ABSTRACT
The study explores biogenic nitrogen doped carbon microspheres derived from resorcinol, formaldehyde (BNCMs), for battery application. Ureolytic bacteria were used to produce biogenic ammonia in the form of ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate. Copolymerization of resorcinol, formaldehyde and biogenic ammonia at 60-80⯰C produces BNCMs. Elemental analysis evidences that the nitrogen-enriched carbon microspheres contain about 8% of nitrogen. The BNCMs anode exhibits appreciable reversible capacity and excellent rate performance in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs). In the case of LIBs, BNCMs anode exhibits an excellent stable specific capacity of 580â¯mAhâ¯g-1 with 97% of capacity retention even after 100 cycles without any significant capacity fading. Similarly, the observed capacity is as 102â¯mAhâ¯g-1 for 1000 cycles at a high rate current density of 1â¯Aâ¯g-1 without any considerable capacity fade. In SIBs, BNCMs anode delivers a specific discharge and charge capacity of 405 and 195â¯mAhâ¯g-1 respectively. Further, prolonged cycles BNCMs anode exhibits a steady state progressive capacity of 170â¯mAhâ¯g-1 even after 100 cycles with steady state capacity. BNCMs thus evidence its suitability as high performance anode material for both LIBs and SIBs.