Femtosecond laser fabrication of 3D vertically aligned micro-pore network on thick-film Li_(4)Ti_(5)O_(12)electrode for high-performance lithium storage

The development of energy storage devices with high energy density relies heavily on thick film electrodes,but it is challenging due to the limited ion transport kinetics inherent in thick electrodes.Here,we report on the preparation of a directional vertical array of micro-porous transport networks on LTO electrodes using a femtosecond laser processing strategy,enabling directional ion rapid transport and achieving good electrochemical performance in thick film electrodes.Various three-dimensional(3D)vertically aligned micro-pore networks are innovatively designed,and the structure,kinetics characteristics,and electrochemical performance of the prepared ion transport channels are analyzed and discussed by multiple characterization and testing methods.Furthermore,the rational mechanisms of electrode performance improvement are studied experimentally and simulated from two aspects of structural mechanics and transmission kinetics.The ion diffusion coefficient,rate performance at 60 C,and electrode interface area of the laser-optimized 60-15%micro-porous transport network electrodes increase by 25.2 times,2.2 times,and 2.15 times,respectively than those of untreated electrodes.Therefore,the preparation of 3D micro-porous transport networks by femtosecond laser on ultra-thick electrodes is a feasible way to develop high-energy batteries.In addition,the unique micro-porous transport network structure can be widely extended to design and explore other high-performance energy materials.

A new review of single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes in the light of ion transport mechanisms

With the depletion of fossil fuels and the demand for high-performance energy storage devices,solidstate lithium metal batteries have received widespread attention due to their high energy density and safety advantages.Among them,the earliest developed organic solid-state polymer electrolyte has a promising future due to its advantages such as good mechanical flexibility,but its poor ion transport performance dramatically limits its performance improvement.Therefore,single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes(SICPEs)with high lithium-ion transport number,capable of improving the concentration polarization and inhibiting the growth of lithium dendrites,have been proposed,which provide a new direction for the further development of high-performance organic polymer electrolytes.In view of this,lithium ions transport mechanisms and design principles in SICPEs are summarized and discussed in this paper.The modification principles currently used can be categorized into the following three types:enhancement of lithium salt anion-polymer interactions,weakening of lithium salt anion-cation interactions,and modulation of lithium ion-polymer interactions.In addition,the advances in single-ion conductors of conventional and novel polymer electrolytes are summarized,and several typical highperformance single-ion conductors are enumerated and analyzed in what way they improve ionic conductivity,lithium ions mobility,and the ability to inhibit lithium dendrites.Finally,the advantages and design methodology of SICPEs are summarized again and the future directions are outlined.

Ion heat transport in electron cyclotron resonance heated L-mode plasma on the T-10 tokamak

Anomalous ion heat transport is analyzed in the T-10 tokamak plasma heated with electron cyclotron resonance heating(ECRH) in second-harmonic extra-ordinary mode. Predictive modeling with empirical scaling for Ohmical heat conductivity shows that in ECRH plasmas the calculated ion temperature could be overestimated, so an increase of anomalous ion heat transport is required. To study this effect two scans are presented: over the EC resonance position and over the ECRH power. The EC resonance position varies from the high-field side to the low-field side by variation of the toroidal magnetic field. The scan over the heating power is presented with on-axis and mixed ECRH regimes. Discharges with high anomalous ion heat transport are obtained in all considered regimes. In these discharges the power balance ion heat conductivity exceeds the neoclassical level by up to 10 times. The high ion heat transport regimes are distinguished by three parameters: the ratio Te/Ti, the normalized electron density gradient R/■, and the ion–ion collisionality νii~*. The combination of high Te/Ti, high νii~*, and R/■=6-10 results in values of normalized anomalous ion heat fluxes up to 10 times higher than in the low transport scenario.

Elucidating Ion Transport Phenomena in Sulfide/Polymer Composite Electrolytes for Practical Solid-State Batteries

Despite the enormous interest in inorganic/polymer composite solid-state electrolytes(CSEs)for solid-state batteries(SSBs),the underlying ion transport phenomena in CSEs have not yet been elucidated.Here,we address this issue by formulating a mechanistic understanding of bi-percolating ion channels formation and ion conduction across inorganic-polymer electrolyte interfaces in CSEs.A model CSE is composed of argyrodite-type Li_6PS_5Cl(LPSCl)and gel polymer electrolyte(GPE,including Li~+-glyme complex as an ion-conducting medium).The percolation threshold of the LPSCl phase in the CSE strongly depends on the elasticity of the GPE phase.Additionally,manipulating the solvation/desolvation behavior of the Li~+-glyme complex in the GPE facilitates ion conduction across the LPSCl-GPE interface.The resulting scalable CSE(area=8×6(cm×cm),thickness~40μm)can be assembled with a high-mass-loading LiNi_(0.7)Co_(0.15)Mn_(0.15)O_(2)cathode(areal-mass-loading=39 mg cm~(-2))and a graphite anode(negative(N)/positive(P)capacity ratio=1.1)in order to fabricate an SSB full cell with bi-cell configuration.Under this constrained cell condition,the SSB full cell exhibits high volumetric energy density(480 Wh L_(cell)~(-1))and stable cyclability at 25℃,far exceeding the values reported by previous CSE-based SSBs.

Promoting Proton Migration Kinetics by Ni^(2+)Regulating Enables Improved Aqueous Zn-MnO_(2) Batteries

The energy storage behaviors of MnO_(2) for aqueous Zn-MnO_(2) batteries mainly depend on the Zn^(2+)/H^(+)intercalation but are limited by poor ion/electron migration dynamics and stability.Herein,a strategy is proposed that promoting proton migration kinetics ameliorates H^(+)storage activity by introducing Ni^(2+)intoγ-MnO_(2)(Ni-MnO_(2)).Ni^(2+)can lower the diffusion barrier of H^(+)and selectively induce the ion intercalation,thereby alleviating the electrostatic interaction with the lattice.Moreover,Ni^(2+)enables the adjacent[MnO6]octahedrons to have better electron conductivity.The Ni-MnO_(2) exhibits superior rate performance(nearly four times specific capacity compared with MnO_(2))and ultra-long-cycle stability(100%of capacity retention after 11000 cycles at 3.0 A g^(-1)).The calculation indicates that the Ni-MnO_(2) allows H^(+)migrate rapidly along the one-dimensional tunnel due to reduction of the activation energy caused by Ni^(2+)regulating,thus achieving excellent reaction kinetics.This work brings great potential for the development of high-performance aqueous Zn-MnO_(2) batteries.

Full-chain enhanced ion transport toward stable lithium metal anodes

The dendrite growth that results from the slow electrode process kinetics prevents the lithium(Li) metal anode from being used in practical applications. Here, full-chain enhanced ion transport for stabilizing Li metal anodes is proposed. Experimental and theoretical studies confirm that full-chain enhanced ion transport(electrocrystallization, mass transport in the electrolyte and diffusion in solid electrolyte interphase) under magnetoelectrochemistry contributes to a homogeneous, dense, and dendrite-free morphology. Specifically, the enhanced electrocrystallization behavior promotes the Li nucleation;the enhanced mass transport in the electrolyte alleviates the ion concentration gradient at the electrode surface, which helps to inhibit dendrite growth;and the enhanced diffusion in the solid electrolyte interphase further homogenizes the Li deposition behavior, obtaining regular and uniform Li particles.Consequently, the Li metal anode has exceptional cycling stability in both symmetric and full cells,and the pouch cell performs long cycles(170 cycles) in practice evaluation. This work advances fundamental knowledge of the magneto-dendrite effect and offers a new perspective on stabilizing metal anodes.

Revealing alkali metal ions transport mechanism in the atomic channels of Au@a-MnO_(2)

Understanding alkali metal ions’(e.g.,Li^(+)/Na^(+)/K^(+))transport mechanism is challenging but critical to improving the performance of alkali metal batteries.Herein using a-MnO_(2)nanowires as cathodes,the transport kinetics of Li^(+)/Na^(+)/K^(+)in the 2×2 channels of a-MnO_(2)with a growth direction of[001]is revealed.We show that ion radius plays a decisive role in determining the ion transport and electrochemistry.Regardless of the ion radii,Li^(+)/Na^(+)/K^(+)can all go through the 2×2 channels of a-MnO_(2),generating large stress and causing channel merging or opening.However,smaller ions such as Li^(+)and Na^(+)cannot only transport along the[001]direction but also migrate along the<110>direction to the nanowire surface;for large ion such as K^(+),diffusion along the<110>direction is prohibited.The different ion transport behavior has grand consequences in the electrochemistry of metal oxygen batteries(MOBs).For Li-O_(2)battery,Li^(+)transports uniformly to the nanowire surface,forming a uniform layer of oxide;Na^(+)also transports to the nanowire surface but may be clogged locally due to its larger radius,therefore sporadic pearl-like oxides form on the nanowire surface;K^(+)cannot transport to the nanowire surface due to its large radius,instead,it breaks the nanowire locally,causing local deposition of potassium oxides.The study provides atomic scale understanding of the alkali metal ion transport mechanism which may be harnessed to improve the performance of MOBs.

CoS_(2)/S-Doped C with In Situ Constructing Heterojunction Structure for Boosted K-lon Diffusion and Highly Efficient Storage

Exploring the desired anode materials to address the issues of poor structural stability tardy redox kinetics caused by large potassium ionic radius are fatal for the realization of large-scale applications of potassium-ion batteries.In this work,the feasibility to achieve promoted K^(+)storage by constructing the model of CoS_(2)enfolded in carbon was verified by the density functional theory calculations.And the results predicted a faster electron/potassium ion transport kinetics than bare CoS_(2)by increasing electron carrier density and narrowing diffusion barrier.Therefore,an interfacial engineering strategy was applied and implemented to synthesize the CoS_(2)nanoparticles enveloped in the S-doped carbon(CoS_(2)/SC)under this inspiration.The as-prepared CoS_(2)/SC composite exhibited a prominent rate capability and long cycling lifespan,delivering the high capacity of 375 mA h g^(-1)at 0.2 A g^(-1)at the 100th cycle and 273 mA h g^(-1)at 2 A g^(-1)over 300 cycles.The in/ex situ characterizations unraveled the converse mechanism of CoS_(2)/SC in K^(+)storage,showing an eventually reversible phase transformation of K_(x)CoS_(2)Co↔within the electrochemical reactions.

Poly(Ionic Liquid) as an Anion Exchange Membrane for a 3.3 V Copper–Lithium Battery

Metal–metal battery bears great potential for next-generation large-scale energy storage system because of its simple manufacture process and low production cost.However,the cross-over of metal cations from the cathode to the anode causes a loss in capacity and influences battery stability.Herein,a coating of poly(ionic liquid)(PIL)with poly(diallyldimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide)(PDADMA^(+)TFSI^(−))on a commercial polypropylene(PP)separator serves as an anion exchange membrane for a 3.3 V copper–lithium battery.The PIL has a positively charged polymer backbone that can block the migration of copper ions,thus improving Coulombic efficiency,long-term cycling stability and inhibiting self-discharge of the battery.It can also facilitate the conduction of anions through the membrane and reduce polarization,especially for fast charging/discharging.Bruce-Vincent method gives the transport number in the electrolyte to be 0.25 and 0.04 for PP separator without and with PIL coating,respectively.This suggests that the PIL layer reduces the contribution of the internal current due to cation transport.The use of PIL as a coating layer for commercial PP separator is a cost-effective way to improve overall electrochemical performance of copper–lithium batteries.Compared to PP and polyacrylic acid(PAA)/PP separators,the PIL/PP membrane raises the Coulombic efficiency to 99%and decreases the average discharge voltage drop to about 0.09 V when the current density is increased from 0.1 to 1 mA cm^(−2).

Regulating the non-effective carriers transport for high-performance lithium metal batteries

The absence of control over carriers transport during electrochemical cycling,accompanied by the deterioration of the solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)and the growth of lithium dendrites,has hindered the development of lithium metal batteries.Herein,a separator complexion consisting of polyacrylonitrile(PAN)nanofiber and MIL-101(Cr)particles prepared by electrospinning is proposed to bind the anions from the electrolyte utilizing abundant effective open metal sites in the MIL-101(Cr)particles to modulate the transport of non-effective carriers.The binding effect of the PANM separator promotes uniform lithium metal deposition and enhances the stability of the SEI layer and long cycling stability of ultra-high nickel layered oxide cathodes.Taking PANM as the Li||NCM96 separator enables high-voltage cycling stability,maintaining 72%capacity retention after 800 cycles at a charging and discharging rate of 0.2 C at a cut-off voltage of 4.5 V and 0°C.Meanwhile,the excellent high-rate performance delivers a specific capacity of 156.3 mA h g^(-1) at 10 C.In addition,outstanding cycling performance is realized from−20 to 60°C.The separator engineering facilitates the electrochemical performance of lithium metal batteries and enlightens a facile and promising strategy to develop fast charge/discharge over a wide range of temperatures.

Fast and extensive intercalation chemistry in Wadsley-Roth phase based high-capacity electrodes

Wadsley-Roth (W-R) structured oxides featured with wide channels represent one of the most promising material families showing compelling rate performance for lithium-ion batteries.Herein,we report an indepth study on the fast and extensive intercalation chemistry of phosphorus stabilized W-R phase PNb_(9)O_(25) and its application in high energy and fast-charging devices.We explore the intercalation geometry of PNb_(9)O_(25) and identify two geometrical types of stable insertion sites with the total amount much higher than conventional intercalation-type electrodes.We reveal the ion transportation kinetics that the Li ions initially diffuse along the open type Ⅲ channels and then penetrate to edge sites with low kinetic barriers.During the lithiation,no remarkable phase transition is detected with nearly intact host phosphorous niobium oxide backbone.Therefore,the oxide framework of PNb_(9)O_(25) keeps almost unchanged with all the fast diffusion channels and insertion cavities well-maintained upon cycling,which accomplishes the unconventional electrochemical performance of W-R structured electrodes.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Functionalized Separators for Robust Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs)are one of the promising energy storage systems,which consist of electrode materials,electrolyte,and separator.The first two have been significantly received ample development,while the prominent role of the separators in manipulating the stability of the electrode has not attracted sufficient attention.In this work,a separator(UiO-66-GF)modified by Zr-based metal organic framework for robust AZIBs is proposed.UiO-66-GF effectively enhances the transport ability of charge carriers and demonstrates preferential orientation of(002)crystal plane,which is favorable for corrosion resistance and dendrite-free zinc deposition.Consequently,Zn|UiO-66-GF-2.2|Zn cells exhibit highly reversible plating/stripping behavior with long cycle life over 1650 h at 2.0 mA cm^(−2),and Zn|UiO-66-GF-2.2|MnO_(2) cells show excellent long-term stability with capacity retention of 85%after 1000 cycles.The reasonable design and application of multifunctional metal organic frameworks modified separators provide useful guidance for constructing durable AZIBs.

Effects of Hemp seed soft capsule on colonic ion transport in rats

AIM To investigate the effect of Hemp seed soft capsule(HSCC) on colonic ion transport and its related mechanisms in constipation rats.METHODS Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, constipation group and HSSC group. Rats in the constipation and HSSC groups were administrated loperamide 3 mg/kg per day orally for 12 d to induce the constipation model. Then, the HSSC group was given HSSC 0.126 g/kg per day by gavage for 7 d. The normal and constipation groups were treated with distilled water. After the treatment, the fecal wet weight and water content were measured. The basal short-circuit current(Isc) and resistance were measured by an Ussing Chamber. Besides the in vivo drug delivery experiment above, an in vitro drug application experiment was also conducted. The accumulative concentrations of HSSC(0.1 mg/m L, 0.5 mg/m L, 1.0 mg/m L, 2.5 mg/m L, 5.0 mg/m L, 10.0 mg/m L and 25.0 mg/m L) were added to the normal isolatedcolonic mucosa and the Isc was recorded. Further, after the application of either ion(Cl^-or HCO_3^-) substitution, ion channel-related inhibitor(N-phenylanthranilic acid, glybenclamide, 4,4-diisothiocyano-2,2-stilbenedisulfonic acid or bumetanide) or neural pathway inhibitor [tetrodotoxin(TTX), atropine, or hexamethonium], the Isc induced by HSSC was also measured. RESULTS In the constipation group, the fecal wet weight and the water content were decreased in comparison with the normal group(P < 0.01). After the treatment with HSSC, the fecal wet weight and the water content in the HSSC group were increased, compared with the constipation group(P < 0.01). In the constipation group, the basal Isc was decreased and resistance was increased, in comparison with the normal group(P < 0.01). After the treatment with HSSC, the basal Isc was increased(P < 0.05) and resistance was decreased(P < 0.01) in the HSSC group compared with the constipation group. In the in vitro experiment, beginning with the concentration of 1.0 mg/m L, differences in Isc were found between the experimental mucosa(with HSSC added) and control mucosa. The Isc of experimental mucosa was higher than that of control mucosa under the same concentration(1.0 mg/m L, P < 0.05; 2.5-25 mg/m L, P < 0.01). After the Cl^-or HCO_3^-removal and pretreated with different inhibitors(c AMPdependent and Ca^(2+)-dependent Cl^-channels, Na^+-K^+-2 Cl^-cotransporter(NKCC), Na^+-HCO_3^-cotransporter or Cl^-/HCO_3^-exchanger inhibitor), there were differences between experimental mucosa and control mucosa; the Isc of experimental mucosa was lower than that of control mucosa under the same concentration(P < 0.05). Meanwhile, after pretreatment with neural pathway inhibitor(TTX, atropine, or hexamethonium), there were no differences between experimental mucosa and control mucosa under the same concentration(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION HSSC ameliorates constipation by increasing colonic secretion, which is mediated via the coaction of c AMPdependent and Ca^(2+)-dependent Cl^-channels, NKCC, Na^+-HCO_3^-cotransporter or Cl^-/HCO_3^-exchanger.

TfR1 Extensively Regulates the Expression of Genes Associated with Ion Transport and Immunity

Transferrin receptor 1(TfR1),encoded by the TFRC gene,is the gatekeeper of cellular iron uptake for cells.A variety of molecular mechanisms are at work to tightly regulate TfR1 expression,and abnormal TfR1 expression has been associated with various diseases.In the current study,to determine the regulation pattern of TfR1,we cloned and overexpressed the human TFRC gene in HeLa cells.RNA-sequencing(RNA-seq)was used to analyze the global transcript levels in overexpressed(OE)and normal control(NC)samples.A total of 1669 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified between OE and NC.Gene ontology(GO)analysis was carried out to explore the functions of the DEGs.It was found that multiple DEGs were associated with ion transport and immunity.Moreover,the regulatory network was constructed on basis of DEGs associated with ion transport and immunity,highlighting that TFRC was the node gene of the network.These results together suggested that precisely controlled TfR1 expression might be not only essential for iron homeostasis,but also globally important for cell physiology,including ion transport and immunity.

Review of heavy-ion inertial fusion physics

In this review paper on heavy ion inertial fusion(HIF),the state-of-the-art scientific results are presented and discussed on the HIF physics,including physics of the heavy ion beam(HIB)transport in a fusion reactor,the HIBs-ion illumination on a direct-drive fuel target,the fuel target physics,the uniformity of the HIF target implosion,the smoothing mechanisms of the target implosion non-uniformity and the robust target implosion.The HIB has remarkable preferable features to release the fusion energy in inertial fusion:in particle accelerators HIBs are generated with a high driver efficiency of~30%-40%,and the HIB ions deposit their energy inside of materials.Therefore,a requirement for the fusion target energy gain is relatively low,that would be~50-70 to operate a HIF fusion reactor with the standard energy output of 1 GWof electricity.The HIF reactor operation frequency would be~10-15 Hz or so.Several-MJ HIBs illuminate a fusion fuel target,and the fuel target is imploded to about a thousand times of the solid density.Then the DT fuel is ignited and burned.The HIB ion deposition range is defined by the HIB ions stopping length,which would be~1 mm or so depending on the material.Therefore,a relatively large density-scale length appears in the fuel target material.One of the critical issues in inertial fusion would be a spherically uniform target compression,which would be degraded by a non-uniform implosion.The implosion non-uniformity would be introduced by the Rayleigh-Taylor(R-T)instability,and the large densitygradient-scale length helps to reduce the R-T growth rate.On the other hand,the large scale length of the HIB ions stopping range suggests that the temperature at the energy deposition layer in a HIF target does not reach a very-high temperature:normally about 300 eV or so is realized in the energy absorption region,and that a direct-drive target would be appropriate in HIF.In addition,the HIB accelerators are operated repetitively and stably.The precise control of the HIB axis manipulation is also realized in the HIF accelerator,and the HIB wobbling motion may give another tool to smooth the HIB illumination non-uniformity.The key issues in HIF physics are also discussed and presented in the paper.

Wudang cherry ameliorates urate underexcretion and renal dysfunction in hyperuricemic mice

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of Wudang cherry on urate excretion and renal function and examined whether renal organic ion transporters were involved in potassium oxonateinduced hyperuricemic mice.METHODS The model of hyperuricemic mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate(250 mg·kg^(-1))for 7 d.Water extracts of Wudang cherry at 500 mg·kg^(-1)were orally administered to hyperuricemic mice for 7 d,benzbromarone(20 mg·kg^(-1))and allopurinol(20 mg·kg^(-1))were given as positive controls,vehicle control group was given equal normal saline.Serum and urine levels of uric acid were measured in hyperuricemic and normal mice.Simultaneously,the m RNA and protein levels of mouse urate transporter 1(m URAT1),glucose transporter 9(mGLUT9),organic anion transporters(mOAT1 and mOAT3),ATP-binding cassette,subfamily G,membrane 2(mABCG2)and organic cation/carnitine transporters(m OCT1,m OCT2,m OCTN1 and m OCTN2)in the kidney were analyzed by Western blot,RT-PCR,immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent assay,respectively.RESULTS Wudang cherry significantly reduced serum uric acid levels and increased urine uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice.And it effectively reversed potassium oxonate-induced alterations in renal m URAT1,mGLUT9,mOAT1,mOAT3 and mABCG2 m RNA and protein levels,resulting in the enhancement of renal urate excretion in mice.Moreover,Wudang Cherry increased renal m OCT1,m OCT2,m OCTN1 and m OCTN2 m RNA and protein levels,and improved renal impairment in this model.CONCLUSION Wudang cherry processes uricosuric and nephroprotective actions by regulating renal organic ion transporters in hyperuricemic mice.

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.

Lithium-ion transport in inorganic solid state electrolyte

An overview of ion transport in lithium-ion inorganic solid state electrolytes is presented, aimed at exploring and de signing better electrolyte materials. Ionic conductivity is one of the most important indices of the performance of inorganic solid state electrolytes. The general definition of solid state electrolytes is presented in terms of their role in a working cell （to convey ions while isolate electrons）, and the history of solid electrolyte development is briefly summarized. Ways of using the available theoretical models and experimental methods to characterize lithium-ion transport in solid state elec- trolytes are systematically introduced. Then the various factors that affect ionic conductivity are itemized, including mainly structural disorder, composite materials and interface effects between a solid electrolyte and an electrode. Finally, strategies for future material systems, for synthesis and characterization methods, and for theory and calculation are proposed, aiming to help accelerate the design and development of new solid electrolytes.

Semi-interpenetrating-network all-solid-state polymer electrolyte with liquid crystal constructing efficient ion transport channels for flexible solid lithium-metal batteries

The development of the solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) can effectively address the hidden safety issues of commercially used liquid electrolytes.Nevertheless,the unsatisfactory room temperature ion conductivity and inferior mechanical strength for linear PEO-based SPEs are still the immense obstacles impeding the further applications of SPEs for large-scale commercialization.Herein,we fabricate a series of semi-interpenetrating-network (semi-IPN) polymer electrolytes based on a novel liquid crystal (C6M LC) and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) via UV-irradiation at the first time.The LCs not only highly improve the mechanical properties of electrolyte membranes via the construction of network structure with PEGDE,but also create stable ion transport channels for ion conduction.As a result,a free-standing flexible SPE shows outstanding ionic conductivity(5.93×10^(-5) S cm^(-1) at 30℃),a very wide electrochemical stability window of 5.5 V,and excellent thermal stability at thermal decomposition temperatures above 360℃ as well as the capacity of suppressing lithium dendrite growth.Moreover,the LiFePO_(4)/Li battery assembled with the semi-IPN electrolyte membranes exhibits good cycle performance and admirable reversible specific capacity.This work highlights the obvious advantages of LCs applied to the electrolyte for the advanced solid lithium battery.

Electronic mobility in the high-carrier-density limit of ion gel gated IDTBT thin film transistors

Indacenodithiophene-co-benzothiadiazole（IDTBT） has emerged as one of the most exciting semiconducting polymers in recent years because of its high electronic mobility and charge transport along the polymer backbone. By using the recently developed ion gel gating technique we studied the charge transport of IDTBT at carrier densities up to 10^21cm^-3.While the conductivity in IDTBT was found to be enhanced by nearly six orders of magnitude by ionic gating, the charge transport in IDTBT was found to remain 3D Mott variable range hopping even down to the lowest temperature of our measurements, 12 K. The maximum mobility was found to be around 0.2 cm^2·V^-1·s^-1, lower than that of Cytop gated field effect transistors reported previously. We attribute the lower mobility to the additional disorder induced by the ionic gating.