Facile fabrication of Pb(NO3)2/C as advanced anode material and its lithium storage mechanism

Abstract Pb(NO 3 ) 2 /C is fabricated by a solution method and investigated for the first time as probable anode material for lithium-ion batteries. For pristine Pb(NO 3 ) 2 , the reversible specific capacity of 55.9 mAh g −1 can be delivered with a poor capacity retention of 12.9% after 50 cycles. By introducing carbon black, it is found that a higher initial discharge capacity of 1140.7 mAh g −1 can be shown by Pb(NO 3 ) 2 /C than the value of 938.5 mAh g −1 delivered by pristine Pb(NO 3 ) 2 . After 50 cycles, Pb(NO 3 ) 2 /C can display a reversible capacity of 241.5 mAh g −1 with the capacity retention of 48.8%.The reaction mechanism of Pb(NO 3 ) 2 with Li is studied by various in-situ and ex-situ techniques. It can be found that the preliminary reaction between Pb(NO 3 ) 2 and Li leads to the irreversible formation of LiNO 3 , Li 3 N and Pb. Upon further lithiation, the electrochemical reaction of Pb with Li leads to the formation of LiPb and Li 10 Pb 3 , and finally Li 8 Pb 3 , Li 22 Pb 5 . The charge process is associated with the de-alloying reaction of Li 8 Pb 3 and Li 22 Pb 5 leading to the preliminary formation of LiPb and Li 10 Pb 3 , and finally Pb.