Fabrication of silver doped attapulgite aerogels as anode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

With the rapid development of electric vehicles and communication equipment, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high capacity, long lifespan, high stability, high power density and energy density is significantly increasing in recent years. Compared with commercial graphite anode materials, silicon-based materials have high specific capacity, low cost and low discharge potential. However, poor conductivity and severe volume expansion hinder its application. In this article, silver doped attapulgite (AT) aerogels were facilely fabricated and used as anode material for LIBs. The results of X-ray diffraction and Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed the size of silver nanoparticles were about 5–10 nm. The result of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the silver nanoparticles were in the metallic nature state. The electrochemical measurements showed that the silver doped AT aerogels had good cycling stability and excellent rate capability. The discharge specific capacity of the nanocomposite was 133.0 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹ after 50 cycles.