Interdisciplinary Materials最新文献

The application of lithium-based batteries is challenged by the safety issues of leakage and flammability of liquid electrolytes. Polymer electrolytes (PEs) can address issues to promote the practical use of lithium metal batteries. However, the traditional preparation of PEs such as the solution-casting method requires a complicated preparation process, especially resulting in side solvents evaporation issues. The large thickness of traditional PEs reduces the energy density of the battery and increases the transport bottlenecks of lithium-ion. Meanwhile, it is difficult to fill the voids of electrodes to achieve good contact between electrolyte and electrode. In situ polymerization appears as a facile method to prepare PEs possessing excellent interfacial compatibility with electrodes. Thus, thin and uniform electrolytes can be obtained. The interfacial impedance can be reduced, and the lithium-ion transport throughput at the interface can be increased. The typical in situ polymerization process is to implant a precursor solution containing monomers into the cell and then in situ solidify the precursor under specific initiating conditions, and has been widely applied for the preparation of PEs and battery assembly. In this review, we focus on the preparation and application of in situ polymerization method in gel polymer electrolytes, solid polymer electrolytes, and composite polymer electrolytes, in which different kinds of monomers and reactions for in situ polymerization are discussed. In addition, the various compositions and structures of inorganic fillers, and their effects on the electrochemical properties are summarized. Finally, challenges and perspectives for the practical application of in situ polymerization methods in solid-state lithium-based batteries are reviewed.

Thanks to the significantly higher energy density compared with universal commercialized Li-ion batteries, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are being investigated for use in prospective energy storage devices. However, the inadequate electrochemical kinetics of reactants and intermediates hinder commercial utilization. This limitation results in substantial capacity degradation and short battery lifespans, thereby impeding the battery's power export. Meanwhile, the capacity attenuation induced by the undesirable shuttle effect further hinders their industrialization. Considerable effort has been invested in developing electrocatalysts to fix lithium polysulfides and boost their conversion effectively. In the conventional process, the planar electrodes are prepared by slurry-casting, which limits the electron and ion transfer paths, especially when the thickness of the electrodes is relatively large. Compared with traditional manufacturing methods, direct ink writing (DIW) technology offers unique advantages in both geometry shaping and rapid prototyping, and even complex three-dimensional structures with high sulfur loading. Hence, this review presents a detailed description of the current developments in terms of Li–S batteries in DIW of metal-based electrocatalysts. A thorough exploration of the behavior chemistry of electrocatalysis is provided, and the adhibition of metal-based catalysts used for Li–S batteries is summarized from the aspect of material usage and performance enhancement. Then, the working principle of DIW technology and the requirements of used inks are presented, with a detailed focus on the latest advancements in DIW of metal-based catalysts in Li–S battery systems. Their challenges and prospects are discussed to guide their future development.

Silicon (Si)-based solid-state batteries (Si-SSBs) are attracting tremendous attention because of their high energy density and unprecedented safety, making them become promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems. Nevertheless, the commercialization of Si-SSBs is significantly impeded by enormous challenges including large volume variation, severe interfacial problems, elusive fundamental mechanisms, and unsatisfied electrochemical performance. Besides, some unknown electrochemical processes in Si-based anode, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), and Si-based anode/SSE interfaces are still needed to be explored, while an in-depth understanding of solid–solid interfacial chemistry is insufficient in Si-SSBs. This review aims to summarize the current scientific and technological advances and insights into tackling challenges to promote the deployment of Si-SSBs. First, the differences between various conventional liquid electrolyte-dominated Si-based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with Si-SSBs are discussed. Subsequently, the interfacial mechanical contact model, chemical reaction properties, and charge transfer kinetics (mechanical–chemical kinetics) between Si-based anode and three different SSEs (inorganic (oxides) SSEs, organic–inorganic composite SSEs, and inorganic (sulfides) SSEs) are systemically reviewed, respectively. Moreover, the progress for promising inorganic (sulfides) SSE-based Si-SSBs on the aspects of electrode constitution, three-dimensional structured electrodes, and external stack pressure is highlighted, respectively. Finally, future research directions and prospects in the development of Si-SSBs are proposed.

Nowadays solid-state batteries have become a hot spot in the research of batteries and a significant candidate for commercial batteries for the increasing demands for good safety and excellent energy density. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered as suitable materials for solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) for the merits of regular channels and large specific surface areas, which can provide a promising structural platform for fast-ion conduction. Therefore, numerous kinds of MOF-based SSEs with enhanced electrochemical performance have been successfully synthesized and studied in recent years. In this review, the recent progress (synthesis methods, physical and chemical characteristics) of MOF-based SSEs for secondary batteries have been summarized. Finally, the challenges and opportunities faced by the future development in this field are put forward, hoping to provide some enlightenment for the synthesis of MOF-based SSEs, so as to create more efficient, long-lasting, and safe SSE-based secondary batteries.

Imaging biomolecules in real space is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the properties and functions of biological systems at the most fundamental level. Among the various imaging techniques available for biomolecules and their assembled nanostructures, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) provides a powerful and nondestructive imaging option. SPM is unique in visualizing intrinsically disordered biomolecules at the nanometer scale (e.g., glycans). This review highlights recent achievements in studying biomolecules using SPM technique, focusing on DNA bases, amino acids, proteins, and glycans. The atomic-level analysis of biomolecules made possible by SPM allows for a more accurate definition of the local structure–property relationship. High-resolution SPM imaging of single biomolecules offers a new way to study basic processes of life at the molecular level.

Graphite offers several advantages as an anode material, including its low cost, high theoretical capacity, extended lifespan, and low Li⁺-intercalation potential. However, the performance of graphite-based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is limited at low temperatures due to several critical challenges, such as the decreased ionic conductivity of liquid electrolyte, sluggish Li⁺ desolvation process, poor Li⁺ diffusivity across the interphase layer and bulk graphite materials. Various approaches have therefore been explored to address these challenges. On the basis of graphite anode and corresponding LIBs, this review herein offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest advances in electrolyte engineering and electrode modification. First, electrolyte engineering is discussed in detail, highlighting the design of new electrolyte formula with broad liquid temperature range, optimized solvation structure, and well-performed inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interface. The advances in material modification have been then depicted with the view of improving the solid bulk diffusion rate to show general strategies with excellent performance at low temperatures. Finally, the corresponding challenges and opportunities have also been outlined to shed light on viable strategies for developing efficient and reliable graphite anode and graphite-based LIBs under low-temperature scenarios.

Inside Front Cover: The sodium-ion storage is characterized by redox reactions occurring with the V⁵⁺/V⁴⁺ to V³⁺ at the surface of VN particles. Such pseudocapacitive sodium-ion storage is able to overcome the limitations associated with sluggish diffusion-control process, which combines the high energy densities from faradaic reactions and the high-power density that results from capacitor-like kinetics.

Outside Front Cover: Advanced high-performance MOF-based photothermal composite PCMs are prepared by simultaneously integrating photon absorber guest and thermal storage guest into MOF host. The quilt made of photothermal composite PCMs can efficiently absorb solar energy in the daytime and store it in the form of heat energy, making people warm and comfortable when sleeping at night even in the cold winter.

Outside Back Cover: Regulation voltage of LiNiPO₄ by DFT calculation to move towards practical application. The electrochemical performance of the designed materials was evaluated by X. He et al. in doi: 10.1002/idm2.12088 from multiple dimensions such as volume change, band gap, formation energy, elasticity and anisotropy. The Cr or Fe doped LiNiPO₄ are considered to have leading performance and can be used for applicable high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

Infiltrating phase change materials (PCMs) into nanoporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is accepted as a cutting-edge thermal energy storage concept. However, weak photon capture capability of pristine MOF-based composite PCMs is a stumbling block in solar energy utilization. Towards this goal, we prepared advanced high-performance pristine MOF-based photothermal composite PCMs by simultaneously integrating photon absorber guest (polypyrrole [PPy]) and thermal storage guest (1-octadecanol [ODA]) into an MOF host (Cr-MIL-101-NH₂). The coated PPy layer on the surface of ODA@MOF not only serves as a photon harvester, but also serves as a phonon enhancer. Resultantly, ODA@MOF/PPy composite PCMs exhibit intense and broadband light absorption characteristic in the ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared region, and higher heat transfer ability than ODA@MOF. Importantly, the photothermal conversion and storage efficiency of ODA@MOF/PPy-6% is up to 88.3%. Additionally, our developed MOF-based photothermal composite PCMs also exhibit long-standing antileakage stability, energy storage stability, and photothermal conversion stability. The proposed coating strategy and in-depth understanding mechanism are expected to facilitate the development of high-efficiency MOF-based photothermal composite PCMs in solar energy utilization.