Bio-inspired synthesis of N,F co-doped 3D graphitized carbon foams containing manganese fluoride nanocrystals for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 4; no. 7; pp. 2691 - 2698
• Main Authors: Lu, Y., Zhou, Y. P., Yan, Q. Y., Fong, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Annealing; Carbon; Graphitization; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanocrystals; Rechargeable batteries; Synthesis; Three dimensional
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/C5TA09185C

A work combining biological engineering, chemical science and energy storage application is demonstrated here. In particular, recombinant elastin-like polypeptides containing metal binding motifs (ELK16-FLAG) were constructed using genetic engineering techniques and were crosslinked to form a 3D porous matrix to direct the assembly of precursors. With the assistance of the ELK16-FLAG protein hydrogel template, a novel, facile and environmentally friendly synthesis approach is developed by successful synthesis of N,F co-doped three-dimensional porous carbon supported MnF 2 nanocrystals (MnF 2 @N,F–C). Here, we used an ionic liquid (BmimBF 4 ) to preserve the porous structure of the protein matrix, and serve as a fluorine source for carbon doping and the formation of MnF 2 nanocrystals. After annealing at 600 °C in argon, three-dimensional N,F co-doped porous graphitized carbon-supported MnF 2 nanocrystals (MnF 2 @N,F–C) were obtained. The annealed MnF 2 @N,F–C products were tested as anodes in rechargeable lithium ion batteries and high rate capabilities were obtained as a result of the nano-sized MnF 2 crystallites and N/F-doping in the 3D graphitized structure.