Topology-Driven Sodium Storage and Conversion in Covalent Fullerene Networks
Abstract Fullerene network is an emergent two-dimensional (2D) carbon allotrope in which C60 molecules are covalently bonded to form a quasi-hexagonal pattern (qHP). The intermolecular covalent bonding significantly reshapes the intrinsic electronic structure of the C60 units, leading to enhanced structural stability and electrochemical activity. Herein, we report unconventional high-density Na-ion storage and electrocatalytic conversion properties of fullerene networks (qHP-C60) driven by their covalent quasi-hexagonal topology. As an anode material for sodium-ion batteries, the covalent framework facilitates intermolecular charge transfer and creates favorable sites for Na+ adsorption, delivering a maximum reversible capacity of 279 mAh g–1 at 25 mA g–1. In addition, the interconnected and curved C60 subunits induce inhomogeneous electron distribution, accelerating the reaction kinetics of NaCl/Cl2 conversion in sodium-chlorine batteries. This enables a high current density (15,000 mA g–1 versus 1,000–1,500 mA g–1) at a significantly reduced catalyst loading amount (5 wt % versus 60–80 wt %) compared to benchmark catalysts. Our study provides insights into the covalent structural engineering of carbon materials for high-performance energy applications.
Authors
- Shitao Geng
- Hao Mei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0125-7153)
- Huisheng Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2142-2945)
- Wentao Fan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6694-7289)
- Hao Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4599-5518)
- Antonio Gaetano Ricciardulli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2688-9912)
- Hui Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6639-0070)
- Paolo Samorı́ (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6256-8281)
- Shitao Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2737-6011)
- Qiuchen Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1841-1890)
- Yiyong Mai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6373-2597)
- Yuxuan Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9407-9589)
- Sheng Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0257-7379)
- Shuo Wang
- Yan Wang
- Chengxiao Zhang
- Shanshan Tang
Institutions
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- ShanghaiTech University (CN)
- Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Nano
- Published
- 2026-08-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6c09620
- Primary Topic
- Advancements in Battery Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
- Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
- HORIZON EUROPE Digital, Industry and Space