Conductive carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene architecture for ultra-stable sodium ion battery

Abstract

Long-term stability and high-rate capability have been the major challenges of sodium-ion batteries. Layered electroactive materials with mechanically robust, chemically stable, electrically and ironically conductive networks can effectively address these issues. Herein we have successfully directed carbon nanofibers to vertically penetrate through graphene sheets, constructing robust carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene architecture. Molybdenum disulfide nanoflakes are then grown in situ alongside the entire framework, yielding molybdenum disulfide@carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene structure. In such a design, carbon nanofibers prevent the restacking of graphene sheets and provide ample space between graphene sheets, enabling a strong structure that maintains exceptional mechanical integrity and excellent electrical conductivity. The as-prepared sodium ion battery delivers outstanding electrochemical performance and ultrahigh stability, achieving a remarkable specific capacity of 598 mAh g⁻¹, long-term cycling stability up to 1000 cycles, and an excellent rate performance even at a high current density up to 10 A g⁻¹. Here the authors construct carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene architecture with in-situ grown MoS2 nanoflakes alongside the framework. The design combines exceptional mechanical integrity and excellent electronic conductivity, enabling outstanding electrochemical performance in sodium-ion battery.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.1038/s41467-019-11925-z

Journal

Nature Communications

Year

2019