Post-Lithium-Ion Battery Era: Recent Advances in Rechargeable Potassium-Ion Batteries

Lithium shortage and the growing demand for electricity storage has encouraged researchers to look for new alternative energy-storage materials. Due to abundant potassium resources, similar redox potential to lithium metal, and low cost, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), as one of the promising alternatives, have been applied in energy-storage research recently. However, PIBs do not have adequate competition in their electrochemical efficiency because the molar volume of potassium ions is higher than those in lithium and sodium ions. Therefore, for better application and development of PIBs, finding suitable anode and cathode materials is currently the most important task. The latest developments in electrode materials for PIBs have been outlined in depth in this review. It focuses on the structural design and synthetic methods for novel electrode materials, ingenious optimization and tuning strategies, and explains the intrinsic reaction mechanism. The effects of organic electrolytes and aqueous electrolytes on battery systems are compared and clarified. Finally, theoretical and viable insights are given to the challenges posed by the creation and practical application of PIBs in the future.     

Germanium‐Based Nanomaterials for Rechargeable Batteries

Germanium‐based nanomaterials have emerged as important candidates for next‐generation energy‐storage devices owing to their unique chemical and physical properties. In this Review, we provide a review of the current state‐of‐the‐art in germanium‐based materials design, synthesis, processing, and application in battery technology. The most recent advances in the area of Ge‐based nanocomposite electrode materials and electrolytes for solid‐state batteries are summarized. The limitations of Ge‐based materials for energy‐storage applications are discussed, and potential research directions are also presented with an emphasis on commercial products and theoretical investigations.     

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.     

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.     

Recent Advances of Freestanding Cathodes for Li-S Batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) with high energy density and low cost have been recognized as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems. Although it has taken decades of development, the practical application of LSBs has been hindered by several inherent obstacles, particularly the severe shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics in the sulfur cathode. Various strategies have been proposed to address these problems via rational design of electrode materials and configurations. Freestanding sulfur cathode could be a promising strategy to improve the sulfur mass loading at the cathode level and energy density of LSBs. This minireview will briefly summary the recent advances in freestanding cathodes for LSBs. The advantages and disadvantages of various freestanding cathodes are discussed and the prospects for the development of flexible cathodes are envisioned.     

锂硫电池及关键材料研究进展

锂硫电池因具有远高于传统锂离子电池的理论比容量和质量能量密度,而受到人们的广泛关注,近年来一直是高能锂金属电池领域的研究热点之一. 然而这一体系的一些固有特性问题依然没有得到解决,无法实现稳定理论容量输出,严重阻碍了锂硫电池的实际应用. 其中,比较突出的问题是电池充放电过程中生成可溶性中间产物-多硫化物-对硫基正极、锂基负极和电解液等电池关键组成部分具有深刻的影响. 本综述从多硫化物的热力学和动力学等性质入手,详细介绍了锂硫电池中关键材料的功能化设计和优化策略,并对未来的发展做出展望.     

Conversion/Alloying Pseudocapacitance-Dominated Perovskite KZnF3 Anode for Advanced Lithium-Based Dual-Ion Batteries

Cost-competitive perovskite fluoride KZnF₃ has been introduced for the first time as an advanced anode for high-performance lithium-based dual-ion batteries, exhibiting conversion/alloying hybrid mechanisms and dominated pseudocapacitive kinetics for Li-ion storage.     

Recent Advances in Atomic-scale Storage Mechanism Studies of Two-dimensional Nanomaterials for Rechargeable Batteries Beyond Li-ion

Developing new types of rechargeable batteries with high energy densities and low cost have received increasing attentions, aiming to reduce the dependence on high-priced lithium. Beyond Li-ion batteries, the potential alternatives including Na-ion batteries, Li-S batteries and Li-air batteries have been investigated recently, which are required to be viable for commercial applications. From this point of view, to understand the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and kinetics of these batteries has become the key challenge to make breakthroughs in the field of new energy storage. In this review, we present a critical overview of the two dimensional nanomaterials-based batteries (except Li-ion-based batteries) that could meet such demonds. To develop new energy storage devices with more promising performances, the microstructure evolution and atomic scale storage mechanism of these batteries are comprehensively summarized. In addition, the major challenges and opportunities of advanced characterization techniques are finally discussed. We do hope that this review will give the readers a clear and profound understanding of the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and kinetics of the as-discussed batteries, thus effectively contributing to the smart design of future-generation energy storage devices.     

金属锂二次电池研究进展

本文综述了近年来金属锂二次电池的研究进展,主要包括金属锂负极的表面改性、SEI膜的形成和调制、电解质体系的改进及研发,以及电池制备工艺等,并在综述各方面进展的基础上对金属锂二次电池未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

Recent Advances in Graphene-Based Materials for Zinc-Ion Batteries

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising alternative for large-scale energy storage due to their advantages of environmental protection, low cost, and intrinsic safety. However, the utilization of their full potential is still hindered by the sluggish electrode reaction kinetics, poor structural stability, severe Zn dendrite growth, and narrow electrochemical stability window of the whole battery. Graphene-based materials with excellent physicochemical properties hold great promise for addressing the above challenges foe ZIBs. In this review, the energy storage mechanisms and challenges faced by ZIBs are first discussed. Key issues and recent progress in design strategies for graphene-based materials in optimizing the electrochemical performance of ZIBs (anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator and current collector) are then discussed. Finally, some potential challenges and future research directions of graphene-based materials in high-performance ZIBs are proposed for practical applications.     

Recent Theoretical and Experimental Advancements of Aluminum-Sulfur Batteries

Aluminum-sulfur batteries (AlSBs) exhibit significant potential as energy storage systems due to their notable attributes, including a high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and abundant availability of aluminum and sulfur. In order to commercialize AlSBs, an understanding of their working principles is necessary. In this review, we examine the current advancements in cathodes, both in theory and practice, as well as the progress made in aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes. We also explore the modifications made to separators and the theoretical understanding of problems associated with AlSBs. Furthermore, we discuss future research directions aimed at resolving these issues. Our aim is to summarize the current progress in AlSBs and, based on recent progress and understanding of the mechanism, help design a battery to overcome the challenges that such batteries have been facing.     

锂离子聚合物常温固体电解质的研究进展

综述了锂离子电池聚合物常温固体电解质的最新研究进展。主要关注的是电化学性能,尤其是室温下的离子电导率。对性能较好的聚合物固体电解质体系进行了概述。     

Applications of Low-Melting-Point Metals in Rechargeable Metal Batteries

Low-melting-point (LMP) metals represent an interesting family of electrode materials owing to their high ionic conductivity, good ductility or fluidity, low hardness and/or superior alloying capability, all of which are crucial characteristics to address battery challenges such as interfacial incompatibility, electrode pulverization, and dendrite growth. This minireview summarizes recent research progress of typical LMP metals including In, Ga, Hg, and their alloys in rechargeable metal batteries. Emphasis is placed on mainstream electrochemical storage devices of Li, Na, and K batteries as well as the representative multi-valent metal batteries. The fundamental correlations between unique physiochemical properties of LMP metals and the battery performance are highlighted. In addition, this article also provides insights into future development and potential directions of LMP metals/alloys for practical applications.     

Revealing the Reaction and Fading Mechanism of FeSe2 Cathodes for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Rechargeable Mg batteries (RMBs) are advantageous large-scale energy-storage devices because of the high abundance and high safety, but exploring high-performance cathodes remains the largest difficulty for their development. Compared with oxides and sulfides, selenides show better Mg-storage performance because the weaker interaction with the Mg²⁺ cation favors fast kinetics. Herein, nanorod-like FeSe₂ was synthesized and investigated as a cathode for RMBs. Compared with microspheres and microparticles, nanorods exhibit higher capacity and better rate capability with a smaller particle size. The FeSe₂ nanorods show a high capacity of 191 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹ and a good rate performance of 39 mAh g⁻¹ at 1000 mA g⁻¹. Ex situ characterizations demonstrate the Mg²⁺ intercalation mechanism for FeSe₂, and a slight conversion reaction occurs on the surface of the particles. The capacity fading is mainly because of the dissolution of Fe²⁺, which is caused by the reaction between Fe²⁺ and Cl⁻ of the electrolyte during the charge process on the surface of the particles. The surface of FeSe₂ is mainly selenium after long cycling, which may also dissolve in the electrolyte during cycling. The present work develops a new type of Mg²⁺ intercalation cathode for RMBs. More importantly, the fading mechanism revealed herein has considered the specificity of Mg battery electrolyte and would assist a better understanding of selenide cathodes for RMBs.     

Bio‐Inspired Isoalloxazine Redox Moieties for Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Organic electrode materials hold great potential for fabricating sustainable energy storage systems, however, the development of organic redox‐active moieties for rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries is still at an early stage. Here, we report a bio‐inspired riboflavin‐based aqueous zinc‐ion battery utilizing an isoalloxazine ring as the redox center for the first time. This battery exhibits a high capacity of 145.5 mAh g^?1 at 0.01 A g^?1 and a long‐life stability of 3000 cycles at 5 A g^?1. We demonstrate that isoalloxazine moieties are active centers for reversible zinc‐ion storage by using optical and photoelectron spectroscopies as well as theoretical calculations. Through molecule‐structure tailoring of riboflavin, the obtained alloxazine and lumazine molecules exhibit much higher theoretical capacities of 250.3 and 326.6 mAh g^?1, respectively. Our work offers an effective redox‐active moiety for aqueous zinc batteries and will enrich the valuable material pool for electrode design.     

Recent Advances of ZnCo2O4-based Anode Materials for Li-ion Batteries

ZnCo₂O₄ has been attracted wide research attention as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in recent years based on its high theoretical specific capacity, low toxicity as well as stable chemical properties. However, the further large-scale application of pristine ZnCo₂O₄ anode have been impeded because of its undesirable Li⁺ ion conductivity, low electronic conductivity, and finite stability of electrolytes at high potentials. Recently, optimizing the micro/nano structure, modification with carbonaceous materials, incorporation with metal oxides and constructing a binder-free structure on conductive substrate for ZnCo₂O₄-based materials have been verified as promising effective routes for solving the above problems. In this review, the recent advances in underlying reaction mechanisms, synthetic methods and strategies for improving the performance of ZnCo₂O₄ anodes are comprehensively summarized. The factors affecting the electrochemical properties of ZnCo₂O₄-based materials are mainly discussed, and paths to promote the specific capacity and cyclic stability are proposed. Finally, several insights into the future developments, challenges, and prospects of ZnCo₂O₄-based anode materials of LIBs are proposed.     

Recent Progress in Framework Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-Sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been considered as a promising candidate for the next generation of energy storage systems due to their high theoretical capacity. However, there are still lots of pending scientific and technological issues to be solved. Framework materials show great potential to address the above-mentioned issues due to the highly ordered distribution of pore sizes, effective catalytic activity, and periodically arranged aperture. In addition, good tunability gives framework materials unlimited possibilities to achieve satisfying performance for LSBs. In this review, the recent advances in pristine framework materials, their derivatives, and composites have been summarized. And a short conclusion and outlook regard to future prospects for guiding the development of framework materials and LSBs.     

二次钠-空气电池的研究进展

二次钠-空气电池具有高达1600 Wh.kg^-1的理论能量密度、2.3 V的理论放电电压平台和丰富的钠资源等优点,成为近年来的研究热点. 人们对钠-空气电池的研究时间较短,还有大量的问题需要解决. 本文根据近几年对于二次钠-空气电池的初步研究,并结合作者课题组在钠电池研究领域的探索和体会,总结了目前钠-空气电池核心问题的主要研究进展,并对钠-空气电池应用前景进行了展望.     

金属硫化物在可充电电池中的研究进展

低成本、长寿命、高安全性、高性能且易于大规模生产的锂/钠离子电池已被证实为重要的二次储能设备。 电极材料对锂/钠电池性能与循环寿命影响极大,金属硫化物由于具有高比容量和低电势而极具潜力成为锂/钠离子电池负极材料。 在电化学循环过程中,由于金属硫化物容易产生穿梭效应和体积变化,从而电极材料结构被破坏,进一步导致电池容量衰退、稳定性降低。 本文总结了多种金属硫化物的微观结构调控策略,从三维空间构建到与其它材料的复合,增强了电极的导电性和减缓体积变化带来的负面影响,进而获得性能优异的金属硫化物负极材料。 通过对金属硫化物的结构与性能的讨论,对其研究前景进行了积极的展望。     

Recent Progress in the Electrolytes of Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered tremendous attention in the field of next energy storage devices due to their high safety, low cost, abundant resources, and eco-friendliness. As an important component of the zinc-ion battery, the electrolyte plays a vital role in the electrochemical properties, since it will provide a pathway for the migrations of the zinc ions between the cathode and anode, and determine the ionic conductivity, electrochemically stable potential window, and reaction mechanism. In this Minireview, a brief introduction of electrochemical principles of the aqueous ZIBs is discussed and the recent advances of various aqueous electrolytes for ZIBs, including liquid, gel, and multifunctional hydrogel electrolytes are also summarized. Furthermore, the remaining challenges and future directions of electrolytes in aqueous ZIBs are also discussed, which could provide clues for the following development.