Potential re-release of Co2+ by using Ceratophyllum demersum L as bioreactors to construct dual-converted Co9S8&Co2P for lithium-ion batteries

Carbon-based composites with nano dispersed transition metal sulfides (TMS)/transition metal phosphides (TMP) are successfully prepared using a bio-assisted strategy, where non-ferrous metals in leaves are converted to TMS and those in stems are converted to TMP. Carbon films obtained from the conversion of naturalized bioreactor (plant cells) membranes not only successfully achieve the nano-materialization of TMS/TMP, but also ensure good conductivity and can effectively accommodate the volume changes during cycling and maintain structural integrity. Besides, nonferrous metals will also optimize the dense structure of leaf-derived carbon during calcination, exposing more active sites and ion transport channels. Benefiting from these, the as-prepared carbon-based cobalt sulfide composite (CdL Co) exhibits excellent electrochemical performance as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), including high reversible capacity, outstanding cycling stability, and good rate performance. Especially after 1, 000 cycles under 1 A g −1 , a high reversible capacity of 441 mAh g −1 can still be maintained. Besides, the dual-conversion achieved by this bio-assisted strategy can also be used to explore the preparation of nanocomposites for other applications, with universality.