Interface Design Enabling Stable Polymer/Thiophosphate Electrolyte Separators for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries.

Organic/inorganic interfaces greatly affect Li transport in composite solid electrolytes (SEs), while SE/electrode interfacial stability plays a critical role in the cycling performance of solid-state batteries (SSBs). However, incomplete understanding of interfacial (in)stability hinders the practical application of composite SEs in SSBs. Herein, chemical degradation between Li PS Cl (LPSCl) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is revealed.

Impact of the Chlorination of Lithium Argyrodites on the Electrolyte/Cathode Interface in Solid-State Batteries.

Lithium argyrodite-type electrolytes are regarded as promising electrolytes due to their high ionic conductivity and good processability. Chemical modifications to increase ionic conductivity have already been demonstrated, but the influence of these modifications on interfacial stability remains so far unknown. In this work, we study Li PS Cl and Li PS Cl to investigate the influence of halogenation on the electrochemical decomposition of the solid electrolyte and the chemical degradation mechanism at the cathode interface in depth.

A mechanistic investigation of the LiGePS|LiNiCoMnO interface stability in all-solid-state lithium batteries.

All-solid-state batteries are intensively investigated, although their performance is not yet satisfactory for large-scale applications. In this context, the combination of LiGePS solid electrolyte and LiNiCoMnO positive electrode active materials is considered promising despite the yet unsatisfactory battery performance induced by the thermodynamically unstable electrode|electrolyte interface. Here, we report electrochemical and spectrometric studies to monitor the interface evolution during cycling and understand the reactivity and degradation kinetics.

Interfacial Evolution of Lithium Dendrites and Their Solid Electrolyte Interphase Shells of Quasi-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Unstable electrode/solid-state electrolyte interfaces and internal lithium dendrite penetration hamper the applications of solid-state lithium-metal batteries (SSLMBs), and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Herein, in situ optical microscopy provides insights into the lithium plating/stripping processes in a gel polymer electrolyte and reveals its dynamic evolution. Spherical lithium deposits evolve into moss-like and branch-shaped lithium dendrites with increasing current densities.

Tuning wettability of molten lithium via a chemical strategy for lithium metal anodes.

Metallic lithium affords the highest theoretical capacity and lowest electrochemical potential and is viewed as a leading contender as an anode for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries. However, the poor wettability of molten lithium does not allow it to spread across the surface of lithiophobic substrates, hindering the production and application of this anode. Here we report a general chemical strategy to overcome this dilemma by reacting molten lithium with functional organic coatings or elemental additives.

Engineering Janus Interfaces of Ceramic Electrolyte via Distinct Functional Polymers for Stable High-Voltage Li-Metal Batteries.

The fast-ionic-conducting ceramic electrolyte is promising for next-generation high-energy-density Li-metal batteries, yet its application suffers from the high interfacial resistance and poor interfacial stability. In this study, the compatible solid-state electrolyte was designed by coating LiAlTi(PO) (LATP) with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) oppositely to satisfy deliberately the disparate interface demands. Wherein, the upper PAN constructs soft-contact with LiNiMnCoO, and the lower PEO protects LATP from being reduced, guaranteeing high-voltage tolerance and improved stability toward Li-metal anode performed in one ceramic.

Nitriding-Interface-Regulated Lithium Plating Enables Flame-Retardant Electrolytes for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries.

Safety concerns are impeding the applications of lithium metal batteries. Flame-retardant electrolytes, such as organic phosphates electrolytes (OPEs), could intrinsically eliminate fire hazards and improve battery safety. However, OPEs show poor compatibility with Li metal though the exact reason has yet to be identified.

Guiding Uniform Li Plating/Stripping through Lithium-Aluminum Alloying Medium for Long-Life Li Metal Batteries.

The uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites upon cycling might result in low coulombic efficiency and severe safety hazards. Herein, a lithiophilic binary lithium-aluminum alloy layer, which was generated through an in situ electrochemical process, was utilized to guide the uniform metallic Li nucleation and growth, free from the formation of dendrites. Moreover, the formed LiAl alloy layer can function as a Li reservoir to compensate the irreversible Li loss, enabling long-term stability.

Constructing a Stable Lithium Metal-Gel Electrolyte Interface for Quasi-Solid-State Lithium Batteries.

Interfacial problems, including interfacial stability and contact issues, severely plague the practical application of Li metal anodes. Here we report an interfacial regulation strategy that stabilizes the Li metal-gel electrolyte interface through in situ constructing a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. By stabilizing the interface of Li metal anodes, the gel electrolyte enables dendrite-free morphology and high plating/stripping efficiency.

Designing High-Performance Composite Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries: Experimental and Computational Investigation.

Highly catalytic electrodes play a vital role in exploiting the capability of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), but they suffer from a tedious synthesis process and ambiguous interaction mechanisms for catalytic sites. Herein, a facile urea pyrolysis process was applied to prepare graphitic carbon nitride-modified graphite felt (GF@CN), and by the virtue of a density functional theory-assisted calculation, the electron-rich pyridinic nitrogen atom of CN granules is demonstrated as the adsorption center for redox species and plays the key role in improving the performance of VRFBs, with 800 cycles and an energy efficiency of 75% at 150 mA cm. Such experimental and computational collaborative investigations guide a realizable and cost-effective solution for other high-power flow batteries.

An Abnormal 3.7 Volt O3-Type Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode.

Layered O3-type sodium oxides (NaMO , M=transition metal) commonly exhibit an O3-P3 phase transition, which occurs at a low redox voltage of about 3 V (vs. Na /Na) during sodium extraction and insertion, with the result that almost 50 % of their total capacity lies at this low voltage region, and they possess insufficient energy density as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs). Therefore, development of high-voltage O3-type cathodes remains challenging because it is difficult to raise the phase-transition voltage by reasonable structure modulation.

Trapping Lithium into Hollow Silica Microspheres with a Carbon Nanotube Core for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anodes.

Li metal anodes, which have attracted much attention for their high specific capacity and low redox potential, face a great challenge in realizing their practical application. The fatal issue of dendrite formation gives rise to internal short circuit and safety hazards and needs to be addressed. Here we propose a rational strategy of trapping Li within microcages to confine the deposition morphology and suppress dendrite growth.

A novel bismuth-based anode material with a stable alloying process by the space confinement of an in situ conversion reaction for a rechargeable magnesium ion battery.

A novel Bi-based anode material with a stable alloy reaction is prepared by a solvothermal method. The Mg storage mechanism is elucidated for the first time. Owing to the space confinement of in situ conversion, the anode material shows superior magnesium storage performance, especially the cycling stability (capacity retention >96% after 100 cycles).

Stable Li Metal Anodes via Regulating Lithium Plating/Stripping in Vertically Aligned Microchannels.

Li anodes have been rapidly developed in recent years owing to the rising demand for higher-energy-density batteries. However, the safety issues induced by dendrites hinder the practical applications of Li anodes. Here, Li metal anodes stabilized by regulating lithium plating/stripping in vertically aligned microchannels are reported.

Graphitized Carbon Fibers as Multifunctional 3D Current Collectors for High Areal Capacity Li Anodes.

The Li metal anode has long been considered as one of the most ideal anodes due to its high energy density. However, safety concerns, low efficiency, and huge volume change are severe hurdles to the practical application of Li metal anodes, especially in the case of high areal capacity. Here it is shown that that graphitized carbon fibers (GCF) electrode can serve as a multifunctional 3D current collector to enhance the Li storage capacity.

Novel P2-type NaNiMgTiO as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries.

A novel P2-type NaNiMgTiO material is explored as an anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for the first time. It delivers a reversible capacity of 92 mA h g with a safe average storage voltage of approximately 0.7 V in a sodium half-cell, and exhibits good cycle stability (ca.

Subzero-Temperature Cathode for a Sodium-Ion Battery.

A subzero-temperature cathode material is obtained by nucleating cubic prussian blue crystals at inhomogeneities in carbon nanotubes. Due to fast ionic/electronic transport kinetics even at -25 °C, the cathode shows an outstanding low-temperature performance in terms of specific energy, high-rate capability, and cycle life, providing a practical sodium-ion battery powering an electric vehicle in frigid regions.

[Responses of Arma chinensis cold tolerance to rapid cold hardening and underlying physiological mechanisms].

Rapid cold hardening can enhance the cold tolerance of some insects. To explore the effects of different cold hardening induction temperature on the cold tolerance of Arma chinensis and related physiological mechanisms, the 3rd generation A. chinensis adults reared indoor were treated with cooling at 15, 10, and 4 degrees C for 4 h, respectively, or with gradual cooling from 15 degrees C for 4 h to 10 degrees C for 4 h, and finally to 4 degrees C for 4 h.