Electrochemical Phase Evolution of Metal‐Based Pre‐Catalysts for High‐Rate Polysulfide Conversion

In situ evolution of electrocatalysts is of paramount importance in defining catalytic reactions. Catalysts for aprotic electrochemistry such as lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) batteries are the cornerstone to enhance intrinsically sluggish reaction kinetics but the true active phases are often controversial. Herein, we reveal the electrochemical phase evolution of metal‐based pre‐catalysts (Co₄N) in working Li‐S batteries that renders highly active electrocatalysts (CoS_x). Electrochemical cycling induces the transformation from single‐crystalline Co₄N to polycrystalline CoS_x that are rich in active sites. This transformation propels all‐phase polysulfide‐involving reactions. Consequently, Co₄N enables stable operation of high‐rate (10 C, 16.7 mA cm^?2) and electrolyte‐starved (4.7 μL mg_S^?1) Li‐S batteries. The general concept of electrochemically induced sulfurization is verified by thermodynamic energetics for most of low‐valence metal compounds.     

电化学转换反应及其在二次电池中的应用

电化学转换反应作为一种新的电极反应机制,近年来受到相当多的关注. 转换反应不仅能够利用金属化合物的多价态氧化还原,大幅度提高电化学容量利用率,而且对于主体晶格的结构、嵌脱阳离子的尺寸并无特殊要求,可以应用于众多不同种类的金属化合物,针对不同的金属离子设计高容量正负极活性材料. 因此,基于转换反应构建高容量电极材料正成为二次电池发展的一个新方向. 本文简要分析了电化学转换反应的基本原理和实现条件,并结合作者课题组近年来的研究工作探讨了这类反应在锂离子及钠离子电池中的潜在应用.     

Constructing Atomic Fe and N Co-doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres with a Polymer Encapsulation Strategy for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries with Accelerated Polysulfide Conversion

As competitive next-generation rechargeable batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) suffer from the shuttle effect and the sluggish kinetics of intermediate polysulfides during charge and discharge processes, adversely affecting their electrochemical performances and actual applications. Herein, we demonstrate a polymer encapsulation strategy to synthesize atomic Fe and N co-doped hollow carbon nanospheres (Fe−NHC) with Fe−N_x sites for modifying commercial PP separator of LSBs to suppress the shuttle effect and promote the kinetics of intermediate polysulfides. Benefiting from the excellent structural design, the doped-N with positive charges could effectively adsorb negatively charged soluble polysulfides, help attract the soluble polysulfides to the Fe atoms and boost the catalytic transformation of the soluble polysulfides. Additionally, such a thin carbon shell could provide a short mass diffusion pathway and hence promote the adsorption and the catalytic conversion. Therefore, the battery with the Fe−NHC/PP separator delivers outstanding cycling and rate performances. At the large current density of 1 C, the specific capacity is 1079 mA h g⁻¹ and maintains a low loss of 0.076 % per cycle within 500 cycles. Even at a harsh current density of 4 C, a high capacity of 824 mA h g⁻¹ is still achieved, indicating the advantage of the Fe−NHC/PP separator in LSBs.     

Beyond the Polysulfide Shuttle and Lithium Dendrite Formation: Addressing the Sluggish Sulfur Redox Kinetics for Practical High-Energy Li-S Batteries

Electrolyte modulation simultaneously suppresses polysulfide the shuttle effect and lithium dendrite formation of lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries. However, the sluggish S redox kinetics, especially under high S loading and lean electrolyte operation, has been ignored, which dramatically limits the cycle life and energy density of practical Li-S pouch cells. Herein, we demonstrate that a rational combination of selenium doping, core–shell hollow host structure, and fluorinated ether electrolytes enables ultrastable Li stripping/plating and essentially no polysulfide shuttle as well as fast redox kinetics. Thus, high areal capacity (>4 mAh cm⁻²) with excellent cycle stability and Coulombic efficiency were both demonstrated in Li metal anode and thick S cathode (4.5 mg cm⁻²) with a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio (10 μL mg⁻¹). This research further demonstrates a durable Li-Se/S pouch cell with high specific capacity, validating the potential practical applications.     

Highly Graphitized Porous Carbon-FeNi3 Fabricated from Oleic Acid for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Improving the electrical conductivity of sulfur, suppressing shuttle/dissolution of polysulfide, and enhancing reaction kinetics in Li–S batteries are essential for practical applications. Here, for the first time, we have used inexpensive oleic acid as a single carbon source, and have added commercial SiO₂ as a template to form a porous structure, whereas introducing Fe(NO₃)₃ and Ni(NO₃)₂ as catalysts to increase the degree of graphitization. Moreover, the dual metal salts Fe(NO₃)₃ and Ni(NO₃)₂ can also form FeNi₃ alloy, and our results show that FeNi₃ nanoparticles accelerate the kinetic conversion reactions of polysulfide. By virtue of the well-developed porous structure and high degree of graphitization, the highly graphitized porous carbon-FeNi₃ (GPC-FeNi₃) has high conductivity to ensure fast charge transfer, and the hierarchically porous structure facilitates ion diffusion and traps polysulfide. Thus, a GPC-FeNi₃/S cathode displays excellent electrochemical performance. At current rates of 0.2 and 1 C, a cathode of the GPC-FeNi₃/S composite with a sulfur content of 70 % delivers high initial discharge capacities of 1108 and 880 mA h g⁻¹, respectively, and retains reversible specific capacities of 850 mA h g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.2 C and 625 mA h g⁻¹ after 400 cycles at 1 C.     

Phase Evolution and Electrochemical Properties of Nanometric Samarium Oxide for Stable Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

Electrochemical properties of metal oxide have a strong correlation with the crystalline structures. In this work, the effect of calcination temperature on the phase evolution and electrochemical properties of Sm₂O₃ was systematically evaluated. The results demonstrate that the sample calcinated at 700 °C (SM-700) is composed of a pure cubic phase while it begins to convert into a monoclinic phase at a temperature above 800 °C and fully converts into a monoclinic phase at 1100 °C. Moreover, the evolution process causes atomic redistribution, and more oxygen vacancies are formed in cubic phase Sm₂O₃, contributing to the improved ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of 0.138 S cm⁻¹ and maximum power density of 895 mW cm⁻² at 520 °C are achieved using SM-700 as electrolyte for protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC). The cubic structure remains stable in the durability testing process and the SM-700 based fuel cell delivers enhanced stability of 140 mW cm⁻² for 100 h. This research develops a calcination evolution process to improve the ionic conductivity and fuel cell performance of the Sm₂O₃ electrolyte for stable PCFC.     

Nonmetal Doping as a Robust Route for Boosting the Hydrogen Evolution of Metal-Based Electrocatalysts

Recently, nonmetal doping has exhibited its great potential for boosting the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of transition-metal (TM)-based electrocatalysts. To this end, this work overviews the recent achievements made on the design and development of the nonmetal-doped TM-based electrocatalysts and their performance for the HER. It is also shown that by rationally doping nonmetal elements, the electronic structures of TM-based electrocatalysts can be effectively tuned and in turn the Gibbs free energy of the TM for adsorption of H* intermediates (ΔG_H*) optimized, consequently enhancing the intrinsic activity of TM-based electrocatalysts. Notably, we highlight that concurrently doping two nonmetal elements can continuously and precisely regulate the electronic structures of the TM, thereby maximizing the activity for HER. Moreover, nonmetal doping also accounts for enhancing the physical properties of the TM (i.e. surface area). Therefore, nonmetal doping is a robust strategy for simultaneous regulation of the chemical and physical features of the TM.     

硫/多孔碳纳米管复合材料的制备及电化学性能

为了解决单质硫导电性差、充放电过程中体积膨胀、中间产物多硫化物的穿梭效应等问题,将硫负载于一种高比表面积的多孔碳纳米管（PCNTs）,制备了S/PCNT复合材料,研究了其电化学性能。相比于S/CNT,S/PCNT的电化学性能有明显提升,这可归因于S/PCNT中的嵌入结构,为硫在充放电过程中的体积膨胀提供了缓冲空间,避免了硫与电解液的直接接触,进而有效限制多硫化物的溶解,从而缓解多硫化物的穿梭效应,使硫正极具有更好的循环稳定性。     

锂电池用正极材料多硫代苯的电化学性能

采用多硫化钠与六氯代苯为原料,制备了一系列具有网状交联结构的不同硫含量的多硫代苯作为锂电池正极材料,并对其电化学性能进行了研究.结果表明,提高硫含量有利于提高材料的放电容量,但易加剧充放电循环中的容量衰减.硫含量为91.99％的样品,首放容量达到756 mAh·g－1,20次循环容量保持367 mAh·g－1.讨论了多硫代苯的放电机理,循环容量衰减和充放电效率较低的原因.     

锂硫电池硫膨胀石墨正极材料的电化学性能

应用高温气相扩散沉积法由单质硫制备硫膨胀石墨.该硫膨胀石墨正极可降低反应界面电荷传递阻抗,提高扩散阻抗抑制单质硫或多硫化物在充放电过程的穿梭.其首次放电容量达到972 mAh.g-1,容量保持率为78%,循环效率在80%以上.     

Atomic-Scale Dispersed Fe-Based Catalysts Confined on Nitrogen-Doped Graphene for Li-S Batteries: Polysulfides with Enhanced Conversion Efficiency

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been considered as potential electrochemical energy-storage devices owing to their satisfactory theoretical energy density. Nonetheless, the inferior conversion efficiency of polysulfides in essence leads to fast capacity decay during the discharge/charge cycle. In this work, it is successfully demonstrated that the conversion efficiency of lithium polysulfides is remarkably enhanced by employing a well-distributed atomic-scale Fe-based catalyst immobilized on nitrogen-doped graphene (Fe@NG) as a coating of separator in lithium-sulfur batteries. The quantitative electrocatalytic efficiency of the conversion of lithium polysulfides is determined through cyclic voltammetry. It is also proven that the Fe-N_X configuration with highly catalytic activity is quite beneficial for the conversion of lithium polysulfides. In addition, the adsorption and permeation experiments distinctly indicate that the strong anchoring effect, originated from the charge redistribution of N doping into the graphene matrix, inhibits the movement of lithium polysulfides. Thanks to these advantages, if the as-prepared Fe@NG catalyst is combined with polypropylene and applied as a separator (Fe@NG/PP) in Li-S batteries, a high initial capacity (1616 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C), excellent capacity retention (93 % at 0.2 C, 70 % at 2 C), and superb rate performance (820 mA h g⁻¹ at 2 C) are achieved.     

Hollow Chevrel‐Phase NiMo3S4 for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Electrolytes

Electrochemical water splitting to generate molecular hydrogen requires catalysts that are cheap, active, and stable, particularly for alkaline electrolyzers, where the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in base than in acid even on platinum. Herein, we describe the synthesis of new hollow Chevrel‐phase NiMo₃S₄ and its alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance: onset potential of ?59 mV, Tafel slope of 98 mV per decade, and exchange current density of 3.9×10^?2 mA cm^?2. This Chevrel‐phase chalcogenide also demonstrates outstanding long‐term stability under harsh HER cycling conditions. Chevrel‐phase nanomaterials show promise as efficient, low‐cost catalysts for alkaline electrolyzers.     

NaF-M(M=Fe,Cu)钠离子电池转换正极材料的研究

以纳米TiN为研磨剂,采用机械球磨技术制备了NaF-M（M = Fe, Cu）纳米复合物,探索了这类复合物作为钠离子电池转换正极材料的可能性. 电化学测试表明,NaF-Fe和NaF-Cu纳米复合物电极在钠离子电解液中能实现与Na⁺的逆向转换反应,其可逆放电容量达150 mAh.g^-1以上,并具有较好的循环寿命. 只要创造了适合相转变反应进行的微区结构,钠离子的转换反应也可以通过可逆的电化学转换反应实现,并从起始的富钠放电态直接充电至贫钠的荷电态. 本工作为开发高容量钠离子电池正极材料提供了新途径.     

锂电池用草酸二氟硼酸锂有机电解液的电化学性能

以草酸锂和三氟化硼乙醚溶液合成了草酸二氟硼酸锂(LiBC₂O₄F₂),并用碳酸二甲酯溶剂萃取和重结晶提纯。LiBC₂O₄F₂有机电解液能在铝箔上形成一层致密的保护膜,这能较好地抑制在高电位时电解液在铝箔上发生氧化反应,而且在很宽的温度范围内LiBC₂O₄F₂基电解液都具有较好的离子电导率。电化学测试结果表明：使用1.0 mol·L^-1 LiBC₂O₄F₂有机电解液的LiMn₂O₄/Li电池首次放电容量为110.2 mAh·g^-1,并且具有比使用LiPF₆有机电解液的LiMn₂O₄/Li电池更好的高低温循环性能和更优良的低温放电性能。     

Superior Electrochemical Performance of Sulfur/Graphene Nanocomposite Material for High‐Capacity Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Sulfur/graphene nanocomposite material has been prepared by incorporating sulfur into the graphene frameworks through a melting process. Field‐emission scanning electron microscope analysis shows a homogeneous distribution of sulfur in the graphene nanosheet matrix. The sulfur/graphene nanocomposite exhibits a super‐high lithium‐storage capacity of 1580 mAh g^?1 and a satisfactory cycling performance in lithium–sulfur cells. The enhancement of the reversible capacity and cycle life could be attributed to the flexible graphene nanosheet matrix, which acts as a conducting medium and a physical buffer to cushion the volume change of sulfur during the lithiation and delithiation process. Graphene‐based nanocomposites can significantly improve the electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur batteries.     

Separation/Concentration‐signal‐amplification in‐One Method Based on Electrochemical Conversion of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Biosensing

We propose a separation/concentration‐signal‐amplification in‐one method based on electrochemical conversion (ECC) of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to develop a facile and sensitive electrochemical biosensor for chloramphenicol (CAP) detection. Briefly, aptamer‐modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs‐Apt) was designed to capture CAP in sample, then the MNPs‐Apt composite was conjugated to Au electrode through the DNA hybridization between the unoccupied aptamer and a strand of complementary DNA. The ECC method was applied to transfer MNPs labels to electrochemically active Prussian blue (PB). The anodic and cathodic currents of PB were taken for signal readout. Comparing with conventional methods that require electrochemically active labels and related sophisticated labelling procedures, this method explored and integrated the magnetic and electrochemical properties of MNPs into one system, in turn realized magnetic capturing of CAP and signal generation without any additional conventional labels. Taking advantages of the high abundance of iron content in MNPs and the refreshing effect deriving from ECC process, the method significantly promoted the signal amplification. Therefore, the proposed biosensors exhibited linear detection range from 1 to 1000 ng mL⁻¹ and a limit of detection down to 1 ng mL⁻¹, which was better than or comparable with those of most analogues, as well as satisfactory specificity, storage stability and feasibility for real samples. The developed method may lead to new concept for rapid and facile biosensing in food safety, clinic diagnose/therapy and environmental monitoring fields.     

锂电池阴极材料多硫代聚苯撑的制备及电化学性能

采用阴极材料结构改性的新方法,即以导电的聚苯撑作为骨架,将多硫链以侧链形式连接在主链上.通过苯的聚合、聚苯撑氯代,氯代聚苯撑(PPPCl)的硫代三步合成了多硫代聚苯撑(PPPS),产物结构经¹³CNMR谱、IR光谱、Raman光谱和元素分析进行了鉴定,其中IR谱中461和615cm^-1及Raman谱中470和666cm^-1峰分别表明存在S-S键和C-S键,结合其它鉴定结果,证明终产物为多硫代聚苯撑.组装成电池进行充放电性能测试表明,材料在80mA/g的电流密度下放电,比容量为987mA·h/g;在400mA/g下放电,比容量为776mA·h/g.在这两种电流密度下的利用率分别为83.5%和65.7%,具有较高的利用率和较好的大电流性能.在400mA/g的电流密度下放电时,经过25个循环的容量为307mA·h/g.