Rational Synthesis of “Grape-like” Ni2V2O7 Microspheres as High-capacity Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Vanadates have received booming attention recently as promising materials for extensive electrochemical devices such as batteries and electrocatalysis. However, the enormous difficulties of achieving pure-phase transition metal vanadates, especially for nickel-based, hinder their exploitations. Herein, for the first time, by controlling the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) and reaction time, grape-like Ni₂V₂O₇ (or V₂O₅/Ni₂V₂O₇) microspheres were rationally fabricated. It is demonstrated that the EG can chelate both Ni²⁺ and VO₃⁻ to form organometallic precursors. As anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), it could deliver superior reversible capacity of 1050 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and excellent rate capability of 600 mAh/g at 4 A/g. The facile hydrothermal synthesis broadens the material variety of nickel vanadates and offers new opportunities for their wider applications in electrochemistry.     

Interfacial Evolution of Lithium Dendrites and Their Solid Electrolyte Interphase Shells of Quasi-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries

Unstable electrode/solid-state electrolyte interfaces and internal lithium dendrite penetration hamper the applications of solid-state lithium-metal batteries (SSLMBs), and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Herein, in situ optical microscopy provides insights into the lithium plating/stripping processes in a gel polymer electrolyte and reveals its dynamic evolution. Spherical lithium deposits evolve into moss-like and branch-shaped lithium dendrites with increasing current densities. Remarkably, the on-site-formed solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) shell on the lithium dendrite is distinctly captured after lithium stripping. Inducing an on-site-formed SEI shell with an enhanced modulus to wrap the lithium precipitation densely and uniformly can regulate dendrite-free behaviors. An in-depth understanding of lithium dendrite evolution and its functional SEI shell will aid in the optimization of SSLMBs.     

Temperature-Dependent Electrochemical Properties and Electrode Kinetics of Na3V2(PO4)2O2F Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries with High Energy Density

Phosphate cathode materials are practical for use in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to their high stability and long-term cycle life. In this work, the temperature-dependent properties of the phosphate cathode Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F (NVPOF) are studied in a wide temperature range from −25 to 55 °C. Upon cycling at general temperature (above 0 °C), the NVPOF cathode retains an excellent charge/discharge performance, and the rate capability is noteworthy, indicating that NVPOF is a competitive candidate as a temperature-adaptive cathode for SIBs. Upon decreasing the temperature below 0 °C, the cell performance deteriorates, which may be caused by the electrolyte and Na electrode, based on the study of ionic conductivity and electrode kinetics. This work proposes a new breakthrough point for the development of SIBs with high performance over a wide temperature range for advanced power systems.     

金属-二氧化碳电池的发展:机理及关键材料

金属-二氧化碳(Me-CO₂)电池结合了先进储能和有效固定CO₂的双重特性,被视为下一代能源转换和储存以及CO₂捕获和利用器件的潜在候选者。然而,目前Me-CO₂电池面临如倍率性能差、高极化率、CO₂转换效率低、循环寿命短等一系列的挑战。为了便于了解Me-CO₂电池的最新研究并促进其发展,本文系统地总结、比较和讨论了基于金属(锂、钠、铝、锌、钾)阳极的Me-CO₂电池的发展,包括电池放电/充电机制、阴极材料/电催化剂、电解质、金属电极等,着重阐明了电极和电解质等功能材料对电极反应稳定性和速率的影响,展望了合理构建电池材料的前景和方向,为Me-CO₂电池的发展提供指导。     

Tuning the Properties of Graphdiyne by Introducing Electron‐Withdrawing/Donating Groups

The properties of graphdiyne (GDY), such as energy gap, morphology, and affinity to alkali metals, can be adjusted by including electron‐withdrawing/donating groups. The push–pull electron ability and size differences of groups play a key role on the partial property adjusting of GDY derivatives MeGDY, HGDY, and CNGDY. Cyano groups (electron‐withdrawing) and methyl groups (electron‐donating) decrease the band gap and increase the conductivity of the GDY network. The cyano and methyl groups affects the aggregation of GDY, providing a higher number of micropores and specific surface area. These groups also endow the original GDY additional advantages: the stronger electronegativity of cyano groups increase the affinity of GDY frameworks to lithium atoms, and the larger atomic volume of methyl groups increases the interlayer distance and provides more storage space and diffusion tunnels.     

Lithium nitrides as sustainable energy materials

Lithium nitride is an exceptional yet simple compound with remarkable properties that can be tuned with judicious chemical modifications. A unique structure coupled with high ionic mobility present both a fundamental model and an advanced material for energy applications, involving either storage of charge (lithium) or storage of hydrogen. In the former case, and as an electrode material, the system can be modified to increase defects and the number of charge carriers, both ionic and electronic. In so doing, one can create anodes of high reversible capacity. In the latter context, tailoring structure, microstructure, and composition has profound effects on both the amount of hydrogen one can store in the solid state and the rate at which this process (uptake and release) can be achieved. © 2008 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 8: 229–239; 2008: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20151