nm are constructed from a single layer of parallel-packed pore channels. These uniquely ordered mesoporous 2D nanostructures may originate from the 2D assembly of cylindrical micelles formed by the amphiphilic precursors in the nonpolar solvent. The 2D mesoporous FePO4 nanoflakes were used as the cathode for a lithium-ion battery, which exhibits excellent stability and high rate capabilities.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Aveue, Singapore 637819 (Singapore); TUM CREATE, 1 CREATE Way, no. 10-02 CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602 (Singapore).
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ziyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xianhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rui
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jixin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wenyu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yeng Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Huey Hoon
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hng
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qingyu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yan
keywords: lithium-ion batteries; mesoporous materials; nonpolar solvents; transition-metal phosphates; ultrathin flakes