Rechargeable Research Articles

Building Li–S batteries with enhanced temperature adaptability via a redox-active COF-based barrier-trapping electrocatalyst

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising materials for mitigating polysulfide shuttling in lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries, but enhancing their ability to convert polysulfides across a wide temperature range remains a challenge. Herein, we introduce a redox-active COF (RaCOF) that functions as both a physical barrier and a kinetic enhancer to improve the temperature adaptability of Li–S batteries. The RaCOF constructed from redox-active anthraquinone units accelerates polysulfide conversion kinetics through reversible C=O/C-OLi transformations within a voltage range of 1.7 to 2.8 V (vs. Li+/Li), optimizing sulfur redox reactions in ether-based electrolytes. Unlike conventional COFs, RaCOF provides bidentate trapping of polysulfides, increasing binding energy and facilitating more effective polysulfide management. In-situ XRD and ToF-SIMS analyses confirm that RaCOF enhances polysulfide adsorption and promotes the transformation of lithium sulfide (Li2S), leading to better sulfur cathode reutilization. Consequently, RaCOF-modified Li–S batteries demonstrate low self-discharge (4.0% decay over a 7-day rest), excellent wide-temperature performance (stable from −10 to +60 °C), and high-rate cycling stability (94% capacity retention over 500 cycles at 5.0 C). This work offers valuable insights for designing COF structures aimed at achieving temperature-adaptive performance in rechargeable batteries.

Experimental characterization of a reversible heat pump – Organic Rankine cycle pilot plant as a thermally integrated Carnot battery

This paper reports a first detailed experimental characterization of a reversible heat pump – Organic Rankine Cycle pilot plant, presenting its potential as a thermally integrated Carnot battery for efficient energy storage. A total of 150 stationary operating points were investigated in both heat pump and ORC modes. The study analyzes and discusses the main trends and interactions on system and component level. As expected, heat pump and ORC operation show an opposing behavior. While heat pump operation yields a maximum COP of 9.5 at a 15 K temperature lift, the peak net ORC efficiency reaches 4.4 % with a 40 K temperature gradient. If additional storage losses are neglected, this leads to a power-to-power (round-trip) efficiency of up to 41.8 % for the Carnot battery. The absence of a liquid receiver in the ORC mode leads to notable subcooling and increased condensation pressures, impacting the expander’s power generation due to excess refrigerant accumulation. Moreover, the experimental results reveal that the reversible screw machine is the critical factor influencing efficiency. The screw machine’s maximum isentropic efficiencies are 78 % and 66 % in compressor and expander operation, respectively. The reliability of the results was verified by means of an energy balance and reference operating points, underlining high reproducibility. Additionally, potential system improvements were derived from the experimental results. Altogether, this paper successfully proofs the concept of reversible heat pump – ORC systems and provides experimental results for ongoing advancements in this field.

Microenvironment regulation of asymmetric Fe coordination centers through designing p-n junction toward highly efficient oxygen reduction for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Microenvironment regulation of asymmetric Fe coordination centers through designing p-n junction toward highly efficient oxygen reduction for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Cobalt phosphorous trisulfide nanoparticles as a multifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc-air battery and hydrogen evolution reaction

Cobalt phosphorous trisulfide nanoparticles as a multifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc-air battery and hydrogen evolution reaction

A novel high durability ZnCl2-NH4Cl threshold-WIS (water-in-salt) electrolyte for rechargeable zinc-air battery

A novel high durability ZnCl2-NH4Cl threshold-WIS (water-in-salt) electrolyte for rechargeable zinc-air battery

Exploring the electrochemistry of Al3+ ion in amorphous Bi4V2O11 for rechargeable aqueous aluminum-ion battery

Exploring the electrochemistry of Al3+ ion in amorphous Bi4V2O11 for rechargeable aqueous aluminum-ion battery

Unlocking the energy potential of rechargeable zinc batteries: Comprehensive insights into aqueous electrolyte design

Unlocking the energy potential of rechargeable zinc batteries: Comprehensive insights into aqueous electrolyte design

Structural, Electrical, and electrochemical performance of FeMnO3 nanostructures for electrochemical storage devices and battery applications

Structural, Electrical, and electrochemical performance of FeMnO3 nanostructures for electrochemical storage devices and battery applications

Assessment of Internal Short-Circuit Risks in Overdischarged Lithium Batteries Under Various Charging Conditions

This study analyzes the internal short-circuit behavior of an overdischarged secondary lithium-ion cell (OD-cell) under subsequent charging conditions. The results revealed that Cu ions dissolved from the anode Cu substrate during overdischarge were initially deposited on the cathode, migrated back to the anode, and deposited there during subsequent charging. These Cu deposits on the anode maintained their shape throughout normal charge–discharge cycles. Post-charging destructive analysis of the OD-cells revealed that the morphology of the Cu deposits on the anode surface varied significantly with the charging current. Cu formed coarse spherical particles at low currents (< 0.2 C-rate). As the current increased, a mixture of spherical and dendritic structures appeared. Only dendritic structures were observed above a certain threshold (> 3 C-rate). The leakage currents in OD-cells charged at various rates were measured to calculate their internal short-circuit resistance (ISR), and the relationship between Cu morphology and self-discharge was investigated. The “ISR decrease rate” was defined to compare the calculated ISR with the ISR of a normal cell, which was used as an indicator of the internal short circuit of the cell. The OD-cells charged at low currents (< 0.2 C-rate) maintained an ISR similar to that of normal cells (ISR decrease rate < 10%) with minimal self-discharge. However, high-current charging (> 3 C-rate) significantly reduced the ISR (decrease rate of > 97%) and introduced severe self-discharge. These findings suggest that high-rate charging immediately after overdischarge may exacerbate the internal short circuit and self-discharge owing to Cu-bridge formation.

Conversion-type charge/discharge reaction observed with Fe2O3-modified reduced graphene oxide positive electrode for aluminum rechargeable batteries

Conversion-type charge/discharge reaction observed with Fe2O3-modified reduced graphene oxide positive electrode for aluminum rechargeable batteries

Health check-up of a freshwater bivalve exposed to lithium.

Lithium (Li) has become essential for energy and digital transitions, especially as a component of rechargeable batteries. Its growing uses worldwide lead to increasing anthropogenic releases of Li into the environment, which is making Li as an emerging contaminant. It is thus critical to evaluate the ecotoxicological impact of Li, which has been poorly studied unlike its human toxicology. The objectives of this work were to assess the potential adverse effects of Li on aquatic ecosystems. Bioaccumulation and potential sublethal effects (at individual and cellular levels) of Li have been investigated in the widespread and ecologically relevant freshwater bivalve Dreissena polymorpha. To tackle these issues, mussels were exposed to several spiking of 40, 100 and 250μg Li L-1 for 28 days to reproduce anthropogenic contamination scenario. Results demonstrated that bivalves significantly accumulated Li in a dose-dependent manner, from 2 to 10μgg-1 dry weight (bioaccumulation factor, BAF≈19Lkg-1). Bioaccumulation of Li reached a steady-state from seven days of exposure and BAF values were constant regardless the exposure concentration indicating a tight regulation of Li body burden. Lithium exposure leads to increased energy demand associated with a higher lactate dehydrogenase activity and the decrease of protein concentrations. The observed weight gain, increased cellular metabolism, decreased apoptosis, induction of antioxidant defenses and cation content modification in D. polymorpha were also reported in previous studies on humans. The observed effects intensified with exposure concentration and duration, which implies an increased risk for aquatic organisms exposed to Li chronic contamination. Overall, the present study provides new knowledge concerning the impact of Li on non-targeted species, which have implications for the environmental risk assessment of Li in freshwater ecosystems. It also open new perspectives for the understanding of Li toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics on freshwater organisms.

Reinforcement learning-based energy management system for lithium-ion battery storage in multilevel microgrid

Reinforcement learning-based energy management system for lithium-ion battery storage in multilevel microgrid

CaB12H12: A promising salt for aprotic electrolytes in calcium-based secondary batteries

CaB12H12: A promising salt for aprotic electrolytes in calcium-based secondary batteries

Experimental investigation of a thermal management device based on a novel thin heat-pipe array for energy storage battery packs

Experimental investigation of a thermal management device based on a novel thin heat-pipe array for energy storage battery packs

Improved PSO-TCN model for SOH estimation based on accelerated aging test for large capacity energy storage batteries

Improved PSO-TCN model for SOH estimation based on accelerated aging test for large capacity energy storage batteries

Evaluation of a novel indirect liquid-cooling system for energy storage batteries via mechanical vapor recompression and falling film evaporation

Evaluation of a novel indirect liquid-cooling system for energy storage batteries via mechanical vapor recompression and falling film evaporation

Multi-objective topology optimization design of liquid-based cooling plate for 280 Ah prismatic energy storage battery thermal management

Multi-objective topology optimization design of liquid-based cooling plate for 280 Ah prismatic energy storage battery thermal management

Self-Regulatory Lean-Electrolyte Flow for Building 600Wh Kg-1-Level Rechargeable Lithium Batteries.

Reducing excess electrolytes offers a promising approach to improve the specific energy of electrochemical energy storage devices. However, using lean electrolytes presents a significant challenge for porous electrode materials due to heterogeneous wetting. The spontaneous wetting of nano- or meso-pores within particles, though seldom discussed, adversely affects wetting under lean electrolyte conditions. Herein, this undesired wetting behavior is mitigated by enlarging the pore-throat ratio, enabling Li-rich layered oxide to function effectively at very low electrolyte/capacity (E/C) ratio of 1.4g Ah-1. The resulting pouch cell achieves 606Wh kg-1 and retains 80% capacity (75% energy) after 70 cycles. Through imaging techniques and molecular dynamics simulations, it is demonstrated that the pore-throat ratio effectively determines the permeability of electrolyte within particles. By elucidating pore-relating mechanisms, this work unveils promising potential of manipulating pore structures in porous electrode materials, an approach that can be applied to improve the specific energy of other devices including semi-solid-state lithium batteries.

Temperature-Robust Solvation Enabled by Solvent Interactions for Low-Temperature Sodium Metal Batteries.

The broad temperature adaptability associated with the desolvation process remains a formidable challenge for organic electrolytes in rechargeable metal batteries, especially under low-temperature (LT) conditions. Although a traditional approach involves utilizing electrolytes with a high degree of anion participation in the solvation structure, known as weakly solvation electrolytes (WSEs), the solvation structure of these electrolytes is highly susceptible to temperature fluctuations, potentially undermining their LT performance. To address this limitation, we have devised an innovative electrolyte that harnesses the interplay between solvent molecules, effectively blending strong and weak solvents while incorporating anion participation in a solvation structure that remains mostly unchanged by temperature variations. Remarkably, the competitive coordination between the two solvent molecules introduces local disorder, which not only boosts ionic conductivity but also prevents salt precipitation and solidification. Therefore, this electrolyte has a conductivity of 3.12 mS cm-1 at -40 °C. Na3V2(PO4)3||Na cells demonstrated a high reversible capacity of 95.9 mAh g-1 at -40 °C, which is 87.6% of that at room temperature, as well as stable cycling for 3400 cycles with capacity retention of 98.2% at -20 °C and 5 C and 600 cycles with capacity retention of 96.1% at -40 °C and 1 C. This study provides a new perspective on designing LT electrolytes by regulating temperature-robust solvation structures.

Advances in water splitting and lithium-ion batteries: pioneering sustainable energy storage and conversion technologies

The global energy landscape is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. To address these difficulties, it is vital to create efficient and reliable energy storage and converting technologies. This review discusses the two important technologies; Water Splitting and Li-ion batteries for energy storage. Lithium-ion battery revolutionised convenient devices and electric motors with their higher energy-density, prolonged efficiency, and decreasing costs. Concurrently, Water splitting offers a pathway for hydrogen generation a clean fuel with high energy density, through electrolysis process. In this analysis, we will explore at the most recent breakthroughs, as well as the latest materials and catalysts, boosting the productivity and economic viability of water splitting. Electrode materials, electrolytes, and battery architectures that enhance performance and safety for Li-ion batteries are discussed. The integration of these technologies within renewable energy systems, highlighting their complementary roles in achieving carbon neutrality are also addressed in this review. We underscore the critical importance of water splitting and lithium-ion batteries in the sustainable energy landscape, through a comprehensive analysis of current research and future directions.