Green Energy&Environment

Post lithium ion batteries for emerging energy storage technologies

2018, 3(1) doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2018.01.002

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Advanced chemical strategies for lithium–sulfur batteries: A review

Xiaojing Fan, Wenwei Sun, Fancheng Meng, Aiming Xing, Jiehua Liu

2018, 3(1): 2-19. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.08.002

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Lithium–sulfur (LiS) battery has been considered as one of the most promising rechargeable batteries among various energy storage devices owing to the attractive ultrahigh theoretical capacity and low cost. However, the performance of LiS batteries is still far from theoretical prediction because of the inherent insulation of sulfur, shuttling of soluble polysulfides, swelling of cathode volume and the formation of lithium dendrites. Significant efforts have been made to trap polysulfides via physical strategies using carbon based materials, but the interactions between polysulfides and carbon are so weak that the device performance is limited. Chemical strategies provide the relatively complemented routes for improving the batteries' electrochemical properties by introducing strong interactions between functional groups and lithium polysulfides. Therefore, this review mainly discusses the recent advances in chemical absorption for improving the performance of LiS batteries by introducing functional groups (oxygen, nitrogen, and boron, etc.) and chemical additives (metal, polymers, etc.) to the carbon structures, and how these foreign guests immobilize the dissolved polysulfides.

Progress in aqueous rechargeable batteries

Jilei Liu, Chaohe Xu, Zhen Chen, Shibing Ni, Ze Xiang Shen

2018, 3(1): 20-41. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.10.001

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Over the past decades, a series of aqueous rechargeable batteries (ARBs) were explored, investigated and demonstrated. Among them, aqueous rechargeable alkali-metal ion (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) batteries, aqueous rechargeable-metal ion (Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺) batteries and aqueous rechargeable hybrid batteries are standing out due to peculiar properties. In this review, we focus on the fundamental basics of these batteries, and discuss the scientific and/or technological achievements and challenges. By critically reviewing state-of-the-art technologies and the most promising results so far, we aim to analyze the benefits of ARBs and the critical issues to be addressed, and to promote better development of ARBs.

SnS₂ nanosheets arrays sandwiched by N-doped carbon and TiO₂ for high-performance Na-ion storage

Weina Ren, Haifeng Zhang, Cao Guan, Chuanwei Cheng

2018, 3(1): 42-49. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.09.005

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In this paper, SnS₂ nanosheets arrays sandwiched by porous N-doped carbon and TiO₂ (TiO₂@SnS₂@N-C) on flexible carbon cloth are prepared and tested as a free-standing anode for high-performance sodium ion batteries. The as-obtained TiO₂@SnS₂@N-C composite delivers a remarkable capacity performance (840 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 200 mA g⁻¹), excellent rate capability and long-cycling life stability (293 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ after 600 cycles). The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of each component of the unique hybrid structure, in which the SnS₂ nanosheets with open framworks offer high capacity, while the porous N-doped carbon nanoplates arrays on flexible carbon cloth are able to improve the conductivity and the TiO₂ passivation layer can keep the structure integrity of SnS₂ nanosheets.

Integrated carbon nanospheres arrays as anode materials for boosted sodium ion storage

Wangjia Tang, Jianbo Wu, Xiuli Wang, Xinhui Xia, Jiangping Tu

2018, 3(1): 50-55. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.08.001

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Developing cost-effective advanced carbon anode is critical for innovation of sodium ion batteries. Herein, we develop a powerful combined method for rational synthesis of free-standing binder-free carbon nanospheres arrays via chemical bath plus hydrothermal process. Impressively, carbon spheres with diameters of 150–250 nm are randomly interconnected with each other forming highly porous arrays. Positive advantages including large porosity, high surface and strong mechanical stability are combined in the carbon nanospheres arrays. The obtained carbon nanospheres arrays are tested as anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) and deliver a high reversible capacity of 102 mAh g⁻¹ and keep a capacity retention of 95% after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.25 A g⁻¹ and good rate performance (65 mAh g⁻¹ at a high current density of 2 A g⁻¹). The good electrochemical performance is attributed to the stable porous nanosphere structure with fast ion/electron transfer characteristics.

Flexible rechargeable Ni//Zn battery based on self-supported NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets with high power density and good cycling stability

Haozhe Zhang, Xinyue Zhang, Haodong Li, Yifeng Zhang, Yinxiang Zeng, Yexiang Tong, Peng Zhang, Xihong Lu

2018, 3(1): 56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.09.003

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The overall electrochemical performances of Ni–Zn batteries are still far from satisfactory, specifically for rate performance and cycling stability Herein, we demonstrated a high-performance flexible Ni//Zn battery with outstanding durability and high power density based on self-supported NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets as cathode and Zn nanosheets as anode. This Ni//Zn battery is able to deliver a remarkable capacity of 183.1 mAh g⁻¹ and a good cycling performance (82.7% capacity retention after 3500 cycles). More importantly, this battery achieves an admirable power density of 49.0 kW kg⁻¹ and energy density of 303.8 Wh kg⁻¹, substantially higher than most recently reported batteries. With such excellent electrochemical performance, this battery will have great potential as an ultrafast power source in practical application.

Anthraquinone derivative as high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries using ether-based electrolytes

Linqin Mu, Yaxiang Lu, Xiaoyan Wu, Yuejun Ding, Yong-Sheng Hu, Hong Li, Liquan Chen, Xuejie Huang

2018, 3(1): 63-70. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.09.002

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Organic materials, especially the carbonyl compounds, are promising anode materials for room temperature sodium-ion batteries owing to their high reversible capacity, structural diversity as well as eco-friendly synthesis from bio-mass. Herein, we report a novel anthraquinone derivative, C₁₄H₆O₄Na₂ composited with carbon nanotube (C₁₄H₆O₄Na₂-CNT), used as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries in ether-based electrolyte. The C₁₄H₆O₄Na₂-CNT electrode delivers a reversible capacity of 173 mAh g⁻¹ and an ultra-high initial Coulombic efficiency of 98% at the rate of 0.1 C. The capacity retention is 82% after 50 cycles at 0.2 C and a good rate capability is displayed at 2 C. Furthermore, the average Na insertion voltage of 1.27 V vs. Na⁺/Na makes it a unique and safety battery material, which would avoid Na plating and formation of solid electrolyte interface. Our contribution provides new insights for designing developed organic anode materials with high initial Coulombic efficiency and improved safety capability for sodium-ion batteries.

An interface-reconstruction effect for rechargeable aluminum battery in ionic liquid electrolyte to enhance cycling performances

Feng Wu, Na Zhu, Ying Bai, Yaning Gao, Chuan Wu

2018, 3(1): 71-77. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.10.002

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Aluminum (Al) metal has been regarded as a promising anode for rechargeable batteries because of its natural abundance and high theoretical specific capacity. However, rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) using Al metal as anode display poor cycling performances owing to interface problems between anode and electrolyte. The solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the anode has been confirmed to be essential for improving cycling performances of rechargeable batteries. Therefore, we immerse the Al metal in ionic liquid electrolyte for some time before it is used as anode to remove the passive film and expose fresh Al to the electrolyte. Then the reactions of exposed Al, acid, oxygen and water in electrolyte are occurred to form an SEI layer in the cycle. Al/electrolyte/V₂O₅ full batteries with the thin, uniform and stable SEI layer on Al metal anode perform high discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency (CE). This work illustrates that an SEI layer is formed on Al metal anode in the cycle using a simple and effective pretreatment process and results in superior cycling performances for RABs.

Perovskite oxides La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_xMn_1-xO₃ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) as an effective electrocatalyst for lithium—air batteries

Yajun Zhao, Tao Liu, Qiufan Shi, Qingchun Yang, Chunxiao Li, Dawei Zhang, Chaofeng Zhang

2018, 3(1): 78-85. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.12.001

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Co-doped perovskite oxide La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_xMn_1-xO₃ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) composites are prepared by sol–gel method utilizing citric acid as chelating agent. These composites show good catalytic activities when tested as catalysts rechargeable lithium—air batteries. In particular, the La _0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.4Mn_0.6O₃ shows a lower potential gap. When these samples are tested as catalysts for Li—air batteries at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹, the discharge capacities with different La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_xMn_1-xO₃ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) catalysts are 5819, 6420, and 7227 mA h g⁻¹, respectively. In addition, under a capacity limitation of 1000 mA h g⁻¹, the cell using La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.4Mn_0.6O₃ as catalyst shows good cycling stability up to 46 cycles. The good electrochemical performance suggests that suitable doping of Co in Mn site of La_0.4Sr_0.6MnO₃ could be a promising route to improve the catalytic activity.

Graphene stirrer with designed movements: Targeting on environmental remediation and supercapacitor applications

Yang Huang, Wei Chen, Hongfei Li, Minshen Zhu, Fuwei Liu, Qi Xue, Zengxia Pei, Zifeng Wang, Lei Wang, Yan Huang, Chunyi Zhi

2018, 3(1): 86-96. doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2017.10.004

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Beyond the traditional focus on improvements in mechanical, electronic and absorption properties, controllability, actuation, and dynamic response of monoliths have received increasing attentions for practical applications. However, most of them could only realize simple response to constant conditions (e.g. a stationary magnetic field) while carrying out humdrum motions. By controlling distribution of metal organic framework obtained carbon-enriched Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in self-assembly reduced graphene oxide (RGO) monoliths, we could achieve two distinctive RGO–Fe₃O₄ stirrers that could dynamically respond to the rapidly changing magnetic field while executing designed movements precisely: rotating with lying down posture or standing straight posture. These stirrers can not only be applied in environmental remediation (e.g. suction skimmer), but also be recycled as electrode active materials for supercapacitors after fulfilling their destiny, realizing transformation of trash to treasure, which will inspire other dynamically responsive monoliths for various applications.

2018 Vol. 3, No. 1

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Special Issue: Molecular Thermodynamics for Green Engineering

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