Use of regenerated cellulose to direct hetero-assembly of nanoparticles with carbon nanotubes for producing flexible battery anodes

Building nanocomposite architectures based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and active nanoparticles (NPs) with an engineered interface is of great interest for developing the ability to store electrochemical energy. The use of cellulose to direct hetero-assembly was achieved by in situ regenerating an ionic liquid mixture (CNTs, NPs, cellulose) in water, and was applied to the fabrication of flexible anodes consisting of CNTs and NPs. These anodes showed CNTs threading through their structures and exhibited strong interfacial contacts, which provided a relatively short lithium-ion diffusion length and continuous electron conduction pathway as well as high mechanical stability. When evaluated as an anode material for a lithium-ion battery, the flexible nanocomposites showed high reversible capacity and good rate performance compared to traditionally made electrodes, demonstrating a simple and green strategy for the industrial-scale production of energy-storage devices.