Batteries & Supercaps最新文献

The development of efficient and cost-effective grid energy storage devices is crucial for advancing the future of renewable energy. Semi-solid flow batteries, as an emerging energy storage technology, offer significantly higher energy density and lower costs compared to traditional liquid flow batteries. However, the complex interplay between rheology and electrochemistry poses challenges for in-depth investigation. With a sketch of historical development of semi-solid flow batteries, this minireview summarizes several key issues, including particle interactions, electron transport, and the sustainability of electrochemical reactions in slurry electrodes. By tracing the technological evolution of semi-solid flow batteries, we provide a forward-looking perspective on their potential applications in future large-scale energy storage systems, highlighting their promising role in addressing the challenges of energy transition.

Modern electronic devices necessitate the utilization of compact, wearable, and flexible substrates capable of simultaneously harvesting and storing energy by merging traditional energy harvesting techniques with storage mechanisms into a singular portable device. Here, we present the fabrication of a low-cost, sustainable, all-solid-state, self-powered flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (SPASC) device. This device features MOF-derived nickel-copper double hydroxide nanosheets coated stainless steel (SS) fabric sheet (NCDH@SS) as the positive electrode, while manganese dioxide decorated activated porous carbon on SS fabric sheet (MnO₂-APC@SS) acts as the negative electrode. The electrodes are isolated by a PVA-KOH gel electrolyte, while onion scale, a bio-piezoelectric separator, ensures effective separation. The self-charging ability of the device is demonstrated through mechanical deformation induced by finger imparting. This rectification-free SPASC device exhibits remarkable performance, achieving a charge up to ∼235.41 mV from the preliminary open circuit voltage of ∼20.89 mV within 180 s under ∼16.25 N of applied compressive force (charged up to ∼214.52 mV). Furthermore, three SPASC devices connected in series can power up various portable electronic devices like wristwatches, calculators, and LEDs upon frequent imparting. Our work thus demonstrates an innovative and advanced approach towards the development of sustainable, flexible, and advanced self-powered electronics.

The Cover Feature shows a stack of membraneless micro redox flow batteries (μRFB) with details of the single unit of the stack, the vanadium and organic chemistry involved in the operation of the membraneless μRFB as described by D. Perez-Antolin, A. E. Quintero and co-workers in their Research Article (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400331), as well as the challenge posited for the control of the miscible interface, and the design of the micro reactor for the single unit.

The Cover Feature illustrates the applications and potential of aqueous aluminum-ion batteries. The vibrant colors and dynamic composition aim to capture the essence of energy storage and the future prospects of this technology. More information can be found in the Review by X. Yuan, Y. Wu and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400263).

The Cover Feature illustrates atomic layer deposition of an Mn−Fe oxide catalyst that coats carbon particles in the air electrode of a Zn–air battery. This catalyst enhances the efficiency and stability of Zn–air batteries, so that they can be used for energy storage for intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. More information can be found in the Research Article by D. G. Ivey and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400133).

The Front Cover shows how the sluggish (de)intercalation of Mg²⁺ in MoS₂ cathode materials was overcome by using Mg²⁺/Li⁺ dual-salt electrolytes. The simultaneous insertion of Mg²⁺ and Li⁺ ions notably boosted the electrochemical performance of MoS₂ in rechargeable magnesium batteries allowing the cell to achieve a remarkable initial specific capacity of 100 mAh g⁻¹, almost three times higher than the specific capacity of MoS₂ in Mg single-salt electrolytes. More information can be found in the Research Article by O. Falyouna, T. Mandai and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400231).

This work focuses on the combination of two strategies to improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries: The use of a glyoxylic-acetal, 1,1,2,2-tetraethoxyethane, in the solvent blend to reduce the flammability of the liquid electrolyte and further its confinement inside of a methacrylate-based polymer matrix, to prevent electrolyte leakage from the battery cells. Physicochemical characterizations of this novel gel-polymer electrolyte (GPE) confirm its improved thermal properties and suitable ionic conductivity, as well as electrochemical stability window. Tests in LFP and hard carbon half-cells vs. lithium metal show that the combination of glyoxylic-acetal-based electrolyte and the methacrylate-based polymer matrix can promote lithium-ion intercalation and deintercalation with stable capacity values. The application in lithium-ion battery full cells furthermore shows that the GPE can promote a similar performance compared to the respective liquid electrolyte and can therefore make possible the realization of energy storage devices with improved safety characteristics.

Increasing energy density without sacrificing the lifetime, power and cyclability of electrochemical capacitors is a very important goal. However, most efforts are directed toward the improvement of active charge-storing materials, while the design of devices and minimization of the weight/volume of the passive component have received less attention. We propose here a mathematical model of a carbon supercapacitor in organic electrolyte, which establishes a relationship between the specific capacitance of a device, the thickness of its electrodes, and the weight of its passive components (case, external current leads, current collectors, etc.). The model was built based on experimentally obtained dependences and has been validated using experiments with electrodes made of two porous carbon materials. Regardless of the pore size distribution in the specified range of electrode thicknesses, the functional dependence of the electrode's specific capacitance on the thickness is well described within the linear approximation. The developed model enables optimization of the electrode thickness, thus maximizing specific energy density for a chosen carbon electrode material.

Rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) are gaining interest as next-generation energy storage devices due to their superior theoretical energy density. While recent years have seen successful operation of LOBs with high cell-level energy density, the technology for cell fabrication is still in its infancy. This is because the cell fabrication procedure for LOBs is quite different from that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. The study presents a fully automated sequential robotic experimental setup for the fabrication of stacked-type LOB cells. This approach allows for high accuracy and high throughput fabrication of the cells. The developed system enables the fabrication of over 80 cells per day, which is 10 times higher than conventional human-based experiments. In addition, the high alignment accuracy during the electrode stacking and electrolyte injection process results in improved battery performance and reproducibility. The effectiveness of the developed system was also confirmed by investigating a multi-component electrolyte to maximize battery performance. We believe the methodology demonstrated in the present study is beneficial for accelerating the research and development of LOBs.

The Nickel-based layered transition metal oxide cathode represented by NCM (LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂, x+y+z=1) and NCA (LiNi_xCo_yAl_zO₂, x+y+z=1) is widely used in the electric vehicle market due to its specific capacity and high working potential, in which Cobalt (Co) plays a huge role in improving the structural stability during the cycle. However, the limited supply of Co, due to its scarcity and the influence of geopolitics, poses a significant constraint on the further advancement of the Nickel-based layered transition metal oxide cathode in the field of energy storage. In this paper, the mechanism of Co in the Nickel-based layered transition metal oxides is reviewed, including its critical role for structural stability such as the inhibition of cationic mixing and the release of lattice oxygen et al. Subsequently, it outlines various strategies to enhance the performance of Co-lean/free materials, such as ion doping, including single-ion doping and multi-ion co-doping, and various surface coating strategies, so as to eliminate the adverse effects of Co loss on materials. Ultimately, this paper offers a glimpse into the promising future of Cobalt-free strategies for high performance of Nickel-based layered transition metal oxides.