Cathode pre-lithiation/sodiation for next-generation batteries

Electrochemical energy storage is playing a pivotal role in the global pursuit of a clean and sustainable energy future. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the state-of-the-art technology, but future energy requirements demand higher energy densities and a more diverse battery landscape to meet a wide variety of applications. Unfortunately, many next-generation LIB chemistries and beyond-LIB technologies suffer from large first-cycle irreversible capacity caused by active ion loss. The field of pre-lithiation/sodiation has recently emerged as researchers attempt to mitigate active ion loss and boost the energy density of next-generation LIBs and sodium-ion batteries. In this short review, we highlight recent advances in cathode pre-lithiation/sodiation using sacrificial additives and pre-lithiation/sodiation of cathode active materials.     

Synthesis Strategies and Applications for Pitch-Based Anode: From Industrial By-Products to Power Sources

It is significant for saving energy to manufacture superb-property batteries. Carbon is one of the most competitive anode materials in batteries, but it is hard for commercial graphite anodes to meet the increasingly higher energy-storage requirements. Moreover, the price of other better-performing carbon materials (such as graphene) is much higher than graphite, which is not conducive to massive production. Pitch, the cheap by-product in the petroleum and coal industries, has high carbon content and yield, making it possible for commercialization. Developing pitch-based anodes can not only lower raw material costs but also realize the pitch′s high value-added utilization. We comprehensively reviewed the latest synthesis strategies of pitch-derived materials and then introduced their application and research progress in lithium, sodium, and potassium ion batteries (LIBs, SIBs, and PIBs). Finally, we summarize and suggest the pitch′s development trend for anodes and in other fields.     

基于不同前驱体制备的硬碳负极材料的储锂性能

以聚丙烯腈、石油沥青和花生壳为前驱体,在1200℃下碳化制备三种不同的硬碳材料。通过扫描电子显微、X射线衍射、氮气吸附/脱附测试和拉曼光谱等方法探究不同前驱体所制备的硬碳材料的表面形貌和物相结构。通过恒流充放电测试考察了这三种硬碳负极材料的电化学性能。结果表明,花生壳基硬碳的初始放电比容量最高,但首圈库仑效率最低,石油沥青基硬碳的首圈库仑效率最高但是比容量最低,聚丙烯腈基硬碳具有较高的循环比容量和稳定性。     

Lotus-stalk Bi4Ge3O12 as binder-free anode for lithium and sodium ion batteries

The synthesized lotus-stalk Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ utilized as binder-free anode for LIBs demonstrates excellent cycling performance. The synthesized lotus-stalk Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ is composed of nanosheets, which is contribute to outstanding lithium storage performance.     

杯[4]醌/N掺杂的无定形碳纳米纤维复合材料储锂性能

生物质甲壳素来源丰富、廉价易得、N含量高且具有纤维结构,经高温碳化即可获得导电性良好的多孔碳材料。 杯[4]醌(Calix[4]quinone,C4Q)的理论比容量高达447 mA·h/g,但它在传统电解液中的高溶解性和导电性差限制了其在锂电池中的实际应用。 为了解决上述问题,本文以甲壳素为原料,经高温处理制得了N掺杂的无定形碳纳米纤维材料(NACF),并利用其多孔结构吸附C4Q,制备出C4Q/NACF(质量比为1:1)复合材料。 该复合材料在0.1 C电流密度下,首圈放电比容量为426 mA·h/g,循环100圈后比容量为213 mA·h/g,甚至在1 C电流密度下,C4Q/NACF复合材料仍有188 mA·h/g的放电比容量。 实验结果表明,利用NACF碳材料固载C4Q的方法可以提高C4Q锂离子电池的循环稳定性和导电性。     

NASICON结构正极材料用于钠离子电池的研究进展

随着二次电池技术的迅速发展,锂离子电池(LIBs)已经成为了当今社会一种重要的储能装置。然而,地壳中锂资源有限、含锂化合物价格昂贵,因此科研工作者正在积极寻找LIBs的替代品。钠离子电池(SIBs)具有与LIBs相似的工作原理,且钠元素在地球上储量更丰富更均匀、价格更低廉,使得SIBs成为了最有希望替代LIBs的新型二次电池体系之一。不过,钠离子半径较大、充放电过程中电极材料的不可逆性更明显等缺点,明显地增加了开发高性能SIBs的难度。因此,寻找具有优异性能的电极材料,成为了当前SIBs研究的难点和重点。钠超离子导体(NASICON)结构材料是一类具有超快钠离子传导能力的化合物,在脱/嵌钠过程中具有离子传导率高、结构稳定等优点,表现出明显的应用潜力。本文将在介绍NASICON材料晶体结构的基础上,重点从过渡金属种类与个数,以及阴离子调控的角度,总结其研究进展,并分析了该类材料面临的主要问题和挑战。     

A Simple Prelithiation Strategy To Build a High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium‐Ion Battery with Improved Low‐Temperature Performance

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are being used to power the commercial electric vehicles (EVs). However, the charge/discharge rate and life of current LIBs still cannot satisfy the further development of EVs. Furthermore, the poor low‐temperature performance of LIBs limits their application in cold climates and high altitude areas. Herein, a simple prelithiation method is developed to fabricate a new LIB. In this strategy, a Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode and a pristine hard carbon anode are used to form a primary cell, and the initial Li⁺ extraction from Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ is used to prelithiate the hard carbon. Then, the self‐formed Li₂V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode and prelithiated hard carbon anode are used to form a 4 V LIB. The LIB exhibits a maximum energy density of 208.3 Wh kg⁻¹, a maximum power density of 8291 W kg⁻¹ and a long life of 2000 cycles. When operated at −40 °C, the LIB can keep 67 % capacity of room temperature, which is much better than conventional LIBs.     

不可燃氟代碳酸酯基钠离子电池电解液

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in cellphones, laptops, and electric cars owing to their high energy density and long operational lifetime. However, their further deployment in large-scale energy storage systems is restricted by the uneven distribution of lithium resources (~0.0017% (mass fraction, w) in the Earth's crust). Therefore, alternative energy storage systems composed of abundant elements are of urgent need. Recently, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted significant attention and are considered to be a potential alternative for next-generation batteries owing to abundant sodium resources (~2.64% (w) of the Earth's crust), suitable potential (−2.71 V), and low cost. SIBs are similar to LIBs in terms of their physical and electrochemical properties. Previous studies have mainly focused on SIB storage materials, including hard carbon, alloys, and hexacyanoferrate, while the safety of SIBs remains largely unexplored. Similar to LIBs, the current electrolytes used in SIBs are mainly composed of flammable organic carbonate solvents (or ether solvents), sodium salts, and functional additives, which pose possible safety issues. Moreover, the chemical activity of sodium is much higher than that of lithium, leading to a higher risk of fire, thermal runaway, and explosion. To overcome this problem, herein we propose a fluorinated non-flammable electrolyte composed of 0.9 mol∙L⁻¹ NaPF₆ (sodium hexafluorophosphate) in an intermixture of di-(2, 2, 2 trifluoroethyl) carbonate (TFEC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) in a 7 : 3 ratio by volume. Its physical and electrochemical properties were studied by ionic conductivity, direct ignition, cyclic voltammetry, and charge/discharge measurements, demonstrating excellent flame-retarding ability and outstanding compatibility with sodium electrodes. The electrochemical tests showed that the Prussian blue cathode retained a capacity of 84 mAh∙g⁻¹ over 50 cycles in the prepared electrolyte, in contrast to the rapid capacity degradation in a flammable conventional carbonate electrolyte (74 mAh∙g⁻¹ with 57% capacity retention after 50 cycles). To test the practical application of the proposed electrolyte, a hard carbon anode was used and exhibited exceptional performance in this system. The enhancement mechanism was further verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning emission microscopy (SEM) investigations. Polycarbonate on the surface of the cathode played an important role for the studied electrolyte system. The polycarbonate may originate from FEC decomposition, which can enhance the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer and reduce impedance. Hence, we believe that this proposed electrolyte may provide new opportunities for the design of robust and safe SIBs for next-generation applications.     

中空核壳结构Ni1.2Co0.8P@N-C钠离子电池负极材料的制备及拉曼研究

本文设计制备了一种新型的氮掺杂碳包覆镍钴双金属磷化物中空核壳结构纳米立方体(Ni_1.2Co_0.8P@N-C)作为钠离子电池负极材料. 该材料以镍钴类普鲁士蓝(PBA)纳米粒子为模板,先后经水热法、磷化法和高温碳化处理后合成. 将其作为活性材料应用在钠离子电池中,该材料展现出优异的循环稳定性,当以100 mA·g^-1的电流密度循环至200圈时,该材料的库仑效率保持在99.3%. 进一步通过对不同电位下Ni_1.2Co_0.8P@N-C材料中的氮掺杂碳进行原位拉曼光谱测试,结果显示钠离子在氮掺杂的碳壳中的脱嵌行为具有较大程度的可逆性,研究结果对钠离子电池充放电过程的后续电化学研究提供了有价值的信息.     

Disordered carbon anodes for Na-ion batteries—quo vadis?

Na-ion batteries(NIBs) are gradually attracting much attention as an alternative to lead-acid batteries and supplement to Li-ion batteries(LIBs) owing to the abundant Na resources and excellent cost-effectiveness. Since the most commonly used graphite as an anode material in LIBs cannot be inherently used in NIBs, tremendous efforts have been made to advance the fundamental understanding and design of suitable anode materials for NIBs, including the improvement of Na storage capacity and the study on Na storage mechanisms. According to all these studies, disordered carbons are now the most promising anode candidates for NIBs. In this review, we discuss the current challenges and remaining problems to be solved in the area of disordered carbon anode materials for NIBs and provide future insights and research directions.     

水热法制备锂电池Si@C负极材料的工艺优化研究

水热法是广泛应用于锂离子电池Si@C电极材料的一种制备方法,其反应条件是影响产物最终形貌和性能的重要因素, 采取最佳的反应工艺可以大大提升材料的电化学性能。本研究中, 使用葡萄糖作为碳源, 光伏切割废料硅为硅源, 探究了水热法制备核壳结构Si@C电极材料的最优工艺, 分别研究了温度、 原料浓度、 反应时间和原料比例对产物的形貌、 性能的影响以及相互之间的关系, 并得到最佳反应条件。在该条件下(葡萄糖浓度为0.5 mol·L^-1, 硅与葡萄糖重量比为0.3:1, 反应温度190 ^oC, 反应时间9 h), 得到了包覆完整、 粒径适中的Si@C电极材料(CS190-3), 对以该样品为负极的扣式半电池进行电化学测试, 在655 mA·g^-1的电流密度下, 其首圈放电比容量为3369.5 mAh·g^-1, 经过500次循环剩余容量为1405.0 mAh·g^-1。倍率测试中, 在6550 mA·g^-1的电流密度下,其剩余容量为937.1 mAh·g^-1,当电流密度恢复至655 mA·g^-1时,电池放电比容量仍可恢复至1683.0 mAh·g^-1。     

A 3D Organically Synthesized Porous Carbon Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

We report the first organically synthesized sp–sp³ hybridized porous carbon, OSPC‐1. This new carbon shows electron conductivity, high porosity, the highest uptake of lithium ions of any carbon material to‐date, and the ability to inhibit dangerous lithium dendrite formation. The new carbon exhibits exceptional potential as anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with high capacity, excellent rate capability, long cycle life, and potential for improved safety performance.     

Biomass Inspired Nitrogen Doped Porous Carbon Anode with High Performance for Lithium Ion Batteries

Ginkgo leave, a naturally abundant resource, has been successfully employed as the raw material to prepare nitrogen doped porous carbon (NDPC) materials. The preparation of the porous carbon does not involve assistance of any activation or template technique. The as‐obtained NDPC shows favorable features for electrochemical energy storage, which can not only provide multiple sites for the storage and insertion of Li ions, but also facilitate rapid mass transport of electrons and Li ions. As a result, the NDPC when evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries delivers high reversible capacity (505 mAh·g^?1 at 0.1 C), excellent rate capability (190 mAh·g^?1 at 10 C). These favorable properties suggest that the NDPC can be a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs).     

镶嵌于NH2-MIL-125 (Ti)衍生氮掺多孔碳中的花状超细纳米TiO2作为高活性和稳定性的锂离子电池负极材料

由于具有高安全性和优异的循环稳定性,二氧化钛(TiO₂)作为负极材料被广泛地应用于锂离子电池领域。但是较差的导电性和离子传输速率限制了TiO₂的进一步应用和发展。鉴于此,我们以花状NH₂-MIL-125 (Ti)为前驱体和硬模板,成功合成出了具有花状结构的超细纳米TiO₂/多孔氮掺杂碳片(N-doped porous carbon)复合物(记为FL-TiO₂/NPC)。过程中所制备的纳米TiO₂-金属有机构架(Ti-MOF)展现出由二维褶皱多孔纳米片堆积、组装而成的花状结构。一方面,二维褶皱纳米片包含TiO₂纳米颗粒可以增大活性物质与电解液的接触面积;另一方面,氮掺杂多孔碳基体可以提高整体复合物的导电性和结构完整性。将所获得的FL-TiO₂/NPC作为负极组装成的锂半电池, 在0.5 A·g^-1、300圈后仍有384.2 mAh·g^-1以及在1 A·g^-1、500圈仍有279.1 mAh·g^-1的比容量。进一步性能测试表明,在2 A·g^-1、2000圈长循环测试后,其仍能保持256.5 mAh·g^-1的比容量和接近100%的库伦效率。该优异的电化学活性和稳定性主要起源于材料独特的花状结构。我们的合成策略为今后制备高储锂性能的金属氧化物/多孔氮掺杂碳负极提供了一种新的思路。     

A Biodegradable Polydopamine‐Derived Electrode Material for High‐Capacity and Long‐Life Lithium‐Ion and Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Polydopamine (PDA), which is biodegradable and is derived from naturally occurring products, can be employed as an electrode material, wherein controllable partial oxidization plays a key role in balancing the proportion of redox‐active carbonyl groups and the structural stability and conductivity. Unexpectedly, the optimized PDA derivative endows lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) or sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) with superior electrochemical performances, including high capacities (1818 mAh g^?1 for LIBs and 500 mAh g^?1 for SIBs) and good stable cyclabilities (93 % capacity retention after 580 cycles for LIBs; 100 % capacity retention after 1024 cycles for SIBs), which are much better than those of their counterparts with conventional binders.     

Li4Mn5O12Cathode for Both 3 V and 4 V Lithium-ion Batteries

Spinel Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ has been of economical and academic interest as cathode material for 3 V lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) since the 1990s. Recent studies also demonstrate that the increase of upper cut-off voltage to 5.0 V can significantly promote the specific capacity and the average operating voltage thus enabling its possibility to be used in 4 V LIBs. It is cost-effective and environmentally benign, shows structural stability without suffering from Jahn-Teller distortion due to the tetravalent oxidation state of Mn ion. However, the undesirable decomposition reactions during high-temperature calcination result in the difficulty of fabricating stoichiometric Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ compounds. Meanwhile, the high capacity led by the enlarged voltage window is combined with fast capacity fading due to the poor reversibility of oxygen redox. In this review, the understanding of the relationship between structure and stochiometric chemistry of Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ is discussed and the ways to improving its electrochemical performance are summarized. Our focus is its recent developments of being used as high voltage cathode or "additive" for layered cathodes. At last, we also provide our perspectives on this material regarding to the target of enabling its application in 4 V LIBs.     

SnO_2 nanospheres among GO and SWNTs networks as anode for enhanced lithium storage performances

Conducting supporters of purified single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWNTs) and graphene oxide(GO)were used to confine pomegranate-structured Sn O2 nanospheres for forming SnO_2-GO-SWNT composites.As anode material for lithium ion batteries(LIBs), this composite exhibits a stable and large reversible capacity together with an excellent rate capability. In addition, an analysis of the AC impedance spectroscopy has been used to confirm the enhanced mechanism for LIB performance. The improved electrochemical performance should be ascribed greatly to the reinforced synergistic effects between GO and SWNT networks, and their enhanced contribution of the conductivity. These results indicate that this composite has potential for utilization in high-rate and durable LIBs.     

Interdispersed silicon–carbon nanocomposites and their application as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), silicon offers among the highest theoretical storage capacity, but is known to suffer from large structural changes and capacity fading during electrochemical cycling. Nanocomposites of silicon with carbon provide a potential material platform for resolving this problem. We report a spray-pyrolysis approach for synthesizing amorphous silicon–carbon nanocomposites from organic silane precursors. Elemental mapping shows that the amorphous silicon is uniformly dispersed in the carbon matrix. When evaluated as anode materials in LIBs, the materials exhibit highly, stable performance and excellent Coulombic efficiency for more than 150 charge discharge cycles at a charging rate of 1 A/g. Post-mortem analysis indicates that the structure of the Si–C composite is retained after extended electrochemical cycling, confirming the hypothesis that better mechanical buffering is obtained when amorphous Si is embedded in a carbon matrix.     

Bismuth Nanoparticles Embedded in Carbon Spheres as Anode Materials for Sodium/Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as an attractive alternative to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for large‐scale commercial applications, because of the abundant terrestrial reserves of sodium. Exporting suitable anode materials is the key to the development of SIBs and LIBs. In this contribution, we report on the fabrication of Bi@C microspheres using aerosol spray pyrolysis technique. When used as SIBs anode materials, the Bi@C microsphere delivered a high capacity of 123.5 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^?1. The rate performance is also impressive (specific capacities of 299, 252, 192, 141, and 90 mAh g^?1 are obtained under current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 A g^?1, respectively). Furthermore, the Bi@C microsphere also proved to be suitable LIB anode materials. The excellent electrochemical performance for both SIBs and LIBs can attributed to the Bi@C microsphere structure with Bi nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in carbon spheres.     

Generation of activated carbon nanofibers from electrospun polyacrylonitrile-zinc chloride composites for use as anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Activated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with large surface areas and small pores were prepared by electrospinning and subsequent thermal and chemical treatments. These activated CNFs were examined as anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) without adding any non-active material. Their electrochemical behaviors show improved lithium-ion storage capability and better cyclic stability compared with unactivated counterparts. The results demonstrate that the unique structures and properties of these materials make them promising candidates as anodes in LIBs.