Batteries & Supercaps最新文献

The Front Cover illustrates the advantages in the supercapacitive behaviour of cobalt-layered hydroxides achieved through 3D structuring and halide substitution. The 3D flower-like morphology of α-Co hydroxyhalides significantly enhances their electrochemical performance compared to the hexagonal structure. By substituting chloride with iodide, the capacitive behaviour is further improved by over 40 %, thereby showcasing the critical role of halides in modulating electronic properties. This achievement makes these materials promising candidates for energy storage. More information can be found in the Research Article by V. Oestreicher, G. Abellán and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400335).

The Cover Feature illustrates the stable performance of a PVA-based quasi-solid polymer electrolyte. The fast lithium ion movement through the inter- and intra-crystalline pores of the zeolitic pathway enables stable lithium ion flux at the solid electrolyte interface, thus allowing the system to operate even at a high current density of 100 mA cm⁻² without dendrite formation. More information can be found in the Research Article by H. Annal Therese and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400299).

The Cover Feature shows catalytic oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution (OER) taking place in a liquid zinc–air battery system with the transfer of electrons and conversion between O₂ and OH⁻. The morphologies of the basic types of MOF catalysts for rechargeable zinc–air batteries are illustrated. Their porous structure and tunable chemical composition seem to be the main advantages for their use as electrocatalysts. Carbon-based materials derived from the MOF act as sacrificial templates with high activity, electrical conductivity and stability. In their Review (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400402), Z. Sun and co-workers present three kinds of metal–organic skeleton bifunctional catalysts (pristine MOFs, MOF derivatives and composite derivatives) and show how they offer new possibilities for replacing noble metal catalysts.

For the battery industry, quick determination of the ageing behaviour of lithium-ion batteries is important both for the evaluation of existing designs as well as for R&D on future technologies. However, the target battery lifetime is 8–10 years, which implies low ageing rates that lead to an unacceptably long ageing test duration under real operation conditions. Therefore, ageing characterisation tests need to be accelerated to obtain ageing patterns in a period ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Known strategies, such as increasing the severity of stress factors, for example, temperature, current, and taking measurements with particularly high precision, need care in application to achieve meaningful results. We observe that this challenge does not receive enough attention in typical ageing studies. Therefore, this review introduces the definition and challenge of accelerated ageing along existing methods to accelerate the characterisation of battery ageing and lifetime modelling. We systematically discuss approaches along the existing literature. In this context, several test conditions and feasible acceleration strategies are highlighted, and the underlying modelling and statistical perspective is provided. This makes the review valuable for all who set up ageing tests, interpret ageing data, or rely on ageing data to predict battery lifetime.

The practical realization of Nickel-rich layered oxide cathode materials such as LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (NMC811) is hampered by several structural and interfacial instabilities over prolonged cycling. Several reports have proposed surface passivation via an artificial cathode electrolyte interphase (ACEI) as a promising method for mitigating the parasitic reactions affecting NMC811 while simultaneously improving its electrochemical performance over prolonged cycling. Herein, we report an in-house designed (tBuMe₂Si)₂Zn single source precursor for developing Si_xZn_yO_z ternary CEI thin films on NMC811 via molecular layer deposition (MLD) in combination with O₃ or H₂O as oxidizing agent. We demonstrate that the single precursor (tBuMe₂Si)₂Zn avoids the need for two different precursors (Si & Zn). In-depth spectroscopic studies reveal the mechanism of the formation of organosiloxane/zinc-oxide composite thin film, via intermediates of unprecedented organo-silicon-zinc compounds. Understanding the reaction mechanism paved the path for a successful deposition of ACEI on NMC811. Rate capability studies shows the ACEI protected cathodes exhibit higher discharge capacity at 4 C than pristine NMC811. Furthermore, studies on full cells with graphite anode were conducted to evaluate the practical viability of Si_xZn_yO_z ACEI thin films on NMC811. After prolonged cycling the ACEI-coated NMC811 full cells significantly improved the electrochemical performance than pristine NMC811 by ~12%.

The utilization of tetraethylammonium perfluorobutane sulfonate as a promising alternative salt for electrolyte solutions in electrochemical double layer capacitors is introduced in this study. A thorough analysis of the physical and electrochemical characteristics of tetraethylammonium perfluorobutane sulfonate was conducted, including the assessment of its ionic conductivity, viscosity, and thermal behavior, using a 1 M solution in acetonitrile. Comparative assessments were made between the performance of this novel electrolyte and two well-studied electrolytes: 1 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate and 1 M tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in acetonitrile, focusing on electrochemical performance and long-term stability. Furthermore, an investigation into the impact of tetraethylammonium perfluorobutane sulfonate on the anodic dissolution of aluminum current collectors was conducted. The results highlight the potential of tetraethylammonium perfluorobutane sulfonate as an effective replacement for bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide-based electrolytes.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), lauded for their low cost, eco-friendliness, and high safety, have garnered significant attention. However, their commercial viability is hindered by the challenges of dendrite growth and side reactions during the Zn²⁺ reduction reaction process. Electrolyte as the indispensable component of batteries has a close relationship with the issues mentioned above. With the feature of simplicity, effectiveness, and scalability, regulating electrolytes is a particularly promising, feasible, and straightforward approach to stabilizing the Zn anode. The solvation design with less solvated water, interface optimization with water-poor and pH-stable interface, and kinetics regulation with fast Zn²⁺ transport, uniform Zn²⁺ flux, and orientational Zn growth can contribute to uniform Zn deposition with restrained corrosion. This review encapsulates the cutting-edge advancements in electrolytes to stabilize the Zn anode. The mechanisms underlying these advancements, encompassing solvation structure design, Zn-electrolyte interface optimization, and kinetics regulation are elucidated. Finally, this paper outlines current challenges and prospects in electrolyte development for ZIBs, providing valuable insights for future endeavors in this field.

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Prof. Masaaki Hirayama. The front cover shows the migration of electrons and lithium-ions along three-dimensional conductive pathways originated from the microstructure in the composite cathode. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/batt.202300261.

The Cover Feature shows the particle-size specific ageing in lithium-ion batteries and its detection with nonlinear and linear frequency response analysis methods. More information can be found in the Research Article by U. Krewer and co-workers.

The Front Cover shows the migration of electrons and lithium-ions along the three-dimensional conductive pathways originated from the microstructure control in the composite cathode. More information can be found in the Research Article by M. Hirayama and co-workers.