A Flexible Porous Carbon Nanofibers‐Selenium Cathode with Superior Electrochemical Performance for Both Li‐Se and Na‐Se Batteries

Abstract

A flexible and free‐standing porous carbon nanofibers/selenium composite electrode (Se@PCNFs) is prepared by infiltrating Se into mesoporous carbon nanofibers (PCNFs). The porous carbon with optimized mesopores for accommodating Se can synergistically suppress the active material dissolution and provide mechanical stability needed for the film. The Se@PCNFs electrode exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance for both Li‐ion and Na‐ion storage. In the case of Li‐ion storage, it delivers a reversible capacity of 516 mAh g−1 after 900 cycles without any capacity loss at 0.5 A g−1. Se@PCNFs still delivers a reversible capacity of 306 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1. While being used in Na‐Se batteries, the composite electrode maintains a reversible capacity of 520 mAh g−1 after 80 cycles at 0.05 A g−1 and a rate capability of 230 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1. The high capacity, good cyclability, and rate capability are attributed to synergistic effects of the uniform distribution of Se in PCNFs and the 3D interconnected PCNFs framework, which could alleviate the shuttle reaction of polyselenides intermediates during cycling and maintain the perfect electrical conductivity throughout the electrode. By rational and delicate design, this type of self‐supported electrodes may hold great promise for the development of Li‐Se and Na‐Se batteries with high power and energy densities.