Rational design of 1D-2D Bi2O3@C/MXene heterostructure by in situ growth for highly efficient Li+ storage

Rational designing of TMOs@C anchored at the Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets is essential for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, 1D/2D Bi2O3@C/MXene heterostructure has been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal-pyrolysis-oxidation strategies as anode material for LIBs. Carbon matrix not only improves conductivity but also greatly relieves volume expansion of Bi2O3 nanoparticles, and offers numerous paths for fast electrons/ions diffusion. In addition, porous carbon matrix and voids among the nanosheets could provide shorter diffusion channels for the transmission of Li+ ions, achieving superior energy storage. Furthermore, Bi2O3@C/MXene heterostructure not only hinders the restacking and aggregating of 2D MXene nanosheets, but also greatly improves the conductivity, and alleviates mechanical stress caused by volume changes of Bi2O3@C. Remarkably, the characteristics endow its excellent performances for LIBs, which exhibit excellent specific capacity (248 mAh g−1, 2 A g−1) and superior cycling stability of 267.2 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 700 cycles (Coulombic efficiency=99.44%). This work presents novel insights for designing attractive anode materials for LIBs.