Self-supporting three-dimensional carboxymethyl cellulose conductive sponges used as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

In this study, two kinds of self-supporting three-dimensional (3D) carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) conductive sponges were fabricated and used as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). One was used nano-silicon graphite (Si–graphite) and the other was used nano-ferriferous oxide (Fe–graphite) as active materials. The fabrication and microstructures of two kinds of self-supporting 3D CMC conductive sponges were investigated via scanning electron microscopy and their electrochemical performances were tested when they are used as electrodes. The results show that the hybrid particles are deposited on fibrous CMC layers to form conductive sponges during the freeze-drying. Combined with those of half-battery experiments, two kinds of self-supporting 3D CMC conductive sponges used as electrodes exhibit good electrochemical performances. Moreover, most of the active materials remain encased in the CMC fiber after recycling. These novel Si–graphite and Fe–graphite CMC conductive sponged electrodes can maintain reversible capacities of 1350 and 345.8 mAh/g after 200 and 1000 charge–discharge cycles, respectively, indicating that continuous fibrous CMC conductive networks can provide novel insight into electrode materials for LIBs with enhanced electrochemical performance.