High-performance Electrochemical Energy Storage Research Articles

Fabricating a high-performance anode by coating a carbon layer on a yolk-shell bimetallic selenide microsphere for enhanced lithium storage.

The rational synthesis of an electrode material with a highly active and stable architecture is very critical to achieving high-performance electrochemical energy storage. Herein, N-doped carbon restricting yolk-shell CoSe2/Ni3Se4 (CoSe2/Ni3Se4@NC) flower-like microspheres were successfully synthesized from solid CoNi-glycerate microspheres using a coating technology as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The unique yolk-shell CoSe2/Ni3Se4@NC microspheres with hierarchical pores can increase the contact area with the electrolyte and provide enough transfer channels for the diffusion of Li+. The carbon layer on the surface of CoSe2/Ni3Se4@NC can not only improve the conductivity of the electrode but also provide the protective effect of active nanosheets during the process of synthesis, avoiding the overall structure collapse during the charge/discharge process of LIBs. Benefiting from the high conductivity, hollow structure, and elastic NC shell bestowed by the unique architecture, the yolk-shell CoSe2/Ni3Se4@NC anode shows excellent lithium storage performances, such as an excellent reversible specific capacity of 319 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1000 mA g-1 after 500 cycles and excellent cycling stability. This synthesis strategy provides a new way to optimize the lithium storage performance of transition metal compound electrode materials, which is helpful to the design of the next generation of high-performance LIBs.

In-situ synthesis of Fe3O4@Fe3C nanoparticles with heterostructures embedded in the N-doped porous carbon for high-performance lithium ion batteries

Metal oxides (Fe3O4) have attracted immense attention as high-capacity anode materials for high-performance electrochemical energy storage systems. However, the large structural change and sluggish reaction kinetics in the lithiation and delithiation reactions critically limit their practical development. Here, we design a novel composite consisting of Fe3O4@Fe3C nanoparticles embedded in N-doped porous carbon (Fe3O4@Fe3C-NPC) for lithium ion batteries. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of heterostructures, the Fe3O4@Fe3C-NPC delivers high reversible capacities (911.9 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, 319.6 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1). The formed heterointerfaces can build an internal electric field, which help to improve reaction kinetics with fast ion diffusion kinetics and low charge transfer resistance. Furthermore, the Fe3O4@Fe3C-NPC//LiFePO4 full cell also displays great performance. The structural design concept and efficient synthesis method in the work can be extended to construct metal oxide/carbide heterostructures for anode materials.

Mesoporous Mn-substituted MnxZn1-xCo2O4 ternary spinel microspheres with enhanced electrochemical performance for supercapacitor applications.

Extensive investigations have been carried out on spinel mixed transition metal oxide-based materials for high-performance electrochemical energy storage applications. In this study, mesoporous Mn-substituted MnxZn1-xCo2O4 (ZMC) ternary oxide microspheres (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1) were fabricated as electrode materials for supercapacitors through a facile coprecipitation method. Electron microscopy analysis revealed the formation of microspheres comprising interconnected aggregates of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the substitution of Mn into ZnCo2O4 significantly improved the surface area of the synthesized samples. The electrochemical test results demonstrate that the ZMC3 oxide microspheres with an optimal Mn substitution exhibited enhanced performance, displaying the largest specific capacitance of 589.9Fg-1 at 1Ag-1. Additionally, the ZMC3 electrode maintained a capacitance retention of 92.1% after 1000 cycles and exhibited a significant rate capability at a current density of 10Ag-1. This improved performance can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of multiple metals resulting from Mn substitution, along with an increase in the surface area, which tailors the redox behavior of ZnCo2O4 (ZC) and facilitates charge transfer. These findings indicate that the incorporation of Mn into mixed transition metal oxides holds promise as an effective strategy for designing high-performance electrodes for energy storage applications.

Boosting the pseudocapacitance of BiFeO3 by Zn doping for flexible battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices

Perovskite BiFeO3 (BFO) as a type of battery-type electrode materials, usually suffers from poor electrolyte ion transport in the BFO crystal. We propose a novel strategy of Zn doping to improve the ion transport and boost the faradaic pseudocapacitance of BFO for flexible battery-supercapacitor hybrid (BSH) devices. The Zn-doped BFO (Z-BFO-1) with the low Zn doping content, can maintain the crystal structure of BFO and the uniform distributions of elements. The oxygen vacancy content can be increased from BFO to Z-BFO-1, reflecting the influence of the Zn doping on the crystal structure of BFO. The Z-BFO-1 electrode with the stable crystal structure in the charge/discharge process, can provide the highest specific capacitance (223 F g−1 at 0.2 A/g) and the largest Li+ diffusion coefficient (2.386 × 10−11 cm2 s−1) among these BFO-based electrodes with different Zn doping contents. The first-principles calculations reveal that the Zn doping in BFO can significantly enhance the built-in electric fields and greatly lower the Li+ migration energy barriers (from 2.08 eV to 1.43 eV). This flexible MnO2//Z-BFO-1 BSH device with the high energy density (37.5 Wh kg−1 at 0.23 kW kg−1), opens up a new avenue for developing high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices.

One dimensional WS2 nanoarchitectures coupled with g-C3N4 anchored rGO sheets for high performance electrochemical energy storage applications

Herein, tungsten sulfide (WS2) nanorods (NRs) with g-C3N4 and rGO were synthesized in order to design a cost-effective electrode material (WS2/g-C3N4/rGO) for advanced electrochemical relevance. The rGO nanosheets along with a metal free g-C3N4 with graphene like layered structure improved the electrical conductivity and electro-active surface area of the ternary nanocomposite. The structure, morphology and surface area of as-prepared electrodes were comprehensively studied via XRD, FTIR, EDX, FESEM and BET analyses. As projected, surface assisted WS2 NRs were smooth, uniform, interconnected and well aligned with an average diameter of 24.78 nm diameter. The ternary nanocomposite (WS2/g-C3N4/rGO) delivered highest specific capacitance 1383.33F/g at a scan rate 5 mV/s. The GCD plots proposed large discharge time for WS2/g-C3N4/rGO nanocomposite (918 sec) with high specific capacitance of 850 mAh/g at 1 A/g as compared to WS2/g-C3N4 (623 sec) with specific capacitance 578 mAh/g. The energy density and power density of WS2/g-C3N4/rGO nanocomposite were calculated to be 35.41 Wh/Kg and 139.15 W/Kg, respectively. The noteworthy electrochemical efficiency of WS2/g-C3N4/rGO nanocomposite noticed from CV and GCD results are attributed to the enhanced surface area, porous nanoarchitecture, and nanocomposite composition. The ternary nanocomposite electrode (WS2/g-C3N4/rGO) also showed the fastest ion diffusion and good capacitive retention. In conclusion, our prepared nanocomposite electrode material (WS2/g-C3N4/rGO) exhibits good electrochemical performance and can serve as a better option in the field of energy storage devices.

Metal Phosphide Anodes in Sodium-Ion Batteries: Latest Applications and Progress.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), as the next-generation high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices, have attracted widespread attention due to their cost-effectiveness and wide geographical distribution of sodium. As a crucial component of the structure of SIBs, the anode material plays a crucial role in determining its electrochemical performance. Significantly, metal phosphide exhibits remarkable application prospects as an anode material for SIBs because of its low redox potential and high theoretical capacity. However, due to volume expansion limitations and other factors, the rate and cycling performance of metal phosphides have gradually declined. To address these challenges, various viable solutions have been explored. In this paper, the recent research progress of metal phosphide materials for SIBs is systematically reviewed, including the synthesis strategy of metal phosphide, the storage mechanism of sodium ions, and the application of metal phosphide in electrochemical aspects. In addition, future challenges and opportunities based on current developments are presented.

Ni/Co bimetallic organic frameworks nanospheres for high-performance electrochemical energy storage

Ni/Co bimetallic organic frameworks nanospheres for high-performance electrochemical energy storage

High-energy-density, ultralong-life manganese oxide composite carbon aqueous zinc-ion asymmetric supercapacitors

Transition metal oxide composites integrate the characteristics of metal oxides and carbon materials, thereby combine the advantages of both battery-type and capacitive electrodes. Using bimetallic aluminum‑manganese metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors, the MOFs are calcined under a nitrogen atmosphere, followed by etching in a sodium hydroxide solution to obtain the MnO/C (MO/C) composite material. The resulting high specific surface area composite material (583.76 m2 g−1) exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance, achieving a high energy density of 146 Wh kg−1 and a power density of approximately 1000 W kg−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, along with excellent stability. Even under a high current density of 10 A g−1 and after 5000 cycles, the material maintains a capacitance retention rate of 96.7 %. The high specific surface area and abundant pore structures provide more electrochemical active sites, facilitating ion diffusion. The carbon framework enhances conductivity, effectively mitigating structural collapse caused by volume expansion during repetitive charge and discharge processes, thereby improving material stability. This study provides robust support for the development of high-performance electrochemical energy storage materials.

Alternately electrodeposited mesoporous NiCoSe2@MnO2 nanocomposite-anchored Ni-Co layered double hydroxide nanoneedles for hybrid supercapacitors

A rational strategy for preparing effective electrode materials is crucial for high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices. Herein, a facile route is developed to construct hierarchical composite electrodes (NiCoLDH@NiCoSe2@MnO2) consisting of...

Comprehensive characterization of a Mn0.1Mg0.9Fe2O4/CeO2/MgFe2O4 nanocomposite for high-performance supercapacitor applications

Metal oxide nanocomposites have grown in popularity in the field of electrochemical devices due to their numerous advantages, such as a large active surface area and high chemical stability. However, it is crucial to emphasize that the structural properties of these metal oxide nanocomposites are crucial in molding their electrochemical performance. Using solvothermal reflux and auto-combustion techniques (Mn0.1Mg0.9Fe2O4/CeO2/MgFe2O4) comprising Mn0.1Mg0.9Fe2O4, CeO2, and MgFe2O4 was successfully produced. This nanocomposite was used to construct high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices, notably battery-type applications. This nanocomposite crystal structure, morphology, and elemental composition were thoroughly examined. The electrochemical performance of the synthesized nanocomposite was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using a 6 M KOH electrolyte solution to acquire a thorough grasp of its properties. When tested at a current density of 1 A/g, the composite electrode demonstrated an impressive specific capacity (Cs) of 368.7 C/g. Even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles, the Mn0.1Mg0.9Fe2O4/CeO2/MgFe2O4 nanocomposite electrode retained 93 % of its capacity retention. These findings definitively establish the Mn0.1Mg0.9Fe2O4/CeO2/MgFe2O4 nanocomposite as a top choice for energy storage systems.

Highly stable and thin layer of conducting PANI decorative on porous 3D nanoflakes like-NiCo2O4/CF nanomaterials for efficient Hybrid Supercapacitors application

A systemically planned three-step procedure for producing conducting polymers (CP) layer coated on porous nanoflakes like NiCo2O4 improves electrochemical supercapacitor applications. i) In the first step, deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been employed as a solvent to synthesize an interconnected NiCo2O4 nanoflakes, ii) second step includes the hydrothermally synthesized polyaniline (PANI) decorated on NiCo2O4 nanoflakes, and iii) in third step, cellulose nanofiber (CF) powder has been added in the optimum NiCo2O4/PANI sample in order to improve the electrochemical activity. The surface morphology systematically modified as nanoflowers, nanocubes, and nanoflakes with respect to the products such as Ni(OH)2, Co3O4 and NiCo2O4, respectively. 0.2 mg PANI/NiCo2O4/CF electrode is found to be a suitable hybrid combination with an excellent electrode performance with a specific capacity (Cs) of 369 mAh g−1 and improved electrochemical conductivity. The NCO/PANI/CF//AC asymmetric device has been fabricated which further resulted into the widen potential window (1.5 V), larger Cs values (406 F g−1), and greater energy (60.60 W h kg−1) and power densities (2322 W kg−1). Thus, NiCo2O4 decorated with PANI and CF composed nanohybrid material is an ideal electrode for high performance electrochemical energy storage devices.

CoOx @NiMoN/Ti3 C2 Tx Interface for Stable High-Performance Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices.

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) are promising electrode materials for use in high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices due to their unique properties, which include a high conductivity, pseudocapacitance, and energy density. However, structural instability during electrochemical reactions has limited their practical deployment for energy storage devices. In this context, the present study fabricated a CoOx @NiMoN/Ti3 C2 Tx electrode via in situ growth on Ni foam using hydrothermal treatment with post-nitrogenization. The effect of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of CoOx on the TMN/Ti3 C2 Tx interface and the consequent electrochemical charge storage mechanisms areinvestigated in detail. The proposed CoOx @NiMoN/Ti3 C2 Tx electrode delivers an impressive specific capacity in a 2m potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte and isthen employed in both a hybrid solid-state supercapacitor (HSSC) with reduced graphene oxide and a symmetric SC in a 2m KOH + polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel electrolyte. Outstanding charge storage and high capacity retention during cyclic testing areobserved for both energy storage devices. The exceptional electrochemical performance of the fabricated electrode isa result of its high conductivity and high number of active sites. Here a feasible new strategy is demonstrated for the fabrication of stable energy storage devices with a high energy density using TMNs and MXenes.

Fabrication of ZnSnO3@In2O3 core-shell based 1D microfiber heterostructure for high energy density asymmetric supercapacitors

Core-shell microfibers have witnessed a substantial demand surge in developing supercapacitors (SCs) owing to their enhanced conductivity, high surface area, and structural stability. Here, we report a facile low-cost electrospun ZnSnO3 @In2O3 core-shell microfibers heterostructure for SC application. The distinct fibrous morphology and synergistic incorporation of Zinc (Zn), Tin (Sn), and Indium (In) demonstrate significantly enhanced electrochemical performance while assembled in an asymmetric SC (ASC) by utilizing ZnSnO3 @In2O3 core-shell as positive and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode. The ASC device exhibits an excellent specific capacitance of 160 F/g at 1 A/g along with a maximum specific energy of 40 Wh/kg. The ASC also records 86.95% capacitance retention with an exceptional 90% coulombic efficiency retention over 15,000 cycles at 15 A/g. This novel ZnSnO3 @In2O3 core-shell//AC signifies great potential in achieving high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices.

Direct Ink Writing 3D Printing for High-Performance Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices: A Minireview.

Despite tremendous efforts that have been dedicated to high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices (EESDs), traditional electrode fabrication processes still face the daunting challenge of limited energy/power density or compromised mechanical compliance. 3D thick electrodes can maximize the utilization of z-axis space to enhance the energy density of EESDs but still suffer from limitations in terms of poor mechanical stability and sluggish electron/ion transport. Direct ink writing (DIW), an eminent branch of 3D printing technology, has gained popularity in the manufacture of 3D electrodes with intricately designed architectures and rationally regulated porosity, promoting a triple boost in areal mass loading, ion diffusion kinetics, and mechanical flexibility. This focus review highlights the fundamentals of printable inks and typical configurations of 3D-printed devices. In particular, preparation strategies for high-performance and multifunctional 3D-printed EESDs are systemically discussed and classified according to performance evaluation metrics such as high areal energy density, high power density, high volumetric energy density, and mechanical flexibility. Challenges and prospects for the fabrication of high-performance 3D-printed EESDs are outlined, aiming to provide valuable insights into this thriving field.

Polyphosphazene-derived carbon modified nanowires for high-performance electrochemical energy storage

Two one-dimensional nanowires, Fe3O4 and MnO2 nanowires, were modified with polyphosphazene-derived carbon (PZSC) using in situ polymerization and high-temperature calcination methods. PZSC coated with MnO2 nanowire (MnO2/PZSCNW) was designed as the positive electrode, while PZSC coated with Fe3O4 nanowire (Fe3O4/PZSCNW) was designed as the negative electrode. Both MnO2/PZSCNW (+) and Fe3O4/PZSCNW (−) exhibit much larger specific capacities than the corresponding MnO2 and Fe3O4 nanowires, reaching 75.5 mAh g−1 and 75.9 mAh g−1, respectively. The maximum specific capacity, power and energy density of MnO2/PZSCNW (+)//Fe3O4/PZSCNW (−) in alkaline electrolyte are up to 63.2 mAh g−1, 429.6 W kg−1 and 53.7 Wh kg−1, respectively. After 10 000 cycles, the cell maintains 100% capacity. The experimental results indicate that the polyphosphazene-derived carbon coating can significantly improve the electrochemical performance, providing a feasible solution for constructing high-performance supercapacitors.

Biological treatment as a green approach for enhancing electrochemical performance of wood derived carbon based supercapacitor electrodes

Wood-derived biochar is an eco-friendly and porous carbon material that can be used to prepare supercapacitor electrodes. For the purpose of addressing the deficiencies in the specific surface area and pore structure of wood-derived carbon as the raw material of electrodes, a biological pre-treatment method was developed to construct the desirable pore structure of wood by leveraging the lignin-degrading property of white-rot fungi. First, white-rot fungi with permeability and biodegradability on lignocellulosic substrates were used to regulate the pore structure of natural paulownia wood, which was then carbonized to produce a porous hyphae/wood-derived carbon conductive substrate. Afterward, manganese dioxide (MnO2) was deposited on the substrate to fabricate the MnO2/hyphae/wood-derived carbon (HWC-3M) electrode by the hydrothermal method. The degradation of lignin by white-rot fungi broke the original pore structure of wood, strengthened effective channels in the cell walls, and facilitated the loading of MnO2 into the channels to improve the ion transport rate. The HWC-3M had richer energy storage sites, more electrolyte ion transport channels, and better electrochemical performance than the control electrode made of untreated wood-derived carbon (HWC-0), showing an excellent areal specific capacitance (3395 mF/cm2 at a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2), moderate gravimetric specific capacitance (138.3 F/g), and good cycling stability (retention of 88.6% after 2000 cycles). The results indicate that pretreating wood-derived carbon composite electrode with white-rot fungi serves as a new green approach to develop high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices.

Nanocellulose-based advanced materials for flexible supercapacitor electrodes

Nanocellulose is sustainable, has excellent properties and a unique structure that can be used to create environmentally friendly supercapacitor electrodes with pore structures. Supercapacitor, as a high-performance electrochemical energy storage device, has the advantages of high power density, long cycle life, fast charging and discharging, and high energy density. Currently, the problem of energy depletion is becoming more and more serious, and in order to solve this problem, people are beginning to replace traditional petroleum-based materials with environmentally friendly biomass-based materials. Nanocellulose, as a derivative of cellulose, the most widely distributed biomass in nature, has high specific surface area, biodegradability, high strength and good dispersibility. This review discusses and summarizes the latest research on nanocellulose-based supercapacitor electrode materials. First, the physical and chemical properties of nanocellulose and the preparation strategy are presented. Second, the types of electrodes are introduced in terms of electrodes with nanocellulose as substrate and those with other support materials. Next, recent studies on the use of these electrodes for flat supercapacitors and fiber-based supercapacitors are presented. Finally, the future prospects and challenges of using nanocellulose in supercapacitor electrode materials are outlined.

MXenes for Zinc-Based Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices.

As an economical and safer alternative to lithium, zinc (Zn) is promising for realizing new high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices, such as Zn-ion batteries, Zn-ion hybrid capacitors, and Zn-air batteries. Well-designed electrodes are needed to enable efficient Zn electrochemistry for energy storage. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) are emerging materials with unique electrical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties and versatile surface chemistry. They are potential material candidates for constructing high-performance electrodes of Zn-based energy storage devices. This review first briefly introduces the working mechanisms of the three Zn-based energy storage devices. Then, the recent progress on the synthesis, chemical functionalization, and structural design of MXene-based electrodes is summarized. Their performance in Zn-based devices is analyzed to establish relations between material properties, electrode structures, and device performance. Last, several research topics are proposed to be addressed for developing practical MXene-based electrodes for Zn-based energy storage devices to enable their commercialization and broad adoption in the near future.

Carbon Nanotube Template-Assisted Synthesis of Conjugated Microporous Polytriphenylamine with High Porosity for Efficient Supercapacitive Energy Storage.

Engineering of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) with high porosity, redox activity, and electronic conductivity is of significant importance for their practical applications in electrochemical energy storage. Aminated-multiwall carbon nanotubes (NH2 -MWNT) are utilized to modulate the porosity and electronic conductivity of polytriphenylamine (PTPA), which is synthesized via Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reaction of tri(4-bromophenyl)amine and phenylenediamine as constitutional units in a one-step in situ polymerization process. Compared to PTPA, the specific surface area of core-shell PTPA@MWNTs has been greatly improved from 32 to 484m2 g-1 . The PTPA@MWNTs exhibites an improved specific capacitance, with the highest value 410Fg-1 in 0.5M H2 SO4 at a current of 10Ag-1 achieve for PTPA@MWNT-4 due to the hierarchical meso-micro pores, high redox-activity and electronic conductivity. Symmetric supercapacitor assemble by PTPA@MWNT-4 has a capacitance of 216Fg-1 of total electrode materials and retains 71% of initial capacitance after 6000 cycles. This study gives new insights into the role of CNT templates in the adjustment of molecular structure, porosity, and electronic property of CMPs for the high-performance electrochemical energy storage.

Nickel ferrite oxide coated on activated carbon wheat husk for high-performance electrochemical energy storage

The development of new and cheap electrode materials in energy production devices and especially supercapacitors caused our research team to synthesize a new type of active carbon obtained from the wheat husk (ACWH) and combine it with one of the most efficient binary metal oxides (NiFe2O4) and measure the capability of this electrode material in energy storage. The successful synthesis of NiFe2O4/ACWH by the hydrothermal method was confirmed by accurate physical characterization and the results of cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests show the excellent capability of this electrode material in electrochemical energy storage. Specific capacitance of 1280 F/g and 84% stability of NiFe2O4/ACWH after 5000 consecutively GCD make this electrode material an attractive option for use in supercapacitors on an industrial scale. The assembled supercapacitor also kept the blue and red LEDs on for about 39 s.