Metal Ions versus Protons: Tracking of Charge-Carrier Insertion into a Cathode Oxide in Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries

Protons in aqueous electrolytes can perform as an additional type of charge carrier for insertion/extraction in addition to the primary carrier cations in aqueous rechargeable batteries. Despite many diverse claims regarding the effect of protons, mutually conflicting experimental results and their interpretations without direct evidence have been reported over the last decade. Systematic examinations and analyses are thus imperative to clarify the conditions of proton insertion in aqueous rechargeable batteries. Utilizing V₂O₅ as a model cathode and beaker-type cells with a sufficient amount of ZnSO₄ aqueous electrolytes in this work, it is demonstrated that protons are inserted into the cathode prior to Zn-ions in low-pH conditions (pH ≤ 3.0). In stark contrast, the influence of protons on the discharge voltage and capacity is insignificant, when either the pH becomes higher (pH ≥ 4.0) or the electrolyte volume is considerably low in coin-type cells. Similar behavior of pH-dependent proton insertion is also verified in Na–, Mg–, and Al-ion electrolytes. Providing a resolution to the controversy regarding proton insertion, the present study emphasizes that the influence of protons substantially varies depending on the pH and relative volume of electrolytes in aqueous batteries.     

Voltage Decay of Li-Rich Layered Oxides: Mechanism,Modification Strategies,and Perspectives

Li-rich layered oxides (LLOs) have been considered as the most promising cathode materials for achieving high energy density Li-ion batteries. However, they suffer from continuous voltage decay during cycling, which seriously shortens the lifespan of the battery in practical applications. This review comprehensively elaborates and summarizes the state-of-the-art of the research in this field. It is started from the proposed mechanism of voltage decay that refers to the phase transition, microscopic defects, and oxygen redox or release. Furthermore, several strategies to mitigate the voltage decay of LLOs from different scales, such as surface modification, elemental doping, regulation of components, control of defect, and morphology design are summarized. Finally, a systematic outlook on the real root of voltage decay is provided, and more importantly, a potential solution to voltage recovery from electrochemistry. Based on this progress, some effective strategies with multiple scales will be feasible to create the conditions for their commercialization in the future.     

Metal Single-Site Molecular Complex–MXene Heteroelectrocatalysts Interspersed Graphene Nanonetwork for Efficient Dual-Task of Water Splitting and Metal–Air Batteries

Development of multifunctional electrocatalysts with high efficiency and stability is of great interest in recent energy conversion technologies. Herein, a novel heteroelectrocatalyst of molecular iron complex (Fe_MC)-carbide MXene (Mo₂TiC₂T_x) uniformly embedded in a 3D graphene-based hierarchical network (GrH) is rationally designed. The coexistence of Fe_MC and MXene with their unique interactions triggers optimum electronic properties, rich multiple active sites, and favorite free adsorption energy for excellent trifunctional catalytic activities. Meanwhile, the highly porous GrH effectively promotes a multichannel architecture for charge transfer and gas/ion diffusion to improve stability. Therefore, the Fe_MC–MXene/GrH results in superb performances towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline medium. The practical tests indicate that Zn/Al–air batteries derived from Fe_MC–MXene/GrH cathodic electrodes produce high power densities of 165.6 and 172.7 mW cm⁻², respectively. Impressively, the liquid-state Zn–air battery delivers excellent cycling stability of over 1100 h. In addition, the alkaline water electrolyzer induces a low cell voltage of 1.55 V at 10 mA cm⁻² and 1.86 V at 0.4 A cm⁻² in 30 wt.% KOH at 80 °C, surpassing recent reports. The achievements suggest an exciting multifunctional electrocatalyst for electrochemical energy applications.     

碱性蓄电池隔膜用非织造布探析

介绍了碱性蓄电池隔膜用非织造布在电池生产中的作用和要求,对碱性蓄电池隔膜用非织造布的纤维原料、生产方法进行了比较分析。     

锂离子蓄电池正极材料LiFePO4的研究进展

锂离子蓄电池正极材料的研究正在向高比能量、长寿命、低成本、环境友好的方向发展。橄榄石型LiFePO4近年来引起注意。由于它具有170mAh/g的理论比容量和约3.5V的电压、较好的常温和高温稳定性、低廉的成本和优良的环保性能,有望作为大型移动式锂离子蓄电池的正极材料。对该材料的特性及研究情况进行了较为全面的总结,重点介绍了其结构特点与性能的关系,以及国外为改进其综合性能而进行的有关研究:(1)LiFePO4制备方法(包括高温固相合成法和低温液相合成法);(2)导电性物质的修饰以提高其在大电流密度下的比容量;(3)常温和高温贮存稳定性的实验;(4)LiFePO4的离子导电性和电子导电性。     

高效空气电极的制备

空气极是整个空气电池中的关键所在，空气极的性能受着防水层的性能、催化层的性能、制备工艺等多种因素的影响．本实验对比了不同含量的聚四氟乙烯、活性碳颗粒等做成的防水层的特性及不同的催化剂(银粉、La-Ca-Co-O等催化剂)做成的催化层的特性．用电化学工作站研究了空气电极的析氧和氧还原特性，认为用碳酸氢铵为造孔剂、用银粉做催化剂的空气电极效果最好．     

Physical and Electrochemical Properties of Doped LiFePO4 as Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

LiFePO4 cathode material was synthesized by a solid-state reaction using doping several elements (Nb5 ,Zr4 ). The starting materials were mixed with a high-efficient sander and treated thermally under flowing N2. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission gun electron microscopy (FEG), and their electrochemical performance was investigated in the term of cycling behavior. Room temperature discharge capacity about 140.6 mA·h·g-1 was obtained at C/5 rate.