Battery Energy最新文献

The uncontrolled dendrite growth and electrolyte consumption in lithium metal batteries result from a heterogeneous and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, a high-voltage forced electrolysis strategy is proposed to stabilize the lithium metal via electrodepositing a spherical protective layer. This peculiar SEI is composed of a nanosized Li sphere that is encased with adjustable composition, as proved by cryo-transmission electron microscopy and multiple surface-sensitive spectroscopies. Such a three-dimensional nanosphere-assembled protective layer has homogeneous components, mechanical strength, and rapid Li-ion conductivity, enabling it to alleviate the volume expansion and prevent dendrite growth during Li deposition. The symmetric cell can be stably operated for ultralong-term cycling time of 2000 and 800 h even at high current densities of 1 and 10 mA cm⁻², respectively. Using this interface permits stable cycling of full cells paired with LiFePO₄ and LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathodes with low negative/positive capacity ratio, high current density, and limited Li excess. This tactic also fosters a novel insight into interface design in the battery community and encourages the practical implementation of lithium metal batteries.

Alloy-type antimony (Sb) is considered as an attractive candidate anode for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical specific capacity and volumetric capacity. However, Sb suffers from enormous volume variation during cycling, which causes electrode cracking and pulverization, and hence the fast capacity decay and poor cyclability, limiting its practical applications as a LIB anode. Herein, we report a facile, scalable, low-cost, and efficient route to successfully fabricate BiSb/C composites via a two-step high-energy mechanical milling (HEMM) process. The as-prepared BiSb/C composites consist of nanosized BiSb totally embedded in a conductive carbon matrix. As LIB anodes, BiSb/C-73 (with 30 wt% carbon) electrodes exhibit excellent Li-storage properties in terms of stable high reversible capacities, long-cycle life, and high-rate performance. Reversible capacities of ∼583, ∼466, ∼433, and ∼425 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 500 mA g⁻¹ after 100, 300, 500, and 1000 cycles, respectively, were achieved. In addition, a high capacity of ∼380 mAh g⁻¹ can still be retained at a high rate of 5 A g⁻¹. Such outstanding cycling stability and rate capability could be mainly attributed to the synergistic effects between the ability of nanosized BiSb particles to withstand electrode fracture during Li insertion/extraction and the buffering effect of the carbon matrix. The as-prepared BiSb/C composites are based on commercially available and low-cost Bi, Sb, and graphite materials. Interestingly, HEMM is a more convenient, efficient, scalable, green, and mass-production route, making as-prepared materials attractive for high-energy LIBs.

Structural batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to address the limitations inherent in conventional battery technologies. They offer the potential to integrate energy storage functionalities into stationary constructions as well as mobile vehicles/planes. The development of multifunctional composites presents an effective avenue to realize the structural plus concept, thereby mitigating inert weight while enhancing energy storage performance beyond the material level, extending to cell- and system-level attributes. Specifically, multifunctional composites within structural batteries can serve the dual roles of functional composite electrodes for charge storage and structural composites for mechanical load-bearing. However, the implementation of these multifunctional composites faces a notable challenge in simultaneously realizing mechanical properties and energy storage performance due to the unstable interfaces. In this review, we first introduce recent research developments pertaining to electrodes, electrolytes, separators, and interface engineering, all tailored to structure plus composites for structure batteries. Then, we summarize the mechanical and electrochemical characterizations in this context. We also discuss the reinforced multifunctional composites for different structures and battery configurations and conclude with a perspective on future opportunities. The knowledge synthesized in this review contributes to the realization of efficient and durable energy storage systems seamlessly integrated into structural components.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in electric vehicles and energy storage industries. An understanding of the reaction processes and degradation mechanism in LIBs is crucial for optimizing their performance. In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a surface-sensitive tool has been applied in the real-time monitoring of the interfacial processes within lithium batteries. Here, we reviewed the recent progress of the application of in situ AFM for battery characterizations, including LIBs, lithium–sulfur batteries, and lithium–oxygen batteries. We summarized advances in the in situ AFM for recording electrode/electrolyte interface, mechanical properties, morphological changes, and surface evolution. Future directions of in situ AFM for the development of lithium batteries were also discussed in this review.

Organic electroactive materials are increasingly recognized as promising cathode materials for aqueous zinc–ion batteries (AZIBs), owing to their structural diversity and renewable nature. Despite this, the electrochemistry of these organic cathodes in AZIBs is still less than optimal, particularly in aspects such as output voltage, cyclability, and rate performance. In this review, we provide an overview of the evolutionary history of organic cathodes in AZIBs and elucidate their charge-storage mechanisms. We then delve into the strategies to overcome the prevailing challenges faced by aqueous Zn−organic batteries, including low achievable capacity and output voltage, poor cycling stability, and rate performance. Design strategies to enhance cell performance include tailoring molecular structure, engineering electrode microstructure, and modulation of electrolyte composition. Finally, we highlight that future research directions should cover performance evaluation under practical conditions and the recycling and reuse of organic electrode materials.

VO₂(B) is considered as a promising anode material for the next-generation sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its accessible raw materials and considerable theoretical capacity. However, the VO₂(B) electrode has inherent defects such as low conductivity and serious volume expansion, which hinder their practical application. Herein, a flower-like VO₂(B)/V₂CT_x (VO@VC) heterojunction was prepared by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method with in situ growth. The flower-like structure composed of thin nanosheets alleviates the volume expansion, as well as the rapid Na⁺ transport pathways are built by the heterojunction structure, resulting in long-term cycling stability and superior rate performance. At a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹, VO@VC anode can maintain a specific capacity of 276 mAh g⁻¹ with an average coulombic efficiency of 98.7% after 100 cycles. Additionally, even at a current density of 2 A g⁻¹, the VO@VC anode still exhibited a capacity of 132.9 mAh g⁻¹ for 1000 cycles. The enhanced reaction kinetics can be attributed to the fast Na⁺ adsorption and storage at interfaces, which has been confirmed by the experimental and theoretical methods. These results demonstrate that the tailored nanoarchitecture design and additional surface engineering are effective strategies for optimizing vanadium-based anode.

Currently, the main drivers for developing Li-ion batteries for efficient energy applications include energy density, cost, calendar life, and safety. The high energy/capacity anodes and cathodes needed for these applications are hindered by challenges like: (1) aging and degradation; (2) improved safety; (3) material costs, and (4) recyclability. The present review begins by summarising the progress made from early Li-metal anode-based batteries to current commercial Li-ion batteries. Then discusses the recent progress made in studying and developing various types of novel materials for both anode and cathode electrodes, as well the various types of electrolytes and separator materials developed specifically for Li-ion battery operation. Battery management, handling, and safety are also discussed at length. Also, as a consequence of the exponential growth in the production of Li-ion batteries over the last 10 years, the review identifies the challenge of dealing with the ever-increasing quantities of spent batteries. The review further identifies the economic value of metals like Co and Ni contained within the batteries and the extremely large numbers of batteries produced to date and the extremely large volumes that are expected to be manufactured in the next 10 years. Thus, highlighting the need to develop effective recycling strategies to reduce the levels of mining for raw materials and prevention of harmful products from entering the environment through landfill disposal.

Owing to the specific merits of low cost, abundant sources, and high physicochemical stability, carbonaceous materials are promising anode candidates for K⁺/Na⁺ storage, whereas their limited specific capacity and unfavorable rate capability remain challenging for future applications. Herein, the sulfur implantation in N-coordinated hard carbon hollow spheres (SN-CHS) has been realized for evoking a surface-driven capacitive process, which greatly improves K⁺/Na⁺ storage performance. Specifically, the SN-CHS electrodes deliver a high specific capacity of 480.5/460.9 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹, preferred rate performance of 316.8/237.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹, and high-rate cycling stability of 87.9%/87.2% capacity retention after 2500/1500 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹ for K⁺/Na⁺ storage, respectively. The underlying ion storage mechanisms are studied by systematical experimental data combined with theoretical simulation results, where the multiple active sites, improved electronic conductivity, and fast ion absorption/diffusion kinetics are major contributors. More importantly, the potassium ion hybrid capacitor consisting of SN-CHS anode and activated carbon cathode deliver an outstanding energy/power density (189.8 Wh kg⁻¹ at 213.5 W kg⁻¹ and 9495 W kg⁻¹ with 53.9 Wh kg⁻¹ retained) and remarkable cycling stability. This contribution not only flourishes the prospective synthesis strategies for advanced hard carbons but also facilitates the upgrading of next-generation stationary power applications.

Back Cover: In article number BTE2.20230017, Dong-Wan Kim and co-workers provided cover image implicitly represents the three essential elements (high activity, excellent stability, and low cost) to be pursued in the development of acidic OER catalysts. For the commercialization of water electrolysis, not only balanced development of activity and stability but also, researching cost-effective catalytic materials is crucial.