Decorated and Modified Graphenes as Electrodes in Na and Li-Ion Batteries

Nowadays, rechargeable Li-ion batteries represent the state of the art for the power supply in technological devices. However, the wide-scale implementation of this technology, for example in the automotive field or for large stationary applications, could raise issues, i.e. concerning the limited lithium mineral reserves. The investigation of alternatives to lithium is hence highly desirable, although it requires the identification of new materials suitable as components for new batteries, displaying similar or possibly even better performances with respect to the current systems. Here we show that electrodes based on graphene derivatives are able not only to support the insertion of Li+, but also of Na+ ions, with high capacity and stability upon cycling, leading to the development of novel Na-ion batteries.