Battery Performance Research Articles

Suppressing Formation of Zn─Mn─O Phases by In Situ Ti Decoration of MnO2 for Long Lifespan MnO2-Zn Battery.

Mildly-acidic MnO2-Zn batteries are considered as a promising alternative for large-scale energy storage systems for their low toxicity, high safety, and low cost. Though, the degradation of MnO2 with cycling still hinders the further development of the batteries. In this study, it is observed that the decrease in available capacity of MnO2 with charge and discharge is accompanied by a structural transformation with the emergence of Zn─Mn─O phases. An electrodeposition test indicates that the Zn─Mn─O phase is formed from a co-precipitation of Zn and Mn during the charge process. Further, the structural change of MnO2 is suppressed and its cycle stability is improved with the addition of TiOSO4 as a facile electrolyte additive. As a result, under a current of 1200mA g-1, the MnO2 electrode still gives a capacity of 230 mAh g-1 for over 1500 cycles. Capacity retention is 75% after 10000 cycles under a current rate of 4800mA g-1. These findings provide fundamental insights on the degradation mechanism of MnO2 and a new strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of aqueous MnO2-Zn batteries.

Trace Small Molecular/Nano-Colloidal Multiscale Electrolyte Additives Enable Ultra-Long Lifespan of Zinc Metal Anodes.

Electrolyte additives are efficient to improve the performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), yet the current electrolyte additives are limited to fully water-soluble additives (FWAs) and water-insoluble additives (WIAs). Herein, trace slightly water-soluble additives (SWAs) of zinc acetylacetonate (ZAA) were introduced to aqueous ZnSO4 electrolytes. The SWA system of ZAA is composed of a FWA part and a WIA part in a dynamic manner of dissolution equilibrium. The FWA part exists as soluble small molecules, which efficiently regulate Zn2+ ion solvation structure, while the WIA part exists as insoluble nano-colloids, which in-situ form a thick and robust solid electrolyte interface film on zinc metal anodes (ZMAs). Such small molecular/nano-colloidal multiscale electrolyte additives of ZAA are capable to not only improve ionic conductivity and transference number but also inhibit corrosion, hydrogen evolution, and Zn dendrite on ZMAs. The SWA-based Zn∥Zn half battery delivers a superb cumulative plating capacity of 15 Ah cm-2 under 1 mAh cm-2 and 20 mA cm-2, and the SWA-based NH4V4O10∥Zn pouch cell obtains a capacity retention of 67.8% within 4000 cycles under 4 A g-1. The study provides innovative insights for rational design of electrolyte additives, which may pave the way for the practicality of AZIBs.

The timescale identification and quantification of complicated kinetic processes in lithium-ion batteries based on micro-reference electrodes

The lack of reliable methods for acquiring accurate and stable electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data at both the cathode and anode makes overlapping kinetic processes in commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with enhanced capacity and size indistinguishable. Micro-reference electrodes offer an elegant solution for obtaining accurate and stable EIS data for both the cathode and anode. The proposed selection model ensures that the mean absolute percentage error between the EIS of the combined cathode and anode and the battery remains below 3.5 % under varying temperatures and states of charge (SOCs). Different SOCs, temperatures, and pressures are utilized on the timescale to identify and quantify the kinetic processes of the cathode and anode. The results indicate that under varying temperature conditions, the process of Li+ traversing the solid electrolyte interphase dominates the total impedance of the battery, contributing over 75 %. At −10 °C, polarization resistance from this process exceeds a 2500 % increase compared to 20 °C. Moreover, the variations in the kinetic processes of LIB cathodes and anodes with temperature are revealed on the timescale, with potential reasons for the overlap of kinetic processes provided. This study offers new insights into LIB electrode kinetics and lays a theoretical groundwork for enhancing battery design and performance.

The Impact of Wide Discharge C-Rates on the Voltage Plateau Performance of Cylindrical Ternary Lithium-Ion Batteries

Battery voltage plateau characteristics are crucial for designing and controlling battery management systems. Utilising the plateau period attributes to their fullest extent can enable optimal battery control, enhance battery performance, and prolong battery lifespan. This research aimed to investigate the performance of cylindrical ternary lithium batteries at various discharge rates, focusing on the variations in terminal voltage, capacity, and temperature. The battery performance at different discharge rates was meticulously examined through cyclic charge/discharge experiments. The convexity of the voltage curve was used to analyse the voltage plateau characteristics at different rates. The findings revealed significant differences in battery performance under varying discharge rates. Higher discharge rates resulted in shorter discharge times and lower battery voltages at corresponding residual capacities. The discharge time, capacity, and voltage during the plateau phase decreased as the discharge rate increased. At discharge rates of 1 C, 3 C, 5 C, 7 C, 9 C, and 11 C, the proportion of discharged battery capacity ranged from 86.45% to 78.42%. At the same time, voltage and temperature variations during the plateau period decreased significantly compared to those before and after discharge. This research provides a crucial reference point for advancing battery design and thermal management systems.

Enhancing Estimating the Charge Level in Electric Vehicles: Leveraging Force Fluctuation and Regenerative Braking Data

Accurate determination of the state of charge is vital to optimize the performance and lifespan of electric vehicle batteries. Traditional methods which rely on battery models and direct measurements can be error-prone due to fluctuating operating conditions and battery degradation over time. Regenerative braking systems are crucial in electric and hybrid vehicles for improving energy efficiency by transforming kinetic energy into electrical energy during braking. However, force fluctuation is a challenge that can affect the performance and comfort of regenerative braking. It is known to us that electric motors and generators used in regenerative braking have non- linear torque characteristics, especially at low speeds, leading to inconsistent braking force. Variations in road conditions, such as wet or uneven surfaces, can affect the grip of the tires, leading to fluctuations in deceleration. Interactions of regenerative braking system with conventional friction brakes can cause force fluctuations, especially during the transition between the two systems. This study introduces an improved state of charge estimation technique based on force fluctuation and a regenerative braking system. This research shows that this approach significantly enhances state of charge accuracy compared to traditional methods, especially in urban driving conditions with frequent braking. The findings underscore the potential of using regenerative braking as well as force fluctuation condition data as a valuable input for state of charge estimation, ultimately leading to better battery management and an extended electric vehicle range.

Modeling and simulation of chemo-elasto-plastically coupled battery active particles

AbstractAs an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, amorphous silicon offers a significantly higher energy density than the graphite anodes currently used. Alloying reactions of lithium and silicon, however, induce large deformation and lead to volume changes up to 300%. We formulate a thermodynamically consistent continuum model for the chemo-elasto-plastic diffusion-deformation behavior of amorphous silicon and it’s alloy with lithium based on finite deformations. In this paper, two plasticity theories, i.e. a rate-independent theory with linear isotropic hardening and a rate-dependent one, are formulated to allow the evolution of plastic deformations and reduce occurring stresses. Using modern numerical techniques, such as higher order finite element methods as well as efficient space and time adaptive solution algorithms, the diffusion-deformation behavior resulting from both theories is compared. In order to further increase the computational efficiency, an automatic differentiation scheme is used, allowing for a significant speed up in assembling time as compared to an algorithmic linearization for the global finite element Newton scheme. Both plastic approaches lead to a more heterogeneous concentration distribution and to a change to tensile tangential Cauchy stresses at the particle surface at the end of one charging cycle. Different parameter studies show how an amplification of the plastic deformation is affected. Interestingly, an elliptical particle shows only plastic deformation at the smaller half axis. With the demonstrated efficiency of the applied methods, results after five charging cycles are also discussed and can provide indications for the performance of lithium-ion batteries in long term use.

Temperature-Responsive Formation Cycling Enabling LiF-Rich Cathode-Electrolyte Interphase.

Formation of LiF-rich cathode-electrolyte interphase is highly desirable for wide-temperature battery, but its application is hindered by the unwanted side reactions associated with conventional method of introducing fluorinated additives. Here, we developed an additive-free strategy to produce LiF-rich cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) by low-temperature formation cycling. Using LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 as a model cathode, the atomic ratio of LiF in the CEI formed at -5 °C is about 17.7%, enhanced by ~550% compared to CEI formed at 25 °C (2.7%). The underlying mechanism is uncovered by both experiments and theoretic simulation, indicating that the decomposition of LiPF6 to LiF is transformed into spontaneous and exothermic on positively charged cathode surface and lowering the temperature shift chemical equilibrium towards the formation of LiF-rich CEI. Superior to conventional fluorinated additives, this approach is free from unwanted side reactions, imparting batteries with both high-temperature (60 oC) cyclability and low-temperature rate performance (capacity enhanced by 100% at 3 C at -20 oC). This low-temperature formation cycling to construct LiF-rich CEI is extended to various cathode systems, such as LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2, LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, demonstrating the versatility and potential impact of our strategy in advancing the performance and stability of wide-temperature batteries and beyond.

Ionic Pumping Effect at the Tailored Mesoporous Carbon Interface for an Extra-Stable Lithium Ion Battery at Low Temperatures.

Ion transportation at the interface significantly influences the electrochemical performance of the lithium ion battery, especially at high rates and low temperatures. Here, we develop a controlled self-assembly strategy for constructing a mesoporous carbon nanolayer with a uniform pore size and varied thicknesses on the two-dimensional monolayer MXene substrate. On the basis of the excellent electron conductivity of MXene, the mesoporous carbon layer is found with a voltage-driven ion accumulation effect, acting as an "ionic pump". The thicker mesoporous layer (∼2.28 nm) has the ability to accommodate a substantial quantity of ions, demonstrating enhanced ionic conductivity, remarkable cycling stability (192.8 mAh/g after 9400 cycles at 5.0 A/g), and outstanding rate capability at ambient and sub-zero temperatures (∼601 mAh/g at 0 °C and 0.05 A/g). This work provides valuable insights and guidance for the further development of high-performance electrode materials at high rates or low temperatures.

High-resolution Li depth profiling in a thin-film all-solid-state battery using TOF-ERDA

A quantitative understanding of the Li distribution inside all-solid-state Li-ion batteries is important for improving the performance of batteries. We constructed a time-of-flight (TOF) elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) system for operando measurements of thin-film Li-ion batteries. The TOF-ERDA measurement provides elementally resolved spectra with a depth resolution much higher than that of conventional stopper-foil ERDA. The Li depth profiles in a cathode film and solid electrolyte were obtained quantitatively to a depth of 100 nm using a 9-MeV Cu ion beam with reflection geometry. In this study, we conducted TOF-ERDA for a thin-film battery having a cathode made from LiCoO2, an oxide-based solid electrolyte [lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP)], and an anode made from Fe2(MoO4)3 to demonstrate the ability of the measurement system and reveal the Li distribution near the interface with improved resolution. The depth resolution at the interface (30 nm from the surface) was estimated to be 12–14 nm. We quantitatively obtained the Li density in the LiCoO2 cathode and the variation in the Li distribution around the LiCoO2/LATP interface and inside the LATP electrolyte upon charging/discharging. TOF-ERDA is thus a powerful tool for the high-resolution quantitative depth analysis of Li in thin-film batteries in operando.

A Design Tool for Battery/Supercapacitor Hybrid Energy Storage Systems Based on the Physical–Electrochemical Degradation Battery Model BaSiS

A design toolbox has been developed for hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs) that employ both batteries and supercapacitors, primarily focusing on optimizing the system sizing/cost and mitigating battery aging. The toolbox incorporates the BaSiS model, a non-empirical physical–electrochemical degradation model for lithium-ion batteries that enables accurate simulations of battery performance and degradation under realistic operating conditions. The paper presents a detailed description of the parameterization, and validation process for the battery model, emphasizing the high accuracy and strong reliability of the battery aging prediction. The HESS design toolbox can be used to investigate the impact of various battery/supercapacitor configurations and energy management algorithms on the design, battery degradation, and system investment cost of the hybrid storage system. To illustrate the effectiveness of the design toolbox, a case study on Dynamic Moderation frequency support in the UK grid was conducted. For this use case, the application of hybrid storage energy systems is well suited due to the highly dynamic power regulation requirements in island grids with low inertia. By utilizing the fast response of supercapacitors, the stress on the battery caused by short-term high-power peaks can be significantly alleviated. In this way, the hybrid storage system effectively reduces either the battery size or the battery aging rate. In summary, this research highlights the crucial role of a comprehensive analysis in the design of hybrid energy storage systems, addressing both battery aging and overall system costs. The design toolbox can provide transparency regarding the design space and assist in determining the most suitable HESS configuration for a given application.

Boosting the Performance of Aluminum-Air Batteries by Interface Modification.

The large-scale application of aqueous Al-air batteries is highly restricted by the performance of Al anodes. The severe self-corrosion and hydrogen evolution of the Al anode in a concentrated alkaline electrolyte are the main reason. Here, aimed at relieving side reactions and enhancing the utilization of metal Al, we propose a hybrid electrolyte additive of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and ZnO to form a protective film at the anode/electrolyte interface and to decrease the hydrogen evolution active site. The strong absorption capability of MBT on the metal surface, along with the reduced Zn-containing layer, enables a compact protective film with high hydrogen evolution potential on the Al surface. With this benefit, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) inhibition efficiency is up to 83.58%, endowing a superior Al-air battery with an energy density of 2376.71 Wh kgAl-1 under a current density of 25 mA cm-2. The conception of constructing a hybrid protective film on the metal surface not only favors the development of metal-air batteries but also facilitates metal corrosion protection.

In situ heating-induced loading of anion-rich vacancy Mo–Fe1-xS nanoparticles on mesoporous carbon for high-performance sodium-ion batteries

Inspiriting the kinetics of transition metal sulfide-based anodes is key to optimizing rate performance and cycling stability. To this end, the controllable anion vacancy and large specific surface area are considered as powerful means to improve the performance of sodium-ion batteries due to their unique physical and chemical properties and convenient transport paths. Hence, we have generated Fe3+/MoO42−@cystine nanosheets by solvothermal reaction with iron molybdate nanosheets using cysteine as a sulfur and carbon source. in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the Fe3+/MoO42−@cystine nanosheets calcined under a vacuum state undergo significant structural evolution, consequentially, the decomposition and carbonization of cystine induces the generation of mesoporous structures with increasing temperature. In the half-cell, Mo–Fe1-xS@mesoporous nitrogen doped carbon-600 showed excellent rate capability at current densities of 0.1–5 A g−1, as well as excellent cycling performance (428.9 mAh g−1 at 2.0 A g-1 after 800 cycles). Mesoporous nitrogen doped carbon and sulfur vacancies induced enhanced conductivity, fast ionic transfer and structural stability, resulting in excellent electrochemical performance of Mo–Fe1-xS@mesoporous nitrogen doped carbon under calcination at 600 °C (Mo–Fe1-xS@MCN-600).

Enabling Efficient Anchoring-Conversion Interface by Fabricating Double-Layer Functionalized Separator for Suppressing Shuttle Effect.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LiSBs) with high energy density still face challenges on sluggish conversion kinetics, severe shuttle effects of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and low blocking feature of ordinary separators to LiPSs. To tackle these, a novel double-layer strategy to functionalize separators is proposed, which consists of Co with atomically dispersed CoN4 decorated on Ketjen black (Co/CoN4@KB) layer and an ultrathin 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene layer. The theoretical calculations and experimental results jointly demonstrate metallic Co sites provide efficient adsorption and catalytic capability for long-chain LiPSs, while CoN4 active sites facilitate the absorption of short-chain LiPSs and promote the conversion to Li2S. The stacking MXene layer serves as a microscopic barrier to further physically block and chemically anchor leaked LiPSs from the pores and gaps of the Co/CoN4@KB layer, thus preserving LiPSs within efficient anchoring-conversion reaction interfaces to balance the accumulation of "dead S" and Li2S. Consequently, with an ultralight loading of Co/CoN4@KB-MXene, the LiSBs exhibit amazing electrochemical performance even under high sulfur loading and lean electrolyte, and the outperforming performance for lithium-selenium batteries (LiSeBs) can also be achieved. This work exploits a universal and effective strategy of a double-layer functionalized separator to regulate the equilibrium adsorption-catalytic interface, enabling high-energy and long-cycle LiSBs/LiSeBs.

CuNi alloy anchored on dual-substrate TiOx/N-doped carbon nanofibers as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Development of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts to enhance the performance of zinc-air batteries (ZABs) is of great significance, but it remains a formidable challenge due to their poor stability and activity. Herein, a bifunctional CuNi-TiOx/NCNFS electrocatalyst, featuring with electron-rich copper-nickel (CuNi) alloy nanoparticles anchored on titanium oxide/N-doped carbon nanofibers (TiOx/NCNFS), is constructed by a dual-substrate loading strategy. The introduction of TiOx has led to a significant increase in the stability of the dual-substrate. The strong electronic interaction between CuNi and TiOx strengthens the anchoring of active metal sites, thus accelerating the electron transfer. Theoretical calculations unclose that NCNFS can regulate the charge distribution of TiOx, inducing the charge transfer from NCNFS → TiOx → CuNi, thereby reducing the d-band center of Cu and Ni, which is beneficial to the desorption of intermediate oxide species of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Therefore, CuNi-TiOx/NCNFS delivers a remarkable bifunctional performance with a low OER overpotential of 258 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and an ORR half-wave potential of 0.85 V. When assembled into ZABs, CuNi-TiOx/NCNFS shows a low potential gap of 0.64 V, a higher power density of 149.6 mW cm−2 at 330 mA cm−2, and an outstanding stability for 250 h at 5mA cm−2. This study provides a novel approach by constructing dual-substrate to tune the electronic structure of active metal sites for efficient rechargeable ZABs.

Synthetic ester-based forced flow immersion cooling technique for fast discharging lithium-ion battery packs

Rapid advancements in Li-ion battery technology are being made to meet the growing demand for efficient energy storage solutions in electric vehicles and portable electronics. However, heat generation during rapid charging and discharging remains a significant challenge, as it can lead to overheating, fire, and explosion. To address this issue, battery thermal management systems require improvements in cooling strategies. This study aims to optimize the thermal performance of Li-ion battery packs during fast discharge operation by single-phase synthetic ester oil-based forced flow immersion cooling (FFIC) technique. The study analyzes the thermal performance of the FFIC of a 4S2P LIB pack based on various flow rates, pressure drops, and pump power consumption and compares it with various conventional cooling methods and dielectric fluids. The MSMD-based NTGK battery modeling approach is used to analyze the electrical and thermal characteristics of the battery pack at 3C discharge and environmental temperature of 25 °C. The simulation findings revealed that the synthetic ester oil has a superior cooling effect than mineral oil in the 4S2P Li-ion battery pack. The experimental results showed that the synthetic ester-based FFIC Li-ion battery pack achieves an optimal pack temperature of 31.3 °C and uniform temperature distribution at the flow rate of 5 L/min and pressure drop of 228.44 Pa. Moreover, FFIC reduces temperature rise by 51 % compared with natural air convection and 35 % compared with static flow immersion cooling (SFIC) in the 4S2P lithium-ion battery pack. Also, the practical significance of the SEO-based FFIC immersion cooling technique is assessed across extreme climate zones such as −10 °C and 40 °C and determined its superior performance in Li-ion batteries. Hence, this study proved that the FFIC technique is suitable for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicle applications in terms of optimal performance, reliability, and safety during high-current discharge operations.

Deflection and control of the mixing region in membraneless vanadium micro redox flow batteries: Modeling and experimental validation

Membraneless micro redox flow batteries operate within the laminar flow regime to mitigate the convective mixing between catholyte and anolyte. The absence of an ion-exchange membrane reduces manufacturing costs and overall cell resistance, thereby enhancing battery performance. However, it also poses a new challenge: the precise control of the thin mixing layer established between the two co-flowing electrolytes. Undesired displacements of the mixing region lead to increased crossover losses and significant liquid transfer between tanks. This work addresses the deflection of the mixing region under varying flow conditions, considering electrolyte viscosity variations due to the changes in the local state of charge arising during battery operation. This is achieved through a combination of mathematical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental results. The conservation equations and non-dimensional parameters governing the problem are first written and discussed. The model is then integrated numerically incorporating different inlet and outlet boundary conditions to simulate the effect of various flow control strategies. Next, the numerical results are validated against experimental realizations of the flow. Finally, three case studies are presented and discussed. This work highlights the relevance of variable viscosity in the operation of co-laminar membraneless micro redox flow batteries, and proposes for the first time feasible control methods to mitigate undesired disturbances in the hydraulic circuit, thereby minimizing crossover losses.

Development and Performance Analysis of a Low-Cost Redox Flow Battery

Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs) offer a promising solution for energy storage due to their scalability and long lifespan, making them particularly attractive for integrating renewable energy sources with fluctuating power output. This study investigates the performance of a prototype Zinc-Chlorine Flow Battery (ZCFB) designed for low-cost and readily available electrolytes. The ZCFB utilizes a saltwater electrolyte containing ZnCl2 and NaCl, paired with a mineral spirits catholyte. The electrolyte consists of a 4 M ZnCl2 and a 2 M NaCl solution, both with a pH of 4.55. The anode was a zinc metal electrode, while the cathode comprised a porous carbon electrode on a titanium grid current collector. The cell volume was approximately 4.0 mL, with separate reservoirs for the NaCl/H2O and mineral spirits electrolytes. Experiments were conducted under constant current conditions, with a 0.2 A charging current and a 5 mA discharge current chosen for optimal cell voltage. The study analyzed the relationship between voltage, current, power, and capacity during both charging and discharging cycles. Results from multiple charge/discharge cycles found that the current density of the battery is around 62.658 mA/cm2 with an energy capacity average of 1.2 Wh. These findings can contribute to the development of more efficient and practical ZCFBs, particularly for applications requiring low-cost and readily available electrolytes.

Дослідження впливу зовнішніх факторів на експлуатаційні властивості електромобіля

Many factors affect the range of an electric vehicle: speed, driving style and ambient temperature can reduce the range of a full charge. Cold weather poses two main problems for electric vehicles: cold air limits battery performance, and the robo-heater significantly drains the battery. Studies have shown that 21.5 degrees is the optimal temperature for the operation of an electric car battery. Because an average of 21.5 degrees Celsius is the most optimal temperature when it comes to the range of an electric car. This actually prolongs its operation. At 21.5 degrees, the electric car's temperature system does not work, so energy is used for its movement. At -20°C, an electric car loses an average of 50% of its battery charge range. At -10 – 40%, at 0 – 20%. When the temperature is +10o C, the real driving distance of the electric car corresponds to 100% charging of the battery. At +21 o C, the real distance can be increased to 15%. When it is +40oC, the performance of the battery drops significantly to 80%, and the rate of charge rapidly decreases as the temperature increases. The energy consumption of electric vehicles is largely influenced by weather factors. Studies have shown the influence of ambient temperature and wind speed on energy consumption. The results show that at low speeds (30 km/h) the relative influence of ambient temperature is extremely high. The lowest energy consumption is achieved at a temperature of 20° C. At higher speeds (130 km/h), the relative influence of the temperature of the external environment is much lower. It has been proven that 21.5 degrees is the optimal ambient temperature for the operation of an electric car battery during operation, a decrease or increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the efficiency of electric car operation.

A dual-template synergistic assembly strategy towards the synthesis of extra-small nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres with large pores.

Functional mesoporous carbon nanomaterials with large pores and small particle sizes have broad accessibility, but remain challenging to achieve. This study proposed a dual-template synergistic assembly strategy to facilely synthesize extra-small nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres with large pores in a low-cost manner. Directed by the synergistic effect of the combination of surfactants, sodium oleate (anionic surfactant) and triblock copolymer-P123 (nonionic surfactant) were selected as templates to construct nanomicelles (nanoemulsions), which were co-assembled with melamine-based oligomers to form composite nanomicelles, thus obtaining nitrogen-doped mesoporous polymer nanospheres (NMePS) and then nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres (NMeCS). Based on Schiff base chemistry, the melamine-based oligomers with self-assembly capability were synthesized as precursors, which is different from the conventional synthetic route of melamine-formaldehyde resin. The key parameters involved in the route were investigated comprehensively and correlated with the characterization results. Furthermore, the 50 nm-scale particle size and the large mesoporous size of 5.5 nm of NMeCS can facilitate effective mass transport, coupled with their high nitrogen content (15.7 wt%), contributing to their excellent performance in lithium-ion batteries.

Innovative synthesis and comprehensive electrochemical evaluation of FeVO4 for enhanced sodium-ion battery performance

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable alternative to the more costly and resource-constrained lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), especially in meeting the increasing need for large-scale energy storage. A significant challenge for SIBs lies in the exploration of the advanced anode materials. FeVO4 (FVO) nanoparticles were synthesized through both wet chemical and solid-phase methods by using citric acid monohydrate and ferric nitrate nonahydrate as blowing agents. XRD and TEM characterization reveals the presence of a large (101) interlayer spacing (∼4.46 Å) that accommodates the insertion and extraction of sodium ions (Na+). As anode material for storing Na+, FVO demonstrates an impressive discharge capacity of 326.5 mAh g−1 when cycling at a rate of 0.1 A g−1 over 300 cycles. In addition, the NaFePO4||FeVO4 full cell provides a discharge specific capacity of 102.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1C (1C = 154 mAg−1). The dynamic properties of the FVO/Na battery are revealed by pseudo-capacitance analysis and GITT tests. Meanwhile, the storage mechanism of Na+ is further analyzed by XPS, TEM, in-situ XRD and density functional theory calculations. Overall, this work presents new insights into the application of FeVO4 in SIBs and also demonstrates the competitive potential of FeVO4 for energy storage.