Assessing the Electrochemical Performance of Different Nanostructured CeO2 Samples as Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this work, six samples of CeO2 are successfully prepared by diverse synthesis routes leading to different microstructures regarding both morphology and particle size. The structural and microstructural characteristics presented by the samples and their influence on the electrochemical response of the prepared anodes are analyzed. In particular, the Ce-CMK3 sample, synthesized from a mesoporous carbon obtained through a CMK3 silica template, displays an enhanced electrochemical response. Thus, capacity values of ~220 mA h g−1 are obtained at a current rate of 0.155 A g−1 after 50 cycles and an excellent cyclability at intermediate current densities. On the other hand, it is observed that the capacity values are satisfactorily recovered at 0.31 A g−1, displaying ~100 mA h g−1 after 550 cycles and efficiencies close to 100%. The electrochemical performance is interpreted considering the microstructural peculiarities of this anode, which are deeply analyzed.