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1. Improved cycle performance of Li-CO2 batteries with nickel manganite supported carbon nanotube NiMn2O4 @CNT cathode

   Wang, Jianda; Powell, Matthew; Alcala, Ryan; Fetrow, Christopher; Zhou, Xiao-Dong; Wei, Shuya (October 2023, Journal of the Electrochemical Society)

   Doron Aurbach (Ed.)

   Rechargeable Li-CO2 batteries have emerged as promising candidates for next generation batteries due to their low cost, high theoretical capacity, and ability to capture the greenhouse gas CO2. However, these batteries still face challenges such as slow reaction kinetic and short cycle performance due to the accumulation of discharge products. To address this issue, it is necessary to design and develop high efficiency electrocatalysts that can improve CO2 reduction reaction. In this study, we report the use of NiMn2O4 electrocatalysts combined with multiwall carbon nanotubes as a cathode material in the Li-CO2 batteries. This combination proved effective in decomposing discharge products and enhancing cycle performance. The battery shows stable discharge–charge cycles for at least 30 cycles with a high limited capacity of 1000 mAh/g at current density of 100 mA/g. Furthermore, the battery with the NiMn2O4@CNT catalyst exhibits a reversible discharge capacity of 2636 mAh/g. To gain a better understanding of the reaction mechanism of Li-CO2 batteries, spectroscopies and microscopies were employed to identify the chemical composition of the discharge products. This work paves a pathway to increase cycle performance in metal-CO2 batteries, which could have significant implications for energy storage and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 

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2. Enabling Uniform and Accurate Control of Cycling Pressure for All‐Solid‐State Batteries

   https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202304327  

   Chen, Yu‐Ting; Jang, Jihyun; Oh, Jin_An Sam; Ham, So‐Yeon; Yang, Hedi; Lee, Dong‐Ju; Vicencio, Marta; Lee, Jeong Beom; Tan, Darren_H S; Chouchane, Mehdi; et al (August 2024, Advanced Energy Materials)

   Abstract All‐solid‐state batteries are emerging as potential successors in energy storage technologies due to their increased safety, stemming from replacing organic liquid electrolytes in conventional Li‐ion batteries with less flammable solid‐state electrolytes. However, all‐solid‐state batteries require precise control over cycling pressure to maintain effective interfacial contacts between materials. Traditional uniaxial cell holders, often used in battery research, face challenges in accommodating electrode volume changes, providing uniform pressure distribution, and maintaining consistent pressure over time. This study introduces isostatic pouch cell holders utilizing air as pressurizing media to achieve uniform and accurately regulated cycling pressure. LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂| Li₆PS₅Cl | Si pouch cells are fabricated and tested under 1 to 5 MPa pressures, revealing improved electrochemical performance with higher cycling pressures, with 2 MPa as the minimum for optimal operation. A bilayer pouch cell with a theoretical capacity of 100 mAh, cycled with an isostatic pouch cell holder, demonstrated a first‐cycle Coulombic efficiency of 76.9% and a discharge capacity of 173.6 mAh g⁻¹(88.1 mAh), maintaining 83.6% capacity after 100 cycles. These findings underscore the effectiveness of isostatic pouch cell holders in enhancing the performance and practical application of all‐solid‐state batteries. 

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3. Lithium-compatible and air-stable vacancy-rich Li ₉ N ₂ Cl ₃ for high–areal capacity, long-cycling all–solid-state lithium metal batteries

   https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh4626  

   Li, Weihan; Li, Minsi; Chien, Po-Hsiu; Wang, Shuo; Yu, Chuang; King, Graham; Hu, Yongfeng; Xiao, Qunfeng; Shakouri, Mohsen; Feng, Renfei; et al (October 2023, Science Advances)

   Attaining substantial areal capacity (>3 mAh/cm²) and extended cycle longevity in all–solid-state lithium metal batteries necessitates the implementation of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) capable of withstanding elevated critical current densities and capacities. In this study, we report a high-performing vacancy-rich Li₉N₂Cl₃SSE demonstrating excellent lithium compatibility and atmospheric stability and enabling high–areal capacity, long-lasting all–solid-state lithium metal batteries. The Li₉N₂Cl₃facilitates efficient lithium-ion transport due to its disordered lattice structure and presence of vacancies. Notably, it resists dendrite formation at 10 mA/cm²and 10 mAh/cm²due to its intrinsic lithium metal stability. Furthermore, it exhibits robust dry-air stability. Incorporating this SSE in Ni-rich LiNi_0.83Co_0.11Mn_0.06O₂cathode-based all–solid-state batteries, we achieve substantial cycling stability (90.35% capacity retention over 1500 cycles at 0.5 C) and high areal capacity (4.8 mAh/cm²in pouch cells). These findings pave the way for lithium metal batteries to meet electric vehicle performance demands. 

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4. Li ₂ MnO ₃ : A Catalyst for a Liquid Cl ₂ Electrode in Low‐Temperature Aqueous Batteries

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202302595  

   Sui, Yiming; Zhuo, Zengqing; Lei, Ming; Wang, Lu; Yu, Mingliang; Scida, Alexis M; Sandstrom, Sean K; Stickle, William; O'Larey, Timothy D; Jiang, De‐e; et al (November 2023, Advanced Materials)

   Abstract Li₂MnO₃has been contemplated as a high‐capacity cathode candidate for Li‐ion batteries; however, it evolves oxygen during battery charging under ambient conditions, which hinders a reversible reaction. However, it is unclear if this irreversible process still holds under subambient conditions. Here, the low‐temperature electrochemical properties of Li₂MnO₃in an aqueous LiCl electrolyte are evaluated and a reversible discharge capacity of 302 mAh g⁻¹at a potential of 1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl at −78 °C with good rate capability and stable cycling performance, in sharp contrast to the findings in a typical Li₂MnO₃cell cycled at room temperature, is observed. However, the results reveal that the capacity does not originate from the reversible oxygen oxidation in Li₂MnO₃but the reversible Cl₂(l)/Cl⁻(aq.) redox from the electrolyte. The results demonstrate the good catalytic properties of Li₂MnO₃to promote the Cl₂/Cl⁻redox at low temperatures. 

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5. Stable cycling of lithium-sulfur batteries by optimizing the cycle condition

   Chao Shen, Petru Andrei (January 2019, Electrochimica acta)

   Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries suffer from poor utilization of active material and short cycle life due to the complicated multi-step reaction mechanisms. Herein, three conditional cycling methods, i.e. asymmetrical cycling, constant voltage (CV) discharge cycling, and partial cycling are designed in order to increase the cyclability of Li-S batteries. It is found that the solid deposition process that takes place during the lower plateau of discharge is the major limiting step for achieving high discharge capacity and cycle retention, and the cathode surface coverage can be deferred by applying an optimal discharge/charge rate and CV discharge cycling. The asymmetrical cycling renders a specific capacity of ca. 700 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles, 30% higher than that under symmetrical cycling, while applying a CV discharge cycling enables a full retention of target specific capacity of ca. 800 mAh g-1 over 50 cycles. The partial cycling with a low number of phase transformation steps and reduced surface coverage at the end of discharge/charge also enhances cyclability. This work paves the way for understanding and improving the cycling performance of Li-S batteries without increasing the cost of electrode design or changing the configuration of the cell. 

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