TiNb2O7-Keratin derived carbon nanocomposites as novel anode materials for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries
Ganesh Babu Thiyagarajan,
Vasu Shanmugam,
Michael Wilhelm,
Sanjay Mathur,
Sahana B. Moodakare,
Ravi Kumar
Affiliations
Ganesh Babu Thiyagarajan
Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India; Ceramic Technologies Group-Center of Excellence in Materials and Manufacturing for Futuristic Mobility, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India
Vasu Shanmugam
Centre for Automotive Energy Materials, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, IITM Research Park, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, India
Michael Wilhelm
Department of Chemistry, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstraße 6, 50939, Cologne, Germany
Sanjay Mathur
Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India; Ceramic Technologies Group-Center of Excellence in Materials and Manufacturing for Futuristic Mobility, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India; Department of Chemistry, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstraße 6, 50939, Cologne, Germany; Corresponding author. Department of Chemistry, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstraße 6, 50939, Cologne, Germany.
Sahana B. Moodakare
Centre for Automotive Energy Materials, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, IITM Research Park, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, India; Corresponding author. Centre for Automotive Energy Materials, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, IITM Research Park, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, India.
Ravi Kumar
Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India; Ceramic Technologies Group-Center of Excellence in Materials and Manufacturing for Futuristic Mobility, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India; Corresponding author. Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, 600036, India.
TiNb2O7/carbon nanocomposites synthesized through a simple, surfactant assisted precursor route is reported as a promising alternative anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The carbon component of the nanocomposites is derived from an inexpensive and sustainable keratin rich biological source. The reinforcement of carbon in TiNb2O7 facilitated the formation of non-stoichiometric (Ti0.712Nb0.288)O2 crystalline phase, in addition to the stoichiometric TiNb2O7 phase. It also yielded a high specific surface area (~90 m2 g−1) and reduced crystallite size (~4 nm). Electrochemical results exemplified high reversible capacity of 356 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and remarkable rate capability of ~26 mAh g−1 at ultra-high current rate of 32C. TiNb2O7/carbon nanocomposites also demonstrated remarkable cyclic stability with large capacity retention of 85% even after 50 cycles at 1 C. The experimental data attests the potential of TiNb2O7/keratin derived carbon nanocomposites as economically and environmentally viable promising anode material for LIBs.
