A systematic correlation between morphology of porous carbon cathode and electrolyte in lithium-sulfur battery

Porous carbon has been applied for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes,and carbonized metal-organic framework(MOF)is advantageous in tuning the morphology.Herein,we have systematically synthesized water-distorted MOF(WDM)derived porous carbon via controlling the proportion of both water in a mixed solvent(dimethylformamide and water)and ligand in MOF-5 precursors(metal and ligand),which is categorized by its morphology(i.e.Cracked stone(closed),Tassel(open)and Intermediate(semi-open)).For example,decrease in water and increase in ligand content induce Cracked stone WDMs which showed the highest specific surface area(2742-2990 m^(2)/g)and pore volume(2.81-3.28 cm^(3)/g)after carbonization.Morphological effect of carbonized WDMs(CWDMs)on battery performance was examined by introducing electrolytes with different sulfur reduction mechanisms(i.e.DOL/DME and ACN_(2) LiTFSITTE):Closed framework effectively confines polysulfide,whereas open framework enhances electrolyte accessibility.The initial capacities of the batteries were in the following order:Cracked stone>Intermediate>Tassel for DOL/DME and Intermediate>Tassel>Cracked stone for ACN_(2) LiTFSI-TTE.To note,Intermediate CWDM exhibited the highest initial capacity and retained capacity after 100 cycles(1398 and 747 mAh/g)in ACN_(2) LiTFSI-TTE electrolyte having advantages from both open and closed frameworks.In sum,we could correlate cathode morphology(openness and pore structure)and electrolyte type(i.e.polysulfide solubility)with lithium-sulfur battery performance.

In-situ fabrication of dual porous titanium dioxide films as anode for carbon cathode based perovskite solar cell

We develop a dual porous （DP） TiO2 film for the electron transporting layer （ETL） in carbon cathode based perovskite solar cells （C-PSCs）. The DP TiO2 film was synthesized via a facile PS-templated method with the thickness being controlled by the spin-coating speed. It was found that there is an optimum DP TiO2 film thickness for achieving an effective ETL, a suitable perovskite]TiO2 interface, an efficient light harvester and thus a high performance C-PSC. In particular, such a DP TiO2 film can act as a scaffold for complete-filling of the pores with perovskite and for forming high-quality perovskite crystals that are seamlessly interfaced with Ti02 to enhance interracial charge injection. Leveraging the unique advantages of DP TiO2 ETL, together with a dense-packed and pinhole-free TiO2 compact layer, PCE of the C-PSCs has reached 9.81% with good stability.

A nanoporous nitrogen-doped graphene for high performance lithium sulfur batteries

A nanoporous N-doped reduced graphene oxide（p-N-rGO） was prepared through carbothermal reaction between graphene oxide and ammonium-containing oxometalates as sulfur host for Li-S batteries.The p-N-rGO sheets have abundant nanopores with diameters of 10-40 nm and the nitrogen content is 2.65 at%.When used as sulfur cathode,the obtained p-N-rGO/S composite has a high reversible capacity of 1110mAhg^-1 at 1C rate and stable cycling performance with 781.8 mAhg-1 retained after 110 cycles,much better than those of the rGO/S composite.The enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the rational combination of nanopores and N-doping,which provide efficient contact and wetting with the electrolyte,accommodate volume expansion and immobilize polysulfides during cycling.

Recent developments of aprotic lithium-oxygen batteries： functional materials determine the electrochemical performance

Lithium oxygen battery has the highest theoretical capacity among the rechargeable batteries and it can reform energy storage technology if it comes to commercialization. However,many critical challenges,mainly embody as low charge/discharge round-trip efficiency and poor cycling stability,impede the development of Li-O_2 batteries. The electrolyte decomposition,lithium metal anode corrosion and sluggish oxygen reaction kinetics at cathode are all responsible for poor electrochemical performances.Particularly,the catalytic cathode of Li-O_2 batteries,playing a crucial role to reduce the oxygen during discharging and to decompose discharge products during charging,is regarded as a breakthrough point that has been comprehensive investigated. In this review,the progress and issues of electrolyte,anode and cathode,especially the catalysts used at cathode,are systematically summarized and discussed.Then the perspectives toward the developments of a long life Li-O_2 battery are also presented at last.