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CuFeS2 as an anode material with an enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries fabricated from natural ore chalcopyrite

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Abstract

Considering serious pollution from the traditional chemical synthesis process, the resource-rich, clean electrode materials are greatly desired. Conventional electrochemical performance improvement methods, such as quantum dot or coating, are complicated and costly. In this study, CuFeS2 with an enhanced cycle performance is prepared from natural ore chalcopyrite through simple flotation and acid leaching. We obtain micro-sized CuFeS2 with high yield and purity. Electrochemical measurement shows that the natural chalcopyrite with an EDD-S electrolyte displays a high initial charge capacity (992 mAh·g−1 at the initial discharge current density of 0.2 C), an excellent rate performance, and good cycle property. The discharge capacities are approximately 870, 850, 830, 800, 750, and 680 mAh·g−1 at current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, and 2 C, respectively. When the current density is reduced back to 0.1 C, the reversible capacity can recover to 860 mAh·g−1, the cyclability is impressive (initial capacity of 700 mAh·g−1 and 660 mAh·g−1 maintained for 1000 cycles at a high current density of 2 C, corresponding to an excellent capacity retention of 94% after 1000 cycles).

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Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51704330, 51622406, 21673298, and 21473258).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Jiahui Zhou, Feng Jiang, Zhijie Xu, Wei Sun & Yue Yang

  2. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Sijie Li & Xiaobo Ji

  3. State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Sijie Li & Xiaobo Ji

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  1. Jiahui Zhou
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  2. Feng Jiang
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  3. Sijie Li
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  5. Wei Sun
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  6. Xiaobo Ji
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  7. Yue Yang
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Correspondence to Wei Sun, Xiaobo Ji or Yue Yang.

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Zhou, J., Jiang, F., Li, S. et al. CuFeS2 as an anode material with an enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries fabricated from natural ore chalcopyrite. J Solid State Electrochem 23, 1991–2000 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-019-04284-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-019-04284-8

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