Self-assembled in-situ growth of polyaniline on MXene composite with sodium alginate hydrogel 3D framework for enhanced LIBs performance

Abstract

The development of high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) demands advanced anode materials with superior electrochemical performance. In this study, a Cr₂TiC₂T_x MXene/polyaniline (PANi) nanocomposite was synthesized via a simple coating method and subsequently embedded into a sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel matrix to form a Cr₂TiC₂T_x/PANi@SA-H composite. This 3D hydrogel framework enhanced the porosity and electrical conductivity compared to agglomerated pristine MXene. In comparison to agglomerated pristine Cr₂TiC₂T_x, the composite hydrogel polymer (Cr₂TiC₂T_x/PANi@SA-H) enhances the porosity and electrical conductivity of the composite anode material. This research article presents the simple synthesis approach of bare MXene (Cr₂TiC₂T_x), coating with PANi and Cr₂TiC₂T_x/PANi@SA-H, polymer hydrogel. Electrochemical efficiency of the Cr₂TiC₂T_x/PANi@SA-H composite material is remarkable, as evidenced by its initial cycling capacity of 223 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 current density with a capacity retention of 93 mA h g^-1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g^-1, and 69 mA h g^-1 over 1300 cycles at 200 mA g^-1. The high electrical conductivity of Cr₂TiC₂T_x MXene nanosheets and conductive polymer PANi significantly improves the overall electrochemical properties of the Cr₂TiC₂T_x/PANi@SA-H composite material. This polymer composite of Cr₂TiC₂T_x/PANi@SA-H exhibits significant potential for electrochemical energy storage applications.

Keywords: Cr(2)TiC(2)T(x) MXene; Energy storage applications; Polyaniline; Sodium alginate.