Intrinsic Safety Research Articles

Dynamic response characteristics and damage modes of multifunctional layered hydrogen storage vessels under impact loads

Hydrogen storage vessels in hydrogen refueling stations are densely arranged, so high-speed fragments generated by explosion accidents may endanger adjacent vessels. It is of great significance to explore the dynamic responses and damage modes of hydrogen storage vessels under impact loads to promote the intrinsic safety development of hydrogen storage vessels. In this paper, a finite element analysis model is developed for simulating the dynamic responses of vessels under the impact of fragments. The influences of the number of winding layers, impact velocity, fragment mass, and fragment shape are investigated. The results show that fragment impact is a kind of local damage behavior with two typical stages of hitting and rebounding. The impact resistance of vessels increases with the number of winding layers. Impact velocity and fragment mass are positively related to deformation and damage. Conical fragments have stronger damage abilities, while spherical fragments cause greater deformation.

Development of Membranes and Separators to Inhibit Cross-Shuttling of Sulfur in Polysulfide-Based Redox Flow Batteries: A Review.

The global rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources necessitates the implementation of long-duration energy storage technologies owing to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. Therefore, the deployment of grid-scale energy storage systems is inevitable. Sulfur-based batteries can be exploited as excellent energy storage devices owing to their intrinsic safety, low cost of raw materials, low risk of environmental hazards, and highest theoretical capacities (gravimetric: 2600 Wh/kg and volumetric: 2800 Wh/L). However, sulfur-based batteries exhibit certain scientific limitations, such as polysulfide crossover, which causes rapid capacity decay and low Coulombic efficiency, thereby hindering their implementation at a commercial scale. In this review article, we focus on the latest research developments between 2012-2023 to improve the separators/membranes and overcome the shuttle effect associated with them. Various categories of ion exchange membranes (IEMs) used in redox batteries, particularly polysulfide redox flow batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, advances in IEM constituents are summarized to gain insights into different fundamental strategies for attaining targeted characteristics, and a critical analysis is proposed to highlight their efficiency in mitigating sulfur cross-shuttling issues. Finally, future prospects and recommendations are suggested for future research toward the fabrication of more effective membranes with desired properties.

Rapid Li compensation toward highly conductive solid state electrolyte film

Garnet type solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) possess high stability against Li metal, intrinsic safety, and wide electrochemical window. To achieve the all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with high gravimetric/volumetric energy density and high power density, flat thin garnet SSEs with a high ionic conductivity of > 10−4 S/cm are required. However, the current fabrication processes are challengeable to maintain both the high ionic conductivity and the flat skeleton due to the severe Li loss during processing and the fragile nature of thin films. Herein, we introduce a rapid Li compensation (RLC) technique that combines the ultra-fast high-temperature sintering (UHS) technique with the tape casting process to produce highly ionic conductive, flat garnet SSE thin films. The freestanding Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) thin film with a thickness of 40 µm, fabricated using this technique, displays a surface roughness of 5 µm and a relative density of 95%. After a 10-seconds Li compensation, the compensated LLZTO film displays an ionic conductivity of 4.3 × 10−4 S/cm, 2 times higher than the non-compensated one. As a proof of concept, this RLC technique proposes a new strategy for the fabrication of high-performance ceramic thin films and also lays a solid foundation for the application of ASSBs.

Construction of desolvated ionic COF artificial SEI layer stabilized Zn metal anode by in-situ electrophoretic deposition

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their cost-effectiveness, environmental-friendliness, and intrinsic safety. However, the spontaneous surface corrosion and uncontrolled dendrite growth of AZIBs severely restrict its practical application. Herein, we develop an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with ionic covalent-organic-framework (iCOF) nanosheets for Zn anode protection. The iCOF nanosheets form an artificial SEI layer with porous and abundant zincophilic sites through in-situ electrophoretic deposition (ED) technique, which allows for efficient mass and charge transfer. The iCOF-ED SEI layer not only facilitates a uniform Zn2+ flux but regulates the Zn2+ solvation shell, resulting in a stable and homogeneous Zn2+ deposition. This novel iCOF-ED SEI layer enables high stability for over 1000 h (with ultralow overpotential ∼ 50 mV) at 1 mA cm−2 in symmetric cells and enhances cycling stability over 1100 cycles (with high average coulombic efficiency of 99.9 %) at 2 A g−1 in half cells. This finding provides a facile and promising route for the scalable production of anodes with artificial SEI, thus promoting the development of high-performance AZIBs.

The concept, structure, and progress of seawater metal-air batteries

Seawater metal-air batteries (SMABs) are promising energy storage technologies for their advantages of high energy density, intrinsic safety, and low cost. However, the presence of such chloride ions complex components in seawater inevitably has complex effects on the air electrode process, including oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR and OER), which requires the development of highly-active chloride-resistant electrocatalysts. In this review, we first summarized the developing status of various types of SMABs, explaining their working principle and comparing the battery performance. Then, the reported chlorine-resistant electrocatalysts were classified. The composition and structural design strategies of high-efficient chlorine-resistant ORR/OER electrocatalysts in seawater electrolytes were comprehensively summarized. Finally, the main challenges to be overcome in the commercialization of SMABs were discussed.

Flexible and Stable N-Isopropylacrylamide/Sodium Alginate Gel Electrolytes for Aqueous Zn-MNO2 Batteries

Rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their high theoretical capacity of 820 mA h g−1, low cost and intrinsic safety. However, the electrolyte leakage and the instability issues of Zn negative electrodes originating from side reactions between the aqueous electrolyte and Zn negative electrode not only restrict the battery stability, but also result in the short circuit of aqueous ZIBs. Herein, we report a flexible and stable N-isopropylacrylamide/sodium alginate (N-SA) gel electrolyte, which possesses high mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity of 2.96 × 10−2 S cm−1, and enables the Zn metal negative electrode and MnO2 positive electrode to reversibly and stably cycle. Compared to the liquid electrolyte, the N-SA hydrogel electrolyte can effectively form a uniform Zn deposition and suppress the generation of irreversible by-products. The assembled symmetric Zn/Zn cells at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 (capacity: 1 mAh cm−2) show a stable voltage profile, which maintains a low level of about 100 mV over 2600 h without an obvious short circuit or any overpotential increasing. Specially, the assembled Zn/N-SA/MnO2 batteries can deliver a high specific capacity of 182 mAh g−1 and maintain 98% capacity retention after 650 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. This work provides a simple method to fabricate high-performance SA-based hydrogel electrolytes, which illustrates their potential for flexible batteries for wearable electronics.

Simultaneous regulation on coordination environment and interfacial chemistry via taurine for stabilized Zn metal anode

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) are the potential options for the next-generation energy storage scenarios due to the cost effectiveness and intrinsic safety. Nevertheless, the industrial application of AZIBs is still impeded by a series of parasitic reactions and dendrites at zinc anodes. In this study, taurine (TAU) is used in electrolyte to simultaneously optimize the coordination condition of the ZnSO4 electrolyte and interfacial chemistry at the anode. TAU can preferentially adsorb with the zinc metal and induce an in situ stable and protective interface on the anode, which would avoid the connection between H2O and the zinc metal and promote the even deposition of Zn2+. The resulting Zn//Zn batteries achieve more than 3000 hours long cyclic lifespan under 1 mA cm−2 and an impressive cumulative capacity at 5 mA cm−2. Moreover, Zn//Cu batteries can realize a reversible plating/stripping process over 2,400 cycles, with a desirable coulombic efficiency of 99.75% (1 mA cm−2). Additionally, the additive endows Zn//NH4V4O10 batteries with more stable cyclic performance and ultrafast rate capability. These capabilities can promote the industrial application of AZIBs.

Deformation and Dynamic Response of Steel Belt Staggered Multilayer Cylindrical Shell Under External Blast Loading

Abstract The deformation and dynamic response of a multilayer cylindrical shell composed of an inner shell and fourteen outer layers under external blast loads of different trinitro-toluene equivalency weights were studied. A numerical model using the thermo-viscoplastic constitutive model and considering fluid–structure coupling between explosion wave and structure was developed. The displacement in axial direction and cross section, as well as the effective strain responses, were analyzed to demonstrate the potential deformation of the shell structure. Results demonstrate that different materials cause inconsistent displacement and separation to develop in the inner and outer shells. In order to address the problem that the displacement of the inner shell is hard to measure due to the shielding and covering of the outer shell, a theoretical formula for calculating the maximum displacement of the inner shell was developed. The deflection process and stress triaxiality histories of the inner shell were investigated, and the results showed that compressive stress is the primary cause of plastic deformation. Additionally, the delamination that appeared in the outer shell was discussed, and it was revealed that there are two factors of delamination: (1) Stress waves spread across adjacent layers in the opposite direction because steel belts were wound in the opposite direction between the two adjacent layers; (2) Outer layers experienced uneven compressive loads. The results will be helpful to provide a reference for the intrinsic safety design of such multilayer cylindrical structures for hydrogen storage, etc.

Influence of MXene-assisted multifunctional interface on zinc deposition toward highly reversible dendrite-free zinc anodes

The ever-growing demand for safe and renewable energy storage systems has driven the renaissance of aqueous zinc (Zn)-metal batteries (ZMBs). Zn metal has the characteristics of high specific capacity, low cost, environmental friendliness, and intrinsic safety, but severe side reactions and Zn dendrite growth lead to low Coulombic efficiency and short cycle life of Zn metal anode, which restricts the commercial development of rechargeable aqueous ZMBs. Herein, a Ti3C2Tx MXene-derived ZnF2-rich multifunctional interfacial layer is prepared. In this architecture, the as-formed ZnF2-rich layer can redistribute Zn-ion flux on the electrode/electrolyte surface and suppress side reactions. Meanwhile, the results indicate that the ZnF2 can lower the desolvation energy barrier of Zn ions and enhance the Zn-ion transfer kinetics. Accordingly, the Zn@MXene anode delivers a long cycle life over 800 h at the current density of 5.0 mA cm−2 with a capacity of 5.0 mAh cm−2. Surprisingly, the Zn@MXene anode can still achieve dendrite-free Zn deposition for more than 320 h even at the current density of 10.0 mA cm−2 with a capacity of 10.0 mAh cm−2. Additionally, the assembled Zn@MXene//VO2 full-cell exhibits better cycling stability and more excellent rate performance compared to the pristine Zn//VO2 full-cell, implying the potential of this idea to develop high-power rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries.

Nanophase separated, grafted alternate copolymer styrene-maleic anhydride as an efficient room temperature solid state lithium ion conductor

All solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) based on polymer solid electrolyte and lithium metal anode have attracted much attention due to their high energy density and intrinsic safety. However, the low ionic conductivity at room temperature and poor mechanical properties of the solid polymer electrolyte result in increased polarization and poor cycling stability of the Li metal batteries. In order to improve the ionic conductivity at room temperature while maintaining mechanical strength, we combine the conductivity of short chain polyethylene oxide (PEO) and strength of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) to obtain a grafted block copolymer with nanophase separation structure, which has room temperature ionic conductivity up to 1.14 × 10−4 S/cm and tensile strength up to 1.4 MPa. Li||Li symmetric cell can work stably for more than 1500 h under the condition of 0.1 mA/cm2. Li||LiFePO4 full cells can deliver a high capacity of 151.4 mAh/g at 25 °C and 0.2 C/0.2 C charge/discharge conditions, showing 85.6% capacity retention after 400 cycles. Importantly, the all solid state Li||LiFePO4 pouch cell shows excellent safety performance under different abuse conditions. These results demonstrate that the nanophase separated, grafted alternate copolymer electrolyte has huge potential for application in Li metal batteries.

NiCo2Al-LDH@P-Ni(OH)2 cathode material with high power density and super long life for aqueous Ni-Zn battery

Owing to its economic cost, abundant raw materials and intrinsic safety, zinc-based aqueous batteries are coming to be the research hotspot of worldwide. A high-performance cathode material is one of the key factors for Zn-based aqueous batteries. Herein, we report a new cathode material, denoted as NiCo2Al-LDH@P-Ni(OH)2, that the phosphorus-doped Ni(OH)2 (P-Ni(OH)2) microrods are grown on nickel foam (NF) and the NiCo2Al-layered double-hydroxide (NiCo2Al-LDH) nanoflakes are grown on the P-Ni(OH)2 microrods. The NiCo2Al-LDH@P-Ni(OH)2 cathode material demonstrated excellent electrochemical properties with a high specific capacity of 2.95 mAh cm−2 at 4 mA cm−2 (surprisingly 368.7 mAh g−1), a sturdy rate ability of 64.78 % at about 67.8 C, (200 mA cm−2) as well as without any significant capacity degeneration after 10,000 cycles. The NiCo2Al-LDH@P-Ni(OH)2//Zn battery achieves an impressive peak energy density of 5.02 mWh cm−2, a maximum power density of 306.6 mW cm−2 together with a long lifespan of 97.1 % capacity retention after 10,000 cycles, exceeding majority of the aqueous batteries and supercapacitors reported recently. A homemade NiCo2Al-LDH@P-Ni(OH)2//Zn soft-package battery with a voltage of 3 V，which is formed by connecting two Ni-Zn batteries in series, can work even under puncturing, indicating that NiCo2Al-LDH@P-Ni(OH)2 hybrid cathodes have great potential for practical applications in high-performance Ni-Zn batteries.

Design Method of Output Intrinsic Safety Boost Converter Based on Minimum Frequency and Considering Temperature Effects

Aiming at the complexity caused by the multiple iterations and the unreliability resulted by ignoring the temperature effect in the traditional design method of the Output Intrinsic Safety Boost Converter (OISBC), the convenient and reliable design method is proposed. Through analyzing the relationship among Output Voltage Ripple (OVR), Intrinsic Safety Performance (ISP), operating frequency and component parameters, it is concluded that the maximum capacitance <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">max</sub> allowed by ISP requirement is independent of operating frequency, and the minimum capacitance <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">min</sub> meeting OVR requirement increases with the decrease of operating frequency. When <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">min</sub> equals <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">max</sub> , the corresponding operating frequency is defined as the minimum frequency <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">f</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">min</sub> , and its expression is derived. Assuming a capacitance change range, the capacitance adjustment factor is introduced. Considering the influence of the temperature change on OVR and ISP, the reliable capacitance adjustment factor α <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">T</sub> and value range of the capacitance are derived. The actual operating frequency can be obtained according to <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">f</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">min</sub> and α <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">T</sub> . Finally, the specific design flow of the proposed design method based on <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">f</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">min</sub> and considering temperature effects is presented. The feasibility of the proposed design method of the OISBC is verified by experiment results.

A comprehensive insight into the thermal runaway issues in the view of lithium-ion battery intrinsic safety performance and venting gas explosion hazards

A comprehensive understanding of thermal runaway (TR) features and battery venting gas (BVG) explosion characteristics is the critical issue of thermal hazard prevention. In this study, commercial-size lithium-ion batteries with LiFePO4 (LFP) and Li(NixCoyMnz)O2 (NCM, x from 0.5 to 0.8) cathode materials, as well as the micro-overcharged cells, are triggered to TR under adiabatic conditions using an accelerating rate calorimeter. In addition, the obtained BVG is transferred into the gas chromatograph for further component identification. Subsequently, the specific values of the intrinsic battery safety performance (TR tolerance and TR hazards) and BVG explosion risks (lower explosion limits, LEL) are calculated. The results show that, from the perspective of battery TR evolution features, LFP batteries have greater TR tolerance than NCM batteries. Moreover, the TR hazards of NCM batteries are more severe than LFP batteries and worsen with increasing nickel content, which is proved by ambient temperature and post-disaster analysis. The primary types of BVG consist of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon gases for both LFP and NCM batteries. However, due to the significant amount of hydrogen and hydrocarbon gases with low LEL values, the LEL values of BVG for LFP batteries are lower than NCM batteries, demonstrating the higher deflagration risks for the former. Besides, the LEL values of NCM batteries' BVG increase with higher energy density. A single micro-overcharge leads to lower TR tolerance and TR hazards but has little effect on LEL values for NCM cells. It is obvious that the safety issues associated with LFP batteries should also be given sufficient attention to avoid system-level explosions. The quantitative evaluation results of this paper provide new ideas for battery intrinsic safety performance assessment and a clear direction for mitigation strategy of battery TR-related secondary disasters.

Advanced Vanadium Oxides for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) represent one of the current research frontiers owing to their low cost, intrinsic safety, environmental friendliness, and other unique features. In the current era, a myriad of investigations are conducted towards the exploration of advanced electrode materials with exceptional energy/power density, superior rate capability, and ultralong cycling life. Notably, vanadium oxides electrode materials have received great attention due to their diversity in chemical compositions and attractive electrochemical properties. In this review, comprehensive and detailed compendium regarding the latest developments and breakthroughs of highly promising vanadium oxides‐based electrode materials for advanced‐performance SIBs are elucidated. The crystal structures, electrochemical performance, structure‐property relationships and sodium storage mechanization of various vanadium oxides are discussed. In addition, further improvement strategies, including lattice engineering, nanostructuring design, surface modification and 3D porous architecting, are summarized. Finally, potential directions of resolving emergent challenges and forward prospects on augmenting the performance of vanadium oxides‐based electrode materials to facilitate their commercial application in SIBs are proposed. This review provides pioneering understanding of vanadium oxides‐based materials and guiding directions for the development viability of future cutting‐edge SIBs.

Consumers' Quality Perception and Acceptance of Suboptimal Food: An Online Survey in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Suboptimal food is defined as physically imperfect food that deviates from the norm in terms of appearance without compromising its intrinsic quality or safety. Consumers' quality perception and acceptance of suboptimal food contribute to food waste. Therefore, this study aims to explore consumers' quality perception and acceptance of suboptimal food and the factors associated with the acceptance of suboptimal food. An online survey was conducted among 414 consumers residing in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through convenience sampling. They completed an online questionnaire asking for sociodemographic information, quality perception and acceptance of suboptimal food, and information related to food waste. Only 11.4% of consumers chose suboptimal foods, with visually deviated suboptimal foods (apples with brown spots) having the lowest acceptance (9.9%). Consumers perceived suboptimal foods as unattractive and that they should be consumed quickly. Malays were less likely to accept suboptimal foods, while middle-income households were more likely to accept suboptimal foods at home. In conclusion, consumers have a low acceptance of suboptimal food, and suboptimal food was perceived as unappealing and that it should be consumed quickly. Notwithstanding the findings that emerge from this, the results may lack generalisability to the wider population as only a convenience sample was used.

Trade-off between Zincophilicity and Zincophobicity: Toward Stable Zn-Based Aqueous Batteries.

Zn-based aqueous batteries (ZABs) hold great promise for large-scale energy storage applications due to the merits of intrinsic safety and low cost. Nevertheless, the thorny issues of metallic Zn anodes, including dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, have severely limited the application of ZABs. Despite the encouraging improvements for stabilizing Zn anodes through surface modification, electrolyte optimization, and structural design, fundamentally addressing the inherent thermodynamics and kinetics obstacles of Zn anodes remains crucial in realizing reliable ZABs with ultrahigh efficiency, capacity, and cyclability. The target of this perspective is to elucidate the prominent status of Zn metal anode electrochemistry first from the perspective of zincophilicity and zincophobicity. Recent progress in ZABs is critically appraised for addressing the key issues, with special emphasis on the trade-off between zincophilic and zincophobic electrochemistry. Challenges and prospects for further exploration of a reliable Zn anode are presented, which are expected to boost in-depth research and practical applications of advanced ZABs.

Modulating zinc metal reversibility by confined antifluctuator film for durable and dendrite-free zinc ion batteries.

Aqueous Zn ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising systems due to their intrinsic safety, low cost and non-toxicity, and the Zn corrosion and dendrite growth will cause the poor reversibility of Zn anode. Herein, we developed the porous Zn@C solid, hollow and yolk-shell microspheres film as Zn anode antifluctuator (ZAAF). The prepared yolk-shell microspheres (ZCYSM) film with superior buffering can effectively restrict the deposition of Zn metal in its interior and inhibit the volume expansion during plating/stripping process, thus modulating the Zn2+ flux and enabling stable Zn cycling. As a proof of concept, the ZCYSM@Zn symmetric cells achieve the excellent cyclic stability over 4,000h and cumulative plated capacity of 4 Ah cm-2 at a high current density of 10mA cm-2 . Concomitantly, the suppressed corrosion reactions and dendrite-free ZAAF significantly improve the durability of full cells (coupled to CaV6 O16 ·3H2 O). Additionally, we integrate durable pouch cell and electrochemical neuromorphic inorganic device (ENIDe) to simulate neural network, providing a strategy for extreme interconnectivity comparable to the human brain. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Electron structure and defect co-modulation to boost zinc storage performance of urchin-like VS4-based microspheres as advanced cathodes for aqueous Zn-ion batteries

Recently, aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have been widely favored for their intrinsic safety, low cost and environmental friendliness; however, the vast volume expansion, poor electrical conductivity and low-density zinc insertion and extraction channels of the cathodes cannot meet the requirements of practical application for AZIBs. Herein, urchin-like Co-doped VS4 microspheres (Co-VS4-δ-x) with the co-regulation of electron structure and defect have been developed and synthesized by a one-step solvothermal procedure as an advanced cathode material for AZIBs. The introduction of active multivalent Co ions achieves the interfacial charge rearrangement of Co-VS4-δ-x electrode and the widening of the layer spacing to reduce the transfer resistance and interfacial attraction of Zn2+ between the layers. Moreover, the formation of sulfur defects shortens the Zn2+ transport distance and enhances the electrical conductivity and electrochemical kinetics of Co-VS4-δ-x material. In addition, the urchin-like micromorphology of the material dramatically increases the contact area between electrolyte and electrode material and the active sites of electrochemical reaction. Based on the above advantages, the zinc storage performance of Co-VS4-δ-x has been greatly enhanced, delivering the specific capacities of 306.4 mAh g−1 and 270.7 mAh g−1 at 0.5A g−1 and 5A g−1, respectively, and exhibiting excellent cycling stability with the capacity retention of 87.0% after 3000 cycles at 5 A g−1. This investigation proposes an effective strategy to develop high-performance vanadium-based cathodes for AZIBs by charge rearrangement, defect modulation and morphology optimization.

Core/shell structured Ti/Si/C composite for high-performance zinc-ion hybrid capacitor

Zinc-ion capacitors (ZnIC) have focused great attention due to high intrinsic safety and their advantages in terms of environmental protection and price. However, the increase in energy and power densities still remains a challenge. Therefore, this study aims to design and fabricate novel low-cost and environmentally-friendly nanocomposite based on titania/silica/carbon used as cathode in ZnIC. The fabrication procedure involves the functionalization of TiO2 nanoparticles with APTES and glucose, followed by a hydrothermal reaction and carbonization at 600, 700, and 800 °C (Ti/Si/C-Tx, where Tx is the temperature of carbonization) to result in carbon-coated titania/silica with a core/shell architecture. In-situ Raman and X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) analyses were conducted to elucidate the electrochemical behaviour of the material during charge-discharge cycles. The nanocomposites were electrochemically tested using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation (GCPL), and potentio electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (PEIS). The designed nanocomposite showed improved performance in terms of specific capacity, power, and energy densities with values of 295 F/g, 160 W/kg, and 210 Wh/kg, respectively. Ti/Si/C-700 also demonstrated a high stability retention of 85% after 10′000 cycles, indicating its potential for use in energy storage devices. Despite these promising results, further research is required to improve capacity retention at increased current densities. The key implication of this study is the potential for the development of low-cost and high-performance energy storage devices for various applications, contributing to the growth of renewable energy sources.

Tackling the Challenges of Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries via Polymer-Derived Strategies.

Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) have gathered unprecedented interest recently benefiting from their intrinsic safety, affordability, and environmental benignity. Nevertheless, their practical implementation is hampered by low rate performance, inferior Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, and undesired parasitic reactions. Innovative solutions are put forth to address these issues by optimizing the electrodes, separators, electrolytes, and interfaces. Remarkably, polymers with inherent properties of low-density, high processability, structural flexibility, and superior stability show great promising in tackling the challenges. Herein, the recent progress in the synthesis and customization of functional polymers in aqueous ZIBs is outlined. The recent implementations of polymers into each component are summarized, with a focus on the inherent mechanisms underlying their unique functions. The challenges of incorporating polymers into practical ZIBs are also discussed and possible solutions to circumvent them are proposed. It is hoped that such a deep analysis could accelerate the design of polymer-derived approaches to boost the performance of ZIBs and other aqueous battery systems as they share similarities in many aspects.