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| Open AccessSelf-assembled three-dimensional and compressible interdigitated thin-film supercapacitors and batteries
It is challenging to construct three-dimensional thin-film energy-storage devices. Here the authors present supercapacitors and batteries based on layer-by-layer self-assembly of interdigitated thin films inside aerogels, demonstrating energy storage as well as compressibility in three-dimensional devices.
- Gustav Nyström
- , Andrew Marais
- & Mahiar M. Hamedi
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Article
| Open AccessIn-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway
It is important to understand the mechanisms of thermally induced battery degradation and any safety hazards. Here, the authors use high-speed synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography to shed light on the structural and thermal dynamics associated with thermal runaway and failure of commercial Li-ion batteries.
- Donal P. Finegan
- , Mario Scheel
- & Paul R. Shearing
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| Open AccessRadiolysis as a solution for accelerated ageing studies of electrolytes in Lithium-ion batteries
The degradation of organic solvents used in lithium-ion batteries reduces battery performance. Here, the authors present a radiolysis technique which is not only more efficient than conventional thermally activated ageing methods, but also allows mechanistic analysis of the degradation process.
- Daniel Ortiz
- , Vincent Steinmetz
- & Sophie Le Caër
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Article
| Open AccessP2-Na0.6[Cr0.6Ti0.4]O2 cation-disordered electrode for high-rate symmetric rechargeable sodium-ion batteries
Sodium-containing layered oxides are promising battery cathodes, but their performance suffers from the formation of sodium ion-vacancy ordered superstructures. Here, the authors present a P2-Na0.6[Cr0.6Ti0.4]O2layered oxide with disordered cations, leading to high battery performance.
- Yuesheng Wang
- , Ruijuan Xiao
- & Liquan Chen
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Na+ intercalation pseudocapacitance in graphene-coupled titanium oxide enabling ultra-fast sodium storage and long-term cycling
There are intensive efforts in developing anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Here, the authors present a graphene-titanium dioxide composite as an anode material and show that sodium ion intercalation pseudocapacitance charge storage leads to excellent electrochemical properties.
- Chaoji Chen
- , Yanwei Wen
- & Yunhui Huang
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Article
| Open AccessVisualization of electrochemically driven solid-state phase transformations using operando hard X-ray spectro-imaging
Hard X-ray spectro-imaging using synchrotron radiation can be used to monitor electrochemical reactions. Here, the authors present X-ray absorption data and resolve phase evolution for the conversion of iron fluoride, a high-capacity Li-ion battery conversion cathode, with nanoscale resolution.
- Linsen Li
- , Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart
- & Song Jin
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Radially aligned hierarchical columnar structure as a cathode material for high energy density sodium-ion batteries
There are intensive efforts in developing cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Here, the authors present a spherical particle with a radially aligned hierarchical columnar structure as a cathode material which leads to good performance of capacity, retention, rate capability and thermal stability.
- Jang-Yeon Hwang
- , Seung-Min Oh
- & Yang-Kook Sun
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| Open AccessTernary metal fluorides as high-energy cathodes with low cycling hysteresis
Transition metal fluorides have high theoretical specific capacities as cathodes for lithium ion batteries, but low working potentials and poor energy efficiency limit their practical applications. Here, the authors report a group of ternary metal fluorides, which may overcome these problems.
- Feng Wang
- , Sung-Wook Kim
- & Jason Graetz
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Ti-substituted tunnel-type Na0.44MnO2 oxide as a negative electrode for aqueous sodium-ion batteries
Aqueous sodium-ion batteries could be a potential solution for large-scale energy storage, but the conventional negative electrodes are not efficient. Here, the authors report a titanium-substituted tunnel-type Na0.44MnO2material as a promising negative electrode for aqueous sodium-ion batteries.
- Yuesheng Wang
- , Jue Liu
- & Xuejie Huang
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Article
| Open AccessFabrication of three-dimensionally interconnected nanoparticle superlattices and their lithium-ion storage properties
Three-dimensional nanoparticle superlattices are interesting, but their fabrication is generally limited to materials attainable as monodisperse colloidal nanoparticles. Here, the authors fabricate interconnected superlattices via self-assembly without the presynthesis of the constituent nanoparticles.
- Yucong Jiao
- , Dandan Han
- & Angang Dong
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Stable silicon-ionic liquid interface for next-generation lithium-ion batteries
Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries, but suffers from structural degradation during operations. Here, the authors combine silicon with a room temperature ionic liquid to stabilize the electrode-electrolyte interface and achieve long-term cyclability.
- Daniela Molina Piper
- , Tyler Evans
- & Se-Hee Lee
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Article
| Open AccessAmbipolar zinc-polyiodide electrolyte for a high-energy density aqueous redox flow battery
Conventional redox flow batteries have low energy densities. Here the authors present an aqueous redox flow battery with an ambipolar and bifunctional zinc-polyiodide electrolyte, which exhibits an energy density approaching to that of lithium ion batteries.
- Bin Li
- , Zimin Nie
- & Wei Wang
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Article
| Open AccessHigh rate and stable cycling of lithium metal anode
Lithium metal is an ideal anode material for rechargeable batteries, but lithium dendritic growth and limited Columbic efficiency prevent its applications. Here, the authors report the use of highly concentrated electrolytes composed of ether solvents and the salt lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide to enable high-rate cycling of lithium anode.
- Jiangfeng Qian
- , Wesley A. Henderson
- & Ji-Guang Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessElectron paramagnetic resonance imaging for real-time monitoring of Li-ion batteries
It is important as well as challenging to in situ probe redox mechanisms occurring at battery electrodes. Here, the authors develop an in situelectron paramagnetic resonance imaging technique and provide measurements on the nucleation growth of the anionic and cationic redox species at a battery electrode.
- M. Sathiya
- , J.-B. Leriche
- & H. Vezin
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Graphene-modified nanostructured vanadium pentoxide hybrids with extraordinary electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries
Vanadium pentoxide is considered a promising lithium battery electrode, but suffers from poor rate capability and cyclability. Here, the authors synthesize graphene-modified nanostructured vanadium pentoxide and show significant improvement in rate performance and cycle life.
- Qi Liu
- , Zhe-Fei Li
- & Jian Xie
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Phase evolution in single-crystalline LiFePO4 followed by in situ scanning X-ray microscopy of a micrometre-sized battery
The phase transformation of LiFePO4/FePO4 is an intriguing problem in lithium-ion battery research. Here, the authors use scanning transmission X-ray microscopy to reveal in-situ phase evolution of LiFePO4/FePO4in a micrometer scale battery cell with well characterised single-crystalline electrodes.
- Nils Ohmer
- , Bernhard Fenk
- & Gisela Schütz
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Sulphur-impregnated flow cathode to enable high-energy-density lithium flow batteries
Redox flow batteries are a promising technique for large-scale electricity storage, but suffer from low energy density and volumetric capacity. Here, the authors present a lithium redox flow battery with a sulphur-impregnated carbon composite as the catholyte, which leads to substantial performance improvement.
- Hongning Chen
- , Qingli Zou
- & Yi-Chun Lu
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A highly efficient polysulfide mediator for lithium–sulfur batteries
The polysulfide shuttle is a major problem leading to capacity decay in lithium–sulfur batteries. Here, the authors show that in-situ-generated thiosulfate species on a manganese oxide nanosheet act as a polysulfide mediator, which effectively prevents polysulfide dissolution, leading to enhanced cyclability.
- Xiao Liang
- , Connor Hart
- & Linda F. Nazar
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Effectively suppressing dissolution of manganese from spinel lithium manganate via a nanoscale surface-doping approach
Dissolution of manganese from the cathode in lithium manganate based batteries is a major cause for the capacity decay. Here, the authors show a nanoscale surface-doping approach to mitigate the problem and to improve the battery capacity and cycleability.
- Jun Lu
- , Chun Zhan
- & Khalil Amine
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An intuitive and efficient method for cell voltage prediction of lithium and sodium-ion batteries
Cell voltage is a key indicator of battery performance, but its prediction often involves first-principles calculations. Here the authors propose a simple approach that allows rapid assessment of the cell potential as well as provides insights into factors influencing potential amplitude.
- M. Saubanère
- , M. Ben Yahia
- & M. -L. Doublet
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Tuning charge–discharge induced unit cell breathing in layer-structured cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Battery cycling induces various changes in the electrode. Here, the authors propose a generalized hypothesis based on metal–metal bonding to rationalize the lattice changes of layer-structured cathode materials including lithium molybdenum trioxide which exhibits abnormal lattice change behaviour.
- Yong-Ning Zhou
- , Jun Ma
- & Xiao-Qing Yang
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High lithium anodic performance of highly nitrogen-doped porous carbon prepared from a metal-organic framework
Nitrogen-doped graphene can be used for lithium storage, but the nitrogen content is often quite low. Here, the authors synthesize graphene analogous with high nitrogen content using a zeolitic imidazolate framework, which show exceptional battery performances.
- Fangcai Zheng
- , Yang Yang
- & Qianwang Chen
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Biologically inspired pteridine redox centres for rechargeable batteries
Bio-inspired organic materials are a promising class of battery electrodes. Here, the authors present the use of the redox centre of pteridine derivatives, essential constituents in cellular energy metabolism, in lithium and sodium battery systems, and show some excellent electrochemical performance.
- Jihyun Hong
- , Minah Lee
- & Kisuk Kang
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Manganese hexacyanomanganate open framework as a high-capacity positive electrode material for sodium-ion batteries
Sodium-ion batteries are considered an alternative to lithium-ion batteries because of easy availability and low cost of sodium. Here, Lee et al.report a manganese hexacyanomanganate material as a sodium-ion battery cathode, which exhibits high discharge capacity.
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- , Richard Y. Wang
- & Yi Cui
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Improving battery safety by early detection of internal shorting with a bifunctional separator
Dendrite growth in lithium-based batteries is hazardous as it could cause internal shorts and raise safety concerns. Here, the authors design a bifunctional separator in lithium-ion batteries, which serves as a sensing terminal and is able to detect early dendrite growth inside the batteries.
- Hui Wu
- , Denys Zhuo
- & Yi Cui
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Integrating a redox-coupled dye-sensitized photoelectrode into a lithium–oxygen battery for photoassisted charging
There is substantial research underway into the development of lithium–oxygen batteries. Here, the authors use a redox shuttle to couple a photoelectrode with the oxygen electrode in a non-aqueous lithium–oxygen battery, which enables the photoassisted charging and reduces the battery overpotental.
- Mingzhe Yu
- , Xiaodi Ren
- & Yiying Wu
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Dry-air-stable lithium silicide–lithium oxide core–shell nanoparticles as high-capacity prelithiation reagents
Anode prelithiation is used to treat the initial capacity loss and low Coulombic efficiency in lithium-ion batteries, but existing methods are not effective. Here, the authors report lithium silicide–lithium oxide core–shell nanoparticles as a promising prelithiation reagent.
- Jie Zhao
- , Zhenda Lu
- & Yi Cui
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Enhancing lithium–sulphur battery performance by strongly binding the discharge products on amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide
Lithium–sulphur batteries are a promising candidate for next-generation electrochemical energy storage. Here, the authors report a facile strategy for covalent stabilization of sulphur and its discharge products on amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide, which enhances the cycling stability.
- Zhiyu Wang
- , Yanfeng Dong
- & Xiong Wen (David) Lou
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A bi-functional device for self-powered electrochromic window and self-rechargeable transparent battery applications
Electrochromic smart windows and rechargeable batteries need external power sources to operate. Here, Sun et al.present a bi-functional device consisting of Prussian blue and aluminium electrodes, which shows potential applications in both self-powered smart windows and self-rechargeable batteries.
- Jinmin Wang
- , Lei Zhang
- & Xiao Wei Sun
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Effect of the size-selective silver clusters on lithium peroxide morphology in lithium–oxygen batteries
Insights into active sites on cathode surfaces are important in developing lithium–oxygen batteries. Here, Lu et al.present a cathode architecture deposited with precisely controlled small metal clusters, and report a cluster size-dependence of the battery discharge product morphology.
- Jun Lu
- , Lei Cheng
- & Larry A. Curtiss
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Surface-enhanced redox chemistry of polysulphides on a metallic and polar host for lithium-sulphur batteries
In lithium-sulfur batteries, many porous conductive carbon materials are proposed to confine soluble polysulfides, but the efficiency is generally low. Here, the authors use a Magnéli phase of titanium oxide as the cathode host and electron conduit, which binds the lithium (poly)sulfides well, leading to excellent battery performance.
- Quan Pang
- , Dipan Kundu
- & L. F. Nazar
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Holey graphene frameworks for highly efficient capacitive energy storage
Carbon-based materials are promising supercapacitor electrodes, but suffer from limited energy densities. Here, the authors report a holey graphene framework with hierarchical porous structures and fully accessible surface areas, leading to high energy densities comparable to lead-acid batteries.
- Yuxi Xu
- , Zhaoyang Lin
- & Xiangfeng Duan
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Accelerated discovery of cathode materials with prolonged cycle life for lithium-ion battery
A long cycle life of batteries is critical for efficiently utilizing renewable energy sources. Here, the authors use a computer screening approach to search for potential cathodes for lithium ion batteries, and present a co-substituted lithium iron phosphate cathode with promising cycling performance.
- Motoaki Nishijima
- , Takuya Ootani
- & Isao Tanaka
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Self-adaptive strain-relaxation optimization for high-energy lithium storage material through crumpling of graphene
Crumpled graphene structures are promising for electrochemical energy storage. Here, the authors synthesize deeply crumpled pinecone-like graphene sheets, which show self-adaptive folding-unfolding behaviours in cycling leading to robust battery performances.
- Yunlong Zhao
- , Jiangang Feng
- & Liqiang Mai
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Liquid-metal electrode to enable ultra-low temperature sodium–beta alumina batteries for renewable energy storage
Sodium–beta alumina batteries often need high operating temperatures, and one of the reasons is poor wettability of liquid sodium on the surface of beta alumina. Here, Lu et al. report an alloying strategy that improves the wettability, allowing the batteries to be operated at much lower temperatures.
- Xiaochuan Lu
- , Guosheng Li
- & Jun Liu
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High-rate lithiation-induced reactivation of mesoporous hollow spheres for long-lived lithium-ion batteries
Hollow structured materials are promising electrodes for energy storage, but still suffer from mechanical and chemical degradations in operation. Here, the authors show that upon high-rate lithiation reactivation, hierarchically mesoporous structures can be created to mitigate the degradations.
- Hongtao Sun
- , Guoqing Xin
- & Jie Lian
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Article
| Open AccessA 3.8-V earth-abundant sodium battery electrode
Cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries often suffer from low operating voltage, sluggish kinetics and high cost. Here, the authors report an iron-based alluaudite-type sulphate cathode, which could achieve a high redox potential of 3.8 V versus sodium, high energy density and fast rate kinetics.
- Prabeer Barpanda
- , Gosuke Oyama
- & Atsuo Yamada
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Mesoporous silicon sponge as an anti-pulverization structure for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes
Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries, but suffers from poor cyclability especially at high mass loading. Here, Li et al. synthesize mesoporous silicon sponge-like structures, which show promising performance at the deep lithiation and high loading conditions required for practical applications.
- Xiaolin Li
- , Meng Gu
- & Jun Liu
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Expanded graphite as superior anode for sodium-ion batteries
Graphite is a common anode material for lithium-ion batteries, but small interlayer spacing makes it unsuitable for sodium-ion batteries. Here, Wen et al.synthesize a graphite material with expanded layer distances, which could be a promising anodic material for sodium-ion batteries.
- Yang Wen
- , Kai He
- & Chunsheng Wang
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Improving lithium–sulphur batteries through spatial control of sulphur species deposition on a hybrid electrode surface
Dissolution of sulphur into electrolyte is a major problem in lithium–sulphur batteries. Here, Yao et al.use an indium oxide-carbon interface and a polysulphide catholyte, and show that polysulphides preferentially deposit onto the oxide surface during electrochemical processes, thus alleviating the sulphur loss.
- Hongbin Yao
- , Guangyuan Zheng
- & Yi Cui
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Deactivation of carbon electrode for elimination of carbon dioxide evolution from rechargeable lithium–oxygen cells
Carbon dioxide evolution during the charging process in lithium–oxygen batteries is generally both unavoidable and undesirable. Here, Kang et al. use an ionic solvate of dimethoxyethane and lithium nitrate to deactivate the carbon electrode, which completely eliminates the evolution of carbon dioxide.
- Seok Ju Kang
- , Takashi Mori
- & Ho-Cheol Kim
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Surface reconstruction and chemical evolution of stoichiometric layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Surfaces of electrodes evolve with charging and discharging cycles, leading to deterioration of battery performance. Here Lin et al. report structural reconstruction and chemical evolution at the surface of a stoichiometric layered cathode material with spectroscopy and microscopy techniques.
- Feng Lin
- , Isaac M. Markus
- & Marca M. Doeff
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Unstacked double-layer templated graphene for high-rate lithium–sulphur batteries
Graphene is often used as parts of electrodes in batteries and stacking of graphene layers is problematic. Here, Zhao et al.synthesize graphene on mesoporous layered double oxide flakes so that the stacking is effectively prevented, and show high-rate performance when used in Li–S batteries.
- Meng-Qiang Zhao
- , Qiang Zhang
- & Fei Wei
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Phase evolution for conversion reaction electrodes in lithium-ion batteries
It is a challenge to visualize phase conversion in batteries. Here Lin et al.report a grid-in-a-coin cell approach to directly probe three-dimensional morphology and charge state distribution of electrode materials, and reveal the dominance of a heterogeneous phase conversion mechanism.
- Feng Lin
- , Dennis Nordlund
- & Huolin L. Xin
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Revealing lithium–silicide phase transformations in nano-structured silicon-based lithium ion batteries via in situ NMR spectroscopy
Understanding structural transformations of electrodes during cycling is of significance in batteries. Here Ogata et al. develop an approach for probing (de)lithiation processes in nano-silicon by in situNMR spectroscopy, which reveals structural and kinetic insights into the lithium–silicide phase transformations.
- K. Ogata
- , E. Salager
- & C.P. Grey
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Origami lithium-ion batteries
Flexible batteries with good mechanical properties are highly desirable. Here Song et al.use the origami concept, an art of paper folding, to construct a lithium-ion battery, and demonstrate excellent battery stretchability as well as electrochemical performance.
- Zeming Song
- , Teng Ma
- & Hanqing Jiang
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Manipulating surface reactions in lithium–sulphur batteries using hybrid anode structures
Operation of lithium–sulphur batteries suffers from uncontrolled lithium polysulphide formation and corrosion at the anode. Huang et al.design an integrated anode structure composed of electrically connected graphite and lithium metal, which alleviates the problems and leads to high battery performance.
- Cheng Huang
- , Jie Xiao
- & Jun Liu
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Full open-framework batteries for stationary energy storage
Battery technologies are promising for grid-scale applications, but existing batteries in general operate at low rates, have limited cycle life and are expensive. Pasta et al. develop a grid-scale battery based on Prussian Blue electrodes, which shows potential in overcoming these problems.
- Mauro Pasta
- , Colin D. Wessells
- & Yi Cui
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A strategic approach to recharging lithium-sulphur batteries for long cycle life
Capacity degradation over extended cycles is a major problem in lithium-sulphur batteries. Here, Su et al.report a charge operation control strategy to inhibit dissolution of polysulphides leading to enhanced capacity retention over multiple cycles.
- Yu-Sheng Su
- , Yongzhu Fu
- & Arumugam Manthiram