title: CuO Quantum Dots Embedded in Carbon Nanofibers as Binder-Free Anode for Sodium Ion Batteries with Enhanced Properties.
abstract: The design of sodium ion batteries is proposed based on the use of flexible membrane composed of ultrasmall transition metal oxides. In this paper, the preparation of CuO quantum dots (≈2 nm) delicately embedded in carbon nanofibers (denoted as 2-CuO@C) with a thin film via a feasible electrospinning method is reported. The CuO content can be controlled by altering the synthetic conditions and is optimized to 54 wt%. As binder-free anode for sodium ion batteries, 2-CuO@C delivers an initial reversible capacity of 528 mA h g-1at the current density of 100 mA g-1, an exceptional rate capability of 250 mA h g-1at 5000 mA g-1, and an ultra-stable capacity of 401 mA h g-1after 500 cycles at 500 mA g-1. The enhancement of electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique structure of 2-CuO@C, which offers a variety of advantages: highly conductive carbon matrix suppressing agglomeration of CuO grains, interconnected nanofibers ensuring short transport length for electrons, well-dispersed CuO quantum dots leading to highly utilization rate, and good mechanical properties resulting in strong electrode integrity.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yongchang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
authors.forename: Yijing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China. jiaolf@nankai.edu.cn.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300071, China. jiaolf@nankai.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Lifang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiao
keywords: CuO quantum dots; binder-free anode; electrospinning; sodium ion batteries, carbon nanofibers