Two-dimensional carbon networks

Lithium-ion batteries usually contain graphitic carbons as anode materials. Scientists have investigated the carbonic nanoweb graphdiyne as a novel two-dimensional carbon network for its suitability in battery applications.

Graphdiyne is as flat and thin as graphene, which is the one-atomic-layer-thin version of graphite, but it has a higher porosity and adjustable electronic properties. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, researchers describe its simple bottom-up synthesis from tailor-made precursor molecules.

Carbon materials are the most common anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. Their layered structure allows lithium ions to travel in and out of the spaces between layers during battery cycling, they have a highly conductive two-dimensional hexagonal crystal lattice, and they form a stable, porous network for efficient electrolyte penetration. However, the fine-tuning of the structural and electrochemical properties is difficult as these carbon materials are mostly prepared from polymeric carbon matter in a top-down synthesis.

Graphdiyne is a hybrid two-dimensional network made of hexagonal carbon rings bridged by two acetylene units (the "diyne" in the name). Graphdiyne has been suggested as a nanoweb membrane for the separation of isotopes or helium.

However, its distinct electronic properties and web-like structure also make graphdiyne suitable for electrochemical applications. Changshui Huang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, and colleagues have investigated the lithium-storage capabilities and electrochemical properties of tailor-made, electronically adjusted graphdiyne derivatives.

The scientists synthesized the graphdiyne derivatives in a bottom-up strategy by adding precursor molecules on a copper foil, which self-organized to form ordered layered nanostructures. Using monomers containing functional groups with interesting electronic properties, the authors prepared functional graphdiynes with distinct electrochemical and morphological properties.

Among these functional groups, those exerting electron-withdrawing effects reduced the band gap of graphdiyne and increased its conductivity, the authors reported. The cyano group was especially effective and, when used as an anodic material, the cyano-modified graphdiyne demonstrated excellent lithium-storage capacity and was stable for thousands of cycles, as the authors reported.

In contrast, when graphdiyne was modified with bulky functional groups (methyl groups) that donate electrons to the graphdiyne network, the authors observed a larger layer spacing, which made the material structure unstable so that the anode only survived a few charge and discharge cycles. The authors also compared both modified graphdiyne materials to an "empty" version where only hydrogen occupied the position of the functional groups in the network.

The authors conclude that modified graphdiyne can be prepared by a bottom-up strategy, which is also best suited to build functional two-dimensional carbon material architectures for batteries, capacitors, and other electrocatalytic devices.

Research paper

Related Links
Wiley
Carbon Worlds - where graphite, diamond, amorphous, fullerenes meet

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Liquid metals break down organic fuels into ultra-thin graphitic sheets
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jun 11, 2020
For the first time, FLEET researchers at UNSW, Sydney show the synthesis of ultra-thin graphitic materials at room temperature using organic fuels (which can be as simple as basic alcohols such as ethanol). Graphitic materials, such as graphene, are ultra-thin sheets of carbon compounds that are sought after materials with great promises for battery storage, solar cells, touch panels and even more recently fillers for polymers. These researchers were able to synthesize ultra-thin carbon-base ... read more