Rational design on separators and liquid electrolytes for safer lithium-ion batteries

As the energy density of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) continues to increase,their safety has become a great concern for further practical large-scale applications.One of the ultimate solution of the safety issue is to develop intrinsically safe battery components,where the battery separators and liquid electrolytes are critical for the battery thermal runaway process.In this review,we summarize recent progress in the rational materials design on battery separators and liquid electrolyte towards the goal of improving the safety of LIBs.Also,some strategies for further improving safety of LIBs are also briefly outlooked.     

金属锂电池的热失控与安全性研究进展

锂离子电池在便携式储能器件及电动汽车领域得到了广泛应用,然而频繁发生的电池起火爆炸事故,使热失控和热安全问题备受人们关注,目前已有多篇综述报道了缓解锂离子电池热失控的措施。相比于已经接近理论比能极限的锂离子电池,金属锂负极具有更高的比容量、更低的电势和高反应活性,但是不可控的锂枝晶生长,使得金属锂电池的热失控问题更为复杂和严重。针对金属锂电池的热失控问题,本文首先介绍了热失控的诱因及基本过程和阶段,其次从材料层面综述了提高电池热安全性的多种策略,包括使用阻燃性电解质、离子液体电解质、高浓电解质和局域高浓电解质等不易燃液态电解质体系,开发高热稳定性隔膜、热响应隔膜、阻燃性隔膜和具有枝晶检测预警与枝晶消除功能的新型智能隔膜,以及研究热响应聚合物电解质,最后对金属锂电池热失控在未来的进一步研究进行了展望。     

Challenges of Lithium Metal Anode Enlightened from 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists who have made great contributions in discovery of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs). The LIBs with graphite as anode have dominated the rechargeable battery markets of portable electronics and electric vehicles(EVs). For the next-generation batteries, high energy density is the important trend of development. Thus lithium metal is considered as the most promising anode owing to its highest theoretical capacity and the lowest electrochemical potential. However, the severe safety concerns hinder its practical application. The uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites leads to capacity decay, low Coulombic efficiency, possible short circuit and thermal runaway. In this perspective, various methods to protect Li metal anode have been analyzed. The development of solid-state electrolytes(SSEs) and the role of lithium anode in SSEs are discussed. Several new strategies for improving the safety of Li metal based batteries are proposed to realize the real market-oriented security applications.     

高安全性阻燃动力锂离子电池隔膜

逐年加剧的能源短缺以及日益严重的环境污染问题使得发展电动汽车日益迫切.电动汽车安全问题对动力锂离子电池在大功率输出和高安全性能等方面提出了更高的要求.隔膜电解质体系是制约动力锂离子电池快速发展的重要瓶颈之一,因此,开发高性能的隔膜对提高动力锂离子电池的综合性能至关重要.本文综述了近年来隔膜材料的种类、制备工艺、性能以及本课题组在高安全性阻燃动力锂离子电池隔膜方面的研究进展,并对未来电池隔膜的发展方向进行了预期和展望.     

Sub-100 nm hollow SnO2@C nanoparticles as anode material for lithium ion batteries and significantly enhanced cycle performances

Rational designing and controlling of nanostructures is a key factor in realizing appropriate properties required for the high-performance energy fields. In the present study, hollow SnO₂@C nanoparticles (NPs) with a mean size of 50 nm have been synthesized in large-scale via a facile hydrothermal approach. The morphology and composition of as-obtained products were studied by various characterized techniques. As an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), the as-prepared hollow SnO₂@C NPs exhibit significant improvement in cycle performances. The discharge capacity of lithium battery is as high as 370 mAh g^-1, and the current density is 3910 mA g^-1(5 C) after 573 cycles. Furthermore, the capacity recovers up to 1100 mAh g^-1 at the rate performances in which the current density is recovered to 156.4 mA g^-1(0.2 C). Undoubtedly, sub-100 nm SnO₂@C NPs provide significant improvement to the electrochemical performance of LIBs as superior-anode nanomaterials, and this carbon coating strategy can pave the way for developing high-performance LIBs.     

锂离子电池氧化亚硅负极结构优化和界面改性研究进展

氧化亚硅(SiO)作为锂离子电池负极材料,具有较高的理论比容量(~2043 mAh·g^-1)以及合适的脱锂电位(< 0.5 V),且原料储量丰富、制备成本较低、对环境友好,被认为是下一代高能量密度锂离子电池负极极具潜力的候选材料。然而,SiO在脱/嵌锂过程中存在着较严重的体积效应(~200%),易导致材料颗粒粉化、脱落,严重影响了SiO负极电极的界面稳定性和电化学性能。近年来,人们围绕SiO负极结构优化和界面改性开展了大量工作。本文先从SiO负极材料的结构特点出发,阐述了该材料面临的主要瓶颈问题;继而从SiO的结构优化、SiO/碳复合和SiO/金属复合等三方面,系统总结了迄今已有的SiO负极结构设计和界面调控策略,并分别对其方法特点、电化学性能以及二者间关联规律进行了比较和归纳,最后对SiO负极材料结构和界面改性的未来发展方向进行了展望。     

Nonflammable nonaqueous electrolytes for lithium batteries

As the energy density of state-of-the-art lithium (Li)-ion batteries (LIBs) increases, the safety concern of LIBs using liquid electrolytes is drawing increasing attention. Flammability of electrolytes is a critical link of the overall safety performance of LIBs and Li metal batteries. For this reason, intensive efforts have been devoted to suppressing the flammability of liquid electrolytes. In this short review, the common approaches to reduce the flammability of the nonaqueous liquid electrolytes will be summarized. The advantages and limitations of these approaches will also be discussed.     

高性能锂硫电池研究进展

锂硫电池具有理论比容量高(1675 m Ah·g~(-1))、能量密度高(2600 Wh·kg~(-1))、环境友好、价格低廉等性质,是一种高性能的新型储能电池。这些性能使其在电动汽车和便携式设备领域具有重要意义。然而,快速的容量衰减以及较差的循环性能,使锂硫电池还达不到商业应用的要求。本文全面总结了锂硫电池的最新研究进展,详细阐述了锂硫电池的正极、电解质、隔膜以及负极保护,分析了现有锂硫电池存在的缺陷和问题。最后,对锂硫电池未来的发展方向进行了展望。     

下一代能源存储技术及其关键电极材料

由于能源危机与环境问题,全球能源的消耗正逐渐从传统化石能源转向其它清洁高效能源。高效清洁能源的存储是电动汽车和智能电网的关键技术,对新能源、新材料和新能源汽车国家战略新兴产业的发展具有重要意义。锂离子电池是目前广泛应用的一种能源存储器件。电动汽车和智能电网对能量密度、功率密度、循环寿命和成本等方面的要求越来越高,传统的锂离子电池面临巨大挑战,发展下一代能源存储技术迫在眉睫。高能量密度的锂硫电池和锂空气电池,低成本、高安全性的室温钠离子电池受到了越来越多的关注。本文简要总结了近年来锂硫电池、锂空气电池和钠离子电池及其关键电极材料的研究进展,并对这些新型能源存储技术存在的问题和未来的前景做出了分析和展望。     

锂离子电池低温性能改善研究进展

锂离子电池因其能量密度高,循环寿命长等优点已成为新型动力电池领域的研究热点,但其温度特性尤其是低温性能较差制约着锂离子电池的进一步使用. 本文综述了锂离子电池低温性能的研究进展,系统地分析了锂离子电池低温性能的主要限制因素. 从正极、电解液、负极三个方面讨论了近年来研究者们提高电池低温性能的改性方法. 并对提高锂离子电池低温性能的发展方向进行了展望.     

Recent progress of composite solid polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium metal batteries

In comparison with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with liquid electrolytes, all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have been considered as promising systems for future energy storage due to their safety and high energy density. As the pivotal component used in ASSLBs, composite solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs), derived from the incorporation of inorganic fillers into solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), exhibit higher ionic conductivity, better mechanical strength, and superior thermal/electrochemical stability compared to the single-component SPEs, which can significantly promote the electrochemical performance of ASSLBs. Herein, the recent advances of CSPEs applied in ASSLBs are presented. The effects of the category, morphology and concentration of inorganic fillers on the ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, electrochemical window, interfacial stability and possible Li⁺ transfer mechanism of CSPEs will be systematically discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are proposed for the future development of high-performance CSPEs and ASSLBs.     

The development of lithium ion secondary batteries

Lithium ion secondary batteries (LIBs) were successfully developed as battery systems with high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, which were inherited from lithium secondary batteries (LSBs) with metallic lithium anodes. LSBs have several drawbacks, however, including poor cyclability and quick-charge rejection. The cell reaction in LIB is merely a topochemical one, namely the migration of lithium ions between positive and negative electroces. No chemical changes were observed in the two electrodes or in the electrolytes. This results in little chemical transformation of the active electrode materials and electrolytes, and thus, LIBs can overcome the weaknesses of LSBs; for example, LIBs show excellent cyclability and quick-charge acceptance. Many difficulties, however, were encountered during the course of development, including capacity fade during cycling and safety issues. This article is the story of the development of LIBs and it describes how the difficulties were surmounted.     

Strategies towards Low‐Cost Dual‐Ion Batteries with High Performance

Rocking‐chair based lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have extensively applied to consumer electronics and electric vehicles (EVs) for solving the present worldwide issues of fossil fuel exhaustion and environmental pollution. However, due to the growing unprecedented demand of LIBs for commercialization in EVs and grid‐scale energy storage stations, and a shortage of lithium and cobalt, the increasing cost gives impetus to exploit low‐cost rechargeable battery systems. Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs), in which both cations and anions are involved in the electrochemical redox reaction, are one of the most promising candidates to meet the low‐cost requirements of commercial applications, because of their high working voltage, excellent safety, and environmental friendliness compared to conventional rocking‐chair based LIBs. However, DIB technologies are only at the stage of fundamental research and considerable effort is required to improve the energy density and cycle life further. We review the development history and current situation, and discuss the reaction kinetics involved in DIBs, including various anionic intercalation mechanism of cathodes, and the reactions at the anodes including intercalation and alloying to explore promising strategies towards low‐cost DIBs with high performance.     

钠离子电池用铁基正极材料的研究进展

气候变化和化石燃料枯竭等问题将促进新型绿色能源的开发和利用。因此,高效率、低成本、安全的储能系统,得到了越来越多的关注和研究。在各类储能系统中,二次电池是存储电能、为电子设备供电的最理想选择。目前,锂离子电池(LIBs)的应用最广泛。然而,地球上锂资源的短缺和分布不均造成的成本较高,急需研究和开发其他高性能的新型二次电池。钠元素具有地壳中储量丰富、均匀且与锂具有相似化学性质等优势,使得钠离子电池(SIBs)成为了取代LIBs最有前景的备选二次电池之一。然而,钠离子的体积较大、离子传导动力学更缓慢、导电性更差等问题,限制了SIBs高性能的实现,这是目前研究的难点和重点。此外,铁具有储量丰富、环境友好的特点,其在SIBs中的应用引起了电池领域科研工作者的广泛关注。因此,寻找良好的铁基正极材料成为SIBs高性能电极材料开发的一个重要研究方向。本综述对近年来SIBs铁基正极材料方面的研究进展进行了总结,并按照聚阴离子型化合物、过渡金属氧化物、普鲁士蓝及类似物和氟化物分类,进行了系统的阐述和分析。     

Sulfone-based high-voltage electrolytes for high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries:Progress and perspective

Further enhancement in the energy density of rechargeable lithium batteries calls for high-voltage cathode materials and stable anodes,as well as matched high-voltage electrolytes without compromising the overall property of batteries.Sulfone-based electrolytes have aroused great interest in recent years owing to their wide electrochemical window and high safety.However,significant challenges such as the complexity of synthesis,high melting point(typically above room temperature),high viscosity,and their poor compatibility with graphite-based anodes have drastically impeded their practical applications.In this review,recent progress of sulfone solvents in high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries is summarized theoretically and experimentally.More importantly,general improvement methods of sulfone-based electrolytes,such as adding additives and cosolvents,structural modifications of sulfo ne,superconcentrated salt strategy are briefly discussed.We expect that this review provides inspiration for the future developments of sulfone-based high-voltage electrolytes(SHVEs) and their widespread applications in high specific energy lithium batteries.     

Single-atom catalysts for high-energy rechargeable batteries

Clean and sustainable electrochemical energy storage has attracted extensive attention. It remains a great challenge to achieve next-generation rechargeable battery systems with high energy density, good rate capability, excellent cycling stability, efficient active material utilization, and high coulombic efficiency. Many catalysts have been explored to promote electrochemical reactions during the charge and discharge process. Among reported catalysts, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted extensive attention due to their maximum atom utilization efficiency, homogenous active centres, and unique reaction mechanisms. In this perspective, we summarize the recent advances of the synthesis methods for SACs and highlight the recent progress of SACs for a new generation of rechargeable batteries, including lithium/sodium metal batteries, lithium/sodium–sulfur batteries, lithium–oxygen batteries, and zinc–air batteries. The challenges and perspectives for the future development of SACs are discussed to shed light on the future research of SACs for boosting the performances of rechargeable batteries.

Single-atom catalysts are reviewed, aiming to achieve optimized properties to boost electrochemical performances of high-energy batteries.     

锂硫电池多功能涂层隔膜的研究进展与展望

先进储能系统的开发对于满足电动汽车、便携式设备和可再生能源存储不断增长的需求至关重要. 锂硫（Li-S）电池具有比能量高、原材料成本低和环境友好等优点,是新型高性能电池研究领域中的热点. 然而,锂硫电池面向实际应用还存在许多问题,如可溶性多硫化物中间体的穿梭效应、锂枝晶生长以及锂硫电池在使用过程中的热稳定性和安全性等. 设计开发多功能涂层隔膜是改善锂硫电池上述不足的有效策略之一,在本综述中,详细论述了锂硫电池多功能涂层隔膜的研究进展. 包括聚合物材料、碳材料、氧化物材料、催化纳米粒子改性的功能化涂层隔膜及增强电池热稳定性、安全性的特种功能隔膜,对其作用特性进行了系统分析,并对未来研究发展提出展望.     

Application of Guar Gum and its Derivatives as Green Binder/Separator for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries

Since their first commercialization in the 1990s,lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become an indispensible part of our everyday life in particular for portable electronic devices. LIBs have been considered as the most promising sustainable high energy density storage device. In recent years, there is a strong demand of LIBs for hybrid electric and electric vehicles to lower carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. However, LIBs have several issues, for example, high cost and safety issues such as over discharge, intolerance to overcharge, high temperature operation etc. To address these issues several new types of electrodes are being studied. Traditional binder PVDF is costly, difficult to recyle, undergoes side reactions at high temperature and cannot stabilize high energy density electrodes. To overcome these challenges, diiferent binders have been introduced with these electrodes. This minireview is focused on the application of guar gum as a binder for different electrodes and separator. The electrochemical performance of electrodes with guar gum has been compared with other binders.     

镁离子电池正极材料研究进展

镁离子电池(MIBs)因镁资源储量丰富、体积能量密度大、金属镁空气中相对稳定等优势,被认为是具有大规模储能应用潜力的电池体系。然而,镁离子较高的电荷密度和较强的溶剂化作用导致其在正极材料中的可逆脱嵌和固-液界面上的离子扩散相当缓慢,严重影响了MIBs的电化学性能。近年来,人们针对MIBs正极材料开展了大量工作,取得了一定进展,但是还存在不少问题。本文先从MIBs体系的特点出发,阐述其优势和目前所面临的主要挑战,然后从无机正极材料和有机正极材料两方面展开,梳理并总结了各类正极材料的局限性及其解决策略,对优化方法和材料性能间的相关性进行归纳和讨论,为今后进一步发展具有优异电化学性能的MIBs正极材料提供可能的参考。     

A Review on Lithium-Ion Battery Separators towards Enhanced Safety Performances and Modelling Approaches

In recent years, the applications of lithium-ion batteries have emerged promptly owing to its widespread use in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the safety of the battery systems has always been a global concern for the end-users. The separator is an indispensable part of lithium-ion batteries since it functions as a physical barrier for the electrode as well as an electrolyte reservoir for ionic transport. The properties of separators have direct influences on the performance of lithium-ion batteries, therefore the separators play an important role in the battery safety issue. With the rapid developments of applied materials, there have been extensive efforts to utilize these new materials as battery separators with enhanced electrical, fire, and explosion prevention performances. In this review, we aim to deliver an overview of recent advancements in numerical models on battery separators. Moreover, we summarize the physical properties of separators and benchmark selective key performance indicators. A broad picture of recent simulation studies on separators is given and a brief outlook for the future directions is also proposed.