Batteries & Supercaps最新文献

The Front Cover illustrates entropy coefficient estimation from the charge/discharge data of large-format (100 Ah) lithium-ion prismatic cell at various current densities and temperatures using empirical and data-driven methods. The method accelerates the estimation of entropy coefficients of batteries, resulting in the improvement of the predictability of physics-based electrochemical models at high current densities where reversible heat generation due to entropy is significant. More information can be found in the Research Article by W. A. Appiah and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500533).

Metal selenides are attractive anode candidates for sodium-ion batteries due to their superior theoretical capacity and weak metal–Se bonds. However, their practical deployment is hampered by sluggish kinetics and severe volume expansion during cycling. Herein, strongly bonded InSe motifs are integrated into the Cu_2−xSe lattice to form CuInSe₂, which synergistically enhances sodium storage kinetics and durability. During the conversion reaction, the InSe motifs evolve into intercalative In₆Se₇ framework, converting sluggish bonding breaking/reforming behavior into rapid ion insertion/extraction. Additionally, this framework provides a robust space-confinement and conductive platform, ensuring high reversibility and fast kinetics of the redox reactions. The well-designed CuInSe₂/N-doped carbon nanofibers composite demonstrates superior cycling stability of 84.8% capacity retention after 5000 cycles and decent rate performance of 234.3 mAh⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹. Even at −20 °C, it exhibits fast-charging performance at 2 A g⁻¹ and durability over 900 cycles. The in situ incorporation of a multifunctional framework offers a new solution for developing advanced conversion-based anode materials.

The Front Cover shows that organic molecules that are mostly made from fossils over long time form framework-like blocks; they can work as electric pools through electron and ion transport. More information can be found in the Research Article by K. Wakamatsu, H. Yoshikawa and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500524).

Aqueous zinc batteries are promising candidates for safe, low-cost energy storage, yet their practical deployment is limited by dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and poor interfacial stability. Here, we report a polar-covalent metal–organic hybrid coating, termed Zincone–PC, that stabilizes Zn metal anodes by combining hydrolytic durability with directional ion transport. The Zincone–PC, synthesized via molecular layer deposition, consists of vertically aligned (–Zn–S–hydroquinone–O–)_n chains, where polar ZnS bonds provide water resistance and facilitate Zn²⁺ conduction through an ionic hopping mechanism. Spectroscopic and structural analyses confirm strong vertical ordering and chemical integrity in aqueous media. Zincone–PC enables stable Zn plating/stripping over 550 cycles at 1 mA cm⁻² with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. In full cells, it delivers 86% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 0.5 C and maintains 19% at 2 C, demonstrating excellent long-term stability and rate capability. This work establishes a molecularly engineered strategy for interfacial stabilization in high-rate, long-life aqueous Zn batteries.

The Cover Feature shows how supercapacitors can achieve a balance between batteries and capacitors. Having a higher energy density than capacitors and power density than batteries, super capacitors occupy a unique position between the two. Two-dimensional materials like MXene play a seminal role in improving the energy density of flexible supercapacitors, which can be used to power wearable devices. More information can be found in the Research Article by A. A. Sukumaran and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500389).

Large format lithium-ion cell operations are nonisothermal and require an additional entropy term to the open-circuit potential expression in physics-based electrochemical models to accurately predict and optimize cell designs for a given application. However, the experimental estimation of entropy coefficient via potentiometric and colorimetric methods is time-consuming and expensive. A fast method based on parameter optimization of empirical expressions and data-driven approaches is presented to accelerate the estimation of the entropy coefficient term. This involves the use of (dis) charge and hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) data from a 100 Ah prismatic cell comprising lithium iron phosphate and graphite electrodes to determine the entropy coefficient via least-squares method. The estimated entropy coefficient is implemented in the Doyle–Fuller–Newman model to predict the voltage profiles at different temperatures and validated against experiments. Complex empirical functions and data-driven estimated entropy from the HPPC data give the best model predictions, especially at low temperatures.

The Cover Feature depicts a polymeric coating applied directly onto metallic lithium. This protective layer promotes the formation of a stable interface with solid polymer electrolyte, while preventing side reactions with the plasticizer. The approach provides a straightforward and scalable strategy for enabling safer and more efficient next-generation lithium metal batteries. More information can be found in the Research Article by S. Drvarič Talian and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500402).

The Front Cover depicts the structural degradation of commercial 18650-type lithium-ion battery cathodes that occurs at elevated temperatures. It illustrates the transition path from a well-ordered layered structure (shown in blue) to a spinel intermediate (represented in green), and finally to a rock salt phase (indicated in red). The colour gradient highlights how phase evolution occurs under thermal stress, emphasising the critical role temperature plays in driving structural instability and performance loss in modern Li-ion batteries. More information can be found in the Research Article by A. Senyshyn and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500421).

One of the not so well understood aspects of vanadium redox flow battery cells is the capacity fade that happens during continuous charge–discharge cycles. While several modeling and experimental studies have been reported, reliable data are not available in the open literature. In the present work, long-duration charge–discharge cycling studies are reported in cells of industrial size having an electrode area of about 400 and 1800 cm². The continuous current and cell voltage measurements have been supplemented by periodic measurement of concentration of the electro-active vanadium ions in the positive and the negative electrolytes. The weight of the electrolyte tanks and the open circuit voltage of the cell have also been monitored. The mutual self-consistency of these data has been verified by post-test analyses. Data from over thirteen different cases spanning a range of current densities and electrolyte circulation rates show that the capacity fade is about (0.15 ± 0.05)% per cycle. In all cases, an asymptotic capacity fade pattern is established in which the concentration of V(V) increased and V(IV) decreased steadily on the positive side, and that of V(III) decreased steadily but slightly on the negative side.

A rational structural design is an effective way to enhance the sodium storage cycle stability and reaction kinetics of metal phosphides. Therefore, nitrogen-doped carbon-coated CoP nanosheets are obtained by a facile solvothermal method coupled with a polydopamine coating and phosphorization strategy. Combining the advantages of the nitrogen-doped carbon layer and the nanosheet structure, the pseudocapacitance contribution and reaction kinetics of CoP@NC are significantly enhanced compared to pure phase CoP, as evidenced by electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry and GITT. Based on this, CoP@NC exhibits excellent cycling stability and rate performance. A specific capacity of 169 mAh g⁻¹ can be maintained after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹, corresponding to a capacity drop of only 0.2% per cycle. In addition, the CoP@NC electrode can deliver the discharge capacities of up to 303,3 and 106.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 and 2 A g⁻¹, respectively. These excellent properties demonstrate that CoP@NC is a promising anode material for sodium storage.