离子的胶体状态与其电化学储能极限

阳离子氧化还原化学是电化学储能技术中最核心的储能机理,如何高效快速利用氧化还原活性阳离子是发展兼具高功率密度与高能量密度储电技术的关键。 处于胶体状态的阳离子可形成热力学平衡态和非平衡态,具有高反应活性和低离子迁移势垒,展现出独特的电化学特性。 本文着重介绍氧化还原活性阳离子的胶体状态与其在电化学储能上的应用,并从热力学和动力学方面阐述其储能机理,以及活性胶体离子电极和超级电容电池的构筑。 利用胶体的高比表面积、高离子吸附能力和荷电离子梯度分布等特性,创造性地构筑胶体超级电容电池,解决了现有电化学储能电极材料体系中高容量与高功率不能兼具的问题,同时开拓了胶体体系新的应用方向。     

胶体离子超级电容器

超级电容器具有功率密度大、循环寿命长等优点,但同时面临着能量密度低等缺点. 胶体离子超级电容器是最近开发的一种新型赝电容器,同时具有高功率密度和高能量密度的特点. 胶体离子超级电容器能够充分利用多价态金属阳离子的多电子氧化还原反应,完全释放储存的潜在电能,从而提高超级电容器的能量密度. 由于胶体离子的存在,缩短了电子、离子的扩散长度,加快了氧化还原反应动力学,从而保持高的功率密度. 本文主要介绍胶体离子超级电容器的发展过程、最新研究进展以及需要进一步开展的研究工作,作者希望从一个新的角度去研究发展下一代高性能电化学储能设备,实现新的突破.     

新型超级电容器的研发进展

传统超级电容器受低能量密度的限制,在当今器件研发中需更加关注电极材料结构-组成-性能研究。 本文总结了新型赝电容器的发展历程及其研发过程中存在的挑战与解决措施,着重从胶体离子超级电容器电极材料等新型的电极材料和氧化还原电解质两个方面进行综述。 原位合成的胶体离子超级电容器电极材料比非原位合成的电极材料具有更高的反应活性,并且以近似离子的状态存在,有效增加了电极材料的比容量。 氧化还原电解质的使用在不改变电极材料的前提下,进一步提高了超级电容器的能量密度。 初步介绍了新型锂离子电容器。 锂离子电容器同时使用电池型材料和电容型材料,可提高其能量密度。 依据当前超级电容器的研发现状,未来有望将电池材料和电容器材料结合使用,进而形成电池电容器或电容电池,使其同时具有高的能量密度和功率密度。     

Redox Chemistry of Molybdenum Trioxide for Ultrafast Hydrogen‐Ion Storage

Hydrogen ions are ideal charge carriers for rechargeable batteries due to their small ionic radius and wide availability. However, little attention has been paid to hydrogen‐ion storage devices because they generally deliver relatively low Coulombic efficiency as a result of the hydrogen evolution reaction that occurs in an aqueous electrolyte. Herein, we successfully demonstrate that hydrogen ions can be electrochemically stored in an inorganic molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) electrode with high Coulombic efficiency and stability. The as‐obtained electrode exhibits ultrafast hydrogen‐ion storage properties with a specific capacity of 88 mA hg^?1 at an ultrahigh rate of 100 C. The redox reaction mechanism of the MoO₃ electrode in the hydrogen‐ion cell was investigated in detail. The results reveal a conversion reaction of the MoO₃ electrode into H_0.88MoO₃ during the first hydrogen‐ion insertion process and reversible intercalation/deintercalation of hydrogen ions between H_0.88MoO₃ and H_0.12MoO₃ during the following cycles. This study reveals new opportunities for the development of high‐power energy storage devices with lightweight elements.     

Direct Observation of a Li‐Ionic Space‐Charge Layer Formed at an Electrode/Solid‐Electrolyte Interface

When two different materials come into contact, mobile carriers redistribute at the interface according to their potential difference. Such a charge redistribution is also expected at the interface between electrodes and solid electrolytes. The redistributed ions significantly affect the ion conduction through the interface. Thus, it is essential to determine the actual distribution of the ionic carriers and their potential to improve ion conduction. We succeeded in visualizing the ionic and potential profiles in the charge redistribution layer, or space‐charge layer (SCL), formed at the interface between a Cu electrode and Li‐conductive solid electrolyte using phase‐shifting electron holography and spatially resolved electron energy‐loss spectroscopy. These electron microscopy techniques clearly showed the Li‐ionic SCL, which dropped by 1.3 V within a distance of 10 nm from the interface. These techniques could contribute to the development of next‐generation electrochemical devices.     

Water-in-salt electrolytes: An interfacial perspective

Liquid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, high transference number for the target ions, and excellent electrochemical, chemical, and thermal stability are essential for electrochemical energy storage devices. Water-in-salt (WIS) electrolytes, in which the salt–water ratio is larger than one, are gaining intensive attention in the electrochemical community. Here, we review the recent work on WIS electrolytes and the closely related water-in-ionic liquid electrolytes. We highlight the fact that many properties of these electrolytes, in bulk and at electrolyte–electrode interfaces, are underpinned by the physics and chemistry of the interfaces formed between water and ions (or aggregated water/ion clusters). Manipulating these interfaces by tailoring the selection of ions and water–ion ratio opens up new dimensions in the optimization of liquid electrolytes but also poses new challenges. We conclude the review by highlighting several directions for research on WIS electrolytes, in particular, the study of WIS electrolyte–electrode interfaces using surface force measurements.     

Enhancing Capacity Performance by Utilizing the Redox Chemistry of the Electrolyte in a Dual‐Electrolyte Sodium‐Ion Battery

A strategy is described to increase charge storage in a dual electrolyte Na‐ion battery (DESIB) by combining the redox chemistry of the electrolyte with a Na⁺ ion de‐insertion/insertion cathode. Conventional electrolytes do not contribute to charge storage in battery systems, but redox‐active electrolytes augment this property via charge transfer reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The capacity of the cathode combined with that provided by the electrolyte redox reaction thus increases overall charge storage. An aqueous sodium hexacyanoferrate (Na₄Fe(CN)₆) solution is employed as the redox‐active electrolyte (Na‐FC) and sodium nickel Prussian blue (Na_x‐NiBP) as the Na⁺ ion insertion/de‐insertion cathode. The capacity of DESIB with Na‐FC electrolyte is twice that of a battery using a conventional (Na₂SO₄) electrolyte. The use of redox‐active electrolytes in batteries of any kind is an efficient and scalable approach to develop advanced high‐energy‐density storage systems.     

Sulfonated Microporous Polymer Membranes with Fast and Selective Ion Transport for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage

Membranes which allow fast and selective transport of protons and cations are required for a wide range of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, such as proton‐exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells (PEMFCs) and redox flow batteries (RFBs). Herein we report a new approach to designing solution‐processable ion‐selective polymer membranes with both intrinsic microporosity and ion‐conductive functionality. Polymers are synthesized with rigid and contorted backbones, which incorporate hydrophobic fluorinated and hydrophilic sulfonic acid functional groups, to produce membranes with negatively charged subnanometer‐sized confined ionic channels. The ready transport of protons and cations through these membranes, and the high selectivity towards nanometer‐sized redox‐active molecules, enable efficient and stable operation of an aqueous alkaline quinone redox flow battery and a hydrogen PEM fuel cell.     

Facile SILAR Processed Bi2S3:PbS Solid Solution on MWCNTs for High‐performance Electrochemical Supercapacitor

Carbon based composite materials have gained much attention because of fulfilling desirable properties for supercapacitor application. In the featured work, the thin film of Bi₂S₃:PbS solid solution has been synthesized on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by simple successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The nanoparticle morphology provides sufficient electroactive channels for electrolyte ions to penetrate during electrochemical activities. The composite exhibits superior specific capacitance 676 F/g at constant specific current density of 5.56 A/g with fast charge‐discharge cycles. In association of energy storage characteristics, the fabricated symmetric cell exhibits excellent energy density of 13.36 Wh/kg by acquiring power density of 0.83 kW/kg. The superior results of the hybrid electrode promise a novel direction for high performance supercapacitor application.     

原位电化学合成铁基电极材料及其超级电容器性能

采用胶体纳米粒子为模型进行研究。假设活性阳离子均匀分布在导电碳与粘结剂中,电解液离子的渗入可以原位形成活性胶体团簇。通过原位电化学方法合成了不同组成的铁基超级电容器电极材料。在不同的阳离子电解液中,铁胶体离子电极的电容不同,其中在KOH、NaOH、LiOH电解液中分别为1 113、927、755 F·g^-1。通过胶体的介尺度结构构筑,实现离子到材料性能的跨尺度可控调节。通过对胶体模型的拓展,提供了原位组成调节到材料性能跨尺度调控的新方法。     

Mn2+浓度对钒液流电池正极液的电化学性能影响

电解液中金属离子会影响钒液流电池的电化学性能。本文采用循环伏安法和电化学阻抗谱研究了正极液中Mn2+浓度对V髨/V(Ⅳ)电对的氧化还原过程影响规律,发现Mn2+在正极液中没有发生副反应,但严重影响V髨/V(Ⅳ)的反应活性、电极反应可逆性、离子扩散与电荷转移反应等电化学性能。循环伏安测试结果表明Mn2+浓度为0.04-0.13 g.L-1时,V髨/V(Ⅳ)电对电极反应可逆性和反应活性较高,钒离子扩散系数由参照溶液中的8.89×10-7-1.098×10-6增大至1.302×10-6-1.800×10-6 cm2.s-1,提高了-60%;电化学阻抗测试结果表明Mn2+浓度为0-0.04 g.L-1时,V髨/V(Ⅳ)电对电极反应阻抗和界面阻抗均较参照溶液中的增加不明显,但当Mn2+浓度增至0.07 g.L-1时,上述阻抗值较参照溶液增大了25%-28%。基于二者结果,Mn2+对电极反应有不同程度的负面影响,但是适当的Mn2+浓度有利于钒离子的扩散。     

Cation‐Dependent Stabilization of Electrogenerated Naphthalene Diimide Dianions in Porous Polymer Thin Films and Their Application to Electrical Energy Storage

Porous polymer networks (PPNs) are attractive materials for capacitive energy storage because they offer high surface areas for increased double‐layer capacitance, open structures for rapid ion transport, and redox‐active moieties that enable faradaic (pseudocapacitive) energy storage. Here we demonstrate a new attractive feature of PPNs—the ability of their reduced forms (radical anions and dianions) to interact with small radii cations through synergistic interactions arising from densely packed redox‐active groups, only when prepared as thin films. When naphthalene diimides (NDIs) are incorporated into PPN films, the carbonyl groups of adjacent, electrochemically generated, NDI radical anions and dianions bind strongly to K⁺, Li⁺, and Mg²⁺, shifting the formal potentials of NDI’s second reduction by 120 and 460 mV for K⁺ and Li⁺‐based electrolytes, respectively. In the case of Mg²⁺, NDI’s two redox waves coalesce into a single two‐electron process with shifts of 240 and 710 mV, for the first and second reductions, respectively, increasing the energy density by over 20 % without changing the polymer backbone. In contrast, the formal reduction potentials of NDI derivatives in solution are identical for each electrolyte, and this effect has not been reported for NDI previously. This study illustrates the profound influence of the solid‐state structure of a polymer on its electrochemical response, which does not simply reflect the solution‐phase redox behavior of its monomers.     

A Redox‐Active 2D Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Lithium Storage with Extraordinary High Capacity

Metal–organic framework cathodes usually exhibit low capacity and poor electrochemical performance for Li‐ion storage owing to intrinsic low conductivity and inferior redox activity. Now a redox‐active 2D copper–benzoquinoid (Cu‐THQ) MOF has been synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. The abundant porosity and intrinsic redox character endow the 2D Cu‐THQ MOF with promising electrochemical activity. Superior performance is achieved as a Li‐ion battery cathode with a high reversible capacity (387 mA h g^?1), large specific energy density (775 Wh kg^?1), and good cycling stability. The reaction mechanism is unveiled by comprehensive spectroscopic techniques: a three‐electron redox reaction per coordination unit and one‐electron redox reaction per copper ion mechanism is demonstrated. This elucidatory understanding sheds new light on future rational design of high‐performance MOF‐based cathode materials for efficient energy storage and conversion.     

Recent Developments in Alloying‐type Anode Materials for Potassium‐Ion Batteries

As an energy‐storage system, rechargeable potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) have aroused widespread attention in recent years due to their earth abundance, low standard redox potential, and high ionic conductivity. The development of high‐performance electrode materials is key to optimize the battery performance and useful to improve the feasibility of PIB technology. In this sense, a minireview on alloying‐type anode materials for advanced PIBs is provided, covering the potassium storage properties, reaction mechanisms, theoretical analysis, electrochemical performance, and suitable binders and electrolytes.     

Redox monomer ionic liquid based on quaternary ammonium: From electrochemistry to polymer brushes

Bifunctional quaternary ammonium ionic liquid bearing redox and polymerisable units was synthesized. The electrochemical investigations of the ferrocene monomer ionic liquid were performed. Following that, surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) was used to build polymer brushes onto the electrode surface. The presence of the Poly(ferrocenyl quaternary ammonium) was evidenced by surface and electrochemical analysis. The latter exhibits high electron transfer rate and the presence of ions within the polymer framework leads to record the attached ferrocenyl redox signal in solution without adding supporting electrolyte. Finally, the wettability of the surface was modulated by electrochemical switch and by anion exchange within the polymer.     

胶体离子超级电容器的比容量评价

胶体离子超级电容器作为一种新型的超级电容器,其同时具有能量密度和功率密度高的独特优势。 目前已经发展了包括多种过渡金属阳离子和稀土阳离子,例如Mn²⁺、Fe²⁺、Co²⁺、Ni²⁺、Cu²⁺、Sn²⁺、Sn⁴⁺、La³⁺、Ce³⁺、Er³⁺和Yb³⁺的胶体离子超级电容器体系。 在电化学反应中,识别出电活性物质的存在形式对研究电极反应机理和提高比容量具有重要价值。 本文主要通过对电活性物质比容量的探讨,理解这种新型胶体离子超级电容器的电化学储能机理。 评述了胶体离子超级电容器的比容量核算方式,提出了以阳离子为标准核算比容量的原因,并与传统超级电容器的核算方式进行了比较,表明胶体离子超级电容器在提高能量密度方面具有潜在优势,有望突破现有电化学储能设备的技术瓶颈,实现下一代高能量储能器件的开发。     

Supercapacitors Based on c‐Type Cytochromes Using Conductive Nanostructured Networks of Living Bacteria

Supercapacitors have attracted interest in energy storage because they have the potential to complement or replace batteries. Here, we report that c‐type cytochromes, naturally immersed in a living, electrically conductive microbial biofilm, greatly enhance the device capacitance by over two orders of magnitude. We employ genetic engineering, protein unfolding and Nernstian modeling for in vivo demonstration of charge storage capacity of c‐type cytochromes and perform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge cycling to confirm the pseudocapacitive, redox nature of biofilm capacitance. The biofilms also show low self‐discharge and good charge/discharge reversibility. The superior electrochemical performance of the biofilm is related to its high abundance of cytochromes, providing large electron storage capacity, its nanostructured network with metallic‐like conductivity, and its porous architecture with hydrous nature, offering prospects for future low cost and environmentally sustainable energy storage devices.     

柔性复合织物电极Graphene/Cotton和MnO2/Graphene/Cotton的合成及在电化学电容器中的应用

通过热还原法成功地制备出了柔性复合织物电极石墨烯/棉布(graphene/cotton)。热还原条件对电极的导电性能具有较大的影响。导电柔性织物电极graphene/cotton特有的多级结构使其既有利于进一步负载膺电容材料,又有利于电子和电解质离子的传输与扩散。通过电化学沉积方法,利用导电柔性织物电极graphene/cotton进一步制备出了电极MnO₂/graphene/cotton。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM),傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱,四探针测试法等表征技术对电极的结构进行了较为详细的表征。结果表明电极MnO₂/graphene/cotton的比电容可以达到536 F·g^-1。良好的电化学性能和柔性使得此类电极在柔性储能材料应用中具有极大的应用前景。     

Direct Electron Transfer of Hemoglobin and Myoglobin at the Bare Glassy Carbon Electrode in an Aqueous BMI.BF4 Ionic‐Liquid Mixture

Direct and remarkably fast electron transfers between a bare glassy carbon electrode and heme proteins (hemoglobin or myoglobin) are obtained by using an aqueous 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF₄) ionic‐liquid mixture as electrolyte. The ionic liquid is observed to play a key role in the achievement of the electron transfer. The experimental data show that the proteins are not strongly adsorbed onto the electrode surface while giving rise to sharp and well‐defined redox responses. Such a finding contrasts with most of the reported works found in literature and—beyond the fundamental aspect—it may be of interest in applications where adsorption is critical. Moreover, the electrocatalytic activity of the proteins toward the reduction of oxygen and nitrite in the aqueous BMI.BF₄ mixture is evidenced, showing the potential of this simple approach for bioelectroanalytical devices.