Recent progress about graphene for chemical energy storage applications

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4239.2014.02.001

Abstract

Abstract: The unique two-dimensional spatial structure gives graphene excellent chemical and physical properties and huge specific surface area. These make graphene a very promising material for energy storage applications. This paper reviews recent progress in the use of graphene in chemical energy storage, including hydrogen storage, supercapacitor, lithium ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries and lithium-air batteries. Relationships between different preparation methods of graphene and their chemical/electrochemical properties are discussed. Graphene could form three dimensional conductive network to enhance the electrochemical properties of electrodes materials, but also provide a buffer for the volume change during charging-discharging processes to extend the life-span. Further improvements of electrochemical performance are able to be achieved by optimizing the microstructure of composite materials. Finally, key issues related to practical applications of graphene are briefly discussed.

Key words: graphene, chemical energy storage, hydrogen storage, supercapacitor, lithium ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, lithium-air batteries

CLC Number:

TQ152

HUANG Shu, WANG Wei, WANG Kangli, JIANG Kai, CHENG Shijie. Recent progress about graphene for chemical energy storage applications[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2014, 3(2): 85-95.

References

[1] Novoselov K S,Geim A K,Morozov S V, et al . Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films[J]. Science ,2004,306:666-671.
[2] Lee C G,Wei X D,Kysar J W, et al . Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene[J]. Science ,2008,321:385-388.
[3] Balandin A A,Ghosh S,Bao W Z, et al . Superior thermal conductivity of single-layer graphene[J]. Nano Lett. ,2008,8:902-907.
[4] Peierls R E. Quelquesproprietiestypiques des corpses solides[J]. Ann. Inst. Henri Poincare, 1935,5:177-222.
[5] Landau L D. Zur theorie der phasenumwandlungen II[J]. Phys. Z. Sowjetunion ,1937,11:26-35.
[6] Geim A K,Novoselov K S. The rise of graphene[J]. Nat. Mater. ,2007,6:183-191.
[7] Berger C,Song Z M,Li X B, et al . Electronic confinement and coherence in patterned epitaxial graphene[J]. Science ,2006,312(5777):1191-1196.
[8] Wei D,Liu Y,Zhang H,Huang L,Wu B,Chen J,Yu G. Scalable synthesis of few-layer graphene ribbons with controlled morphologies by a template method and their applications in nanoelectromechanical switches[J]. J. Am. Chem. Soc. ,2009,131(31):11147-11154.
[9] Dreyer D R,Park S,Bielawski C W, et al . The chemistry of graphene oxide[J]. Chem. Soc. Rev. ,2010,39(1):228-241.
[10] Xu E,Wei J,Wang K, et al . Doped carbon nanotube array with a gradient of nitrogen concentration[J]. Carbon ,2010,48(11):3097-3102.
[11] Wei D,Grande L,Chundi V, et al . Graphene from electrochemical exfoliation and its direct applications in enhanced energy storage devices[J]. Chem. Commun. ,2012,48(9):1239-1241.
[12] Schlapbach L,Zuttel A. Hydrogen-storage materials for mobile application[J]. Nature ,2001,414:353-358.
[13] Turner J A. Sustainable hydrogen production[J]. Science ,2004,305(5686):972-974.
[14] Zhou L,Zhou Y P,Sun Y. A comparative study of hydrogen adsorption on super activated carbon versus carbon nanotubes[J]. Int. J. Hydrog. Energy ,2004,29(5):475-479.
[15] Frost H,Snurr R Q. Design requirements for metal-organic frameworks as hydrogen storage materials[J]. J. Phys. Chem. C. ,2007,111(50):18794-18803.
[16] Li Q,Park O K,Lee J H. Positive temperature coefficient behavior of HDPE/EVA blends filled with carbon black[J]. Adv. Mater. Res. ,2009,79(1/2):2267-2270.
[17] Yildirim T,Ciraci S. Titanium-decorated carbon nanotubes as a potential high-capacity hydrogen storage medium[J]. Phys. Rev. Lett. ,2005,94(17):175501-175504.
[18] DOE targets for onboard hydrogen storage systems for light-duty vehicles [EB/OL]. http://www.eere.energy. gov / hydrogen and fuel cells/ storage/pdfs/targets on board hydro storage explanation.pdf,2009,09.
[19] Zhou L,Zhou Y,Sun Y. Enhanced storage of hydrogen at the temperature of liquid nitrogen[J]. Int. J. Hydrog. Energy ,2004,29:319-322.
[20] Serguel P,Tse J S,Yurchenko S N, et al . Graphene nanostructures as tunable storage media for molecular hydrogen[J]. Acad. Sci. USA ,2005,102(30):10439-10444.
[21] Lin Y,Ding F,Yakobson B I. Hydrogen storage by spillover on grapheneasa phase nucleation process[J]. Physical Review B ,2008,78:041402(R).
[22] Ataca C,Aktürk E,Ciraci S. Hydrogen storageof calcium atoms adsorbed on graphene:First-principles plane wave calculations[J]. Physical Review B ,2009,79(4):041406(R).
[23] Dimitrakakis G K,Tylianakis E,Froudakis G E, et al . Pillared graphene:A new 3-D network nanostructure for enhanced hydrogen storage[J]. Nano Lett. ,2008,8(10):3166-3170.
[24] Chen C H,Chung T Y,Shen C C, et al . Hydrogen storage performance in palladium doped graphene/carbon composites[J]. Int. J. Hydrog. Energy ,2013,38:3681-3688.
[25] Simon P,Gogotsi Y. Materials for electrochemical capacitors[J]. Nat. Mater. ,2008,7:845-854.
[26] Sharma P,Bhatti T S. A review on electrochemical double-layer capacitors[J]. Energy Conv. Manag. ,2010,51(12):2901-2912.
[27] Inagaki M,Konno H,Tanaike O. Carbon materials for electrochemical capacitors[J]. J. Power Sources ,2010,195(24):7880-7903.
[28] Chen J,Li C,Shi G Q. Graphene materials for electrochemical capacitors[J]. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. ,2013,4:1244-1253.
[29] Stolter M D,Park S,Zhu Y, et al .Graphene-based ultracapacitors[J]. Nano Lett. ,2008,8:3498-3502.
[30] Vivekchand S R C,Route C S,Subrahmanyam K S, et al . Graphene-based electrochemical supercapacitors[J]. J. Chem. Sci. ,2008,120(1):9-13.
[31] Li J,Xie H Q,Li Y, et a1 .Electrochemical properties of graphene nanosheets/polyaniline nanofibers composites as electrode for supercapacitors [J]. J. Power Sources ,2011,196(24):10775-10781.
[32] Wu Z S,Wang D W,Ren W C. Anchoring hydrous RuO 2 on graphene sheets for high-performance electrochemical capacitors[J]. Adv. Funct. Mater. ,2010,20:3595-3603.
[33] Rakhi R B,Alshareef H N. Enhancement of the energy storage properties of supercapacitors using graphene nanosheets dispersed with metal oxide-loaded carbon nanotubes[J]. J. Power Sources ,2011,196:8858-8865.
[34] Wang D W,Li F,Zhao J, et al . Fabrication of graphene/polyaniline composite paper via in situ anodic electropolymerization for high-performance flexible electrode[J]. ACS Nano ,2009,3:1745-1752.
[35] Fan Z,Yan J,Wei T, et al . Asymmetric supercapacitors based on graphene/Mno 2 and activated carbon nanofiber electrodes with high power and energy density[J]. Adv. Funct. Mater .,2011,21:2366-2374.
[36] Zhang L L,Zhou R,Zhao X S, et al . Graphene-based materials as supercapacitor electrodes[J]. J. Mater. Chem. ,2010,20:5983-5992.
[37] Yan J,Fan Z J,Wei T, et al . Fast and reversible surface redox reaction of graphene-MnO 2 composites as supercapacitor electrodes[J]. Carbon ,2010,48(13):3825-3833.
[38] Peng L L,Peng X,Liu B R, et al . Ultrathin two-dimensional MnO 2 /graphene hybrid nanostructures for high-performance,flexible planar supercapacitors[J]. Nano Lett. ,2013,13(5):2151-2157.
[39] Fan Z J,Yan J,Zhi L J, et al . A three-dimensional carbon nanotube/graphene sandwich and its application as electrode in supercapacitors[J]. Adv. Mater. ,2010,22(33):3723-3728.
[40] Dong L,Chen Z X,Yang D, et al . Hierarchically structured graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes[J]. RSC Adv. ,2013,3:21183-21191.
[41] Lü W,Tang D M,He Y B, et al . Low-temperature exfoliated graphenes:Vacuum-promoted exfoliation and electrochemical energy storage[J]. ACS Nano ,2009,3(11):3730-3736.
[42] McAllister M J,Li J L,Adamson D M, et al . Single sheet functionalized graphene by oxidation and thermal expansion of graphite[J]. Chem. Mater. ,2007,19(18):4396-4404.
[43] Tarascon J M,Armand M. Issues and challenges facing rechargeable lithium batteries[J]. Nature ,2001,414:359-367.
[44] Fergus J W. Recent developments in cathode materials for lithium ion batteries[J]. J. Power Sources ,2010,195(4):939-954.
[45] Armand M,Tarascon J M. Building better batteries[J]. Nature ,2008,451(7179):652-657.
[46] Ishihara T,Kawahara A,Takita Y, et al . Effects of synthesis condition of graphitic nanocarbon tube on anodicproperty of Li-ion rechargeable battery[J]. J. Power Sources ,2001,97&98 :129-132.
[47] Dunn B,Kamath H,Tarascon J M. Electrical energy storage for the grid:A battery of choices[J]. Science ,2011,334(6058):928-935.
[48] Zhi L J,Hu Y S,Hamaoui B E. Precursor-controlled formation of novel carbon/metal and carbon/metal oxide nanocomposites[J]. Adv. Mater. ,2008,20:1727-1731.
[49] Wang D H,Choi D W,Li J, et al . Self- assembled TiO 2 -graphene hybrid nanostructures for enhanced Li-ion insertion[J]. ACS Nano ,2009,3:907-914.
[50] Wang C,Li D,Too C O, et al . Electrochemical properties of graphene paper electrodes used in lithium batteries[J]. Chem. Mater. ,2009,21(13):2604-2606.
[51] Xue D J,Xin S,Yan Y, et al . Improving the electrode performance of Ge through Ge@C core-shell nanoparticles and graphene networks[J]. J. Am. Chem. Soc. ,2012,134(5):2512-2515.
[52] Yang X W,Qiu L,Cheng C, et al . Ordered gelation of chemically converted graphene for next-generation electroconductive hydrogel films[J]. Angew. Chem. Int. Edit. ,2011,50(32):7325-7328.
[53] Su F,He Y B,Li B H, et al . Could graphene construct an effective conducting network in a high-power lithium ion battery?[J] . Nano Energy ,2012,1:429-439.
[54] Wang G X,Wang B,Wang X L, et al . Sn/graphene nanocomposite with 3D architecture for enhanced reversible lithium storage in lithium ion batteries[J]. J. Mater. Chem. ,2009,19(44):8378-8384.
[55] Kwon Y J,Kim H,Doo S G, et al . Sn 0.9 Si 0.1 /carbon core-shell nanoparticles for high-density lithium storage materials[J]. Chem. Mater. ,2007,19(5):982-986.
[56] Yang S B,Feng X L,Zhi L J, et al . Nanographene-constructed hollow carbon spheres and their favorable electroactivity with respect to lithium storage[J]. Adv. Mater. ,2010,22(7):838-842.
[57] Wang G X,Shen X P,Yao J, et al . Graphene nanosheets for enhanced lithium storage in lithium ion batteries[J]. Carbon ,2009,47(8):2049-2053.
[58] Behera S K. Enhanced rate performance and cyclic stability of Fe 3 O 4 -graphene nano composites for Li ion battery anodes[J]. Chem. Commun. ,2011,47(37):10371-10373.
[59] Liang M H,Zhi L Z. Graphene-based electrode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries[J]. J. Mater. Chem. ,2009,19:5871-5878.
[60] Paek S M,Yoo E J,Honma I. Enhanced cyclic performance and lithium storage capacity of SnO 2 / graphene nanoporous electrodes with three-dimensionally delaminated flexible structure[J]. Nano Lett. ,2009,9(1):72-75.
[61] Lee J W,Hoo A S,Kim J D, et al . A facile and template-free hydrothermal synthesis of Mn 3 O 4 nano rods on graphene sheets for supercapacitor electrodes with long cycle stability[J]. Chem. Mater .,2012,24:1158-1164.
[62] Wang X Y,Zhou X F,Yao K, et al . A SnO 2 /graphene composite as a high stability electrode for lithium ion batteries[J]. Carbon ,2011,49:133-139.
[63] Wang D H,Kou R,Choi D, et al . Ternary self-assembly of ordered metal oxide-graphene nanocomposites for electrochemical energy storage[J]. ACS Nano ,2010,4:1587-1595.
[64] Wang H L,Cui L F,Yang Y, et al . Mn 3 O 4 -graphene hybrid as a high-capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries[J]. J. Am. Chem. Soc. ,2010,132 (40):13978-13980.
[65] Fan Z J,Yan J,Ning G Q, et al . Porous graphene networks as high performance anode materials for lithium ion batteries[J]. Carbon ,2013,60:558-561.
[66] Pan D Y,Wang S,Zhao B, et al . Li storage properties of disordered graphene nanosheets[J]. Chem. Mater. ,2009,21(14):3136-3142
[67] Wei W,Yang S,Zhou H, et al . 3D graphene foams cross-linked with pre-encapsulated Fe 3 O 4 nanospheres for enhanced lithium storage[J]. Adv. Mater. ,2013,25(21):2909-2914.
[68] Rao C V,Reddy A L M,Ishikawa Y, et al. LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 - graphene composite as a promising cathode for lithium-ion batteries[J]. ACS Appl. Mater. ＆ Interfaces, 2011,3(8):2966-2972.
[69] Liu H D,Gao P,Fang J, et al. Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /graphenenanocomposites as cathode material for lithium ion batteries[J]. Chem. Commun. ,2011,47(32):9110-9112.
[70] Wang H L,Yang Y,Liang Y Y, et al . Graphene-wrapped sulfur particles as a rechargeable lithium-sulfur battery cathode material with high capacity and cycling stability[J]. Nano Lett. ,2011,11(7):2644-2647.
[71] Wang J Z,Lu L,Choucair M, et al . Sulfur-graphene composite for rechargeable lithium batteries[J]. J. Power Sources ,2011,196(16):7030-7034.
[72] Cao Y L,Li X L,Aksay I A, et al . Sandwich-type functionalized graphene sheet-sulfur nanocomposite for rechargeable lithium batteries[J]. Phys. Chem. ,2011,13(17):7660-7665.
[73] Zhou G M,Pei S F,Li L, et al . A graphene-pure-sulfur sandwich structure for ultrafast, long-life lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Adv. Mater. ,2013,doi:10.1002/ adma. 201302877.
[74] Huang J Q,Liu X F,Zhang Q, et al . Entrapment of sulfur in hierarchical porous graphene for lithium-sulfur batteries with high rate performance from -40 ℃ to 60 ℃[J]. Nano Energy ,2013,2:314-321.
[75] Zhou G M,Yin L C,Wang D W, et al . Fibrous hybrid of graphene and sulfur nanocrystals for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. ACS Nano ,2013,7(6):5367-5375.
[76] Ji L W,Rao M M,Zheng H M, et al . Graphene oxide as a sulfur immobilizer in high performance lithium/sulfur cells[J]. J. Am. Chem. Soc. ,2011,133:18522-18525.
[77] Kowalczk I,Read J,Salomon M. Li-air batteries:A classic example of limitations owing to solubilities[J]. Pure Appl. Chem. ,2007,79(5):851-860
[78] Abraham K M,Jiang Z. A polymer electrolyte-based rechargeable lithium/oxygen battery[J]. J. Electrochemi. Soc. ,1996,143 (1):1-5.
[79] Cao R G,Lee J S,Liu M L, et al . Recent progress in non-precious catalysts for metal-air batteries[J]. Adv. Energy Mater. ,2012,2(7):816-829.
[80] Kim H,Lim H D,Kim J, et al . Graphene for advanced Li/S and Li/air batteries[J]. J. Mater. Chem. A ,2014,1(2):33-47.
[81] Sun B,Wang B,Su D W, et al . Graphene nanosheets as cathode catalysts for lithium-air batteries with an enhanced electrochemical performance[J]. Carbon ,2012,50(2):727-733.
[82] Zhang W Y,Zhu J X,Ang H X, et al . Binder-free graphene foams for O 2 electrodes of LiO 2 batteries[J]. Nano Scale ,2013,5:9651-9658.
[83] Xiao J,Mei D,Li X, et al . Hierarchically porous graphene as a lithium-air battery electrode[J]. Nano Lett. ,2011,11:5071-5078
[84] Yoo E,Zhou H S. Li-air rechargeable battery based on metal-free graphene nanosheet catalysts[J]. ACS Nano ,2011,5(4):3020-3026.