Naphthalene dianhydride organic anode for a 'rocking-chair' zinc-proton hybrid ion battery.

Rechargeable batteries consisting of a Zn metal anode and a suitable cathode coupled with a Zn ion-conducting electrolyte are recently emerging as promising energy storage devices for stationary applications. However, the formation of high surface area Zn (HSAZ) architectures on the metallic Zn anode deteriorates their performance upon prolonged cycling. In this work, we demonstrate the application of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA), an organic compound, as a replacement for the Zn-metal anode enabling the design of a 'rocking-chair'zinc-proton hybrid ion battery.

Scalable Synthesis of Manganese-Doped Hydrated Vanadium Oxide as a Cathode Material for Aqueous Zinc-Metal Battery.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-metal batteries (ZMBs) are considered as potential energy storage devices for stationary applications. Despite the significant developments in recent years, the performance of ZMBs is still limited due to the lack of advanced cathode materials delivering high capacity and long cycle life. In this work, we report a low-temperature and scalable synthesis method following a surfactant-assisted route for preparing manganese-doped hydrated vanadium oxide (MnHVO-30) and its application as the cathode material for ZMB.

An In Situ Cross-Linked Nonaqueous Polymer Electrolyte for Zinc-Metal Polymer Batteries and Hybrid Supercapacitors.

This work reports the facile synthesis of nonaqueous zinc-ion conducting polymer electrolyte (ZIP) membranes using an ultraviolet (UV)-light-induced photopolymerization technique, with room temperature (RT) ionic conductivity values in the order of 10 S cm . The ZIP membranes demonstrate excellent physicochemical and electrochemical properties, including an electrochemical stability window of >2.4 V versus Zn|Zn and dendrite-free plating/stripping processes in symmetric Zn||Zn cells.

Dioxolanone-Anchored Poly(allyl ether)-Based Cross-Linked Dual-Salt Polymer Electrolytes for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries.

Novel cross-linked polymer electrolytes (XPEs) are synthesized by free-radical copolymerization induced by ultraviolet (UV)-light irradiation of a reactive solution, which is composed of a difunctional poly(ethylene glycol) diallyl ether oligomer (PEGDAE), a monofunctional reactive diluent 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (VEC), and a stock solution containing lithium salt (lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, LiTFSI) in a carbonate-free nonvolatile plasticizer, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (PEGDME). The resulting polymer matrix can be represented as a linear polyethylene chain functionalized with cyclic carbonate (dioxolanone) moieties and cross-linked by ethylene oxide units. A series of XPEs are prepared by varying the [O]/[Li] ratio (24 to 3) of the stock solution and thoroughly characterized using physicochemical (thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, NMR, etc.

Zinc ion interactions in a two-dimensional covalent organic framework based aqueous zinc ion battery.

The two-dimensional structural features of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can promote the electrochemical storage of cations like H, Li, and Na through both faradaic and non-faradaic processes. However, the electrochemical storage of cations like Zn ion is still unexplored although it bears a promising divalent charge. Herein, for the first time, we have utilized hydroquinone linked β-ketoenamine COF acting as a Zn anchor in an aqueous rechargeable zinc ion battery.

Weak Intermolecular Interactions in Covalent Organic Framework-Carbon Nanofiber Based Crystalline yet Flexible Devices.

The redox-active and porous structural backbone of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can facilitate high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices. However, the utilities of such 2D materials as supercapacitor electrodes in advanced self-charging power-pack systems have been obstructed due to the poor electrical conductivity and subsequent indigent performance. Herein, we report an effective strategy to enhance the electrical conductivity of COF thin sheets through the in situ solid-state inclusion of carbon nanofibers (CNF) into the COF precursor matrix.

Convergent Covalent Organic Framework Thin Sheets as Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes.

Flexible supercapacitors in modern electronic equipment require light-weight electrodes, which have a high surface area, precisely integrated redox moieties, and mechanically strong flexible free-standing nature. However, the incorporation of the aforementioned properties into a single electrode remains a great task. Herein, we could overcome these challenges by a facile and scalable synthesis of the convergent covalent organic framework (COF) free-standing flexible thin sheets through solid-state molecular baking strategy.

A rationally designed self-standing VO electrode for high voltage non-aqueous all-solid-state symmetric (2.0 V) and asymmetric (2.8 V) supercapacitors.

The maximum capacitive potential window of certain pseudocapacitive materials cannot be accessed in aqueous electrolytes owing to the low dissociation potential of 1.2 V possessed by water molecules. However, the inferior pseudocapacitance exhibited by the commonly used electrode materials when integrated with non-aqueous electrolytes still remains a challenge in the development of supercapacitors (SC).

High-Performance Flexible Solid-State Supercapacitor with an Extended Nanoregime Interface through in Situ Polymer Electrolyte Generation.

Here, we report an efficient strategy by which a significantly enhanced electrode-electrolyte interface in an electrode for supercapacitor application could be accomplished by allowing in situ polymer gel electrolyte generation inside the nanopores of the electrodes. This unique and highly efficient strategy could be conceived by judiciously maintaining ultraviolet-triggered polymerization of a monomer mixture in the presence of a high-surface-area porous carbon. The method is very simple and scalable, and a prototype, flexible solid-state supercapacitor could even be demonstrated in an encapsulation-free condition by using the commercial-grade electrodes (thickness = 150 μm, area = 12 cm(2), and mass loading = 7.