Regulation of Cathode‐Electrolyte Interphase via Electrolyte Additives in Lithium Ion Batteries

As the power supply of the prosperous new energy products, advanced lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are widely applied to portable energy equipment and large‐scale energy storage systems. To broaden the applicable range, considerable endeavours have been devoted towards improving the energy and power density of LIBs. However, the side reaction caused by the close contact between the electrode (particularly the cathode) and the electrolyte leads to capacity decay and structural degradation, which is a tricky problem to be solved. In order to overcome this obstacle, the researchers focused their attention on electrolyte additives. By adding additives to the electrolyte, the construction of a stable cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI) between the cathode and the electrolyte has been proven to competently elevate the overall electrochemical performance of LIBs. However, how to choose electrolyte additives that match different cathode systems ideally to achieve stable CEI layer construction and high‐performance LIBs is still in the stage of repeated experiments and exploration. This article specifically introduces the working mechanism of diverse electrolyte additives for forming a stable CEI layer and summarizes the latest research progress in the application of electrolyte additives for LIBs with diverse cathode materials. Finally, we tentatively set forth recommendations on the screening and customization of ideal additives required for the construction of robust CEI layer in LIBs. We believe this minireview will have a certain reference value for the design and construction of stable CEI layer to realize desirable performance of LIBs.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic and electrochemiluminescence properties of three manganese(II) complexes

Three novel complexes, namely, penta‐μ‐acetato‐bis(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)‐μ‐formato‐tetramanganese(II), [Mn₄(C₁₃H₁₁ClN₃O₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)_5.168(CHO₂)_0.832], 1 , hexa‐μ₂‐acetato‐bis(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐bromopyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)tetramanganese(II), [Mn₄(C₁₃H₁₁BrN₃O₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₆], 2 , and catena‐poly[[μ₂‐acetato‐acetatoaqua(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)dimanganese(II)]‐μ₂‐acetato], [Mn₂(C₁₃H₁₁ClN₃O₂)(C₂H₃O₂)₃(H₂O)]_n, 3 , have been synthesized using solvothermal methods. Complexes 1 – 3 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are tetranuclear manganese clusters, while complex 3 has a one‐dimensional network based on tetranuclear Mn₄(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)₆(H₂O)₂ building units (L¹ is 2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolate). Magnetic studies reveal that complexes 1 – 3 display dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn^II ions through μ₂‐O bridges. In addition, 1 – 3 also display favourable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties.     

Fabrication and characterization of micro-encapsulated sodium phosphate dodecahydrate with different crosslinked polymer shells

Microencapsulations of sodium phosphate dodecahydrate with different crosslinked polymer as shells were carried out by in situ polymerization and solvent evaporation method. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), urea were employed to crosslink with ethyl acrylate (EA) and formaldehyde, respectively. The influences of the type of crosslinking agent on the performance of as-prepared microencapsulated phase change materials (microPCMs) have been studied. The microPCMs were investigated using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope. Thermal properties and thermal stability of microPCMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermalgravimetric analysis. Conclusion points out that thermal properties and thermal resistant temperatures of microPCMs vary from the type of crosslinkable functional moieties of the crosslinking agents. The temperature range of melting enlarged and the melting temperature increased according to the prepared microPCMs, which is suitable for thermal energy storage.