Study of the influence of discharge loop parameters on anode side on generation characteristics of metal plasma jet in a pulsed vacuum discharge

In a pulsed vacuum discharge,the ejection performance of a metal plasma jet can be effectively improved by preventing charged particles from moving to the anode.In this paper,the effects of resistance and capacitance on the anode side on the discharge characteristics and the generation characteristics of plasma jet are investigated.Results show that the existence of a resistor on the anode side can increase the anode potential,thereby preventing charged particles from entering the anode and promoting the ejection of charged particles along the axis of the insulating sleeve nozzle.The application of a capacitor on the anode side can not only absorb electrons at the initial stage of discharge,increasing the peak value of the cathode hump potential,but also prevent charged particles from moving to the anode,thereby improving the ejection performance of the plasma jet.In addition,the use of a larger resistance and a smaller capacitance can improve the blocking effect on charged particles and further improve the ejection performance of the plasma jet.Results of this study will provide a reference for the improvement of the ejection performance of plasma jets and their applications.

Layered Potassium Titanium Niobate/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite as a Potassium‑Ion Battery Anode

With graphite currently leading as the most viable anode for potassium-ion batteries(KIBs),other materials have been left relatively underexamined.Transition metal oxides are among these,with many positive attributes such as synthetic maturity,longterm cycling stability and fast redox kinetics.Therefore,to address this research deficiency we report herein a layered potassium titanium niobate KTiNbO5(KTNO)and its rGO nanocomposite(KTNO/rGO)synthesised via solvothermal methods as a high-performance anode for KIBs.Through effective distribution across the electrically conductive rGO,the electrochemical performance of the KTNO nanoparticles was enhanced.The potassium storage performance of the KTNO/rGO was demonstrated by its first charge capacity of 128.1 mAh g^(−1) and reversible capacity of 97.5 mAh g^(−1) after 500 cycles at 20 mA g^(−1),retaining 76.1%of the initial capacity,with an exceptional rate performance of 54.2 mAh g^(−1)at 1 A g^(−1).Furthermore,to investigate the attributes of KTNO in-situ XRD was performed,indicating a low-strain material.Ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectra further investigated the mechanism of charge storage,with the titanium showing greater redox reversibility than the niobium.This work suggests this lowstrain nature is a highly advantageous property and well worth regarding KTNO as a promising anode for future high-performance KIBs.

An Electrochemical Perspective of Aqueous Zinc Metal Anode

Based on the attributes of nonflammability,environmental benignity,and cost-effectiveness of aqueous electrolytes,as well as the favorable compatibility of zinc metal with them,aqueous zinc ions batteries(AZIBs)become the leading energy storage candidate to meet the requirements of safety and low cost.Yet,aqueous electrolytes,acting as a double-edged sword,also play a negative role by directly or indirectly causing various parasitic reactions at the zinc anode side.These reactions include hydrogen evolution reaction,passivation,and dendrites,resulting in poor Coulombic efficiency and short lifespan of AZIBs.A comprehensive review of aqueous electrolytes chemistry,zinc chemistry,mechanism and chemistry of parasitic reactions,and their relationship is lacking.Moreover,the understanding of strategies for suppressing parasitic reactions from an electrochemical perspective is not profound enough.In this review,firstly,the chemistry of electrolytes,zinc anodes,and parasitic reactions and their relationship in AZIBs are deeply disclosed.Subsequently,the strategies for suppressing parasitic reactions from the perspective of enhancing the inherent thermodynamic stability of electrolytes and anodes,and lowering the dynamics of parasitic reactions at Zn/electrolyte interfaces are reviewed.Lastly,the perspectives on the future development direction of aqueous electrolytes,zinc anodes,and Zn/electrolyte interfaces are presented.

Recent advances and perspectives of zinc metal-free anodes for zinc ion batteries

Zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs) are recognized as potential energy storage devices due to their advantages of low cost, high energy density, and environmental friendliness. However, zinc anodes are subject to unavoidable zinc dendrites, passivation, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reactions during the charging and discharging of batteries, becoming obstacles to the practical application of ZIBs. Appropriate zinc metal-free anodes provide a higher working potential than metallic zinc anodes, effectively solving the problems of zinc dendrites, hydrogen evolution, and side reactions during the operation of metallic zinc anodes. The improvement in the safety and cycle life of batteries creates conditions for further commercialization of ZIBs. Therefore, this work systematically introduces the research progress of zinc metal-free anodes in “rocking chair” ZIBs. Zinc metal-free anodes are mainly discussed in four categories: transition metal oxides,transition metal sulfides, MXene(two dimensional transition metal carbide) composites, and organic compounds, with discussions on their properties and zinc storage mechanisms. Finally, the outlook for the development of zinc metal-free anodes is proposed. This paper is expected to provide a reference for the further promotion of commercial rechargeable ZIBs.

Microstructure design of advanced magnesium-air battery anodes

Metal-air battery is an environmental friendly energy storage system with unique open structure.Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been extensively attempted as anodes for air batteries due to high theoretical energy density,low cost,and recyclability.However,the study on Mg-air battery(MAB)is still at the laboratory level currently,mainly owing to the low anodic efficiency caused by the poor corrosion resistance.In order to reduce corrosion losses and achieve optimal utilization efficiency of Mg anode,the design strategies are reviewed from microstructure perspectives.Firstly,the corrosion behaviors have been discussed,especially the negative difference effect derived by hydrogen evolution.Special attention is given to the effect of anode micro-structures on the MAB,which includes grain size,grain orientation,second phases,crystal structure,twins,and dislocations.For further improvement,the discharge performance,long period stacking ordered phase and its enhancing effect are considered.Meanwhile,given the current debates over Mg dendrites,the potential risk,the impact on discharge,and the elimination strategies are discussed.Microstructure control and single crystal would be promising ways for MAB anode.

Mitigated reaction kinetics between lithium metal anodes and electrolytes by alloying lithium metal with low-content magnesium

Lithium(Li)metal is regarded as a promising anode candidate for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries.Nevertheless,Li metal is highly reactive against electrolytes,leading to rapid decay of active Li metal reservoir.Here,alloying Li metal with low-content magnesium(Mg)is proposed to mitigate the reaction kinetics between Li metal anodes and electrolytes.Mg atoms enter the lattice of Li atoms,forming solid solution due to the low amount(5 wt%)of Mg.Mg atoms mainly concentrate near the surface of Mg-alloyed Li metal anodes.The reactivity of Mg-alloyed Li metal is mitigated kinetically,which results from the electron transfer from Li to Mg atoms due to the electronegativity difference.Based on quantitative experimental analysis,the consumption rate of active Li and electrolytes is decreased by using Mgalloyed Li metal anodes,which increases the cycle life of Li metal batteries under demanding conditions.Further,a pouch cell(1.25 Ah)with Mg-alloyed Li metal anodes delivers an energy density of 340 Wh kg^(-1)and a cycle life of 100 cycles.This work inspires the strategy of modifying Li metal anodes to kinetically mitigate the side reactions with electrolytes.

From 0D to 3D:Hierarchical structured high-performance free-standing silicon anodes based on binder-induced topological network architecture

Free-standing silicon anodes with high proportion of active materials have aroused great attention;however,the mechanical stability and electrochemical performance are severely suppressed.Herein,to resolve the appeal issues,a free-standing anode with a"corrugated paper"shape on micro-scale and a topological crosslinking network on the submicron and nano-scale is designed.Essentially,an integrated three-dimensional electrode structure is constructed based on robust carbon nanotubes network with firmly anchored SiNPs via forming interlocking junctions.In which,the hierarchical interlocking structure is achieved by directional induction of the binder,which ensures well integration during cycling so that significantly enhances mechanical stability as well as electronic and ionic conductivity of electrodes.Benefiting from it,this anode exhibits outsta nding performance under harsh service conditions including high Si loading,ultrahigh areal capacity(33.2 mA h cm^(-2)),and high/low temperatures(-15-60℃),which significantly extends its practical prospect.Furthermore,the optimization mechanism of this electrode is explored to verify the crack-healing and structure-integration maintaining along cycling via a unique self-stabilization process.Thus,from both the fundamental and engineering views,this strategy offers a promising path to produce high-performance free-standing electrodes for flexible device applications especially facing volume effect challenges.

Innovative Solutions for High-Performance Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries:Overcoming Challenges and Real-World Applications

Silicon(Si)has emerged as a potent anode material for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),but faces challenges like low electrical conductivity and significant volume changes during lithiation/delithiation,leading to material pulverization and capacity degradation.Recent research on nanostructured Si aims to mitigate volume expansion and enhance electrochemical performance,yet still grapples with issues like pulverization,unstable solid electrolyte interface(SEI)growth,and interparticle resistance.This review delves into innovative strategies for optimizing Si anodes’electrochemical performance via structural engineering,focusing on the synthesis of Si/C composites,engineering multidimensional nanostructures,and applying non-carbonaceous coatings.Forming a stable SEI is vital to prevent electrolyte decomposition and enhance Li^(+)transport,thereby stabilizing the Si anode interface and boosting cycling Coulombic efficiency.We also examine groundbreaking advancements such as self-healing polymers and advanced prelithiation methods to improve initial Coulombic efficiency and combat capacity loss.Our review uniquely provides a detailed examination of these strategies in real-world applications,moving beyond theoretical discussions.It offers a critical analysis of these approaches in terms of performance enhancement,scalability,and commercial feasibility.In conclusion,this review presents a comprehensive view and a forward-looking perspective on designing robust,high-performance Si-based anodes the next generation of LIBs.

Anode surface engineering of zinc-ion batteries using tellurium nanobelt as a protective layer for enhancing energy storage performance

Over the years,zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs)have attracted attention as a promising next-generation energy storage technology because of their excellent safety,long cycling performance,eco-friendliness,and high-power density.However,issues,such as the corrosion and dissolution of the Zn anode,limited wet-tability,and lack of sufficient nucleation sites for Zn plating,have limited their practical application.The introduction of a protective layer comprising of tellurium(Te)nanobelts onto the surface of Zn anode has emerged as a promising approach to overcome these limitations and improve the electrochemical behav-ior by enhancing the safety and wettability of ZIBs,as well as providing numerous nucleation sites for Zn plating.In the presence of a Te-based protective layer,the energy power density of the surface-engineered Zn anode improved significantly(ranging from 310 to 144 W h kg^(-1),over a power density range of 270 to 1,800 W kg^(-1)),and the lifespan capability was extended.These results demonstrate that the proposed strategy of employing Te nanobelts as a protective layer holds great promise for enhancing the energy storage performance of zIBs,making them even more attractive as a viable energy storage solution forthefuture.

High mechanical strength Si anode synthesis with interlayer bonded expanded graphite structure for lithium-ion batteries

Despite advancements in silicon-based anodes for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries,their widespread commercial adoption is still hindered by significant volume expansion during cycling,especially at high active mass loadings crucial for practical use.The root of these challenges lies in the mechanical instability of the material,which subsequently leads to the structural failure of the electrode.Here,we present a novel synthesis of a composite combining expanded graphite and silicon nanoparticles.This composite features a unique interlayer-bonded graphite structure,achieved through the application of a modified spark plasma sintering method.Notably,this innovative structure not only facilitates efficient ion and electron transport but also provides exceptional mechanical strength(Vickers hardness:up to658 MPa,Young's modulus:11.6 GPa).This strength effectively accommodates silicon expansion,resulting in an impressive areal capacity of 2.9 mA h cm^(-2)(736 mA h g^(-1)) and a steady cycle life(93% after 100cycles).Such outsta nding performance is paired with features appropriate for large-scale industrial production of silicon batteries,such as active mass loading of at least 3.9 mg cm^(-2),a high-tap density electrode material of 1.68 g cm^(-3)(secondary clusters:1.12 g cm^(-3)),and a production yield of up to 1 kg per day.

The etching strategy of zinc anode to enable high performance zinc-ion batteries

Zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs)are considered to be one of the most promising candidates to replace lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)due to the high theoretical capacity,low cost and intrinsic safety.However,zinc dendrites,hydrogen evolution reaction,surface passivation and other side reactions will inevitably occur during the charging and discharging process of Zn anode,which will seriously affect the cycle stability of the battery and hinder its practical application.The etching strategy of Zn anode has attracted wide attention because of its simple operation and broad commercial prospects,and the etched Zn anode can effectively improve its electrochemical performance.However,there is no comprehensive review of the etching strategy of Zn anode.This review first summarizes the challenges faced by Zn anode,then puts forward the etching mechanisms and properties of acid,salt and other etchants.Finally,based on the above discussion,the challenges and opportunities of Zn anode etching strategy are proposed.

Constructing Al@C-Sn pellet anode without passivation layer for lithium-ion battery

Al is considered as a promising lithium-ion battery(LIBs)anode materials owing to its high theoretical capacity and appropri-ate lithation/de-lithation potential.Unfortunately,its inevitable volume expansion causes the electrode structure instability,leading to poor cyclic stability.What’s worse,the natural Al2O3 layer on commercial Al pellets is always existed as a robust insulating barrier for elec-trons,which brings the voltage dip and results in low reversible capacity.Herein,this work synthesized core-shell Al@C-Sn pellets for LIBs by a plus-minus strategy.In this proposal,the natural Al2O3 passivation layer is eliminated when annealing the pre-introduced SnCl2,meanwhile,polydopamine-derived carbon is introduced as dual functional shell to liberate the fresh Al core from re-oxidization and alle-viate the volume swellings.Benefiting from the addition of C-Sn shell and the elimination of the Al2O3 passivation layer,the as-prepared Al@C-Sn pellet electrode exhibits little voltage dip and delivers a reversible capacity of 1018.7 mAh·g^(-1) at 0.1 A·g^(-1) and 295.0 mAh·g^(-1) at 2.0 A·g^(-1)(after 1000 cycles),respectively.Moreover,its diffusion-controlled capacity is muchly improved compared to those of its counterparts,confirming the well-designed nanostructure contributes to the rapid Li-ion diffusion and further enhances the lithium storage activity.

Edge and lithium concentration effects on intercalation kinetics for graphite anodes

Graphite interfaces are an important part of the anode in lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),significantly influencing Li intercalation kinetics.Graphite anodes adopt different stacking sequences depending on the concentration of the intercalated Li ions.In this work,we performed first-principles calculations to comprehensively address the energetics and dynamics of Li intercalation and Li vacancy diffusion near the no n-basal edges of graphite,namely the armchair and zigzag-edges,at high Li concentration.We find that surface effects persist in stage-Ⅱ that bind Li strongly at the edge sites.However,the pronounced effect previously identified at the zigzag edge of pristine graphite is reduced in LiC_(12),penetrating only to the subsurface site,and eventually disappearing in LiC_(6).Consequently,the distinctive surface state at the zigzag edge significantly impacts and restrains the charging rate at the initial lithiation of graphite anodes,whilst diminishes with an increasing degree of lithiation.Longer diffusion time for Li hopping to the bulk site from either the zigzag edge or the armchair edge in LiC_(6) was observed during high state of charge due to charge repulsion.Effectively controlling Li occupation and diffusion kinetics at this stage is also crucial for enhancing the charge rate.

An efficient recycling strategy to eliminate the residual“impurities”while heal the damaged structure of spent graphite anodes

The recycling of graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)is overlooked due to its relatively low added value and the lack of efficient recovering methods.To reuse the spent graphite anodes,we need to eliminate their useless components(mainly the degraded solid electrolyte interphase,SEI)and reconstruct their damaged structure.Herein,a facile and efficient strategy is proposed to recycle the spent graphite on the basis of the careful investigation of the composition of the cycled graphite anodes and the rational design of the regeneration processes.The regenerated graphite,which is revitalized by calcination treatment and acid leaching,delivers superb rate performance and a high specific capacity of 370 mAh g^(-1)(~99% of its theoretical capacity)after 100 cycles at 0.1 C,superior to the commercial graphite anodes.The improved electrochemical performance could be attributed to unchoked Li^(+) transport channels and enhanced charge transfer reaction due to the effective destruction of the degraded SEI and the full recovery of the damaged structure of the spent graphite.This work clarifies that the electrochemical performance of the regenerated graphite could be deteriorated by even a trace amount of the residual“impurity”and provides a facile method for the efficient regeneration of graphite anodes.

High donor-number and low content electrolyte additive for stabilizing zinc metal anode

The aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)are thought as promising competitors for electrochemical energy storage,though their wide application is curbed by the uncontrollable dendrite growth and gas evolution side reactions.Herein,to stabilize both zinc anodes and water molecules,we developed a modified electrolyte by adding a trace amount of N,N-diethylformanmide(DEF)into the ZnSO_(4)electrolyte for the first time in zinc ion batteries.The effectiveness of DEF is predicted by the comparison of donor number and its preferential adsorption behavior on the zinc anode is further demonstrated by several spectroscopy characterizations,electrochemical methods,and molecular dynamics simulation.The modified electrolyte with 5%v.t.DEF content can ensure a stable cycling life longer than 3400 h of Zn‖Zn symmetric cells and an ultra-reversible Zn stripping/plating process with a high coulombic efficiency of 99.7%.The Zn‖VO_(2)full cell maintains a capacity retention of 83.5%and a 104 mA h g^(-1)mass capacity after 1000cycles.This work provides insights into the role of interfacial adsorption behavior and the donor number of additive molecules in designing low-content and effective aqueous electrolytes.

Growth and inhibition of zinc anode dendrites in Zn-air batteries:Model and experiment

Zinc(Zn)-air batteries are widely used in secondary battery research owing to their high theoretical energy density,good electrochemical reversibility,stable discharge performance,and low cost of the anode active material Zn.However,the Zn anode also leads to many challenges,including dendrite growth,deformation,and hydrogen precipitation self-corrosion.In this context,Zn dendrite growth has a greater impact on the cycle lives.In this dissertation,a dendrite growth model for a Zn-air battery was established based on electrochemical phase field theory,and the effects of the charging time,anisotropy strength,and electrolyte temperature on the morphology and growth height of Zn dendrites were studied.A series of experiments was designed with different gradient influencing factors in subsequent experiments to verify the theoretical simulations,including elevated electrolyte temperatures,flowing electrolytes,and pulsed charging.The simulation results show that the growth of Zn dendrites is controlled mainly by diffusion and mass transfer processes,whereas the electrolyte temperature,flow rate,and interfacial energy anisotropy intensity are the main factors.The experimental results show that an optimal electrolyte temperature of 343.15 K,an optimal electrolyte flow rate of 40 ml·min^(-1),and an effective pulse charging mode.

High-stable and High-capacity Sn/SnO_(2)@C as Anode of Lithium-ion Batteries

We synthesized size-controllable nanoparticles with homogeneous distribution of carbon and Sn/SnO_(2)by a solvothermal method.The effects of different carbon content and hydrothermal time on the composition,morphology and electrochemical properties of the materials were investigated.Compared with bulk materials,nanoparticles materials not only have high specific surface area,but also can provide abundant reaction sites,thus enhancing the electrochemical activity of electrode materials.More importantly,the optimized microspheres Sn/8C-24 delivers a superior electrochemical performance,achieving a specific discharge capacity of 700.4 mAh·g^(-1)after 150 cycles at 0.5 A·g^(-1),and the Coulomb efficiency reaches 98.65%,which is promising for anode of LIBs.

Fundamental Understanding of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Zinc Anode Surface:A First‑Principles Study

Hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)has become a key factor affecting the cycling stability of aqueous Zn-ion batteries,while the corresponding fundamental issues involving HER are still unclear.Herein,the reaction mechanisms of HER on various crystalline surfaces have been investigated by first-principle calculations based on density functional theory.It is found that the Volmer step is the ratelimiting step of HER on the Zn(002)and(100)surfaces,while,the reaction rates of HER on the Zn(101),(102)and(103)surfaces are determined by the Tafel step.Moreover,the correlation between HER activity and the generalized coordination number(CN)of Zn at the surfaces has been revealed.The relatively weaker HER activity on Zn(002)surface can be attributed to the higher CN of surface Zn atom.The atomically uneven Zn(002)surface shows significantly higher HER activity than the flat Zn(002)surface as the CN of the surface Zn atom is lowered.The CN of surface Zn atom is proposed as a key descriptor of HER activity.Tuning the CN of surface Zn atom would be a vital strategy to inhibit HER on the Zn anode surface based on the presented theoretical studies.Furthermore,this work provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth understanding of HER on the Zn surface.

Toward a fundamental understanding of the heterogeneous multiphysics behaviors of silicon monoxide/graphite composite anodes

Silicon monoxide(SiO)(silicon[Si]mixed with silicon dioxide[SiO_(2)])/graphite(Gr)composite material is one of the most commercially promising anode materials for the next generation of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.The major bottleneck for SiO/Gr composite anode is the poor cyclability arising from the stress/strain behaviors due to the mismatch between two heterogenous materials during the lithiation/delithiation process.To date,a meticulous and quantitative understanding of the highly nonlinear coupling behaviors of such materials is still lacking.Herein,an electro–chemo–mechanics-coupled detailed model containing particle geometries is established.The underlying mechanism of the regulation between SiO and Gr components during electrochemical cycling is quantitatively revealed.We discover that increasing the SiO weight percentage(wt%)reduces the utilization efficiency of the active materials at the same 1C rate charging and enhances the hindering effects of stress-driven flux on diffusion.In addition,the mechanical constraint demonstrates a balanced effect on the overall performance of cells and the local behaviors of particles.This study provides new insights into the fundamental interactions between SiO and Gr materials and advances the investigation methodology for the design and evaluation of next-generation high-energydensity batteries.

Residual fluoride self-activated effect enabling upgraded utilization of recycled graphite anode

Recycling graphite anode from spent lithium-ion batteries(SLIBs)is regarded as a crucial approach to promoting sustainable energy storage industry.However,the recycled graphite(RG)generally presents degraded structure and performance.Herein,the residual fluoride self-activated effect is proposed for the upgraded utilization of RG.Simple and low-energy water immersion treatment not only widens the interlayer spacing,but also retains appropriate fluoride on the surface of RG.Theoretical analysis and experiments demonstrate that the residual fluoride can optimize Li~+migration and deposition kinetics,resulting in better Li~+intercalation/deintercalation in the interlayer and more stable Li metal plating/stripping on the surface of RG,As a result,the designed LFP||RG full cells achieve ultrahigh reversibility(~100%Coulombic efficiency),high capacity retention(67%after 200 cycles,0.85 N/P ratio),and commendable adaptability(stable cycling without short-circuiting,0.15 N/P ratio).The energy density is improved from 334 Wh kg^(-1)of 1.1 N/P ratio to 367 Wh kg^(-1)of 0.85 N/P ratio(total mass based on cathode and anode).The exploration of RG by residual fluoride self-activated effect achieves upgraded utilization beyond fresh commercial graphite and highlights a new strategy for efficient reuse of SLIBs.