Three-dimensional rattan-derived electrodes with directional channels and large mass loadings for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as prospective candidates for wide-scale energy storage, benefiting from their exceptional reliability and budget-friendliness. To tackle the challenge of limited energy density of AZIBs, it is pivotal to explore cathodes with substantial mass loadings. In this study, rattan is converted into a three-dimensional (3D) current collector with directional channels, high compressive strength, good electrolyte affinity, and superior electrochemical stability through a process involving ultraviolet light irradiation-assisted delignification followed by high-temperature carbonization.

A 640 nA Output-Capacitor-Less Low Dropout (LDO) Regulator with Sub-Threshold Slew-Rate Enhancement for Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) Applications.

An ultra-low quiescent current output-capacitor-less low dropout (OCL-LDO) regulator for power-sensitive applications is proposed in this paper. To improve the gain of the OCL-LDO feedback loop, the error amplifier employs a combination of a cross-coupled input stage for boosting the equivalent input transconductance and a negative resistance technique to improve the gain. Meanwhile, in order to address the issue of transient response of the ultra-low quiescent current OCL-LDO, a sub-threshold slew-rate enhancement circuit is proposed in this paper, which consists of a transient signal input stage and a slew-rate current increase branch.

Lanthanum doping and surface LiBO passivating layer enabling 4.8 V nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes toward high energy lithium-ion batteries.

Single crystalline Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes show high energy density and low cost, have been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Extending the cycling voltage window will significantly improve the energy density, however, suffers from bulk structural and interfacial chemistry degradation, leading to rapidly cycle performance deterioration. Here, we propose a dual-modification strategy to synthesize La doping and LiBO (LBO) coating layers modified LiNiCoMnO (NCM811) by a facile one-step heating treatment processing.

Wood-inspired anisotropic hydrogel electrolyte with large modulus and low tortuosity realizing durable dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries.

While aqueous zinc-ion batteries exhibit great potential, their performance is impeded by zinc dendrites. Existing literature has proposed the use of hydrogel electrolytes to ameliorate this issue. Nevertheless, the mechanical attributes of hydrogel electrolytes, particularly their modulus, are suboptimal, primarily ascribed to the substantial water content.

Scalable fabrication of free-standing and integrated electrodes with commercial level of areal capacity for aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) present a highly promising avenue for the deployment of grid-scale energy storage systems. However, the electrodes fabricated through conventional methodologies not only suffer from insufficient mass loadings, but also are susceptible to exfoliation under deformations. Herein, a scalable and cost-effective freezing-thawing method is developed to construct free-standing and integrated electrode, comprising HAlVO, carboxymethyl cellulose, and carbon nanotubes.

Salting-Out Effect Realizing High-Strength and Dendrite-Inhibiting Cellulose Hydrogel Electrolyte for Durable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are limited by poor Zn stripping/plating reversibility. Not only can hydrogel electrolytes address this issue, but also they are suitable for constructing flexible batteries. However, there exists a contradiction between the mechanical strength and the ionic conductivity for hydrogel electrolytes.

Suppressing Rampant and Vertical Deposition of Cathode Intermediate Product via PH Regulation Toward Large-Capacity and High-Durability Zn//MnO Batteries.

Despite great prospects, Zn//MnO batteries suffer from rampant and vertical deposition of zinc sulfate hydroxide (ZSH) at the cathode surface, which leads to a significant impact on their electrochemical performance. This phenomenon is primarily due to the drastic increase in the electrolyte pH value upon discharging, which is closely associated with the electrodissolution of Mn-based active materials. Herein, the pH value change is effectively inhibited by employing an electrolyte additive with excellent pH buffering capability.

High-performance Si@C anode for lithium-ion batteries enabled by a novel structuring strategy.

Si anode has drawn growing attention because of its features of large specific capacity, low electrochemical potential, and high natural abundance. However, it suffers from severe electrochemical irreversibility due to its large volume change during cycling. In spite of the achievement of improved electrochemical performance after compositing with carbon materials, most of the reported Si/C composite anodes lack a simple preparation process.

Unlocking the Interfacial Adsorption-Intercalation Pseudocapacitive Storage Limit to Enabling All-Climate, High Energy/Power Density and Durable Zn-Ion Batteries.

Sluggish storage kinetics and insufficient performance are the major challenges that restrict the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) applied for zinc ion storage, especially at the extreme temperature conditions. Herein, a multiscale interface structure-integrated modulation concept was presented, to unlock the omnidirectional storage kinetics-enhanced porous VSe ⋅n H O host. Theory research indicated that the co-modulation of H O intercalation and selenium vacancy enables enhancing the interfacial zinc ion capture ability and decreasing the zinc ion diffusion barrier.

Oriented Zn plating guided by aligned ZnO hexagonal columns realizing dendrite-free Zn metal electrodes.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), featuring low cost and high safety, have become a research hotspot in recent years. However, the low Zn stripping/plating reversibility, caused by dendritic growth, harmful side reactions, and Zn metal corrosion, severely influences the applicability of AZIBs. Zincophilic materials have shown great potential to form protective layers at the surface of Zn metal electrodes, whereas those protective layers are usually thick, lack fixed crystalline orientation, and require binders.

Facile and green synthesis of nanocellulose with the assistance of ultraviolet light irradiation for high-performance quasi-solid-state zinc-ion batteries.

Benefiting from excellent mechanical properties, large surface area, rich hydroxyl groups, good sustainability, etc., nanocellulose is highly promising for various applications. However, intense chemical treatment and long-term processing are usually required to fabricate nanocellulose.

Flexible TiCT/Nanocellulose Hybrid Film as a Stable Zn-free Anode for Aqueous Hybrid Zn-Li Batteries.

Aqueous zinc-based batteries are a very promising technology in the post-lithium era. However, excess zinc metals are often used, which results in not only making a waste but also lowering the actual energy density. Herein, a TiCT/nanocellulose (derived from soybean stalks) hybrid film is prepared by a facile solution casting method and employed as the zinc-free anode for aqueous hybrid Zn-Li batteries.

Simplified Synthesis of Fluoride-Free TiCT via Electrochemical Etching toward High-Performance Electrochemical Capacitors.

MXenes have been intensively studied for electrochemical energy storage and other applications. However, time-consuming multistep procedures involving hypertoxic HF or alike are utilized in conventional synthesis methods of MXenes. Besides, -F terminal functional groups inevitably exist in these MXenes, detrimental to supercapacitor and battery performances.

Large areal capacity all-in-one lithium-ion battery based on boron-doped silicon/carbon hybrid anode material and cellulose framework.

Si, featuring ultra-large theoretical specific capacity, is a very promising alternative to graphite for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, Si suffers from intrinsic low electrical conductivity and structural instability upon lithiation, thereby severely deteriorating its electrochemical performance. To address these issues, B-doping into Si, N-doped carbon coating layer, and carbon nanotube conductive network are combined in this work.

High lithium storage performance of CoO with a distinctive dual-carbon-confined nanoarchitecture.

Herein, a distinctive dual-carbon-confined nanoarchitecture, composed of an inner highly conductive, robust carbon nanotube (CNT) support and outer well-designed porous carbon (PC) coating, was demonstrated to efficiently improve the electrochemical properties of CoO nanoparticles for the first time, and the CoO nanoparticles were confined between the CNTs and porous carbon. The well-designed porous carbon coating showed significant superiority compared to common non-porous carbon coatings, due to its distinctive characteristics such as high flexibility, rich free space and open tunnel-like structure. Therefore, the synergistic effects of the CNT core and the porous carbon sheath endowed the CoO-based composite (CNTs@CoO@PC) with improved electrochemical reaction kinetics, large pseudocapacitive contribution and superior structural stability.

Stabilizing zinc deposition with sodium lignosulfonate as an electrolyte additive to improve the life span of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Thanks to high safety and low cost, rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (RZIBs) have become a promising candidate for grid-scale energy storage systems. However, zinc anodes suffer from severe dendrite growth and irreversible side reactions, leading to poor cyclability of RZIBs. In this work, low-cost sodium lignosulfonate (SL) is utilized as the electrolyte additive to solve this problem.

Integrated design of aqueous zinc-ion batteries based on dendrite-free zinc microspheres/carbon nanotubes/nanocellulose composite film anode.

With the booming development of wearable electronics, flexible zinc-based batteries are attracting significant attention due to their high safety, low cost, environmental benignity, and relatively large energy/power densities. However, in a conventional segregated configuration, the electrodes could be easily detached from the separator when the battery is subjected to bending strain, which would dramatically depress electrochemical performances. Moreover, severe zinc dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions at the anode are extremely detrimental to the durability and the reliability of zinc-based batteries.

Interface Engineering of Silicon and Carbon by Forming a Graded Protective Sheath for High-Capacity and Long-Durable Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon is one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, whereas its low electronic conductivity and huge volumetric expansion upon lithiation strongly influence its prospective applications. Herein, we develop a facile method to introduce a graded protective sheath onto the surface of Si nanoparticles by utilizing lignin as the carbon source and Ni(NO) as the auxiliary agent. Interestingly, the protective sheath is composed of NiSi, SiC, and C from the interior to the exterior, thereby guaranteeing excellent compatibility between the neighboring components.

Realizing an All-Round Hydrogel Electrolyte toward Environmentally Adaptive Dendrite-Free Aqueous Zn-MnO Batteries.

Flexible energy storage devices are at the forefront of next-generation power supplies, one of the most important components of which is the gel electrolyte. However, shortcomings exist, more or less, for all the currently developed hydrogel electrolytes. Herein, a facile and cost-effective method is developed to construct an all-round hydrogel electrolyte by using cotton as the raw material, tetraethyl orthosilicate as the crosslinker, and glycerol as the antifreezing agent.

Developing improved electrolytes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries to achieve excellent cyclability and antifreezing ability.

Due to their low cost, high safety, environmental friendliness, and impressive electrochemical performances, aqueous zinc-ion batteries are considered promising alternative technologies to lithium-ion batteries for use in large-scale applications. However, existing aqueous zinc-ion batteries usually suffer from poor cyclability and cannot operate at subzero temperatures. Herein, to solve these problems, the electrolyte in aqueous zinc-ion batterie is optimized by adding the appropriate amounts of diethyl ether and ethylene glycol.

High-Performance Anti-freezing Flexible Zn-MnO Battery Based on Polyacrylamide/Graphene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol Gel Electrolyte.

It remains a great challenge for aqueous zinc-ion batteries to work at subzero temperatures, since the water in aqueous electrolytes would freeze and inhibit the transportation of electrolyte ions, inevitably leading to performance deterioration. In this work, we propose an anti-freezing gel electrolyte that contains polyacrylamide, graphene oxide, and ethylene glycol. The graphene oxide can not only enhance the mechanical properties of gel electrolyte but also help construct a three-dimensional macroporous network that facilitates ionic transport, while the ethylene glycol can improve freezing resistance.

Modifying the Zn anode with carbon black coating and nanofibrillated cellulose binder: A strategy to realize dendrite-free Zn-MnO batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have received significant attention due to their low cost and high safety. However, the unsatisfactory cycling performances caused by the dendritic growth on the Zn anode limit their practical applications. Herein, we propose to modify the conventional Zn foil anode by using carbon black coating and nanofibrillated cellulose binder.

Rendering Wood Veneers Flexible and Electrically Conductive through Delignification and Electroless Ni Plating.

Wood has unique advantages. However, the rigid structure and intrinsic insulating nature of wood limit its applications. Herein, a two-step process is developed to render wood veneers conductive and flexible.

Rod-like anhydrous VO assembled by tiny nanosheets as a high-performance cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries offer a low-cost and high-safety alternative for next-generation electrochemical energy storage, whereas suitable cathode materials remain to be explored. Herein, rod-like anhydrous VO derived from a vanadium-based metal-organic framework is investigated. Interestingly, this material is assembled by tiny nanosheets with a large surface area of 218 m g and high pore volume of 0.

Walnut core-like hollow carbon micro/nanospheres supported SnO@C composite for high performance lithium-ion battery anode.

Herein, to cope with the volume variation problem of SnO anodes for lithium-ion batteries, individual walnut core-like hollow carbon micro/nanospheres (WCSs) have been prepared to be used as a supporting skeleton to form WCSs@SnO@C composite. In WCSs@SnO@C the SnO (SnO with relatively small amounts of SnO) nanoparticles are well sandwiched between inner WCSs supporting skeleton and outmost glucose derived carbon anchoring coating. It is suggested that the characteristic composite construction has three key contributions to the electrochemical performance of WCSs@SnO@C composite: firstly, with structural characteristics such as network filled cavities and porous shells, the WCSs has stronger stress tolerance, and therefore can be better able to withstand structural deformation of SnO nanoparticles; secondly, the outmost glucose derived carbon, as an anchoring coating, can not only prevent SnO nanoparticles from aggregating but also pulverization; finally, the ultrafine SnO nanoparticles have low absolute volume change and shortened ions and electrons transfer distances, and therefore possess improved electrochemical performance.