Spent lithium–ion battery recycling: Thermodynamic, phase transition, and kinetic analysis of carbon thermal reduction of Al-containing NCM cathode materials

Achieving sustainable sulfur redox via d-p band overlap in Li0.80Cr0.67Ti0.33S2 cathodes for lithium-ion batteries.

A comparative study on machine learning models for estimating cathode material compositions in black powders using prompt gamma-ray spectra

Due to its low cost and high electrochemical window, manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) is a promising cathode material for rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs). However, the MnO 2 cathode suffers from crystal structure distortion and active material loss induced by the Jahn–Teller effect, as well as sluggish kinetics resulting from low intrinsic conductivity. To address these issues, researchers propose ion‐doping strategies to regulate the intrinsic properties of MnO 2 . This article reviews recent advancements in ion‐doping strategies, categorized into metal ion doping, nonmetal ion doping, and multi‐ion co‐doping. Critically, this review differentiates between lattice substitution and interstitial occupancy and systematically analyzes the quantitative correlation between doping concentration and electrochemical performance, providing a roadmap for optimizing dopant efficacy. Finally, the review provides an outlook on current challenges and future research directions for developing high‐performance MnO 2 cathodes.

Three-dimensional nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped MXene aerogel as a high-performance cathode material for zinc-ion hybrid capacitors

Corrigendum to “Double-preintercalated vanadium oxide as a novel cathode material for magnesium-ion batteries” [Mater. Lett. 412 (2026) 140443

Transforming industrial by-products into high-value materials is crucial for sustainable development. The high-value conversion of industrial sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) by-product into a high-performance Na2.56Fe1.72(SO4)3/carbon (NFSO/KB) composite cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is studied. The cathode with a robust skeleton composed of [Fe2O10] dimers and [SO4] tetrahedra ensures excellent structural stability, and the unique three-dimensional (3D) framework facilitates rapid Na+ diffusion. Theoretical and structural analyses reveal that NFSO/KB possesses an ultralow Na+ migration barrier and a highly reversible reaction mechanism with minimal volume change (1.21%) during cycling. As a result, the cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 84.26mAhg-1 at 10mAg-1, with a high operating voltage of 3.8V (vs. Na/Na+). Moreover, it demonstrates a remarkable rate capability of 55.77mAhg-1 at 1000mAg-1 and exceptionally long cycle life (89.13% capacity retention after 3000 cycles). This work establishes a new paradigm for industrial by-products upcycling and provides a promising design strategy for low-cost, high-rate, and long-lifespan cathodes for SIBs.

Research progress on doping modification of lithium-ion cathode materials: high-nickel LiNi1−x−yCoxMnyO₂, LiNi1−x−y CoxAlyO₂ and LiFePO₄

Erosion of cathode materials with different melting points in a pulsed vacuum arc

A qualitative investigation on exchange interaction and magnetic frustration in the Ni-rich cathode materials Li(Ni, Mn, Co)O2

Improvement of red mud oxygen carriers in biomass chemical looping gasification using battery cathode materials doping

With the growing demand for energy, lithium‐ion batteries are required to achieve higher energy density, improved safety, and reduced cost. Lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) precisely meets these requirements. LMFP is anticipated to replace lithium iron phosphate(LFP) as a cathode material owing to its high voltage, high energy density, and low cost. However, the Jahn–Teller effect of Mn shortens its high‐temperature cycle life. Herein, 5 Ah lithium manganese iron phosphate/carbon pouch batteries were fabricated at typical formation temperatures. The inherent dual discharge voltage plateaus of LMFP during high‐temperature cycling were separately analyzed to elucidate the capacity fading mechanism. The fading mechanism, distinct from lithium iron phosphate/carbon batteries, was proposed. In the early cycle, capacity decays mainly in the low‐voltage region (≤3.5 V); later, manganese dissolution in the high‐voltage region (>3.5 V) causes some Li + to enter the low‐voltage region instead of original sites of these Li + . Notably, elevating the formation temperature can restrain this phenomenon, enhancing the high‐temperature cycle life.

High-performance NASICON-type Na2FeTi(PO4)3@C cathode material for sodium-ion batteries

Layered P2-type transition-metal oxides are promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high specific capacity and rapid Na+ diffusion, but their Na-deficient nature would induce high-voltage phase transitions and limit the quantity of active sodium ions in full cells, impeding the practical implementation of such materials. Herein, we report a P2-Na0.91Ni0.18Cu0.08Mn0.74O2 (H-Ni0.18) cathode with an ultrahigh Na content of 0.91 enabled by a "droplet-like" Na/vacancy ordering. This Na-layer superstructure ordering at such a high Na level, systematically confirmed by synchrotron X-ray techniques, neutron diffraction, and theoretical computations, effectively minimizes the electrostatic repulsion among Na ions and lowers the total system energy, thereby stabilizing the P2 framework during synthesis. Benefiting from this high-Na configuration, the H-Ni0.18 cathode demonstrates pure solid-solution reaction behavior within 2.0-4.3 V and excellent cycling performance in half-cells. More impressively, the H-Ni0.18 cathode can also act as an intrinsic self-sacrificial Na reservoir, enabling the assembled H-Ni0.18//hard carbon full cell to achieve a respectable cycling stability (82.8% capacity retention after 150 cycles), superior to its low-Na analogue. This unique ordering-structure engineering provides a new design paradigm for developing ultrahigh-Na-content P2-type cathode materials for high-performance SIBs.

Agro-industrial residues are emerging as abundant, low-cost, carbon-rich and renewable feedstocks for the development of sustainable energy storage materials. In this study, pistachio shells were valorised as carbon sources for functional electrodes in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) and lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries. Two carbon matrices were prepared: a non-activated carbon (PSC), and a KOH-activated carbon (PSAC). Both of these materials have inherent nitrogen functionalities, acting as self-doped heteroatoms that can improve conductivity, enhance polysulfide confinement, and facilitate redox kinetics without additional treatments. The carbon samples were loaded with 80 wt% sulfur, and were first evaluated in Li–S coin cells. PSAC exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance, with a high specific capacity of 955 mAh·g−1 at a rate of 1C, with near-ideal coulombic efficiency (∼100%) and excellent long-term stability. KOH activation generates a hierarchical microporous network that enables efficient sulfur impregnation and strong polysulfide immobilisation, resulting in superior electrochemical performance. In the context of these results, the PSAC-based electrodes were scaled to Li–S pouch cell configurations, and were also tested in Li–O2 systems, with broad electrochemical applicability. The effectiveness of PSAC when used in both Li–S and Li–O2 batteries underscores its potential as a multifunctional cathode material. Overall, this study highlights the use of pistachio shells as a sustainable and scalable precursor for high-performance carbon electrodes, thereby bridging the fields of biomass waste management and the development of next-generation rechargeable batteries.

Electrochemical performance of Ruddlesden-popper structured cathode material La2NiO4+δ composited with Ce0.85Sm0.15O2-δ electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells

The accelerating global "dual-carbon" transition and the rapid proliferation of electric vehicles are driving an unprecedented surge in spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), with the first major retirement peak expected around 2030. Cathode materials form a pivotal bridge between urban mining and green-hydrogen technologies, coupling environmental risks with the strategic importance of critical metals. This review delivers a comprehensive overview of the recycling and upcycling landscape for the three dominant cathode families-LiCoO2, LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2, and LiFePO4. We outline the compositional and structural features of these materials, evaluate pretreatment protocols, and critically compare pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct-regeneration strategies. We then highlight how multiscale structure-activity correlations guide the transformation of regenerated cathodes into high-performance electrocatalysts, with emphasis on defect engineering, electronic-structure modulation, interfacial coupling, and the assembly of conductive networks to accelerate both hydrogen- and oxygen-evolution pathways. Finally, we propose a forward-looking design framework that integrates atomic-site dynamics, multimetallic synergy, and process-environment co-optimization, while underscoring emerging opportunities in machine-learning-guided inverse design, operando mechanistic mapping, and device-level implementation. This review provides a conceptual blueprint for integrating battery recycling with green-hydrogen production in a closed-loop materials ecosystem.

In situ formation and performance of layered MnO2 cathode materials with large interlayer Spacing: A mechano-electrochemical oxidation strategy

Mg doping enhances the structural stability and Na⁺ transport kinetics of P2-type transition-metal oxide cathode materials

Abstract Against the global backdrop of promoting green environmental protection and sustainable development, the shipping industry, as a critical pillar of global trade, faces an increasingly urgent demand for energy conservation and emissions reduction. Traditional ship propulsion systems largely rely on fossil fuels, which not only pose a crisis of energy depletion but also result in severe environmental pollution, such as the emission of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxidses, and particulate matter. Thus, developing advanced clean energy propulsion systems is crucial for the sustainable growth of the shipping industry. With ultra-high theoretical capacity and energy density, lithium-sulfur batteries are among the most potential energy storage technologies. However, the prominent polysulfide shuttle effect and inferior conductivity of the sulfur positive electrode cause fast capacity fading and low practical energy density, limiting their further development. This article first prepared Ti 3 C 2 T x material and composited it with CNTs (carbon nanotubes) and MoS 2 to prepare CNTs/Ti 3 C 2 T x @MoS 2 compound material. Based on this, a battery was made for testing, and the experimental results showed that the doping of MoS 2 improved the electron transfer capability of the positive electrode material and the adsorption performance of polysulfides. With a sulfur content as high as 70.2%, the CNTs/Ti 3 C 2 T x @MoS 2 composite achieves an initial discharge specific capacity of 1055.5 mAh·g −1 at 0.2 C. After 100 charge-discharge cycles, its capacity remains at 755.3 mAh·g −1 , accounting for 71.6% of the initial value. The proposed CNTs/Ti 3 C 2 T x @MoS 2 electrode strategy provides a promising reference for fabricating low-cost, high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries.