Tuning the layer structure of molybdenum trioxide towards high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted significant attentions because of low cost and high reliability. However, conventional ZIBs are severely limited by the development of high energy density cathode materials with reversible Zn²⁺ insertion/extraction. Herein, a conducting polymer intercalated MoO₃ (PMO) with extensively extended interlayer spacing is developed as a high-performance ZIBs cathode material. The interlayer spacing of PMO is prominently increased which results in an improved Zn²⁺ mobility during charge and discharge process. More significantly, the electrochemical results reveals that the intercalation of PANI facilitates the charge storage and reinforces the layered structure of MoO₃, leading to a high capacity and good cycling stability. DFT calculation further reveals the intercalation of PANI into MoO₃ significantly lower Zn²⁺ diffusion barrier. Benefit from these advantages, the ZIBs based on PMO electrode delivers a considerable capacity of 157 mAh/g at 0.5 A/g and ameliorative stability with 63.4% capacity retention after 1000 cycles.     

Metal-organic frameworks derived low-crystalline NiCo2S4/Co3S4 nanocages with dual heterogeneous interfaces for high-performance supercapacitors

Nickel cobalt bimetallic heterogeneous sulfides are attractive battery-type materials for electrochemical energy storage. However, the precise synthesis of electrode materials that integrate highly efficient ions/electrons diffusion with abundant charge transfer channels has always been challenging. Herein, an effective and concise controllable hydrothermal approach is reported for tuning the crystalline and integrated structures of MOF-derived bimetallic sulfides to accelerate the charge transfer kinetics, and thus enabling rich Faradaic redox reaction. The as-obtained low-crystalline heterogeneous NiCo₂S₄/Co₃S₄ nanocages exhibit a high specific capacity (1023 C/g at 1 A/g), remarkable rate performance (560 C/g at 10 A/g), and outstanding cycling stability (89.6% retention after 5000 cycles). Furthermore, hybrid supercapacitors fabricated with NiCo₂S₄/Co₃S₄ and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide display an outstanding energy density of 40.8 Wh/kg at a power density of 806.3 W/kg, with an excellent capacity retention of 88.3% after 10000 charge-discharge cycles.     

Agar-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbon as anode for construction of cost-effective lithium-ion batteries

Balancing cost and performance of porous carbon (PC) as anode for lithium-ion battery (LIBs) is the key to effectively promote commercial application. Herein, low-cost N-doped PC (NPC-Ts, T = 600, 750 and 900 °C) were facilely prepared in batches via one-pot pyrolysis of agar with different carbonization temperature. The NPC-750 with specific surface area of 2914 m²/g and N content of 2.84% exhibits an ultrahigh reversible capacity of 1019 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 100 cycles and 837 mAh/g at 1 A/g after 500 cycles. Remarkably, the resulting LIBs exhibit an ultrafast charge-discharge feature with a remarkable capacity of 281 mAh/g at 10 A/g and a superlong cycle life with a capacity retention of 87% after 5000 cycles at 10 A/g. Coupling with LiFePO₄ cathode, the fabricated lithium-ion full cells possess high capacity, excellent rate and cycling performances (125 mAh/g at 100 mA/g, capacity retention of 95%, after 220 cycles), highlighting the practicability of this NPC-750 as the anode materials.     

Fabrication of Polyaniline/Graphene/Polyester Textile Electrode Materials for Flexible Supercapacitors with High Capacitance and Cycling Stability

Vertical polyaniline (PANI) nanowire arrays on graphene‐sheet‐coated polyester cloth (RGO/PETC) were fabricated by the in situ chemical polymerization of aniline. The 3D conductive network that was formed by the graphene sheets greatly enhanced the conductivity of PANI/RGO/PETC and improved its mechanical stability. PANI nanowire arrays increased the active surface area of PANI, whilst the hierarchically porous structure of the PANI/RGO/PETC electrode facilitated the diffusion of the electrolyte ions. Electrochemical measurements showed that the composite electrode exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 1293 F g^?1 at a current density of 1 A g^?1. Capacitance retention was greater than 95 %, even after 3000 cycles, which indicated that the electrode material has excellent cycling stability. Moreover, the electrode structure endowed the PANI/RGO/PETC electrode with a stable electrochemical performance under mechanical bending and stretching.     

CeO2 quantum dots doped Ni-Co hydroxide nanosheets for ultrahigh energy density asymmetric supercapacitors

By integrating the merits of lanthanide elements and quantum dots, we firstly design CeO₂ quantum dots doped Ni-Co hydroxide nanosheet via a controllable synthetic strategy, which exhibits a large specific capacitance (1370.7 F/g at 1.0 A/g) and a good cyclic stability (90.6% retention after 4000 cycles). Moreover, we assemble an aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor with the obtained material, which has an extremely high energy density (108.9 Wh/kg at 378 W/kg) and outstanding cycle stability (retaining 88.1% capacitance at 2.0 A/g after 4000 cycles).     

Hierarchical porous NiCo2O4 nanowires for high-rate supercapacitors

We demonstrate a simple and scalable strategy for synthesizing hierarchical porous NiCo(2)O(4) nanowires which exhibit a high specific capacitance of 743 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) with excellent rate performance (78.6% capacity retention at 40 A g(-1)) and cycling stability (only 6.2% loss after 3000 cycles).     

静电纺氧化锰复合碳纳米纤维柔性膜的电化学性能

采用一步法静电纺丝技术制备了具有超亲水特性的氧化锰/碳纳米纤维(MnO_x/CNFs)复合柔性膜电极材料,并通过X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜等对复合材料进行了表征.电化学性能测试结果表明,复合材料的电容性能优于单一材料,醋酸锰质量分数为40%时制得的复合纳米纤维电极(MC-4)在1 A/g电流密度下,于2 mol/L KOH电解液中的比电容高达1112.5 F/g,10 A/g电流密度下循环3000次比容量保持在93.4%,具有很好的稳定性.MnO_x/CNFs复合材料电化学性能增强一方面是由于三维超亲水纤维膜结构有利于电解液的快速浸润渗透,从而极大缩短了传输到材料基质的有效路径;另一方面是由于碳和MnO_x的协同效应,包裹在MnO_x粒子周围的碳层避免了MnO_x在充放电过程中的体积膨胀效应,这2种叠加机制促进了电化学性能的提升.     

Hybrid Structures of Sisal Fiber Derived Interconnected Carbon Nanosheets/MoS2/Polyaniline as Advanced Electrode Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this work, we designed and successfully synthesized an interconnected carbon nanosheet/MoS₂/polyaniline hybrid (ICN/MoS₂/PANI) by combining the hydrothermal method and in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. The as-synthesized ICNs/MoS₂/PANI hybrid showed a “caramel treat-like” architecture in which the sisal fiber derived ICNs were used as hosts to grow “follower-like” MoS₂ nanostructures, and the PANI film was controllably grown on the surface of ICNs and MoS₂. As a LIBs anode material, the ICN/MoS₂/PANI electrode possesses excellent cycling performance, superior rate capability, and high reversible capacity. The reversible capacity retains 583 mA h/g after 400 cycles at a high current density of 2 A/g. The standout electrochemical performance of the ICN/MoS₂/PANI electrode can be attributed to the synergistic effects of ICNs, MoS₂ nanostructures, and PANI. The ICN framework can buffer the volume change of MoS₂, facilitate electron transfer, and supply more lithium inset sites. The MoS₂ nanostructures provide superior rate capability and reversible capacity, and the PANI coating can further buffer the volume change and facilitate electron transfer.     

Hollow polyhedron structure of amorphous Ni-Co-S/Co(OH)_2 for high performance supercapacitors

In power storage technology,ion exchange is widely used to modify the electronic structures of electrode materials to stimulate their electrochemical properties.Here,we proposed a multistep ion exchange(cation exchange and anion exchange) strategy to synthesize amorphous Ni-Co-S and β-Co(OH)_2 hybrid nanomaterials with a hollow polyhedron structures.The synergistic effects of different components and the remarkable superiorities of hollow structure endow Ni-Co-S/Co(OH)_2 electrode with outstanding electrochemical performance,including ultra-high specific capacity(1440.0 C/g at 1 A/g),superior capacitance retention rate(79.1% retention at 20 A/g) and long operating lifespan(81.4% retention after5000 cycles).Moreover,the corresponding hybrid supercapacitor enjoys a high energy density of 58.4 Wh/kg at the power density of 0.8 kW/kg,and a decent cyclability that the capacitances are maintained at80.8% compared with the initial capacitance.This research presents a high-performance electrode material and provides a promising route for the construction of electrode materials for supercapacitors with both structural and component advantages.     

氧化剂对磺化石墨烯负载聚苯胺复合材料结构与电化学性能的影响

以磺化石墨烯(sGNS)为基板材料,通过界面聚合方法制备出不同分级结构磺化石墨烯负载聚苯胺(sGNS/PANI)复合材料,并系统研究了氧化剂类型对复合材料的化学组成、形貌结构和超级电容特性的影响.结果显示,过硫酸铵为氧化剂合成的复合材料中PANI的产率和氧化程度最高,其形貌呈现出sGNS垂直生长PANI纳米短棒阵列结构,PANI的共轭程度和结晶性均较高,从而赋予复合材料高的比电容(497.3 Fg-1),以及良好的倍率特性和循环稳定性(2000次循环后比电容仅损失5.7%).当以三氯化铁为氧化剂时,复合材料中PANI的得率很低,并在sGNS表面形成较薄的包覆层,此时复合材料的比电容最低(228.5 Fg-1),但充放电循环性能较好(2000次循环后比电容的保持率为87.4%).当氧化剂为高锰酸钾时,复合材料中PANI以团聚态颗粒无规堆积在sGNS表面,PANI以无定型结构存在,其比电容虽然较高(419.6 F g-1),但其倍率特性和充放电循环性能较差(2000次循环后比电容损失19.9%).     

Proton-Reservoir Hydrogel Electrolyte for Long-Term Cycling Zn/PANI Batteries in Wide Temperature Range

Advanced aqueous batteries are promising for next generation flexible devices owing to the high safety, yet still requiring better cycling stability and high capacities in wide temperature range. Herein, a polymeric acid hydrogel electrolyte (PAGE) with 3 M Zn(ClO₄)₂ was fabricated for high performance Zn/polyaniline (PANI) batteries. With PAGE, even at −35 °C the Zn/Zn symmetrical battery can keep stable for more than 1 500 h under 2 mA cm⁻², and the Zn/PANI battery can provide ultra-high stable specific capacity of 79.6 mAh g⁻¹ for more than 70 000 cycles at 15 A g⁻¹. This can be mainly ascribed to the −SO₃⁻H⁺ function group in PAGE. It can generate constant protons and guide the (002) plane formation to accelerate the PANI redox reaction kinetics, increase the specific capacity, and suppress the side reaction and dendrites. This proton-supplying strategy by polymeric acid hydrogel may further propel the development of high performance aqueous batteries.     

Perovskite SrCo0.9Nb0.1O3−δ as an Anion‐Intercalated Electrode Material for Supercapacitors with Ultrahigh Volumetric Energy Density

We have synthesized and characterized perovskite‐type SrCo_0.9Nb_0.1O_3−δ (SCN) as a novel anion‐intercalated electrode material for supercapacitors in an aqueous KOH electrolyte, demonstrating a very high volumetric capacitance of about 2034.6 F cm⁻³ (and gravimetric capacitance of ca. 773.6 F g⁻¹) at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ while maintaining excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 95.7 % after 3000 cycles. When coupled with an activated carbon (AC) electrode, the SCN/AC asymmetric supercapacitor delivered a specific energy density as high as 37.6 Wh kg⁻¹ with robust long‐term stability.     

Preparation of 3D MnO2/Polyaniline/Graphene Hybrid Material via Interfacial Polymerization as High‐Performance Supercapacitor Electrode

MnO₂/polyaniline/graphene composite as a supercapacitor electrode material was synthesized through an interfacial polymerization approach in the interface of oil/water phase. The as‐synthesized MPG is characterized by infrared spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM, and its electrochemical performance is measured by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The 3D nanostructure of MPG and loose nanorod structure of polyaniline (PANI) coated with round MnO₂ pellets could be clearly observed. The maximum energy density of MPG is 45.4 Wh/kg (at a power density of 67.8 kW/kg) and the highest power density is 229.2 kW/kg (at an energy density of 25.7 Wh/kg). The capacitance retentions after 500 cycles at the scan rate of 5 mV/s for MGP composite and PANI/graphene are 70.4% and 59.1%, respectively, and the capacitance values after 500 cycles are 158.4 F/g and 114.8 F/g, respectively. The improved performance of MPG is due to the 3D nanostructure, loose nanorod structure of PANI and stable support of graphene, which prevent the mechanical deformation effectively during the fast charge/discharge process and facilitate the diffusion of the electrolyte ions into the inner region of active materials. The composite material is very promising for the next generation of high‐performance supercapacitors electrode.     

Synthesis of vanadium oxides nanosheets as anode material for asymmetric supercapacitor

Vanadium oxides (V₂O₅) have been intensely investigated for advanced supercapacitors due to its extensive multifunctional properties of typical layered structure and multiple stable oxide states of vanadium in its oxides. In this study, V₂O₅ nanosheets are synthesized via V₂O₅ xerogel solvothermal reaction in ethanol solvent at 200 °C for 12 h. The V₂O₅ nanosheets facilitate the easy accessibility of ions and can provide more area available for electrochemical reactions. We have achieved the highest specific capacitance of 298 F/g and good rate discharge for V₂O₅ electrodes. Notably, the capacitance still retains a high retention rate of 85% after 10,000 cycles at 200 mV/s. Furthermore, asymmetric supercapacitors is assembled based on V₂O₅ nanosheets and active carbon electrode, and a specific capacitance of 13.2 F/g is obtained at 1 A/g, with a energy density of 4.7 Wh/kg at a power density of 0.798 kW/kg and remains 2.28 Wh/kg at 7.992 kW/kg. Based on these results, the asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a good cycle life with 77.3% capacitance retention after 3000 cycles. It suggests that the V₂O₅ nanosheets are promising electrode material for electrochemical supercapacitors.     

Engineering Active Sites of Polyaniline for AlCl2+ Storage in an Aluminum-Ion Battery

The reversible capacity of AlCl₄⁻ intercalation/de-intercalation in conventional cathodes of aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) is difficult to improve due to the large size of AlCl₄⁻ anions. Therefore, it is highly desirable to realize the intercalation/de-intercalation of smaller Al-based ions. Here, we fabricated polyaniline/single-walled carbon nanotubes (PANI/SWCNTs) composite films and protonated the PANI nanorods. The protonation endows PANI with more active sites and enhanced conductivity. Hyper self-protonated PANI (PANI(H⁺)) exhibits reversible AlCl₂⁺ intercalation/de-intercalation during the discharge/charge process. As a result, the discharge capacity of the Al/PANI(H⁺) battery is twice as high as that of the initial composite films. PANI(H⁺)@SWCNT electrodes also have a stable cycling life with only 0.003 % capacity decay per cycle over 8000 cycles. Owing to the excellent mechanical properties, PANI(H⁺)@SWCNT composite films can act as the electrodes of flexible AIBs.     

Highly stable aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion battery: The synergistic effect between NaV_6O_(15) and V_2O_5 in skin-core heterostructured nanowires cathode

The aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries based on the safe,low cost and environmental benignity aqueous electrolytes are one of the most compelling candidates for large scale energy storage applications.However,pursuing suitable insertion materials may be a great challenge due to the strong electrostatic interaction between Zn^{^(2+})and cathode materials.Hence,a novel NaV₆O₁₅/V₂O₅ skin-core heterostructure nanowire is reported via a one-step hydrothermal method and subsequent calcination for high-stable aqueous Zn-ion batteries(ZIBs).The NaV₆O₁₅/V₂O₅ cathode delivers high specific capacity of 390 m Ah/g at 0.3 A/g and outstanding cycling stability of 267 m Ah/g at 5 A/g with high capacity retention over 92.3%after 3000 cycles.The superior electrochemical performances are attributed to the synergistic effect of skin-core heterostructured NaV₆O₁₅/V₂O₅,in which the sheath of NaV₆O₁₅ possesses high stability and conductivity,and the V₂O₅ endows high specific capacity.Besides,the heterojunction structure not only accelerates intercalation kinetics of Zn²⁺transport but also further consolidates the stability of the layers of V₂O₅ during the cyclic process.This work provides a new perspective in developing feasible insertion materials for rechargeable aqueous ZIBs.     

MnO2-directed synthesis of NiFe-LDH@FeOOH nanosheeet arrays for supercapacitor negative electrode

The complex-architectured NiFe-LDH@FeOOH negative material was first prepared by simple two-step hydrothermal method. In this study, the porous nanostructure of FeOOH nanosheets features a large number of accessible channels to electroactive sites and the two-dimensional layered structure of NiFe-LDH nanosheets have an open spatial structure with high specific surface area, which enhance the diffusion of ions in the active material. Benefited from above advantages, the excellent electrochemical properties were demonstrated. NiFe-LDH@FeOOH nanocomposites present high specific capacitance (1195 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g), lower resistance and well cycling performance (90.36% retention after 1000 cycles). Furthermore, the NiFe-LDH@MnO₂//NiFe-LDH@FeOOH supercapacitor exhibits 22.68 Wh/kg energy density at 750 W/kg power density, demonstrating potential application in energy storage devices.     

Spinel-type bimetal sulfides derived from Prussian blue analogues as efficient polysulfides mediators for lithium−sulfur batteries

More and more attentions have been attracted by lithium-sulfur batteries (Li-S), owing to the high energy density for the increasingly advanced energy storage system. While the poor cycling stability, due to the inherent polysulfide shuttle, seriously hampered their practical application. Recently, some polar hosts, like single metal oxides and sulfides, have been employed as hosts to interact with polysulfide intermediates. However, due to the inherent poor electrical conductivity of these polar hosts, a relatively low specific capacity is obtained. Herein, a spinel-type bimetal sulfide NiCo₂S₄ through a Prussian blue analogue derived methodology is reported as the novel host of polysulfide, which enables high-performance sulfur cathode with high Coulombic efficiency and low capacity decay. Notably, the Li-S battery with NiCo₂S₄-S composites cathode still maintains a capacity of 667 mAh/g at 0.5 C after 300 cycles, and 399 mAh/g at 1 C after 300 cycles. Even after 300 cycles at the current density of 0.5 C, the capacity decays by 0.138% per cycle at high sulfur loading about 3 mg/cm². And the capacity decays by 0.026% per cycle after 1000 cycles, when the rate is 1 C. More importantly, the cathode of NiCo₂S₄-S composite shows the outstanding discharge capacity, owing to its good conduction, high catalytic ability and the strong confinement of polysulfides.     

SnO_2/corncob-derived activated carbon nanohybrid as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A facile synthesis of Sn O2/corncob-derived activated carbon(CAC) composite was proposed,and the CAC used here has high specific surface area(over 3000 m2/g) and ample oxygen-containing functional groups.The microstructures and morphology as well as electrochemical performance of the Sn O2/CAC composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and relevant electrochemical characterization. The results show that the mass ratios of Sn O2 to CAC have a significant effect on the structures and properties of the composites. The sample with 34% Sn O2 delivered a capacity of 879.8 m Ah/g in the first reversible cycle and maintained at 634.0 m Ah/g(72.1% retention of the initial reversible capacity) after 100 cycles at a current density of 200 m A/g. After 60 cycles at different specific currents from 200 to 2000 m A/g,the reversible specific capacity was still maintained at 632.8 m Ah/g at a current density of 200 m A/g. These results indicate that SnO 2/CAC can be a desirable alternative anode material for lithium ion batteries.