Energy Storage Performance Research Articles

Dual-Functional SnO2-CNT-PANI||PP||SnO2 Separator for Enhanced Lithium-Sulfur Battery Stability and Capacity

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) provide high capacity and energy density for advanced energy storage but encounter performance and safety issues due to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) dissolution and dendrite formation. This study introduces a dual-functional SnO2-CNT-PANI||PP||SnO2 separator (DF-SNCPS) aimed at improving the stability and safety of LSBs. The separator includes a SnO2-CNT-PANI layer on the sulfur cathode side for enhanced electrical conductivity and polysulfide adsorption and a SnO2 nanoparticle (nano-SnO2) layer on the lithium anode side to regulate lithium-ion concentration and inhibit dendrite growth. Density functional theory (DFT) and the phase field method have verified the relevant material's catalytic performance and dendrite suppression ability. These methods have provided a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms, providing auxiliary explanations for their role in catalyzing polysulfide conversion and suppressing lithium dendrite growth. This innovative design mitigates the shuttle effect and enhances cyclic stability and sulfur utilization, achieving a notable cyclic performance with a capacity retention of 0.05% per cycle over 800 cycles at 1C. The synergistic effects of the modified separator present a viable pathway for LSB commercialization.

Achieving an appropriate polarization-breakdown synergy of multilayer films for dielectric energy storage through temperature gradient annealing

Large polarization and high breakdown strength are the key to achieving an idea energy storage density in dielectric capacitors, but unfortunately the trade-off problem between them is difficult to evade, particularly for those dielectrics with different crystalline degrees. Herein, we propose an appropriate polarization-breakdown synergistic strategy of dielectric multilayer films through temperature gradient annealing. The dielectric properties of a serials of (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O3/SrTiO3/(Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O3 (PLZT/STO/PLZT) structures with different annealing temperature for each layer are compared. The optimum recoverable energy density of 57.9 J/cm3 is achieved at a high breakdown electric field of 5.78 MV/cm and a moderate maximum polarization of 22.5 μC/cm2. In addition to the role of suppressing the carriers transport of interlayer STO, the balance between polarization and breakdown strength in bottom and top PLZT layers with individual dielectric characteristics should be responsible for the enhanced energy storage performance (ESP). The results suggest that it is a feasible way to optimize the ESP of dielectric multilayer films through designing different stacking layer via temperature gradient annealing heat treatment.

Simultaneous enhancement of visible light absorption and energy storage performances of W5+ implanted WO3-x thin film electrodes

Simultaneous enhancement of visible light absorption and energy storage performances of W5+ implanted WO3-x thin film electrodes

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

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

Mn-Doped NaNbO3/Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 Lead-Free Ferroelectric Ceramics with Enhanced Energy Storage Performance

Mn-Doped NaNbO3/Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 Lead-Free Ferroelectric Ceramics with Enhanced Energy Storage Performance

Lithium‑sulfur batteries for next-generation automotive power batteries carbon emission assessment and sustainability study in China

The rise of electric vehicles has ushered in a revolution in the automotive industry, propelling the global automotive sector towards sustainable development. However, considerable controversy persists regarding the comprehensive performance of electric vehicle batteries and their environmental impact. The development of next-generation power batteries, aimed at enhancing energy storage performance while mitigating environmental consequences, has become a focal point of research in this field. Lithium‑sulfur batteries (LSBs), with their innovative structural design and environmentally friendly materials, not only enhance energy storage performance but also harbor significant environmental potential. When coupled with an all-solid-state battery structure, the all-solid-state lithium‑sulfur battery (A-LSB) demonstrates even more superior performance. This combination represents an ideal next-generation power battery for automotive applications, offering heightened efficiency and environmental sustainability. This study conducts a prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) to examine the environmental performance, particularly carbon emissions, during the production processes of LSBs and A-LSBs in the Chinese region. The primary objective is to uncover the potential for sustainable development in the future of lithium‑sulfur battery technologies. During the research process, we conducted comparative validation by comparing with traditional ternary lithium-ion batteries (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). Experimental setups were designed to simulate both laboratory and industrial production scenarios, with a primary focus on analyzing the sustainable performance of LSB and A-LSB. The results indicate that, compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, both LSB and A-LSB exhibit lower carbon emissions and superior environmental performance, with A-LSB showing particular promise. However, A-LSB demonstrates higher sensitivity to environmental impacts, displaying significant variations before and after industrial production. Additionally, it exhibits a greater dependency on regional resources and energy structures. In contrast, LSB displays better regional adaptability.

Enhancing energy storage performance of AgNbO3-based ceramics by coating with insulating SiO2 buffer layer

Enhancing energy storage performance of AgNbO3-based ceramics by coating with insulating SiO2 buffer layer

Enhanced high-temperature energy storage performance in all-organic dielectric films through synergistic crosslinking of chemical and physical interaction

Advanced electronic devices and energy systems urgently require high-temperature polymer dielectrics that can offer both high discharge energy density and energy storage efficiency. However, the capacitive properties of most polymers sharply deteriorate at elevated temperatures, due to the significant rise in leakage current density and energy loss. Herein, a new design approach is adopted to fabricate high-temperature polyetherimide (PEI) dielectrics with chemical and physical cooperative crosslinking networks, the dual-crosslinked PEI dielectrics are prepared through amine crosslinking agent and the electrostatic interaction of oppositely charged phenyl groups between triptycene (TE) and PEI chain segments. Benefiting from the increased crosslinking sites, the dual-crosslinked PEI films achieve the simultaneously enhancement in Tg, modulus and bandgap compared to un-crosslinked and single-crosslinked polymers. Meanwhile, the PEI with dual-crosslinked network displays higher chain packing density, effectively reducing the mean motion pathways of charge carriers and the conduction loss inside polymer dielectric. Consequently, the dual-crosslinked PEI containing 0.25 wt% TE delivers an outstanding discharge energy density of 2.69 J/cm3 and retains excellent cyclability after 100,000 charge–discharge cycles at 200 ℃. Additionally, finite element analysis and molecular dynamics simulation further confirm that less Joule heat and tighter chain structure are formed in the dual-crosslinked polymer dielectric. This research offers a novel methodology to prepare high-performance polymer dielectrics for high-temperature applications.

Enhanced energy storage performance of NaNbO3-based ceramics by modifying phase structures and electrical insulation

Enhanced energy storage performance of NaNbO3-based ceramics by modifying phase structures and electrical insulation

Optimized energy storage performance of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramic through incorporation of Ca(Nb0.5Al0.5)O3

Optimized energy storage performance of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramic through incorporation of Ca(Nb0.5Al0.5)O3

Remarkably boosted high-temperature energy storage of a polymer dielectric induced by polymethylsesquioxane microspheres.

Polymer dielectrics are the key materials in next-generation electrical power systems. However, they usually suffer from dramatic deterioration of capacitive performance at high temperatures. In this work, we demonstrate that polymethylsesquioxane (PMSQ) microspheres with a unique organic-inorganic hybrid structure can remarkably enhance the energy storage performance of a typical high-temperature dielectric polymer polyetherimide (PEI). Compared with traditional ceramic fillers, there exists -CH3 on the surface of PMSQ microspheres, which results in good compatibility between PMSQ and PEI. In addition, the PMSQ microspheres with excellent insulating properties can effectively block the charge transport, yielding significantly enhanced breakdown and energy storage performance. Consequently, the PEI based composite film with 5 wt% PMSQ microspheres exhibits ultrahigh energy storage densities of 12.83 J cm-3 and 9.40 J cm-3 with an efficiency (η) above 90% at 150 °C and 200 °C, respectively, which are 10.5 and 50.5 times those of the pure PEI film. This work demonstrates that microspheres with an organic-inorganic hybrid structure are excellent candidates for enhancing the high-temperature performance of polymer dielectrics, and these PMSQ/PEI composite films have huge potential for application in high-temperature film capacitors.

Induced Electron Traps via the PCBM in P(VDF-HFP) Composites to Enhance Dielectric and Energy Storage Performance.

Polymer-based composites with excellent dielectric properties are essential for advanced energy storage applications. In this work, the [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as a filler was incorporated into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) composite to improve its dielectric performance. P(VDF-HFP) composite films with varying PCBM concentrations were prepared via solution casting and their dielectric, energy storage, and charge-discharge properties were characterized. It was found that the doped PCBM could introduce new charge traps with an energy level of 1.25 eV that modulate charge transport and energy storage characteristics of the polymer matrix. The dielectric constant of the composites was enhanced to the maximum of 10.87 as 0.2 vol% PCBM was added, while the breakdown strength reached 455 MV/m, achieving an energy density of 7.38 J/cm3, which is 33% higher than the pristine P(VDF-HFP) film. Furthermore, the charge-discharge efficiency of the composites was enhanced 66% under the electric field of 300 MV/m. These results demonstrate that PCBM significantly improves the dielectric and energy storage properties of P(VDF-HFP) composites, providing a promising approach for the development of high-performance dielectric materials in flexible energy storage devices.

Surface‐Engineered Pt‐Ni(111) Nanocatalysts for Boosting Their ORR Performance via Thermal Treatment

AbstractThe electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for fuel cell application, and modifying surface structures of electrocatalysts has proven effective in improving their catalytic performances. In this study, we investigated surface‐engineered Pt−Ni nano‐octahedra subjected to annealing in various atmospheres. All octahedral nanocrystals retained their Pt−Ni {111} facets at an elevated temperature following the annealing treatments. Air annealing led to the formation of nickel‐rich shells on the Pt−Ni surface. In contrast, hydrogen (H₂) as a reducing gas facilitated the reduction of surface Ni species, incorporating them into the Pt−Ni bulk alloy, which resulted in superior mass activity and specific activity for ORR‐approximately 2.4 and 2.3 times as high as those from the unmodified counterpart, respectively. After 20,000 potential cycles, the H₂/Ar‐annealed Pt−Ni nano‐octahedra maintained a mass activity of 3.92 A/ , surpassing the initial mass activity of the unannealed counterparts (2.95 A/ ). These findings demonstrate a viable approach for tailoring catalyst surfaces to enhance performance in various energy storage and conversion applications.

Enhanced energy storage performance of 0.85BaTiO3–0.15Bi(Mg0.5Hf0.5)O3 films via synergistic effect of defect dipole and oxygen vacancy engineering

Dielectric capacitors are widely used in electronic devices due to their ultra-fast charge/discharge rate and ultra-high power density, but their lower energy density and poor thermal stability limit their further application. In contrast to the traditional strategy of suppressing defects, this work combines oxygen vacancies with defect dipoles to improve the breakdown strength and polarization behavior of ferroelectric films. Low concentration of oxygen vacancies and defect dipoles can trap charge carriers and increase breakdown strength, but if the concentration is too high, it can easily make films prone to breakdown. Moreover, the defect dipoles can reduce Pr by providing intrinsic restoring force for polarization switching, while excessive defect dipoles and oxygen vacancies can pin domain walls and increase Pr. By delicately controlling the concentration of oxygen vacancies and defect dipoles in the film, the BT-BMH film deposited at 0.135 mbar achieved the maximum breakdown strength and slim P-E loops, inducing the energy density to reach 108.9 J·cm-3 with an efficiency of 79.6 % at room temperature and excellent thermal stability in the wide temperature range of -100∼350 °C with the energy density of 69.1 J·cm-3. This work reveals the important significance of reasonable defect control for improving energy storage performance and provides an effective method for developing high-performance dielectric capacitors.

Micro/Meso‐Porous Double‐Shell Hollow Carbon Spheres through Spatially Confined Pyrolysis for Supercapacitors and Zinc‐Ion Capacitor

AbstractEnergy storage in supercapacitors and hybrid zinc ion capacitors (ZIC) using porous carbon materials offers a promising alternative method for clean energy solutions. The unique combination of hierarchical porous structure and nitrogen doping in these materials has demonstrated significant capacity for energy storage. Nevertheless, the full potential of these materials, particularly the relationship between pore structure configuration and performance, remains underexplored. Herein, a confined pyrolysis strategy based on the polymerization characteristics of polydopamine (PDA) was developed to construction of hollow carbon spheres with microporous/mesoporous dual shell structure. The depth of micropores and cavity can be controlled by adjusting the duration of heat treatment and hydrothermal treatment, in accordance with the decomposition and polymerization characteristics of PDA. Due to the elasticity of this structure, the relationship between the micro/mesoporous depth of the prepared carbon spheres and the energy storage performance in supercapacitors and ZIC is established. Through optimizing the ion transport capacity of carbon spheres and considering the influence of its internal cavity structure on energy storage, the resulting carbon spheres exhibit high specific capacitance of 389 F g−1 in supercapacitor and specific capacitance of 260 F g−1 and excellent stability with 99.3 % retention after 30000 chare/discharge cycles in ZIC.

Experimental and Simulation Study on Enhancing Thermal Energy Storage and Heat Transfer Performance of Ternary Chloride Eutectic Salt by Doping MgO Nanoparticles

Experimental and Simulation Study on Enhancing Thermal Energy Storage and Heat Transfer Performance of Ternary Chloride Eutectic Salt by Doping MgO Nanoparticles

Impact of Surface Modulation of Two-Dimensional Ni-MOF and Its Derivatives on Electrochemical Energy Storage and Electrocatalytic Performance

Impact of Surface Modulation of Two-Dimensional Ni-MOF and Its Derivatives on Electrochemical Energy Storage and Electrocatalytic Performance

Decoupling the Failure Mechanism of Li‐Rich Layered Oxide Cathode During High‐Temperature Storage in Pouch‐Type Full‐Cell: A Practical Concern on Anionic Redox Reaction

AbstractIn addressing the global climate crisis, the energy storage performance of Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) under extreme conditions, particularly for high‐energy‐density Li‐rich layered oxide (LRLO) cathode, is of the essence. Despite numerous researches into the mechanisms and optimization of LRLO cathodes under ideal moderate environment, there is a dearth of case studies on their practical/harsh working environments (e.g., pouch‐type full‐cell, high‐temperature storage), which is a critical aspect for the safety and commercial application. In this study, using pouch‐type full‐cells as prototype investigation target, the study finds the cell assembled with LRLO cathode present severer voltage decay than typical NCM layered cathode after high‐temperature storage. Further decoupling elucidates the primary failure mechanism is the over‐activation of lattice oxidized oxygen (aggravate by high‐temperature storage) and subsequent escape of oxidized oxygen species (On−), which disrupts transition metal (TM) coordination and exacerbates electrolyte decomposition, leading to severe TM dissolution, interfacial film reconstruction, and harmful shuttle effects. These chain behaviors upon high‐temperature storage significantly influence the stability of both electrodes, causing substantial voltage decay and lithium loss, which accelerates full‐cell failure. Although the anionic redox reaction can bring additional energy, but the escape of metastable On− species would introduce new concerns in practical cell working conditions.

PVDF-Based Nanocomposites with Increased Crystallinity and Polar Phases toward High Energy Storage Performance

PVDF-Based Nanocomposites with Increased Crystallinity and Polar Phases toward High Energy Storage Performance

The Emerging Strategy of Symmetry Breaking for Enhancing Energy Conversion and Storage Performance.

Symmetry breaking has emerged as a novel strategy to enhance energy conversion and storage performance, which refers to changes in the atomic configurations within a material reducing its internal symmetry. According to the location of the symmetry breaking, it can be classified into spontaneous symmetry breaking within the material, local symmetry breaking on the surface of the material, and symmetry breaking caused by external fields outside the material. However, there are currently few summaries in this field, so it is necessary to summarize how symmetry breaking improves energy conversion and storage performance. In this review, the fundamentals of symmetry breaking are first introduced, which allows for a deeper understanding of its meaning. Then the applications of symmetry breaking in energy conversion and storage are systematically summarized, providing various mechanisms in energy conversion and storage, as well as how to improve energy conversion performance and storage efficiency. Last but not least, the current applications of symmetry breaking are summarized and provide an outlook on its future development. It is hoped that this review can provide new insights into the applications of symmetry breaking and promote its further development.