Themed collection Electrochemical Energy

Standard protocols of chemical compositions, synthesis pathways, calcination conditions, electrode preparation, battery fabrication, and battery testing are recommended in researching lithium-rich layered cathode materials for Li-ion batteries.

Solid oxide cell (SOC) is one of the most important candidates for efficient storage and conversion of renewable energies from solar and wind power and the performance and stability of SOC is critically dependent on the synthesis methods and characteristics of nano-scaled electrodes.

This review summarizes recent theoretical and experimental progress relating to electrocatalysts for eNRR, discusses challenges in the field of eNRR, and provides perspectives for the design of efficient eNRR electrocatalysts.

The parasitic reaction between the cathode and the electrolyte is facilitated by the coordination bonding between the carboxyl groups and the interfacial transition metal ions. A stable cathode electrolyte interface can be achieved by (1) blocking coordination bond, (2) retarding electron transfer, and (3) hindering the diffusion of protons towards the cathode material.

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) based polymer electrolytes have been widely used in solid-state lithium batteries (SSBs) owing to the high solubility of lithium salt, favourable ionic conductivity, flexibility for improved interfacial contact and scalable processing.

Critical issues including interface instability and mechanical failure between Ni-rich cathode active materials and sulphide-based solid-state electrolytes are thoroughly summarized. And corresponding strategies are elaborated comprehensively.

In situ atomic force microscopy was employed to track the dynamic O₂/electrolyte/electrode interfacial reactions at nanoscale, revealing the synergistic effect between electrolyte additive K⁺ and Pt nanoparticles electrode in Li–O₂ batteries.

Well-dispersed mesoporous hollow SiC nanospheres (∼95 nm in diameter) were fabricated via in situ magnesiothermic reduction. The unique construction enables a high-rate capacitance (τ₀ of only 0.34 s) and long cycle stability for supercapacitors.

Soft-chemistry prepared spinel [Li_4/7Mn_2/7□_1/7]_8a[Li_4/7Mn_10/7]_16d[O_4−x′]_32e (Li₂Mn₃O_7−x) with both Li–O–□ and Li–O–Li configurations exhibits oxygen redox and low-strain features during cycling.

The supporting material with an optimal structure not only changes the growth behavior but also tunes the electronic structure of the catalyst.

Graphitic carbon nitride is introduced to the PEO-based solid polymer electrolyte as a mediator to stabilize the interface to a lithium metal anode.

A facile hand-mixing of inert powders of Ag and Ni induces a highly selective electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation reaction, providing new insights into mechanistic understanding.

A new C2/m layered Li₂Ni_0.2Mn_0.4Ru_0.4O₃ cathode demonstrates high energy density along with extremely small volume strain during the electrochemical process.

The sodium storage mechanism of a GeP₅/C composite electrode was revealed. The GeP₅ phase is revealed after recharge along with elemental Ge and P, implying a reversible phase transition of GeP₅ during cycling.

A functional Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F cathode with a multi-component (Na₃V(PO₄)₂, V₂O₃, and reduced graphene oxide) surface coating is developed, and exhibits high reversible capability, and long-term cycling stability even at a low temperature of −40 °C.

The inhibition of aluminium corrosion for 4 V-class cathodes within LiTFSI-based electrolytes by introducing competitive adsorption species.

Choline chloride is employed as a high-performance bifunctional additive to enhance the stability of zinc plating/stripping.

Designed 3D MXene skeletons can effectively induce the evolution of advantageous Li(110) facets, and contribute to a dendrite-free anode interface and bulk Li formation.

By manipulating the Zn²⁺ coordination environment, electrolytes with diverse Zn²⁺–En configurations effectively inhibit zinc dendrite growth and side reactions.

Rationally-designed electrolyte promotes robust SEIs with favorable interfacial conduction and accommodation, thus decreasing operation temperatures of Li-metal batteries to −40 °C.

Wadsley–Roth phase SrNb₆O₁₆ with large-sized tunnels is explored as the first strontium niobium oxide anode material for fast Li⁺ storage.

Na₃V_1.5Cr_0.5(PO₄)₃ cycled at 30 °C shows fast capacity decay, due to the migration of V ions into the electrolyte and the loss of V³⁺/V⁴⁺ redox.

The presence of oxygen vacancies on the Nb₂O₅ electrocatalyst increases the adsorption of oxygen and then accelerates the 2e⁻ ORR.

An artificial “salt-in-polymer” SEI was constructed on the surface of Li-MSiO_x particles to maintain the structural integrity and inhibit the parasitic reaction at the electrode/electrolyte interface during cycling.

A thin free-standing CSE film of 15 μm is prepared with a wide electrochemical stability window and high ionic conductivity.

Enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution activity on spinel Co₃O₄ has been realized by the integration of Cr doping and a p–n heterojunction.