Green and up-scalable fabrication of superior anodes for lithium storage based on biomass bacterial cellulose

An extremely facile and up-scalable approach has been proposed to disperse ferric grains onto bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers. The BC-induced hydrolytic deposition can be performed at room temperature without using any organic solvents, toxic reagents, or complicated apparatuses, enabling a green pathway in realizing industrialization. After carbonization, the randomly oriented carbonized BC (CBC) nanofibers transmit the electrons throughout the electrode, while the inherited reticular morphology boosts the thorough penetration of electrolyte. Moreover, the sufficient space created by interconnected CBC nano fibers is able to accommodate the volume change of the nanosized Fe3O4 active materials during repeated Li' intercalation and deintercalation. As a result, the as-prepared Fe3O4/CBC composites deliver the superior electrochemical performance as the free-standing anodes in Li-ion batteries (LIBs), including the impressive reversible capacity of 702 mAh g(-1) after 400 cycles at 400 mA g(-1), decent rate capability with capacity of 437 mAh g(-1) at 2000 mA g(-1), and a long cycling lifespan up to 1000 cycles at 800 mA g-1. This work provides a scalable and green approach to fabricate high-performance LIBs anode with the natural sustainable biomass. (C) 2021 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A facile and scalable method has been proposed to disperse ferric grains onto bacterial cellulose nanofibers, allowing for the production of Fe3O4/CBC composites with superior electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries. The CBC nano fibers provide interconnected space to accommodate volume changes during Li' intercalation/deintercalation, resulting in impressive reversible capacity, decent rate capability, and long cycling lifespan.