High-performance Energy Storage Research Articles

Design of high-performance binary carbonate/hydroxide Ni-based supercapacitors for photo-storage systems

Silicon solar cells were used to convert solar energy into electrical energy, and a supercapacitor was designed to store this energy. To maximize the surface area of the electrodes, a three-dimensional Ni foam substrate was employed, onto which Ni-based compounds were deposited to enhance the electrochemical performance of the electrodes. Specifically, to address the conductivity reduction problem that arises when using only Ni ions, we introduced transition metal ions such as Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, and Zn to create binary compounds as electrode material. These binary metal compounds provided high electronic conductivity, structural stability, and reversible capacity, thereby optimizing the performance of the supercapacitor. As a result, the optimized NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 electrode demonstrated high capacity and excellent cycle stability, exhibiting an energy density of 35.5 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 2555.6 W kg−1 as an asymmetric supercapacitor device. Furthermore, when this device was combined directly with silicon solar cells, it achieved a storage efficiency of 63 % and an overall efficiency of 5.17 % under an illumination intensity of 10 mW cm−2. These findings suggest the potential for commercializing high-performance self-charging energy storage devices and contribute significantly to the advancement of energy storage technology.

Modeling of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Transportation: A Comprehensive Review of Electrical Models and Parameter Dependencies

The power and transportation sectors contribute to more than 66% of global carbon emissions. Decarbonizing these sectors is critical for achieving a zero-carbon economy by mid-century and mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change. Battery packs, which enable energy storage in electric vehicles, are a key component of electrified transport systems. The production of these batteries has significantly increased in recent years to meet rising demand, and this trend is expected to continue. However, current traction batteries exhibit lower energy density compared to fossil fuels. As a result, accurate battery models that balance computational complexity and precision are essential for designing high-performance energy storage systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the most used electrical models for lithium-ion batteries in traction applications, as reported in the technical literature. By exploring the strengths and limitations of different modeling approaches, this paper aims to offer valuable insights into their practical applicability for the electrification of transportation systems. Additionally, this paper discusses the primary methods employed to derive the values of the electrical components within these models. Finally, it examines the key parameters—such as temperature, state of charge, and aging—that significantly influence the component values. Ultimately, it guides researchers and practitioners in selecting the most suitable modeling approach for their specific needs.

Eco-friendly high microporosity low temperature plasma exposed activated carbon from coconut shell for nano hybrid supercapacitors

Abstract This study looked at the structural, chemical, and electrochemical properties of coconut shell activated carbon (CSAC) before and after plasma treatment. Structural analysis using x-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated that plasma treatment improves graphitic structure by plans at (002) and (101) for higher angles. Chemical investigation utilizing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed an increase in hydroxyl groups and carboxylic content following plasma treatment, which enhances electrochemical performance. Raman spectroscopy revealed a drop in the ID/IG ratio from 1.00 to 0.90, indicating enhanced graphitic order. Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that plasma treatment improves surface shape, while elemental analysis assessed the high carbon content (76.56% by weight). Contact angle measurements showed a decrease from 114° to 65°, showing improved hydrophilicity after treatment. Electrochemical investigation shows that the plasma-treated CSAC had a maximum specific capacitance of 1612 F g−1, compared to 729 F g−1 for the untreated CSAC, and a total capacitance of plasma treated1685 F/g are untreated 1400 F g−1. A Type II+III pattern on the isotherms implied capillary condensation in mesopores. The plasma treatment indicated improved porosity and potential adsorption capacity by increasing the specific surface area and decreasing the average pore width. The cyclic stability tests indicated that the plasma-treated CSAC retained 94% capacitance and 98% coulombic efficiency after 3000 cycles, which is superior to the untreated CSAC’s 92% capacitance retention and 95% coulombic efficiency. This reveals that plasma-treated CSAC has significantly improved performance and stability, making it an excellent alternative for high-performance and cost-effective energy storage applications.

Enhancing electrode efficiency by tuning surface electronic properties and defects in NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheets with Al or Zn cation vacancies

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing transition metals have emerged as promising electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their low cost, strong redox activity, and environmental friendliness. In this study, we propose a novel approach by creating Zn-defect Zn(II) engineered D-NiFeZn-LDHs through cyclic voltammetry etching in an alkaline solution of NiFeZn-LDHs synthesized on a carbon cloth substrate. This defect engineering increases electrochemical active sites and improves ion diffusion within the layered structure. The D-NiFeZn-LDHs demonstrate an impressive specific capacitance of 1204.8 F g⁻1 at 1 A g⁻1 and retain 61.52 % of their initial capacity after 10,000 cycles at 10A g⁻1, showcasing excellent long-term cycling stability. Moreover, the all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor constructed using D-NiFeZn-LDHs delivers a high energy density of 31.63 Wh kg⁻1 at 125 W kg⁻1 and retains 65.95 % of its capacity after 5000 cycles at a high current density of 10 A g⁻1. These findings provide a new strategy for developing high-performance energy storage materials.

Rational design of alginate-derived network binder for high-performance silicon-based anodes in Li-ion batteries

This study developed a novel alginate-derived network binder, SAH, to enhance the performance and stability of silicon-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Integrating acrylic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate with sodium alginate through a one-pot polymerization and in-situ cross-linking method, SAH effectively addresses the volumetric expansion challenges associated with silicon anodes. This innovative binder maintains the structural integrity of the silicon anode through its rigid acrylic acid component, while the flexible acrylic-2-hydroxyethyl ester serves as a dynamic buffer to enhance flexibility. Sodium alginate contributes its intrinsic beneficial properties and imparts a robust three-dimensional network structure through effective coupling, allowing the binder to accommodate silicon volume changes during battery operation. Consequently, lithium-ion batteries incorporating this binder exhibited improved stability and extended cycle life, achieving an impressive capacity retention rate of 87.3 % after 100 cycles at 0.5C. This study highlights the potential of biopolymeric materials in enhancing the functionality of silicon-based anodes, contributing to the ongoing development of high-performance energy storage technologies.

Breath inspired multifunctional low-cost inorganic colloidal electrolyte for stable zinc metal anode

The practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is primarily constrained by issues such as corrosion, zinc dendrite formation, and the hydrogen evolution reaction occurring at the zinc metal anode. To overcome these challenges, strategies for optimizing the electrolyte are crucial for enhancing the stability of the zinc anode. Inspired by the role of hemoglobin in blood cells, which facilitates oxygen transport during human respiration, an innovative inorganic colloidal electrolyte has been developed: calcium silicate-ZnSO4 (denoted as CS-ZSO). This electrolyte operates in weak acidic environment and releases calcium ions, which participate in homotopic substitution with zinc ions, while the solvation environment of hydrated zinc ions in the electrolyte is regulated. The reduced energy barrier for the transfer of zinc ions and the energy barrier for the desolvation of hydrated ions imply faster ion transfer kinetics and accelerated desolvation processes, thus favoring the mass transfer process. Furthermore, the silicate colloidal particles act as lubricants, improving the transfer of zinc ions. Together, these factors contribute to the more uniform concentration of zinc ions at the electrode/electrolyte interface, effectively inhibiting zinc dendrite formation and reducing by-product accumulation. The Zn//CS-ZSO//Zn symmetric cell demonstrates stable operation for over 5000 h at 1 mA cm−2, representing 29-fold improvement compared to the Zn//ZSO//Zn symmetric cell, which lasts only 170 h. Additionally, the Zn//CS-ZSO//Cu asymmetric cell shows stable average Coulombic efficiency (CE) exceeding 99.6% over 2400 cycles, significantly surpassing the performance of the ZSO electrolyte. This modification strategy for electrolytes not only addresses key limitations associated with zinc anodes but also provides valuable insights into stabilizing anodes for the advancement of high-performance aqueous zinc-ion energy storage systems.

Achieving the dendrite-free zinc anode by constructing a Sn-C interfacial layer with zincophilic and conductive network

Under the basic national policy of sustainable green development, high-performance and low-cost energy storage devices are urgently needed for intermittent generation of clean energy and storage of electrical energy. Zn metal with high capacity, abundant reserves and excellent plasticity, but the inevitable side reactions (hydrogen precipitation and corrosion, etc.) of the Zn metal anode itself have severely limited the development of aqueous Zn ion batteries (AZIBs) in the market. In this study, an artificial protective layer of polymer-derived carbon material combined with Sn is prepared to inhibit hydrogen precipitation and corrosion and prolong the lifetime of AZIBs. With these advantages, the Zn@Sn@N doped carbon (Zn@CNS) symmetric cell could achieve a stable cycle life of 1000 h at 2 mA cm-2 and low overpotential. The excellent stripping life of over 400 h is achieved in half-cells assembled with Cu foils. Furthermore, the α-MnO2//Zn@CNS full battery shows superior stability in rate capability and long-term capacity retention compared to the α-MnO2//Zn battery, indicating that the CNS coating provides excellent performance and practical value.

High sodium conductive polymer electrolyte-based nanoclusters in supercapacitor

The sodium-ion polymer electrolytes (PEs) spur the development of the high safe solid batteries due to their merits of safety, flexibility, lower interfacial resistance with electrodes, and easy processing. Herein, a rational strategy is developed to construct the PE, which can integrate the excellent sodium ion conductivity with the mechanical performances. This strategy applies the nano-sized metal oxide clusters (MOCs) not only to supply the sodium ions but also to inhibit the polymer crystallization. The released polymer chains, crosslinked via physical crosslinking points (nanoclusters), form a network that provides the electrolyte film with toughness over a wide temperature range. The targeted electrolyte exhibits excellent Na-ion conductivity of 3.8 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature, tensile strength up to 0.74 Mpa and breaking elongation of 23 %. In addition, this PE widens the electrochemical stability window of the aqueous Na-ion supercapacitor up to 2.0 V since the water molecules are effectively confined via the strong interactions among components. Our research on sodium polymer electrolytes combined by nanoclusters and PVA holds significant promise for advancing solid-state sodium saaupercapacitors— a new generation of high-performance, safe, and cost-effective energy storage solutions.

Fabrication of MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF//activated Carbon Nanocomposite Electrode Material for High Performance Energy Storage and Fast Response for Gluten Detection

Abstract Gluten is a high-energy protein that is present in some grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley. It has a significant impact on the food production processes. In this work, the MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF composite was synthesized using a hydrothermal method. To estimate the electrochemical properties, the MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF composite-based electrode is designed, which shows the specific capacity (Qs) of 1050 Cg-1 at 3 mVs-1 because of the enhancement in redox-active sites and conductivity. The hybrid electrode MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF//AC revealed Qs of 337 Cg-1. In addition, the device demonstrated an exceptional energy density (Ed) of 55 Whkg-1 and a power density (Pd) of 2200 Wkg-1. The device showed capacity retention of 88% and Coulombic efficiency of 96% after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF composite is utilized for the detection of gliadin. The electrochemical sensor showed an extraordinary sensitivity of 732 µA mM−1 cm−2 against the gluten. The MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF nanocomposite has diverse potential for creating hybrid devices used in applications related to food and energy harvesting.

Achieving high energy storage performance through tolerance factor design in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 based ceramic

Achieving high energy storage performance through tolerance factor design in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 based ceramic

Synergetic Interplay of MnNi-MOF Composite with 2D MXene for Improved Supercapacitor Application

The growing demand for high-performance energy storage systems has driven the development of advanced materials to improve supercapacitor efficiency. In this study, MXene-MnNi nanocomposites are synthesized and evaluated for their potential as next-generation supercapacitor electrodes. The MnNi alloy, known for its excellent pseudocapacitive properties, is combined with MXene, a two-dimensional material recognized for its exceptional conductivity, mechanical robustness, and large surface area. The uniform dispersion of MnNi and MXene achieved through a straightforward hydrothermal method, optimizes charge transfer and enhances electrochemical performance. Electrochemical testing demonstrates that the 100 MX-MN nanocomposite exhibits a high specific capacity of 1028 C g-1 at 1 A g-1, along with excellent rate capability and long-term stability, outperforming many conventional materials. This outstanding performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of MnNi’s redox activity and MXene’s high conductivity, which together increase active site availability, accelerate ion diffusion, and maintain structural integrity. Additionally, a hybrid aqueous device is assembled using 100 MX-MN as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode. The device delivers a maximum energy density of 87.35 W h kg-1 at a power density of 1.98 kW kg-1 and exhibits excellent capacity retention of 88 % after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles. These findings highlight the potential of MXene-MnNi nanocomposites as advanced materials for supercapacitor applications, offering a promising path for more efficient energy storage solutions in modern electronic devices.

Heterojunction-structured Ni0.85Se/CoSe nanoparticles anchored on holey graphene for performance-enhanced sodium-ion batteries

Graphene-based metal selenides, are increasingly recognized for their potential in sodium-ion battery applications due to their superior electrochemical properties. The unique structure of graphene facilitates rapid in-plane transport of sodium ions, but the interlayer diffusion remains a significant challenge. The Ni0.85Se@CoSe heterojunctions, strategically grown adjacent to the graphene pores, offer a novel solution by creating in-plane holes that serve as direct channels for vertical ion transport, thereby enhancing cross-layer sodium ion permeation. The incorporation of Ni0.85Se@CoSe heterojunctions with holey graphene (NCS/HG) significantly enhances the reaction dynamics between sodium ions and anode material. These heterojunctions not only promote easier sodium ion insertion/extraction process by reducing the Na+ adsorption energy, but also improve the electrical conductivity by adjusting the band gap. The configuration supports high current density applications (573.5 mAh/g at 5.0 A/g), and ensures robust cycle stability with a capacity retention rate of 97 % after 1000 cycles at 2.0 A/g. Therefore, the development and etching techniques employed in engineering the Ni0.85Se@CoSe/HG graphene-based anodes exemplify a significant advancement in anode material design, highlighting the importance of material architecture in the development of high-performance energy storage devices.

In-situ growth of FeCo layered double hydroxide nanorods on MXene for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

In the pursuit of clean energy solutions, supercapacitors have gained attention due to their exceptional energy storage capabilities. Layered double hydroxide (LDH), a notable material in this field, faces some challenges such as slow charge transfer speed and volumetric expansion. To tackle these issues, a novel FeCo-LDH/MXene composite was synthesized through in-situ hydrothermal growth of FeCo layered double hydroxide (FeCo-LDH) nanorods on MXene using ionic self-assembly, forming a three-dimensional (3D) composite with enhanced rate capability and cycling stability due to the synergetic coupling of MXene and LDH. The FeCo-LDH/MXene electrode significantly improves surface capacitance control performance and exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance, achieving a specific capacitance of 2058.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and maintaining 1732.7 F g−1 at 10 A g−1, with 82.4 % capacity retention. Furthermore, the assembled supercapacitor delivers an energy density of 48.8 Wh kg−1 at 750 W kg−1 and 25.7 Wh kg−1 at 15000 W kg−1, demonstrating excellent rate performance, as well as 80.3 % capacitance after 5000 cycles at 2 A g−1, highlighting its durability. This advancement not only overcomes the specific capacitance challenge of MXene electrodes but also enhances the conductivity and cyclic stability of LDH, making FeCo-LDH/MXene a promising candidate for future high-performance energy storage applications.

Magnetic field and photon co-enhanced S-scheme MXene/In2S3/CoFe2O4 heterojunction for high-performance lithium-oxygen batteries

Under the spotlight for their potential to reduce over-potential, photo-assisted Li–O2 batteries still face a key challenge: the rapid recombination of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, which limits their efficiency. In this study, we address this limitation by designing a Li–O2 battery that integrates both photo and magnetic field assistance, using an S-scheme MXene/In2S3/CoFe2O4 heterojunction photocathode. This unique combination enhances visible light absorption and generates a strong built-in electric field, facilitating effective charge separation and boosting photocatalytic activity. During discharge, photo-generated electrons participate in the oxygen reduction reaction, while photo-induced holes contribute to the decomposition of discharge products during charging. Furthermore, the introduction of a magnetic field, confirmed through vibrating sample magnetometer, Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near edge structure, and cyclic voltammetry analyses, enhances electron-hole separation via Lorentz forces and spin–orbit coupling, accelerating the formation and decomposition of Li2O2. With this synergistic approach, the battery achieves a high specific capacity of 26500 mAh g−1, ultra-low oxygen reduction/evolution reaction over-potentials of 0.08 V/0.17 V, and a long cycle life of 2000 cycles with energy efficiency of 98.11 %. This work demonstrates the promising potential of combining photo and magnetic field effects to improve the electrochemical performance of Li–O2 batteries, opening new avenues for high-performance energy storage systems.

Transition metal-assisted layer-by-layer binder free deposition for high-performance energy storage devices

The increasing energy demands of the world necessitate the development of advanced energy storage systems. Hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs) have emerged as promising candidates, combining the high specific power density (PS) of supercapacitors (SCs) with the high specific energy density (ES) of batteries (BATs). However, its performance is dependent on the properties of electrode materials, which need enhancements in conductivity, surface area, and electrochemical stability. In this study, we utilized magnetron sputtering technique for exploring the potential of interface engineering to improve the electrochemical performance of tungsten disulfide (WS2) as a battery grade electrode material by incorporating chromium (Cr) and titanium (Ti) as an interfacial layer. This strategic modification significantly increased the conductivity, charge transfer efficiency, and structural stability of the WS2 electrode. Electrochemical experimentation in both half-cell and full-cell configurations revealed that the WS2/Cr and WS2/Ti electrode exhibits superior CS [2400 and 3800] F/g, respectively compared to pristine WS2. Fabricated WS2/Cr//AC and WS2/Ti//AC attained ES [95 and 117] Wh/kg and PS [6800 and 8500] W/kg, respectively. The outcomes from the electrochemical testing further demonstrated the superior cyclic stability of WS2/Cr//AC and WS2/Ti//AC with [96.5 and 98.3] % which shows that Cr and Ti as an interfacial layer not only mitigates the limitations of WS2 but also enables the devices to achieve higher performance metrics, underscoring the critical role of interface engineering in advancing HSCs technologies.

Activated biomass-derived 3-dimensional porous graphene-like carbon for high-performance energy storage electrode materials

This article reports studies on the fabrication of active material for supercapacitor electrodes, from 3D porous graphene-like carbon (GLC), synthesized by carbonization from coffee waste (CW) and tea waste (TW) at 550 °C, followed by thermochemical activation in KOH at 850 °C in a quartz tubular furnace. The microstructure of coffee and tea waste shows the form of micro- and mesopores during carbonization and further chemical activation forms hierarchically highly porous 3D graphene-like carbon. GLC-CW exhibited a higher specific surface area (SSA) of 3486 m2/g according to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, compared to GLC-TW, which had an SSA of 2407 m2/g. These results highlight the effectiveness of graphene-like carbon derived from coffee and tea waste, demonstrating its potential as a promising material for high-capacity supercapacitors. The electrochemical characteristics of the assembled supercapacitors using GLC-CW and GLC-TW revealed significantly higher specific capacitance values of 214 F/g and 182 F/g respectively, along with cycling stability of 98 % and 95 % during 5000 cycles of charge and discharge at 2 A/g current density. This approach can produce high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors at a reasonable cost and with easy scalability.

Facile one-pot synthesis of photoresponsive Cu1.8S and CuInS2 nanostructures aided by Cu-pyrimidylthiolate molecular precursor

Copper-based binary and ternary sulfides have attracted significant attention due to their excellent photo-physical properties, making them highly promising for high-performance energy harvesting and storage devices. This study focuses on the synthesis and structural characterization of an air-stable hexanuclear Cu-pyrimidylthiolate cluster complex which serves as an efficient single-source precursor for the preparation of Cu1.8S nanocrystals. Furthermore, coupling the molecular precursor with suitable indium source resulted in a facile one-pot pathway for the preparation of technologically important, copper-based ternary CuInS₂, nanocrystals. The crystal structure, phase purity, and compositions of the nanostructures were confirmed using PXRD, XPS, EDS, and area elemental mapping. Electron microscopic studies revealed the formation of polygonal and hexagonal morphology with varied size in Cu1.8S and CuInS₂ nanocrystals respectively. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed a slight blue shift in the band gap of the nanostructures compared to their bulk counterparts which can be attributed to quantum confinement or surface lattice distortion effects. The band gap of the pristine nanocrystals along with high photocurrent and stable photo-switching characteristics suggest that they can serve as suitable electrode material for optoelectronic and photodetector devices.

Innovative integrated carbon paper supported Bi/rGO/MnO2 cathode with dual redox reactions for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Developing cathode materials with dual redox reactions is an effective strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), and rational selection of the two electroactive components is the key to achieving this target. Herein, an integrated carbon paper supported Bi/rGO/MnO2 cathode is prepared via a two-step in situ growth process, in which metallic bismuth (Bi) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) are served as two types of electroactive components to realize dual redox reactions. The introduction of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) mitigates the interfacial mismatch of Bi and MnO2, meanwhile further increasing the electrochemical activity by reducing the size of Bi and preventing its self-aggregation. Featuring nanostructured Bi and MnO2, the integrated cathode enables dual redox reactions with enhanced reaction kinetics. This structural and compositional refinement of the Zn//Bi/rGO/MnO2 battery leads to superior electrochemical performance, evidenced by a significant specific capacity (388.3 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), high energy density (464.6 Wh kg−1) and great rate performance. This work underscores the potential of using MnO2 and Bi as dual electroactive components for AZIBs cathode, providing a pathway towards high performance energy storage systems.

Zinc cobalt sulfide with carbon (graphene oxide and CNT) based nanocomposite as positive electrode for asymmetric coin cell supercapacitors

Abstract The world dependence on portable electronic devices has increased the demand for high-performance energy storage devices. The use of transition metal sulfides as faradaic electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage is rapidly increasing due to their high energy density. Herein Zinc Cobalt Sulfide (ZCS) with graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were used to create an interconnected ZCS composite network using a solvothermal technique. The materials were characterized by utilizing XRD, FT-Raman, TGA, FESEM/EDX, XPS, and BET. The electrochemical performance of the materials was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The prepared electrodes exhibited both pseudocapacitor behavior and double-layer capacitor behavior, indicating the hybrid nature. Furthermore, All the electrode ZCS, ZCS/GO, ZCS/CNT, and ZCS/GO/CNT electrodes demonstrated higher capacitance behavior, with values of 420, 551, 585 and 811 F g−1 at 1 A/g. Among these ZCS/GO/CNT electrode exhibits outstanding electrochemical properties, with a notable retention of 81.08% at 10 Ag−1 because Combining ZCS nanoparticles with interconnected GO and CNT provides excellent electronic conductivity and stability. The assembled ZCS/GO/CNT//graphene oxide asymmetric coin cell (ACC) supercapacitor showed a high energy density of 33.3 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 624 W kg–1. The 3D nanostructure of ZCS/GO/CNT/Graphene oxide has great potential for developing foldable energy storage devices.

Customizing Biochar Formulations: Enabling Sustainable and High-Performance Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices

Customizing Biochar Formulations: Enabling Sustainable and High-Performance Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices