Spontaneous local redox reaction to passivate CNTs as lightweight current collector for high energy density lithium ion batteries

Extensive usage of highly conductive carbon materials with large specific surface area(e.g.,carbon nanotubes,CNTs)in lithium ion batteries(LIBs),especially as current collector of anodes,suffers from low initial coulombic efficiency(ICE),large interfacial resistance,and severe embrittlement,as the large specific surface area often results in severe interfacial decomposition of the electrolyte and the formation of thick and fluffy solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)during cycling of LIBs.Herein,we demonstrate that when the CNT-based current collector and Na foil(which are being stacked intimately upon each other)are being placed in Na+-based organic electrolyte,local redox reaction between the Na foil and the electrolyte would occur spontaneously,generating a thin and homogeneous NaF-based passivating layer on the CNTs.More importantly,we found that owing to the weak solvation behaviors of Na+in the organic electrolyte,the resulting passivation layer,which is rich in NaF,is thin and dense;when used as the anode current collector in LIBs,the pre-existing passivating layer can function effectively in isolating the anode from the solvated Li+,thus suppressing the formation of bulky SEI and the destructive intercalation of solvated Li+.The relevant half-cell(graphite as anode)exhibits a high ICE of 92.1%;the relevant pouch cell with thus passivated CNT film as current collectors for both electrodes(LiCoO_(2)as cathode,graphite as anode)displays a high energy density of 255 Wh kg^(-1),spelling an increase of 50%compared with that using the conventional metal current collectors.

Sodium bismuth titanate-based perovskite ceramics with high energy storage efficiency and discharge performance

Designing dielectric materials with the tremendous energy storage density is fundamentally important for developing pulse power capacitors.An effective approach was proposed to favorably modify the dielectric energy storage properties(ESP)of Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5)TiO_(3) ceramics using CaTiO_(3) incorporation.The dielectric breakdown strength was effectively enhanced,and simultaneously the relaxor behavior was optimized to lower the remnant polarization,which is resulted from the decreased grains size with the introduction of Ca^(2+)ion.Remarkably,at a CaTiO_(3) doping level of 0.2,a 0.8Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5)TiO_(3)-0.2CaTiO_(3)(0.8BNT-0.2CT)ceramic obtained both high energy storage density(Wtotal)of~1.38 J/cm^(3) together with excellent efficiency(h)of~91.3%.Furthermore,an ultrafast discharge response speed(t0:9)~94 ns was achieved in 0.8BNT-0.2CT ceramic,as well as tremendous current density(C_(D)~1520 A/cm2)and power density(P_(D)~115 MW/cm^(3)).This study not only revealed the superior ESP mechanism as regards Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5)TiO_(3) based ceramics but also provided candidate materials in pulse power capacitor devices.

TeO_(x) Thin Films for Write-Once Optical Recording Media

TeO_x thin films were prepared by vacuum evaporation of TeO_2 powder. Structural characteristic and surface mor-phology of the as-deposited films was analyzed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer and atomic force microscopy. It was found that the films represented a two component system comprising Te particies dispersed in an amorphous TeO2 matrix. The dispersed Te particies were in a crystalline state. The TeOx films showed a finely granular structure and a rough surface. Results of the statie recording test showed that the TeO_x films had good writing sensitivity for short-wavelength laser beam (514.5 nm). Primary results of the dynamic test at 514.5 nm were also reported. The TeO_x films were suitable for using as a blue-green wavelength high density optical storage medium.

A review of solid electrolytes for safe lithium-sulfur batteries

Due to the high specific capacity, low cost, and environmental friendliness, lithium-sulfur batteries hold great potential to become the mainsiay of next-generation energy storage system. Regarding the composition of sulfur/carbon in cathode, flammable organic liquid electrolyte, and lithium metal anode, great concerns about the safety have been raised. Hence solid-electrolyte-based lithium-sulfur batteries, as one alternative route for safe batteries, are highly interested. This review highlights the recent research progress of lithium-sulfur batteries with solid electrolytes. Both sulfide solid electrolytes and oxide solid electrolytes are included. The sulfide solid electrolytes are mainly employed in all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries, while the oxide solid electrolytes are applied in hybrid electrolyte for lithium-sulfur batteries. The challenges and perspectives in this field are also featured on the basis of its current progress.

A non-aqueous Li/organosulfur semi-solid flow battery

Non-aqueous flow batteries have attracted extensive attention due to the advantages of wide voltagewindow, high energy density and wide operating temperature and so on. Herein, tetramethylthiuramdisulfide （TMTD） with high intrinsic capacity （223 mAh/g） and high solubility （-1 mol/L in chloroform） isinvestigated as the positive active material of the non-aqueous LiJdisulfide semi-solid flow battery. Theelectrochemical activity and reversibility are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear scanvoltammetry. This Li/TMTD battery with a high cell voltage of 3.36 V achieves coulombic efficiency of 99%,voltage efficiency of 73% and energy efficiency of 72% at the current density of 5 mA/cm2 with activematerial concentration of 0.1 mol/L. Moreover, the LiJTMTD battery can operate for 100 cycles withoutobvious efficiency decay, indicating good stability.