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Porous Nb2O5 nanofibers prepared via reactive needle-less electrospinning for application in lithium–sulfur batteries
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Abstract
This contribution describes the preparation, coupled with detailed characterization, of Nb2O5 nanofibers and their application in lithium–sulfur batteries for the improvement of electrochemical performance. The utilization of reactive needle-less electrospinning allowed us to obtain, in a single step, amorphous pre-ceramic composite PAN/Nb2O5fibers, which were transformed into porous ceramic Nb2O5 nanofibers via calcination. Thermogravimetric studies defined that calcination at 600 ◦C results in crystalline ceramic fibers without carbon residues. The fibrous morphology and mean diameter (614 ± 100 nm) of the ceramic nanofibers were analyzed via scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A surface area of 7.472 m2/g was determined through nitrogen adsorption measurements, while a combination of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy was used to show the crystallinity and composition of the fibers after calcination—single T-phase Nb2O5 . Its performance in the cathode of lithium–sulfur batteries was defined through electrochemical tests, and the obtained results were compared to a similar blank electrode. The initial discharge capacity of 0.5 C reached a value of 570 mAh·g−1 , while the reversible capacity of 406 mAh·g−1 was retained after 200 cycles, representing a capacity retention of 71.3%. The presence of Nb2O5 nanofibers in the carbon cathode inhibits the shuttle effect through polysulphide confinement, which originates from porosity and chemical trapping.
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MDPI
Citation
Inorganics, 2023, 11, 456
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Funding Information
This research was funded by the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic under the project No. SEMOD-EL76/49-11/2023, by Operational Programme Integrated Infrastructure, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund by the project: Advancement and support of R&D for “Centre for diagnostics and quality testing of materials” in the domains of the RIS3 SK specialization, Acronym: CEDITEK II., ITMS2014+ code 313011W442, and by the Operational Program Research and Development, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund by the project „Research Centre of Advanced Materials and Technologies for Recent and Future Applications "PROMATECH” ITMS: 26220220186