Themed collection Design and characterization of flexible electrode materials
Design and characterization of flexible electrode materials
Xiu Song (George) Zhao, Hui Ying Yang, and Qiang Li introduce the Journal of Materials Chemistry A themed collection on design and characterization of flexible electrode materials.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 19604-19605
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA90113D
Advancing low-dimensional flexible energy devices for wearable technology
This perspective article discusses the research, issues, and prospects of flexible batteries and supercapacitors in terms of one- and two-dimensions, as well as their stretchable, bendable, and twistable properties.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 13672-13681
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02241F
Polymer-based films for all-in-one piezo-driven self-charging power systems
This review highlights the materials selection and self-charging performance of polymer based piezoelectric components in all-in-one self-charging power systems.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 22372-22395
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02965H
Recent advances and perspectives of 1D/2D carbon materials for high-performance flexible zinc ion batteries
This review provides a summary of recent advancements in 1D/2D carbon materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, MXenes, and carbon fibers) for FZIBs. It mainly introduces the functions of 1D/2D carbon materials in enhancing the performance of FZIBs.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 21531-21552
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA03650F
Flexible electrode materials for emerging electronics: materials, fabrication and applications
This paper reviews the progress of flexible electrodes in recent years, including flexible substrates, active materials, manufacturing methods, and their latest applications in flexible sensors, flexible energy storage, and medical and healthcare.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 20606-20637
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA01960A
Fabrication strategies for metallic nanowire flexible transparent electrodes with high uniformity
Recent strategies for improving the uniformity of metallic nanowire-based flexible transparent electrodes for application in highly reliable flexible devices are reviewed.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 18815-18831
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA03027C
Non-Ir based catalysts for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction: progress and challenges
Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis is the key to solve the problem of hydrogen production by hydrolyzing water and secondary metal–air batteries.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 17958-17972
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA01277A
Conjugated microporous polymers: their synthesis and potential applications in flexible electrodes
In this review, first, the synthesis of CMPs is reviewed. Second, the application of CMPs in flexible electronics is emphatically introduced. Finally, the problems and challenges of CMPs in flexible electrode materials are discussed.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 17021-17053
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02085E
Anode-free lithium metal batteries: a promising flexible energy storage system
The anode-free lithium metal battery is characterized by light weight, low cost, high-energy density, and high safety and shows great potential for the application of flexible devices.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 16268-16292
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02003K
Insights into electrolyte flooding in flexible gas diffusion electrodes for CO2 electrolysis: from mechanisms to effective mitigation strategies
This review aims to offer insights into the fundamental mechanisms of triggering electrolyte flooding in GDEs for CO2 electrolysis approaches for characterizing flooding, and potential strategies for mitigating electrolyte flooding.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 14206-14228
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA01994F
Flexible resistive tactile pressure sensors
This review covers recent advancements in flexible resistive tactile pressure sensors, including operational principles, performance metrics, material choices, structural design, and applications, as well as future challenges.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 9296-9321
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA06976A
Recent progress in polyaniline-based chemiresistive flexible gas sensors: design, nanostructures, and composite materials
An overview of nanostructured PANI gas sensors and chemiresistive or heterojunction-based PANI composite gas sensors.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 6190-6210
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA07687C
A flexible asymmetric supercapacitor assembled by dahlia-like core–shell cobalt/tin-based chalcogenide@nickel hydroxide grown on reduced graphene oxide
rCSCTN hybrids are synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method and employed for the fabrication of a flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor with superb performance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 27381-27392
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA01936A
Printed magnetoresistive sensors for recyclable magnetoelectronics
We validate the concept of fully recyclable printed magnetoelectronics, which not only enables low-cost high-throughput fabrication of magnetic sensors, but also importantly reduces the environmental burden related to electronic wastes.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 24906-24915
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02765E
Quantification probing of available extra capacity: interfacial space-charge storage in FeOOH lithium-ion batteries
Operando magnetometry shows evolution of paramagnetism FeOOH in LIBs: rising/falling magnetism from superparamagnetism Fe reduction/interfacial space-charge storage (reversible extra capacity) during discharge, which is reversed during charge.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 21873-21883
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02174F
Decoupling Li+ conductivity and mechanical stability in a thermally reversible concentrated sulfone-based gel electrolyte for lithium metal batteries
This work presents a mechanically strong and highly Li+-conductive gel electrolyte featuring thermally induced electrode wetting and healing, which holds great promise in solid-state lithium-metal batteries and other flexible and wearable devices.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 21912-21922
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02561J
Altering Na-ion solvation to regulate dendrite growth for a reversible and stable room-temperature sodium–sulfur battery
Theoretical calculation reveals that the additive (BiI3) changes the local solvation shell dynamics and improves the Na ion kinetics by reducing binding energy. In addition, the formation of an alloy interphase realizes a dendrite-free deposition.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 21853-21863
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA03187C
Dual design of electrodes and electrolytes ensures flexible symmetric micro-supercapacitors with high energy density
Benefiting from the dual design of electrodes and electrolytes, a flexible symmetric micro-supercapacitor device has been assembled to achieve a high areal energy density.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 20129-20136
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02145B
Strain and defect-engineering on the basal plane of ultra-large MoS2 monolayers attached onto stretchable gold electrodes
Stretching the performance of ultra-large MoS2 monolayers for electrochemical hydrogen generation – flexible and stretchable gold electrodes were fabricated to tune the reactivity of MoS2 monolayers.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 17338-17349
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02042A
2D crumpled nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets anode with capacitive-dominated behavior for ultrafast-charging and high-energy-density Li-ion capacitors
The synergistic effect of abundant mesopore distribution and nitrogen doping enables 2D crumpled nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets as anode materials for Li-ion capacitors with large capacitive-capacities and ultrahigh rate performance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 17327-17337
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02681K
Co/Li2S of chemical confinement decorated electrochemically stable Co(OH)F nanoarrays enabling dendrite-free flexible 3D Li anodes
The 3D CoS2–Co(OH)F/CC skeleton suppresses Li dendrite growth.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 16491-16501
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02143F
Eye-wearable Ti3C2Tx MXene-based micro-supercapacitor as a power unit for intraocular pressure applications
An eye-wearable Ti3C2Tx MXene-based micro-supercapacitor was fabricated on a soft hemispherical substrate, which can be used as an efficient power unit for intraocular pressure applications.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 16457-16465
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02127D
Nitridation-boosted V eg occupation of a VN@CNT flexible electrode for high-rate Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors
Flexible Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (f-ZHSCs), with inherent safety, combine the advantages of the high power density of SCs and the high energy density of ZIBs, making them a promising energy supply device for wearable devices.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02102A
Pore-size tuning of hard carbon to optimize its wettability for efficient Na+ storage
The Na+ reaction kinetics of hard carbon can be enhanced by improving its wettability through pore-size tuning. The optimized carbonaceous anodes with an average pore size of 6.1 nm exhibited the most enhanced Na+ storage capability.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 13703-13712
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA02303J
Foldable chromium vanadate cathodes for high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries
A novel cathode material, CrV2.7O4.36·2.85H2O/CNT-rGO, composited with a CNT and rGO framework was developed. The flexible battery assembled with it still has stable electrochemical performance under different folding states.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 10764-10772
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA08078A
Highly stretchable GR/TPU strain sensor based on one-step electrospun fibrous yarns for wearable devices
A highly stretchable GR/TPU strain sensor is fabricated based on one-step electrospun fibrous yarns for wearable devices.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 10905-10912
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA00176A
A “two-birds-one-stone” strategy to enhance capacitive deionization performance of flexible Ti3C2Tx MXene film electrodes by surface modification
A dual-function strategy is proposed that uses sodium ascorbate to modify Ti3C2Tx MXene for flexible and free-standing electrodes for capacitive deionization, enhancing its oxidation resistance and salt adsorption capacity.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 8734-8746
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA00236A
Cobalt-based current collectors for flexible electrodes and their application in lithium–sulfur batteries
A Co-based current collector with high conductivity and light weight can improve the conductivity and battery performance of flexible electrodes.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 5760-5767
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA06966D
CoP/CoN heterostructural active centers supported on nitrogen carbon nanorod arrays as freestanding high-performance trifunctional electrocatalysts
Freestanding CoP/CoN heterostructure electrocatalysts for zinc–air batteries and water splitting, and the catalytic mechanism was verified based on DFT and experiments.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 3997-4007
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA06935D
Multi-mode mechanoluminescence of fluoride glass ceramics from rigid to flexible media toward multi-scene mechanical sensors
First time dual-mode mechanoluminescence in fluoride glass ceramics, transitioning from rigid to flexible media for versatile mechanical sensing.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 2796-2806
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA06257K
High-rate and long-life flexible aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion battery enabled by hierarchical core–shell heterostructures
TiN can optimize the conductivity of MnO2, while reducing Zn2+ diffusion barrier and improve the rate performance. The lower formation energy of Zn2+ insertion endows a capacity retention of 101.6% over 2300 cycles for the TiN@MnO2 NWAs/CC.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 2172-2183
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TA06183C
About this collection
The design and characterization of flexible electrode materials, situated at the confluence of materials chemistry and engineering, holds pivotal significance for society. Through tailoring composition, structure, and mechanical properties, these materials optimize performance and adaptability in flexible electronics. This bears remarkable implications: from wearable health monitors to sustainable energy solutions. The historical trajectory highlights an evolution from rigid electrodes to innovative materials like conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. This progression, propelled by a nuanced understanding of materials chemistry, enables precise manipulation of materials properties.
The field's connection with materials chemistry lies in its ability to engineer molecular structures, surface attributes, and interfacial interactions to fine-tune conductivity, electrochemical performance, and mechanical resilience. This harmony between chemistry and engineering ensures materials not only exhibit exceptional traits but also endure real-world demands. This dynamic interplay of science and engineering catalyses wearable tech, energy storage, and beyond, showcasing the transformative potential of materials chemistry in reshaping technology and enhancing human life.
This themed collection of Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Guest Edited by Professor Xiu Song (George) Zhao (Qingdao University, China), Professor Hui Ying Yang (Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore) and Professor Qiang Li (Qingdao University, China), aims to provide a platform for recent developments in this field of design and characterization of flexible electrode materials. We hope that readers find this themed collection informative and useful.