Research

12 pages, 3772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Freeze-Drying-Assisted Preparation of High-Compaction-Density LiMn_0.69Co_0.01Fe_0.3PO₄ Cathode Materials with High-Capacity and Long Life-Cycle for Lithium Ion Batteries

by Shaojun Liu, Jingang Zheng, Hao Huang, Hongyang Li, Han Zhang, Lixiang Li, Baigang An, Yuanhua Xiao and Chengguo Sun

Batteries 2024, 10(4), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10040114 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 746

Abstract

As a successor to LiFePO₄, the research interest in LiMn_1−yFe_yPO₄ has been sustained due to its higher working voltage and safety features. However, its further application is limited by the low compaction density caused by uncontrolled [...] Read more.

As a successor to LiFePO₄, the research interest in LiMn_1−yFe_yPO₄ has been sustained due to its higher working voltage and safety features. However, its further application is limited by the low compaction density caused by uncontrolled particle size. In this study, the high-quality LiMn_0.69Co_0.01Fe_0.3PO₄ (LMFP) materials were prepared using the freeze-drying method to process the LMFP precursor synthesized through a solvothermal crystallization method followed by a calcination process at different temperatures (400–550 °C). The results demonstrate that the obtained particles exhibit a spheroidal shape with a low specific surface area after secondary crystallization calcination at 700 °C. The compaction density increased from 1.96 g/cm³ for LMFP precursor (LMFP-M1) to 2.18, 2.27, 2.34, and 2.43 g/cm³ for samples calcined at 400, 450, 500 and 550 °C, respectively, achieving a maximum increase of 24%. The full cell constructed with the high-compaction-density material calcined at 500 °C displayed discharge capacities of 144.1, 143.8, and 142.6 mAh/g at 0.5, 1, and 3 C rates, respectively, with a retention rate of 99% at 3 C rate. After undergoing charging and discharging cycles at a rate of 1 C for up to 800 cycles, the capacity retention rate was found to be 90%, indicating an expected full cell life span exceeding 2500 cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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12 pages, 5557 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Bimetal-Initiated Concerted Zn Regulation Enabling Highly Stable Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries

by Hong Yin, Yuliang Liu, Yifeng Zhu, Fengxiang Ye, Guangliang Xu, Mengfang Lin and Wenbin Kang

Batteries 2024, 10(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10030070 - 20 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1484

Abstract

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are highly sought after for the next generation of sustainable energy storage systems. However, their development is significantly impeded by the presence of undesired zinc dendrites, which greatly reduce their cycle life. It is well-received that surface passivation by [...] Read more.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are highly sought after for the next generation of sustainable energy storage systems. However, their development is significantly impeded by the presence of undesired zinc dendrites, which greatly reduce their cycle life. It is well-received that surface passivation by introducing foreign metals represents a compelling measure to enhance the stability of Zn anodes. Nevertheless, the vast potential of effecting concerted interplay between multiple metal elements for enhanced overall performance in Zn ion batteries remains elusive, due to the overwhelming challenge in creating uniform textures from hetero-units and understanding the mechanism underlying the synergistic performance gain. In this work, an innovative bimetallic overlaying strategy is proposed that renders possible the synergy between AgZn₃ and CuZn₅ in effecting uniform Zn deposition in a laterally confined and compact manner. The seeded growth of Zn on the bimetal-modulated interface effectively reduces the nucleation potential barrier, yielding a low nucleation overpotential (25 mV). In full cell testing with a commercial MnO₂ applied as the cathode, superb cycling stability, surpassing the results reported in previous works, is achieved. The cell delivers an outstanding remaining capacity of 215 mA h g⁻¹ after 300 cycles with almost no capacity degradation observed. The simple and highly efficient bimetal design, which synergizes the strengths of distinct metals, has the potential to drive innovations in the development of multicomponent aqueous Zn batteries with exceptional performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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16 pages, 9562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acrylate Copolymer-Reinforced Hydrogel Electrolyte for Strain Sensors and Flexible Supercapacitors

by Ruixue Liu, Wenkang Liu, Jichao Chen, Xiangli Bian, Kaiqi Fan, Junhong Zhao and Xiaojing Zhang

Batteries 2023, 9(6), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries9060304 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1135

Abstract

Ionic conductive hydrogels with good conductivity and biocompatibility have become one of the research highlights in the field of wearable flexible sensors and supercapacitors. In this work, poly(methacrylic acid–methyl methacrylate)-reinforced poly(sodium acrylate–vinyl phosphonic acid) composite hydrogels (P(AAS-VPA)/PMMS) were designed and tested for strain [...] Read more.

Ionic conductive hydrogels with good conductivity and biocompatibility have become one of the research highlights in the field of wearable flexible sensors and supercapacitors. In this work, poly(methacrylic acid–methyl methacrylate)-reinforced poly(sodium acrylate–vinyl phosphonic acid) composite hydrogels (P(AAS-VPA)/PMMS) were designed and tested for strain sensor or supercapacitor applications. The results showed recoverability for 20 cycles of tension and compression experiments, an excellent breaking strain of 2079%, and ionic conductivity of 0.045 S·cm⁻¹, demonstrating strong support for the application of the P(AAS-VPA)/PMMS hydrogel in strain sensors and supercapacitors. The composite hydrogel exhibited outstanding sensing and monitoring capability with high sensitivity (GF = 4.0). The supercapacitor based on the P(AAS-VPA)/PMMS composite hydrogel showed excellent capacitance performance (area capacitance 100.8 mF·cm⁻² and energy density 8.96 μWh·cm⁻²) at ambient temperature and even −30 °C (25.3 mF·cm⁻² and 2.25 μWh·cm⁻²). The hydrogel has stable electrochemical stability (1000 cycles, Coulomb efficiency > 97%) and exhibits electrochemical properties similar to those in the normal state under different deformations. The excellent results demonstrate the great potential of the P(AAS-VPA)/PMMS composite hydrogel in the field of strain sensors and flexible supercapacitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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13 pages, 3206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zn-Co-Mo-rGO Ultra-Thin Nanosheets Arrays-Based Electrode Materials for Asymmetric Supercapacitor

by Shuang Liu, Siwei He, Yanhong Xiang, Xiaochun Peng, Lizhi Xiong and Jianhua Wu

Batteries 2023, 9(3), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries9030158 - 02 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1500

Abstract

The design of electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) with high specific capacity and high energy density has always been a research hotspot. In this paper, ternary metal oxides Zn-Co-Mo-rGO (ZCMG) and Zn-Co-Mo (ZCM) based electrode materials were prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. Compared [...] Read more.

The design of electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) with high specific capacity and high energy density has always been a research hotspot. In this paper, ternary metal oxides Zn-Co-Mo-rGO (ZCMG) and Zn-Co-Mo (ZCM) based electrode materials were prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. Compared with the ZCM, SEM and TEM results demonstrates the ultra-thin nanosheets grown vertically on the nickel foam for ZCMG. Owing to synergistic effect of the multi-component composites, the as-prepared electrode with ZCMG exhibits the specific capacity of 713 C g⁻¹ (1189 F g⁻¹) at 1 A g⁻¹, which was higher than that of ZCM without rGO (492 F g⁻¹, 295 C g⁻¹). The assembled ZCMG//AC (activated carbon) asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) delivers the maximum specific capacity of 68 C g⁻¹ (45 F g⁻¹) at 1 A g⁻¹. After 1000 cycles, it still has a high-capacity retention rate of 95%. Furthermore, the ASC exhibited an energy density of 14 Wh kg⁻¹ at 750 W kg⁻¹, and it can retain 5.23 Wh kg⁻¹, even at 7500 W kg⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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13 pages, 3059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In-Situ Photoelectron Spectroscopy Investigation of Sulfurization-Induced Sodiophilic Sites with Model Systems of α-sexithiophene and p-sexiphenyl

by Yuan Liu, Xu Lian, Chonglai Jiang, Zejun Sun, Jinlin Yang, Yishui Ding and Wei Chen

Batteries 2023, 9(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries9010021 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1953

Abstract

Uncontrollable sodium dendrite growth results in poor cycling performance and severe safety issues, hindering practical applications of sodium metal batteries (SMBs). To stabilize sodium metal anodes (SMAs), various strategies have been developed including employing anode hosts and electrolyte additives to establish protective layers. [...] Read more.

Uncontrollable sodium dendrite growth results in poor cycling performance and severe safety issues, hindering practical applications of sodium metal batteries (SMBs). To stabilize sodium metal anodes (SMAs), various strategies have been developed including employing anode hosts and electrolyte additives to establish protective layers. Nevertheless, the understanding of interaction mechanisms between protective materials and SMAs is still limited, which is crucial for the rational design of protective materials. In this work, we investigated the interaction mechanism between sodium metal and sulfur-containing functional groups with comparative model systems of α-sexithiophene (6T) and p-sexiphenyl (6P) through in-situ photoelectron spectroscopy investigations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results show that sodium atoms tend to interact with sulfur atoms and their connected carbon atoms simultaneously as well as the aromatic carbon atoms of the end groups of 6T molecules, while no chemical interaction between Na and 6P molecules is observed. The observed sulfurization-induced sodiophilic sites can shed light on the rational design of sulfur-containing protective materials and the relevant interface engineering to stabilize SMAs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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19 pages, 5863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Sample Interval on the Parameter Identification Results of RC Equivalent Circuit Models of Li-ion Battery: An Investigation Based on HPPC Test Data

by Hehui Zhang, Chang Deng, Yutong Zong, Qingsong Zuo, Haipeng Guo, Shuai Song and Liangxing Jiang

Batteries 2023, 9(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries9010001 - 20 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3062

Abstract

The validity of the equivalent circuit model (ECM), which is crucial for the development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and state evaluation, is primarily dependent on the precision of the findings of parameter identification. In this study, the commonly used first-order RC (1-RC) circuit [...] Read more.

The validity of the equivalent circuit model (ECM), which is crucial for the development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and state evaluation, is primarily dependent on the precision of the findings of parameter identification. In this study, the commonly used first-order RC (1-RC) circuit and second-order RC (2-RC) circuit models were selected for parameter identification. A time series of voltage with different sample intervals were used for function fitting based on the least square method, which were extracted from the hybrid pulse power characteristic (HPPC) test data of a commercial square punch LIB, and the sample intervals were set to be 0.1 s, 0.2 s, 0.5 s, and 1.0 s to evaluate the effect of sample interval on the parameter identification results. When the sample interval is more than 0.5 s, the results reveal that the 2-RC circuit model’s goodness of fit marginally declines, and for some data scenarios, the bias between the fitted terminal voltage curve and test curve increases obviously. With all of the sample intervals under consideration, the 1-RC circuit model’s imitative effect is satisfactory. This work demonstrates that the sample interval of data samples, in addition to the method itself, affects the accuracy and robustness of parameter identification, with the 1-RC circuit model showing larger advantages under low sample frequency compared to the 2-RC circuit model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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14 pages, 4060 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Tuning the Architecture of Hierarchical Porous CoNiO₂ Nanosheet for Enhanced Performance of Li-S Batteries

by Lili Chai, Huizi Ye, Zhengguang Hu, Fengliang Liu, Liyun Qin, Zhiqi Zhang, Xianxin Lai, Yong Zhao and Li Wang

Batteries 2022, 8(12), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8120262 - 29 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1399

Abstract

As the desired components and crystal structure of a transition metal oxide catalyst are selected, architecture is a dominating factor affecting its electrocatalytic performance for applications in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Nano-compounds with a hollow architecture are undoubtedly the ideal catalysts for enhancing cathodic [...] Read more.

As the desired components and crystal structure of a transition metal oxide catalyst are selected, architecture is a dominating factor affecting its electrocatalytic performance for applications in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Nano-compounds with a hollow architecture are undoubtedly the ideal catalysts for enhancing cathodic performance for more exposed active sites and shortened path lengths than are other architectures. Additionally, the internal stress in hollow architecture is favorable for further performance enhancement, due to its regulation effects of driving the d-band center of the transition metal in the active sites to migrate toward the Fermi level, which will promote the chemical adsorption and catalytic conversion of the polysulfides (PSs). To this point, we select hierarchical porous dual transition metal oxide CoNiO₂ nano-boxes (CoNiO₂(B)) as the conceptual model; meanwhile, CoNiO₂ nano-flakes (CoNiO₂(F)) with identical stoichiometry and crystal structure are also analyzed as a comparison. Li-S batteries based on CoNiO₂(B) deliver superior energy storage features, including a reversible discharge capacity of 1232 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.05 C and a stable cycle performance with decay rate of 0.1% each cycle even after 300 cycles at 1 C. This research presents an alternative scheme for booting the performance of Li-S batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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11 pages, 8456 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructure Modulation of Zn Doped VO₂(B) Nanorods with Improved Electrochemical Properties towards High Performance Aqueous Batteries

by Dewei Liu, Qijie Zhang, Xiaohong Chen, Haiyang Dai, Xuezhen Zhai, Jing Chen, Gaoshang Gong, Cui Shang and Xuzhe Wang

Batteries 2022, 8(10), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8100172 - 09 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1610

Abstract

Vanadium dioxide with monoclinic structure is theoretically a promising layered cathode material for aqueous metal-ion batteries due to its excellent specific capacity. However, its poor cycling stability limits its application as an electrode material. In this study, a series of Zn-doped VO₂ [...] Read more.

Vanadium dioxide with monoclinic structure is theoretically a promising layered cathode material for aqueous metal-ion batteries due to its excellent specific capacity. However, its poor cycling stability limits its application as an electrode material. In this study, a series of Zn-doped VO₂ (V_1−xZn_xO₂) nanorods were successfully fabricated by the technology of one-step hydrothermal synthesis. The XRD result indicated that there was a slight lattice distortion caused by doped Zn²⁺ with a larger ion radius. The positron lifetime spectrum showed that there were vacancy cluster defects in all the samples. The electrochemical measurement demonstrated the enhancement of the specific capacitance of V_1−xZn_xO₂ electrodes compared with the undoped sample. In addition, the discharge capacitance of the sample remained around 86% after 1000 charge/discharge cycles. This work proves that Zn²⁺ doping is a valid tactic for the application of nano-VO₂(B) in energy storage electrode materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials and Interface Designs for Batteries)

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