Proton-Induced Defect-Rich Vanadium Oxides as Reversible Polysulfide Conversion Sites for High-Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted attention due to their high theoretical energy density, natural abundance, and low cost. However, the diffusion of polysulfides decreases the utilization and further degrades the battery's life. We have successfully fabricated a defect-rich layered sodium vanadium oxide with proton doping (HNVO) nanobelt and used it as the functional interface layer on the separator in Li-S batteries.

Preparation and defect structure analysis of near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate wafers.

A vapour transfer equilibrium (VTE) method has been used to prepare near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate (NSLT) crystals with different Li contents. The NSLT crystals were tested and analyzed by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate the effect of Li content on the Curie temperature and internal defects of NSLT crystals. This study found that when the Li content increased in the NSLT wafer, the binding energy corresponding to the peak of the Ta electron layer in the XPS spectrum first decreased and then increased, indicating that the proportion of Ta valence states was different in wafers with different Li contents.

Modulating residual ammonium in MnO for high-rate aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Manganese dioxide (MnO), as a promising cathode candidate, has attracted great attention in aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). However, the undesirable dissolution of Mn and the sluggish kinetic reaction are still two challenges to overcome before achieving good cycling stability and high-rate performance of ZIBs. Herein, β-MnO with chemically residual NH (NMO) was successfully fabricated by controlling the washing condition and utilized as a cathode in a ZIB.