Excellent Performance of Few-Layer Borocarbonitrides as Anode Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Borocarbonitrides (BxCyNz) with a graphene‐like structure exhibit a remarkable high lithium cyclability and current rate capability. The electrochemical performance of the BxCyNz materials, synthesized by using a simple solid‐state synthesis route based on urea, was strongly dependent on the composition and surface area. Among the three compositions studied, the carbon‐rich compound B0.15C0.73N0.12 with the highest surface area showed an exceptional stability (over 100 cycles) and rate capability over widely varying current density values (0.05–1 A g−1). B0.15C0.73N0.12 has a very high specific capacity of 710 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1. With the inclusion of a suitable additive in the electrolyte, the specific capacity improved drastically, recording an impressive value of nearly 900 mA h g−1 at 0.05 A g−1. It is believed that the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer at the interface of BxCyNz and electrolyte also plays a crucial role in the performance of the BxCyNz .