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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 (May 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. 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 (October 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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4. Stable Lithium Sulfur Battery Based on In Situ Electrocatalytically Formed Li ₂ S on Metallic MoS ₂ –Carbon Cloth Support

   https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202000353  

   Wang, Mingshan; Yang, Hua; Shen, Kangqi; Xu, Hao; Wang, Wenjie; Yang, Zhenliang; Zhang, Lei; Chen, Junchen; Huang, Yun; Chen, Mingyang; et al (August 2020, Small Methods)

   Abstract A stable lean‐electrolyte operating lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery based on a cathode of Li₂S in situ electrocatalytically deposited from L₂S₈catholyte onto a support of metallic molybdenum disulfide (1T‐MoS₂) on carbon cloth (CC) is created. The 1T‐MoS₂significantly accelerates the conversion Li₂S₈catholyte to Li₂S, chemically adsorbs lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) from solution, and suppresses crossover of the LiPSs to the anode. These experimental findings are explained by density functional theory calculations that show that 1T‐MoS₂gives rise to strong adsorption of polysulfides on its surface and is electrocatalytic for the targeted reversible Li–S conversion reactions. The CC/1T‐MoS₂electrode in a Li–S battery delivers an initial capacity of 1238 mAh g⁻¹, with a low capacity fade of only 0.051% per cycle over 500 cycles at 0.5C. Even at a high sulfur loading (4.4 mg cm⁻²) and low electrolyte/S (E/S) ratio of 3.7 µL mg⁻¹, the battery achieves an initial reversible capacity of 1176 mA h g⁻¹at 0.5C, with 87% capacity retention after 160 cycles. The post 500 cycles Li metal opposing 1T‐MoS₂is substantially smoother than the Li opposing CC, with XPS supporting the role of 1T‐MoS₂in inhibiting LiPSs crossover. 

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5. A BF ₃ ‐Doped MXene Dual‐Layer Interphase for a Reliable Lithium‐Metal Anode

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202210111  

   Shang, Mingwei; Shovon, Osman_Goni; Wong, Francis_En_Yoong; Niu, Junjie (December 2022, Advanced Materials)

   Abstract A dual‐layer interphase that consists of an in‐situ‐formed lithium carboxylate organic layer and a thin BF₃‐doped monolayer Ti₃C₂MXene on Li metal is reported. The honeycomb‐structured organic layer increases the wetting of electrolyte, leading to a thin solid electrolyte interface (SEI). While the BF₃‐doped monolayer MXene provides abundant active sites for lithium homogeneous nucleation and growth, resulting in about 50% reduced thickness of inorganic‐rich components among the SEI layer. A low overpotential of less than 30 mV over 1000 h cycling in symmetric cells is received. The functional BF₃ groups, along with the excellent electronic conductivity and smooth surface of the MXene, greatly reduce the lithium plating/stripping energy barrier, enabling a dendrite‐free lithium‐metal anode. The battery with this dual‐layer coated lithium metal as the anode displays greatly improved electrochemical performance. A high capacity‐retention of 175.4 mAh g⁻¹at 1.0 C is achieved after 350 cycles. In a pouch cell with a capacity of 475 mAh, the battery still exhibits a high discharge capacity of 165.6 mAh g⁻¹with a capacity retention of 90.2% after 200 cycles. In contrast to the fast capacity decay of pure Li metal, the battery using NCA as the cathode also displays excellent capacity retention in both coin and pouch cells. The dual‐layer modified surface provides an effective approach in stabilizing the Li‐metal anode. 

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