Control of Two Solid Electrolyte Interphases at the Negative Electrode of an Anode-Free All Solid-State Battery based on Argyrodite Electrolyte.

Anode-free all solid-state batteries (AF-ASSBs) employ "empty" current collector with three active interfaces that determine electrochemical stability; lithium metal - Solid electrolyte (SE) interphase (SEI-1), lithium - current collector interface, and collector - SE interphase (SEI-2). Argyrodite LiPSCl (LPSCl) solid electrolyte (SE) displays SEI-2 containing copper sulfides, formed even at open circuit. Bilayer of 140 nm magnesium/30 nm tungsten (Mg/W-Cu) controls the three interfaces and allows for state-of-the-art electrochemical performance in half-cells and fullcells.

Magnetically oriented nanosheet interlayer for dynamic regeneration in lithium metal batteries.

Lithium (Li) metal has been recognized as a promising anode to advance the energy density of current Li-based batteries. However, the growth of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer and dendritic Li microstructure pose significant challenges for the long-term operation of Li metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, we propose the utilization of a suspension electrolyte with dispersed magnetically responsive nanosheets whose orientation can be manipulated by an external magnetic field during cell operation for realizing in situ regeneration in LMBs.

Regulating Anode-Electrolyte Interphasial Reactions by Zwitterionic Binder Chemistry in Lithium-Ion Batteries with High-Nickel Layered Oxide Cathodes and Silicon-Graphite Anodes.

The practical application of silicon (Si)-based anodes faces challenges due to severe structural and interphasial degradations. These challenges are exacerbated in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) employing Si-based anodes with high-nickel layered oxide cathodes, as significant transition-metal crossover catalyzes serious parasitic side reactions, leading to faster cell failure. While enhancing the mechanical properties of polymer binders has been acknowledged as an effective means of improving solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) stability on Si-based anodes, an in-depth understanding of how the binder chemistry influences the SEI is lacking.

Dual-Function Alloying Nitrate Additives Stabilize Fast-Charging Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium metal is regarded as the "holy grail" of lithium-ion battery anodes due to its exceptionally high theoretical capacity (3800 mAh g) and lowest possible electrochemical potential (-3.04 V vs Li/Li); however, lithium suffers from the dendritic formation that leads to parasitic reactions and cell failure. In this work, we stabilize fast-charging lithium metal plating/stripping with dual-function alloying -nitrate additives (: Ag, Bi, Ga, In, and Zn).

Binary Solvent Induced Stable Interphase Layer for Ultra-Long Life Sodium Metal Batteries.

Sodium foil, promising for high-energy-density batteries, faces reversibility challenges due to its inherent reactivity and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. In this study, a stable sodium metal battery (SMB) is achieved by tuning the electrolyte solvation structure through the addition of co-solvent 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (MTHF) to diglyme (Dig). The introduction of cyclic ether-based MTHF results in increased anion incorporation in the solvation structure, even at lower salt concentrations.

Delineating the Impact of Transition-Metal Crossover on Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation with Ion Mass Spectrometry.

Lithium-metal batteries (LMB) employing cobalt-free layered-oxide cathodes are a sustainable path forward to achieving high energy densities, but these cathodes exhibit substantial transition-metal dissolution during high-voltage cycling. While transition-metal crossover is recognized to disrupt solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on graphite anodes, experimental evidence is necessary to demonstrate this for lithium-metal anodes. In this work, advanced high-resolution 3D chemical analysis is conducted with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to establish spatial correlations between the transition metals and electrolyte decomposition products found on cycled lithium-metal anodes.

Integrating Navajo Pottery Techniques To Improve Silver Nanoparticle-Enabled Ceramic Water Filters for Disinfection.

Point-of-use treatment technologies can increase access to safe drinking water in rural areas. Sustained use of these technologies is uncommon due to oversight of community needs, user-perceived risks, long-term maintenance, and conflict with traditional practices. Nanosilver-enabled ceramic water filters are unique due to the use of locally sourced materials available at or near the target community; however, technical limitations persist (e.

In Situ Engineering of Inorganic-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interphases via Anion Choice Enables Stable, Lithium Anodes.

The discovery of liquid battery electrolytes that facilitate the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) to mitigate dendrite formation is imperative to enable lithium anodes in next-generation energy-dense batteries. Compared to traditional electrolyte solvents, tetrahydrofuran (THF)-based electrolyte systems have demonstrated great success in enabling high-stability lithium anodes by encouraging the decomposition of anions (instead of organic solvent) and thus generating inorganic-rich SEIs. Herein, by employing a variety of different lithium salts (i.

Spectroscopic Evaluation of Surface Chemical Processes Occurring in MoS upon Aging.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) coatings have attracted widespread industrial interest owing to their excellent lubricating properties under vacuum and inert conditions. Unfortunately, the increase in MoS interfacial shear strength following prolonged exposure to ambient conditions (a process referred to as "aging") has resulted in reliability issues when MoS is employed as solid lubricant. While aging of MoS is generally attributed to physical and chemical changes caused by adsorbed water and/or oxygen, a mechanistic understanding of the relative role of these two gaseous species in the evolution of the surface chemistry of MoS is still elusive.

Using Macro- and Microscale Preservation in Vertebrate Fossils as Predictors for Molecular Preservation in Fluvial Environments.

Exceptionally preserved fossils retain soft tissues and often the biomolecules that were present in an animal during its life. The majority of terrestrial vertebrate fossils are not traditionally considered exceptionally preserved, with fossils falling on a spectrum ranging from very well-preserved to poorly preserved when considering completeness, morphology and the presence of microstructures. Within this variability of anatomical preservation, high-quality macro-scale preservation (e.

Wet-CO Pretreatment Process for Reducing Residual Lithium in High-Nickel Layered Oxides for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

As the push for inexpensive vehicle electrification grows, high-energy-density cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, such as high-nickel layered oxides, have received a great deal of attention in both industry and academia. These materials, however, suffer from severe residual lithium formation, which causes slurry gelation during electrode fabrication and gas evolution during cycling. Herein, a novel cobalt hydroxide coating method on wet-CO gas-treated LiNiMnCoO (Co-CO-NMC91) is presented.

Interfacial Chemistry Enables Stable Cycling of All-Solid-State Li Metal Batteries at High Current Densities.

The application of flexible, robust, and low-cost solid polymer electrolytes in next-generation all-solid-state lithium metal batteries has been hindered by the low room-temperature ionic conductivity of these electrolytes and the small critical current density of the batteries. Both issues stem from the low mobility of Li ions in the polymer and the fast lithium dendrite growth at the Li metal/electrolyte interface. Herein, Mg(ClO) is demonstrated to be an effective additive in the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based composite electrolyte to regulate Li ion transport and manipulate the Li metal/electrolyte interfacial performance.

Elevating Energy Density for Sodium-Ion Batteries through Multielectron Reactions.

It remains a great challenge to explore desirable cathodes for sodium-ion batteries to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for large-scale energy storage systems. In this Letter, we report a NASICON-structured NaMnCr(PO) cathode with high specific capacity and operation potential. The reversible access of the Mn/Mn (3.

Molecular preservation in mammoth bone and variation based on burial environment.

Biomolecules preserved in fossils are expanding our understanding of the biology and evolution of ancient animals. Molecular taphonomy seeks to understand how these biomolecules are preserved and how they can be interpreted. So far, few studies on molecular preservation have considered burial context to understand its impact on preservation or the potentially complementary information from multiple biomolecular classes.

Anodized Nickel Foam for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Fe-Free and Unpurified Alkaline Electrolytes at High Current Densities.

To achieve practically high electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the active surface area should be maximized without severely compromising electron and mass transport throughout the catalyst electrode. Though the importance of electron and mass transport has been studied using low surface area catalysts under low current densities (∼tens of mA/cm), the transport properties of large surface area catalysts under high operating current densities (∼500 mA/cm) for practical OER catalysis have rarely been explored. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous anodized nickel foams (ANFs) with large and variable surface areas were synthesized electrochemical anodization of 3D nickel foam and applied as OER electrocatalysts in Fe-free and unpurified KOH electrolytes.

Stabilization of a Highly Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode through Flower-Petal Grain Arrays.

Nickel adds to the capacity of layered oxide cathodes of lithium-ion batteries but comprises their stability. We report a petal-grained Li[NiCoSb]O cathode that is, nevertheless, stable. The stability originates from the ordering of the nanosized grains in a dense, flower-petal-like array, where the elongated and nearly parallel grains radiate from the center to the surface.

Using thin film freezing to minimize excipients in inhalable tacrolimus dry powder formulations.

We investigated the feasibility of preparing high-potency tacrolimus dry powder for inhalation using thin film freezing (TFF). We found that using ultra-rapid freezing can increase drug loading up to 95% while maintaining good aerosol performance. Drug loading affected the specific surface area and moisture sorption of TFF formulations, but it did not affect the chemical stability, physical stability, and dissolution of tacrolimus.

Room-Temperature All-Liquid-Metal Batteries Based on Fusible Alloys with Regulated Interfacial Chemistry and Wetting.

Liquid metal batteries are regarded as potential electrochemical systems for stationary energy storage. Currently, all reported liquid metal batteries need to be operated at temperatures above 240 °C to maintain the metallic electrodes in a molten state. Here, an unprecedented room-temperature liquid metal battery employing a sodium-potassium (Na-K) alloy anode and gallium (Ga)-based alloy cathodes is demonstrated.

Insights into the Cathode-Electrolyte Interphases of High-Energy-Density Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

We present a comprehensive study of cycled high-Ni (LiNiMO, M = metals), Li-rich (LiMnMO), and high-voltage spinel (LiMnNiO) electrodes with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with electrochemical techniques to better understand their evolving cathode-electrolyte interphase structure during cycling. TOF-SIMS provides fragment-specific information regarding the surface film content for each of the electrodes. High-Ni cathodes show thick surface films initially containing LiCO, later developing oxidized organic carbonates throughout cycling.

Enhanced Coloration Efficiency of Electrochromic Tungsten Oxide Nanorods by Site Selective Occupation of Sodium Ions.

Coloration efficiency is an important figure of merit in electrochromic windows. Though it is thought to be an intrinsic material property, we tune optical modulation by effective utilization of ion intercalation sites. Specifically, we enhance the coloration efficiency of m-WO nanocrystal films by selectively intercalating sodium ions into optically active hexagonal sites.

Fast Li Conduction Mechanism and Interfacial Chemistry of a NASICON/Polymer Composite Electrolyte.

The unclear Li local environment and Li conduction mechanism in solid polymer electrolytes, especially in a ceramic/polymer composite electrolyte, hinder the design and development of a new composite electrolyte. Moreover, both the low room-temperature Li conductivity and large interfacial resistance with a metallic lithium anode of a polymer membrane limit its application below a relatively high temperature. Here we have identified the Li distribution and Li transport mechanism in a composite polymer electrolyte by investigating a new solid poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based NASICON-LiZr(PO) composite with Li relaxation time and Li → Li trace-exchange NMR measurements.

Short O-O separation in layered oxide NaCoO enables an ultrafast oxygen evolution reaction.

The layered oxide NaCoO with Na occupying trigonal prismatic sites between CoO layers exhibits a remarkably high room temperature oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity in alkaline solution. The high activity is attributed to an unusually short O-O separation that favors formation of peroxide ions by O-O interactions followed by O evolution in preference to the conventional route through surface O-OH species. The dependence of the onset potential on the pH of the alkaline solution was found to be consistent with the loss of H ions from the surface oxygen to provide surface O that may either be attacked by solution OH or react with another O; a short O-O separation favors the latter route.

Probing the Degradation Chemistry and Enhanced Stability of 2D Organolead Halide Perovskites.

Recent work on quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper phase organolead halide perovskites has shown that they possess many interesting optical and physical properties. Most notably, they are significantly more stable when exposed to moisture when compared to the typical 3D perovskite methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI); direct evidence for the chemical source of this stability remains elusive, however. Here, we present a detailed study of the superior moisture stability of a quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite, -butylammonium methylammonium lead iodide (nBA-MAPI), compared to that of MAPI, and examine a simple, yet efficient, methodology to improve the stability of MAPI devices through the application of a thin layer of nBA-MAPI to the surface.

Understanding the Air-Exposure Degradation Chemistry at a Nanoscale of Layered Oxide Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Undesired reactions between layered sodium transition-metal oxide cathodes and air impede their utilization in practical sodium-ion batteries. Consequently, a fundamental understanding of how layered oxide cathodes degrade in air is of paramount importance, but it has not been fully understood yet. Here a comprehensive study on a model material NaNiMnCoO reveals its reaction chemistry with air and the dynamic evolution of the degradation species upon air exposure.

Garnet Electrolyte with an Ultralow Interfacial Resistance for Li-Metal Batteries.

Garnet-structured LiLaZrO is a promising solid Li-ion electrolyte for all-solid-state Li-metal batteries and Li-redox-flow batteries owing to its high Li-ion conductivity at room temperature and good electrochemical stability with Li metal. However, there are still three major challenges unsolved: (1) the controversial electrochemical window of garnet, (2) the impractically large resistance at a garnet/electrode interface and the fast lithium-dendrite growth along the grain boundaries of the garnet pellet, and (3) the fast degradation during storage. We have found that these challenges are closely related to a thick LiCO layer and the Li-Al-O glass phase on the surface of garnet materials.