Structural Disorder of a Layered Lithium Manganese Oxide Cathode Paving a Reversible Phase Transition Route toward Its Theoretical Capacity.

Layered lithium manganese oxides suffer from irreversible phase transitions induced by Mn migration and/or dissolution associated with the Jahn-Teller effect (JTE) of Mn, leading to inevitable capacity fading during cycling. The popular doping strategy of oxidizing Mn to Mn to relieve the JTE cannot completely eliminate the detrimental structural collapse from the cooperative JTE. Therefore, they are considered to be impractical for commercial use as cathode materials.

Review on the Polymeric and Chelate Gel Precursor for Li-Ion Battery Cathode Material Synthesis.

The rapid design of advanced materials depends on synthesis parameters and design. A wide range of materials can be synthesized using precursor reactions based on chelated gel and organic polymeric gel pathways. The desire to develop high-performance lithium-ion rechargeable batteries has motivated decades of research on the synthesis of battery active material particles with precise control of composition, phase-purity, and morphology.

Tuning the Properties of Halide Nanocomposite Solid Electrolytes with Diverse Oxides for All-Solid-State Batteries.

Herein, we report halide nanocomposite solid electrolytes (HNSEs) that integrate diverse oxides with alterations that allow tuning of their ionic conductivity, (electro)chemical stability, and specific density. A two-step mechanochemical process enabled the synthesis of multimetal (or nonmetal) HNSEs, MO-2LiZrCl, as verified by pair distribution function and X-ray diffraction analyses. The multimetal (or nonmetal) HNSE strategy increases the ionic conductivity of LiZrCl from 0.

A Comprehensive Review of Radiation-Induced Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties, and Multidimensional Applications.

At the forefront of advanced material technology, radiation-induced hydrogels present a promising avenue for innovation across various sectors, utilizing gamma radiation, electron beam radiation, and UV radiation. Through the unique synthesis process involving radiation exposure, these hydrogels exhibit exceptional properties that make them highly versatile and valuable for a multitude of applications. This paper focuses on the intricacies of the synthesis methods employed in creating these radiation-induced hydrogels, shedding light on their structural characteristics and functional benefits.

Gels in Motion: Recent Advancements in Energy Applications.

Gels are attracting materials for energy storage technologies. The strategic development of hydrogels with enhanced physicochemical properties, such as superior mechanical strength, flexibility, and charge transport capabilities, introduces novel prospects for advancing next-generation batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors. Through a refined comprehension of gelation chemistry, researchers have achieved notable progress in fabricating hydrogels endowed with stimuli-responsive, self-healing, and highly stretchable characteristics.

Formulation of Hierarchical Nanowire-Structured CoNiO and MoS/CoNiO Hybrid Composite Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications.

Hierarchical porous nanowire-like MoS/CoNiO nanohybrids were synthesized via the hydrothermal process. CoNiO nanowires were selected due to the edge site, high surface/volume ratio, and superior electrochemical characteristics as the porous backbone for decoration of layered MoS nanoflakes to construct innovative structure hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) porous NWs MoS/CoNiO hybrids with excellent charge accumulation and efficient ion transport capabilities. Physicochemical analyses were conducted on the developed hybrid composite, revealing conclusive evidence that the CoNiO nanowires have been securely anchored onto the surface of the MoS nanoflake array.

Electrochemical Storage Behavior of a High-Capacity Mg-Doped P2-Type NaFeMnO Cathode Material Synthesized by a Sol-Gel Method.

Grid-scale energy storage applications can benefit from rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. As a potential material for making non-cobalt, nickel-free, cost-effective cathodes, earth-abundant NaFeMnO is of particular interest. However, Mn ions are particularly susceptible to the Jahn-Teller effect, which can lead to an unstable structure and continuous capacity degradation.

Scalable Precursor-Assisted Synthesis of a High Voltage LiNiCoPO Cathode for Li-Ion Batteries.

A solid-solution cathode of LiCoPO-LiNiPO was investigated as a potential candidate for use with the LiTiO (LTO) anode in Li-ion batteries. A pre-synthesized nickel-cobalt hydroxide precursor is mixed with lithium and phosphate sources by wet ball milling, which results in the final product, LiNiCoPO (LNCP) by subsequent heat treatment. Crystal structure and morphology of the product were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Achieving Order in Disorder: Stabilizing Red Light-Emitting α-Phase Formamidinium Lead Iodide.

While formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI) halide perovskite (HP) exhibits improved thermal stability and a wide band gap, its practical applicability is chained due to its room temperature phase transition from pure black (α-phase) to a non-perovskite yellow (δ-phase) when exposed to humidity. This phase transition is due to the fragile ionic bonding between the cationic and anionic parts of HPs during their formation. Herein, we report the synthesis of water-stable, red-light-emitting α-phase FAPbI nanocrystals (NCs) using five different amines to overcome these intrinsic phase instabilities.

Decoding the puzzle: recent breakthroughs in understanding degradation mechanisms of Li-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) remain at the forefront of energy research due to their capability to deliver high energy density. Understanding their degradation mechanism has been essential due to their rapid engagement in modern electric vehicles (EVs), where battery failure may incur huge losses to human life and property. The literature on this intimidating issue is rapidly growing and often very complex.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity in Non-Precious Single-Atom (M-N/C) Catalysts-Contribution of Metal and Carbon/Nitrogen Framework-Based Sites.

We examine the performance of a number of single-atom M-N/C electrocatalysts with a common structure in order to deconvolute the activity of the framework N/C support from the metal M-N sites in M-N/Cs. The formation of the N/C framework with coordinating nitrogen sites is performed using zinc as a templating agent. After the formation of the electrically conducting carbon-nitrogen metal-coordinating network, we (trans)metalate with different metals producing a range of different catalysts (Fe-N/C, Co-N/C, Ni-N/C, Sn-N/C, Sb-N/C, and Bi-N/C) without the formation of any metal particles.

Boosting the interfacial superionic conduction of halide solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries.

Designing highly conductive and (electro)chemical stable inorganic solid electrolytes using cost-effective materials is crucial for developing all-solid-state batteries. Here, we report halide nanocomposite solid electrolytes (HNSEs) ZrO(-ACl)-AZrCl (A = Li or Na) that demonstrate improved ionic conductivities at 30 °C, from 0.40 to 1.

Remarkably Enhanced Lattice Oxygen Participation in Perovskites to Boost Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Enhancing the participation of the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) in several perovskites to significantly boost the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is daunting. With the rapid decline in fossil fuels, energy research is turning toward water splitting to produce usable hydrogen by significantly reducing overpotential for other half-cells' OER. Recent studies have shown that in addition to the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM), participation of LOM can overcome their prevalent scaling relationship limitations.

Reduced Potential Barrier of Sodium-Substituted Disordered Rocksalt Cathode for Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts.

Cation-disordered rocksalt (DRX) cathodes have been viewed as next-generation high-energy density materials surpassing conventional layered cathodes for lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology. Utilizing the opportunity of a better cation mixing facility in DRX, we synthesize Na-doped DRX as an efficient electrocatalyst toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This novel OER electrocatalyst generates a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential (η) of 270 mV, Tafel slope of 67.

MoO@MoS Core-Shell Structured Hybrid Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

We explore a phase engineering strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) in anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A one-pot hydrothermal approach has been employed to synthesize MoS nanostructures. MoS and MoO phases can be readily controlled by straightforward calcination in the (200-300) °C temperature range.

Hysteresis Induced by Incomplete Cationic Redox in Li-Rich 3d-Transition-Metal Layered Oxides Cathodes.

Activation of oxygen redox during the first cycle has been reported as the main trigger of voltage hysteresis during further cycles in high-energy-density Li-rich 3d-transition-metal layered oxides. However, it remains unclear whether hysteresis only occurs due to oxygen redox. Here, it is identified that the voltage hysteresis can highly correlate to cationic reduction during discharge in the Li-rich layered oxide, Li Ni Mn O .

Hierarchical MoC@CNT Hybrid Structure Formation for the Improved Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Performance.

2-D transition metal carbides (TMCs)-based anode materials offer competitive performance in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its excellent conductivity; cheaper, flexible uses; and superior mechanical stability. However, the electrochemical energy storage of TMCs is still the major obstacle due to their modest capacity and the trends of restacking/aggregation. In this report, the MoC nanosheets were attached on conductive CNT network to form a hierarchical 2D hybrid structure, which not only alleviated the aggregation of the MoC nanoparticle and facilitated the rapid transference of ion/electron, but also adapted effectually to the hefty volume expansion of MoC nanosheets and prevented restacking/collapse of MoC structure.

New O3-Type Layer-Structured Na[FeCoTi]O Cathode Material for Rechargeable Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Herein, we formulated a new O3-type layered Na[FeCoTi]O (NFCTO) cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) using a double-substitution concept of Co in the parent NaFeCoO, having the general formula Na[FeCoM]O (M = tetravalent ions). The NFCTO electrode delivers a first discharge capacity of 108 mAhg with 80% discharge capacity retention after 50 cycles. Notably, the first charge-discharge profile shows asymmetric yet reversible redox reactions.

Development of a highly active FeNC catalyst with the preferential formation of atomic iron sites for oxygen reduction in alkaline and acidic electrolytes.

Nitrogen-doped porous carbons containing atomically dispersed iron are prime candidates for substituting platinum-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells. These carbon catalysts are classically synthesizedviacomplicated routes involving multiple heat-treatment steps to form the desired Fe-N sites. We herein developed a highly active FeNC catalyst comprising of exclusive Fe-N sites by a simplified solid-state synthesis protocol involving only a single heat-treatment.

Tailoring Solution-Processable Li Argyrodites LiPMSI (M = Ge, Sn) and Their Microstructural Evolution Revealed by Cryo-TEM for All-Solid-State Batteries.

Owing to their high Li conductivities, mechanical sinterability, and solution processability, sulfide Li argyrodites have attracted much attention as enablers in the development of high-performance all-solid-state batteries with practicability. However, solution-processable Li argyrodites have been developed only for a composition of LiPSX (X = Cl, Br, I) with insufficiently high Li conductivities (∼10 S cm). Herein, we report the highest Li conductivity of 0.

Probing the Sodium Insertion/Extraction Mechanism in a Layered NaVO Anode Material.

For the realization of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), high-performance anode materials are urgently required with the advantages of being low-cost and environment-friendly. In this work, layered-type NaVO is prepared by the simple solid-state route with a rod-like morphology and used as an anode material for SIBs. The NaVO electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 196 mA h g during the first cycle and retains a capacity of 125 mA h g at the 80th cycle with a high Coulombic efficiency of >99%, demonstrating high reversibility.

Superior shuttling of lithium and sodium ions in manganese-doped titania @ functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube anodes.

In order to improve the electrochemical kinetics of anatase titania (TiO), Mn-doped TiO incorporated with functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been prepared by a modified hydrothermal method and tested for both lithium (LIB) and sodium-ion battery (SIB) anodes. The size of the TiO particles is controlled to ∼35-40 nm, with almost even distribution on the MWCNTs surface. The nanostructuring and appropriate doping of cost-effective manganese into the TiO host improved the electrochemical performance in terms of high rate capability and specific capacity for both the rechargeable battery systems.