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.

Revealing the role of calcium ion intercalation of hydrated vanadium oxides for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Exploring suitable high-capacity V_(2)O_(5)-based cathode materials is essential for the rapid advancement of aqueous zinc ion batteries(ZIBs).However,the typical problem of slow Zn^(2+)diffusion kinetics has severely limited the feasibility of such materials.In this work,unique hydrated vanadates(CaVO,BaVO)were obtained by intercalation of Ca^(2+)or Ba^(2+)into hydrated vanadium pentoxide.In the CaVO//Zn and BaVO//Zn batteries systems,the former delivered up to a 489.8 mAh g^(-1)discharge specific capacity at 0.1 A g^(-1).Moreover,the remarkable energy density of 370.07 Wh kg^(-1)and favorable cycling stability yard outperform BaVO,pure V_(2)O_(5),and many reported cathodes of similar ionic intercalation compounds.In addition,pseudocapacitance analysis,galvanostatic intermittent titration(GITT)tests,and Trasatti analysis revealed the high capacitance contribution and Zn^(2+)diffusion coefficient of CaVO,while an in-depth investigation based on EIS elucidated the reasons for the better electrochemical performance of CaVO.Notably,ex-situ XRD,XPS,and TEM tests further demonstrated the Zn^(2+)insertion/extraction and Zn-storage mechanism that occurred during the cycle in the CaVO//Zn battery system.This work provides new insights into the intercalation of similar divalent cations in vanadium oxides and offers new solutions for designing cathodes for high-capacity aqueous ZIBs.

NbN quantum dots anchored hollow carbon nanorods as efficient polysulfide immobilizer and lithium stabilizer for Li-S full batteries

The shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides(LiPSs)and uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth seriously hinder the practical application of lithium-sulfur(Li-S)batteries.To simultaneously address such issues,monodispersed Nb N quantum dots anchored on nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanorods(NbN@NHCR)are elaborately developed as efficient Li PSs immobilizer and Li stabilizer for high-performance Li-S full batteries.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations and experimental characterizations demonstrate that the sulfiphilic and lithiophilic NbN@NHCR hybrid can not only efficiently immobilize the soluble Li PSs and facilitate diffusion-conversion kinetics for alleviating the shuttling effect,but also homogenize the distribution of Li+ions and regulate uniform Li deposition for suppressing Li-dendrite growth.As a result,the assembled Li-S full batteries(NbN@NHCR-S||Nb N@NHCR-Li)deliver excellent long-term cycling stability with a low decay rate of 0.031%per cycle over 1000 cycles at high rate of 2 C.Even at a high S loading of 5.8 mg cm^(-2)and a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 5.2μL mg^(-1),a large areal capacity of 6.2 mA h cm^(-2)can be achieved in Li-S pouch cell at 0.1 C.This study provides a new perspective via designing a dual-functional sulfiphilic and lithiophilic hybrid to address serious issues of the shuttle effect of S cathode and dendrite growth of Li anode.

Progress on Transition Metal Ions Dissolution Suppression Strategies in Prussian Blue Analogs for Aqueous Sodium-/Potassium-Ion Batteries

Aqueous sodium-ion batteries(ASIBs)and aqueous potassium-ion batteries(APIBs)present significant potential for large-scale energy storage due to their cost-effectiveness,safety,and environmental compatibility.Nonetheless,the intricate energy storage mechanisms in aqueous electrolytes place stringent require-ments on the host materials.Prussian blue analogs(PBAs),with their open three-dimensional framework and facile synthesis,stand out as leading candidates for aqueous energy storage.However,PBAs possess a swift capacity fade and limited cycle longevity,for their structural integrity is compromised by the pronounced dis-solution of transition metal(TM)ions in the aqueous milieu.This manuscript provides an exhaustive review of the recent advancements concerning PBAs in ASIBs and APIBs.The dissolution mechanisms of TM ions in PBAs,informed by their structural attributes and redox processes,are thoroughly examined.Moreover,this study delves into innovative design tactics to alleviate the dissolution issue of TM ions.In conclusion,the paper consolidates various strategies for suppressing the dissolution of TM ions in PBAs and posits avenues for prospective exploration of high-safety aqueous sodium-/potassium-ion batteries.

Polymer engineering for electrodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries

With the increasing demand for scalable and cost-effective electrochemical energy storage,aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)have a broad application prospect as an inexpensive,efficient,and naturally secure energy storage device.However,the limitations suffered by AZIBs,including volume expansion and active materials dissolution of the cathode,electrochemical corrosion,irreversible side reactions,zinc dendrites of the anode,have seriously decelerated the civilianization process of AZIBs.Currently,polymers have tremendous superiority for application in AZIBs attributed to their exceptional chemical stability,tunable structure,high energy density and outstanding mechanical properties.Considering the expanding applications of AZIBs and the superiority of polymers,this comprehensive paper meticulously reviews the benefits of utilizing polymeric applied to cathodes and anodes,respectively.To begin with,with adjustable structure as an entry point,the correlation between polymer structure and the function of energy storage as well as optimization is deeply investigated in respect to the mechanism.Then,depending on the diversity of properties and structures,the development of polymers in AZIBs is summarized,including conductive polymers,redox polymers as well as carbon composite polymers for cathode and polyvinylidene fluoride-,carbonyl-,amino-,nitrile-based polymers for anode,and a comprehensive evaluation of the shortcomings of these strategies is provided.Finally,an outlook highlights some of the challenges posed by the application of polymers and offers insights into the potential future direction of polymers in AZIBs.It is designed to provide a thorough reference for researchers and developers working on polymer for AZIBs.

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.

Degradation analysis and doping modification optimization for high-voltage P-type layered cathode in sodium-ion batteries

Advancing high-voltage stability of layered sodium-ion oxides represents a pivotal avenue for their progress in energy storage applications.Despite this,a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underpinning their structural deterioration at elevated voltages remains insufficiently explored.In this study,we unveil a layer delamination phenomenon of Na_(0.67)Ni_(0.3)Mn_(0.7)O_(2)(NNM)within the 2.0-4.3 V voltage,attributed to considerable volumetric fluctuations along the c-axis and lattice oxygen reactions induced by the simultaneous Ni^(3+)/Ni^(4+)and anion redox reactions.By introducing Mg doping to diminished Ni-O antibonding,the anion oxidation-reduction reactions are effectively mitigated,and the structural integrity of the P2 phase remains firmly intact,safeguarding active sites and precluding the formation of novel interfaces.The Na_(0.67)Mg_(0.05)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.7)O_(2)(NMNM-5)exhibits a specific capacity of100.7 mA h g^(-1),signifying an 83%improvement compared to the NNM material within the voltage of2.0-4.3 V.This investigation underscores the intricate interplay between high-voltage stability and structural degradation mechanisms in layered sodium-ion oxides.

Chloride ion battery:A new emerged electrochemical system for next-generation energy storage

In the scope of developing new electrochemical concepts to build batteries with high energy density,chloride ion batteries(CIBs)have emerged as a candidate for the next generation of novel electrochemical energy storage technologies,which show the potential in matching or even surpassing the current lithium metal batteries in terms of energy density,dendrite-free safety,and elimination of the dependence on the strained lithium and cobalt resources.However,the development of CIBs is still at the initial stage with unsatisfactory performance and several challenges have hindered them from reaching commercialization.In this review,we examine the current advances of CIBs by considering the electrode material design to the electrolyte,thus outlining the new opportunities of aqueous CIBs especially combined with desalination,chloride redox battery,etc.With respect to the developing road of lithium ion and fluoride ion batteries,the possibility of using solid-state chloride ion conductors to replace liquid electrolytes is tentatively discussed.Going beyond,perspectives and clear suggestions are concluded by highlighting the major obstacles and by prescribing specific research topics to inspire more efforts for CIBs in large-scale energy storage applications.

Smart materials for safe lithium-ion batteries against thermal runaway

In recent years,the new energy storage system,such as lithium ion batteries(LIBs),has attracted much attention.In order to meet the demand of industrial progress for longer cycle life,higher energy density and cost efficiency,a quantity of research has been conducted on the commercial application of LIBs.However,it is difficult to achieve satisfying safety and cycling performance simultaneously.There may be thermal runaway(TR),external impact,overcharge and overdischarge in the process of battery abuse,which makes the safety problem of LIBs more prominent.In this review,we summarize recent progress in the smart safety materials design towards the goal of preventing TR of LIBs reversibly from different abuse conditions.Benefiting from smart responsive materials and novel structural design,the safety of LIBs can be improved a lot.We expect to provide a comprehensive reference for the development of smart and safe lithium-based battery materials.

Access to advanced sodium-ion batteries by presodiation:Principles and applications

Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)are expected to offer affordability and high energy density for large-scale energy storage system.However,the commercial application of SIBs is hurdled by low initial coulombic efficiency(ICE),continuous Na loss during long-term operation,and low sodium-content of cathode materials.In this scenario,presodiation strategy by introducing an external sodium reservoir has been rationally proposed,which could supplement additional sodium ions into the system and thereby markedly improve both the cycling performance and energy density of SIBs.In this review,the significance of presodiation is initially introduced,followed by comprehensive interpretation on technological properties,underlying principles,and associated approaches,as well as our perspectives on present inferiorities and future research directions.Overall,this contribution outlines a distinct pathway towards the presodiation methodology,of significance but still in its nascent phase,which may inspire the targeted guidelines to explore new chemistry in this field.

Vanadium oxide nanospheres encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanofibers with morphology and defect dual-engineering toward advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Vanadium-based electrodes are regarded as attractive cathode materials in aqueous zinc ion batteries(ZIBs)caused by their high capacity and unique layered structure.However,it is extremely challenging to acquire high electrochemical performance owing to the limited electronic conductivity,sluggish ion kinetics,and severe volume expansion during the insertion/extraction process of Zn^(2+).Herein,a series of V_(2)O_(3)nanospheres embedded N-doped carbon nanofiber structures with various V_(2)O_(3)spherical morphologies(solid,core-shell,hollow)have been designed for the first time by an electrospinning technique followed thermal treatments.The N-doped carbon nanofibers not only improve the electrical conductivity and the structural stability,but also provides encapsulating shells to prevent the vanadium dissolution and aggregation of V_(2)O_(3)particles.Furthermore,the varied morphological structures of V_(2)O_(3)with abundant oxygen vacancies can alleviate the volume change and increase the Zn^(2+)pathway.Besides,the phase transition between V_(2)O_(3)and Zn_XV_(2)O_(5-m)·n H_(2)O in the cycling was also certified.As a result,the as-obtained composite delivers excellent long-term cycle stability and enhanced rate performance for coin cells,which is also confirmed through density functional theory(DFT)calculations.Even assembled into flexible ZIBs,the sample still exhibits superior electrochemical performance,which may afford new design concept for flexible cathode materials of ZIBs.

Design of multifunctional polymeric binders in silicon anodes for lithium‐ion batteries

Silicon(Si)is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries(LIBs)owing to its tremendously high theoretical storage capacity(4200 mAh g−1),which has the potential to elevate the energy of LIBs.However,Si anodes exhibit severe volume change during lithiation/delithiation processes,resulting in anode pulverization and delamination with detrimental growth of solid electrolyte interface layers.As a result,the cycling stability of Si anodes is insufficient for commercialization in LIBs.Polymeric binders can play critical roles in Si anodes by affecting their cycling stability,although they occupy a small portion of the electrodes.This review introduces crucial factors influencing polymeric binders'properties and the electrochemical performance of Si anodes.In particular,we emphasize the structure–property relationships of binders in the context of molecular design strategy,functional groups,types of interactions,and functionalities of binders.Furthermore,binders with additional functionalities,such as electrical conductivity and self‐healability,are extensively discussed,with an emphasis on the binder design principle.

A Molecular-Sieving Interphase Towards Low-Concentrated Aqueous Sodium-Ion Batteries

Aqueous sodium-ion batteries are known for poor rechargeability because of the competitive water decomposition reactions and the high electrode solubility.Improvements have been reported by saltconcentrated and organic-hybridized electrolyte designs,however,at the expense of cost and safety.Here,we report the prolonged cycling of ASIBs in routine dilute electrolytes by employing artificial electrode coatings consisting of NaX zeolite and NaOH-neutralized perfluorinated sulfonic polymer.The as-formed composite interphase exhibits a molecularsieving effect jointly played by zeolite channels and size-shrunken ionic domains in the polymer matrix,which enables high rejection of hydrated Na^(+)ions while allowing fast dehydrated Na^(+)permeance.Applying this coating to electrode surfaces expands the electrochemical window of a practically feasible 2 mol kg^(-1) sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate aqueous electrolyte to 2.70 V and affords Na_(2)MnFe(CN)_(6)//NaTi_(2)(PO_(4))_(3) full cells with an unprecedented cycling stability of 94.9%capacity retention after 200 cycles at 1 C.Combined with emerging electrolyte modifications,this molecular-sieving interphase brings amplified benefits in long-term operation of ASIBs.

Solid-state synthesis and ion transport characteristics of the β-KSbF_(4) for all-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries

All-solid-state fluoride ion batteries(FIBs)have been recently considered as a post-lithium-ion battery system due to their high safety and high energy density.Just like all solid-state lithium batteries,the key to the development of FIBs lies in room-temperature electrolytes with high ionic conductivity.β-KSbF_(4) is a kind of promising solid-state electrolyte for FIBs owing to its rational ionic conductivity and relatively wide electrochemical stability window at room temperature.However,the previous synthesis routes ofβ-KSbF_(4) required the use of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid and the ionic conductivity of as-prepared product needs to be further improved.Herein,the β-KSbF_(4) sample with an ionic conductivity of 1.04×10^(-4)s cm^(-1)(30°C)is synthesized through the simple solid-state route.In order to account for the high ionic conductivity of the as-synthesizedβ-KSbF_(4),X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS)are used to characterize the physic-ochemical properties.The results show that the as-synthesizedβ-KSbF_(4) exhibits higher carrier concentra-tion of 1.0×10^(-6)S cm-Hz^(-1)K and hopping frequency of 1.31×10^(6)Hz at 30°C due to the formation of the fluorine vacancies.Meanwhile,the hopping frequency shows the same trend as the changes of ionic conductivity with the changes of temperature,while the carrier concentration is found to be almost con-stant.The two different trends indicate the hopping frequency is mainly responsible for the ionic conduc-tion behavior withinβ-KSbF_(4).Furthermore,the all-solid-state FIBs,in which Ag and Pb+PbF_(2) are adopted as cathode and anode,andβ-KSbF_(4) as fluoride ion conductor,are capable of reversible charge and discharge.The assembled FIBs show a discharge capacity of 108.4 mA h g^(-1) at 1st cycle and 74.2 mA h g^(-1) at 50th cycle.Based on an examination of the capacity decay mechanism,it has been found that deterioration of the electrolyte/electrode interface is an important reason for hindering the commer-cial application of FIBs.Hence,the in-depth comprehension of the ion transport characteristics inβ-KSbF_(4) and the interpretation of the capacity fading mechanism will be conducive to promoting development of high-performanceFIBs.

Asymmetric Electrolytes Design for Aqueous Multivalent Metal Ion Batteries

With the rapid development of portable electronics and electric road vehicles,high-energy-density batteries have been becoming front-burner issues.Traditionally,homogeneous electrolyte cannot simultaneously meet diametrically opposed demands of high-potential cathode and low-potential anode,which are essential for high-voltage batteries.Meanwhile,homogeneous electrolyte is difficult to achieve bi-or multi-functions to meet different requirements of electrodes.In comparison,the asymmetric electrolyte with bi-or multi-layer disparate components can satisfy distinct requirements by playing different roles of each electrolyte layer and meanwhile compensates weakness of individual electrolyte.Consequently,the asymmetric electrolyte can not only suppress by-product sedimentation and continuous electrolyte decomposition at the anode while preserving active substances at the cathode for high-voltage batteries with long cyclic lifespan.In this review,we comprehensively divide asymmetric electrolytes into three categories:decoupled liquid-state electrolytes,bi-phase solid/liquid electrolytes and decoupled asymmetric solid-state electrolytes.The design principles,reaction mechanism and mutual compatibility are also studied,respectively.Finally,we provide a comprehensive vision for the simplification of structure to reduce costs and increase device energy density,and the optimization of solvation structure at anolyte/catholyte interface to realize fast ion transport kinetics.

The safety aspect of sodium ion batteries for practical applications

Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)with advantages of abundant resource and low cost have emerged as promising candidates for the next-generation energy storage systems.However,safety issues existing in electrolytes,anodes,and cathodes bring about frequent accidents regarding battery fires and explosions and impede the development of high-performance SIBs.Therefore,safety analysis and high-safety battery design have become prerequisites for the development of advanced energy storage systems.The reported reviews that only focus on a specific issue are difficult to provide overall guidance for building high-safety SIBs.To overcome the limitation,this review summarizes the recent research progress from the perspective of key components of SIBs for the first time and evaluates the characteristics of various improvement strategies.By orderly analyzing the root causes of safety problems associated with different components in SIBs(including electrolytes,anodes,and cathodes),corresponding improvement strategies for each component were discussed systematically.In addition,some noteworthy points and perspectives including the chain reaction between security issues and the selection of improvement strategies tailored to different needs have also been proposed.In brief,this review is designed to deepen our understanding of the SIBs safety issues and provide guidance and assistance for designing high-safety SIBs.

Novel high-voltage cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries:Porous K_(0.5)VOPO_(4)·1.5H_(2)O with reversible solid-solution intercalation and conversion storage mechanism

Cathode materials that possess high output voltage,as well as those that can be mass-produced using facile techniques,are crucial for the advancement of aqueous zinc-ion battery(ZIBs)applications,Herein,we present for the first time a new porous K_(0.5)VOPO_(4)·1.5H_(2)O polyanionic cathode(P-KIVP)with high output voltage(above 1.2 V)that can be manufactured at room temperature using straightforward coprecipitation and etching techniques.The P-KVP cathode experiences anisotropic crystal plane expansion via a sequential solid-solution intercalation and phase co nversion pathway throughout the Zn^(2+)storage process,as confirmed by in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.Similar to other layered vanadium-based polyanionic materials,the P-KVP cathode experiences a progressive decline in voltage during the cycle,which is demonstrated to be caused by the irreversible conversion into amorphous VO_(x).By introducing a new electrolyte containing Zn(OTF)_(2) to a mixed triethyl phosphate and water solution,it is possible to impede this irreversible conversion and obtain a high output voltage and longer cycle life by forming a P-rich cathode electrolyte interface layer.As a proof-of-concept,the flexible fiber-shaped ZIBs based on modified electrolyte woven into a fabric watch band can power an electronic watch,highlighting the application potential of P-KVP cathode.

Design,preparation,application of advanced array structured materials and their action mechanism analyses for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur battery(LSB)has brought much attention and concern because of high theoretical specific capacity and energy density as one of main competitors for next-generation energy storage systems.The widely commercial application and development of LSB is mainly hindered by serious“shuttle effect”of lithium polysulfides(Li PSs),slow reaction kinetics,notorious lithium dendrites,etc.In various structures of LSB materials,array structured materials,possessing the composition of ordered micro units with the same or similar characteristics of each unit,present excellent application potential for various secondary cells due to some merits such as immobilization of active substances,high specific surface area,appropriate pore sizes,easy modification of functional material surface,accommodated huge volume change,enough facilitated transportation for electrons/lithium ions,and special functional groups strongly adsorbing Li PSs.Thus many novel array structured materials are applied to battery for tackling thorny problems mentioned above.In this review,recent progresses and developments on array structured materials applied in LSBs including preparation ways,collaborative structural designs based on array structures,and action mechanism analyses in improving electrochemical performance and safety are summarized.Meanwhile,we also have detailed discussion for array structured materials in LSBs and constructed the structure-function relationships between array structured materials and battery performances.Lastly,some directions and prospects about preparation ways,functional modifications,and practical applications of array structured materials in LSBs are generalized.We hope the review can attract more researchers'attention and bring more studying on array structured materials for other secondary batteries including LSB.

VSe_(2)/V_(2)C heterocatalyst with built-in electric field for efficient lithium-sulfur batteries:Remedies polysulfide shuttle and conversion kinetics

Lithium sulfur(Li-S)battery is a kind of burgeoning energy storage system with high energy density.However,the electrolyte-soluble intermediate lithium polysulfides(Li PSs)undergo notorious shuttle effect,which seriously hinders the commercialization of Li-S batteries.Herein,a unique VSe_(2)/V_(2)C heterostructure with local built-in electric field was rationally engineered from V_(2)C parent via a facile thermal selenization process.It exquisitely synergizes the strong affinity of V_(2)C with the effective electrocatalytic activity of VSe_(2).More importantly,the local built-in electric field at the heterointerface can sufficiently promote the electron/ion transport ability and eventually boost the conversion kinetics of sulfur species.The Li-S battery equipped with VSe_(2)/V_(2)C-CNTs-PP separator achieved an outstanding initial specific capacity of 1439.1 m A h g^(-1)with a high capacity retention of 73%after 100 cycles at0.1 C.More impressively,a wonderful capacity of 571.6 mA h g^(-1)was effectively maintained after 600cycles at 2 C with a capacity decay rate of 0.07%.Even under a sulfur loading of 4.8 mg cm^(-2),areal capacity still can be up to 5.6 m A h cm^(-2).In-situ Raman tests explicitly illustrate the effectiveness of VSe_(2)/V_(2)C-CNTs modifier in restricting Li PSs shuttle.Combined with density functional theory calculations,the underlying mechanism of VSe_(2)/V_(2)C heterostructure for remedying Li PSs shuttling and conversion kinetics was deciphered.The strategy of constructing VSe_(2)/V_(2)C heterocatalyst in this work proposes a universal protocol to design metal selenide-based separator modifier for Li-S battery.Besides,it opens an efficient avenue for the separator engineering of Li-S batteries.

Multilevel carbon architecture of subnanoscopic silicon for fast‐charging high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries

Silicon(Si)is widely used as a lithium‐ion‐battery anode owing to its high capacity and abundant crustal reserves.However,large volume change upon cycling and poor conductivity of Si cause rapid capacity decay and poor fast‐charging capability limiting its commercial applications.Here,we propose a multilevel carbon architecture with vertical graphene sheets(VGSs)grown on surfaces of subnanoscopically and homogeneously dispersed Si–C composite nanospheres,which are subsequently embedded into a carbon matrix(C/VGSs@Si–C).Subnanoscopic C in the Si–C nanospheres,VGSs,and carbon matrix form a three‐dimensional conductive and robust network,which significantly improves the conductivity and suppresses the volume expansion of Si,thereby boosting charge transport and improving electrode stability.The VGSs with vast exposed edges considerably increase the contact area with the carbon matrix and supply directional transport channels through the entire material,which boosts charge transport.The carbon matrix encapsulates VGSs@Si–C to decrease the specific surface area and increase tap density,thus yielding high first Coulombic efficiency and electrode compaction density.Consequently,C/VGSs@Si–C delivers excellent Li‐ion storage performances under industrial electrode conditions.In particular,the full cells show high energy densities of 603.5 Wh kg^(−1)and 1685.5 Wh L^(−1)at 0.1 C and maintain 80.7%of the energy density at 3 C.