2020 roadmap on two-dimensional materials for energy storage and conversion

In this roadmap, two-dimensional materials including graphene, black phosporus, MXenes, covalent organic frameworks, oxides, chalcogenides, and others, are highlighted in energy storage and conversion.     

2020 roadmap on two-dimensional materials for energy storage and conversion

Energy storage and conversion have attained significant interest owing to its important applications that reduce CO₂ emission through employing green energy. Some promising technologies are included metal-air batteries, metal-sulfur batteries, metal-ion batteries, electrochemical capacitors, etc. Here, metal elements are involved with lithium, sodium, and magnesium. For these devices, electrode materials are of importance to obtain high performance. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a large kind of layered structured materials with promising future as energy storage materials, which include graphene, black phosporus, MXenes, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), 2D oxides, 2D chalcogenides, and others. Great progress has been achieved to go ahead for 2D materials in energy storage and conversion. More researchers will join in this research field. Under the background, it has motivated us to contribute with a roadmap on ‘two-dimensional materials for energy storage and conversion.     

Recent Developments in Electrodeposition of Transition Metal Chalcogenides-Based Electrode Materials for Advance Supercapacitor Applications: A Review

High-performance supercapacitive electrode materials have received significant attention from researchers worldwide, thus aiming for comparable performance similar to the extensively used rechargeable batteries. For emerging energy storage technologies like flexible supercapacitors, transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) have been in the spotlight due to their promising electrochemical features compared to other electrode materials. Among the synthesis techniques, electrodeposition-mediated preparation of thin films of TMCs offered an affordable binder-free approach for electrode fabrication that effectively improved the supercapacitor performance. Hence, this review mainly focussed on the electrodeposition-based syntheses of single/ multinary chalcogenides and their composites for supercapacitors applications. Further, the effects of different deposition parameters were discussed for boosting the supercapacitor performance. Finally, this review outlined the existing challenges and future perspectives in this research domain, which will assist the upcoming exploration in the energy storage field.     

Advances in the Cathode Materials for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries

The accelerating development of technologies requires a significant energy consumption, and consequently the demand for advanced energy storage devices is increasing at a high rate. In the last two decades, lithium‐ion batteries have been the most robust technology, supplying high energy and power density. Improving cathode materials is one of the ways to satisfy the need for even better batteries. Therefore developing new types of positive electrode materials by increasing cell voltage and capacity with stability is the best way towards the next‐generation Li rechargeable batteries. To achieve this goal, understanding the principles of the materials and recognizing the problems confronting the state‐of‐the‐art cathode materials are essential prerequisites. This Review presents various high‐energy cathode materials which can be used to build next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries. It includes nickel and lithium‐rich layered oxide materials, high voltage spinel oxides, polyanion, cation disordered rock‐salt oxides and conversion materials. Particular emphasis is given to the general reaction and degradation mechanisms during the operation as well as the main challenges and strategies to overcome the drawbacks of these materials.     

碳材料在电化学储能中的应用

电化学储能材料是电化学储能器件发展及性能提高的关键之一. 碳材料在各种电化学储能体系中都起到了极为重要的作用,特别是近期出现的各类新型碳材料为电化学储能的发展带来了新动力,并展现了广阔的应用前景. 本文综述了碳材料,特别是以碳纳米管和石墨烯为代表的纳米碳材料,在典型电化学储能器件（锂离子/钠离子电池、超级电容器和锂硫电池等）、柔性电化学储能和电化学催化等领域的研究进展,并对碳材料在这些领域的应用前景进行了展望.     

Nickel hydrogen gas batteries: From aerospace to grid-scale energy storage applications

The challenging requirements of high safety, low-cost, all-climate and long lifespan restrict most battery technologies for grid-scale energy storage. Historically, owing to stable electrode reactions and robust battery chemistry, aqueous nickel–hydrogen gas (Ni–H₂) batteries with outstanding durability and safety have been served in aerospace and satellite systems for over three decades ever since their first development in the 1970s. Despite their satisfactory performances, this technology has difficulty to be applied for grid-scale energy storage primarily because of their high cost resulting from the utilization of expensive platinum as anode hydrogen catalyst. In recent years, with the extensive exploration of inexpensive hydrogen evolution/oxidation reaction catalysts, advanced Ni–H₂ batteries have been revived as promising battery chemistry for grid-scale energy storage applications. This mini-review provides an overview of the development activities of Ni–H₂ batteries and highlights the recent advances in the application of advanced Ni–H₂ batteries for grid-scale energy storage. New cost-effective hydrogen evolution/oxidation reactions catalysts, novel cathode materials, and advanced Ni–H₂ battery designs toward further development of Ni–H₂ batteries are discussed. The renaissance of advanced Ni–H₂ battery technology is particularly attractive for future grid-scale energy storage applications.     

Mixed Transition‐Metal Oxides: Design,Synthesis, and Energy‐Related Applications

A promising family of mixed transition‐metal oxides (MTMOs) (designated as A_xB_3‐xO₄; A, B=Co, Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, etc.) with stoichiometric or even non‐stoichiometric compositions, typically in a spinel structure, has recently attracted increasing research interest worldwide. Benefiting from their remarkable electrochemical properties, these MTMOs will play significant roles for low‐cost and environmentally friendly energy storage/conversion technologies. In this Review, we summarize recent research advances in the rational design and efficient synthesis of MTMOs with controlled shapes, sizes, compositions, and micro‐/nanostructures, along with their applications as electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors, and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in metal–air batteries and fuel cells. Some future trends and prospects to further develop advanced MTMOs for next‐generation electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems are also presented.     

From Solid‐Solution Electrodes and the Rocking‐Chair Concept to Today's Batteries

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have become ubiquitous power sources for small electronic devices, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage systems. Despite the success of LIBs which is acknowledged by their increasing commodity market, the historical evolution of the chemistry behind the LIB technologies is laden with obstacles and yet to be unambiguously documented. This Viewpoint outlines chronologically the most essential findings related to today's LIBs, including commercial electrode and electrolyte materials, but furthermore also depicts how the today popular and widely emerging solid‐state batteries were instrumental at very early stages in the development of LIBs.     

2020 Roadmap on Carbon Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion

Carbon is a simple, stable and popular element with many allotropes. The carbon family members include carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, graphene, graphite, graphdiyne and hard carbon, etc. They can be divided into different dimensions, and their structures can be open and porous. Moreover, it is very interesting to dope them with other elements (metal or non‐metal) or hybridize them with other materials to form composites. The elemental and structural characteristics offer us to explore their applications in energy, environment, bioscience, medicine, electronics and others. Among them, energy storage and conversion are extremely attractive, as advances in this area may improve our life quality and environment. Some energy devices will be included herein, such as lithium‐ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, potassium‐ion batteries, dual ion batteries, electrochemical capacitors, and others. Additionally, carbon‐based electrocatalysts are also studied in hydrogen evolution reaction and carbon dioxide reduction reaction. However, there are still many challenges in the design and preparation of electrode and electrocatalytic materials. The research related to carbon materials for energy storage and conversion is extremely active, and this has motivated us to contribute with a roadmap on ‘Carbon Materials in Energy Storage and Conversion’.     

Silica-Derived Nanostructured Electrode Materials for ORR,OER, HER,CO2RR Electrocatalysis,and Energy Storage Applications: A Review**

Silica-derived nanostructured catalysts (SDNCs) are a class of materials synthesized using nanocasting and templating techniques, which involve the sacrificial removal of a silica template to generate highly porous nanostructured materials. The surface of these nanostructures is functionalized with a variety of electrocatalytically active metal and non-metal atoms. SDNCs have attracted considerable attention due to their unique physicochemical properties, tunable electronic configuration, and microstructure. These properties make them highly efficient catalysts and promising electrode materials for next generation electrocatalysis, energy conversion, and energy storage technologies. The continued development of SDNCs is likely to lead to new and improved electrocatalysts and electrode materials. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the development of SDNCs for electrocatalysis and energy storage applications. It analyzes 337,061 research articles published in the Web of Science (WoS) database up to December 2022 using the keywords “silica”, “electrocatalysts”, “ORR”, “OER”, “HER”, “HOR”, “CO₂RR”, “batteries”, and “supercapacitors”. The review discusses the application of SDNCs for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and thermal energy storage applications. It concludes by discussing the advantages and limitations of SDNCs for energy applications.     

石墨烯基纤维储能器件的研究进展与展望

随着小型化、可穿戴等特征的智能电子以及物联网传感设备的发展,新型纤维状柔性化、小型化电化学储能器件已成为重要的研究方向。同时,对纤维材料和柔性储能器件的性能提出了更高的要求,如可任意弯折、可拉伸、可折叠、高储能密度等。石墨烯纤维具有独特的结构、优异的导电性、良好机械性能和电化学性质,已证明了是一种极具前景、高性能的新型纤维状柔性储能材料。目前,研究者已开发了多种石墨烯基纤维微观结构的调控策略来进一步改进其性能。本文首先系统总结了石墨烯基纤维的制备方法和其性能提升的策略,然后详细讨论其在柔性化纤维状超级电容器、金属离子电池、热电发电机、太阳能电池和相变材料等储能领域中的最新应用进展。最后,对石墨烯基纤维在能源存储和转换领域中存在的挑战和机会进行了展望。     

A review of transition metal‐based bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices play a key role in the development of clean, sustainable, and efficient energy systems to meet the sustainable growth of our society. However, challenging issues including the sluggish kinetics of oxygen electrode reactions involving the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are present, limiting the implementation of devices such as metal‐air batteries, water electrolyzers, and regenerative fuel cells. In this review, various monometallic and bimetallic transition metal oxides (TMOs) and hydroxides are summarized in terms of their application for ORR/OER, in which the merits and demerits of various precious metal and carbon‐based metal oxide materials are discussed, with requirements for better electrocatalysts and catalyst support being introduced as well. Following this, different approaches to improve catalytic activity such as the introduction of doping and defects, the manipulation of crystal facets, and the engineering of supports, compositions, and morphologies are summarized in which TMOs with improved ORR/OER catalytic activities can be synthesized, further improving the speed, stability, and polarization of electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. Finally, perspectives into the improvement of performance and the better understanding of ORR/OER mechanisms for bifunctional electrocatalysts using in situ spectroscopic techniques and density functional theory calculations are also discussed.     

Two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenide nanomaterials for cancer diagnosis and treatment

For more than a decade, the exfoliation of graphene and other layered materials has led to a tremendous amount of research in two-dimensional (2D) materials, among which 2D transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) nanomaterials have attracted much attention in a wide range of applications including photoelectric devices, lithium-ion batteries, catalysis, and energy conversion and storage owing to their unique photoelectric physical properties. With such large specific surface area, strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption and abundant chemical element composition, 2D TMCs nanomaterials have become good candidates in biomedical imaging and cancer treatment. This review systematically summarizes recent progress on 2D TMCs nanomaterials, which includes their synthesis methods and applications in cancer treatment. At the end of this review, we also highlight the future prospects and challenges of 2D TMCs nanomaterials. It is expected that this work can provide the readers with a detailed overview of the synthesis of 2D TMCs and inspire more novel functional biomaterials based on 2D TMCs for cancer treatment in the future.     

FeNi Nanoparticles Coated on N-doped Ultrathin Graphene-like Nanosheets as Stable Bifunctional Catalyst for Zn-Air Batteries

High-performance and low-cost bifunctional catalysts are crucial to energy conversion and storage devices. Herein, a novel oxygen electrode catalyst with high oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction (OER/ORR) performance is reported based on bimetal FeNi nanoparticles anchored on N-doped graphene-like carbon (FeNi/N−C). The complete 2D ultrathin carbon nanosheet is induced by etching and stripping of molten sodium chloride and its ions in the carbonization process at suitable temperature. The obtained FeNi/N−C catalyst exhibits rapid reaction kinetics for OER, efficient four electron transfer for ORR, and outstanding bifunctional performance with reversible oxygen electrode index of 0.87 V for OER/ORR. Zn-air batteries with a high open-circuit voltage of 1.46 V and a stable discharge voltage of 1.23 V are assembled using liquid electrolytes, zinc sheet as Zn-electrode and FeNi/N−C coating on carbon cloth as air-electrode. The specific capacity is as high as 816 mAh g⁻¹ and there is extremely little decay after charge-discharge cycle time of 275 h for the FeNi/N−C as oxygen electrode catalyst in Zn-air battery, which are much better than that assembled with Pt/C−RuO₂ catalyst.     

Metal-air batteries: from oxygen reduction electrochemistry to cathode catalysts

Because of the remarkably high theoretical energy output, metal-air batteries represent one class of promising power sources for applications in next-generation electronics, electrified transportation and energy storage of smart grids. The most prominent feature of a metal-air battery is the combination of a metal anode with high energy density and an air electrode with open structure to draw cathode active materials (i.e., oxygen) from air. In this critical review, we present the fundamentals and recent advances related to the fields of metal-air batteries, with a focus on the electrochemistry and materials chemistry of air electrodes. The battery electrochemistry and catalytic mechanism of oxygen reduction reactions are discussed on the basis of aqueous and organic electrolytes. Four groups of extensively studied catalysts for the cathode oxygen reduction/evolution are selectively surveyed from materials chemistry to electrode properties and battery application: Pt and Pt-based alloys (e.g., PtAu nanoparticles), carbonaceous materials (e.g., graphene nanosheets), transition-metal oxides (e.g., Mn-based spinels and perovskites), and inorganic-organic composites (e.g., metal macrocycle derivatives). The design and optimization of air-electrode structure are also outlined. Furthermore, remarks on the challenges and perspectives of research directions are proposed for further development of metal-air batteries (219 references).     

金属-空气电池中双功能电催化剂微纳结构设计（英文）

金属-空气二次电池在可再生电能的存储和转换方面具有广阔的应用前景.在金属-空气二次电池的空气侧,放电时发生氧还原反应(ORR),充电时发生氧析出反应(OER).然而,ORR和OER反应的动力学过程缓慢,因此限制了金属-空气二次电池的实际应用.因此,发展高性能ORR和OER电催化剂对金属-空气二次电池的发展尤为重要.目前,大多数的研究集中在ORR或OER的单功能电催化剂上,而关于双功能电催化剂的研究和综述相对较少.两个反应均具有较高的过电位和较缓慢的动力学过程,而且充电过程的高电压会导致ORR催化剂失活,反之亦然.因此,开发针对这两个反应均具有高活性和高稳定性的双功能电催化剂极具挑战性.近年来,研究者对具有低成本和高性能双功能电催化剂进行了探索.这些双功能电催化剂包括碳基材料,过渡金属材料和复合材料.双功能电催化剂可以通过提高本征活性和表观活性两种策略来提高其整体的活性.其中,本征活性与晶体结构和电子结构密切相关,即可以通过调节晶体结构和电子结构来提高其本征活性.例如,可以改变金属-氧键的强度、氧空位浓度等来调变电催化活性.在碳基材料中掺杂杂原子可以改变碳的电荷密度分布,从而实现对电催化活性的提高.此外,其表观活性还可以通过改变形貌并利用协同作用来改善.构建特殊微纳结构是提高电催化活性的最常用策略之一.在这种情况下,电催化剂具有较高的比表面积,大量的活性位点和良好的电子传导性.同时,复合电催化剂组分之间在加速电催化过程中的协同作用不容忽视.本文将聚焦双功能电催化剂的微纳结构设计,并简要讨论了纳米结构的精细调控和对反应机理的认识.我们认为,未来的工作应继续加强ORR和OER的新型双功能电催化剂的开发,发展更多的合成方法对电催化剂的微纳结构进行调变,并对反应机理进行更深入的研究.首先,通过对结构的精细调变提高电催化剂的本征活性和表观活性.此外,通过多种原位表征方法揭示反应机理,这有助于电催化剂的设计和催化活性的进一步提升.基于此,开发出性能优异的双功能电催化剂以加快用于存储和转换可再生能源的可充电金属-空气二次电池的商业化进程.     

石墨烯基催化剂的设计合成与电催化应用

为了解决能源匮乏和环境污染的问题,研究人员正致力于寻找清洁可持续的新能源。 其中,氧气还原、氧气析出、析氢反应等是紧密联系新型清洁能源获取和存贮的重要电化学反应。 为了提高其能量转化效率,电催化剂(如碳载铂Pt/C)被广泛地用于降低其反应活化能、提高能量转化效率。 近年来,石墨烯作为一种具有高比表面积和优异导电性的二维碳材料受到了广泛关注。 通过表面杂原子掺杂、缺陷调控和引入催化活性组分等方式,获得了催化性能与贵金属催化剂相媲美,且低价格和高稳定性的非贵金属石墨烯基催化材料。 针对氧气还原、氧气析出和析氢反应在燃料电池、金属-空气电池和电催化水分解中的应用,本文概括综述了通过表/界面结构性质调控提高石墨烯电催化性能和稳定性,获得具有双功能或复合催化性能的石墨烯基催化剂的最新研究进展。 最后总结和展望了亟待解决的问题及未来的发展趋势。     

Halide‐Based Materials and Chemistry for Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries are considered one of the most effective energy storage technologies to bridge the production and consumption of renewable energy. The further development of rechargeable batteries with characteristics such as high energy density, low cost, safety, and a long cycle life is required to meet the ever‐increasing energy‐storage demands. This Review highlights the progress achieved with halide‐based materials in rechargeable batteries, including the use of halide electrodes, bulk and/or surface halogen‐doping of electrodes, electrolyte design, and additives that enable fast ion shuttling and stable electrode/electrolyte interfaces, as well as realization of new battery chemistry. Battery chemistry based on monovalent cation, multivalent cation, anion, and dual‐ion transfer is covered. This Review aims to promote the understanding of halide‐based materials to stimulate further research and development in the area of high‐performance rechargeable batteries. It also offers a perspective on the exploration of new materials and systems for electrochemical energy storage.     

Material Design Concept of Lithium‐Excess Electrode Materials with Rocksalt‐Related Structures for Rechargeable Non‐Aqueous Batteries

Dependence on lithium‐ion batteries for automobile applications is rapidly increasing, and further improvement, especially for positive electrode materials, is indispensable to increase energy density of lithium‐ion batteries. In the past several years, many new lithium‐excess high‐capacity electrode materials with rocksalt‐related structures have been reported. These materials deliver high reversible capacity with cationic/anionic redox and percolative lithium migration in the oxide/oxyfluoride framework structures, and recent research progresses on these electrode materials are reviewed. Material design strategies for these lithium‐excess electrode materials are also described. Future possibility of high‐energy non‐aqueous batteries with advanced positive electrode materials is discussed for more details.     

Highly elastic cobweb-like SiO/CNF composites with reconstructed heterostructure for high-efficient lithium storage

The silicon-based materials are promising candidates for lithium-ion batteries owing to their high energy density. However, achieving long lifespan under realistic conditions remains a challenge because of the volume expansion and low conductivity. In this work, the highly elastic cobweb-like composite materials consisted by SiO and nanofibers are designed and fabricated for high-efficient lithium storage by ball-milling & electrostatic spinning method. The reconstructed heterostructure and highly elastic nanofibers can simultaneously increase the conductivity and inhibit the “expansion effect” of silicon-based materials. The constructed electrode of n-SiO/CNF delivers an initial capacity of 1700 mAh/g, and maintains the capacities over 1000 mAh/g after 100 cycles at the current density of 500 mA/g. Meanwhile, this electrode can give an initial coulombic efficiency over 85% and maintains at 98% in the following charge/discharge processes. Furthermore, it exhibits efficient long-term electrochemical performance, maintaining the capacity at about 1000 mAh/g at a high current density of 1000 mA/g after 1000 cycles. This work could provide a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of silicon-based composite materials for practical application in lithium-ion batteries.