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.

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Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{mei2026topologydriven,
  title = {{Topology-Driven Sodium Storage and Conversion in Covalent Fullerene Networks}},
  author = {Hao Mei and Qiuchen Xu and Shitao Wu and Yan Wang and Wentao Fan and Yuxuan Zhang and Shuo Wang and Hui Yu and Shitao Geng and Chengxiao Zhang and Shanshan Tang and Antonio Gaetano Ricciardulli and Yiyong Mai and Huisheng Peng and Hao Sun and Paolo Samorì and Sheng Yang},
  journal = {ACS Nano},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1021/acsnano.6c09620},
  url = {https://univoak.hal.science/hal-05740280v1},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Topology-Driven Sodium Storage and Conversion in Covalent Fullerene Networks
AU  - Hao Mei
AU  - Qiuchen Xu
AU  - Shitao Wu
AU  - Yan Wang
AU  - Wentao Fan
AU  - Yuxuan Zhang
AU  - Shuo Wang
AU  - Hui Yu
AU  - Shitao Geng
AU  - Chengxiao Zhang
AU  - Shanshan Tang
AU  - Antonio Gaetano Ricciardulli
AU  - Yiyong Mai
AU  - Huisheng Peng
AU  - Hao Sun
AU  - Paolo Samorì
AU  - Sheng Yang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/18
JO  - ACS Nano
DO  - 10.1021/acsnano.6c09620
UR  - https://univoak.hal.science/hal-05740280v1
AB  - 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.
SN  - 1936-0851
SN  - 1936-086X
ER  -

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