Hierarchical SnO2/Carbon Nanofibrous Composite Derived from Cellulose Substance as Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A hierarchical fibrous SnO₂/carbon nanocomposite composed of fine SnO₂ nanocrystallites immobilized as a thin layer on a carbon nanofiber surface was synthesized employing natural cellulose substance as both scaffold and carbon source. It was achieved by calcination/carbonization of the as‐deposited SnO₂‐gel/cellulose hybrid in an argon atmosphere. As being employed as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, the porous structures, small SnO₂ crystallite sizes, and the carbon buffering matrix possessed by the nanocomposite facilitate the electrode–electrolyte contact, promote the electron transfer and Li⁺ diffusion, and relieve the severe volume change and aggregation of the active particles during the charge/discharge cycles. Hence, the nanocomposite showed high reversible capacity, significant cycling stability, and rate capability that are superior to the nanotubular SnO₂ and SnO₂ sol–gel powder counter materials. For such a composite with 27.8 wt % SnO₂ content and 346.4 m² g^?1 specific surface area, a capacity of 623 mAh g^?1 was delivered after 120 cycles at 0.2 C. Further coating of the SnO₂/carbon nanofibers with an additional carbon layer resulted in an improved cycling stability and rate performance.     

A Multi-Wall Sn/SnO2@Carbon Hollow Nanofiber Anode Material for High-Rate and Long-Life Lithium-Ion Batteries

Multi-wall Sn/SnO₂@carbon hollow nanofibers evolved from SnO₂ nanofibers are designed and programable synthesized by electrospinning, polypyrrole coating, and annealing reduction. The synthesized hollow nanofibers have a special wire-in-double-wall-tube structure with larger specific surface area and abundant inner spaces, which can provide effective contacting area of electrolyte with electrode materials and more active sites for redox reaction. It shows excellent cycling stability by virtue of effectively alleviating pulverization of tin-based electrode materials caused by volume expansion. Even after 2000 cycles, the wire-in-double-wall-tube Sn/SnO₂@carbon nanofibers exhibit a high specific capacity of 986.3 mAh g⁻¹ (1 A g⁻¹) and still maintains 508.2 mAh g⁻¹ at high current density of 5 A g⁻¹. This outstanding electrochemical performance suggests the multi-wall Sn/SnO₂@ carbon hollow nanofibers are great promising for high performance energy storage systems.     

EQCM study of redox properties of PEDOT/MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite films in aqueous electrolytes

Electrochemical behavior of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene composites with manganese dioxide (PEDOT/MnO₂) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance at various component ratios and in different electrolyte solutions. The electrochemical formation of PEDOT film on the electrode surface and PEDOT/MnO₂ composite film during the electrochemical deposition of manganese dioxide into the polymer matrix was gravimetrically monitored. The mass of manganese dioxide deposited into PEDOT at different time of electrodeposition and apparent molar mass values of species involved into mass transfer during redox cycling of PEDOT/MnO₂ composites were evaluated. It was found that during the redox cycling of PEDOT/MnO₂ composite films with various MnO₂ content, the oppositely directed fluxes of counterions (anions and cations) occur, resulting in a change of the slope of linear parts of the Δf–E plots with changing the mass fraction of MnO₂ in the composite film.Rectangular shape of cyclic voltammograms of PEDOT/MnO₂ composites with different loadings of manganese dioxide was observed, which is characteristic of the pseudocapacitive behavior of the composite material. Specific capacity values of PEDOT/MnO₂ composites obtained from cyclic voltammograms were about 169 F g^?1. The specific capacity, related to the contribution of manganese dioxide component, was about 240 F g^?1.     

Hierarchically Porous Carbons Derived from Metal–Organic Framework/Chitosan Composites for High‐Performance Supercapacitors

Hierarchically porous carbon materials with high surface areas are promising candidates for energy storage and conversion. Herein, the facile synthesis of hierarchically porous carbons through the calcination of metal–organic framework (MOF)/chitosan composites is reported. The effects of the chitosan (CS) additive on the pore structure of the resultant carbons are discussed. The corresponding MOF/chitosan precursors could be readily converted into hierarchically porous carbons (NPC‐V, V=1, 2, 4, and 6) with much higher ratios of meso‐/macropore volume to micropore volume (V_meso‐macro/V_micro). The derived carbon NPC‐2 with the high ratio of V_meso‐macro/V_micro=1.47 demonstrates a high specific surface area of 2375 m² g^?1, and a high pore volume of 2.49 cm³ g^?1, as well as a high graphitization degree, in comparison to its counterpart (NPC) without chitosan addition. These excellent features are favorable for rapid ion diffusion/transport, endowing NPC‐2 with enhanced electrochemical behavior as supercapacitor electrodes in a symmetric electrode system, corresponding to a high specific capacitance of 199.9 F g^?1 in the aqueous electrolyte and good rate capability. Good cycling stability is also observed after 10 000 cycles.     

A Multi‐Wall Sn/SnO2@Carbon Hollow Nanofiber Anode Material for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Multi‐wall Sn/SnO₂@carbon hollow nanofibers evolved from SnO₂ nanofibers are designed and programable synthesized by electrospinning, polypyrrole coating, and annealing reduction. The synthesized hollow nanofibers have a special wire‐in‐double‐wall‐tube structure with larger specific surface area and abundant inner spaces, which can provide effective contacting area of electrolyte with electrode materials and more active sites for redox reaction. It shows excellent cycling stability by virtue of effectively alleviating pulverization of tin‐based electrode materials caused by volume expansion. Even after 2000 cycles, the wire‐in‐double‐wall‐tube Sn/SnO₂@carbon nanofibers exhibit a high specific capacity of 986.3 mAh g^?1 (1 A g^?1) and still maintains 508.2 mAh g^?1 at high current density of 5 A g^?1. This outstanding electrochemical performance suggests the multi‐wall Sn/SnO₂@ carbon hollow nanofibers are great promising for high performance energy storage systems.     

Enhanced Lithium‐Ion Storage Capability of a Bismuth Sulfide/Graphene Oxide/Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite

A Bi₂S₃/graphene oxide (GO) composite enwrapped by a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coating was prepared for the first time for use as an anode in Li‐ion batteries. Pristine Bi₂S₃ nanoflowers and composites of Bi₂S₃/GO and Bi₂S₃/GO/PEDOT were assembled into half cells with Li metal as the counter electrode, and initial discharge capacities of 833, 1020, and 1300 mAh g^?1, respectively, were obtained. Composites of Bi₂S₃/GO/PEDOT and Bi₂S₃/GO showed superior cycling stability and better rate capability than pristine Bi₂S₃. GO provides highly conducting interconnections, which allow facile propagation of electrons during charge/discharge, and this improves the ion‐uptake capability of the Bi₂S₃ nanoflowers and also increases the rate capability. PEDOT furnishes a protective coating that prevents detachment of the material from the current collector during cycling, and it also imparts better cycling stability to the Bi₂S₃/GO/PEDOT composite.     

Confined Nanospace Pyrolysis for the Fabrication of Coaxial Fe3O4@C Hollow Particles with a Penetrated Mesochannel as a Superior Anode for Li‐Ion Batteries

In this study, a method is developed to fabricate Fe₃O₄@C particles with a coaxial and penetrated hollow mesochannel based on the concept of “confined nanospace pyrolysis”. The synthesis involves the production of a polydopamine coating followed by a silica coating on a rod‐shaped β‐FeOOH nanoparticle, and subsequent treatment by using confined nanospace pyrolysis and silica removal procedures. Typical coaxial hollow Fe₃O₄@C possesses a rice‐grain morphology and mesoporous structure with a large specific surface area, as well as a continuous and flexible carbon shell. Electrochemical tests reveal that the hollow Fe₃O₄@C with an open‐ended nanostructure delivers a high specific capacity (ca. 864 mA h g^?1 at 1 A g^?1), excellent rate capability with a capacity of about 582 mA h g^?1 at 2 A g^?1, and a high Coulombic efficiency (>97 %). The excellent electrochemical performance benefits from the hollow cavity with an inner diameter of 18 nm and a flexible carbon shell that can accommodate the volume change of the Fe₃O₄ during the lithium insertion/extraction processes as well as the large specific surface area and open inner cavity to facilitate the rapid diffusion of lithium ions from electrolyte to active material. This fabrication strategy can be used to generate a hollow or porous metal oxide structure for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries.     

Zincophilic Electrode Interphase with Appended Proton Reservoir Ability Stabilizes Zn Metal Anodes

The rampant dendrites and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) resulting from the turbulent interfacial evolution at the anode/electrolyte are the main culprits of short lifespan and low Coulombic efficiency of Zn metal batteries. In this work, a versatile protective coating with excellent zincophilic and amphoteric features is constructed on the surface of Zn metal (ZP@Zn) as dendrite-free anodes. This kind of protective coating possesses the advantages of reversible proton storage and rapid desolvation kinetics, thereby mitigating the HER and facilitating homogeneous nucleation concomitantly. Furthermore, the space charge polarization effect promotes charge redistribution to achieve uniform Zn deposition. Accordingly, the ZP@Zn symmetric cell manifests excellent reversibility at an ultrahigh cumulative plating capacity of 4700 mAh cm⁻² and stable cycling at 80 % depth of discharge (DOD). The ZP@Zn//V₆O₁₃ pouch cell also reveals superior cycling stability with a high capacity of 326.6 mAh g⁻¹.     

Perovskite SrCo0.9Nb0.1O3−δ as an Anion‐Intercalated Electrode Material for Supercapacitors with Ultrahigh Volumetric Energy Density

We have synthesized and characterized perovskite‐type SrCo_0.9Nb_0.1O_3−δ (SCN) as a novel anion‐intercalated electrode material for supercapacitors in an aqueous KOH electrolyte, demonstrating a very high volumetric capacitance of about 2034.6 F cm⁻³ (and gravimetric capacitance of ca. 773.6 F g⁻¹) at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ while maintaining excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 95.7 % after 3000 cycles. When coupled with an activated carbon (AC) electrode, the SCN/AC asymmetric supercapacitor delivered a specific energy density as high as 37.6 Wh kg⁻¹ with robust long‐term stability.     

Surface Lattice Modulation Enables Stable Cycling of High-Loading All-solid-state Batteries at High Voltages

Halide solid electrolytes, known for their high ionic conductivity at room temperature and good oxidative stability, face notable challenges in all–solid–state Li–ion batteries (ASSBs), especially with unstable cathode/solid electrolyte (SE) interface and increasing interfacial resistance during cycling. In this work, we have developed an Al³⁺–doped, cation–disordered epitaxial nanolayer on the LiCoO₂ surface by reacting it with an artificially constructed AlPO₄ nanoshell; this lithium–deficient layer featuring a rock–salt–like phase effectively suppresses oxidative decomposition of Li₃InCl₆ electrolyte and stabilizes the cathode/SE interface at 4.5 V. The ASSBs with the halide electrolyte Li₃InCl₆ and a high–loading LiCoO₂ cathode demonstrated high discharge capacity and long cycling life from 3 to 4.5 V. Our findings emphasize the importance of specialized cathode surface modification in preventing SE degradation and achieving stable cycling of halide–based ASSBs at high voltages.     

Bi基化合物膜包覆ZnO的制备和电化学性能

为提高锌镍电池ZnO的循环充放电性能,采用Bi(NO3)3水解沉积法对ZnO包覆Bi基化合物膜,系统研究了包覆ZnO的微结构和电化学性能。TEM,XRD和EDS表明由Bi6(NO3)4(OH)2O6·2H2O,BiO和Bi2O3组成的Bi基化合物膜包覆在ZnO表面。表面包覆能提高ZnO的循环性能和放电容量,含5.1wt%Bi的包覆ZnO循环性能稳定,平均放电容量为509mAh·g-1,利用率为78%,性能有较大改善。充放电曲线和循环伏安结果均表明包覆Bi基化合物膜能降低锌镍电池的充电平台,加宽放电平台,提高ZnO的电化学活性。包覆Bi基化合物膜能有效减小活性材料与碱性电解液的接触,抑制ZnO的溶解,提高循环稳定性;而包覆膜的微孔结构又可使活性材料接触到电化学反应必须的H2O和OH-,保证了高的放电容量。     

Micro/Nanoengineered α-Fe2O3 Nanoaggregate Conformably Enclosed by Ultrathin N-Doped Carbon Shell for Ultrastable Lithium Storage and Insight into Phase Evolution Mechanism

The Fe-based transition metal oxides are promising anode candidates for lithium storage considering their high specific capacity, low cost, and environmental compatibility. However, the poor electron/ion conductivity and significant volume stress limit their cycle and rate performances. Furthermore, the phenomena of capacity rise and sudden decay for α-Fe₂O₃ have appeared in most reports. Here, a uniform micro/nano α-Fe₂O₃ nanoaggregate conformably enclosed in an ultrathin N-doped carbon network (denoted as M/N-α-Fe₂O₃@NC) is designed. The M/N porous balls combine the merits of secondary nanoparticles to shorten the Li⁺ transportation pathways as well as alleviating volume expansion, and primary microballs to stabilize the electrode/electrolyte interface. Furthermore, the ultrathin carbon shell favors fast electron transfer and protects the electrode from electrolyte corrosion. Therefore, the M/N-α-Fe₂O₃@NC electrode delivers an excellent reversible capacity of 901 mA h g⁻¹ with capacity retention up to 94.0 % after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹. Notably, the capacity rise does not happen during cycling. Moreover, the lithium storage mechanism is elucidated by ex situ XRD and HRTEM experiments. It is verified that the reversible phase transformation of α↔γ occurs during the first cycle, whereas only the α-Fe₂O₃ phase is reversibly transformed during subsequent cycles. This study offers a simple and scalable strategy for the practical application of high-performance Fe₂O₃ electrodes.     

从SiCl4合成多孔硅/碳复合材料及储锂性能研究

以Li₁₃Si₄和SiCl₄为原料,通过简单的机械球磨法合成多孔硅/碳复合材料,通过控制Li₁₃Si₄颗粒的尺寸可以有效调节产物的比表面积。分别研究了包覆碳含量、多孔硅/SuperP(导电碳)比表面积以及极片活性物质负载量对多孔硅/碳复合材料电化学性能的影响。结果表明:多孔硅/SuperP比表面积为100.9m₂·g^-1,化学气相沉积(CVD)包覆碳含量为25.3wt%(约6nm厚)的复合材料具有最高的电化学活性,在300mA·g^-1的电流密度下,循环可逆比容量达到1900mAh·g^-1,50次循环后容量仅衰减7.6%。     

从SiCl4合成多孔硅/碳复合材料及储锂性能研究

以Li13Si4和SiCl4为原料,通过简单的机械球磨法合成多孔硅/碳复合材料,通过控制Li13Si4颗粒的尺寸可以有效调节产物的比表面积。分别研究了包覆碳含量、多孔硅/Super P(导电碳)比表面积以及极片活性物质负载量对多孔硅/碳复合材料电化学性能的影响。结果表明:多孔硅/Super P比表面积为100.9 m2·g-1,化学气相沉积(CVD)包覆碳含量为25.3wt%(约6 nm厚)的复合材料具有最高的电化学活性,在300 mA·g-1的电流密度下,循环可逆比容量达到1 900 mAh·g-1,50次循环后容量仅衰减7.6%。     

Poly(2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole) as a Cathode for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries with Dramatically Improved Performance

Organosulfur compounds with multiple thiol groups are promising for high gravimetric energy density electrochemical energy storage. We have synthesized a poly(2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole) (PDMcT)/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composite cathode for lithium‐ion batteries with a new method and investigated its electrochemical behavior by charge/discharge cycles and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in an ether‐based electrolyte. Based on a comparison of the electrochemical performance with a carbonate‐based electrolyte, we found a much higher discharge capacity, but also a very attractive cycling performance of PDMcT by using a tetra(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (TEGDME)‐based electrolyte. The first discharge capacity of the as‐synthesized PDMcT/PEDOT composite approached 210 mAh g^?1 in the TEGDME‐based electrolyte. CV results clearly show that the redox reactions of PDMcT are highly reversible in this TEGDME‐based electrolyte. The reversible capacity remained around 120 mAh g^?1 after 20 charge/discharge cycles. With improved cycling performance and very low cost, PDMcT could become a very promising cathode material when combined with a TEGDME‐based electrolyte. The poor capacity in the carbonate‐based electrolyte is a consequence of the irreversible reaction of the DMcT monomer and dimer with the solvent, emphasizing the importance of electrolyte chemistry when studying molecular‐based battery materials.     

Electrolyte Chemistry Enables Simultaneous Stabilization of Potassium Metal and Alloying Anode for Potassium‐Ion Batteries

Alloying anodes are promising high‐capacity electrode materials for K‐ion batteries (KIBs). However, KIBs based on alloying anodes suffer from rapid capacity decay due to the instability of K metal and large volume expansion of alloying anodes. Herein, the effects of salts and solvents on the cycling stability of KIBs based on a typical alloying anode such as amorphous red phosphorus (RP) are investigated, and the potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI) salt‐based carbonate electrolyte is versatile to achieve simultaneous stabilization of K metal and RP electrodes for highly stable KIBs. This salt‐solvent complex with a moderate solvation energy can alleviate side reactions between K metal and the electrolyte and facilitate K⁺ ion diffusion/desolvation. Moreover, robust SEI layers that form on K metal and RP electrodes can suppress K dendrite growth and resist RP volume change. This strategy of electrolyte regulation can be applicable to other alloying anodes for high‐performance KIBs.     

A polynuclear mixed-valent ruthenium oxide/cyanoruthenate composite that yields thin coatings on a glassy carbon electrode with high catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Polynuclear ruthenium oxide/cyanoruthenate films on carbon substrates were grown by cycling the potential between 0.5 and 1.0 V (vs SCE) for 5–90 min in fresh 2 mM RuCl₃·3 H₂O, 2 mM K₄Ru(CN)₆·3 H₂O, 0.5 M KCl solution at pH 2. During the positive scans, the cationic Ru(III,IV)-oxo polynuclear species interacted with the simultaneously formed anionic CN-bridged Ru dimers to yield sparingly soluble deposits on the electrode surfaces. Different thicknesses, typically corresponding to 2–50×10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻², could be obtained by varying the cycling times. The absorption spectra of the coatings obtained at SnO₂-covered glass electrodes were different from those known for RuO₂ films and exhibited two absorption bands at about 400 and 700 nm. IR spectroscopic measurements confirmed the presence of a CN group in the deposit, as well as showing significant aquation of the entire coating. Ru, O, N and K (from KCl) were detected by means of Auger electron spectroscopy. The surface electrochemistry and stability of the film were significantly enhanced in K⁺-containing supporting electrolytes. The system provides a durable catalytic surface which allows the voltammetric oxidation of methanol; in 0.5 M H₂SO₄+0.5 M K₂SO₄ electrolyte the resulting anodic peak is at 1.01 V (vs. SCE). Electrooxidation was not possible at bare carbon electrodes, at least before the onset of the electrolyte decomposition.     

Ultrathin CuF2-Rich Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Induced by Cation-Tailored Double Electrical Layer toward Durable Sodium Storage

Solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) seriously affects battery's cycling life, especially for high-capacity anode due to excessive electrolyte decomposition from particle fracture. Herein, we report an ultrathin SEI (3–4 nm) induced by Cu⁺-tailored double electrical layer (EDL) to suppress electrolyte consumption and enhance cycling stability of CuS anode in sodium-ion batteries. Unique EDL with SO₃CF₃-Cu complex absorbing on CuS in NaSO₃CF₃/diglyme electrolyte is demonstrated by in situ surface-enhanced Raman, Cyro-TEM and theoretical calculation, in which SO₃CF₃-Cu could be reduced to CuF₂-rich SEI. Dispersed CuF₂ and F-containing compound can provide good interfacial contact for formation of ultrathin and stable SEI film to minimize electrolyte consumption and reduce activation energy of Na⁺ transport. As a result, the modified CuS delivers high capacity of 402.8 mAh g⁻¹ after 7000 cycles without capacity decay. The insights of SEI construction pave a way for high-stability electrode.     

Hierarchical MoS2@Carbon Microspheres as Advanced Anodes for Li‐Ion Batteries

Hierarchical hybridized nanocomposites with rationally constructed compositions and structures have been considered key for achieving superior Li‐ion battery performance owing to their enhanced properties, such as fast lithium ion diffusion, good collection and transport of electrons, and a buffer zone for relieving the large volume variations during cycling processes. Hierarchical MoS₂@carbon microspheres (HMCM) have been synthesized in a facile hydrothermal treatment. The structure analyses reveal that ultrathin MoS₂ nanoflakes (ca. 2–5 nm) are vertically supported on the surface of carbon nanospheres. The reversible capacity of the HMCM nanocomposite is maintained at 650 mA h g^?1 after 300 cycles at 1 A g^?1. Furthermore, the capacity can reach 477 mA h g^?1 even at a high current density of 4 A g^?1. The outstanding electrochemical performance of HMCM is attributed to the synergetic effect between the carbon spheres and the ultrathin MoS₂ nanoflakes. Additionally, the carbon matrix can supply conductive networks and prevent the aggregation of layered MoS₂ during the charge/discharge process; and ultrathin MoS₂ nanoflakes with enlarged surface areas, which can guarantee the flow of the electrolyte, provide more active sites and reduce the diffusion energy barrier of Li⁺ ions.     

Electrolytic Double-Layer Supercapacitors Based on Sodium-Ion Systems,with Activated-Carbon Electrodes

1 M solutions of NaClO₄ mixed with ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, and fluoroethylene carbonate were studied as electrolytes for a double-layer supercapacitor with electrodes made of Norit DLC Supra 30 activated carbon. It was shown that the specific capacity of activated carbon depends on the electrolyte composition, range of cycling voltages, and current density. The maximum specific capacitance of 40 F g^–1 was obtained in 1 M NaClO₄ mixed with ethylene carbonate: dimethyl carbonate: fluoroethylene carbonate (4: 5: 1) at a current density of 36 mA g^–1 in the range 10–2300 mV. The minimum specific capacitance was obtained under the same cycling conditions in the electrolyte with 1 M NaClO₄ + ethylene carbonate: dimethyl carbonate (1: 1). The variation of the specific capacitance with the electrolyte composition and range of cycling voltages is accounted for by the existence of a pseudocapacitance caused by the occurrence of side processes on the surface of activated carbon. The impedance spectroscopy was used to find that the introduction of fluoroethylene carbonate into the electrolyte positively affects the charge-transfer resistance and favors an increase in the specific capacitance of activated carbon.