Cathode nanoarchitectonics with Na_(3)VFe_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)(PO_(4))_(3): Overcoming the energy barriers of multielectron reactions for sodium-ion batteries

High electrochemical stability and safety make Na+superionic conductor(NASICON)-class cathodes highly desirable for Na-ion batteries(SIBs).However,their practical capacity is limited,leading to low specific energy.Furthermore,the low electrical conductivity combined with a decline in capacity upon prolonged cycling(>1000 cycles)related to the loss of active material-carbon conducting contact regions contributes to moderate rate performance and cycling stability.The need for high specific energy cathodes that meet practical electrochemical requirements has prompted a search for new materials.Herein,we introduce a new carbon-coated Na_(3)VFe_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)(PO_(4))_(3)(NVFTP/C)material as a promising candidate in the NASICON family of cathodes for SIBs.With a high specific energy of∼457 Wh kg^(-1) and a high Na+insertion voltage of 3.0 V versus Na^(+)/Na,this cathode can undergo a reversible single-phase solid-solution and two-phase(de)sodiation evolution at 28 C(1 C=174.7 mAh g^(-1))for up to 10,000 cycles.This study highlights the potential of utilizing low-cost and highly efficient cathodes made from Earth-abundant and harmless materials(Fe and Ti)with enriched Na^(+)-storage properties in practical SIBs.

Carbon-coated manganese dioxide nanoparticles and their enhanced electrochemical properties for zinc-ion battery applications

In this study, we report the cost-effective and simple synthesis of carbon-coated α-MnOnanoparticles(α-MnO@C) for use as cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs) for the first time. α-MnO@C was prepared via a gel formation, using maleic acid(CHO) as the carbon source, followed by annealing at low temperature of 270 °C. A uniform carbon network among the α-MnOnanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscopy. When tested in a zinc cell, the α-MnO@C exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 272 m Ah/g under 66 m A/g current density compared to 213 m Ah/g, at the same current density, displayed by the pristine sample. Further, α-MnO@C demonstrated superior cycleability compared to the pristine samples. This study may pave the way for the utilizing carbon-coated MnOelectrodes for aqueous ZIB applications and thereby contribute to realizing high performance eco-friendly batteries.

Metal organic framework-combustion: A one-pot strategy to NiO nanoparticles with excellent anode properties for lithium ion batteries

NiO nanoparticles with average particles size of 30 nm are synthesized using a one-pot metal–organic framework-combustion（MOF-C） technique, for use as an anode material in rechargeable lithium ion batteries（LIBs）. The structural and electronic properties of these nanoparticles are studied using various techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction（PXRD）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）, and N_2 adsorption/desorption studies. The as-synthesized NiO nanoparticles sustained reversible stable capacities of 748 and 410 mAh/g at applied current densities of 500 and 1000 m A/g, respectively, after 100 cycles. Furthermore, the anode displays a notable rate capability, achieving a stable capacity of ~200 mAh/g at a high current density of10 A/g. These results indicate that the size of the NiO nanoparticles and their high surface area influence their electrochemical properties. Specifically, this combustion strategy is clearly favorable for improving the cyclability and rate capability of various metal oxides in rechargeable battery electrodes.

A Critical Comparison of Mildly Acidic versus Alkaline Zinc Batteries

Aqueous rechargeable batteries are cost-effective,easy to fabricate,and safe,deliver high energy output,and employ stable water-based electrolytes compared to organicbased lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).Aqueous Zn electrochemistry,specifically,has attracted researchers since the 1830s.Metallic Zn is a nearly ideal anode owing to its low cost(ca.2 USD kg^(−1)),existing supply chain,environmental benignity,relative safety,and high stability in water[−0.76 V vs standard hydrogen electrode(SHE)],as compared to Li.^(1−3) The high theoretical capacity(2e−@820 mAh g^(−1))and low polarizability(6×10^(−8)Ωm)further motivate Zn-based battery development,especially for stationary storage.2,4 Alkaline Zn batteries(AZBs)and neutral/mildly acidic Znion batteries(MZIBs)are proposed as rivals to the established Pb-acid and LIBs owing to their competitive theoretical energy densities(∼200−400 Wh L^(−1)).The efficiency of these inexpensive and safe battery technologies is dependent on the cathode type,Zn anode formulation,separator materials,and the electrolyte type(liquid,gel,solid state)and pH.While AZBs and MZIBs have commonalities,including Zn dendrite formation at high capacity utilization and inherent low voltage(Zn battery<3 V<LIB),unique materials chemistry challenges and operating principles distinguish them.For example,in AZBs,the preference is to prevent the crossover of the soluble anode oxidation product[zincate,Zn(OH)_(4)^(2−) anion]through the separator to the cathode,while MZIBs necessitate aversion to intermediate multiphase formation with active cathode material and removal of ambiguity in the reaction route of water-solvated Zn^(2+) cation with the cathode.

Phase-pure Na3V2(PO4)2F3 embedded in carbon matrix through a facile polyol synthesis as a potential cathode for high performance sodium-ion batteries

In this study,a pseudo-layered Na super-ionic conductor of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF)/C cathode for sodium-ion batteries is prepared successfully using a facile polyol refluxing process without any impurity phases.The X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement results confirm that NVPF possesses tetragonal NASICON-type lattice with a space group of P42/mnm.In this preparative method,polyol is utilized as a solvent as well as a carbon source.The presence of nanosized NVPF particles in the carbon network is confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM).The existence of carbon is analyzed by Raman scattering and elemental analysis.When applied as a Na-storage material in a potential window of 2.0-4.3 V,the electrode exhibits two flat voltage plateaus at 3.7 and 4.2 V with an electrochemically active V^3+/V^4+ redox couple.In addition,Na3V2(PO4)2F3/C composite achieved a retention capacity of ~ 88% even after 1,500 cycles at 15 C.Moreover,at high current densities of 30 and 50 C,Na3V2(PO4)2F3/C cathode retains the specific discharge capacities of 108.4 and 105.9 mAh·g-1,respectively,revealing the structural stability of the material prepared through a facile polyol refluxing method.