Battery Performance Research Articles

Lithium‑sulfur batteries for next-generation automotive power batteries carbon emission assessment and sustainability study in China

The rise of electric vehicles has ushered in a revolution in the automotive industry, propelling the global automotive sector towards sustainable development. However, considerable controversy persists regarding the comprehensive performance of electric vehicle batteries and their environmental impact. The development of next-generation power batteries, aimed at enhancing energy storage performance while mitigating environmental consequences, has become a focal point of research in this field. Lithium‑sulfur batteries (LSBs), with their innovative structural design and environmentally friendly materials, not only enhance energy storage performance but also harbor significant environmental potential. When coupled with an all-solid-state battery structure, the all-solid-state lithium‑sulfur battery (A-LSB) demonstrates even more superior performance. This combination represents an ideal next-generation power battery for automotive applications, offering heightened efficiency and environmental sustainability. This study conducts a prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) to examine the environmental performance, particularly carbon emissions, during the production processes of LSBs and A-LSBs in the Chinese region. The primary objective is to uncover the potential for sustainable development in the future of lithium‑sulfur battery technologies. During the research process, we conducted comparative validation by comparing with traditional ternary lithium-ion batteries (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). Experimental setups were designed to simulate both laboratory and industrial production scenarios, with a primary focus on analyzing the sustainable performance of LSB and A-LSB. The results indicate that, compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, both LSB and A-LSB exhibit lower carbon emissions and superior environmental performance, with A-LSB showing particular promise. However, A-LSB demonstrates higher sensitivity to environmental impacts, displaying significant variations before and after industrial production. Additionally, it exhibits a greater dependency on regional resources and energy structures. In contrast, LSB displays better regional adaptability.

An anti-freezing hydrogel electrolyte based on hydroxyethyl urea for dendrite-free Zn ion batteries

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are considered as a promising energy storage resource due to their high security, abundant resources and low price. However, the development of aqueous zinc ion batteries has been severely hindered by compulsive dendrite generation, serious side reactions and poor temperature adaptability. Herein, we used hydroxyethyl urea as a hydrogel electrolyte additive to address above-mentioned challenges. Hydroxyethyl urea can break the hydrogen bonds (HBs) of water and enhancing the freezing-tolerance ability of the electrolyte. Meanwhile, hydroxyethyl urea can prevent the corrosion issue and inhibition of Zn dendrites. Consequently, the Zn//Zn symmetric battery can sustain stable cycling for over 3000 h at 1 mA cm−2, and it achieves a high coulombic efficiency of 99.6 %. Even at −40 ℃ the batteries show excellent cycling stability, the Zn//Zn symmetry battery can achieve steadily cycles over 3000 h. The Zn//NVO battery equipped with the altered electrolyte exhibits enhanced capacity retention compared to the one without additives.It demonstrates not only robust stability at room temperature but also maintains commendable functionality down to −40 ℃, validating the method’s efficacy. This work provides a simple strategy for enhancing low temperature performance of zinc ion batteries.

Alkyl-Ether Group-Modified Anthraquinone-Based Negative Electrode for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of All Solid-State Rechargeable Air Batteries

Alkyl-Ether Group-Modified Anthraquinone-Based Negative Electrode for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of All Solid-State Rechargeable Air Batteries

Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Aluminum-Air Batteries via Gallium Alloying

Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Aluminum-Air Batteries via Gallium Alloying

Cu2SnS3/rGO nanocomposites with optimized pore structure for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Developing advanced anode materials is essential for enhancing the rate performance and stability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which is critical for meeting the demands for next-generation energy storage solutions. In this research, Cu2SnS3/rGO nanocomposites were synthesized via a rapid microwave-assisted one-step method, followed by post-synthetic annealing. The incorporation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) not only significantly improves its electrical conductivity, but also effectively inhibits the agglomeration of CTS nanoparticles. The nanocrystal size in the CTS/rGO nanocomposites has been dramatically downsized, transitioning from the pristine CTS dimensions of 0.9–1.5 μm to a mere 100 nm. This downsizing is a critical advancement in the electrode, as it enhances the surface area and reactivity of the composite. The subsequent high-temperature annealing process shrinks the pore size in the CTS/rGO nanocomposite, decreasing from an average of 42.13 nm to a more confined range of 7.81 to 8.77 nm, depending on the annealing temperatures. Electrochemical testing reveals that the CTS/rGO-A nanocomposite annealed at 300 °C exhibits superior electrochemical performance to the unmodified CTS and non-annealed CTS/rGO composite. The performance is evidenced by an initial capacity of 1856.97 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and retains a capacity of 1250.32 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing the lithium ion diffusion kinetics, capacitance and diffusion behavior of the CTS/rGO-A electrode, advanced techniques such as galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and rate cyclic voltammetry (CV) were utilized. These analyses revealed that the synergistic effect of an increased Li+ diffusion coefficient (DLi+), coupled with a notable capacitive contribution, is demonstrated to the enhanced electrochemical performance observed. Furthermore, the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation also indicates improved structural stability of CTS/rGO-A, attributed to minimized stress from volume expansion during discharge. The CTS/rGO-A nanocomposites, featuring enhanced electrochemical performance, coupled with a straightforward and efficient fabrication method, emerge as a promising material for scalable and practical energy storage solutions.

Core-shell Cu7S4@PDA nanoboxes as a novel cathode for aluminum batteries

Battery energy storage technology is key to unlocking green renewable power's full potential. Cathode material is a key factor affecting the performance of aluminum batteries (ABs). In this paper, a novel core-shell Cu7S4@PDA nanobox cathode material for ABs was designed and prepared by a reasonable method. At 0.2 A/g, the Cu7S4@PDA nanoboxes can provide a reversible capacity of 142 mAh/g after 100 cycles, and the coulombic efficiency (CE) of almost all cycles is maintained around 100 %. Even at 3 A/g, Cu7S4@PDA can deliver a capacity of 68 mAh/g. The results show that PDA coating reduces the irreversible dissolution of S in Cu7S4, prevents the pulverization and agglomeration of Cu7S4, and improves its structural stability and conductivity.

Ternary-salt localized high-concentration electrolyte: An ideal companion facilitating stable high-voltage cycling of lithium metal batteries

The strategic design of novel electrolytes to further enhance the overall performance of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) is highly desirable. Herein, combining the synergistic effect of multiple functional lithium (Li) salts and the solvation structure advantage of localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE), we propose a novel ternary-salt localized high-concentration electrolyte (TSLHCE) termed CETHER3-TDE that achieves broad electrochemical stability window, dendrite-free Li deposition, effective electrode interface protection, flame retardancy, and significantly enhances the cycling performance of LMBs. CETHER3-TDE enables Li (50 μm thickness) ||NMC622 (13.8 mg cm−2, 2.50 mAh cm−2) cell to achieve an impressive capacity retention of 83 % after 300 cycles with a cut-off voltage of 4.4 V. Additionally, it enables the Li (50 μm thickness) ||NMC811 (19.8 mg cm−2, 3.96 mAh cm−2) cell to achieve a capacity retention of 83.6 % after 170 cycles, under an ultrahigh cut-off voltage of 4.6 V. Furthermore, the Li metal pouch cell employing CETHER3-TDE, featuring a low negative/positive (N/P) capacity ratio of 1.33 and lean electrolytes of 2.3gAh−1, attains an energy density of 413 Wh kg−1 and maintains stable cycling at 4.6 V. Moreover, analysis conducted by Accelerating Rate Calorimeter has verified that CETHER3-TDE enhances both the thermal stability as well as the thermal runaway trigger temperature of LMBs, thereby substantially improving their safety. This work provides valuable insights for future research on multi-salt complex electrolyte system for practical application in high-energy-density and high safety LMBs.

Pectin alignment induced changes in ion solvation structure in ethylene carbonate-based liquid electrolytes

Classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore the impact of the alignment of pectin over the randomized configuration on ion solvation structure in pectin-loaded ethylene carbonate - lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide electrolytes. Our study focuses on how biological macromolecules, specifically pectin, influence the behavior of liquid electrolytes, considering their applications in rechargeable batteries due to their ion solvation capabilities and ion transport characteristics. Aligned pectin causes a tightly packed first coordination shell of anions around lithium ions by weakening the long-ranged interactions beyond the first coordination shell compared to a random configuration. Consequently, the number of pectin oxygens around lithium decreases dramatically from 3 to 2, resulting in an overall diluted solvation shell containing fewer numbers of anions and pectin oxygens around lithium ions. With polymer alignment, the non-Gaussianity increases from 3.387 to 6.550 for lithium ions and from 0.475 to 0.621 for TFSI ions, reflecting a 90 % increase in dynamic heterogeneity for lithium ions and a 30 % increase for TFSI ions. Cation-cation correlations enhance ionic conductivity in randomized pectin, whereas isolated anion motion dominates in aligned pectin due to cation-pectin interactions. Our work not only highlights potential strategies for improving electrolyte performance in rechargeable batteries but also emphasizes the crucial role of molecular orientation in optimizing electrolyte properties, paving the way for more optimized and efficient battery technologies.

Strong Lewis Electron-Pair Bonding in Vanadium Oxide for Ultra-fast and Long-term Stable Zn-ion Storage

Vanadium-based oxides typically show low electrical conductivity, high repulsion for Zn2+, and severe structure collapse problems, resulting in unsatisfied cathode performance for aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, we propose an advanced structural optimization strategy to address the above issues by constructing strong Lewis electron-pair bonding in vanadium oxide through initial doping Ca and a subsequent in-situ electrochemical activation process. We prepared the precursor of Ca-doped and amorphous carbon-encapsulated V2O3 material (Ca0.17V2O3-x@C) and verified a phase transition into a layered V2O5-typed cathode during the activation process. Importantly, we find the initial-doped Ca and generated abundant oxygen vacancy defects are well restored in the phase-transformed crystal lattice. We reveal that band and bond structures of the phase-transformed cathode are optimized, exhibiting an improved electrical conductivity, optimal Zn2+ binding energy, ultra-low Zn-ion transport barrier, and considerably strong bonds of Ca-O and V-O, thereby realizing enhanced reaction kinetics and stability. The Ca0.17V2O3-x@C exhibits surprisingly high-rate performance (233 mAh g–1 at 40 A g–1) and excellent cycling stability (10,000 cycles with 82% retention at 20 A g–1). This work offers a novel and simple band and bond structure engineering strategy for preparing high-performance phase transformation typed vanadium oxide cathodes for AZIBs.

A Hybrid Modelling Approach Coupling Physics-based Simulation and Deep Learning for Battery Electrode Manufacturing Simulations

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance is significantly influenced by its manufacturing process. Manufacturing of an optimized electrode can incur high production costs such as high energy consumption, high scrap rates and emissions. This is due to the process that consists of a series of manufacturing steps presenting a complex interrelationship, thus limiting the understanding of performance as a function of manufacturing parameters. While several empirical and computational methods are employed for optimization, they are demanding in terms of resources such as materials or computational effort. By leveraging Deep Learning (DL), we can enhance our understanding of the complex manufacturing processes and accelerate its optimization. We propose a data-driven supervised DL methodology to complement physics-based LIB cathode manufacturing simulations. The trained DL-based predictive model integrates well into the manufacturing simulation framework to forecast cathode slurry microstructures. The DL model demonstrates robust predictive performance for LIB NMC-111 and LiFePO4–based slurries and slurries for a solid-state battery NMC-622/argyrodite composite electrode preparation. While the current work is focused on the cathode slurry process, the proposed methodology has potential for application to drying and calendering steps. This approach will be helpful in streamlining lab-scale electrode manufacturing, and reducing errors, waste and resource consumption.

Impact of tetracyanoethylene plasticizer on PEO based solid polymer electrolytes for improved ionic conductivity and solid-state lithium-ion battery performance

Poly(ethylene oxide) is a promising material for solid-state lithium batteries due to its safety, ease of processing, and compatibility with lithium. However, conventional linear PEO falls short of practical requirements due to its limited ionic conductivity, a consequence of the high crystallinity of its ethylene oxide chains. This crystallinity hinders the movement of lithium ions, limiting its performance in solid-state battery applications. In this study, we successfully prepared the plasticized solid polymer electrolytes (PSPEs) based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/tetracyanoethylene (TCE) complexed with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt and studied the effect of TCE on structural, mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties of PSPEs. The addition of tetracyanoethylene effectively disrupts the crystallinity of the PEO matrix, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The addition of TCE also enhanced the elongation-at-break of the PEO12-LiTFSI system, indicating improved flexibility. Consequently, the ionic conductivity of the SPEs increases with increasing tetracyanoethylene content, reaching a maximum of 1.14 × 10−4 S/cm at 25 °C for the electrolyte containing 30 wt% of tetracyanoethylene. Furthermore, the plasticized SPEs exhibit a wide electrochemical stability window, as determined by linear sweep voltammetry. Solid-state battery tests demonstrate a high initial discharge capacity of 143.5 mAhg−1 at 0.1C along with good cycling performance.

Quantum-sized CoP nanodots with rich vacancies: Enhanced hydrazine oxidation, hydrazine-assisted water splitting, and Zn-hydrazine battery performance through interface modulation

Quantum-sized CoP nanodots with rich vacancies: Enhanced hydrazine oxidation, hydrazine-assisted water splitting, and Zn-hydrazine battery performance through interface modulation

Separator functionalization realizing stable zinc anode through microporous metal-organic framework with special functional group

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have been regarded as one of the most promising energy storage systems because of their security, high specific capacity and abundant zinc resources, etc. Despite the promising prospects of AZIBs, their practical application is still plagued by dendrite and side reactions on zinc surface. In this paper, glass fiber separators were modified by in-situ loading metal-organic framework MIL-125 (M-125) and its -NH2-functionalized material (NM-125). The designed separator pore structure was successfully adjusted and endowed with -NH2 functional groups, which can ultimately dramatically enhance the electrochemical performance of AZIBs under practical operation conditions. The functionalized NM-125 with smaller pore size and particle size enables NM-125-GF to prevent the transport of macromolecular anions in the electrolyte, guiding and promoting zinc ions to undergo an orderly migration. In addition, -NH2 of NM-125 can adsorb Zn2+ and detach them from the solvated structure, inhibiting the generation of anode-side reactions and optimizing battery performance. Notably, Zn||MnO2 full cell assembled with -NH2 functionalized separator also shows a high initial discharge specific capacity (160.2 mAh g-1) with a high capacity retention of ∼99.8% even after 700 cycles. The rational design of the functionalized separator provides a useful guideline for optimizing high-performance AZIBs.

Visualized Detection of Lithium Plating on Graphite Anodes Cycled Under Low Temperature and Fast Charging

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries are currently the most widely used electrochemical energy storage devices. However, the most used graphite anode faces severe lithium plating issues when charging at low temperatures or high rates, leading to battery's capacity decay and even safety concerns. Therefore, visually and quantitatively detecting lithium plating is extremely important to analyze battery's performances. Here a convenient, rapid‐response, visual, and semi‐quantitative technique, namely fluorescence probe, is put forward to visually and quantitatively detect lithium plating on graphite anodes. A commercially available aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecule (4′‐hydroxychalcone) is introduced as a probe. The hydroxyl group of 4′‐hydroxychalcone can rapidly and sensitively react with plated lithium, instantaneously emerging an intensive yellow fluorescence within seconds; while 4′‐hydroxychalcone undergoes fluorescence quenching when directly contacting with graphite. Based on this, not only the uneven distribution of plated lithium on graphite anodes can be simply and clearly visualized and detected after being charged at low temperatures or high rates, but also the semi‐quantitative relationship between fluorescence intensity and the amount of plated lithium can be well established. Therefore, this work puts forward a practical solution for analyzing lithium plating on graphite anodes, offering a practical approach for failure analysis of lithium‐ion batteries used in various scenarios.

Multi-Step Ageing Prediction of NMC Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Temperature Characteristics

The performance of lithium-ion batteries depends strongly on their ageing state; therefore, the monitoring and the prediction of the battery state of health (SoH) is necessary for an optimized and secured functioning of battery systems. This paper evaluates and compares three artificial neural network architectures for multi-step ageing prediction of lithium-ion cells: Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) and Long short-term memory (LSTM). These models use the features extracted from the cell’s temperature to predict the cell’s capacity. The features are extracted from experimental measurements of the cell’s surface temperature and selected based on Spearman correlation analysis. The prediction results were evaluated and compared considering three different percentages of the training dataset: 60%, 70%, and 80%. Training and testing data were generated experimentally based on accelerated ageing cycling tests. During these experiments, four Nickel Manganese Cobalt/Graphite (NMC) cells were cycled under a controlled temperature environment based on a dynamic current profile extracted from the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycles.

Preparation of Hierarchical Porous ZIF-67 and Its Application in Zinc Battery Separator

This study successfully prepared a hierarchically porous ZIF-67 (H-ZIF-67) by incorporating the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at room temperature. Compared to standard control ZIF-67 (C-ZIF-67) with a yield of 81% and a BET specific surface area of 1228 m2·g−1, the H-ZIF-67 not only exhibited improved crystallinity and pore structure but also achieved a yield of up to 93% and a BET specific surface area of 1457 m2·g−1. Due to its hierarchically porous structure, H-ZIF-67 demonstrated excellent adsorption capacity and efficiency for methylene orange (MO). Additionally, the composite separator created by combining H-ZIF-67 with nanocellulose (CNF) exhibited remarkable uniformity and dispersion in zinc batteries. In comparison to a conventional CNF separator, the porous structure and high specific surface area of H-ZIF-67 significantly enhanced its electrolyte wettability and Zn2+ transport rates. Its abundant Lewis acid sites effectively promoted the uniform deposition of Zn2+, thereby suppressing the formation of zinc dendrites and improving the cycling and safety performance of zinc-ion batteries. Experimental results indicate that the ion conductivity of the membrane was 4.31 mS·cm−1, the electrolyte absorption rate was 316%, and it could cycle stable for over 4000 h at a current density of 1 mA·cm−2 with a discharge capacity of 1 mAh·cm−2. This achievement will open up new avenues for the preparation and application of ZIF-67 composite separators in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

An Adaptive Combined Method for Lithium‐Ion Battery State of Charge Estimation Using Long Short‐Term Memory Network and Unscented Kalman Filter Considering Battery Aging

AbstractThe accurate estimation of battery state of charge (SOC) enables the reliable and safe operation of lithium‐ion batteries. Data‐driven SOC estimation is considered an emerging and effective solution. However, existing data‐driven SOC estimation methods typically involve direct estimation and lack effective feedback correction. Moreover, battery degradation poses additional challenges to accurate SOC estimation. Therefore, this study proposes an adaptive combined method for battery SOC estimation based on a long short‐term memory (LSTM) network and unscented Kalman filter (UKF) algorithm considering battery aging status. First, an LSTM model is constructed to characterize the battery's dynamic performance instead of traditional battery models. Then, the UKF algorithm is employed to perform SOC estimation through the feedback of terminal voltage prediction. To enhance estimation accuracy under different aging statuses, a proportional‐integral‐derivative controller is employed to correct the capacity fading during the SOC estimation process. Validation results indicate that the terminal voltage prediction model demonstrates exceptional robustness against interference from current and voltage noise. Compared to the traditional estimation method combining the deep learning model and Kalman filter algorithm, the proposed method demonstrates superior estimation accuracy under various complex operating conditions. Furthermore, the proposed method outperforms the traditional method in estimation performance during battery aging.

Copper-nickel MOF-coated electrospun polyacrylonitrile membranes for Li–S batteries: Mitigating the shuttle effect and enhancing stability

Cu–Ni MOF nanoparticles were synthesized as coating materials for lithium–sulfur battery membranes, and the performance of batteries employing Cu–Ni MOF/PAN (CNMP) electrospinning membranes were examined. The modified membrane efficiently suppresses the shuttle effect, leveraging the synergistic catalysis and adsorption capabilities of the Cu–Ni MOF nanoparticles. The modified membrane exhibited relatively high porosity and outstanding electrolyte absorption capacity. The CNMP membrane battery demonstrated a remarkable first-cycle discharge capacity of 1529 mA h g⁻¹. The battery maintained an exceptional discharge capacity with 85.2 % retention and a minimal capacity decay rate of just 0.074 % per cycle after 200 cycles at 0.5 C. The capacity retention of the modified membrane battery remained at 74.6 % even after 2000 cycles at 2 C. The excellent performance of the modified membrane battery was due to the physical entrapment and strong chemical adsorption of lithium polysulfides by Cu–Ni MOF nanoparticles, significantly preventing the shuttle effect and facilitating rapid oxidation–reduction kinetics based on strong catalytic conversion.

Unveiling electrochemical insights of lithium manganese oxide cathodes from manganese ore for enhanced lithium-ion battery performance

Implementing manganese-based electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) faces several challenges due to the low grade of manganese ore, which necessitates multiple purification and transformation steps before acquiring battery-grade electrode materials, increasing costs. At present, most Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) materials are synthesized using electrolytic manganese dioxide, and the development of new processes, such as hydrometallurgical processes is important for achieving a cost-effective synthesis of LMO materials. In this work, we develop a full synthesis process of LMO materials from manganese ore, through acid leaching, forming manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO4·H2O), an optimized thermal decomposition (at 900, 950 or 1000 °C) producing different Mn3O4 materials and a solid-state reaction, achieving the synthesis of LMO. The latter was used as a cathode material for LIB exhibiting a specific capacity comparable to the state-of-the-art LMO cathode with a remarkable cycling stability of 800 cycles with <20 % in capacity loss. These performances were attributed to the excellent redox reversibility of the LMO cathode, characterized by voltammetry and in operando and in situ characterization by Raman and XRD.

Data-driven digital marketing and battery supply chain optimization in the battery-powered aircraft industry through case studies of Rolls-Royce’s ACCEL and Airbus's E-Fan X Projects

This paper investigates the interplay between data-driven digital marketing strategies and battery supply chain optimization in the battery-powered aircraft industry, with a focus on Rolls-Royce's ACCEL and Airbus's E-Fan X projects. As the electric aircraft market emerges, these companies face the dual challenge of promoting technological advancements to a skeptical audience while navigating complex supply chain requirements. The study explores how data analytics and targeted content marketing are employed to enhance stakeholder engagement, build consumer trust, and communicate the benefits of electric aviation. By leveraging digital platforms, Rolls-Royce and Airbus effectively highlight key aspects such as battery performance, sustainability, and the safety of electric propulsion, addressing both technical and consumer concerns. Concurrently, the research delves into the intricacies of battery supply chain optimization, examining the processes involved in sourcing high-energy-density batteries, ensuring quality control, and adhering to regulatory standards. Advanced supply chain management techniques, including predictive analytics and real-time monitoring, are analyzed for their role in streamlining procurement and manufacturing processes. The integration of these strategies within digital marketing campaigns demonstrates how each company positions itself as a leader in the industry, emphasizing technological innovation and reliability. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how digital marketing and supply chain optimization are not only critical for promoting the adoption of electric aircraft but also for overcoming market skepticism and ensuring operational efficiency. By presenting case studies of two pioneering projects, ACCEL and E-Fan X, the research highlights best practices and strategic approaches that can guide other companies in the industry. The findings underscore the importance of a synergistic approach where digital marketing is informed by supply chain realities, creating a transparent and trustworthy narrative for consumers and stakeholders. Ultimately, this paper contributes to the discourse on how emerging technologies in aviation can be successfully marketed and operationalized, offering insights into the effective use of digital marketing and supply chain management in the rapidly evolving electric aircraft sector.