Battery Performance Research Articles

Pectin alignment induced changes in ion solvation structure in ethylene carbonate-based liquid electrolytes

Classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore the impact of the alignment of pectin over the randomized configuration on ion solvation structure in pectin-loaded ethylene carbonate - lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide electrolytes. Our study focuses on how biological macromolecules, specifically pectin, influence the behavior of liquid electrolytes, considering their applications in rechargeable batteries due to their ion solvation capabilities and ion transport characteristics. Aligned pectin causes a tightly packed first coordination shell of anions around lithium ions by weakening the long-ranged interactions beyond the first coordination shell compared to a random configuration. Consequently, the number of pectin oxygens around lithium decreases dramatically from 3 to 2, resulting in an overall diluted solvation shell containing fewer numbers of anions and pectin oxygens around lithium ions. With polymer alignment, the non-Gaussianity increases from 3.387 to 6.550 for lithium ions and from 0.475 to 0.621 for TFSI ions, reflecting a 90% increase in dynamic heterogeneity for lithium ions and a 30% increase for TFSI ions. Cation-cation correlations enhance ionic conductivity in randomized pectin, whereas isolated anion motion dominates in aligned pectin due to cation-pectin interactions. Our work not only highlights potential strategies for improving electrolyte performance in rechargeable batteries but also emphasizes the crucial role of molecular orientation in optimizing electrolyte properties, paving the way for more optimized and efficient battery technologies.

Output performance analysis of a piezoelectric micro nuclear battery powered by radioisotopes

Abstract This paper investigates the output performance (output voltage, electrical energy output, power output) of a piezoelectric micro nuclear battery powered by radioisotopes. The theoretical formulations are base on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and include the effects of load nonlinearity due to radioactive source. By employing extended Hamilton’s principle, the nonlinear electromechanical Lagrange equations are derived then solved by using Runge-Kutta method to obtain the dynamic output response. The results based on present electromechanical dynamic model are validated through direct comparisons with the results in the open literatures. The effects of initial gap, length of the piezoelectric layer, thickness of the collector and load impedance on the output voltage, energy output and power output of the piezoelectric micro nuclear battery are discussed in detail.

Progress in the application of silicon-based materials in lithium-ion batteries anodes

From the battery that powers the remote control to the battery that powers electric cars, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a crucial component of contemporary energy storage. The large theoretical capacity of silicon anodes provides significant benefits inside LIBs. However, the main issue with the conventional silicon bulk anode is its considerable volume expansion, which forms an unstable Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) layer during the charge and discharge process and severely reduces battery performance and lifespan. Therefore, to solve these issues, researchers have explored multiple improved silicon anodes, three of which are mentioned in this essay. Firstly, the researchers delve into the usage of nanotechnology. When manipulating silicon particles at the nano-scale, the nano-silicon can mitigate the volume expansion, improving the reaction kinetics. Then, a composite of carbon and silicon is proposed, combining silicon's high capacitance and carbon's high conductivity. After that is the silicon-metal composite, which utilizes metals' mechanical strength and conductivity to stabilize Si anodes further and improve thermal stability. Overall, the significance of this study lies in the exploration of the application of silicon anodes in LIBs, highlighting the potential of these composite materials and advanced technology, which may help guide the future exploration of better silicon anodes.

Nanomaterials in Solid-State Batteries: Enhancing Safety and Performance

Solid-state batteries (SSBs), utilizing solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, represent a promising advancement in energy storage technology due to their higher energy density and enhanced safety. Despite their potential, SSBs face significant challenges such as high interfacial resistance, low ionic conductivity, and high production costs. Recent advancements in nanomaterial technology have offered innovative solutions to these issues. Nanomaterials with high specific surface areas and controllable morphologies optimize interfacial contact, reduce resistance, and enhance ionic conductivity through efficient ion transport channels. Additionally, surface modifications and doping improve the chemical and thermal stability of SSB components, extending battery life and preventing adverse reactions. Although initial preparation costs are high, advancements in production technology and large-scale manufacturing are expected to lower these costs, facilitating commercialization. Future research should focus on new nanostructure designs, nanocomposites, and interfacial engineering to further enhance battery performance and safety. Understanding the influence of nanomaterials on safety performance and improving thermal and mechanical shock resistance are crucial for the reliable implementation of solid-state batteries in practical applications.

Nanotechnology in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Addressing the Challenges in Battery Cycle Life and Safety

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their high energy density and affordable material prices, are a viable alternative to ordinary lithium-ion batteries, especially for electric cars. Their actual application is limited by challenges such as substantial volume expansion, low electrical conductivity, and the polysulfide shuttle effect, despite their advantages. This research investigates how incorporating nanomaterials into Li-S battery cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes might improve battery performance and analyzes the potential of nanotechnology to address these problems. The application of metal oxides, graphene oxide, and carbon nanofibers to improve the stability and conductivity of sulfur cathodes is covered. Additionally, it examines anode protection strategies using nanocoating and protective layers to inhibit dendrite growth and improve safety. The incorporation of nanoparticles in electrolytes to improve ionic conductivity and reduce side reactions is also analyzed. Despite the progress, challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect and volume changes remain. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research to develop commercially viable Li-S batteries with higher capacity, longer lifespan, and improved safety.

Recent Progress on Air, Liquid, PCM, Heat Pipe, and Hybrid Modes of Thermal Management in Lithium-Ion Batteries

This study emphasises lithium-ion batteries, which have been the subject of extensive research due to their wide range of benefits, including extended life cycle, minimal discharge, and high energy density. However, the temperature sensitivity of the batteries presents a notable obstacle that can negatively impact their performance and longevity when operating under extreme conditions. To overcome this challenge, implementing an effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) is imperative. Battery thermal management is crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of lithium-ion batteries, especially in high-demand applications like electric vehicles. This comprehensive review explores a variety of BTMS technologies, including air-cooling methods, liquid-cooling techniques, heat pipes, and PCM materials. While air-cooled BTMS is a safe and straightforward design, its lower heat capacity and thermal efficiency limit its use to low-capacity batteries. However, forced air-cooled BTMS is an excellent solution for high charging/discharging rates, as air flows through channels within the battery packs to optimize cooling. Liquid-cooled BTMS also shows promise, although designers must ensure the sealing cover is secure to prevent leaks. Heat pipes (HP) offer a unique approach to controlling battery temperature, while Phase change materials (PCM) thermal management is notable for its ability to absorb significant heat by latent heat. Hybrid cooling combines fins, nanofluids, PCM, and microchannels-based cooling and can significantly enhance battery performance under high charging/discharging rates. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries are extensively used in various applications, including the Electric vehicle industry. Keeping the lithium-ion battery temperature within the optimal range is important and is accomplished by a suitable BTMS. Different methods, such as air cooling, Liquid cooling, Heat pipe, and PCM materials, are used in BTMS. An effective thermal management system and efficient battery model are absolutely necessary. Each of the techniques in BTMS has its own benefits and drawbacks. The effectiveness of thermal management configurations and methods can vary. Thus, evaluating performance and optimal configuration is crucial before implementation.

Anion-induced optimization of non-aqueous zinc-air battery performance: Insights into OTF− selection

Rechargeable non-alkaline zinc-air batteries (ZABs) address the CO₂ incompatibility and instability issues of conventional alkaline batteries. However, the impact of solid discharge products like zinc oxide on discharge capacity at the air cathode remains unexplored. In this study, we investigate how anions influence ion pair solvation structures using Zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate (Zn(OTF)₂)-N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and Zinc acetate (Zn(Ac)₂)-DMF electrolytes, and how these structures affect the distribution of discharge product. Our finding shows that anions with lower donor numbers (DNs), like the weaker ligand OTF- (20.5), enhance the zinc ion activity and promote rapid Zn2⁺ reactions with oxygen during discharge, leading to a more than tenfold increase in discharge capacity. In contrast, acetate anions with higher DNs (43.3) form stable complexes, inhibiting zinc ion activity and causing the formation of film-like discharge products, which reduces ZAB performance. The Zn(OTF)₂-DMF electrolyte also enables a battery lifespan of over 200 h, more than fivefold compared to the acetate-based system.

The Research About Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries are replacing lithium-ion batteries due to their lower cost and more abundant resources. The sodium-ion battery anode, including carbon-based materials, alloy materials, and organic materials, plays a key role in improving battery performance but also faces problems such as poor conductivity, which limits sodium storage capacity attenuation and irreversible volume expansion. To solve these problems, researchers have proposed a variety of solutions, such as chemical activation, element doping, micro-nanostructure design, composite material preparation, surface coating application, and buffer medium introduction. This article summarizes these strategies and points out the direction of future research, including the development of innovative anode materials with better conductivity and sodium storage capacity, and improved manufacturing processes. Further research and development of sodium-ion batteries anode is expected to make important contributions to the new energy field.

Precise Synthesis of Dual-Single-Atom Electrocatalysts through Pre-Coordination-Directed in Situ Confinement for CO2 Reduction.

Dual-single-atom catalysts (DSACs) are the next paradigm shift in single-atom catalysts because of the enhanced performance brought about by the synergistic effects between adjacent bimetallic pairs. However, there are few methods for synthesizing DSACs with precise bimetallic structures. Herein, a pre-coordination strategy is proposed to precisely synthesize a library of DSACs. This strategy ensures the selective and effective coordination of two metals via phthalocyanines with specific coordination sites, such as -F- and -OH-. Subsequently, in situ confinement inhibits the migration of metal pairs during high-temperature pyrolysis, and obtains the DSACs with precisely constructed metal pairs. Despite changing synthetic parameters, including transition metal centers, metal pairs, and spatial geometry, the products exhibit similar atomic metal pairs dispersion properties, demonstrating the universality of the strategy. The pre-coordination strategy synthesized DSACs shows significant CO2 reduction reaction performance in both flow-cell and practical rechargeable Zn-CO2 batteries. This work not only provides new insights into the precise synthesis of DSACs, but also offers guidelines for the accelerated discovery of efficient catalysts.

Simulation and Optimization of a Hybrid Photovoltaic/Li-Ion Battery System

The coupling of solar cells and Li-ion batteries is an efficient method of energy storage, but solar power suffers from the disadvantages of randomness, intermittency and fluctuation, which cause the low conversion efficiency from solar energy into electric energy. In this paper, a circuit model for the coupling system with PV cells and a charge controller for a Li-ion battery is presented in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. A new three-stage charging strategy is proposed to explore the changing performance of the Li-ion battery, comprising constant-current charging, maximum power point tracker (MPPT) charging and constant-voltage charging stages, among which the MPPT charging stage can achieve the fastest maximum power point (MPP) capture and, therefore, improve battery charging efficiency. Furthermore, the charge controller can improve the lifetime of the battery through the constant-current and constant-voltage charging scheme. The simulation results indicate that the three-stage charging strategy can achieve an improvement in the maximum power tracking efficiency of 99.9%, and the average charge controller efficiency can reach 96.25%, which is higher than that of commercial chargers. This work efficiently matches PV cells and Li-ion batteries to enhance solar energy storages, and provides a new optimization idea for hybrid PV/Li-ion systems.

Realizing the Electrode Engineering Significance Through Porous Organic Framework Materials for High-Capacity Aqueous Zn-Alkaline Battery.

Energy storage technologies are eminently developed to address renewable energy utilization efficiently. Porous framework materials possess high surface area and pore volume, allowing for efficient ion transportation and storage. Their unique structure facilitates fast electron transfer, leading to improved battery kinetics. Porous organic framework materials like metal-organic (MOF) and covalent organic (COF) frameworks have immense potential in enhancing the charge/discharge performances of aqueous Zn-alkaline batteries. Organic frameworks and their derivatives can be modified feasibly to exhibit significant chemical stability, enabling them to tolerate the harsh battery environment. Zn-alkaline batteries can achieve enhanced energy density, longer lifespan, and improved rechargeability by incorporating MOFs and COFs, such as electrodes, separators, or electrolyte additives, into the battery architecture. The present review highlights the significant electrode design strategies based on porous framework materials for aqueous Zn-alkaline batteries, such as Zn-Ni, Zn-Mn, Zn-air, and Zn-N2/NO3 batteries. Besides, the discussion on the issues faced by the Zn anode and the essential anode design strategies to solve the issues are also included.

Optimizing cobalt/nickle sulfide heterojunction interface with ordered porous framework for efficient rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Developing efficient oxygen evolution/reduction reaction (OER/ORR) bifunctional catalysts is essential to improve zinc-air batteries (ZABs) performance. In this study, an OER/ORR bifunctional catalyst consists of cobalt and nickel sulfide heterojunction with three-dimensional ordered mesoporous structure is fabricated (3DOM Co9S8/Ni3S4). In-situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared tests and theoretical calculations reveal that the heterojunction structure promotes electrons transfer from Co9S8 to Ni3S4 and modulates the d-band center, thus optimizing the adsorption/desorption of *OH, *O and *OOH oxygen-containing intermediates and contributing to the improvement of the reactivity of the catalyst. In-situ Raman analysis shows that 3DOM Co9S8/Ni3S4 undergoes surface reconstruction to form highly reactive NiOOH species during the OER process. Meanwhile, the 3DOM framework structure also increases the catalyst specific surface area and benefits the mass transfer process during the reactions. As a result, 3DOM Co9S8/Ni3S4 exhibits a low OER overpotential (334 mV) at 10 mA cm−2 and the ORR half-wave potential is 0.77 V vs. RHE. The rechargeable ZABs with 3DOM Co9S8/Ni3S4 cathode deliver an energy density of 760.73 mAh g−1 at 10 mA cm−2 and stable cycling performance for 100 hours. This study provides guidance for developing efficient heterojunction bifunctional catalysts for ZABs.

Highly Effective Polyacrylonitrile-Rich Artificial Solid-Electrolyte-Interphase for Dendrite-Free Li-Metal/Solid-State Battery.

Lithium metal anode batteries have attracted significant attention as a promising energy storage technology, offering a high theoretical specific capacity and a low electrochemical potential. Utilizing lithium metal as the anode material can substantially increase energy density compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, the practical application of lithium metal anodes has encountered notable challenges, primarily due to the formation of dendritic structures during cycling. These dendrites pose safety risks and degrade battery performance. Addressing these challenges necessitates the development of a reliable and effective protection layer for lithium metal. This study presents a cost-effective and convenient method to spontaneously produce lithium metal protective layers by creating polymeric layers by using acrylonitrile (AN). This method remarkably extends 6× of the lifetime of lithium metal anodes under high current density (1 mA/cm2) cycling conditions. While the cycle life of bare lithium metal is approximately 150 h under high current cycling conditions, AN-treated lithium metal anodes exhibit an impressive longevity of over 900 h. The AN-treated lithium metal anodes are further integrated and tested with sulfide-based Li10GeP2S12 (LGPS) solid-state electrolytes to evaluate its interfacial stability at a solid-solid interface. The formation of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-rich ASEI, due to AN-treatment, effectively reduces and stabilizes the cell overpotential to only one-tenth of that with the interface without treatment. This strategy paves a route to enable a highly efficient and highly stable Li/LGPS solid-state battery interface.

Optimized multi-stage constant current fast charging protocol suppressing lithium plating for lithium-ion batteries using reduced order electrochemical-thermal-life model

Multi-stage Constant Current (MCC) is a state-of-the-art fast-charging protocol considering battery aging. It divides the charging process into multiple stages, each with a different current amplitude based on specific transition criteria, significantly influencing battery performance, such as charging time, degradation rate, and thermal effects. A key challenge in designing MCC protocols is addressing the lithium plating (LiP), which can accelerate degradation and pose a severe risk of thermal runaway. Since the LiP onset conditions vary between fresh and aged cells, this paper proposes an optimized MCC (O-MCC) charging protocol suppressing LiP based on the battery's state of health. To accurately simulate LiP conditions, different platforms of reduced-order electrochemical-thermal-life models are designed, compared, and optimized for speed and accuracy using a genetic algorithm, resulting in a 36.4 % reduction in computational time while maintaining the accuracy of the Pseudo Two-Dimensional model. The Nonlinear Model Predictive Control algorithm is then used to optimize the MCC protocol, minimizing charging time while preventing LiP throughout life. Experimental results show that O-MCC reduces charging time by 11.7 % and capacity loss by 59.4 %, enhancing battery safety. Additionally, O-MCCs with varying constraints are developed to meet specific demands and simulated at the battery pack level.

Cyclodextrin Metal-Organic Framework Functionalized Carbon Materials with Optimized Interface Electronics and Selective Supramolecular Channels for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

During the reaction process in lithium-sulfur batteries, Lewis acidic lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) affect ion distribution and overall electrolyte stability, degrading battery performance and product distribution (e.g., Li2S). Here, a microenvironment regulation strategy with optimized interface electronics and selective supramolecular channels, is proposed to enhance LiPS reaction kinetics through Lewis basic γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic framework (γ-CDMOF). To validate this concept, γ-CDMOF is rapidly synthesized on 3D graphene foam (GF) via a microwave-assisted method, resulting in a γ-CDMOF/GF cathode for high-performance Li-S batteries. A range of analytical techniques combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that introducing a Lewis basic supramolecular microenvironment mitigates the LiPSs shuttle effect, enhances polysulfide capture, and improves sulfur redox conversion. Additionally, COMSOL simulations reveal that the γ-CDMOF framework and oxygen sites significantly reduce volumetric expansion stress during the LiPS solid-liquid phase transition. Impressively, the γ-CDMOF/GF cathode exhibits exceptional performance, including a high specific capacity (1253.01 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1C), excellent rate performance (589.68 mAh g⁻¹ at 5C), and long cycle life (over 1200 cycles). This study introduces a new concept of supramolecular microenvironment regulation and interfacial interaction strategy, offering a unique approach for the development of multifunctional electrode materials.

A multi-site strategy for boosting Li-CO2 batteries performance

Herein, we develop a multi-site strategy to boost Li-CO2 battery performance using Co nanoparticles (NPs) loaded nitrogen-doped holey carbon nanotubes (Co@N-hCNT) as high-efficiency cathode catalyst. The Co@N-hCNT possesses high-efficiency multiple active sites of defects, nitrogen sites and Co NPs for reversible conversion of insulating Li2CO3 as well as rapid charge and ion transport provided by the nitrogen-doped holey CNTs. Benefiting from these excellent properties, the as-assembled Li-CO2 battery with Co@N-hCNT cathode shows outstanding electrochemical performance with a low overpotential of 1.03 V at 0.05 A g−1 and a high full discharge capacity of 27952 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. More importantly, the Li-CO2 battery with Co@N-hCNT exhibits a long-term durability over 220 cycles even at a high current density of 0.5 A g−1. This work opens a new venture for the development of high-efficiency cathode catalysts for Li-CO2 batteries and beyond via a multi-site strategy.

Experimental study on the low-temperature preheating performance of positive-temperature-coefficient heating film in the prismatic power battery module

The performance of a power battery directly affects the thermal safety performance of the vehicle. Aiming at the improvement of thermal safety of lithium-ion batteries under low temperature condition, this study focuses on the effect of the positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) heating film on the heating performance of batteries through experimental testing. First, the side and bottom of the cell were heated, and the heat transfer path and mode of the single cell were analyzed. The effects of different power densities and geometric positions on the heating effect were studied by testing the heating time and temperature consistency. Second, for the battery module, a low-temperature heating thermal management heat transfer model was built to analyze the heating mechanism of the heating film under different heating power densities. Finally, the results of these studies were synthesized to obtain the optimal heating power density. The results show that for the cell, the optimum power density of side heating and bottom heating is 0.5 W /cm2 and 0.4 W /cm2, respectively. The time required for side heating from −20 °C to 10 °C is 730 s lower than that of bottom heating, and the maximum temperature difference is 1.885 °C lower. For battery modules, a power density of 0.5 W/cm2 was appropriate for both bottom and side heating methods. Due to the existence of heat conduction between battery packs, the battery modules will be quickly and evenly preheated. Under the optimal power density, the time length for side heating from –20 °C to 10 °C was 1459 s, and the maximum temperature difference was 6.32 °C; bottom heating time required slightly more time (1783 s), and the maximum temperature difference was 6.221 °C. Side heating can be beneficial for the rapid preheating of the battery module. This study will contribute to improving the performance and safety of batteries in cold environments.

Developing an Innovative Seq2Seq Model to Predict the Remaining Useful Life of Low-Charged Battery Performance Using High-Speed Degradation Data

This study introduces a novel Sequence-to-Sequence (Seq2Seq) deep learning model for predicting lithium-ion batteries’ remaining useful life. We address the challenge of extrapolating battery performance from high-rate to low-rate charging conditions, a significant limitation in previous studies. Experiments were also conducted on commercial cells using charge rates from 1C to 3C. Comparative analysis of fully connected neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and long short-term memory networks revealed their limitations in extrapolating to untrained conditions. Our Seq2Seq model overcomes these limitations, predicting charging profiles and discharge capacity for untrained, low-rate conditions using only high-rate charging data. The Seq2Seq model demonstrated superior performance with low error and high curve-fitting accuracy for 1C and 1.2C untrained data. Unlike traditional models, it predicts complete charging profiles (voltage, current, temperature) for subsequent cycles, offering a comprehensive view of battery degradation. This method significantly reduces battery life testing time while maintaining high prediction accuracy. The findings have important implications for lithium-ion battery development, potentially accelerating advancements in electric vehicle technology and energy storage.

Localized Water Restriction in Ternary Eutectic Electrolytes for Ultra-Low Temperature Hydrogen Batteries.

Proton batteries are promising candidates for next-generation large-scale energy storage in extreme conditions due to the small ionic radius and efficient transport of protons. Hydrogen gas, with its low working potentials, fast kinetics, and stability, further enhances the performance of proton batteries but necessitates the development of novel electrolytes with low freezing points and reduced corrosion. This work introduces a localized water restriction strategy by incorporating a tertiary component with a high donor number, which forms strong bonds with water molecules. This approach restricts free water molecules and reduces the average hydrogen bond ratio and strength. As-prepared ternary eutectic electrolytes lowered the freezing point to -103 °C, significantly lower than the traditional binary electrolyte (9.5 m H3PO4, -93 °C). This electrolyte is highly compatible with the Cu0.79Co0.21[Fe(CN)6]0.64·4H2O (CoCuHCF) cathode, reducing material dissolution and current collector corrosion. The H2||CoCuHCF battery using this electrolyte demonstrated a high-power density of 23664.3 W kg-1, excellent performance at -80 °C, and stable cyclability over 1000 cycles (> 30 days) at -50 °C. These findings provide a framework for proton electrolytes, highlighting the potential of hydrogen batteries in challenging environments.

Elucidating the Chemical Pre-Lithiation Mechanism of Hard Carbon Anodes for Ultra-high Stability Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The hard carbon (HC) anode materials demonstrate high capacity and excellent rate performance in lithium-ion batteries. However, HC anodes suffer from excessive loss of Li+ ions during the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, leading to poor cycling stability, which hinders their large-scale applications. Herein, a facile pre-lithiation strategy is proposed to achieve multi-functional precompensation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) anodes. Both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculation results revealed that the strategy compensated for the loss of Li+ ions and reacted with four structures of CNFs during pre-lithiation, including tiny graphite domains, CO-containing functional groups, defects, and micropores. Furthermore, the lithium in pre-lithiated carbon nanofibers (pCNFs) existed in various forms, consisting of LiC24 and LiC18, Li─O─C, quasi-metallic lithium, and Li+ ions. Moreover, the uniformly distributed lithium on the surface of pCNFs induced the formation of denser and more robust LiF/Li2CO3-rich SEI film, which promoted Li+ ions transport. As a result, pCNFs showed more stable cycling performance (369.8mAhg-1, almost no decay for 1500 cycles). This work provides deeper insight into chemical pre-lithiation and offers a simple and mild strategy for highly stable batteries.