Advanced arrayed bismuth nanorod bundle anode for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

For the first time, arrayed bismuth (Bi) nanorod bundles were prepared by chemical dealloying of Al₃₀Bi₇₀ (at%) alloy ribbon, using a top-down process. The arrayed Bi nanorod bundles exhibit a high retention capacity of 301.9 mA h g⁻¹ after 150 cycles at a rate of 50 mA g⁻¹, a flat potential profile and good rate capability as an advanced anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The excellent electrochemical performance is due to high ion accessibility and fast electron transport of arrayed Bi nanorod bundles, which is essential to improve the rate capability of SIBs. This scalable strategy will pave the way for the mass-production of large-capacity electrodes for SIBs and other energy-storage systems, providing new guidelines for the preparation of 1-D nanostructured arrays.