Tao
Yu
ab,
Wenjie
Ning
ab,
Haoyu
Li
ab,
Shaohua
Guo
*ab and
Haoshen
Zhou
*a
aCollege of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China. E-mail: shguo@nju.edu.cn; hszhou@nju.edu.cn
bLab of Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
First published on 5th March 2024
The traditional working principle within lithium-ion batteries relies on Li+ shuttling between the cathode and anode, namely the rocking-chair mechanism. A single working ion constrains the possibilities for battery design and the selection of electrode materials, while realizing multiple working ions offers the potential to break through the fundamental principles of traditional battery construction. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop dual-ion conductors to enable the migration of multiple working ions. This focus article starts by introducing traditional dual-ion batteries based on liquid electrolytes and their pros and cons. Then, solidifying liquid dual-ion conductors is expected to overcome these drawbacks, so the development of solid dual-ion conductors is discussed in detail. Specifically, basic design principles of solid dual-ion conductors are briefly proposed, including constructing continuous ion transport channels and choosing appropriately sized ion carriers. The potential applications of solid dual-ion conductors are also summarized, such as stabilizing the electrode/electrolyte interface and activating additional redox couples. The goal of this article is to inspire researchers in the development of dual-ion conductors and to contribute to the advancement of all-solid-state batteries.
Dual-ion batteries based on liquid electrolytes have been made practical through introducing the corresponding soluble salts, such as Li+–PF6−, K+–PF6− and Li+–Cu2+ into the dual-ion batteries.4,6,7 However, the anions and cations in liquid electrolytes can move freely, which will affect the compatibility between the electrolyte and the electrode.8 Solid electrolytes, with their unique ion transfer mechanism, can restrict the area of ion transport, thereby avoiding ion shuttle effects and consequently reducing interface side reactions.9Fig. 1 exhibits the timeline of the development of dual-ion batteries. In 2007, West et al. discovered that fluoride-anion receptor complexes can reversibly intercalate into graphite layers, laying the groundwork for the development of liquid dual-ion conductors.10 Subsequently, researchers have gradually initiated studies on dual-ion batteries. Recent statistics on the number of related papers are shown in Fig. 2, indicating the strong interest of researchers in dual-ion batteries.
Fig. 1 The timeline of the development of dual-ion batteries.3–5,7,10–25 |
In our recent work, we constructed a Li+/Cu+ dual-ion conductor based on solid electrolytes for the first time.26 The universal anion framework of the dual-ion conductor enables the rapid transport of Li+ and Cu+, which is the critical foundation for a dual-ion conductor. Thanks to the ion-hopping transport mechanism of solid electrolytes,9 dual-ion conductors can restrict the range of ion transport, and thus dual-ion conductors can prevent the ion crossover between the cathode and anode materials.
In this focus article, we primarily outlined the development of dual-ion conductors and briefly analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of liquid and solid dual-ion conductors. Additionally, we analyzed the design principles of solid dual-ion conductors, emphasizing the importance of matching ion radius with ion transport channels. The potential applications of solid dual-ion conductors are also discussed, which can improve the ion transport at the interface between electrolytes and electrodes and activate the extra redox reaction of active materials.
For the first type of dual-ion batteries based on anions and cations, the fundamental working principle is shown in Fig. 3a and b.29 During the charging process, the anions and cations in the electrolyte are embedded into the cathode and anode, respectively. And during discharge, the embedded anions and cations can be released from the cathode and anode. The anode materials are analogous to the ones in conventional “rocking-chair” batteries, while the cathode materials are required to enable the insertion of anions. This type of battery is advantageous due to its high discharge voltage and low cost, as it does not require expensive transition metals. However, it also has unavoidable shortcomings, including the large amount of electrolyte needed and poor cycling stability.
For the second type of dual-ion battery, the working ions consist of two cations (Fig. 3c and d), in which one is usually an alkali metal ion, while the other is a transition metal ion such as Cu2+.8 These batteries typically require using composite electrolytes to block direct contact between the transition metal ions and anode materials, in order to prevent serious side reactions between the two.7,8 Only alkali metal ions are allowed to pass through the solid electrolyte layer in the composite electrolytes. This type of battery can release a significantly large specific capacity, as demonstrated by previous research papers. Wang et al. achieved the Cu2+/Cu redox reaction with a specific capacity over 800 mA h g−1.8 However, its composite structure limits its practical application.
The ion transport in inorganic solid electrolytes requires continuous ion transport channels with appropriately sized charge carriers (Fig. 4a). Currently, most ion conductors are based on monovalent cations because higher valence cations experience excessive Coulomb interaction, making their transmission difficult. The five common cations suitable for ion transport are: Li+ (0.76 Å), Cu+ (0.77 Å), Na+ (1.02 Å), Ag+ (1.15 Å), and K+ (1.38 Å).32,33 The dual-ion conductor requires a shared anion framework for the simultaneous transport of two different cations. Therefore, the ion radius of these two cations should not differ significantly, as otherwise the anion framework of the electrolyte will be unable to accommodate both cations simultaneously.
Fig. 4b illustrates our understanding of the relationship between carrier ion radius and electrolyte framework. Suitable ion radius is essential for fast ion migration without affecting the electrolyte framework structure. Cations with overlarge ion radius can not only cause lattice distortion in electrolytes, but may also block the continuous ion transport channels, preventing the conduction of carrier ions with appropriate radius. A small ionic radius is also undesirable because it may not provide enough support for the lattice, leading to lattice collapse and subsequently damaging the ion transport channels. In our previous work, we successfully constructed a dual-ion conductor based on Li+ and Cu+, leveraging the close proximity of their ionic radii as a fundamental factor.26 Additionally, the electronegativity of the elements may be a crucial factor affecting ion transport. Cations not only experience the influence of coulombic forces within the electrolyte framework, but also undergo bonding interactions between ions. The difference in electronegativity between the cations and anions affects the strength of the ionic bonds between them, and thus a smaller electronegativity difference between them may result in lower ion migration barriers.
Firstly, solid dual-ion conductors have the potential to improve the anode/electrolyte interface (Fig. 5a). These dual-ion conductors are capable of transporting monovalent transition metals, such as Cu+ and Ag+, which can chemically react with the anode materials to form an alloy modification layer. The alloy-modified layer has a higher ion surface migration rate, which can inhibit the growth of lithium dendrites.34 Additionally, it effectively reduces the reactivity of the lithium metal anode, thereby suppressing the interfacial side reactions between the lithium metal and the electrolyte.
Fig. 5 The potential applications for a solid dual-ion conductor. (a) Solid dual-ion conductors can improve the anode/electrolyte interface by constructing an in situ alloy modification layer. (b) Solid dual-ion conductors can improve ion transport at the cathode/electrolyte interface by constructing an ion highway that connects the active materials and the electrolytes. (c) Solid dual-ion conductors can activate additional redox reactions in some active materials through the migration of transition metal ions. Reproduced with permission.26 Copyright 2023, AAAS. |
Secondly, dual-ion conductors can also enhance the interfacial compatibility between the cathode active materials and electrolytes, improving ion transport at the interface and thereby significantly enhancing the kinetic performance of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs).26 In our previous work, we constructed a dual-ion conductor to create an ion highway connecting the active material Cu2S with the electrolyte (Fig. 5b), increasing the number of mobile charge carriers and significantly enhancing the kinetic performance of all-solid-state batteries.
Thirdly, dual-ion conductors can activate additional redox reactions in some cathode active materials by facilitating the migration of transition metal ions, thereby significantly increasing the discharge specific capacity and energy density of all-solid-state batteries.26 In traditional single-ion electrolytes, the Cu2S cathode can only achieve the redox reaction of Cu+/Cu through the transport of lithium ions, resulting in limited discharge capacity. However, we successfully activated the valence change of S in the Cu2S cathode using a dual-ion conductor (Fig. 5c), thereby enabling a four-electron reaction in the Cu2S cathode and achieving an actual discharge capacity of over 600 mA h g−1.
Fig. 6 shows the electrochemical performance of ASSBs based on a Li+/Cu+ dual-ion conductor. First, the charge and discharge curve of the first three cycles (Fig. 6a) shows the excellent reversibility of the battery system and ultrahigh specific capacity (∼600 mA h g−1), in which there are two voltage platforms with similar specific capacity. Besides, due to the improved cathode/electrolyte interface via a dual-ion conductor, the ASSB displays a magnificent rate performance (Fig. 6b), in which the ASSB can offer a decent capacity (231.6 mA h g−1) under a superhigh current density (20 mA cm−2). The excellent kinetic performance of the ASSB endows the battery system with a low overpotential (Fig. 6c), which has obvious advantages compared with other multi-electron systems. Moreover, the cycling stability of this battery system is conspicuous (Fig. 6d), which can maintain 93.2% capacity after 1500 cycles.
Fig. 6 Electrochemical performance of the ASSBs based on a Li+/Cu+ dual-ion conductor. (a) The voltage curves of the first three cycles of LiIn‖Cu2S ASSBs under 0.5 mA cm−2 at 60 °C. (b) The rate performance of LiIn‖Cu2S ASSBs at 60 °C. (c) The overpotential curve of LiIn‖Cu2S ASSBs under 0.1 mA cm−2 at room temperature (RT). (d) The cycling performance of LiIn‖Cu2S ASSBs under 10 mA cm−2 at 60 °C. Reproduced with permission.26 Copyright 2023, AAAS. |
The construction of solid dual-ion conductors requires continuous ion transport channels and two types of charge carriers with suitable ion radii, which makes developing solid dual-ion conductors quite challenging.
In addition, the multifunctionality of solid dual-ion conductors offers numerous potential applications. For one thing, they are capable of in situ construction of alloy-modified layers, thus improving the anode/electrolyte interface. Solid dual-ion conductors can enhance ion transport at the cathode/electrolyte interface, thereby improving the kinetic performance of all-solid-state batteries. For another, they have the potential to activate additional redox couples in active materials by enabling the migration of transition metal ions, facilitating redox reactions that were previously inaccessible. This capability significantly increases the discharge specific capacity and energy density of all-solid-state batteries.
However, significant challenges must be overcome to achieve industrialization of such batteries. The primary requirements for industrialization include reducing the content of inactive electrochemical materials like electrolytes, and increasing the mass loading of the cathode layer. In this scenario, the electrolyte layer may not completely block the shuttling of Cu+ to the anode side, leading to irreversible side reactions with anode materials. Developing a single-ion conductor that exclusively transports lithium ions without transferring cuprous ions could be crucial in overcoming this challenge.
In summary, the research on solid dual-ion conductors is still in an early stage, and with continued efforts in this field, we will gain a deeper understanding of solid dual-ion conductors. We believe that the development of solid dual-ion conductors will provide new impetus for the advancement of all-solid-state batteries.
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