Batteries & Supercaps最新文献

In stationary storage, thick electrodes can minimize inactive material components to increase energy density and decrease cost, but they face challenges in performance and manufacturability. This work discusses a method to fabricate thick-format lithium-ion electrodes and a model to explore transport constraints for functional thick electrodes. Thick lithium iron phosphate (LFP) electrodes were fabricated using a solvent-free pressing process that adopts methods from alkaline electrode manufacturing for low-cost scale-up. LFP electrodes with thicknesses up to 1 mm and capacities up to ~15 mAh/cm² exhibited good rate performance (~98 % utilization at C/10, ~95 % at C/5, ~76 % at C/2). A physics-based LFP half-cell model was developed to aid in characterizing transport within these thick electrodes, revealing opportunities to further improve performance by decreasing tortuosity.

Along with the continuous optimization of the energy structure, more and more electricity come from intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have the advantage that energy and power can be regulated independently, so they are widely used in large-scale energy storage. Redox active materials are the important components of RFBs, which determine the performance of the battery and the cost of energy storage. Some metal coordination compounds (MCCs) and their derivatives have been considered redox active materials that can replace metal-based redox flow batteries due to their properties such as tunability, high abundance and sustainability. MCCs can provide higher energy density because they are highly soluble both in the initial state and in any charged state during the battery cycling process. MCCs have also attracted a lot of attention from researchers because of their high economic value, low toxicity, and wide availability. This review provides an overview of the recent development of soluble metal coordination compounds, such as Ferrocene, and concludes with an in-depth discussion of the prospects of metal coordination compounds for application in organic redox flow batteries.

Electrode-level fracture, or mud cracking, occurs during the drying process of Li-ion electrodes and is known to be particularly prevalent in thick electrodes. Whilst these cracks are generally viewed as an obstruction to the production of thicker, more energy dense electrodes, cracks are similar in structure to directional pore channels which have been proposed as a means of improving ion transport to produce thicker electrodes more capable of performing at higher rates. However, existing literature has not thoroughly investigated the influence of cracking on the performance of electrodes. Here we analyse the 3D structure of thick cracked electrodes for the first time, using X-ray computed tomography. We show that mud cracking enhances the performance of Li-ion electrodes at discharge rates above 1 C and evaluate the implications on ion transport of different crack geometries by analysis of Euclidian distance maps.

The developments of all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have become promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices. Compared to conventional lithium batteries, ASSLBs possess higher safety, energy density, and stability, which are determined by the nature of the solid electrolyte materials. In particular, various types of solid electrolyte materials have been developed to achieve similar or even superior ionic conductivity to the organic liquid electrolyte at room temperature. Although tremendous efforts have been devoted to the mechanistic understanding of solid electrolyte materials, the unsatisfactory electrochemical and mechanical performances limit the commercialization and practical application of ASSLBs. To further improve their performances, the current developments of different advanced solid electrolytes and their performances are highly significant. In this review, we summarize the comprehensive performance of the common solid electrolytes and their fabrication strategies, including inorganic-based solid electrolytes, solid polymer electrolytes, and composite solid electrolytes. The performances of the ASSLBs constructed by different solid electrolytes have been systematically compared. The practical challenges of ASSLBs will also be summarized in this review. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current developments of solid electrolytes in ASSLBs and discuss the strategies for advanced solid electrolytes to facilitate the future commercialization of ASSLBs.

Organic electrode materials (OEMs) hold significant development potential in the field of batteries and are regarded as excellent complementary materials to resource-limited inorganic electrode materials, which have recently been the subject of extensive research. As research deepens, an increasing number of scholars recognize the influence of weak bond interactions on the properties of OEMs. Generally, weak bond interactions have more pronounced effects on organic materials compared to inorganic ones. Among various weak interactions, hydrogen bonds are particularly noteworthy, having been proven to play crucial roles in adjusting electrode charge distribution, stabilizing crystal structures, and inhibiting cyclic dissolution. The studies of hydrogen bonds in OEMs are therefore of paramount importance for guiding their future development. In this review, we primarily summarize the research progress in hydrogen bond science within OEMs and discuss future research directions and development prospects in this area. Hoping to provide valuable references for the advancement of OEMs.

Rechargeable Zn-air batteries offer the advantages of environmental friendliness, safety, low prices and high energy density, and are highly valued. However, the major challenge faced by rechargeable Zn-air batteries nowadays is the low energy efficiency due to the slow reaction kinetics of electrocatalyst at the air cathode. Bifunctional catalysts are key to the development of Zn-air batteries by improving their overall performance and long-term cycling stability. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have shown great benefits as oxygen electrocatalysts in promoting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This paper reviews the recent advances of three kinds of MOF materials as bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries. Additionally, this paper also discusses the synthetic design strategy of MOF composite derivatives, and concludes by suggesting the application of MOF materials in the field of rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

Composite solid-state electrolytes (CSEs) combining the advantages of polymer and ceramic electrolytes, are regarded as highly promising candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs). However, selecting appropriate polymer and ceramic materials, along with an effective combination method, is crucial in determining the performance of CSEs. To address the challenges of lithium dendrite inhibition and compatibility with cathodes simultaneously, herein, we have constructed a bilayer CSE based on poly(vinylidene fluoride)-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP). Al/Nb co-doped Li_6.25Al_0.25La₃Zr_1.75Nb_0.25O₁₂ (LALZNO) nanofibers prepared by an electrostatic spinning technique, are incorporated as fillers to create high-throughput Li⁺ transport pathways and enhance the overall performance of the CSE. Furthermore, polypropylene carbonate is introduced on the anode side of the CSE to enhance the wettability of lithium metal/CSE interface, thus improving the stability of lithium upon cycling. On the cathode side, succinonitrile is added to inhibit the crystallization of PVDF-HFP and facilitate the fast Li⁺ transport. Consequently, the Li||Li cells demonstrate stable plating-stripping performance at 0.1 mA cm⁻² for >520 h. In addition, the Li||LiFePO₄ full cells show improved cycling and rate performance. This work validates the effectiveness of developing bilayer CSEs and showcases their potential application in SSLMBs.

Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are an alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly in applications where cost, availability, and sustainability are more critical. Hard carbon is emerging as a promising anode material for NIBs, however, the scale up remains in developmental stages. In this study, we focus on the development and potential upscaling of sustainable hard carbon materials as anodes for NIBs. The synthesis of hard carbon starts from D-glucose, a scalable and environmentally benign precursor. A facile process combining hydrothermal carbonisation and subsequent pyrolysis at 1500 °C allows the hard carbon to become an industrially viable material. The resulting hard carbon demonstrates competitive performance metrics including a high initial Coulombic efficiency, high reversible capacity, long-term cycling stability, and rate capability. This study concludes with a discussion of the techno-economic analysis of adopting such sustainable materials in the battery industry, highlighting the potential for significant advancements in energy storage technologies.

The pursuit of high-energy lithium-ion cells has led to an increase in the fraction of nickel in the LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂ (NMC, with x+y+z=1) layered oxide, a state-of-the-art cathode material in electric vehicles. NMC is usually processed using organic solvents that are non-sustainable. Nevertheless, increasing the Ni fraction entails a decrease in the electrode stability and the processability of this material in water. In this work, high-nickel NMC materials have been subjected to water processing. In an initial stage, water sensitivity of the materials has been studied. Then, the formulation has been adapted to enhance the NMC fraction without penalizations in the electrochemical performance and compared to an organic solvent-based formulation. The recipe developed, consisting of 93 % of NMC, has been successfully upscaled to a semi-industrial coating line. The pH buffering has been observed as a critical step to mitigate lithium leaching and implement this process in an industrial environment. The obtained electrodes have been tested in single-layer pouch cells using silicon-based negative electrodes, also processable in water-based slurries. The resulting cells provide limited cycling life due to the low cyclability of the negative electrode but evidence that it is industrially viable to manufacture high-energy cells consisting only of water-processed electrodes.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs), particularly those utilizing sodium metal, are emerging as a promising technology due to their potential for enhanced safety, higher energy density, and longer cycle life. NASICON (Na superionic conductor) materials, known for their robust crystalline structure and high ionic conductivity, are pivotal in the development of efficient sodium all-solid-state batteries. These materials exhibit high room-temperature ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, making them ideal for various applications. Research has focused on improving NASICON's ionic conductivity and stability through doping, interface regulation, and composite anode design. Recent advancements include Ti-doped Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ (Ti-NZSP), which demonstrates improved surface stability, higher ionic conductivity, and increased critical current density. However, challenges such as Na dendrite formation and mechanical integrity under operational conditions persist. Advanced imaging techniques like operando synchrotron X-ray tomography have provided insights into failure mechanisms, revealing that pore-filling and dendrite growth are significant issues. Understanding these processes is essential for enhancing the performance and safety of Na-based SSBs. This study underscores the need for continued research to address these challenges and develop reliable, high-performance solid-state electrolytes for future energy storage solutions.