WO2019138271A1 - Nanocomposite electrode materials for use in high temperature and high pressure rechargeable batteries - Google Patents

Nanocomposite electrode materials for use in high temperature and high pressure rechargeable batteries Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019138271A1
WO2019138271A1 PCT/IB2018/056449 IB2018056449W WO2019138271A1 WO 2019138271 A1 WO2019138271 A1 WO 2019138271A1 IB 2018056449 W IB2018056449 W IB 2018056449W WO 2019138271 A1 WO2019138271 A1 WO 2019138271A1
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Prior art keywords
nanocomposite
lithium
sheets
ultrathin
range
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PCT/IB2018/056449
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Muhammad Arsalan
Edreese ALSHARAEH
Yasmin Mussa
Faheem Ahmed
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Saudi Arabian Oil Co
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Saudi Arabian Oil Co
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Priority to JP2020537615A priority Critical patent/JP7239591B2/ja
Priority to EP18772901.7A priority patent/EP3738160B1/en
Priority to CA3087837A priority patent/CA3087837A1/en
Publication of WO2019138271A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019138271A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/362—Composites
    • H01M4/364—Composites as mixtures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
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    • B01J19/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J19/12—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing electromagnetic waves
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    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/05—Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
    • H01M10/052—Li-accumulators
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    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/05—Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
    • H01M10/052—Li-accumulators
    • H01M10/0525—Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
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    • H01M10/05—Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
    • H01M10/054—Accumulators with insertion or intercalation of metals other than lithium, e.g. with magnesium or aluminium
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    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
    • H01M4/483—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides for non-aqueous cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
    • H01M4/52—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron
    • H01M4/525—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
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    • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/58—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy; of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
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    • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/58—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy; of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
    • H01M4/583—Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
    • H01M4/587—Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx for inserting or intercalating light metals
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    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/62—Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
    • H01M4/621—Binders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/62—Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
    • H01M4/624—Electric conductive fillers
    • H01M4/625—Carbon or graphite
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J2219/0873—Materials to be treated
    • B01J2219/0877—Liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J2219/12—Processes employing electromagnetic waves
    • B01J2219/1203—Incoherent waves
    • B01J2219/1206—Microwaves
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M2004/021—Physical characteristics, e.g. porosity, surface area
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M2004/026—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material characterised by the polarity
    • H01M2004/027—Negative electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M2004/026—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material characterised by the polarity
    • H01M2004/028—Positive electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
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    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0025—Organic electrolyte
    • H01M2300/0028—Organic electrolyte characterised by the solvent
    • H01M2300/0037—Mixture of solvents
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to nanocomposites, and more particularly to electrode materials for rechargeable batteries (for example, lithium-ion batteries, lithium- sulfur batteries, or both) designed to tolerate operation at conditions of high temperature and high pressure.
  • rechargeable batteries for example, lithium-ion batteries, lithium- sulfur batteries, or both
  • Rechargeable batteries are used to power a broad range of consumer devices such as electric vehicles and portable electronic devices.
  • these batteries are susceptible to failure and can be unsafe under“abuse conditions” such as when the rechargeable batteries are overcharged, over-discharged, or operated at high temperature and high pressure.
  • a rechargeable battery can undergo thermal runaway. During thermal runaway, high temperatures trigger a chain of exothermic reactions in the battery, causing the battery’s temperature to increase rapidly. Thermal runaway can cause battery failure, damage to devices, and harm to users.
  • rechargeable batteries such as lithium- ion and lithium-sulfur batteries can be prone to fire and explosion because the electrode materials (for example, anode and cathode materials) can be highly reactive and are unstable. Even when thermal runaway does not occur, electrode materials used in rechargeable batteries can suffer from performance decay when operated at high temperatures. For example, lithium-based and silicon-based anode materials can suffer from a loss of capacity when operated at high temperatures. Accordingly, there is a need for improved electrode materials which are resistant to thermal runaway and are safe, reliable, and stable when operated at conditions of high temperature and high pressure.
  • nanocomposites and rechargeable batteries which are resistant to thermal runaway and can be used as safe, reliable, and stable electrode materials for rechargeable batteries operated at high temperature and high pressure.
  • the nanocomposites include a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first two-dimensional (2D) material, and a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a second (and different) 2D material, which act in synergy to provide an improved thermal stability, an increased surface area, and enhanced electrochemical properties to the nanocomposites.
  • rechargeable batteries that include the nanocomposites as an electrode material have an enhanced performance and stability over a broad temperature range from room temperature to high temperatures (for example, about 100 °C). These batteries may fill an important need by providing a safe and reliable power source for devices operated at high temperatures and pressures such as the downhole equipment used in the oil industry.
  • the present disclosure encompasses the recognition that including a second thermally stable two-dimensional (2D) material (for example, hexagonal boron nitride) in a nanocomposite may not only improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposite but also improve the electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite when it is used as an electrode material.
  • a second thermally stable two-dimensional (2D) material for example, hexagonal boron nitride
  • the nanocomposite described in the present disclosure can be used to simultaneously prevent thermal runaway events and enhance a battery’s overall electrochemical performance.
  • the 2D materials may include a 2D carbon material (for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide), a 2D nitride (for example, hexagonal boron nitride), a 2D metal chalcogenide (for example, M0S2, SnS2, T1S2, WS2, MoSe2, or WSe2), a 2D oxide (for example, T1O2, ZnO, MnC>2, or a perovskite), a 2D hybrid material (for example, MoS2/graphene or MoSe 2 /Mn0 2 ), or combinations of these.
  • a 2D carbon material for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide
  • a 2D nitride for example, hexagonal boron nitride
  • a 2D metal chalcogenide for example, M0S2, SnS2, T1S2, WS2, MoSe2, or WSe2
  • the second thermally stable 2D material acts in synergy with the other 2D material (for example, reduced graphene oxide) and the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles in the nanocomposite to enhance (i) the thermal stability, (ii) the mechanical properties (for example, strength), (iii) the physical properties (for example, the specific surface area), (iv) and the electrochemical properties (for example, the specific capacity, coulombic efficiency, and cycling performance) of the corresponding electrode material.
  • the mechanical properties for example, strength
  • the physical properties for example, the specific surface area
  • electrochemical properties for example, the specific capacity, coulombic efficiency, and cycling performance
  • the first 2D material may be less susceptible to restacking and loss of active surface area during operation in the presence of a second (and different) 2D material over a broad temperature range and at high pressure. This results in an increased operating life and improved tolerance to high temperatures and high pressure.
  • the second 2D material may act as a“substrate” for the first 2D material and effectively increase its carrier mobility and thus improve its electrochemical properties as an electrode material over a broad range of temperatures and under conditions of high pressure.
  • the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure may perform better, be more stable, and cost less than conventional electrode materials.
  • the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure may be stable at high temperatures (of about 100 °C or greater) and may have consistent electrochemical properties even after 1,000 or more charge/discharge cycles at about 100 °C.
  • the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure may not suffer from the characteristic capacity decay of silicon-based anodes after a few charge/discharge cycles at high temperature.
  • the methods described in the present disclosure are based on hydrothermal microwave irradiation and thus may be less costly than existing methods to prepare conventional electrode materials.
  • the rechargeable batteries for example, lithium-ion batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries
  • the rechargeable batteries are safer than conventional batteries when operated at high temperature.
  • dendritic lithium which is a major cause of thermal runaway events in conventional anode materials, does not form in the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure.
  • short circuit(s) may not occur at high temperatures in the batteries described in the present disclosure, and the batteries may not undergo thermal runaway at temperatures of about 100 °C or greater.
  • the nanocomposites and the rechargeable batteries described in the present disclosure can be used in safe energy-storage devices and in devices operated at high temperatures and pressure.
  • the rechargeable batteries described in the present disclosure can be used in the oil industry to power downhole equipment such as that used to monitor conditions (for example, of temperature and pressure) in oil wells and other oil- related applications where high temperatures and pressures are encountered.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a nanocomposite that includes (a) a plurality of transition metal oxide (for example, cobalt oxide) nanoparticles, (b) a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first two-dimensional (2D) material, and (c) a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a second 2D material.
  • the second 2D material is of a different type than the first 2D material.
  • the first 2D material is a member selected from the group consisting of a 2D carbon material (for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide), a 2D nitride (for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride), a 2D metal chalcogenide (for example, M0S2, SnS2, T1S2, WS2, MoSe2, or WSe2), a 2D oxide (for example, T1O2, ZnO, MnC>2, or a perovskitee), and a 2D hybrid material (for example, MoS2/graphene or MoSe 2 /Mn0 2 ).
  • a 2D carbon material for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide
  • a 2D nitride for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride
  • a 2D metal chalcogenide for example,
  • the second 2D material is a member selected from the group consisting of a 2D carbon material (for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide), a 2D nitride (for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride), a 2D metal chalcogenide (for example, M0S2, SnS2, T1S2, WS2, MoSe2, or WSe2), a 2D oxide (for example, T1O2, ZnO, 1O2, or a perovskite), and a 2D hybrid material (for example, MoS2/graphene or MoSe 2 /Mn0 2 ).
  • a 2D carbon material for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide
  • a 2D nitride for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride
  • a 2D metal chalcogenide for example, M0S
  • the first 2D material is graphene or reduced graphene oxide.
  • the second 2D material is a member selected from the group consisting of hexagonal boron nitride, boron nitride, and functionalized boron nitride.
  • boron nitride may be functionalized via chemical oxidation, functionalized via hydrothermal microwave irradiation, or both.
  • a weight percent of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material is in a range from 0.1% to 20%. This weight percent is based on the total weight of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, and the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material.
  • a weight percent of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material is in a range from 0.1% to 50%. This weight percent is based on the total weight of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, and the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material.
  • the nanocomposite has a component weight ratio (x : y : z) in a range from (1 : 0.001 : 0.001) to (1 : 0.67 : 1.67), where x is the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, y is the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, and z is the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles has an average particle size of less than 300 nanometers (nm).
  • the size of the transition metal nanoparticles may be determined using scanning electron microscopy.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles has an average particle size in a range from 30 nm to 45 nm.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles has a particle-size distribution with a standard deviation of 2 nm.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles has an approximately rectangular prism shape.
  • the shape of the transition metal nanoparticles may be determined using scanning electron microscopy.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles comprise cobalt oxide (for example, C03O4).
  • the cobalt oxide has a cubic-spinel crystal structure.
  • the crystal structure may be determined based on an intensity or a relative intensity of a peak in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles.
  • the crystal structure may be determined based on an interplanar spacing measured with Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) analysis.
  • SAED Selected Area Electron Diffraction
  • At least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material and at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material has an average sheet thickness of less than 20 nm.
  • the thickness of the ultrathin sheets may be determined using scanning electron microscopy.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material and at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material have an average sheet thickness in a range from 5 nm to 20 nm
  • At least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material and at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material have an average sheet thickness in a range from 5 nm to 10 nm.
  • the nanocomposite has a specific surface area in a range from 10 square meters per gram (m 2 /g) to 500 m 2 /g.
  • the specific surface area may be a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area measured via a nitrogen
  • the nanocomposite has a specific surface area in a range from 10 m 2 /g to 200 m 2 /g.
  • the nanocomposite further comprises (i) a binding agent (for example, polyvinylidene fluoride), (ii) a conductive additive (for example, carbon black), or both of (i) and (ii).
  • a binding agent for example, polyvinylidene fluoride
  • a conductive additive for example, carbon black
  • a summed weight percent of the binding agent and the conductive additive in the nanocomposite is in a range from 5% to 20%.
  • the summed weight percent of the binding agent and the conductive additive may be about 10%.
  • the summed weight percent is based on the total weight of (i) the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, (ii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, (iii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material, and (iv) any binding agent, conductive additive, or both present in the nanocomposite.
  • the amount of the binding agent in the nanocomposite may be zero; the amount of conductive additive in the nanocomposite may be zero; or the nanocomposite may contain both the binding agent and the conductive additive.
  • the nanocomposite is a film with a thickness in a range from 50 micrometers (pm) to 200 pm.
  • film thickness may be measured using profilometry or scanning electron microscopy.
  • the nanocomposite is a film with a thickness in a range from 10 pm to 20 pm.
  • the nanocomposite also includes sulfur.
  • the nanocomposite also includes elemental sulfur, a sulfur-containing salt, a sulfur-containing and lithium-containing salt, a sulfur/graphene composite, or combinations of these.
  • the weight percent of sulfur is in a range from 40% to 80%.
  • the weight percent of sulfur may be from 60% to 80% or from 70% to 80%.
  • the weight percent is based on the total weight of (i) the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, (ii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, (iii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material, (iv) any binding agent, conductive additive, or both present in the nanocomposite, and (v) the sulfur.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a lithium-ion battery that includes an anode.
  • the anode includes the nanocomposite described previously.
  • the lithium-ion battery also includes a cathode (for example, lithium metal or a lithium metal oxide); an electrolyte [for example, one or more lithium salts (for example, lithium hexafluorphosphate) dissolved in one or more organic solvents (for example, ethylene carbonate or dimethyl carbonate)]; and a separator (for example, a polypropylene membrane) between the anode and the cathode.
  • a cathode for example, lithium metal or a lithium metal oxide
  • an electrolyte for example, one or more lithium salts (for example, lithium hexafluorphosphate) dissolved in one or more organic solvents (for example, ethylene carbonate or dimethyl carbonate)
  • separator for example, a polypropylene membrane
  • the lithium-ion battery has a specific capacity (for example, specific charge/discharge capacity) in a range from 600 milliamp-hours per gram (mAh/g) (for example, 651.4 mAh/g) to at least 800 mAh/g (for example, 816.5 mAh/g).
  • the specific capacity may be measured at a current density of about 200 milliamps per gram (mA/g)).
  • the lithium-ion battery has a specific capacity (for example, charge/discharge capacity) in a range from 1 to 5 mAh/g (for example, a specific charge capacity of 1 mAh/g and a specific discharge capacity of 2 mAh/g.
  • the specific capacity may be measured at a current density of about 100 mA/g.
  • the lithium-ion battery retains at least 90% of its specific capacity compared to an initial specific charge capacity in a first charge cycle at about 100 °C.
  • a coulombic efficiency of the lithium-ion battery is 90% or greater at 100 °C.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a lithium-sulfur battery that includes a cathode.
  • the cathode includes the nanocomposite described previously.
  • the lithium-sulfur batter also includes an anode (for example, lithium metal); an electrolyte [for example, one or more lithium salts (for example, bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI)) in an organic solvent (for example, l,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) or l,3-dioxolane (DOL))]; and a separator (for example, a polypropylene membrane) between the anode and the cathode.
  • anode for example, lithium metal
  • an electrolyte for example, one or more lithium salts (for example, bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI)) in an organic solvent (for example, l,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) or l,3-dioxolane (DOL))
  • a separator for example, a polypropylene membrane
  • the present disclosure is directed to a method of preparing a nanocomposite.
  • the method includes preparing a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles and a plurality of ultrathin reduced graphene oxide sheets by applying microwave irradiation to a volume of a first solvent comprising a transition metal-containing salt [for example, cobalt (II) acetate tetrahydrate (Co(C2H302)2), cobalt nitrate, or cobalt chloride] and graphene oxide.
  • a transition metal-containing salt for example, cobalt (II) acetate tetrahydrate (Co(C2H302)2), cobalt nitrate, or cobalt chloride
  • microwave irradiation may be applied at a temperature of at least 140 °C.
  • Microwave irradiation may be applied at a temperature in a range from 140 °C to 220 °C.
  • Microwave irradiation may, for example, be applied at 180 °C. Microwave irradiation may be applied at, for example, a microwave power of at least 900 watts (W). Microwave irradiation may be applied at a microwave power in range from 900 W to 1800 W. Microwave irradiation may be applied at a pressure of at least 150 pounds per square inch (psi) or, for example, at a pressure in a range from 150 psi to 350 psi. The concentration of the transition metal-containing salt is in a range from 0.01 moles per liter (mol/L) to 0.5 mol/L.
  • the method includes preparing a plurality of ultrathin boron nitride sheets by (i) oxidizing boron nitride in a volume of a second solvent (for example, a mixture of H 2 O 2 and H 2 SO 4 ) and (ii) applying microwave irradiation to the volume of the second solvent (for example, for 15 minutes at a temperature in a range from 120 °C to 180 °C, at a microwave power of 900 W, and at a pressure of 150 psi).
  • a second solvent for example, a mixture of H 2 O 2 and H 2 SO 4
  • the method includes contacting together (i) at least a portion of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, (ii) at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin reduced graphene oxide sheets, and (iii) at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin boron nitride sheets in a volume of a third solvent, thereby preparing a nanocomposite mixture.
  • the method includes drying the nanocomposite mixture (for example, for about 12 hours at 60 °C), thereby preparing a nanocomposite.
  • the method includes, following drying the nanocomposite mixture, contacting together the nanocomposite mixture with sulfur (for example, elemental sulfur, a sulfur-containing salt, a sulfur-containing and lithium-containing salt, a
  • sulfur for example, elemental sulfur, a sulfur-containing salt, a sulfur-containing and lithium-containing salt, a
  • the weight percent of sulfur may be in a range from 50% to 80%, from 60% to 80%, or from 70% to 80%. The weight percent is based on the total weight of the nanocomposite.
  • Figure 1 A is a block diagram showing a method for preparing a nanocomposite, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 1B is a block diagram showing a method for preparing graphene oxide, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 1C is a block diagram showing a method for preparing a transition metal oxide/first 2D material sample, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 1D is a block diagram showing a method for preparing a second 2D material, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 1E is a block diagram showing a method for combining the transition metal oxide/first 2D material sample with the second 2D material, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 2A is a block diagram showing a nanocomposite, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 2B is a block diagram showing a nanocomposite comprising a plurality of ultrathin reduced graphene oxide sheets, a plurality of cobalt oxide nanoparticles, and a plurality of ultrathin boron nitride sheets, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 3A is a block diagram showing a lithium-ion battery, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 3B is a block diagram showing a lithium-sulfur battery, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 4 is a plot of X-Ray diffraction (XRD) patterns for example C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles (curve a), an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO sample (curve b), an example C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN sample (curve c), and an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN nanocomposite (curve d), according to an illustrative embodiment
  • XRD X-Ray diffraction
  • Figure 5 is a plot of the Raman spectra of example C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles, an example
  • Figure 6A is a scanning electron micrograph of example C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 6B is a scanning electron micrograph of an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO sample, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 6C is a scanning electron micrograph of an example C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN sample, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 6D is a scanning electron micrograph of an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN sample, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is a plot of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves for different example samples, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 8 is a first derivative plot (DTG curves) of the TGA curves shown in Figure 7 for different example samples, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 9A is a plot of the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for example C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 9B is a plot of the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO sample, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 9C is a plot of the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for an example C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN sample, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 9D is a plot of the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN nanocomposite, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 10A is a plot of curves of voltage versus specific capacity for lithium-ion batteries prepared with different anode materials, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 10B is a Nyquist plot of the imaginary impedance (Z”) versus the real impedance (Z) for lithium-ion batteries prepared with different anode materials, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 11 is a plot of the specific capacity versus charge/discharge cycle number for an example battery with an anode that includes a Co 3 0 4 /RGO/h-BN nanocomposite for 100 charge/discharge cycles at room temperature (about 25 °C), according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 12 is a plot of the specific capacity versus charge/discharge cycle number for an example battery with an anode that includes a Co 3( VRGC)/h-BN nanocomposite for 100 charge/discharge cycles at about 100 °C, according to an illustrative embodiment
  • Figure 13 is a plot of the specific capacity versus charge/discharge cycle number for an example battery with an anode that includes a Co 3 0 4 /RGO/h-BN nanocomposite for 1,000 charge/discharge cycles at about 100 °C, according to an illustrative embodiment.
  • the terms“about” and “approximately,” in reference to a number are used to include numbers that fall within a range of 20%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% in either direction of (greater than or less than) the number unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).
  • anode As used in the present disclosure, the term“anode” refers to the negative electrode of a battery. Oxidation reactions occurs at the anode.
  • Carrier Mobility refers to a metric of how quickly an electron or hole can be transported through a material in the presence of an electric field. For example, an electrode with an increased carrier mobility tends to have an increased conductivity and improved electrochemical properties compared to an electrode with a decreased carrier mobility.
  • Cathode As used in the present disclosure, the term“cathode” refers to the positive electrode of a battery. Reduction reactions occur at the cathode.
  • Capacity, specific capacity, specific charge capacity means the product of the discharge current (for example, in amps (A) or milliamps (mA)) and the discharge time (for example, in hours (h)) for a battery at a given load.
  • a“capacity” may be expressed in amp-hours (Ah) or milliamp- hours (mAh).
  • the term“specific capacity” means the product of the discharge current and the discharge time of a battery at a given load for a given weight of electrode material (for example, for a given weight of nanocomposite used as an anode material in a battery).
  • a“specific capacity” may be expressed in amp- hours per gram (Ah/g) or milliamp-hours per gram (mAh/g).
  • “specific capacity” is referred to as“specific discharge capacity.”
  • the term“specific charge capacity” means the product of the charge current and the charge time for a battery at a given load for a given weight of electrode material (for example, for a given weight of nanocomposite used as an anode material).
  • a “specific charge capacity” may be expressed in Ah/g or mAh/g.
  • charge/discharge cycle” and“cycle” refer to the process of charging, discharging, or both a battery.
  • a single“charge/discharge cycle” includes charging and discharging a battery.
  • a battery may be discharged either fully or partially during a discharge cycle. For example, 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, or less of a battery’s capacity may be discharged during a discharge cycle.
  • a battery may be charged either fully or partially during a charge cycle. For example, a battery may be charged to 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, or less of its full capacity during a charge cycle.
  • Downhole equipment refers to devices used to measure the conditions inside an oil well.
  • downhole equipment may include a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside an oil well or a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside an oil well.
  • oil well means a boring (for example, a drilled hole or tunnel) in the earth that is designed to bring hydrocarbons (for example, oil) from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir to the surface.
  • Graphene oxide refers to a material substantially composed of ultrathin sheets of a compound of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, where each sheet has a thickness defined by a monolayer of carbon rings (for example, a layer of carbon rings approximately one atom thick, with attached oxygen- containing moieties on the edges of the carbon rings, above the plane of carbon rings, below the plane of carbon rings, or combinations of these).
  • the carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen may be present in variable ratios.
  • Graphene oxide may be obtained, for example, by treating graphite with strong oxidizers.
  • the graphene oxide may include a dopant; in certain embodiments there is no dopant. Examples of dopants include boron and nitrogen.
  • High Pressure refers to a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure (1 atmosphere).
  • an oil well is typically under conditions of high pressure during oil recovery because of the high temperature of the well, hydrostatic pressure from the column of water extending from the well bore to the oil-bearing formation, pressure induced by pumping fluid in and out of the reservoir, and internal sources of pressure such as from the gases and fluids in the reservoir.
  • high pressure examples are, for example, at least 1 atmosphere, at least 10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig), at least 50 psig, at least 100 psig, at least 200 psig, at least 500 psig, at least 1000 psig, at least 2000 psig, at least 3000 psig, or at least 5000 psig.
  • psig pounds per square inch gauge
  • High Temperature refers to a temperature from about 80 °C to about 100 °C.
  • an oil reservoir during drilling or oil recovery, may have a temperature of 80 °C to 100 °C or greater.
  • an appropriate reference measurement may be or comprise a measurement under particular reference conditions (for example, at a temperature near an average ambient temperature) absent the presence of (for example, prior to) a particular change in these conditions (for example, a change in temperature).
  • Stable refers to not substantially changing in physical properties or not substantially deteriorating in performance over a usable lifetime.
  • a stable nanocomposite does not undergo substantial physical changes during a predetermined useable lifetime of the product in which the nanocomposite is used.
  • a stable electrode for a rechargeable battery substantially retains its charge capacity after repeated use.
  • the term“substantially” refers to the qualitative condition of exhibiting total or near-total extent or degree of a characteristic or property, where“near-total” means within 20%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of the total (in either direction).
  • two-dimensional (2D) material refers to a material substantially composed of ultrathin sheets having a thickness defined by a monolayer approximately one atom thick.
  • the 2D material may include a dopant; in certain embodiments there is no dopant. Examples of dopants include carbon, boron, and nitrogen,
  • thermal Stability refers to a measure of the extent to which a material is stable at high temperature. For example, an electrode material with a superior thermal stability will remain stable at high temperature, while an electrode material with an inferior thermal stability will likely undergo changes (for example, chemical or structural transformations) leading to decreased performance.
  • Ultrathin refers to having a thickness defined by a monolayer within one or two orders of magnitude of the thickness of a single atom.
  • a plurality of ultrathin sheet may have an average sheet thickness no greater than 20 nm, for example, in a range from 5 nm to 20 nm.
  • an ultrathin sheet may have an average thickness equal to the diameter of no greater than 10 atoms, no greater than 5 atoms, no greater than 3 atoms, no greater than 2 atoms, or about 1 atom.
  • an ultrathin sheet may have a thickness from about 0.3 nm to 1.5 nm.
  • systems, architectures, devices, methods, and processes described in the present disclosure encompass variations and adaptations developed using information from the embodiments described in the present disclosure. Adaptation, modification, or both of the systems, architectures, devices, methods, and processes described in the present disclosure may be performed, as contemplated by this description.
  • the present disclosure encompasses a recognition of the synergistic effects of combining two different two-dimensional (2D) materials with a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles.
  • a nanocomposite that includes a plurality of hexagonal boron nitride sheets, a plurality of reduced graphene oxide sheets, and a plurality o ⁇ (3 ⁇ 4q4 nanoparticles may provide improved thermal properties and improved electrochemical properties when used as an electrode material in a rechargeable battery.
  • a nanocomposite in which the weight percent of the plurality of ultrathin reduced graphene oxide sheets is in a range from 0.1% to 20% and the weight percent of the plurality of ultrathin boron nitride sheets is in a range from 0.1% to 50% may exhibit an enhanced specific surface area, an improved specific charge/discharge capacity, and a stable cycling performance at both room temperature (for example, about 25 °C) and at high temperatures (for example, at about 100 °C or greater).
  • the batteries for example, lithium-ion batteries or lithium- sulfur batteries
  • the batteries can be used to power downhole equipment which is used to measure conditions inside oil wells or during other oil operations, for example during oil discovery and recovery.
  • downhole equipment includes pressure and temperature sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, in an oil well during drilling and oil recovery.
  • conditions in an oil well can be variable with temperatures in a range from 80 °C to 100 °C or greater. The ability to monitor these conditions allows drilling and oil recovery to be performed more effectively and for potential safety concerns (for example, caused by sudden increases in temperature, pressure, or both) to be identified early such that the risks of damage to equipment and human injury are greatly reduced.
  • the rechargeable batteries described in the present disclosure may have improved safety, electrochemical properties, and stability compared to those of conventional batteries used to power downhole equipment.
  • the lithium-ion batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries described in the present disclosure provide lightweight power sources with an improved energy density, cycle life, and structural stability than batteries employing conventional electrode materials.
  • the rechargeable batteries described in the present disclosure obviate (or decrease) the need for complex engineering techniques and safety devices that may otherwise be used in an attempt to limit the likelihood of thermal runaway.
  • safety devices may relieve high pressure in a battery to help prevent thermal runaway, such devices are not 100% effective or completely reliable.
  • the rechargeable batteries described in the present disclosure provide a more cost-effective and safer option for preventing thermal runaway without relying on complex safety devices.
  • Figure 1A shows an illustrative example of a method 100 for preparing a
  • the method optionally, begins with preparing a precursor to the first 2D material in Step 110.
  • Figure 1B shows an example method 102 for preparing graphene oxide from graphite.
  • graphite is oxidized in sulfuric acid (Step 112).
  • the concentration of the graphite is about 5 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) or more.
  • the concentration of the added graphite may be in a range from about 5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL.
  • the concentration of sulfuric acid is at least 1 mole per liter (mol/L).
  • the concentration of sulfuric acid may be in a range from 1 mol/L to 3 mol/L.
  • Step 114 potassium permanganate is added to the mixture that was prepared in Step 112. Potassium permanganate is added to achieve a final concentration of potassium permanganate of at least 1 mol/L.
  • concentration of the potassium permanganate may be in a range from 1 mol/L to 2 mol/L.
  • Step 114 potassium permanganate is added to the mixture prepared in Step 112 at a volume ratio of 1 : 1 (volume potassium permanganate solution : volume of sulfuric acid solution).
  • the mixture prepared in Step 112 may be cooled to 20 °C or less prior to the addition of potassium permanganate.
  • Step 116 the mixture prepared in Step 114 is stirred or mixed.
  • the mixture may be stirred for 5 minutes (min), 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 12 hours, or a similar time interval.
  • the mixture may be stirred mechanically, agitated with a magnetic stir bar, or exposed to ultrasonic irradiation.
  • the method of stirring may be selected to correspond to the size of vessel used to prepare the mixture in Step 112 and Step 114.
  • Mixing or stirring in Step 116 may be performed at a temperature in a range from about 30 °C to 40 °C.
  • the reaction was completed in Step 118.
  • solids in the mixture are separated from the liquids (for example, via centrifugation and removal of the supernatant).
  • the solids are then redispersed in a reaction fluid to complete the oxidation reaction.
  • the reaction fluid may include hydrogen peroxide (FLO2).
  • the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the reaction fluid is at least 0.1 mol/L.
  • the concentration of hydrogen peroxide may be in a range from 0.1 mol/L to 0.3 mol/L.
  • the reaction fluid can include sodium percarbonate.
  • Graphene oxide is produced after Step 118.
  • the solid product is separated from the reaction fluid and dried to obtain a graphene oxide powder in Step 120.
  • the material may be filtered using centrifugation, filter paper, vacuum filtration, or combinations of these.
  • the material may be dried at room temperature or at 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, or 80 °C to obtain a dry powder of graphene oxide.
  • the product may be dried for 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or similar intervals of time.
  • the preparation of graphene oxide may not be required.
  • graphene oxide may be purchased (for example, as a dry powder or dispersed in a fluid) and used as-received.
  • graphene oxide sheets may be modified before use. For example, graphene oxide may be washed, purified, filtered, dried, or combinations of the same before further use.
  • a sample that includes a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles (TMO NPs) and a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first 2D material is prepared in Step 130 of example method 100.
  • the first 2D material can be a 2D carbon material (for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide), a 2D nitride (for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride), a 2D metal chalcogenide (for example, MoS 2 , SnS 2 , TiS 2 , WS 2 , MoSe 2 , or WSe 2 ), a 2D oxide (for example, Ti0 2 , ZnO, Mn0 2 , or a perovskite), or a 2D hybrid material (for example, MoS 2 /graphene or MoSe 2 /Mn0 2 ).
  • the first 2D material may be graphene or reduced graphene oxide.
  • FIG. 1C shows an illustrative example of method 104 for preparing a TMO
  • Step 132 of example method 104 graphene oxide (for example, prepared in Step 104 of method 100 shown in Figure 1A or obtained otherwise) is added to a solution that includes a cobalt-containing salt.
  • the cobalt-containing salt may be cobalt (II) acetate tetrahydrate (Co ⁇ FLCL ⁇ ), cobalt nitrate, or cobalt chloride.
  • the concentration of the cobalt-containing salt in the solution is in a range from 0.01 mol/L to 0.5 mol/L.
  • the concentration of graphene oxide in the solution is in a range from 1 mg/mL to 3 mg/mL.
  • the concentration of graphene oxide in the solution may be 2 mg/mL.
  • the mixture obtained in Step 132 is stirred or mixed.
  • the mixture is stirred for 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 12 hours, or a similar interval of time.
  • he mixture may be stirred mechanically, agitated with a magnetic stir bar, or exposed to ultrasonic irradiation.
  • the method of stirring may be selected to correspond to the size of vessel used to prepare the
  • Step 134 of example method 104 includes the hydrothermal microwave irradiation of the mixture from Step 132.
  • the mixture is exposed to microwaves under a high pressure at a high temperature.
  • the mixture is heated (for example, in an autoclave) to a temperature of at least 140 °C.
  • the mixture may be heated to a temperature in a range from 140 °C to 220 °C.
  • the mixture may be heated to a temperature of 180 °C.
  • the mixture is held in a vessel (for example, an autoclave) at a pressure of at least 150 psi.
  • the mixture may be held in a vessel at a pressure in a range from 150 psi to 350 psi.
  • the mixture is irradiated with microwaves at a power in a range from 900 W to 1800 W.
  • hydrothermal microwave irradiation may be performed for a reaction time in a range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
  • the mixture is washed.
  • solids in the mixture are separated from the liquids based on density (for example, by centrifugation and removal of the supernatant).
  • the solids are then redispersed in a washing fluid to remove residual materials from the solid product. This process may be repeated multiple times.
  • the washing fluid may include distilled water, another solvent (for example, an organic solvent), one or more salts, an acid (for example, dilute hydrochloric acid), or combinations of these.
  • the solid material is washed in Step 136, it is separated from the washing fluid and dried to obtain a nanocomposite of the transition metal nanoparticles and the first 2D material in Step 138.
  • the material may be filtered using centrifugation, filter paper, vacuum filtration, or combinations of these.
  • the material is dried at room temperature or at a temperature of 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, or 60 °C to obtain a dry powder of the TMO NPs/2D material.
  • the product may be dried for 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or similar intervals of time.
  • a scanning electron micrograph of example transition metal nanoparticles is shown in Figure 6A.
  • at least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles have an average particle size of less than 300 nm.
  • at least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles have an average particle size in a range from 30 nm to 45 nm and have a particle-size distribution with a standard deviation of 2 nm.
  • Average particle size can be assessed, for example, using scanning electron microscopy.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles may have an approximately rectangular prism shape like those shown in Figure 6A.
  • At least a portion of the cobalt oxide has a cubic-spinel crystal structure.
  • a cubic-spinel crystal structure may be determined based on an intensity (or a relative intensity) of one or more peaks in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the plurality of transition metal nanoparticles.
  • XRD X-ray diffraction
  • a cubic-spinel crystal structure may be determined based on an interplanar spacing measured with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis.
  • SAED selected area electron diffraction
  • the weight percent of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material may be in a range from 0.1% to 20%, where the weight percent is based on the total weight of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, and the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material in the
  • At least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material has an average sheet thickness of less than 20 nm.
  • at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material may have an average sheet thickness in a range from 5 nm to 20 nm.
  • at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material may have an average sheet thickness in a range from 5 nm to 10 nm.
  • Average sheet thickness can be assessed, for example, using scanning electron microscopy.
  • a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a second 2D material are prepared in Step 150.
  • Figure 1D shows example method 106 for preparing a plurality of functionalized boron nitride sheets.
  • boron nitride is oxidized.
  • Boron nitride may be oxidized in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid.
  • the mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid may have a volumetric ratio of hydrogen peroxide to sulfuric acid (FfiOiiFFSO t ) in a range from 1 : 0.5 to 1 : 3.
  • Boron nitride is added to this solution to achieve a concentration in a range from 0.5 mg/mF to 12 mg/mF.
  • the mixture may be stirred or mixed. For example, the mixture may be stirred for 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 12 hours, or a similar interval of time.
  • the mixture may be stirred mechanically, agitated with a magnetic stir bar, exposed to ultrasonic irradiation, or combinations of these.
  • the method of stirring may be selected to correspond to the size of vessel used to prepare the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material in method 106.
  • Step 154 of example method 106 includes hydrothermal microwave irradiation of the mixture from Step 152.
  • the mixture is exposed to microwaves under a high pressure at a high temperature.
  • the mixture is heated (for example, in an autoclave) to a temperature of at least 140 °C.
  • the mixture may be heated to a temperature in a range from 140 °C to 220 °C.
  • the mixture may be heated to a temperature 180 °C.
  • the mixture is held in a vessel (for example, an autoclave) at a pressure of at least 150 psi.
  • the mixture may be held in a vessel at a pressure in a range from 150 psi to 350 psi.
  • the mixture may be irradiated with microwaves at a power in a range from 900 W to 1800 W.
  • Hydrothermal microwave irradiation in Step 154 may be performed for a reaction time in a range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes or more.
  • Step 156 the mixture is washed.
  • solids in the mixture may be separated from the liquids based on density (for example, by centrifugation and removal of the supernatant).
  • the solids may then be redispersed in a washing fluid to remove residual materials from the solid product. This process may be repeated multiple times.
  • the washing fluid may include distilled water, another solvent (for example, an organic solvent), one or more salts, an acid (for example, dilute hydrochloric acid), or combinations of these.
  • the solid material may be separated from the washing fluid and dried to obtain a functionalized boron nitride powder in Step 158.
  • the material may be filtered using centrifugation, filter paper, vacuum filtration, or combinations of these.
  • the material may be dried at room temperature or at a temperature of 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, or 60 °C to obtain a dry powder of the ultrathin sheets of the 2D material.
  • the product may be dried for 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or similar intervals of time.
  • the second 2D material can be a 2D carbon material (for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide), a 2D nitride (for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride), a 2D metal chalcogenide (for example, M0S2, SnS2, T1S2, WS2, MoSe2, or WSe2), a 2D oxide (for example, T1O2, ZnO, MnC>2, or a perovskite), or a 2D hybrid material (for example, MoS2/graphene or MoSe 2 /Mn0 2 ).
  • a 2D carbon material for example, graphene, graphene oxide, or reduced graphene oxide
  • a 2D nitride for example, functionalized boron nitride or hexagonal boron nitride
  • a 2D metal chalcogenide for example, M0S2, SnS2, T1
  • the second 2D material may be hexagonal boron nitride, boron nitride, or functionalized boron nitride (for example, functionalized via chemical oxidation (Step 152) and hydrothermal microwave irradiation (Step 154), as shown in Figure 1D).
  • the weight percent of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material in the nanocomposite is in a range from 0.1% to 50%, where the weight percent is based on the total weight of the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, and the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material in the nanocomposite.
  • At least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material has an average sheet thickness of less than 20 nm.
  • at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material may have an average sheet thickness in a range from 5 to 20 nm.
  • at least a portion of the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second of the first 2D material may have an average sheet thickness in a range from 5 to 10 nm.
  • the thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of the second 2D material may provide benefits to the nanocomposite and batteries described in the present disclosure.
  • the superior thermal stability of hexagonal boron nitride compared to that of common carbon materials may help to prevent thermal runaway events.
  • the mechanical properties of hexagonal boron nitride and reduced graphene oxide may allow the nanocomposite to better accommodate changes in the volume of the transition metal oxide nanoparticles during charging and discharging.
  • the chemical properties of the second 2D material may improve the carrier mobility (for example, electron mobility) of the first 2D material (for example, reduced graphene oxide) via a substrate effect.
  • a nanocomposite that includes both a first 2D material and a second 2D material may have an increased carrier mobility (and thus improved electrochemical properties) compared to that of a nanocomposite the includes only the first 2D material or second 2D material alone.
  • the use of two different 2D materials may prevent restacking of the 2D materials when the nanocomposite is used as an anode material.
  • the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure may be less prone to restacking during charging and discharging, resulting in the retention of desirable physical and electrochemical properties.
  • the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure may be less prone to restacking during charging and discharging, resulting in the retention of desirable physical and electrochemical properties.
  • nanocomposite retains its large surface area and its superior specific capacity even after many (for example, 1,000 or more) charge/discharge cycles. Mixing materials and drying
  • the TMO NPs/first 2D material sample from Step 130 and the second 2D material from Step 150 are contacted together (for example, added to a solvent and mixed) in Step 170 of method 100.
  • at least a portion of the transition metal oxide nanoparticles and at least a portion of the ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material prepared in Step 130 may be added to a volume of solvent along with at least a portion of the ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material prepared in Step 150.
  • Figure 1E shows example method 108 for combining the materials prepared in Step 130 and Step 150 to form a nanocomposite.
  • the TMO NPs/first 2D material sample is dispersed in a solvent (Step 172).
  • the solvent may be ethanol, distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, dimethylformamide, or combinations of these.
  • the TMO NPs/first 2D material sample is added to the solvent at a concentration in a range from 1 mg/mL to 3 mg/mL.
  • the mixture obtained in Step 172 may be stirred or mixed. For example, the mixture may be stirred for 5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 12 hours, or a similar interval of time.
  • the mixture may be stirred mechanically, agitated with a magnetic stir bar, exposed to ultrasonic irradiation, or combinations of the same.
  • the method of stirring may be selected to correspond to the size of vessel in which the TMO NPs/first 2D material are added to solvent in Step 172.
  • Step 174 a plurality of sheets of the second 2D material (for example, from Step 150 of Figure 1A) are added to the mixture prepared in Step 172.
  • the second 2D material for example, hexagonal boron nitride
  • a fluid for example, water, a salt solution, or a solvent
  • a dry powder of the second 2D material may be added to the mixture from Step 172.
  • the second 2D material is added to achieve a concentration of at least 1 mg/mL of the second 2D material in the mixture.
  • the concentration of the second 2D material in the mixture prepared in Step 174 may be in a range from 1 mg/mL to 3 mg/mL.
  • Step 176 of example method 108 includes the hydrothermal microwave irradiation of the mixture from Step 174.
  • the mixture from Step 174 is exposed to microwaves under a high pressure at a high temperature.
  • the mixture is heated (for example, in an autoclave) to a temperature of at least 140 °C.
  • the mixture may be heated to a temperature in a range from 140 °C to 220 °C.
  • the mixture may be heated to a temperature 180 °C.
  • the mixture is held in a vessel (for example, an autoclave) at a pressure of at least 150 psi.
  • the mixture may be held in a vessel at a pressure in a range from 150 psi to 350 psi.
  • the mixture is irradiated with microwaves at a power in a range from 900 W to 1800 W. Flydrothermal microwave irradiation may be performed for a reaction time in a range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes or more.
  • Step 178 the mixture is washed. Solids in the mixture are separated from the liquids based on density (for example, by centrifugation and removal of the supernatant). The solids are then dispersed in a washing fluid to remove residual materials from the solid product. This process may be repeated multiple times.
  • the washing fluid may include distilled water, another solvent (for example, an organic solvent), one or more salts, an acid (for example, dilute hydrochloric acid), or combinations of these.
  • the solid material After the solid material is washed in Step 178, it may be separated from the washing fluid and dried to obtain a powder of the final nanocomposite in Step 180.
  • the material may be filtered using centrifugation, filter paper, vacuum filtration, or combinations of these.
  • the material may be dried at room temperature or at a temperature of 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, or 60 °C to obtain a dry powder of the nanocomposite.
  • the product may be dried for 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or a similar interval of time.
  • FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a nanocomposite 200, according to an illustrative embodiment.
  • nanocomposite 200 includes a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles 210, a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first two-dimensional (2D) material 220, and a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a second two-dimensional (2D) material 230 where the second 2D material is of a different type than the first 2D material.
  • An illustrative example of a nanocomposite 201 is shown in Figure 2B.
  • example nanocomposite 201 includes a plurality of reduced graphene oxide sheets 240, a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles 250, and a plurality of hexagonal boron nitride sheets 260.
  • the nanocomposite may have a component weight ratio (x : y : z) in a range from (1 : 0.001 : 0.001) to (1 : 0.67 : 1.67), where x is the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, y is the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, and z is the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material.
  • the nanocomposite (for example, obtained in Step 180 of Figure 1E) may have a specific surface area in a range from 10 m 2 /g to 500 m 2 /g.
  • the nanocomposite may have a specific surface area in a range from 10 m 2 /g to 200 m 2 /g.
  • the specific surface area may correspond to a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area which is measured via a nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm (for example, as shown in the illustrative example of Figure 9D).
  • BET Brunauer-Emmett-Teller
  • FIG 3A is a block diagram of example lithium-ion battery 300 designed for this purpose.
  • Lithium-ion battery 300 also includes an anode material 320, an electrolyte 330, a separator 340, and a cathode 350.
  • the anode includes an anode material 301, which includes a TMO NPs/first 2D material/second 2D material nanocomposite 305 (for example, obtained in Step 180 of Figure 1E) and other additive(s) 310.
  • additive(s) 310 may include a binding agent, a conductive additive, or both.
  • the binding agent may be polyvinylidene fluoride or styrene butadiene.
  • the conductive additive may, for example, be carbon black or a carbon nanotube- based conductive material.
  • the solvent may, for example, be N-methyl-2-pyrrobdone or tetrahydrofuran.
  • a summed weight percent of additive(s) 310 (for example, a binding agent and a conductive additive) in the nanocomposite is in a range from 5% to 20% where the weight percent is based on the total weight of (i) the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, (ii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, (iii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material, and (iv) any additive(s) 310 present in the nanocomposite.
  • the amount of the binding agent in the nanocomposite may be zero, or the amount of conductive additive in the nanocomposite may be zero.
  • the nanocomposite may contain both the binding agent and the conductive additive.
  • a summed weight percent of the binding agent and the conductive additive in the nanocomposite may be about 10%.
  • cathode 350 may be, for example, a lithium metal or a lithium metal oxide.
  • electrolyte 330 may be, for example, one or more lithium salts dissolved in one or more organic solvents.
  • the one or more lithium salts may include lithium hexafluorphosphate.
  • the organic solvents may include, for example, ethylene carbonate or dimethyl carbonate.
  • Separator 340 may be a polypropylene membrane that is placed between the anode and the cathode.
  • the lithium-ion battery may exhibit an improved
  • the lithium-ion battery may have a have a specific capacity (for example, specific charge/discharge capacity) in range from 60 mAh/g to 800 mAh/g or greater at about 25 °C.
  • the lithium- ion battery may have a have a specific capacity (for example, specific charge/discharge capacity) in range from 1 mAh/g to 5 mAh/g or greater at about 100 °C.
  • the lithium-ion battery may retain at least 90% of its specific capacity compared to an initial specific capacity measured in the first charge cycle at the same temperature.
  • the lithium-ion battery may retain at least 90% of its specific capacity compared to an initial specific charge capacity measured in the first charge cycle at the same temperature.
  • the coulombic efficiency of the lithium-ion battery may be 90% or greater.
  • the coulombic efficiency of the lithium-ion battery may be 90% or greater.
  • the nanocomposites described in the present disclosure can be used as a cathode material for lithium-sulfur batteries.
  • Figure 3B shows an illustrative example of a lithium-sulfur battery 303.
  • Lithium-sulfur battery 303 includes cathode 325, electrolyte 335, separator 345, and anode 355.
  • Cathode 325 includes a TMO NPs/first 2D material/second 2D material nanocomposite 305 (for example, obtained in Step 180 of Figure 1E) and other additive(s) 315.
  • the nanocomposite 302 may further include sulfur, for example, as one of additive(s) 315.
  • Nanocomposite 302 may include sulfur in the form of elemental sulfur, a sulfur-containing salt, a sulfur- and lithium-containing salt, a sulfur/graphene composite, or combinations of the same.
  • the weight percent of sulfur in the nanocomposite is in a range from 40% to 80% where the weight percent is based on total weight of (i) the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, (ii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, (iii) the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material, (iv) any binding agent, conductive additive, or both present in the nanocomposite, and (v) the sulfur.
  • a weight percent of sulfur in the nanocomposite may be in a range from 60% to 80%.
  • a weight percent of sulfur in the nanocomposite may be in a range from 70% to 80%.
  • anode 355 may be, for example, a lithium metal.
  • electrolyte 335 may be, for example, one or more lithium salts dissolved in one or more organic solvents.
  • the lithium salts may include bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI).
  • the organic solvents may include l,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) or l,3-dioxolane (DOL).
  • Separator 345 may be a polypropylene membrane that is placed between the anode and the cathode.
  • the nanocomposite is a film with a thickness in a range from 50 pm to 200 pm.
  • the nanocomposite may be a film with a thickness in a range from 10 pm to 20 pm.
  • a film of the nanocomposite may be prepared on a current collector such as a copper foil.
  • a homogeneous slurry of the nanocomposite for example, the plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the first 2D material, the plurality of ultrathin sheets of the second 2D material, any binding agent, conductive additive, or both present in the nanocomposite, and any sulfur present in the nanocomposite
  • a solvent may be spread on a copper foil and allowed to dry.
  • Example 1 X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of nanocomposites
  • example nanocomposite C03O4/RGO/I1-BN - sample d
  • transition metal nanoparticles alone C0 3 O 4 - sample a
  • C03O4/RGO - sample b a composite of transition metal oxide nanoparticles with a first 2D material
  • C03O4/I1-BN - sample c a composite of transition metal nanoparticles with a second 2D material
  • Table 1 Summary of materials studied and their compositions (weight percent based on total weight of the material).
  • XRD studies were performed on these samples with a Rigaku miniflex 600 X-ray diffractometer (Japan) using Cu Ka radiation (1.54430 angstrom (A)) at 30 kilovolts (kV) and 40 milliamps (mA). XRD studies were first performed to identify characteristic peaks for C03O4, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). The diffraction peaks of C03O4 were indexed to those of pure C03O4 with a cubic spinel structure (Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) card no. 76- 1802).
  • JCPDS Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards
  • Peaks related to the presence of C03O4 are marked with an asterisk (*) in Figure 4 (as shown in the legend to Figure 4).
  • RGO reduced graphene oxide
  • Raman spectroscopy was performed using an I-RAMAN® plus Raman spectrometer (USA) to determine the crystallographic structures of the different samples.
  • the Raman spectra of samples a, b, c, and d are shown in Figure 5.
  • the Raman spectra of C03O4 (sample a) included bands at about 478 cm ' 1 (Eg), 521 cm ' 1 (F 2 g), 611 cm ' 1 (F 2 g), and 689 cm ' 1 (Ai g ), confirming the cubic spinel structure of C03O4.
  • the peak at 689 cm ' 1 (Aig) corresponded to octahedral sites in C03O4, and the peaks at 478 cm ' 1 (Eg), 521 cm ' 1 (F 2 g), and 611 cm ' 1 (F 2 g) were attributed to the combined vibrations of tetrahedral sites and octahedral oxygen motion in C03O4.
  • the nanocomposites containing RGO (samples b and d) exhibited peaks at 1327 cm ' 1 and 1584 cm 1 , which corresponded to the D band and G band of graphene, respectively.
  • the D band may be associated with the breathing mode of k-point phonons with an Aig symmetry.
  • the G band may be associated with an E 2 g phonon from sp 2 carbon atoms in the RGO.
  • h-BN sample containing h-BN (sample c)
  • a single peak was observed at 1365 cm 1 , corresponding to in-plane vibrations (E 2 g).
  • Example 2 Microstructure of nanocomposites
  • FIG. 6A is a scanning electron micrograph of example C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles (sample a). As shown in Figure 6A, the C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles exhibited a rectangular prism shape.
  • Figure 6B and Figure 6C show scanning electron micrographs of an example C0 3 O 4 /RGO sample (sample b) and an example C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN sample (sample c), respectively.
  • the C0 3 O 4 /RGO nanocomposite contained rectangular prism-shaped C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles on the surface of RGO sheets. These particles were nonporous and non- spherical.
  • rectangular prism-shaped C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles were observed on the surfaces of the h-BN sheets in the C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN sample.
  • Figure 6D shows a scanning electron micrograph of an example Co 3 0 4 /RGO/h-BN nanocomposite (sample d).
  • the C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN nanocomposite exhibited rectangular prism-shaped C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles that were anchored between the transparent h-BN sheets and RGO sheets. Accordingly, the C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles in the Co 3 0 4 /RGO/h-BN
  • Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to determine the thermal stability of samples a, b, c, and d at temperatures from 25 °C and 550 °C.
  • the resulting TGA curves - which are plots of weight (in percent of initial weight at the starting temperature) versus temperature - are shown in Figure 7.
  • Samples a, b, c, and d lost about 3.5%, 10%, 4%, and 5% of their initial weight, respectively, over the temperature range studied.
  • the TGA curves can be divided into three temperature regions based on the extent of weight loss. In the first region (less than 100 °C), only 1 % decomposition was observed for sample b (C03O4/RGO). This weight loss was attributed to the removal of adsorbed water.
  • sample c (Co304/h-BN) exhibited a weight loss of only about 2% at about 225 °C. Meanwhile, sample b
  • sample d only exhibited a low intensity peak beginning at about 350 °C, indicating the superior thermal stability of the C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN nanocomposite compared to those of the other samples (a, b, and c).
  • the enhanced thermal stability of the Co 3 0 4 /RGO/h-BN nanocomposite compared to the other samples was attributed to the synergistic effects of RGO and h-BN.
  • Figure 9A shows a nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for sample a (C0 3 O 4 ).
  • the BET specific surface area for the C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles was about 41 m 2 /g.
  • Figure 9B shows a nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for sample b (C0 3 O 4 /RGO).
  • the BET specific surface area for the C0 3 O 4 /RGO sample was about 54 m 2 /g and was greater than that of the C0 3 O 4 nanoparticles alone.
  • Figure 9C shows a nitrogen adsorption- desorption isotherm for sample c (C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN).
  • the BET specific surface area of the C0 3 O 4 /I1-BN sample (12 m 2 /g) was less than that of all of the other samples.
  • Figure 9D shows a nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for sample d (Co 3 0 4 /RGO/h-BN).
  • the BET specific surface area for the C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN nanocomposite (about 191 m 2 /g) was greater than those of the other samples. Accordingly, the C0 3 O 4 /RGO/I1-BN nanocomposite had the largest available surface area per weight of material. This increased surface area can facilitate charge transfer in electrode materials, for example, for lithium ion batteries or lithium-sulfur batteries.
  • Example 5 Electrochemical properties of nanocomposites at room temperature
  • anode material was prepared from each of samples a, b, c, and d. Batteries were assembled using these anode materials for electrochemical studies.
  • the working electrode was fabricated by mixing 90 weight percent (wt.%) of the sample (a, b, c, or d), 5 wt.% of the conductive agent carbon black, and 5 wt.% of the binding agent polyvinylidene fluoride in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent at a concentration of 100 mg/lO mL. A homogenous slurry of this mixture was obtained and spread as a film on a copper foil substrate, which acted as a current collector. This film was then allowed to dry at 60 °C under vacuum. Each working electrode contained about 1 mg of the corresponding sample (a, b, c, or d). The working electrode was then then punched into disks, each with a diameter of about 14 millimeters (mm).
  • a polypropylene membrane (Celgard 2325, Celgard, Inc., USA) was used as a separator in the battery along with a lithium metal (purity 99.9 %) counter electrode.
  • the electrolyte was 1 mol/L lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6 ) in a 1 : 1 by volume mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC).
  • a battery that included C03O4/RGO had the second largest charge and discharge capacities of 300 mAh/g and 280 mAh/g, respectively. Meanwhile, the charge and discharge capacities of a battery with Co3C>4/h-BN (sample c) were only 19 mAh/g and 5 mAh/g, respectively, and a battery with a C03O4 anode material had the lowest charge and discharge capacities of only 6 mAh/g and 4 mAh/g, respectively.
  • These electrochemical properties are reported in Table 2.
  • Figure 10B is a Nyquist plot of the imaginary impedance (Z”) versus the real impedance (Z) for lithium-ion batteries that included samples a, b, c, and d as anode materials. The plots in Figure 10B correspond to the first charging cycle for these batteries.
  • Example 6 Electrochemical properties of nanocomposites at 100 °C
  • Figure 11 is a plot of the specific capacity versus charge/discharge cycle number for the battery with an anode that includes the Co304/RGO/h-BN nanocomposite (sample d) for 100 cycles at about 25 °C.
  • the batteries exhibited stable cycle performances and approximately 100 % coulombic efficiencies at 25 °C.
  • Figure 12 and Figure 13 are plots of the specific capacity versus charge/discharge cycle number for batteries with an anode that includes a Co304/RGO/h-BN nanocomposite (sample d) for 100 and 1,000 charge/discharge cycles, respectively, at about 100 °C.
  • the batteries exhibited stable cycle performances and approximately 100 % coulombic efficiencies at 100 °C. These results were in agreement with the improved thermal stability of sample d as determined from the TGA plots and DTG plots shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8, respectively.

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