Retracting interphasial stored Li+ ions by transition metal/metal carbide nanoparticles for enhanced Li+ ion storage capacity

Herein, we report the synthesis of metal/metal carbide (Co, Ni, and Fe3C) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) and its application as the anode materials for lithium-ion battery (LIB). The electron microscopy images confirm the encapsulation of metal NPs inside the carbon nanotubes, which can inhibit the NPs aggregations and offer long cycle life for LIB. The metal/metal carbide encapsulated NCNT as anode material exhibits higher specific capacity than pure NCNT. The cyclic voltammetry studies reveal that Co, Ni, and Fe3C NPs can oxidize and reduce the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer components of the anode. This offers the extra specific capacity to Fe3C/NCNT, Co/NCNT, and Ni/NCNT anodes by retracting the interphasial stored Li+ ions. Moreover, in this study, the catalytic activity of Co, Ni, and Fe3C NPs for tailoring the SEI components are compared for the first time, and it shows Fe3C/NCNT anode has the highest catalytic activity than Co/NCNT and Ni/NCNT. Co/NCNT and Fe3C/NCNT also exhibit good cycle life up to 1300 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1. Overall, this work demonstrates an effective strategy to improve the performance of LIB anode by retracting the interphasial stored Li+ ions.