All-in-One Beaker Method for Large-Scale Production of Metal Oxide Hollow Nanospheres Using Nanoscale Kirkendall Diffusion

Jung Sang Cho, Yun Chan Kang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    18 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A simple and easily scalable process for the formation of metal oxide hollow nanospheres using nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion called the "all-in-one beaker method" is introduced. The Fe2O3, SnO2, NiO, and Co3O4 hollow nanospheres are successfully prepared by the all-in-one beaker method. The detailed formation mechanism of aggregate-free hematite hollow nanospheres is studied. Dimethylformamide solution containing Fe acetate, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polystyrene (PS) transforms into aggregate-free Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres. The porous structure formed by the combustion of PS provides a good pathway for the reducing gas. The carbon matrix formed from PAN acts as a barrier, which can prevent the aggregation of metallic Fe nanopowders by surrounding each particle. The Fe-C bulk material formed as an intermediate product transforms into aggregate-free Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres by the nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion process. The mean size and shell thickness of the hollow Fe2O3 nanospheres measured from the TEM images are 52 and 9 nm, respectively. The discharge capacities of the Fe2O3 nanopowders with hollow and dense structures and the bulk material for the 200th cycle at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 are 1012, 498, and 637 mA h g-1, respectively, and their capacity retentions calculated compared to those in the second cycles are 92, 45, and 59%, respectively. Additionally, Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres cycled at 1 A g-1 after 1000 cycles showed a high discharge capacity of 871 mA h g-1 (capacity retention was 80% from the second cycle). The Fe2O3, SnO2, NiO, and Co3O4 hollow nanospheres show excellent cycling performances for lithium-ion storage because they have a high contact area with the liquid electrolyte and space for accommodating a huge volume change during cycling.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3800-3809
    Number of pages10
    JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
    Volume8
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016 Feb 24

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2016 American Chemical Society.

    Keywords

    • Kirkendall diffusion
    • anode material
    • hollow nanosphere
    • iron oxide
    • lithium-ion battery

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Materials Science

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