Probing the electric double layer structure at nitrogen-doped graphite electrodes by constant-potential molecular dynamics simulations

Electric double layer(EDL)is a critical topic in electrochemistry and largely determines the working performance of lithium batteries.However,atomic insights into the EDL structures on heteroatom-modified graphite anodes and EDL evolution with electrode potential are very lacking.Herein,a constant-potential molecular dynamics(CPMD)method is proposed to probe the EDL structure under working conditions,taking N-doped graphite electrodes and carbonate electrolytes as an example.An interface model was developed,incorporating the electrode potential and atom electronegativities.As a result,an insightful atomic scenario for the EDL structure under varied electrode potentials has been established,which unveils the important role of doping sites in regulating both the EDL structures and the following electrochemical reactions at the atomic level.Specifically,the negatively charged N atoms repel the anions and adsorb Li~+at high and low potentials,respectively.Such preferential adsorption suggests that Ndoped graphite can promote Li~+desolvation and regulate the location of Li~+deposition.This CPMD method not only unveils the mysterious function of N-doping from the viewpoint of EDL at the atomic level but also applies to probe the interfacial structure on other complicated electrodes.

The chemical origin of temperature-dependent lithium-ion concerted diffusion in sulfide solid electrolyte Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12)

Solid-state batteries have received increasing attention in scientific and industrial communities,which benefits from the intrinsically safe solid electrolytes(SEs).Although much effort has been devoted to designing SEs with high ionic conductivities,it is extremely difficult to fully understand the ionic diffusion mechanisms in SEs through conventional experimental and theoretical methods.Herein,the temperature-dependent concerted diffusion mechanism of ions in SEs is explored through machinelearning molecular dynamics,taking Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12) as a prototype.Weaker diffusion anisotropy,more disordered Li distributions,and shorter residence time are observed at a higher temperature.Arrhenius-type temperature dependence is maintained within a wide temperature range,which is attributed to the linear temperature dependence of jump frequencies of various concerted diffusion modes.These results provide a theoretical framework to understand the ionic diffusion mechanisms in SEs and deepen the understanding of the chemical origin of temperature-dependent concerted diffusions in SEs.

Integrated interface configuration by in-situ interface chemistry enabling uniform lithium deposition in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries(ASSLMBs)are considered as one of the ultimate goals for the development of energy storage systems due to their high energy density and high safety.However,the mismatching of interface transport kinetics as well as interfacial instability induces the growth of lithium dendrite and thus,leads to severe degradation of battery electrochemical performances.Herein,an integrated interface configuration(IIC)consisting of in-situ generated Li I interphase and Li-Ag alloy anode is proposed through in-situ interface chemistry.The IIC is capable of not only regulating charge transport kinetics but also synchronously stabilizing the lithium/electrolyte interface,thereby achieving uniform lithium platting.Therefore,Li||Li symmetric cells with IIC achieve a critical current density of up to 1.6 mA cm^(-2)and achieve stable cycling over 1600 hours at a high current density of 0.5 mA cm^(-2).Moreover,a high discharge capacity of 140.1 mA h g-1at 0.1 C is also obtained for the Li(Ni_(0.6)Co_(0.2)Mn_(0.2))O_(2)(NCM622)full battery with a capacity retention of 65.6%after 300 cycles.This work provides an effective method to synergistically regulate the interface transport kinetics and inhibit lithium dendrite growth for high-performance ASSLMBs.

Super-exchange effect induced by early 3d metal doping on NiFe_(2)O_(4)(001)surface for oxygen evolution reaction

Understanding the intrinsic activity of oxygen evolution reaction(OER) is crucial for catalyst design.To date,different metal-doping strategies have been developed to achieve this,but the involving mechanisms remain unclear.Here,the electronic structure of the transition metal-doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)(001) surface is scrutinized for OER intrinsic activity using density functional theory calculations.Five 3d-orbital filling metals(Ti,V,Cr,Mn,and Co) are introduced as dopants onto A-and B-layers of the NiFe_(2)O_(4)(001) surface,and variation of oxidation states over Fe sites is observed on B-layer.Analyzing the magnetic moment and charge transfer of surface cation sites reveals that the variation of Fe oxidation states originates from the super-exchange effect and is influenced by the t2g-electron configuration of 3d metal dopants.This trend governs the generation of highly-active Fe3+sites on the B-layer,the adsorption strength of OER intermediates,i.e.,*O and*OH,and therefore the intrinsic activity.The finding of super-exchange mechanism induced by 3d early metal doping offers insights into electronic structure tailoring strategies for improving the intrinsic activity of OER electrocatalysts.

A review on theoretical models for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes

Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries have been considered as promising battery systems due to their huge advantages on theoretical energy density and rich resources.However,the shuttle effect and sluggish transformation of soluble lithium polysulfides(LiPSs)hinder the practical application of Li–S batteries.Tremendous sulfur host materials with unique catalytic activity have been exploited to inhibit the shuttle effect and accelerate LiPSs redox reactions,in which theoretical simulations have been widely adopted.This review aims to summarize the fundamentals and applications of theoretical models in sulfur cathodes.Concretely,the integration of theoretical models provides insights into the adsorption and conversion mechanisms of LiPSs and is further utilized in the smart design of catalysts for the exploitation of practical Li–S batteries.Finally,a perspective on the future combination of calculation technology and theoretical models is provided.