An entanglement association polymer electrolyte for Li-metal batteries.

To improve the interface stability between Li-rich Mn-based oxide cathodes and electrolytes, it is necessary to develop new polymer electrolytes. Here, we report an entanglement association polymer electrolyte (PVFH-PVCA) based on a poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFH) matrix and a copolymer stabilizer (PVCA) prepared from acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, and vinylene carbonate. The entangled structure of the PVFH-PVCA electrolyte imparts excellent mechanical properties and eliminates the stress arising from dendrite growth during cycling and forms a stable interface layer, enabling Li//Li symmetric cells to cycle steadily for more than 4500 h at 8 mA cm.

An Ultrasmall Ordered High-Entropy Intermetallic with Multiple Active Sites for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Controlling multimetallic ensembles at the atomic level is significantly challenging, particularly for high-entropy alloys with more than five elements. Herein, we report an innovative ultrasmall (∼2 nm) PtFeCoNiCuZn high-entropy intermetallic (PFCNCZ-HEI) with a well-ordered structure synthesized by using the space-confined strategy. By exploiting these combined metals, the PFCNCZ-HEI nanoparticles achieve an ultrahigh mass activity of 2.

Unlocking the Potential of Li-Rich Mn-Based Oxides for High-Rate Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-rich Mn-based oxides have gained significant attention worldwide as potential cathode materials for the next generation of high-energy density lithium-ion batteries. Nonetheless, the inferior rate capability and voltage decay issues present formidable challenges. Here, a Li-rich material equipped with quasi-three-dimensional (quasi-3D) Li-ion diffusion channels is initially synthesized by introducing twin structures with high Li-ion diffusion coefficients into the crystal and constructing a "bridge" between different Li-ion diffusion tunnels.

PtFeCoNiCu high-entropy solid solution alloy as highly efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Searching for an efficient, durable, and low cost catalyst toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of paramount importance for the application of fuel cell technology. Herein, PtFeCoNiCu high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (PFCNC-HEA) is reported as electrocatalyst toward ORR. It shows remarkable ORR catalytic mass activity of 1.

Entropy Stabilization Strategy for Enhancing the Local Structural Adaptability of Li-Rich Cathode Materials.

Layered Li-rich cathode materials with high reversible energy densities are becoming prevalent. However, owing to the activation of low-potential redox couples and the progressively irreversible structural transformation caused by the local adjustment of transition-metal ions in the intra/interlayer driven by anionic redox, continuous capacity degradation, and voltage decay emerge, thus greatly reducing the energy density and increasing the difficulty of battery system management. Herein, layered Li-rich cathode materials with higher intralayer configuration entropy have more local structural diversity and higher distortion energy, resulting in superior local structural adaptability with no drastic redox couple evolution, major local structural adjustment, or obvious layered-to-spinel phase transition.

Sulfuration of Li-Rich Mn-Based Cathode Materials for Multianionic Redox and Stabilized Coordination Environment.

Lithium-rich transition metal oxides (LLOs) can deliver high specific capacity over 250 mAh g , stemming from additional contribution of oxygen redox. However, the formation of O (0 < n < 2) species and even oxygen gas during the deep oxidation stage leads to progressive structural transformation that cause voltage decay/hysteresis, sluggish kinetics, and poor thermostability, preventing real-world application of LLOs. Therefore, the substantive key relies on enhancing the anionic redox stability in LLOs.