In-situ electrocoversion-carbonization of metal chlorides

Abstract

Transition metal oxides (such as Co₃O₄ and Mn₃O₄) have become a focal point of battery material research due to their high specific capacity. Previous studies have shown that transition metal chlorides can be used to prepare metal oxides (TMOs) through electroconversion in aqueous solutions. However, in industry, TMOs are typically prepared by thermally decomposing metal hydroxides or carbonates (TMCs) precursors. TMCs, in particular, are lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anode materials with high specific capacity and initial Coulombic efficiency. In this paper, we aim to further investigate the electroconversion process by introducing CO₂ directly into the catholyte. Our goal is to determine whether CO₂ can be converted into TMCs without the need for a surfactant. Through our research, we successfully obtained monodisperse cubic particles of MnCO₃ with regular shapes and edges measuring approximately 300 nm. As an anode material for LIBs, MnCO₃ exhibits a higher capacity than graphite and demonstrates good capacity retention. Additionally, the use of submicron MnCO₃ as an anode material could potentially replace other more toxic and expensive options currently utilized in commercial LIBs products.

Keywords:

• Metal carbonate
• one step
• room temperature
• electroconversion
• anode

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (2022YFB3504502).