Recent progress of quantum dots/carbon composites in alkali metal-ion batteries

Abstract

As a kind of rechargeable batteries, alkali metal-ion battery is one of the important energy storage devices at present. Due to the advantages of enhanced energy density, high work potential, no "memory effect", small self-discharge, environment-friendly, alkali metal-ion batteries have attracted extensive attention in recent years. Electrode material is one of the most important factors that influence the electrochemical performances of alkali metal-ion batteries. Therefore, the key to the improvement of alkali metal-ion batteries is to seek electrode materials with high specific capacity and stable structures. Quantum dots/carbon composites (QDs/C), integrating the advantages of quantum dot materials and carbon materials have turned out to be outstanding candidates for electrode materials of alkali metal-ion batteries. In this work, a brief introduction of quantum dot materials was given at first, and then the progress of QDs/C, including element QDs/C, compound QDs/C and heterostructure QDs/C in alkali metal-ion batteries, was summarized respectively. The advantages and disadvantages of QDs/C as electrode materials of alkali metal-ion batteries were discussed in the last part.In view of the shortcoming, the future development goal was proposed: (1)Exploring the innovative approach to slove the agglomeration of quantum dots and the relative composites; (2)Researching the structure and property of SEI film to improve the initial coulombic efficiency; (3)Clarifying the reaction mechanism to obtain the better electrochemical performance.

Keywords

• alkali metal-ion battery
• quantum dots/carbon composite
• heterostructure
• synergistic effect
• electrochemical performance