Research Interests

Energy Storage Technologies

Reliable and efficient energy storage systems are the backbone of modern technologies, powering everything from wearable sensors and consumer electronics to robotics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Our research focuses on advancing next-generation energy storage devices by designing nanostructured materials and architectures that overcome the limitations of conventional batteries, enabling higher energy density, faster charge–discharge rates, and longer cycle life.

Sodium-Ion Batteries (SIBs): Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion systems due to the abundance of sodium. However, their performance is limited by slow ion diffusion and electrode instability. To address this, we synthesized porous titanium carbide (TiC) nanoflowers via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Their unique architecture enhances conductivity, mechanical stability, and Na-ion diffusion, delivering a high reversible capacity of 73.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ after 2500 cycles with ~81% capacity retention. In full-cell configurations with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathodes, these TiC nanoflowers demonstrate outstanding stability, offering a promising pathway for high-performance, long-life SIBs.

Lithium-Ion Batteries (SIBs): We also explore two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides such as tungsten diselenide (WSe₂), which combine excellent electrical and chemical properties with unique layered structures. Using a CVD approach, we grew vertically oriented WSe₂ nanosheets on tungsten foil, yielding electrodes with remarkable stability, high-rate capability, and superior activity. These nanosheets achieve a reversible capacity of 159.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹ over 2400 cycles with near-100% Coulombic efficiency, establishing WSe₂ as a highly promising material for both lithium- and sodium-ion batteries. Mechanistic insights from first-principles density functional theory (DFT) further highlight its potential for next-generation energy storage.

Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) Batteries: Li-S batteries are recognized for their exceptionally high energy density, low cost, and environmental friendliness, but face challenges from the polysulfide shuttle effect, sulfur expansion, and poor conductivity. To tackle these issues, we developed a CVD-grown TiC nanoflower–Ti foam 3D framework as a binder-free sulfur host. This conductive and porous scaffold facilitates ion/electron transport, anchors polysulfides, and accommodates sulfur expansion, resulting in a discharge capacity of 1506 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1C and 93.3% retention after 500 cycles at 1C with an average decay of just 0.01% per cycle. The framework also lowers interfacial resistance, enabling enhanced reaction kinetics and long-term stability.

Our vision is to engineer advanced materials and architectures that redefine what batteries can achieve—higher capacity, faster response, and greater durability—paving the way for next-generation devices that are smarter, more sustainable, and more reliable.

TiC Nanoflowers as High-Performance Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

 WSe2 Nanosheets as An Anode Material in Sodium-Ion Batteries

TiC-Coated Titanium Foam as a 3D Framework Sulfur Host for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Related Publications:

1. Wei Ding, Jason Sternhagen, Laxmi Raj Jaishi, Parashu Kharel, Xiaojun Xian*, CVD-Synthesized Titanium Carbide Nanoflowers as High-Performance Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries, Nano Letters, 24, 13324-13332 (2024) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c03597)

2. Wei Ding, Deniz Cakir,* Matthew Wieberdink, Laxmi Raj Jaishi, Jiahui Yuan, Mohd Anas, Parashu Kharel, Bin Yao, Zhenqiang Wang, and Xiaojun Xian*, Densely Packed Vertically Oriented WSe2 Nanosheets Synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition for Lithium-Ion Batteries, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 17, 34021–34029 (2025) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c05266)

3. Jiahui Yuan, Wei Ding, Laxmi R Jaishi, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Zhenqiang Wang, and Xiaojun Xian*, TiC-Coated Titanium Foam via CVD as a 3D Framework Sulfur Host for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Nano Research, (2025)  (https://doi.org/10.26599/NR.2025.94907828)

4. Wei He, Yuhe Mu, Buddhi Sagar Lamsal, Wei Ding, Zhongjiu Yang, Jyotshna Pokharel, Jingjing Yu, Shun Lu, Guoping Xiong, Xiaojun Xian, Yue Zhou, Realizing Rapid Kinetics of Na Ions in Tin‐Antimony Bimetallic Sulfide Anode with Engineered Porous Structure, Small Structures, 4, 2300100 (2023)

5. Jyotshna Pokharel, Arthur Cresce, Bharat Pant, Moon Young Yang, Ashim Gurung, Wei He, Abiral Baniya, Buddhi Sagar Lamsal, Zhongjiu Yang, Stephen Gent, Xiaojun Xian, Ye Cao, William A. Goddard, Kang Xu*, Yue Zhou*, Manipulating the Diffusion Energy Barrier at the Lithium Metal Electrolyte Interface for Dendrite-free Long-life Batteries, Nature Communications, 15 (1), 3085 (2024) (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47521-z)