A holistic review on the direct recycling of lithium-ion batteries from electrolytes to electrodes
First critical review paper on LIBs direct recycling strategies, covering a broader scope with the positive electrode, negative electrode, and electrolyte, while discussing the substantial challenges to their effective implementation.
Paper
Electron transport kinetics for viologen-containing polypeptides with varying side group linker spacing
The role of the linker (the group connecting viologen moieties to peptide-based backbones) in electron transfer was studied. The backbone dictated the mechanism of electron transfer, whereas the linker length altered the rate of electron transfer.
Carbonate deprotonation on an Ni-rich layered cathode: development of a new cis-oligomer as an organic coverage
This work highlights a cis-oligomer as an organic coverage. Results show that the oxygen atom on the NCM811 surface deprotonates the cis-oligomer rather than carbonates. Cis-oligomer adjustes the solvation of the carbonates for controllable CEI formation.
A biphase coupled cathode enables all-organic rocking-chair lithium ion batteries based on crystalline AB-stacked covalent triazine-based frameworks
Crystalline AB-stacked CTFs were synthesized in the AlCl3–NaCl–KCl ternary eutectic salt system, and a CTF-based biphase coupled cathode (BPCC) has been proposed and proved to show significantly enhanced electrochemical performance.
Paper
Tetrathiafulvalene-based covalent organic frameworks as high-voltage organic cathodes for lithium batteries
We report a series of 2D tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based COFs incorporating different organic linkers between the electroactive moieties that were investigated as p-type organic cathode materials for lithium-organic batteries.
About this collection
This themed collection showcases cutting-edge research, advancements, and remaining challenges in realising the holy grail of batteries: sustainable batteries that balance performance, cost and environmental sustainability. The collection aims to uncover new research opportunities in this field by featuring multidisciplinary research on alternative battery chemistries, sustainable electrolytes, sustainability assessment (including assessing materials criticality and its environmental impact), battery recycling, electrodes manufacturing for improved performance, understanding and preventing degradation and improving life time, design for disassembly and technoeconomic assessment among other topics closely fitting to the sustainable battery topic.
Guest Edited by Magda Titirici (Imperial College London), Rebeca Marcilla (IMDEA Energy Institute), Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo (Institute of Carboquimica ICB-CSIC) and Theresa Schoetz (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).
The journals supporting the collection are Green Chemistry, Journal of Material Chemistry A, Sustainable Energy & Fuels and RSC Sustainability