Tuning composite solid-state electrolyte interface to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-oxygen battery

Thin and flexible composite solid-state electrolyte(SSE) is considered to be a prospective candidate for lithium-oxygen(Li-O_(2)) batteries with the aim to address the problems of unsatisfied safety, terrible durability as well as inferior electrochemical performance. Herein, in order to improve the safety and durability, a succinonitrile(SN) modified composite SSE is proposed. In this SSE, SN is introduced for eliminating the boundary between ceramic particles, increasing the amorphous region of polymer and ensuring fast ionic transport. Subsequently, the symmetric battery based on the proposed SSE achieves a long cycle life of 3000 h. Moreover, the elaborate cathode interface through the SN participation effectively reduces the barriers to the combination between lithium ions and electrons, facilitating the corresponding electrochemical reactions.As a result, the solid-state Li-O_(2)battery based on this SSE and tuned cathode interface achieves improved electrochemical performance including large specific capacity over 12,000 m Ah g^(-1), enhanced rate capacity as well as stable cycle life of 54 cycles at room temperature. This ingenious design provides a new orientation for the evolution of solid-state Li-O_(2)batteries.

Co3O4 modified Ag/g-C3N4 composite as a bifunctional cathode for lithium-oxygen battery

Rechargeable lithium-oxygen(Li-O2)batteries have appeal to enormous attention because they demonstrate higher energy density than the state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries.Whereas,their practical application is impeded by several challenging problems,such as the low energy round trip efficiencies and the insufficient cycle life,due to the cathode passivation caused by the accumulation of discharge products.Developing efficient catalyst for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions is effective to reduce the overpotentials in Li-O2cells.In our work,we report a Co3O4modified Ag/g-C3N4nanocomposite as a bifunctional cathode catalyst for Li-O2cells.The g-C3N4substrate prevents the accumulation of Ag and Co3O4nanoparticles and the presence of Ag NPs improves the surface area of g-C3N4and electronic conductivity,significantly improving the oxygen reduction/evolution capabilities of Co3O4.Due to a synergetic effect,the Ag/g-C3N4/Co3O4nanocomposite demonstrates a higher catalytic activity than each individual constituent of Co3O4or Ag/g-C3N4for the ORR/OER on as catalysts in Li-O2cells.As a result,the Ag/gC3N4/Co3O4composite shows impressive electrochemical performance in a Li-O2battery,including high discharge capacity,small gap between charge and discharge potential,and high cycling stability.

Dispersion hydrophobic electrolyte enables lithium-oxygen battery enduring saturated water vapor

Li-O_(2) batteries gain widespread attention as a can didate for next-generati on energy storage devices due to their extraordinary theoretic specific energy.The semi-open structure of Li-O_(2) batteries causes many parasitic reactions,especially related to water.Water is a double-edged sword,which destroys Li anode and simultaneously triggers a solution-based pathway of the discharge product.In this work,hexamethyldisilazane(HMDS)is introduced into the electrolyte of an aprotic Li-O_(2) battery.HMDS has a strong ability to combine with a trace of water to gen erate a hydrophobic hexamethyldisiloxa ne(MM),which eliminates water from the electrolyte decomposition and then prevents the Li anode from producing the insulating LiOH with water.In this case,the hydrophobic MM disperses in the ether-based electrolyte,forming a dispersion hydrophobic electrolyte.This electrolyte can anchor water from the environment on the cathode side,which triggers a solution-based pathway and regulates the growth morphology of the discharge product and consequently increases the discharge capacity.Compared with the Li-O_(2) battery without the HMDS,the HMDS-containing Li-O_(2) battery contributes an about 13-fold increase of cyclability(400 cycles,1800 h)in the extreme environment of saturated water vapor.This work opens a new approach for directly operating aprotic Li-O_(2) batteries in ambient air.

Recent Advances on Ruthenium-based Electrocatalysts for Lithium-oxygen Batteries

Rechargeable lithium-oxygen(Li-O_(2))batteries have attracted wide attention due to their high energy density.However,the sluggish cathode kinetics results in high overvoltage and poor cycling performance.Ruthenium(Ru)-based electrocatalysts have been demonstrated to be promising cathode catalysts to promote oxygen evolution reaction(OER).It facilitates decomposition of lithium peroxide(Li_(2)O_(2))by adjusting Li_(2)O_(2) morphologies,which is due to the strong interaction between Ru-based catalyst and superoxide anion(O_(2))intermediate.In this review,the design strategies of Ru-based electrocatalysts are introduced to enhance their OER catalytic kinetics in Li-O_(2) batteries.Different configurations of Ru-based catalysts,including metal particles(Ru metal and alloys),single-atom catalysts,and Ru-loaded compounds with various substrates(carbon materials,metal oxides/sulfides),have been summarized to regulate the electronic structure and the matrix architecture of the Ru-based electrocatalysts.The structure-property relationship of Ru-based catalysts is discussed for a better understanding of the Li_(2)O_(2) decomposition mechanism at the cathode interface.Finally,the challenges of Ru-based electrocatalysts are proposed for the future development of Li-O_(2) batteries.

Atomically Dispersed Ruthenium Catalysts with Open Hollow Structure for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Lithium–oxygen battery with ultrahigh theoretical energy density is considered a highly competitive next-generation energy storage device,but its practical application is severely hindered by issues such as difficult decomposition of discharge products at present.Here,we have developed N-doped carbon anchored atomically dispersed Ru sites cathode catalyst with open hollow structure(h-RuNC)for Lithium–oxygen battery.On one hand,the abundance of atomically dispersed Ru sites can effectively catalyze the formation and decomposition of discharge products,thereby greatly enhancing the redox kinetics.On the other hand,the open hollow structure not only enhances the mass activity of atomically dispersed Ru sites but also improves the diffusion efficiency of catalytic molecules.Therefore,the excellent activity from atomically dispersed Ru sites and the enhanced diffusion from open hollow structure respectively improve the redox kinetics and cycling stability,ultimately achieving a high-performance lithium–oxygen battery.

Engineering single-atom Mn on nitrogen-doped carbon to regulate lithium-peroxide reaction kinetics for rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries

Precision engineering of catalytic sites to guide more favorable pathways for Li_(2)O_(2) nucleation and decom-position represents an enticing kinetic strategy for mitigating overpotential,enhancing discharge capac-ity,and improving recycling stability of Li-O_(2) batteries.In this work,we employ metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)derivation and ion substitution strategies to construct atomically dispersed Mn-N_(4) moieties on hierarchical porous nitrogen-doped carbon(Mn SAs-NC)with the aim of reducing the over-potential and improving the cycling stability of Li-O_(2) batteries.The porous structure provides more chan-nels for mass transfer and exposes more highly active sites for electrocatalytic reactions,thus promoting the formation and decomposition of Li_(2)O_(2).The Li-O_(2) batteries with Mn SAs-NC cathode achieve lower overpotential,higher specific capacity(14290 mA h g^(-1) at 100 mAg^(-1)),and superior cycle stability(>100 cycles at 200 mA g^(-1))compared with the Mn NPs-NC and NC.Density functional theory(DFT)cal-culations reveal that the construction of Mn-N_(4) moiety tunes the charge distribution of the pyridinic N-rich vacancy and balances the affinity of the intermediates(LiO_(2) and Li_(2)O_(2)).The initial nucleation of Li_(2)O_(2) on Mn SAs-NC favors the O_(2)-→LiO_(2)→Li_(2)O_(2) surface-adsorption pathway,which mitigates the overpoten-tials of the oxygen reduction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).As a result,Mn SAs-NC with Mn-N_(4) moiety effectively facilitates the Li_(2)O_(2) nucleation and enables its reversible decomposition.This work establishes a methodology for constructing carbon-based electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity for Li-O_(2)batteries.

Mechanism of internal thermal runaway propagation in blade batteries

Blade batteries are extensively used in electric vehicles,but unavoidable thermal runaway is an inherent threat to their safe use.This study experimentally investigated the mechanism underlying thermal runaway propagation within a blade battery by using a nail to trigger thermal runaway and thermocouples to track its propagation inside a cell.The results showed that the internal thermal runaway could propagate for up to 272 s,which is comparable to that of a traditional battery module.The velocity of the thermal runaway propagation fluctuated between 1 and 8 mm s^(-1),depending on both the electrolyte content and high-temperature gas diffusion.In the early stages of thermal runaway,the electrolyte participated in the reaction,which intensified the thermal runaway and accelerated its propagation.As the battery temperature increased,the electrolyte evaporated,which attenuated the acceleration effect.Gas diffusion affected thermal runaway propagation through both heat transfer and mass transfer.The experimental results indicated that gas diffusion accelerated the velocity of thermal runaway propagation by 36.84%.We used a 1D mathematical model and confirmed that convective heat transfer induced by gas diffusion increased the velocity of thermal runaway propagation by 5.46%-17.06%.Finally,the temperature rate curve was analyzed,and a three-stage mechanism for internal thermal runaway propagation was proposed.In Stage I,convective heat transfer from electrolyte evaporation locally increased the temperature to 100℃.In Stage II,solid heat transfer locally increases the temperature to trigger thermal runaway.In StageⅢ,thermal runaway sharply increases the local temperature.The proposed mechanism sheds light on the internal thermal runaway propagation of blade batteries and offers valuable insights into safety considerations for future design.

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.

Catalytic effect in lithium metal batteries: From heterogeneous catalyst to homogenous catalyst

Lithium metal batteries are regarded as prominent contenders to address the pressing needs owing to the high theoretical capacity.Toward the broader implementation,the primary obstacle lies in the intricate multi-electron,multi-step redox reaction associated with sluggish conversion kinetics,subsequently giving rise to a cascade of parasitic issues.In order to smooth reaction kinetics,catalysts are widely introduced to accelerate reaction rate via modulating the energy barrier.Over past decades,a large amount of research has been devoted to the catalyst design and catalytic mechanism exploration,and thus the great progress in electrochemical performance has been realized.Therefore,it is necessary to make a comprehensive review toward key progress in catalyst design and future development pathway.In this review,the basic mechanism of lithium metal batteries is provided along with corresponding advantages and existing challenges detailly described.The main catalysts employed to accelerate cathode reaction with emphasis on their catalytic mechanism are summarized as well.Finally,the rational design and innovative direction toward efficient catalysts are suggested for future application in metal-sulfur/gas battery and beyond.This review is expected to drive and benefit future research on rational catalyst design with multi-parameter synergistic impacts on the activity and stability of next-generation metal battery,thus opening new avenue for sustainable solution to climate change,energy and environmental issues,and the potential industrial economy.

Electro-spraying/spinning: A novel battery manufacturing technology

Lithium-ion battery(LIB) industry seems to have met its bottle neck in cutting down producing costs even though much efforts have been put into building a complete industrial chain. Actually, manufacturing methods can greatly affect the cost of battery production. Up to now, lithium ion battery producers still adopt manufacturing methods with cumbersome sub-components preparing processes and costly assembling procedures, which will undoubtedly elevate the producing cost. Herein, we propose a novel approach to directly assemble battery components(cathode, anode and separator) in an integrated way using electro-spraying and electro-spinning technologies. More importantly, this novel battery manufacturing method can produce LIBs in large scale, and the products show excellent mechanical strength, flexibility, thermal stability and electrolyte wettability. Additionally, the performance of the as-prepaed Li Fe PO_(4)||graphite full cell produced by this new method is comparable or even better than that produced by conventional manufacturing approach. In brief, this work provides a new promising technology to prepare LIBs with low cost and better performance.

Reviewing electrochemical stability of ionic liquids-/deep eutectic solvents-based electrolytes in lithium-ion,lithium-metal and post-lithium-ion batteries for green and safe energy

Sustainable energy is the key issue for the environment protection,human activity and economic development.Ionic liquids(ILs)and deep eutectic solvents(DESs)are dogmatically regarded as green and sustainable electrolytes in lithium-ion,lithium-metal(e.g.,lithium-sulphur,lithium-oxygen)and post-lithium-ion(e.g.,sodium-ion,magnesium-ion,and aluminum-ion)batteries.High electrochemical stability of ILs/DESs is one of the prerequisites for green,sustainable and safe energy;while easy electrochemical decomposition of ILs/DESs would be contradictory to the concept of green chemistry by adding the cost,releasing volatile/hazardous by-products and hindering the recyclability.However,(1)are ILs/DESs-based electrolytes really electrochemically stable when they are not used in batteries?(2)are ILs/DESs-based electrolytes really electrochemically stable in real batteries?(3)how to design ILs/DESs-based electrolytes with high electrochemical stability for batteries to achieve sustainability and green development?Up to now,there is no summary on this topic,to the best of our knowledge.Here,we review the effect of chemical structure and non-structural factors on the electrochemical stability of ILs/DESs in simulated conditions.More importantly,electrochemical stability of ILs/DESs in real lithium-ion,lithium-metal and post-lithium-ion batteries is concluded and compared.Finally,the strategies to improve the electrochemical stability of ILs/DESs in lithium-ion,lithium-metal and post-lithium-ion batteries are proposed.This review would provide a guide to design ILs/DESs with high electrochemical stability for lithium-ion,lithium-metal and postlithium-ion batteries to achieve sustainable and green energy.

Physics-based battery SOC estimation methods:Recent advances and future perspectives

The reliable prediction of state of charge(SOC)is one of the vital functions of advanced battery management system(BMS),which has great significance towards safe operation of electric vehicles.By far,the empirical model-based and data-driven-based SOC estimation methods of lithium-ion batteries have been comprehensively discussed and reviewed in various literatures.However,few reviews involving SOC estimation focused on electrochemical mechanism,which gives physical explanations to SOC and becomes most attractive candidate for advanced BMS.For this reason,this paper comprehensively surveys on physics-based SOC algorithms applied in advanced BMS.First,the research progresses of physical SOC estimation methods for lithium-ion batteries are thoroughly discussed and corresponding evaluation criteria are carefully elaborated.Second,future perspectives of the current researches on physics-based battery SOC estimation are presented.The insights stated in this paper are expected to catalyze the development and application of the physics-based advanced BMS algorithms.

Thermal safety boundary of lithium-ion battery at different state of charge

Thermal runaway(TR)is a critical issue hindering the large-scale application of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).Understanding the thermal safety behavior of LIBs at the cell and module level under different state of charges(SOCs)has significant implications for reinforcing the thermal safety design of the lithium-ion battery module.This study first investigates the thermal safety boundary(TSB)correspondence at the cells and modules level under the guidance of a newly proposed concept,safe electric quantity boundary(SEQB).A reasonable thermal runaway propagation(TRP)judgment indicator,peak heat transfer power(PHTP),is proposed to predict whether TRP occurs.Moreover,a validated 3D model is used to quantitatively clarify the TSB at different SOCs from the perspective of PHTP,TR trigger temperature,SOC,and the full cycle life.Besides,three different TRP transfer modes are discovered.The interconversion relationship of three different TRP modes is investigated from the perspective of PHTP.This paper explores the TSB of LIBs under different SOCs at both cell and module levels for the first time,which has great significance in guiding the thermal safety design of battery systems.

Recent Advances in Aqueous Zn||MnO_(2)Batteries

Recently,rechargeable aqueous zinc-based batteries using manganese oxide as the cathode(e.g.,MnO_(2))have gained attention due to their inherent safety,environmental friendliness,and low cost.Despite their potential,achieving high energy density in Zn||MnO_(2)batteries remains challenging,highlighting the need to understand the electrochemical reaction mechanisms underlying these batteries more deeply and optimize battery components,including electrodes and electrolytes.This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advancements for understanding the electrochemistry reaction mechanisms and designing electrodes and electrolytes for Zn||MnO_(2)batteries in mildly and strongly acidic environments.Furthermore,we highlight the key challenges hindering the extensive application of Zn||MnO_(2)batteries,including high-voltage requirements and areal capacity,and propose innovative solutions to overcome these challenges.We suggest that MnO_(2)/Mn^(2+)conversion in neutral electrolytes is a crucial aspect that needs to be addressed to achieve high-performance Zn||MnO_(2)batteries.These approaches could lead to breakthroughs in the future development of Zn||MnO_(2)batteries,off ering a more sustainable,costeff ective,and high-performance alternative to traditional batteries.

Constructed Mott-Schottky Heterostructure Catalyst to Trigger Interface Disturbance and Manipulate Redox Kinetics in Li-O_(2) Battery

Lithium-oxygen batteries(LOBs)with high energy density are a promising advanced energy storage technology.However,the slow cathodic redox kinetics during cycling causes the discharge products to fail to decompose in time,resulting in large polarization and battery failure in a short time.Therefore,a self-supporting interconnected nanosheet array network NiCo_(2)O_(4)/MnO_(2)with a Mott-Schottky heterostructure on titanium paper(TP-NCO/MO)is ingeniously designed as an efficient cathode catalyst material for LOBs.This heterostructure can accelerate electron transfer and influence the charge transfer process during adsorption of intermediate by triggering the interface disturbance at the heterogeneous interface,thus accelerating oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution kinetics and regulating product decomposition,which is expected to solve the above problems.The meticulously designed unique structural advantages enable the TP-NCO/MO cathode catalyst to exhibit an astounding ultra-long cycle life of 800 cycles and an extraordinarily low overpotential of 0.73 V.This study utilizes a simple method to cleverly regulate the morphology of the discharge products by constructing a Mott-Schottky heterostructure,providing important reference for the design of efficient catalysts aimed at optimizing the adsorption of reaction intermediates.

Inherent thermal-responsive strategies for safe lithium batteries

Safe batteries are the basis for next-generation application scenarios such as portable energy storage devices and electric vehicles,which are crucial to achieving carbon neutralization.Electrolytes,separators,and electrodes as main components of lithium batteries strongly affect the occurrence of safety accidents.Responsive materials,which can respond to external stimuli or environmental change,have triggered extensive attentions recently,holding great promise in facilitating safe and smart batteries.This review thoroughly discusses recent advances regarding the construction of high-safety lithium batteries based on internal thermal-responsive strategies,together with the corresponding changes in electrochemical performance under external stimulus.Furthermore,the existing challenges and outlook for the design of safe batteries are presented,creating valuable insights and proposing directions for the practical implementation of safe lithium batteries.

In situ high-quality LiF/Li_(3)N inorganic and phenyl-based organic solid electrolyte interphases for advanced lithium–oxygen batteries

Lithium metal shows a great advantage as the most promising anode for its unparalleled theoretical specific capacity and extremely low electrochemical potential.However,uncontrolled lithium dendrite growth and severe side reactions of the reactive intermediates and organic electrolytes still limit the broad application of lithium metal batteries.Herein,we propose 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl fluoride(NBSF)as an electrolyte additive for forming a stable organic-inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)layer on the lithium surface.The abundance of lithium fluoride and lithium nitride can guarantee the SEI layer's toughness and high ionic conductivity,achieving dendrite-free lithium deposition.Meanwhile,the phenyl group of NBSF significantly contributes to both the chemical stability of the SEI layer and the good adaptation to volume changes of the lithium anode.The lithium-oxygen batteries with NBSF exhibit prolonged cycle lives and excellent cycling stability.This simple approach is hoped to improve the development of the organic-inorganic SEI layer to stabilize the lithium anodes for lithium-oxygen batteries.

Progress,challenges,and prospects of spent lithium-ion batteries recycling:A review

The recycling and reutilization of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have become an important measure to alleviate problems like resource scarcity and environmental pollution.Although some progress has been made,battery recycling technology still faces challenges in terms of efficiency,effectiveness and environmental sustainability.This review aims to systematically review and analyze the current status of spent LIB recycling,and conduct a detailed comparison and evaluation of different recycling processes.In addition,this review introduces emerging recycling techniques,including deep eutectic solvents,molten salt roasting,and direct regeneration,with the intent of enhancing recycling efficiency and diminishing environmental repercussions.Furthermore,to increase the added value of recycled materials,this review proposes the concept of upgrading recycled materials into high value-added functional materials,such as catalysts,adsorbents,and graphene.Through life cycle assessment,the paper also explores the economic and environmental impacts of current battery recycling and highlights the importance that future recycling technologies should achieve a balance between recycling efficiency,economics and environmental benefits.Finally,this review outlines the opportunities and challenges of recycling key materials for next-generation batteries,and proposes relevant policy recommendations to promote the green and sustainable development of batteries,circular economy,and ecological civilization.

Aligned Ion Conduction Pathway of Polyrotaxane‑Based Electrolyte with Dispersed Hydrophobic Chains for Solid‑State Lithium–Oxygen Batteries

A critical challenge hindering the practical application of lithium–oxygen batteries(LOBs)is the inevitable problems associated with liquid electrolytes,such as evaporation and safety problems.Our study addresses these problems by proposing a modified polyrotaxane(mPR)-based solid polymer electrolyte(SPE)design that simultaneously mitigates solvent-related problems and improves conductivity.mPR-SPE exhibits high ion conductivity(2.8×10^(−3)S cm^(−1)at 25℃)through aligned ion conduction pathways and provides electrode protection ability through hydrophobic chain dispersion.Integrating this mPR-SPE into solid-state LOBs resulted in stable potentials over 300 cycles.In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals the presence of an LiO_(2)intermediate alongside Li_(2)O_(2)during oxygen reactions.Ex situ X-ray diffraction confirm the ability of the SPE to hinder the permeation of oxygen and moisture,as demonstrated by the air permeability tests.The present study suggests that maintaining a low residual solvent while achieving high ionic conductivity is crucial for restricting the sub-reactions of solid-state LOBs.

Engineering Strategies for Suppressing the Shuttle Effect in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries are supposed to be one of the most potential next-generation batteries owing to their high theoretical capacity and low cost.Nevertheless,the shuttle effect of firm multi-step two-electron reaction between sulfur and lithium in liquid electrolyte makes the capacity much smaller than the theoretical value.Many methods were proposed for inhibiting the shuttle effect of polysulfide,improving corresponding redox kinetics and enhancing the integral performance of Li–S batteries.Here,we will comprehensively and systematically summarize the strategies for inhibiting the shuttle effect from all components of Li–S batteries.First,the electrochemical principles/mechanism and origin of the shuttle effect are described in detail.Moreover,the efficient strategies,including boosting the sulfur conversion rate of sulfur,confining sulfur or lithium polysulfides(LPS)within cathode host,confining LPS in the shield layer,and preventing LPS from contacting the anode,will be discussed to suppress the shuttle effect.Then,recent advances in inhibition of shuttle effect in cathode,electrolyte,separator,and anode with the aforementioned strategies have been summarized to direct the further design of efficient materials for Li–S batteries.Finally,we present prospects for inhibition of the LPS shuttle and potential development directions in Li–S batteries.