Enabling structural and interfacial stability of 5 V spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode by a coherent interface

Spinel LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4)(LNMO),a 5 V class high voltage cathode,has been regarded as an attractive candidate to further improve the energy density of lithium-ion battery.The issue simultaneously enabling side stability and maintaining high interfacial kinetics,however,has not yet been resolved.Herein,we design a coherent Li_(1.3)A_(l0.3)Ti_(1.7)(PO)_(4)(LATP)layer that is crystally connected to the spinel LNMO host lattices,which offers fast lithium ions transportation as well as enhances the mechanical stability that prevents the particle fracture.Furthermore,the inactive Li_(3)BO_(3)(LBO)coating layer inhibits the corrosion of transition metals and continuous side reactions.Consequently,the coherent-engineered LNMO-LATPLBO cathode material exhibits superior electrochemical cycling stability in a window of 3.0–5.0 V,for example a high-capacity retention that is 89.7%after 500 cycles at 200 m A g-1obtained and enhanced rate performance(85.1 m A h g^(-1)at 800 m A g^(-1))when tested with a LiPF6-based carbonate electrolyte.Our work presents a new approach of engineering 5 V class spinel oxide cathode that combines interfacial coherent crystal lattice design and surface coating.

Optimizing the electrolyte salt of aqueous zinc-ion batteries based on a high-performance calcium vanadate hydrate cathode material

It is urgent to develop high-performance cathode materials for the emerging aqueous zinc-ion batteries with a facile strategy and optimize the related components.Herein,a Ca0.23V2O5·0.95 H2O nanobelt cathode material with a rather large interlayer spacing of 13.0 A is prepared via a one-step hydrothermal approach.The battery with this cathode material and 3 M Zn(CF3SO3)2 electrolyte displays high specific capacity(355.2 mAh g^(-1) at 0.2 A g^(-1)),great rate capability(240.8 mAh g^(-1) at 5 A g^(-1)),and excellent cyclability(97.7% capacity retention over 2000 cycles).Such superior performances are ascribed to fast electrochemical kinetics,outstanding electrode/electrolyte interface stability,and nearly dendrite-free characteristic.Instead,when ZnSO4 or Zn(ClO4)2 is used to replace Zn(CF3SO3)2,the electrochemical performances become much inferior,due to the slow electrochemical kinetics,inhomogeneous Zn stripping/plating process,and the formation of large dendrites and byproducts.This work not only discloses a high-performance cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries but also offers a reference for the choice of electrolyte salt.

Interfacial nitrogen engineering of robust silicon/MXene anode toward high energy solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Replacing the conventional carbonate electrolyte by solid-state electrolyte (SSE) will offer improved safety for lithium-ion batteries.To further improve the energy density,Silicon (Si) is attractive for next generation solid-state battery (SSB) because of its high specific capacity and low cost.High energy density and safe Si-based SSB,however,is plagued by large volume change that leads to poor mechanical stability and slow lithium ions transportation at the multiple interfaces between Si and SSE.Herein,we designed a self-integrated and monolithic Si/two dimensional layered T_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MXene,T_(x) stands for terminal functional groups) electrode architecture with interfacial nitrogen engineering.During a heat treatment process,the polyacrylonitrile not only converts into amorphous carbon (a-C) that shells Si but also forms robust interfacial nitrogen chemical bonds that anchors Si and MXene.During repeated lithiation and delithiation processes,the robust interfacial engineered Si/MXene configuration enhances the mechanical adhesion between Si and MXene that improves the structure stability but also contributes to form stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI).In addition,the N-MXene provides fast lithium ions transportation pathways.Consequently,the Si/MXene with interfacial nitrogen engineering (denoted as Si-N-MXene) deliveres high-rate performance with a specific capacity of 1498 m Ah g^(-1) at a high current of 6.4 A g^(-1).A Si-N-MXene/NMC full cell exhibited a capacity retention of 80.5%after 200 cycles.The Si-N-MXene electrode is also applied to SSB and shows a relative stable cycling over 100 cycles,demonstrating the versatility of this concept.

Artificial solid electrolyte interface layer based on sodium titanate hollow microspheres assembled by nanotubes to stabilize zinc metal electrodes

Recently,aqueous zinc-ion batteries with intrinsic safety,low cost,and environmental benignity have attracted tremendous research interest.However,zinc dendrites,harmful side reactions,and zinc metal corrosion stand in the way.Herein,we use lepidocrocite-type sodium titanate hollow microspheres assembled by nanotubes to constitute an artificial solid electrolyte interface layer on the zinc metal electrode.Thanks to the hierarchical structure with abundant open voids,negative-charged layered framework,low hydrophilicity,electrically insulting nature,and large ionic conductivity,the sodium titanate coating layer can effectively homogenize the electric field,promote the Zn^(2+)ion transfer,guide the Zn^(2+)ion flux,reduce the desolvation barrier,improve the exchange current density,and accommodate the plated zinc metal.Consequently,this coating layer can effectively suppress zinc dendrites and other unfavorable effects.With this coating layer,the Zn//Zn symmetric cell is able to provide an impressive cumulative zinc plating capacity of 1375 m Ah cm^(-2) at a current density of 5 m A cm^(-2).This coating layer also contributes to significantly improved electrochemical performances of Zn//MnO_(2) battery and zincion hybrid capacitor.This work offers new insights into the modifications of zinc metal electrodes.

Molten salt synthesis of α-MnO_(2)/Mn_(2)O_(3) nanocomposite as a high-performance cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Thanks to low cost,high safety,and large energy density,aqueous zinc-ion batteries have attracted tremendous interest worldwide.However,it remains a challenge to develop high-performance cathode materials with an appropriate method that is easy to realize massive production.Herein,we use a molten salt method to synthesize nanostructured manganese oxides.The crystalline phases of the manganese oxides can be tuned by changing the amount of reduced graphene oxide added to the reactant mixture.It is found that the α-MnO_(2)/Mn_(2)O_(3) nanocomposite with the largest mass ratio of Mn_(2)O_(3) delivers the best electrochemical performances among all the products.And its rate capability and cyclability can be significantly improved by modifying the Zn anode with carbon black coating and nanocellulose binder.In this situation,the nanocomposite can deliver high discharging capacities of 322.1 and 213.6 mAh g^(-1) at 0.2 and 3 Ag^(-1),respectively.After 1000 cycles,it can retain 86.2% of the capacity at the 2 nd cycle.Thus,this nanocomposite holds great promise for practical applications.

One-step calcination synthesis of interface-coherent crystallized and surface-passivated LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4) for high-voltage lithium-ion battery

LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_(4)(LNMO)with a spinel crystal structure presents a compelling avenue towards the development of economic cobalt-free and high voltage(~5 V)lithium-ion batteries.Nevertheless,the elevated operational voltage of LNMO gives rise to pronounced interfacial interactions between the distorted surface lattices characterized by Jahn-Teller(J-T)distortions and the electrolyte constituents.Herein,a localized crystallized coherent LaNiO_(3) and surface passivated Li_(3)PO_(4) layer is deposited on LNMO via a one-step calcination process.As evidenced by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS)and density functional theory(DFT)calculation,the epitaxial growth of LaNiO_(3) along the LNMO lattice can effectively stabilize the structure and inhibit irreversible phase transitions,and the Li_(3)PO_(4) surface coating can prevent the chemical reaction between HF and transition metals without sacrificing the electrochemical activity.In addition,the ionic conductive Li_(3)PO_(4) and atomic wetting inter-layer enables fast charge transfer transport property.Consequently,the LNMO material enabled by the lattice bonding and surface passivating features,demonstrates high performance at high current densities and good capacity retention during long-term test.The rational design of interface coherent engineering and surface coating layers of the LNMO cathode material offers a new perspective for the practical application of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

Li-MOF-based ions regulator enabling fast-charging and dendrite-free lithium metal anode

Li metal has been regarded as the holy grail for the next-generation Li-ion battery.Li dendrites issues,however,impede its practical application.In general,prolonging the sand time of Li nucleation and regulating homogeneous Li^(+) flux are effective approaches to suppress the dendrites formation and growth.Regarding this view,a functional polypropylene (PP) separator is developed to regulate ion transportation via a newly designed Li-based metal-organic framework (Li-MOF) coating.The Li-MOF crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 and features a double-walled three-dimensional (3D) structure with 1D channels.The well-defined intrinsic nanochannels of Li-MOF and the steric-hinerance effect both restrict free migration of anions,contributing to a high Li^(+) transference number of 0.65,which improve the Sand time of Li nucleation.Meanwhile,the Li-MOF coating with uniform porous structure promotes homogeneous Li^(+) flux at the surface of Li metal.Furthermore,the Li-MOF coating layer helps to build solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that comprises of inorganic Li F and Li_(3)N,which further prohibits the dendrites growth.Consequently,a highly stable Li plating/stripping cycling for over 1000 h is achieved.The functional separator also enables high-performance full lithium metal cells,the high-rate and long-stable cycling performance of Li Ni_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)(NMC811)-Li and Li Co O_(2)(LCO)-Li cells further demonstrate the feasibility of this concept.

Ultrathin Zn-free anode based on Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) and nanocellulose enabling high-durability aqueous hybrid Zn-Na battery with Zn2+/Na+co-intercalation mechanism

With low cost and high safety,aqueous zinc-based batteries have received considerable interest.Nevertheless,the excess utilization of zinc metal in the anodes of these batteries reduces energy density and increases costs.Herein,an ultrathin electrode of approximately 6.2μm thick is constructed by coating Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)/nanocellulose hybrid onto a stainless steel foil.This electrode is used as the Zn-free anode for aqueous hybrid Zn-Na battery,in which,a concentrated electrolyte is used to improve electrochemical reversibility.The Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)/nanocellulose coating is found to improve the electrolyte wettability,facilitate desolvation process of hydrated Zn^(2+) ions,lower nucleation overpotential,improve zinc plating kinetics,guide horizontal zinc plating along the Zn(002)facet,and inhibit parasitic side reactions.It is also found that the Na_(3)V_(2)(PO_(4))_(3) cathode material adopts a highly reversible Zn^(2+)/Na^(+)co-intercalation charge storage mechanism in this system.Thanks to these benefits,the assembled hybrid Zn-Na battery exhibits excellent rate capability,superior cyclability,and good anti-freezing ability.This work provides a new concept of electrode design for electrochemical energy storage.

Advances and perspectives on separators of aqueous zinc ion batteries

With the advantages of intrinsic safety,good affordability,environmental friendliness,moderate energy density,and large power density,aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)have gained considerable research interest.However,zinc dendrites,hydrogen evolution,inert byproducts,and zinc metal corrosion severely hinder practical applications of AZIBs.In order to address these issues,many research works have been carried out to modify the interface between zinc metal anode and aqueous electrolyte.In fact,the interface engineering takes effect at the surface and near the surface of separator.However,a specialized review on the separators of AZIBs is still lacking.Herein,basic requirements of separators and recent advances on the modification strategies including employment of functional groups,establishment of surface coatings,construction of hybrid architectures,regulations of porosity,and utilization of bipolar membrane are reviewed.Besides,the perspectives for further investigations on the separators of AZIBs are outlined.This review could offer useful guidance for the future explorations of separators for AZIBs.

Liquid-phase sintering enabling mixed ionic-electronic interphases and free-standing composite cathode architecture toward high energy solid-state battery

Solid-state batteries(SSBs)will potentially offer increased energy density and,more importantly,improved safety for next generation lithium-ion(Li-ion)batteries.One enabling technology is solid-state composite cathodes with high operating voltage and area capacity.Current composite cathode manufacturing technologies,however,suffer from large interfacial resistance and low active mass loading that with excessive amounts of polymer electrolytes and conductive additives.Here,we report a liquidphase sintering technology that offers mixed ionic-electronic interphases and free-standing electrode architecture design,which eventually contribute to high area capacity.A small amount(~4 wt.%)of lithium hydroxide(LiOH)and boric acid(H_(3)BO_(3))with low melting point are utilized as sintering additives that infiltrate into single-crystal Ni-rich LiNi_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)(NMC811)particles at a moderately elevated temperature(~350℃)in a liquid state,which not only enable intimate physical contact but also promote the densification process.In addition,the liquid-phase additives react and transform to ionic-conductive lithium boron oxide,together with the indium tin oxide(ITO)nanoparticle coating,mixed ionic-electronic interphases of composite cathode are successfully fabricated.Furthermore,the liquid-phase sintering performed at high-temperature(~800℃)also enables the fabrication of highly dense and thick composite cathodes with a novel free-standing architecture.The promising performance characteristics of such composite cathodes,for example,delivering an area capacity above 8 mAh·cm^(−2) within a wide voltage window up to 4.4 V,open new opportunities for SSBs with a high energy density of 500 Wh·kg^(−1) for safer portable electronic and electrical transport.