Multi-Scale Synergistic Engineering of S/N Co-Doped Hard Carbon Derived from Coal Pitch with Hierarchical Porosity for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Storage

Chen, J.; Liu, Y.; Zhong, G.; Liu, H.; Hao, G.; Guo, P.; Wu, J.; Liu, Y.; Wang, C.; Lu, X.; Chen, J; Liu, Y; Zhong, G; Liu, H; Hao, G; Guo, P; Wu, J; Liu, Y; Wang, C; Lu, X

doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c06078

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Multi-Scale Synergistic Engineering of S/N Co-Doped Hard Carbon Derived from Coal Pitch with Hierarchical Porosity for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Storage

Chen, J.; Liu, Y.; Zhong, G.; Liu, H.; Hao, G.; Guo, P.; Wu, J.; Liu, Y.; Wang, C.; Lu, X.

Energy and Fuels 40(5): 2804-2811

2026

ISSN/ISBN: 0887-0624

DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c06078
Accession: 103449176

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Summary

The development of robust hard carbon as sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) anode is often constrained by the trade-off between specific capacity, initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE), and rate performance. Here, a multiscale synergistic strategy is proposed to synthesize advanced hard carbon anodes using low-cost coal pitch as the precursor. This is achieved through a facile one-step pyrolysis process involving sodium thiosulfate as a combined sulfur source and porogen, magnesium oxide (MgO) as a hard template, and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a versatile additive acting as a secondary porogen and nitrogen source. The optimized carbon material exhibits a unique structure characterized by S/N codoping, an enlarged interlayer spacing (0.385 nm), and a hierarchical pore architecture with a balanced surface area and pore volume. When employed as a SIBs anode, this electrode delivers a significant reversible capacity of 278.3 mAh g–1 with an outstanding ICE of 83.5%, remarkable rate performance (173.7 mAh g–1 at 3C), and excellent cycling durability. Electrochemical analysis reveals that the synergistic effects of heteroatom doping and optimized porosity enhance Na+ adsorption, facilitate intercalation, and improve ion transport kinetics. Furthermore, a full cell configured with this anode and a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode demonstrates a high operating voltage and prominent stability, retaining 63.6% capacity after 2000 cycles. This work provides a viable approach to design carbonaceous materials that break the performance coupling in SIB anodes.

Multi-Scale Synergistic Engineering of S/N Co-Doped Hard Carbon Derived from Coal Pitch with Hierarchical Porosity for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Storage

Chen, J.; Liu, Y.; Zhong, G.; Liu, H.; Hao, G.; Guo, P.; Wu, J.; Liu, Y.; Wang, C.; Lu, X.

Energy and Fuels 40(5): 2804-2811

2026

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