Operando XAFS on Hydrated Calcium Vanadium Bronze Cathode for Aqueous Zn-ion Storage

Multivalent ion storage and aqueous electrochemical systems continue to build interest for energy application. The Zn-ion system with 2 electron transfer and an ideal metal anode is a strong candidate but is still at the early stage of development. Using both in situ near-edge (XANES) and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, EXAFS, a nanostructured cathode material, Ca_xV₂O₅-H₂O (CVO), was probed at the V-K absorption edge. This operando study reveals the local electronic and geometric structure changes for CVO during galvanostatic cycling as the active material in an aqueous Zn-ion cell. The XANES data provides a fine resolution to track the evolution of the vanadium oxidative state and near-neighbor coordination sphere showing subtle shifts and delocalized charge. The Zn-ion influence on the V-K absorption edge is visualized using a difference technique called Δμ. Coupled with theoretical calculations and modelling, the extended region extracted local bonding information further confirms excellent electronic and structural reversibility of this vanadium oxide bronze in an aqueous Zn-ion electrochemical cell.     

Probing local electronic and geometric changes of hydrated calcium vanadium oxide (CaxV2O5·yH2O) upon Zn ion intercalation

Abstract

An interesting nanostructured non-stoichiometric vanadium oxide bronze (Ca_xV₂O₅?yH₂O) is incorporated as the active material in an aqueous zinc-ion intercalation device. Simple solvothermal synthesis route produces highly crystalline and strongly oriented nanobelt structures as characterized by microscopy. Upon cycling, the cathode materials are recovered for an X-ray absorption investigation of local electronic and geometric changes for both the host vanadium oxide and the intercalated zinc ion as a function of voltage. This multi-edge study presents changes in Zn–O coordination and suggests Zn-ion occupancy site through theoretical calculations. The layered vanadium host shows gradual oxidation state reduction from charge density donation during intercalation while the Zn ion maintains the +2 oxidation state. The findings add understanding to the mechanisms involved in aqueous electrochemical storage devices.     

Pre-intercalation of Ammonium Ions in Layered δ-MnO2 Nanosheets for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Layered manganese dioxide is a promising cathode candidate for aqueous Zn-ion batteries. However, the narrow interlayer spacing, inferior intrinsic electronic conductivity and poor structural stability still limit its practical application. Herein, we report a two-step strategy to incorporate ammonium ions into manganese dioxide (named as AMO) nanosheets as a cathode for boosted Zn ion storage. K⁺-intercalated δ-MnO₂ nanosheets (KMO) grown on carbon cloth are chosen as the self-involved precursor. Of note, ammonium ions could replace K⁺ ions via a facile hydrothermal reaction to enlarge the lattice space and form hydrogen-bond networks. Compared with KMO, the structural stability and the ion transfer kinetics of the layered AMO are enhanced. As expected, the obtained AMO cathode exhibits remarkable electrochemical properties in terms of high reversible capacity, decent rate performance and superior cycling stability over 10000 cycles.     

Direct Observation of Defect-Aided Structural Evolution in a Nickel-Rich Layered Cathode

Ni-rich LiNi_1−x−yMn_xCo_yO₂ (NMC) layered compounds are the dominant cathode for lithium ion batteries. The role of crystallographic defects on structure evolution and performance degradation during electrochemical cycling is not yet fully understood. Here, we investigated the structural evolution of a Ni-rich NMC cathode in a solid-state cell by in situ transmission electron microscopy. Antiphase boundary (APB) and twin boundary (TB) separating layered phases played an important role on phase change. Upon Li depletion, the APB extended across the layered structure, while Li/transition metal (TM) ion mixing in the layered phases was detected to induce the rock-salt phase formation along the coherent TB. According to DFT calculations, Li/TM mixing and phase transition were aided by the low diffusion barriers of TM ions at planar defects. This work reveals the dynamical scenario of secondary phase evolution, helping unveil the origin of performance fading in Ni-rich NMC.     

A Dual Plating Battery with the Iodine/[ZnIx(OH2)4−x]2−x Cathode

Plating battery electrodes typically deliver higher specific capacity values than insertion or conversion electrodes because the ion charge carriers represent the sole electrode active mass, and a host electrode is unnecessary. However, reversible plating electrodes are rare for electronically insulating nonmetals. Now, a highly reversible iodine plating cathode is presented that operates on the redox couples of I₂/[ZnI_x(OH₂)_4?x]^2?x in a water‐in‐salt electrolyte. The iodine plating cathode with the theoretical capacity of 211 mAh g^?1 plates on carbon fiber paper as the current collector, delivering a large areal capacity of 4 mAh cm^?2. Tunable femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy coupled with DFT calculations elucidate a series of [ZnI_x(OH₂)_4?x]^2?x superhalide ions serving as iodide vehicles in the electrolyte, which eliminates most free iodide ions, thus preventing the consequent dissolution of the cathode‐plated iodine as triiodides.     

Zinc–Organic Battery with a Wide Operation-Temperature Window from −70 to 150 °C

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries have been considered as promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage. However, their cycle stability is generally limited by the structure collapse of cathode materials and dendrite formation coupled with undesired hydrogen evolution on the Zn anode. Herein we propose a zinc–organic battery with a phenanthrenequinone macrocyclic trimer (PQ-MCT) cathode, a zinc-foil anode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte of a N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution containing Zn²⁺. The non-aqueous nature of the system and the formation of a Zn²⁺–DMF complex can efficiently eliminate undesired hydrogen evolution and dendrite growth on the Zn anode, respectively. Furthermore, the organic cathode can store Zn²⁺ ions through a reversible coordination reaction with fast kinetics. Therefore, this battery can be cycled 20 000 times with negligible capacity fading. Surprisingly, this battery can even be operated in a wide temperature range from −70 to 150 °C.     

Zinc–Organic Battery with a Wide Operation‐Temperature Window from −70 to 150 °C

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries have been considered as promising candidates for grid‐scale energy storage. However, their cycle stability is generally limited by the structure collapse of cathode materials and dendrite formation coupled with undesired hydrogen evolution on the Zn anode. Herein we propose a zinc–organic battery with a phenanthrenequinone macrocyclic trimer (PQ‐MCT) cathode, a zinc‐foil anode, and a non‐aqueous electrolyte of a N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution containing Zn²⁺. The non‐aqueous nature of the system and the formation of a Zn²⁺–DMF complex can efficiently eliminate undesired hydrogen evolution and dendrite growth on the Zn anode, respectively. Furthermore, the organic cathode can store Zn²⁺ ions through a reversible coordination reaction with fast kinetics. Therefore, this battery can be cycled 20 000 times with negligible capacity fading. Surprisingly, this battery can even be operated in a wide temperature range from ?70 to 150 °C.     

Li-cycling properties of nano-crystalline (Ni1 ? xZnx)Fe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Sol–gel auto-combustion method is adopted to prepare solid solutions of nano-crystalline spinel oxides, (Ni_1 − x Zn _x )Fe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1).The phases are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The cubic lattice parameters, calculated by Rietveld refinement of XRD data by taking in to account the cationic distribution and affinity of Zn ions to tetrahedral sites, show almost Vegard’s law behavior. Galvanostatic cycling of the heat-treated electrodes of various compositions are carried in the voltage range 0.005–3 V vs. Li at 50 mAg⁻¹ up to 50 cycles. Phases with high Zn content x ≥ 0.6 showed initial two-phase Li-intercalation in to the structure. Second-cycle discharge capacities above 1,000 mAh g⁻¹ are observed for all x. However, drastic capacity fading occurs in all cases up to 10–15 cycles. The capacity fading between 10 and 50 cycles is found to be greater than 52% for x ≤ 0.4 and for x = 0.8. For x = 0.6 and x = 1, the respective values are 40% and 18% and a capacity of 570 and 835 mAh g⁻¹ is retained after 50 cycles. Cyclic voltammetry and ex situ transmission electron microscopy data elucidate the Li-cycling mechanism involving conversion reaction and Li–Zn alloying–dealloying reactions.     

Review on Layered Manganese-Based Metal Oxides Cathode Materials for Potassium-Ion Batteries: From Preparation to Modification

Potassium-ion battery is rich in resources and cheap in price, in the era of lithium-ion battery commercialization, potassium-ion battery is the most likely to replace it. Based on the classification and summary of electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries, this paper focuses on the introduction of manganese-based oxide K_xMnO₂. The layered K_xMnO₂ has a large layer spacing and can be embedded with large size potassium-ions. This paper focuses on the preparation and doping of manganese-based cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries, summarizes the main challenges of K_xMnO₂-based cathode materials in the current stage of research and further looks into its future development direction.     

Analysis of light elements in superposed layers by Monte Carlo simulation of EELS spectra

A Monte Carlo code, previously set up to simulate electron energy loss spectra of carbon films on silicon at 100 kV, has been extended to the analysis, at 300 kV, of a Si/SiO₂/Si structure; the final goal is the determination of the oxygen concentration in SiO_x precipitates embedded in a Si matrix. The upgrading of the programme has required the introduction of relativistic kinematics and relativistic corrections to elastic and inelastic cross sections.The Si/SiO₂/Si samples have been prepared by CVD deposition of a 16 nm thick silicon film onto a silicon wafer covered with a 11 nm thick thermal oxide. The thickness of both films has been checked by transmission electron microscopy on cross sections. The EELS experiments have been performed on planar sections, in regions of different thickness; the EELS spectra have been acquired with a parallel 666 Gatan spectrometer, fitted to a Philips CM 30 TEM/STEM, operating at 300 kV. The stoichiometry of the SiO_x can be obtained by the ratioing of the areas under the OK and SiK edges, taking advantage of the possibility given by the Monte Carlo simulation to separate the background electrons from the one suffering the characteristic energy loss. The agreement between experiments and calculations in the case examined is satisfactory, so that the application of this procedure to SiO_x precipitates is promising.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.9-xCo0.1SnxO2 as cathode materials for lithium secondary batteries

LiNi_0.9-x Co_0.1Sn _x O₂ (x = 0.00, 0.02, and 0.03) were synthesized via the rheological phase reaction method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical tests. The sample of LiNi_0.9-x Co_0.1Sn _x O₂ (x = 0.02) not only shows good cycle performance but also exhibits an excellent discharge capacity of 188 mAh/g in the first cycle at a current density of 100 mA/g in the voltage range of 3.0–4.3 V. The tin doping results in reducing the resistance and increasing conductivity of LiNi_0.9-x Co_0.1Sn _x O₂. This composite oxide is promising as cathode material for lithium-ion battery.     

Electrochemistry of Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes (CNx) with Different Nitrogen Content and Its Application in Simultaneous Determination of Dihydroxybenzene Isomers

The bamboo‐shaped nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (CN_x) with different nitrogen content were synthesized using Fe‐containing SBA‐15 molecular sieve as catalyst with thermal decomposition. The CN_x nanotubes prepared were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results suggest that there are a larger amount of defective sites on CN_x nanotubes surfaces due to the nitrogen doping and CN_x nanotube with higher nitrogen content possesses lower graphitic ordering in the framework. Furthermore the effects of nitrogen content on the electrochemistry of CN_x modified electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). CN_x modified electrodes exhibit better electrocatalytic activities to the oxidation of hydroquinone. Moreover CN_x with lower nitrogen content is in favor of the electron transfer between dihydroxybenzene and electrode surface, while CN_x with higher nitrogen content possesses high surface adsorptive ability. CN_x modified electrodes can be applied to determine dihydroxybenzene isomers directly and simultaneously by linear sweep voltammetry technique without previous separation.     

Modulating Cation Migration and Deposition with Xylitol Additive and Oriented Reconstruction of Hydrogen Bonds for Stable Zinc Anodes

Highly reversible plating/stripping in aqueous electrolytes is one of the critical processes determining the performance of Zn-ion batteries, but it is severely impeded by the parasitic side reaction and dendrite growth. Herein, a novel electrolyte engineering strategy is first proposed based on the usage of 100 mM xylitol additive, which inhibits hydrogen evolution reaction and accelerates cations migration by expelling active H₂O molecules and weakening electrostatic interaction through oriented reconstruction of hydrogen bonds. Concomitantly, xylitol molecules are preferentially adsorbed by Zn surface, which provides a shielding buffer layer to retard the sedimentation and suppress the planar diffusion of Zn²⁺ ions. Zn²⁺ transference number and cycling lifespan of Zn ∥ Zn cells have been significantly elevated, overwhelmingly larger than bare ZnSO₄. The cell coupled with a NaV₃O₈ cathode still behaves much better than the additive-free device in terms of capacity retention.     

Electrochemically Generated γ‐LixV2O5 as Insertion Host for High‐Energy Li‐Ion Capacitors

In this study, we explored the feasibility of using electrochemically generated γ‐Li_xV₂O₅ as an insertion‐type anode in the lithium‐ion capacitor (LIC) with activated carbon (AC) as a cathode. Along with the native form of V₂O₅, their carbon composites are also used as the electrode material which is prepared by high‐energy ball milling. The electrochemical pre‐lithiation strategy is used to generate the desired γ‐phase of V₂O₅ (γ‐Li_xV₂O₅). Under the optimized mass loading conditions, the LICs are assembled with γ‐Li_xV₂O₅ as anode and AC as a cathode in the organic medium. Among the different LICs fabricated, AC/γ‐Li_xV₂O₅‐BM50 configuration delivered an energy density of 33.91 Wh kg^?1 @ 0.22 kW kg^?1 with excellent capacity retention characteristics. However, a dramatic increase in energy density (43.98 Wh kg^?1@0.28 kW kg^?1) is noted after the electrolyte modification with fluoroethylene carbonate. The high temperature performance of the assembled LIC is also studied and found that γ‐Li_xV₂O₅ phase can be used as a potential battery‐type component to construct high‐performance hybrid charge storage devices.     

LixNi0.5Co0.5O2的态密度计算及电化学性能研究

>为获得综合性能更好的锂离子二次电池正极材料, 分析了Co掺杂对Li_xNiO₂电化学性能的影响. 采用密度泛函DFT理论对Li_xNiO₂和Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂的平均放电电压和态密度进行了计算. 同时, 用共沉淀法制备了Li_xNiO₂和Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂锂离子二次电池正极材料, 并对其进行了XRD结构分析和恒流充放电测试. 实验和计算结果表明: 随锂离子嵌入正极(电池放电), 电池的电压逐渐降低, 材料的态密度峰向低能量方向移动; 与Li_xNiO₂相比, Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂的电压平台相对较高(当0.25≤x≤0.5), 而且在Li^＋嵌/脱时, Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂的结构变化相对较小; Co离子的掺入, 减小了NiO₆八面体的畸变度, 使材料的电化学稳定性得以提高. 在钴掺杂镍酸锂体系中, NiO₆和CoO₆具有相互的稳定作用.     

A Sodium Manganese Oxide Cathode by Facile Reduction for Sodium Batteries

A nonstoichiometric sodium manganese oxide (Na_xMnO_2+δ) cathode useful for sodium batteries was synthesized by an ambient‐temperature strategy that involved facile reduction of aqueous sodium permanganate in sodium iodide and subsequent heat treatment at 600 °C. Combined powder X‐ray diffraction and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction analyses confirmed the annealed sample to belong to a Na_xMnO₂ phase with a P2‐hexagonal structure. The ICP‐AES results confirmed the stoichiometry of the sample to be Na_0.53MnO_2+δ. Electron microscopy studies revealed the particle size of the electrode to be in the range of a few hundred nanometers. The Na_0.53MnO_2+δ cathode delivered an average discharge capacity of 170 mA h g^?1 with a stable plateau at 2.1 V for the initial 25 cycles versus sodium. Ex situ XANES studies confirmed the reversible intercalation of sodium into Na_0.53MnO_2+δ and suggested the accommodation of over‐stoichiometric Mn⁴⁺ ions to contribute towards the performance of the electrode.     

Molybdenum Substitution for Improving the Charge Compensation and Activity of Li2MnO3

Lithium‐rich layer‐structured oxides xLi₂MnO₃? (1?x)LiMO₂ (0<x<1, M=Mn, Ni, Co, etc.) are interesting and potential cathode materials for high energy‐density lithium ion batteries. However, the characteristic charge compensation contributed by O^2? in Li₂MnO₃ leads to the evolution of oxygen during the initial Li⁺ ion extraction at high voltage and voltage fading in subsequent cycling, resulting in a safety hazard and poor cycling performance of the battery. Molybdenum substitution was performed in this work to provide another electron donor and to enhance the electrochemical activity of Li₂MnO₃‐based cathode materials. X‐ray diffraction and adsorption studies indicated that Mo⁵⁺ substitution expands the unit cell in the crystal lattice and weakens the Li?O and Mn?O bonds, as well as enhancing the activity of Li₂MnO₃ by lowering its delithiation potential and suppressing the release of oxygen. In addition, the chemical environment of O^2? ions in molybdenum‐substituted Li₂MnO₃ is more reversible than in the unsubstituted sample during cycling. Therefore molybdenum substitution is expected to improve the performances of the Li₂MnO₃‐based lithium‐rich cathode materials.     

Electron energy structure and X-ray spectra of wide-band GaN, AlN, and AlN-GaN semiconductors

The electronic energy structure of GaN, AlN, and AlGaN crystals with the wurzite structure is calculated by the local coherent potential method using the cluster version of the MT-approximation within the framework of the multiple scattering theory. The calculated densities of electron states are compared with XPS spectra of gallium and aluminum, AlL _{II, III} XES, and also with K-spectra of gallium and AlL _{II, III} XAFS absorption. The comparison of the electronic structure of Al_xGa_1?x N crystals and binary GaN and AlN and the interpretation of their features are performed. The concentration dependence of the width of the upper subband of the valence band and the band gap in Al_xGa_1?x N (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) crystals on the content of aluminum is studied and its non-linear character shown.     

锂离子电池正极材料LiV3O8-xClx的低温固相法合成及电化学性能研究

采用低温固相法成功地合成了锂离子电池正极材料LiV3O8-xClx (x=0.00,0.05,0.10,0.15)。分别用XRD、SEM、充放电实验、循环伏安、交流阻抗等测试方法研究了Cl- 的掺入对LiV3O8结构、形貌及电化学性能的影响。结果表明, Cl-的掺入显著地提高了材料的充放电循环性能。当掺杂量 x=0.10时,材料的循环性能最好, 循环100周后放电容量仍为198.6 mAh/g。     

Active Salt/Silica‐Templated 2D Mesoporous FeCo‐Nx‐Carbon as Bifunctional Oxygen Electrodes for Zinc–Air Batteries

Two types of templates, an active metal salt and silica nanoparticles, are used concurrently to achieve the facile synthesis of hierarchical meso/microporous FeCo‐N_x‐carbon nanosheets (meso/micro‐FeCo‐N_x‐CN) with highly dispersed metal sites. The resulting meso/micro‐FeCo‐N_x‐CN shows high and reversible oxygen electrocatalytic performances for both ORR and OER, thus having potential for applications in rechargeable Zn–air battery. Our approach creates a new pathway to fabricate 2D meso/microporous structured carbon architectures for bifunctional oxygen electrodes in rechargeable Zn–air battery as well as opens avenues to the scale‐up production of rationally designed heteroatom‐doped catalytic materials for a broad range of applications.