Activating Selenium Cathode Chemistry for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are a promising next-generation energy-storage device by virtue of the superior safety and low cost of both the aqueous electrolyte and zinc-metal anode. However, their development is hindered by the lack of suitable cathodes with high volumetric capacity that can provide both lightweight and compact size. Herein, a novel cathode chemistry based on amorphous Se doped with transition metal Ru that mitigates the resistive surface layer produced by the side reactions between the Se cathode and aqueous electrolyte is reported.

Atomic-Scale Deciphering of Multiple Dynamic Phase Transformations and Reversible Sodium Storage in Ternary Metal Sulfide Anode.

Ternary metal sulfides (TMSs), endowed with the synergistic effect of their respective binary counterparts, hold great promise as anode candidates for boosting sodium storage performance. Their fundamental sodium storage mechanisms associated with dynamic structural evolution and reaction kinetics, however, have not been fully comprehended. To enhance the electrochemical performance of TMS anodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), it is of critical importance to gain a better mechanistic understanding of their dynamic electrochemical processes during live (de)sodiation cycling.

Heterostructured Interface Enables Uniform Zinc Deposition for High-Performance Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Zinc metal has considerable potential as a high-energy anode material for aqueous batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and environmental friendliness. However, dendrite growth and parasitic reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface remain two serious problems for the Zn metal anode. Here, the heterostructured interface of ZnO rod array and CuZn layer is fabricated on the Zn substrate (ZnCu@Zn) to address these two issues.

The displacement reaction mechanism of the CuVO nanowire cathode for rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries.

The development of high capacity, low cost, and high safety cathode materials for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) is an ongoing challenge. Herein, CuV2O6 nanowires are prepared by a facile hydrothermal method to be used as a high-capacity cathode material for ZIBs. The sample displays an initial discharge capacity of 338 mA h g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 and a capacity of 143 mA h g-1 remained at 5 A g-1 after 1200 cycles with a retention of ∼100% except for the initial capacity decay.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of NaVO nanobelts for Li/Na-ion batteries and aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

NaVO nanobelts were successfully synthesized for Li/Na-ion batteries and rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) by a facile hydrothermal reaction and subsequent thermal transformation. Compared to the electrochemical performance of LIBs and NIBs, NaVO nanobelt cathode materials in ZIBs have shown excellent electrochemical performance, including high specific capacity of 421 mA h g at 100 mA g and good cycle stability with a capacity retention of 94% over 500 cycles at 5 A g. The good diffusion coefficients and high surface capacity of NaVO nanobelts in ZIBs were in favor of fast Zn intercalation and long-term cycle stability.