Interface Compatibility Research Articles

Composite Polymer Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Sodium Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, primarily due to their plentiful raw materials and cost-effectiveness. However, the use of traditional organic liquid electrolytes in sodium battery applications presents significant safety risks, prompting the investigation of solid electrolytes as a more viable solution. Despite their advantages, single solid electrolytes encounter challenges, including low conductivity of sodium ions at room temperature and incompatibility with electrode materials. To overcome these limitations, the researchers develop composite polymer solid electrolytes (CPSEs), which merge the strengths of high ionic conductivity of inorganic solid electrolytes and the flexibility of polymer solid electrolytes. CPSEs are usually composed of inorganic materials dispersed in the polymer matrix. The final performance of CPSEs can be further improved by optimizing the particle size, relative content, and form of inorganic fillers. CPSEs show great advantages in improving ionic conductivity and interface compatibility, making them an important direction for future solid-state sodium battery research. Therefore, this paper summarizes recent advancements in composite solid electrolytes, discusses the impact of their preparation processes on performance, and outlines potential future developments in sodium-ion solid-state batteries.

Enabling high-voltage stability and interface compatibility via Ta/Nb co-occupation in fluorinated Li-halide catholytes

Enabling high-voltage stability and interface compatibility via Ta/Nb co-occupation in fluorinated Li-halide catholytes

High-performance boron nitride/graphene oxide composites modified with sodium thiosulfate for energy storage applications.

Two-dimensional (2D) hybrid materials, particularly those based on boron nitride (BN) and graphene oxide (GO), have attracted significant attention for energy applications owing to their distinct structural and electronic properties. BN/GO composites uniquely combine the mechanical strength, thermal stability and electrical insulation of BN with the high conductivity and flexibility of GO, creating advanced materials ideal for the fabrication of batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells. These hybrids offer synergistic effects, enhanced charge transport, increased surface area, and improved chemical stability, making them promising candidates for high-performance energy systems. Despite their potential, challenges, such as achieving scalable synthesis and uniform BN-GO dispersions and poor interface compatibility, have limited the widespread adoption of BN-GO hybrids. To address these limitations, this study is focused on the scalable synthesis of BN-GO composites via a liquid-phase exfoliation method with ultrasonication, followed by preparation of sodium thiosulfate (STS)-functionalized BN-GO composites (STBG), which exhibited high electrochemical properties suitable for energy storage. The structural identification was confirmed using FT-IR, Raman, XRD, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the samples was assessed by TGA, while their morphological analysis was performed using HR-TEM, TEM, and SEM. Pristine BN showed negligible efficiency, whereas STS functionalization elevated the efficiency of STBN to 81.7%, while the incorporation of GO in STBG1 and STBG2 boosted their efficiency to 89.3% and 83.3%, respectively. STBG1 exhibited a nearly rectangular, symmetrical CV curve at various scan rates, demonstrating excellent capacitive behavior. Furthermore, it achieved the highest specific capacitance of 115.82 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1, together with a coulombic efficiency of 89.3%, indicating its superior charge transfer and minimal energy loss. Additionally, STBG1 retained 87.3% of its capacity, while STBG2 retained 81.7% even after 3000 charge/discharge cycles. These findings highlight that STBG1 is a promising composite with high capacitance, strong rate capability, and exceptional coulombic efficiency, making it a viable candidate for next-generation energy storage systems.

A novel gel polymer electrolyte of lithium metal batteries with enhanced interface compatibility and ion conductivity using multifaceted modification strategies

A novel gel polymer electrolyte of lithium metal batteries with enhanced interface compatibility and ion conductivity using multifaceted modification strategies

Stabilized Unfitted Finite Element Method for Poroelasticity With Weak Discontinuity

AbstractPoromechanics problems in geotechnical and geological contexts often involve complex formations with numerous boundaries and material interfaces, which significantly complicate numerical analysis and simulation. The traditional finite element method (FEM) encounters substantial challenges in these scenarios because it requires the mesh to conform precisely to each boundary and interface. This requirement complicates preprocessing and necessitates meticulous manual control to achieve a high‐quality mesh. In contrast, unfitted FEMs are well‐suited for these problems as they do not require the mesh to align with the model geometry. We propose a stabilized unfitted FEM that incorporates Nitsche's method and ghost penalty stabilization techniques to address complex poroelasticity problems. This approach treats material interfaces as weak discontinuities and ensures that compatibility conditions are satisfied. The proposed method allows the mesh to be independent of both boundaries and material interfaces. Nitsche's method is used to weakly enforce both Dirichlet boundary conditions and interface compatibility conditions, resulting in a symmetric weak form. Additionally, three types of ghost penalty terms are introduced for elements intersected by boundaries or interfaces, effectively eliminating cut‐induced ill‐conditioning. The proposed methodology has been validated through benchmark and practical problems, demonstrating optimal convergence and exceptional stability. This approach significantly enhances the stability and efficiency of hydro‐mechanical analyses for complex geotechnical and geological problems.

Porous g‐C3N4 Microspheres Wrapped by Garnet Nanoparticles Enable Solid Composite Electrolytes with Improved Ionic Conduction and Interfacial Stability

AbstractSolid composite electrolytes composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) hold promise for realizing practically applied solid lithium batteries (SLBs) with high safety and energy density. However, they face the issues of the LLZTO agglomeration in polymers and the dehydrofluorination of PVDF at the anode interface. To overcome these issues, porous g‐C3N4 microspheres are wrapped homogeneously by LLZTO nanoparticles via the metal‐nitrogen bonding between Li atoms in LLZTO and N atoms in g‐C3N4 and then incorporated into the composite electrolytes. The achieved LLZTO network with 3D structures provides continuous and fast ionic transport channels inside electrolytes. Additionally, g‐C3N4 with abundant N can endow the construction of a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) consisting of rich Li3N, separating PVDF from Li‐metal and suppressing the PVDF dehydrofluorination at the anode interface. Consequently, the obtained composite electrolytes with the ionic conductivity of 7.56 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C undergo stable stripping‐plating cycles over 2000 h. The SLBs using LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) achieve superior cycle stability with the capacity retention of 88.65% for 300 cycles and 88.22% for 150 cycles at 0.5 C, respectively. This work provides a universal strategy for constructing PVDF‐based composite electrolytes with high conductivity and interface compatibility.

Subtly Modulating Bay Sites of Perylene Diimide Cathode Interface Layer for High‐Performance and High‐Stability Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells

AbstractCathode interface layers (CILs) are crucial for optimizing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). Two small molecule CILs, PDINN‐TS and PDINN‐BS are developed, by modifying the bay sites of perylene diimide (PDI) with thieno [3,2‐b] thiophene and 2,2′‐bithiophene, separately. Due to better electron‐donating capacity and longer conjugate length of the 2,2′‐bithiophene, PDINN‐BS exhibits a stronger self‐doping effect and superior interface compatibility compared to PDINN‐TS. Consequently, in PM6: Y6 OSCs, PDINN‐BS achieved an elevated PCE of 16.95%, surpassing PDINN‐TS of 16.66%. Meanwhile, PDINN‐BS exhibits excellent universality. When employing PM6: BTP‐eC9 and PM6:L8‐BO systems, PDINN‐BS‐based device yielded PCE of 18.02% and 18.95%, outperforming PDINN‐TS of 17.51% and 18.38%, respectively. Furthermore, stability tests revealed that after being stored in the glovebox for 1500 h, PDINN‐BS retained 90% of its pristine PCE, compared to 86% for PDINN‐TS. PDINN‐BS showed longer 80% PCE decay (T80) of 150 h in air, 200 h at 70 °C heating in N2, and 500 h under 1 sun immersion, surpassing PDINN‐TS with 120, 130, and 380 h, respectively. This demonstrates that PDINN‐BS displayed superior stability under a complicated environment. Consequently, this study provides significative guidance for the exploitation of high‐performance and high‐stability OSCs.

Small-Molecule Hole Transport Materials for >26% Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Chemically modifiable small-molecule hole transport materials (HTMs) hold promise for achieving efficient and scalable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Compared to emerging self-assembled monolayers, small-molecule HTMs are more reliable in terms of large-area deposition and long-term operational stability. However, current small-molecule HTMs in inverted PSCs lack efficient molecular designs that balance both the charge transport capability and interface compatibility, resulting in a long-standing stagnation of power conversion efficiency (PCE) below 24.5%. Here, we report the comprehensive design of HTMs' backbone and functional groups, which optimizes a simple planar linear molecular backbone with a high mobility exceeding 7.1 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 S-1 and enhances its interface anchoring capability. Owing to the improved surface properties and anchoring effects, the tailored HTMs enhance the interface contact at the HTM/perovskite heterojunction, minimizing nonradiative recombination and transport loss and leading to a high fill factor of 86.1%. Our work has overcome the persistent efficiency bottleneck for small-molecule HTMs, particularly for large-area devices. Consequently, the resultant PSCs exhibit PCEs of 26.1% (25.7% certified) for a 0.068 cm2 device and 24.7% (24.4% certified) for a 1.008 cm2 device, representing the highest PCE for small-molecule HTMs in inverted PSCs.

The Manipulation of Ring-Open Polymerization Process to Boost the Electrochemical Performance for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

Solid-state polyether electrolytes formed by in-situ ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) have attracted great attention due to their high lithium-ion conductivity, and good interface compatibility. However, DOL ring-opening polymerization is difficult to control, resulting in the formation of poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDOL) with high molecular weight and high crystallinity, which hinder Li+ diffusion and deteriorate the interfacial contact. Herein, trimethylsilyl isocyanate (IPTS) was introduced into DOL ring-opening system as a moisture eliminating agent to weaken the Li salt-based initiating system and regulate the polymerization process. Based on this, the resultant PDOL electrolytes with 3 wt.% IPTS exhibit ionic conductivity of 2.8×10-4 S cm-1, a high Li+ transference number (0.68) and excellent stability with Li anode. The Li|PDOL-3 %IPTS|Li battery exhibits a stable cycling performance for more than 1100 h under 0.5 mA cm-2 and 0.5 mAh cm-2. Furthermore, the LiFePO4|PDOL-3 %IPTS|Li cell shows a capacity retention rate of 89.2 % after 200 cycles (25 °C, 1 °C) and 94.5 % (60 °C, 1 °C) after 500 cycles, which is much higher than that of PDOL (6.6 %) after 70 cycles (25 °C, 1 °C). This work provides guidance for the manipulation of ROP process further to enhance the performance of solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Chemical Competing Diffusion for Practical All-Solid-State Batteries.

The thermal safety issues of currently available Ni-rich cathode-based power supplies brought in the development of all-solid-state batteries, yet the cascade reactions in Ni-rich materials and the chemo-mechanical degradation between the cathode and solid electrolyte diminished the cycle life. Here, by introducing a new heteroatom chemical competing diffusion strategy, we successfully stabilize the Ni-rich cathode and the contact face with an solid electrolyte. Combining extensive explorations in theoretical calculation and multiscale in/ex situ characterization, we elucidate the atomic-level chemical competing diffusion upon the topological lithiation of layered materials. The heteroatoms with higher binding energy to the coordinated oxygen served as the "oxygen anchor" in the bulk and alleviated the excessive oxygen oxidation through charge compensation, thus easing the chemical aggression of the solid electrolyte by evolved oxygen. Comparably, others were enriched in the surface and formed an ionic "diffusion regulator" with residual lithium, and the special ionic transfer regulation mechanism of the piezoelectric layer validly improved the interface compatibility with the solid electrolyte and weakened the space-charge layer in solid-state batteries. This helped the designed Ni-rich cathode-based sulfide solid-state battery exhibit excellent cyclability under 4.5 V (97.3% after 120 cycles). Our findings unlocked the structure-function relationship between the polarization field generated by the piezoelectric material and the electrode.

Surface Coordination of Garnet Fillers Improves the Organic-Inorganic Interfacial Compatibility of Composite Solid Electrolyte.

Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) have become one of the most promising solid-state electrolytes due to their favorable safety and flexibility. However, the weak interaction between inorganic fillers and polymer matrix leads to poor organic-inorganic interfacial compatibility, which degrades the electrochemical performance of CSEs. Herein, it is demonstrated that Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) can be chemically bonded to the polymer matrix by surface coordination of the 1,2-dithiolane group of lipoic acid (LA) with metal atoms on the surface of LLZTO through a combination of experimental investigations and theoretical calculations. The surface coordination not only enhances the interfacial compatibility between LLZTO and the polymer matrix, but also facilitates rapid Li+ transport, which leads to the ionic conductivity of the prepared CSE (P-V-M@LLZTO) as high as 6.1×10-4Scm-1 at 30°C. The excellent interface compatibility ensures a stable cycle of Li/P-V-M@LLZTO/Li symmetrical cell for more than 3500h. As a result, LiFePO4/P-V-M@LLZTO/Li cell delivers the discharge capacity of 161mAhg-1 after 5 cycles with a capacity retention of 81% after 500 cycles at 0.5C under 30°C. This work demonstrates that surface coordination is an effective strategy to solve the inherent interfacial incompatibility problem in CSEs.

Unraveling the Degradation Mechanisms in Composite Solid Polymer Electrolyte through in-Situ Impedance and Ex-Situ SEM

The increasing demand for batteries with higher energy density and enhanced safety has spurred the advancement of solid-state batteries (SSBs). While SSBs offer promising pathways to surmount the limitations of conventional batteries, their widespread adoption faces hurdles, notably due to the degradation mechanisms that impair their durability and efficacy. Among these, Li metal as anode materials acclaimed for its high energy density still encounter significant challenges related to safety and stability, primarily due to its reactive nature and formation of dendrites. Although solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are expected to inhibit Li dendrite growth, issues with interface compatibility and dendrite penetration through SSEs remain critical barriers, underscoring the complex interplay of material properties that must be addressed to realize the full potential of SSB technologies. In this study, we delve into the failure mechanisms prevalent in SSBs by analyzing the morphology of SSEs and their interactions with electrode materials over successive cycling. Employing a combination of cycling tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), we investigate the degradation patterns in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) electrodes, lithium metal, and SSEs.The composite solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) is synthesized by dissolving PVDF-HFP, PPC, and LiTFSi in DMF solvent, enriched with 10 wt% LLZO, and formed by slurry casting. Through our preliminary study, development of cracks in LFP electrodes was found mainly due to uneven Li stripping/plating. The aggregate formation of Li dendrite was also observed in the early charge/discharge cycles through ex-situ SEM. Significant increase in SSE porosity suggests Li formation and penetration into the CSPE for its low mechanical strength. The EDS analysis of CSPE at the end-of-life stage further reveals a notable shift towards carbon presence, likely indicating the formation of Li₂CO₃ after exposure of during transfer. This result signals high concentration of Li on the surface of CSPE. Further interphase information is revealed by analyzing the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation through in-situ impedance study. Our study offers critical insights into the mechanisms underlying the degradation of each component in the SSBs providing a foundational understanding necessary for the failure analysis of SSBs.

Rationally Designed Cyclic Sulfonamide-Based Electrolyte for Improved Electrochemical Performance for Rechargeable Li Batteries

Electrolyte instability poses a significant challenge in stabilizing the interfacial chemistry of rechargeable batteries. The engineering of electrolyte architecture has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance electrode compatibility and interfacial stability. In this study, we present the synthesis of a rationally designed cyclic sulfonamide electrolyte tailored to improve the electrochemical performance of Anodeless Li metal batteries and Li-S batteries. This electrolyte is meticulously crafted to optimize crucial electrochemical properties, including Li ion transport, stability, and interface compatibility. Through systematic investigation, we illustrate that the incorporation of cyclic sulfonamide moieties leads to enhanced electrolyte stability, thereby mitigating detrimental side reactions and improving the cycling performance of Li metal batteries. Notably, the use of cyclic sulfonamide electrolyte prevents corrosion of the aluminum current collector caused by TFSI anion, which is commonly associated with the use of LiTFSI salt in commercial batteries, thus facilitating safe battery recycling. Additionally, the cyclic sulfonamide-based electrolyte effectively inhibits the polysulfide shuttle in Li-S batteries, achieving a remarkable coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.5% in the absence of LiNO3 additive. Furthermore, these engineered electrolytes demonstrate exceptional compatibility with Li metal anodes, promoting uniform Li deposition and suppressing dendrite formation, thereby enhancing battery safety and longevity. Our findings underscore the importance of rational electrolyte design in driving the advancement of Anodeless Li metal and Li-S batteries, offering a promising avenue for the realization of high-energy-density and durable energy storage solutions across diverse applications.

Lignocellulose-Mediated Functionalization of Liquid Metals toward the Frontiers of Multifunctional Materials.

Lignocellulose-mediated liquid metal (LM) composites, as emerging functional materials, show tremendous potential for a variety of applications. The abundant hydroxyl, carboxyl, and other polar groups in lignocellulose facilitate the formation of strong chemical bonds with LM surfaces, enhancing wettability and adhesion for improved interface compatibility. Beyond serving as a supportive matrix, lignocellulose can be tailored to optimize the microstructure of the composites, adapting them for diverse applications. This review comprehensively summarizes the fundamental principles and recent advancements in lignocellulose-mediated LM composites, highlighting the advantages of lignocellulose in composite fabrication, including facile synthesis, versatile interactions, and inherent functionalities. Key modulation strategies for LMs and innovative synthesis methods for functionalized lignocellulose composites are discussed. Furthermore, the roles and structure-performance relationships of these composites in electromagnetic shielding, flexible sensors, and energy storage devices are systematically summarized. Finally, the obstacles and prospective advancements pertaining to lignocellulose-mediated LM composites are thoroughly scrutinized and deliberated upon. This review is expected to provide basic guidance for researchers to boost the popularity of LMs in diverse applications and provide useful references for design strategies of state-of-the-art LMs.

Titanate coupling agent modified lead sulphide for the manufacture of highly filled flexible neoprene based radiation protection materials

AbstractBased on the principles of photon and matter attenuation, lead sulphide (PbS) has the potential for applications in radiation protection owed to its elevated atomic number and density. Achieving good dispersion stability of PbS powder in highly filled composites remains a challenge due to the inherent nature. Here, we proposed a solution to these issues for highly filled rubber‐based flexible wearable composites. PbS particles were firstly synthesized and subsequently surface‐modified with a titanate coupling agent (NDZ‐201) enhanced the interfacial compatibility with the rubber‐based. Then, highly filled PbS@NDZ‐201/chloroprene rubber (CR) composites were obtained by physical blending. Test results showed that these highly filled composites exhibited even distribution of PbS granule and favorable interface compatibility. All the prepared PbS@NDZ‐201/CR composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties. In comparison to pure CR, the mechanical properties of the 70 wt% filler‐modified powder composites remained at a high level, with a tensile strength of 7.51 MPa and an elongation at break of 670.11%, represented improvements of 155% and 105%, respectively. The mass attenuation coefficient and the γ‐rays shielding coefficients of 70 wt% PbS@NDZ‐201/CR composites reached 34.15% and 36.87%, respectively. In conclusion, this method is feasible for the preparation of highly filled radiation protective rubber‐based flexible wearable materials.Highlights Introduction of PbS in the field of radiation protection. NDZ‐201 improved the interfacial compatibility of PbS with CR. The mechanical properties of the composites were improved after modification by NDZ‐201. Highly filled flexible wearable composites for radiation protection was successfully prepared.

Commonalities and Characteristics Analysis of Fluorine and Iodine used in Lithium‐Based Batteries

AbstractAmong optimization strategies for solving the poor ion transport ability and electrolyte/electrode interface compatibility problems of lithium (Li)‐based batteries, halogen elements, such as fluorine (F) and iodine (I), have gradually occupied an important position because of their superb electronegativity, oxidizability, ionic radius, and other properties. The study commences by outlining the shared mechanism by which F and I enhance solid‐state lithium metal batteries' electrochemical performance. In particular, F and I can considerably improve ion transport capacity through chemical means such as intermolecular interactions and halogenation reactions. Furthermore, the utilization of F and I significantly enhances the stability of the electrolyte/electrode interface via physical strategies, encompassing doping techniques, the application of surface coatings, and the fabrication of synthetic intermediate layers. Subsequently, the characteristics of F and I used in Li‐based batteries are elaborated in detail, focusing on the fact that F can provide additional energy density as an anode material but by different mechanisms. Additionally, I can considerably activate dead lithium at the negative electrode, and F can act as a new carrier. Finally, a rational concept of the synergistic effect of F and I is proposed and the feasibility of F–I bihalide solid electrolytes is explored.

Bridging links between solid electrolytes and electrodes: Boosting the electrochemical performance of flame-retardant solid electrolytes with vapor-deposited carbon and gold-sputtered nanolayers

Solid electrolytes provide significant advantages such as high safety, minimal leakage, elevated energy density, and flexibility. However, challenges like sluggish ion transport (both in bulk and at interfaces), lithium dendrite formation, and suboptimal interface compatibility persist. This study delineates a strategy for enhancing composite solid electrolytes (CSE) through the sputtering and evaporation of an Au-C nanolayer, thereby augmenting interface contact and facilitating ion transport. The modified nanointerface layer ensures swift and homogeneous heat transfer at the interface, promoting uniform lithium-ion deposition and stripping and restrain lithium dendrite growth. The dual-network structure gel, synthesized by blending carrageenan and polyethylene oxide, imparts exceptional flexibility and thermal stability to the CSE. The obtained polymer solid electrolyte exhibits high ionic conductivity (2.48 × 10-4 S cm−1), an ion transference number of 0.76, and puncture strength of 6 MPa. It also demonstrates excellent thermal stability, withstanding 100 °C for 24 h and resisting ignition for 120 s when exposed to an open flame. Surface modifications Au-C nanolayers decrease interfacial resistance by 200 % and enhance thermal conductivity by 20 %. Non-destructive X-CT analysis and COMSOL-Multiphysics thermal simulations were utilized to investigate the function of modified nanolayers and composite structure. This innovative surface nanolayers modification, combined with advanced testing and analysis, promising strategies for the scalable application of solid electrolytes.

High Configuration Entropy Promises Electrochemical Stability of Chloride Electrolytes for High‐Energy, Long‐Life All‐Solid‐State Batteries

AbstractSolid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) with high ionic conductivity, stability, and interface compatibility are indispensable for high‐energy‐density and long‐life all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs), yet there are scarce SSEs with sufficient ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. In this study, with a high‐entropy SSE (HE‐SSE, Li2.9In0.75Zr0.1Sc0.05Er0.05Y0.05Cl6), we show the high configuration entropy has a thermodynamically positive relationship with the high‐voltage stability. As a result, the ASSBs with HE‐SSE and high‐voltage cathode materials exhibit superior high‐voltage and long‐cycle stability, achieving 250 cycles with 81.4 % capacity retention when charged to 4.8 V (vs. Li+/Li), and even 5000 cycles if charged to 4.6 V (vs. Li+/Li). Experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations confirm that the HE‐SSE greatly suppresses the high‐voltage degradation of SSE at the interface, promoting the high‐voltage stability coordinately through high entropy and interface stability. The high entropy design offers a general strategy to simultaneously improve the high‐voltage stability and ionic conductivity of SSEs, creating an avenue to building high‐energy and long‐life ASSBs.

High Configuration Entropy Promises Electrochemical Stability of Chloride Electrolytes for High-Energy, Long-Life All-Solid-State Batteries.

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high ionic conductivity, stability, and interface compatibility are indispensable for high-energy-density and long-life all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), yet there are scarce SSEs with sufficient ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. In this study, with a high-entropy SSE (HE-SSE, Li2.9In0.75Zr0.1Sc0.05Er0.05Y0.05Cl6), we show the high configuration entropy has a thermodynamically positive relationship with the high-voltage stability. As a result, the ASSBs with HE-SSE and high-voltage cathode materials exhibit superior high-voltage and long-cycle stability, achieving 250 cycles with 81.4 % capacity retention when charged to 4.8 V (vs. Li+/Li), and even 5000 cycles if charged to 4.6 V (vs. Li+/Li). Experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations confirm that the HE-SSE greatly suppresses the high-voltage degradation of SSE at the interface, promoting the high-voltage stability coordinately through high entropy and interface stability. The high entropy design offers a general strategy to simultaneously improve the high-voltage stability and ionic conductivity of SSEs, creating an avenue to building high-energy and long-life ASSBs.

Trans-1,4-poly(isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber enhances abrasion resistance in natural rubber and polybutadiene composites

This study investigates the integration of Trans-1,4-poly (isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber (TBIR) with natural rubber (NR) and cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber (BR) to enhance the abrasion resistance of rubber composites. The NR/BR blend, a significant material in the rubber industry, is limited by poor interfacial compatibility and non-uniform filler distribution, resulting in heightened abrasion and failure. The addition of TBIR, along with carbon black (CB) and graphene oxide (GO), aims to achieve synergistic reinforcement. The results show that with 20 phr TBIR, the DIN abrasion of the composites decreased by 13.8 %, meeting the ISO 10247 standard for high-abrasion conveyor belt cover rubber. The improvement in wear resistance is attributed to TBIR's crystalline nature, which enhances tear strength, hardness, and elongation at break. TBIR also acts as an interface compatibility agent, improving the network structure of the rubber and fillers, thus enhancing composite performance. Observations of Schallamach waves, abrasion surface, and debris morphology indicate that the primary surface abrasion mechanism for the NR/BR/TBIR composites is abrasive abrasion. Regression analysis reveals that the abrasion resistance of the NR/BR/TBIR composites correlates with their mechanical properties and thermal conductivity, with higher tear strength, hardness, and elongation at break correlating with reduced surface damage due to abrasive abrasion. This research provides valuable insights into the development of high-abrasion-resistant natural rubber composites and the investigation of abrasion resistance mechanisms in rubber composites.