A Multifunctional Zwitterion Electrolyte Additive for Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anode.

Although zinc metal anode is promising for zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) owing to high energy density, its reversibility is significantly obstructed by uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic reactions. Optimizing electrolytes is a facile yet effective method to simultaneously address these issues. Herein, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), a pH buffer as novel additive, is initially introduced into conventional ZnSO electrolyte to ensure a dendrite-free zinc anode surface, enabling a stable Zn/electrolyte interface, which is achieved by controlling the solvated sheath through HO poor electric double layer (EDL) derived from zwitterionic groups.

Fluorine- and Acid-Free Strategy toward Scalable Fabrication of Two-Dimensional MXenes for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

MXenes are emerging 2D materials that have gained great attention because of their unique physical-chemical properties. However, the wide application of MXenes is prohibited by their high cost and environmentally harmful synthesis process. Here a fluoride- and acid-free physical vacuum distillation strategy is proposed to directly synthesize a series of MXenes.

Biofunctional hollow γ-MnO microspheres by a one-pot collagen-templated biomineralization route and their applications in lithium batteries.

γ-MnO nanomaterials play an essential role in the development of advanced electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices with versatile industrial applications. Herein, novel dandelion-like hollow microspheres of γ-MnO mesocrystals have been fabricated for the first time by a one-pot biomineralization route. Recombinant collagen with unique rod-like structure has been demonstrated as a robust template to tune the morphologies of γ-MnO mesocrystals, and a very low concentration of collagen can alter the nanostructures of γ-MnO from nanorods to microspheres.

Ultrastable and High-Rate 2D Siloxene Anode Enabled by Covalent Organic Framework Engineering for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Siloxene as a new type of 2D material has wide potential applications due to its special structure. Especially, as anode for lithium-ion batteries, siloxene shows promising prospect due to its small volume change and low diffusion pathway. However, the unstable solid electrolyte interphase and low electronic conductivity lead to the low Coulombic efficiency, poor rate capability, and limited cycling performance.

Highly Reversible Zn Metal Anodes Enabled by Freestanding, Lightweight, and Zincophilic MXene/Nanoporous Oxide Heterostructure Engineered Separator for Flexible Zn-MnO Batteries.

Aqueous zinc (Zn)-ion batteries are regarded as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems because of their high safety, low cost, and environmental benignity. However, the dendrite issue of Zn anode hinders their practical application. Herein, a freestanding, lightweight, and zincophilic MXene/nanoporous oxide heterostructure engineered separator is designed to stabilize a Zn metal anode.

One-Step, Vacuum-Assisted Construction of Micrometer-Sized Nanoporous Silicon Confined by Uniform Two-Dimensional N-Doped Carbon toward Advanced Li Ion and MXene-Based Li Metal Batteries.

With the advantages of a high theoretical capacity, proper working voltage, and abundant reserves, silicon (Si) is regarded as a promising anode for lithium-ion batteries. However, huge volume expansion and low electronic conductivity impede the commercialization of Si anodes. We devised a one-step, vacuum-assisted reactive carbon coating technique to controllably produce micrometer-sized nanoporous silicon confined by homogeneous N-doped carbon nanosheet frameworks (NPSi@NCNFs), achieved by the solid state reaction of a commercial bulk precursor and the subsequent evaporation of byproducts.

High-Safety and Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Building a Stable Interface in a Nonflammable Medium-Concentration Phosphate Electrolyte.

Lithium metal anodes are promising for their high energy density and low working potential. However, high reactivity and dendrite growth of lithium metal lead to serious safety issues. Lithium dendrite may form "dead lithium" or pierce the separator, which will cause low efficiency and short-circuit inside the battery.

Rational Design of Sulfur-Doped Three-Dimensional TiCT MXene/ZnS Heterostructure as Multifunctional Protective Layer for Dendrite-Free Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Owing to its high theoretical capacity, appropriate working potential, abundant resource, intrinsic safety, and low cost, zinc (Zn) metal is regarded as one of the most promising anode candidates for aqueous batteries. However, the hazards caused by dendrite growth and side reactions impede its practical applications. Herein, to solve these problems, a protective heterogeneous layer composed of electronic conductive sulfur-doped three-dimensional (3D) MXene and ionic conductive ZnS on Zn anode is designed and constructed.

Scalable and Controllable Synthesis of Interface-Engineered Nanoporous Host for Dendrite-Free and High Rate Zinc Metal Batteries.

Rechargeable zinc (Zn)-ion batteries are regarded as highly prospective candidates for next-generation renewable and safe energy storage systems. However, the uncontrolled dendrite growth of the Zn anode impedes their practical application. Here, a scalable and controllable approach is developed for converting commercial titanium (Ti) foil to 3D porous Ti, which retains good resistance to corrosion, high electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical properties.

Design of Robust, Lithiophilic, and Flexible Inorganic-Polymer Protective Layer by Separator Engineering Enables Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries with LiNi Mn Co O Cathode.

As a promising candidate for the high energy density cells, the practical application of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) is still extremely hindered by the uncontrolled growth of lithium (Li) dendrites. Herein, a facile strategy is developed that enables dendrite-free Li deposition by coating highly-lithiophilic amorphous SiO microparticles combined with high-binding polyacrylate acid (SiO@PAA) on polyethylene separators. A lithiated SiO and PAA (lithiated-SiO/PAA) protective layer with synergistic flexible and robust features is formed on the Li metal anode via the in situ reaction to offer outstanding interfacial stability during long-term cycles.

High-Safety and High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by a Nonflammable Ether-Based Electrolyte with Phosphazene as a Cosolvent.

The high reactivity between lithium metal and traditional carbonate electrolytes is a great obstacle to realize the long-term cycling ability of lithium metal batteries. Ether-based electrolytes have good stability toward lithium metal anodes. However, the oxidation stability of ether-based electrolytes is generally lower than 4 V, which limits the application of high-voltage (>4 V) cathodes and restricts the energy density.

Two-Dimensional Silicon/Carbon from Commercial Alloy and CO for Lithium Storage and Flexible TiCT MXene-Based Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Silicon has been considered as the most promising anode candidate for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. However, the fast capacity decay caused by huge volume expansion and low electronic conductivity limit the electrochemical performance. Herein, atomic distributed, air-stable, layer-by-layer-assembled Si/C (L-Si/C) is designed and constructed from commercial micron-sized layered CaSi alloy with the greenhouse gas CO.

Controllable Phosphorylation Strategy for Free-Standing Phosphorus/Nitrogen Cofunctionalized Porous Carbon Monoliths as High-Performance Potassium Ion Battery Anodes.

A hard carbon material with free-standing porous structure and high contents of heteroatom functional groups is considered to be a potential anode for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Herein, a free-standing phosphorus/nitrogen cofunctionalized porous carbon monolith (denoted as PN-PCM) anode for PIBs is successfully fabricated a supercritical CO foaming technology, followed by amidoximation, phosphorylation, and thermal treatment. Thanks to the synergistic effect of a three-dimensional macroporous open structure and high P/N contents of 6.

Porous lithium cobalt oxide fabricated from metal-organic frameworks as a high-rate cathode for lithium-ion batteries.

Porous materials have many applications, such as energy storage, as catalysts and adsorption Nevertheless, facile synthesis of porous materials remains a challenge. In this work, porous lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO) is fabricated directly from Co-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs, ZIF-67) and lithium salt a facile solid state annealing approach. The temperature affect on the microstructure of LiCoO is also investigated.

Scalable and Physical Synthesis of 2D Silicon from Bulk Layered Alloy for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Lithium Metal Batteries.

Owing to its distinctive structure and properties, 2D silicon (2DSi) has been widely applied in hydrogen storage, sensors, electronic device, catalysis, electrochemical energy storage, . However, scalable and low-cost fabrication of high-quality 2DSi remains a great challenge. In this work, a physical vacuum distillation method is designed to obtain high-quality 2DSi from a bulk layered calcium-silicon alloy.

Flexible and Free-Standing TiCT MXene@Zn Paper for Dendrite-Free Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries and Nonaqueous Lithium Metal Batteries.

Dendrite growth of metal anodes is one of the key hindrances for both secondary aqueous metal batteries and nonaqueous metal batteries. In this work, a freestanding TiCT MXene@Zn paper is designed as both zinc metal anode and lithium metal anode host to address the issue. The binder-free TiCT MXene@Zn paper exhibits merits of good mechanical flexibility, high electronic conductivity, hydrophilicity, and lithiophilicity.

Room-Temperature Liquid Metal Confined in MXene Paper as a Flexible, Freestanding, and Binder-Free Anode for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Exploring flexible lithium-ion batteries is required with the ever-increasing demand for wearable and portable electronic devices. Selecting a flexible conductive substrate accompanying with closely coupled active materials is the key point. Here, a lightweight, flexible, and freestanding MXene/liquid metal paper is fabricated by confining 3 °C GaInSnZn liquid metal in the matrix of MXene paper without any binder or conductive additive.

Nonflammable Fluorinated Carbonate Electrolyte with High Salt-to-Solvent Ratios Enables Stable Silicon-Based Anode for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries.

High energy density and safety are two key factors for the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Recently, silicon (Si) has attracted tremendous interest owing to its high theoretical capacity. However, the fast capacity decay triggered by huge volume change restricts its practical application.

Flexible and Freestanding Silicon/MXene Composite Papers for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon has been developed as the exceptionally desirable anode candidate for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), attributing to its highest theoretical capacity, low working potential, and abundant resource. However, large volume expansion and poor conductivity hinder its practical application. Herein, we fabricate flexible, freestanding, and binder-free silicon/MXene composite papers directly as anodes for LIBs.

Novel Method of Fabricating Free-Standing and Nitrogen-Doped 3D Hierarchically Porous Carbon Monoliths as Anodes for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries by Supercritical CO Foaming.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage systems, have recently attracted significant attention because of the low cost and high availability of the sodium resource. Hard carbon with a free-standing structure and plenty of active sites is considered to be the most potential anode material for SIBs. However, keeping a balance between the excellent performance and low cost for the large-scale commercial production of carbon anodes is still a great difficulty.

Micron-Sized Nanoporous Antimony with Tunable Porosity for High-Performance Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are considered favorable candidates for post-lithium-ion batteries, a quality attributed to their low cost, abundance as a resource, and high working potential (-2.93 V for K/K). Owning to its relatively low potassiation potential and high theoretical capacity, antimony (Sb) is one of the most favorable anodes for KIBs.

Nanoporous Red Phosphorus on Reduced Graphene Oxide as Superior Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

As a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted more and more attention due to the lower cost of sodium than lithium. Red phosphorus (RP) is an especially promising anode for SIBs with the highest theoretical capacity of 2596 mAh g, which faces the challenges of large volume change and low conductivity. Herein, we develop a nanoporous RP on reduced graphene oxide (NPRP@RGO) as a high-performance anode for SIBs through boiling.

Green, Scalable, and Controllable Fabrication of Nanoporous Silicon from Commercial Alloy Precursors for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon is considered as one of the most favorable anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Nanoporous silicon is synthesized via a green, facile, and controllable vacuum distillation method from the commercial MgSi alloy. Nanoporous silicon is formed by the evaporation of low boiling point Mg.

Morphology- and Porosity-Tunable Synthesis of 3D Nanoporous SiGe Alloy as a High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anode.

The lithium storage performance of silicon (Si) can be enhanced by being alloyed with germanium (Ge) because of its good electronic and ionic conductivity. Here, we synthesized a three-dimensional nanoporous (3D-NP) SiGe alloy as a high-performance lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode using a dealloying method with a ternary AlSiGe ribbon serving as the precursor. The morphology and porosity of the as-synthesized SiGe alloy can be controlled effectively by adjusting the sacrificial Al content of the precursor.

A titanium-based metal-organic framework as an ultralong cycle-life anode for PIBs.

We achieved excellent anode performance for PIBs based on a metal-organic framework MIL-125(Ti) for the first time. It can deliver a capacity of 208 mA h g at a rate of 10 mA g and a high capacity retention of 90.2% after 2000 cycles at a high rate of 200 mA g with a high coulombic efficiency.