Dual-Functional Interfacial Layer Enabled by Gating-Shielding Effects for Ultra-Stable Zn Anode.

Large-scale application of low-cost, high-safety and environment-compatible aqueous Zn metal batteries (ZMBs) is hindered by Zn dendrite failure and side reactions. Herein, highly reversible ZMBs are obtained by addition of trace D-pantothenate calcium additives to engineer a dual-functional interfacial layer, which is enabled by a bioinspired gating effect for excluding competitive free water near Zn surface due to the trapping and immobilization of water by hydroxyl groups, and guiding target Zn transport across interface through carboxyl groups of pantothenate anions, as well as a dynamic electrostatic shielding effect around Zn protuberances from Ca cations to ensure uniform Zn deposition. In consequence, interfacial side reactions are perfectly inhibited owing to reduced water molecules reaching Zn surface, and the uniform and compact deposition of Zn is achieved due to promoted Zn transport and deposition kinetics.

Eco-health risks and main sources of persistent pollutants bound by bus stops dust in Qingyang city, an important energy base on the west side of the Ziwuling primitive Forest.

In this study, we examined the persistent pollutant contents [harmful elements (HEs), cadmium (Cd, 0.1 mg/kg) ∼ barium (Ba, 881.1 mg/kg)] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs; Acenaphthylene (Acy), Acenaphthene (Ace), Fluorene (Flu), Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) (0 mg/kg) ∼ BaP (10.

A zincophilic separator with directional alignment and pore hydrophilicity towards stable aqueous zinc metal batteries.

A zincophilic PAN@Zn(OTF) (PZO) separator with an extremely thin thickness of 65.6 μm is introduced. This separator with a low cost of 6.

Realizing the Multi-electron Reaction in the NaV(PO) Cathode via Reversible Insertion of Dihydrogen Phosphate Anions.

Dual-ion battery (DIB) is an up-and-coming technology for the energy storage field. However, most of the current cathodes are still focused on the graphite hosts, which deliver a limited specific capacity. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that HPO can be used as the charge carrier for NaV(PO) under an aqueous electrolyte, which enabled the V/V and V/V multielectron reactions in the NaV(PO) electrode.

Non-Electrode Components for Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc Batteries: Electrolytes, Solid-Electrolyte-Interphase, Current Collectors, Binders, and Separators.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are one of the promising options for large-scale electrical energy storage owing to their safety, affordability and environmental friendliness. During the past decade, there have been remarkable advancements in the AZBs technology, which are achieved through intensive efforts not only in the area of electrode materials but also in the fundamental understandings of non-electrode components such as electrolytes, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), current collectors, binders, and separators. In particular, the breakthroughs in the non-electrode components should not be underestimated in having enabled the AZBs to attain a higher energy and power density beyond that of the conventional AZBs, proving their critical role.

Unraveling Anionic Redox for Sodium Layered Oxide Cathodes: Breakthroughs and Perspectives.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) as the next generation of sustainable energy technologies have received widespread investigations for large-scale energy storage systems (EESs) and smart grids due to the huge natural abundance and low cost of sodium. Although the great efforts are made in exploring layered transition metal oxide cathode for SIBs, their performances have reached the bottleneck for further practical application. Nowadays, anionic redox in layered transition metal oxides has emerged as a new paradigm to increase the energy density of rechargeable batteries.

Elucidating the Mechanism of Fast Na Storage Kinetics in Ether Electrolytes for Hard Carbon Anodes.

The sodium storage performance of a hard carbon (HC) anode in ether electrolytes exhibits a higher initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and better rate performance compared to conventional ester electrolytes. However, the mechanism behind faster Na storage kinetics for HC in ether electrolytes remains unclear. Herein, a unique solvated Na and Na co-intercalation mechanism in ether electrolytes is reported using designed monodispersed HC nanospheres.

Inhibition of Crystallization of Poly(ethylene oxide) by Ionic Liquid: Insight into Plasticizing Mechanism and Application for Solid-State Sodium Ion Batteries.

All-solid-state sodium ion batteries (ASIBs) possess enhanced safety and desired cycling life compared with conventional liquid sodium batteries, showing great potential in large-scale energy storage systems. Polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been extensively studied for ASIBs due to superior flexibility and processability. However, PEO-based electrolyte without any modification can hardly meet the requirements of ASIBs at room temperature.

High-Capacity Interstitial Mn-Incorporated MnFeO/Graphene Nanocomposite for Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted wide attention because of their prospects for grid-scale electrical regulation and cost effectiveness of sodium. In this regard, iron oxides (FeO) are considered as one of the most promising anode candidates due to their high theoretical capacity and low cost. Unfortunately, the utilization of FeO anodes suffers from sluggish reaction kinetics and significant lattice variation, causing insufficient rate performance and fast capacity degradation during the sodiation/desodiation process.

Carbon Nanofiber Elastically Confined Nanoflowers: A Highly Efficient Design for Molybdenum Disulfide-Based Flexible Anodes Toward Fast Sodium Storage.

Two-dimensional energy materials have been widely applied in advanced secondary batteries, among which molybdenum sulfide (MoS) is attractive because of the potential for high capacity and good rate performance. The relatively low electronic conductivity and irreversible volume expansion of pure MoS still need to be improved. Here, a facile and highly efficient ex situ electrospinning technique is developed to design the carbon nanofiber elastically confined MoS nanoflowers flexible electrode.

3D Electronic Channels Wrapped Large-Sized Na V (PO ) as Flexible Electrode for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The development of portable and wearable electronics has aroused the increasing demand for flexible energy-storage devices, especially for the characteristics of high energy density, excellent mechanical properties, simple synthesis process, and low cost. However, the development of flexible electrodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is still limited due to the intricate production methods and the relatively high-cost of current collectors such as graphene/graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes. Here, the hierarchical 3D electronic channels wrapped large-sized Na V (PO ) is designed and fabricated by a simple electrospinning technique.

Remarkable Effect of Sodium Alginate Aqueous Binder on Anatase TiO as High-Performance Anode in Sodium Ion Batteries.

Sodium alginate (SA) is investigated as the aqueous binder to fabricate high-performance, low-cost, environmentally friendly, and durable TiO anodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for the first time. Compared to the conventional polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) binder, electrodes using SA as the binder exhibit significant promotion of electrochemical performances. The initial Coulombic efficiency is as high as 62% at 0.

Single self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots in photonic nanostructures: The role of nanofabrication.

Single self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots are a promising solid-state quantum technology, with which vacuum Rabi splitting, single-photon-level nonlinearities, and bright, pure, and indistinguishable single-photon generation having been demonstrated. For such achievements, nanofabrication is used to create structures in which the quantum dot preferentially interacts with strongly-confined optical modes. An open question is the extent to which such nanofabrication may also have an adverse influence, through the creation of traps and surface states that could induce blinking, spectral diffusion, and dephasing.

Quick Activation of Nanoporous Anatase TiO as High-Rate and Durable Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

To understand the slow capacity activation behavior of anatase TiO as a sodium-ion battery anode during cycling, a nanoporous configuration was designed and prepared. On the basis of the comprehension of the Na-ion storage mechanism, the behavior is demonstrated to be related with the gradual formation of amorphous phase resulting from the phase transition during discharge. In addition, the level of phase transition is determined by the discharge rates and cycle numbers, which strongly affects the electrochemical performance of anatase TiO.

Polyanion-Type Electrode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries, representative members of the post-lithium-battery club, are very attractive and promising for large-scale energy storage applications. The increasing technological improvements in sodium-ion batteries (Na-ion batteries) are being driven by the demand for Na-based electrode materials that are resource-abundant, cost-effective, and long lasting. Polyanion-type compounds are among the most promising electrode materials for Na-ion batteries due to their stability, safety, and suitable operating voltages.

Multilayered Electride CaN Electrode via Compression Molding Fabrication for Sodium Ion Batteries.

Pursuing for novel electrode materials is significant for the progress of sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Here, a multilayered electride prepared by simple thermal decomposition of solid CaN, namely CaN, is introduced as a new anode material of SIBs for the first time, and a compression molding electrode fabricated by pressing CaN powder into nickel foam is applied to protect CaN from trace moisture and oxygen. The as-prepared electrode delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1110.

Na-Rich NaVNi(PO)/C for Sodium Ion Batteries: Controlling the Doping Site and Improving the Electrochemical Performances.

In order to get an element substituted into NaV(PO)/C in an appointed V site, the simple sol-gel method is used to design and prepare a series of Na-rich NaVNi(PO)/C (x = 0-0.07) compounds. To get a charge balance, the ratio of Na, V, and Ni would be changed if Ni goes into a different site.