Batteries & Supercaps最新文献

The Cover Feature showcases a practical organic electrode material comprising zinc porphyrin and ferrocene in a single molecule. Its sodium battery exposed a durably reversible 118 mA h g⁻¹ capacity at 200 mA g⁻¹, thereby demonstrating superior rapid electrochemical charge-storage capacity and stable cycling performances than its parallel free base and nickel porphyrin electrodes. More information can be found in the Research Article by J. Hwang, J.-Y. Shin and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202400004).

The Front Cover shows how alumina coating deposited on NMC cathode particles by using innovative RF-magnetron sputtering enhances electrochemical performance structural and thermal stability. The alumina-coated NMC skier performs much better than uncoated samples in the race for long-term charge/discharge cycling stability and capacity retention due to effective protection of active material from direct contact with electrolyte and mitigating parasitic side reactions. Moreover, the coated sample showed better structural stability and safety properties. More information can be found in the Research Article by M. Börner and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/batt.202300580).

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Markus Börner at MEET Battery Research Center from the University of Münster. The cover picture depicts skiers (NMC active material) competing in a skiing race (electrochemical stability). RF-magnetron-based homogenously coated NMC outperformed inhomogeneously coated and uncoated ones due to better protection. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/batt.202300580

Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in all walks of life and play a very important role. As complex systems composed of multiple materials with diverse chemical compositions, where different electrochemical reactions take place, battery interfaces are essential for determining the operation, performance, durability and safety of the battery. This work, set out to study the incorporation of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (LiFSI) doped 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIm][TFSI]) ionic liquid into an archetype Ti-based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) ((Ti) MIL125−NH₂) to create a solid to quasi-solid (depending on the amount of IL in the system), and how it affects not only ionic transport but also the structural properties of the IL/MOF electrolyte. Remarkably high ionic conductivity values (2.13×10⁻³ S ⋅ cm⁻¹ at room temperature) as well as a lithium transference number (t_Li=0.58) were achieved, supported by pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR experiments. Electrochemical characterization revealed reversible plating-stripping of lithium and lower overpotential after 750 h at 50 °C. Additionally, a proof-of-concept solid state battery was fabricated resulting in a discharge capacity of 160 mAh ⋅ g⁻¹ at 50 °C and 0.1 C rate after 50 cycles. This work presents a suitable strategy to dendrite suppression capability, allowing its implementation as interface modifiers in next-generation solid-state batteries.

Here, we demonstrate the electrochemical intercalation of Ca²⁺ ions within the lattice of anatase nanotubes (a-NTs) synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of TiO₂/NaOH precursors followed by Na⁺/H⁺ ion exchange and H₂O-loss at high temperature in air. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy confirm the formation of nanosized anatase, whereas transmission electron microscopy highlights the formation of nanotubular morphologies with an average diameter of 10 nm. TiO₂ electrodes are able to deliver reversible specific capacities in aprotic batteries vs. calcium metal or in hybrid configurations vs. capacitive activated carbon using aprotic electrolytes (i. e., Ca(BH₄)₂ in tetrahydrofuran or Ca(TFSI)₂ in dimethoxyethane, respectively). The electrochemical intercalation of Ca²⁺ ions into the anatase lattice is confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in close comparison with Na⁺ and Li⁺ intercalations. Ca²⁺ incorporation leads to the partial amorphization of the TiO₂ lattice despite the limited Ca/Ti ratio (i. e., 0.09) obtained in discharge. The analysis of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure region allows the determination of the local structure of the incorporated Ca²⁺ ions and confirms that a disordered environment is obtained after the electrochemical reaction.

Magnesium rechargeable batteries (RMBs) are a promising alternative to lithium-based ones. However, a major challenge in their advance concerns the development of aprotic electrolytes from which magnesium can be electrodeposited with high efficiency and without the formation of dendrites. Of note, the mechanism of the magnesium electrodeposition from aprotic electrolytes remains largely unexplored. In this study, we propose a combined experimental and theoretical approach based on the Scharifker-Hills (S−H) mathematical model for the potentiostatic transients to analyse the nucleation and growth of magnesium during electrodeposition in order to shed light on the nucleation process and increase battery safety and cycle lifetime. The model is used to investigate the electrodeposition of magnesium from a Magnesocene (MgCp₂)-based electrolyte onto metal current substrates such as copper, nickel, aluminium and stainless steel.

Anode-free and anode-less lithium (Li) metal batteries provide cell safety and afford maximum energy density. However, their practical applications are hampered by poor cycling performances. In this study, a composite of LiC₆ phase in highly reduced graphene (HrGO, LC-HrGO) is proposed as a current collector for Li metal plating. LC-HrGO provided homogenous plating sites and favorable conductivity, which facilitated Li metal plating with reduced nucleation barrier. The LiC₆ in composite is not easily delithiated, and the HrGO is not easily lithiated. The obtained anode-free batteries based on the LC-HrGO current collector showed a capacity retention of 60 % after 100 cycles, and the corresponding anode-less batteries indicated a stable specific capacity of 134.5 mAh g⁻¹ after 250 cycles and a remarkable rate capacity of 130.1 mA h g⁻¹ at 5 C. The work provides valuable concepts for fabricating promising current collectors towards Li metal batteries and beyond for high-level services.

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are one of many energy storage technologies that can help integrate renewable energy into the power grid. A key developmental goal for ZABs is replacing the precious metal catalysts at the air electrode with more abundant and inexpensive materials. In this work, a MnFe_xO_y bifunctional catalyst is directly deposited on a ZAB air electrode using atomic layer deposition (ALD). With ALD, the atomic composition of the air electrode coating can be finely tuned based on catalytic activity. Characterization through electron microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction techniques indicate that the novel ALD film deposits as a nanocrystalline (Mn,Fe)₃O₄ cubic spinel. The mixed oxide catalyst outperforms its individual binary MnO_x or FeO_x constituents, operating at 52.5 % bifunctional efficiency at 20 mA cm⁻². Moreover, the long term stability of the ALD catalyst is showcased by 600 h (1565 cycles) of ZAB cycling at 10 mA cm⁻². The efficiency retention of the bifunctional transition metal oxide catalyst is superior to a precious metal benchmark of Pt−Ru−C, with 84.7 % efficiency retention after more than 1500 cycles versus only 66.2 % retention for the precious metal catalyst. The ALD technique enables deep penetration of catalyst material into the air electrode structure, improving the cycling behaviour.

In order to realize the growing demand for superior energy storage devices and electric vehicles, commercial anode candidates for next-generation rechargeable batteries need to meet the characteristics of low cost, high energy density, high capacity, and stable performance. The emerging tin-based anodes show great potential for high performance metal-ion battery anodes due to their high theoretical capacity, low cost, green harmless and high safety. Tin based anode materials include tin gold based materials, tin alloy materials, tin based oxides, tin based phosphide, tin based sulfides, multi-component composite materials, etc. However, the change in volume and structure of tin-based anode materials during the cycle has become the biggest obstacle to its development. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide a wide range of possibilities for achieving high rate capacity and excellent cycle stability by finely regulating the structure and composition of tin-based materials at the molecular level. The latest progress of tin-based materials derived from MOFs as anode materials for metal-ion batteries (including lithium ion batteries, sodium ion batteries, potassium ion batteries, magnesium ion batteries) was reviewed in this paper. Firstly, the preparation method and morphology control of tin-based MOF are briefly introduced, and the structural characteristics, storage mechanism and modification of tin-based MOF derived materials are emphatically discussed. Finally, we summarized the existing modification measures and challenges of these anode materials, and put forward the prospect of the future.

Solid-state lithium-metal batteries are considered as one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices with high energy density and enhanced safety. Great efforts have been made to design solid-state electrolytes with enhanced ionic conductivity and to protect the electrochemical interface of the lithium anode. However, the obstruction of ionic-electronic transport within the cathode remains as another key challenge that needs to be addressed for the practical application of solid-state batteries. Here, we prepared organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) by in-situ co-polymerization of three organic monomers (boron-type crosslinker, ionic liquid, and sulfolene) in the network of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4-styrenesulfonate). The as-prepared OMIECs show an electronic conductivity up to 33.6 S cm⁻¹ and ionic conductivity of 1.7×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 30 °C, and also binder functionality, providing a combined path for Li⁺/e⁻ transport in cathodes and maintaining mechanical/(electro−)chemical stability. As a result, solid-state cathodes composed of 90.0 wt % active materials and only 10.0 wt % OMIECs display exceptional electrochemical characteristics at 30 °C, including high C-rate capabilities and prolonged cycle life. This novel design of all-in-one OMIECs for carbon-free cathodes demonstrates a promising strategy for developing multifunctional additives for high-performance solid-state batteries.