Inducing preferential intercalation of Zn in MnO with abundant oxygen defects for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Unfavorable proton intercalation leading to the generation and shedding of side reaction products is still a major challenge for the performance of manganese-based aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). In this study, we present a porous oxygen-deficient MnO (O-MnO) synthesized through -butyllithium reduction treatment to induce preferential Zn intercalation, thereby effectively mitigating the adverse consequences of proton intercalation for high-performance AZIBs. Remarkably, O-MnO as a cathode material for AZIBs exhibits a specific capacity of 341 mA h g at 0.

High-Valent Thiosulfate Redox Electrochemistry for Advanced Sulfur-Based Aqueous Batteries.

Sulfur-based aqueous batteries (SABs) are promising for safe, low-cost, and high-capacity energy storage. However, the low output voltage of sulfur cannot meet the demands of high-energy cathode applications due to its intrinsic negative potential (E = -0.51 V vs SHE) of low-valent polysulfide redox (S/S).

Electron-Donating Conjugation Effect Modulated Zn Reduction Reaction for Separator-Free Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

Zinc-based aqueous batteries (ZABs) are attracting extensive attention due to the low cost, high capacity, and environmental benignity of the zinc anode. However, their application is still hindered by the undesired zinc dendrites. Despite Zn-surface modification being promising in relieving dendrites, a thick separator (i.

Tandem Chemistry with Janus Mesopores Accelerator for Efficient Aqueous Batteries.

A reliable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the metallic Zn anode is imperative for stable Zn-based aqueous batteries. However, the incompatible Zn-ion reduction processes, scilicet simultaneous adsorption (capture) and desolvation (repulsion) of Zn(HO), raise kinetics and stability challenges for the design of SEI. Here, we demonstrate a tandem chemistry strategy to decouple and accelerate the concurrent adsorption and desolvation processes of the Zn cluster at the inner Helmholtz layer.

Scalable Synthesis of 2D Mo C and Thickness-Dependent Hydrogen Evolution on Its Basal Plane and Edges.

2D transition metal carbides (2D TMCs and MXenes) are promising candidates for applications of energy storage and catalysis. However, producing high-quality, large 2D flakes of Mo2C MXene has been challenging. Here, a new salt-assisted templating approach is reported that enables the direct synthesis of 2D Mo C with low defect concentrations.

Molecular-Level Zn-Ion Transfer Pump Specifically Functioning on (002) Facets Enables Durable Zn Anodes.

The modification of metallic Zn anode contributes to solving the cycling issue of Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) by restraining the dendrite growth and side reactions. In this regard, modulating (002) Zn is an effective way to prolong the lifespan of ZIBs with a parallel arrangement of Zn deposition. Herein, the authors propose to add trace amounts of Zn(BF ) additive in 3 M ZnSO to promote in-plane Zn deposition by forming a BF -[Zn(H O) ] -[Zn(BF ) ] transfer process and specifically functioning on (002) facets.

Regulating Interfacial Desolvation and Deposition Kinetics Enables Durable Zn Anodes with Ultrahigh Utilization of 80.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) represent a promising technology for large-scale energy storage due to their high capacity, intrinsic safety and low cost. However, Zn anodes suffer from poor reversibility and cycling stability caused by the side-reactions and dendrite issues, which limit the Zn utilization in the ZIBs. Herein, to improve the durability of Zn under high utilization, an aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) interphase is presented.

LiNaWO nanosheet for scalable electrochromic device.

The printed electronics technology can be used to efficiently construct smart devices and is dependent on functional inks containing well-dispersed active materials. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are promising functional ink candidates due to their superior properties. However, the majority 2D materials can disperse well only in organic solvents or in surfactant-assisted water solutions, which limits their applications.

All-Day Thermogalvanic Cells for Environmental Thermal Energy Harvesting.

Direct conversion of the tremendous and ubiquitous low-grade thermal energy into electricity by thermogalvanic cells is a promising strategy for energy harvesting. The environment is one of the richest and renewable low-grade thermal source. However, critical challenges remain for all-day electricity generation from environmental thermal energy due to the low frequency and small amplitude of temperature fluctuations in the environment.

Synthesis of single crystalline two-dimensional transition-metal phosphides via a salt-templating method.

Transition-metal phosphides (TMPs) are considered as promising non-noble electrochemical catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Their highly active sites are located on certain facets, and single crystalline two-dimensional (2D) structures enable them to expose the most active facets for HER. However, the synthesis of single crystalline 2D TMPs is still a challenge owing to their intrinsically non-layered structures.