Rate Capability Research Articles

Flexible and free-standing MXene decorated biomass-derived carbon cloth membrane anodes for superior lithium-ion capacitors

Two-dimensional transition metal materials, MXenes, have attracted tremendous attention in energy storage applications due to their layered structure, good electrical conductivity, and abundant functional groups. In this work, Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were uniformly sprayed and successfully loaded on the cotton nonwoven fabric-derived carbon cloth (CC) substrate by electrostatic self-assembly. The as-prepared flexible MXene-CNTs-CC membrane electrodes with enlarged interlayer spacing and high conductivity fabric support exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. In terms of lithium-ion batteries, the optimized MXene-CNTs-CC anode delivered an ultrahigh initial discharge capacity of 2277.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 along with notable cyclability (1149.8 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles) and rate capability (544.1 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 2 A g−1) in half cells. The full cells assembled with LiCoO2 cathode also displayed good cycling stability with a high reversible discharge capacity of 833.5 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. Remarkably, the further constructed lithium-ion capacitors with the designed porous carbon nanofiber cathode could maintain energy densities of 121.5 to 20.8 Wh kg−1 with the corresponding power densities of 125 to 12,500 W kg−1, and achieved capacitance retention of 76.3 % after 10,000 cycles at 1 A g−1, demonstrating excellent long-term cycle durability.

The Ether’s Chain Length Effect in Electrolyte for Hard carbon towards Efficient Sodium Storage at Low Temperature

The synergy between ether-based electrolytes (EBEs) and hard carbon (HC) in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) enhances Coulombic efficiency, durability, and rate capability. Despite these advantages, the intricate relationship of how the molecular structure of ether solvents modifies electrolyte properties and, subsequently, sodium storage performance remains inadequately explored, especially for low-temperature applications, limiting the advancement of EBEs. Our study investigates ethylene glycol ether-based electrolytes with varying chain lengths to understand their influence on reaction kinetics and sodium storage. Notably, HC electrodes paired with NaPF6/ethylene glycol dimethyl ether exhibit superior performance, achieving 247.5 mAh g-1 after 2000 cycles at 1.0Ag-1. Even at -20 °C, these cells exhibit impressive endurance, retaining capacities of 257.5 mAh g-1 in half cells and 75.5 mAh g-1 in full cells at 0.1Ag-1 after 100 cycles, considering the entire mass of active material. Our thorough analysis indicates that the ether solvent with shorter chain length, distinguished by its low solvation-free energy and accelerated ionic kinetics, promotes rapid de-solvation and the formation of an inorganic-rich interface. Through this study, we illuminate the pivotal influence of solvent chain length on sodium storage in hard carbon, contributing to foundational insights towards the design of sophisticated electrolytes for SIBs.

Facile one-pot synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorod @ N, S co-doped carbon composite for high performance lithium ion batteries

Bismuth sulfide is favoured in lithium ion batteries due to its high specific capacity of 625 mAh/g. However, the Bi2S3 anode faces severe volume expansion problems during the lithium intercalation process, resulting in continuous electrode fragmentation and rapid degradation of lithium storage performance. In this study, Bi2S3 nanorod@N, S co-doped carbon composite prepared by a simple sintering method was used as the anode material for lithium ion batteries. 1D Bi2S3 nanorods with a length of 1 μm and a diameter of 50 nm were loaded in situ on 2D N, S co-doped carbon nanosheets. This unique structure can not only alleviate the volume change of bismuth sulfide, but also effectively shorten the diffusion distance of lithium ions, thereby improving the cycling stability and rate capability at the same time. The discharge capacity of Bi2S3@N, SC remained at 583.4 mAh g –1 after 400 cycles at 0.5 A g–1. Even at a high current density of 2 A/g, the discharge capacity of Bi2S3@N, SC still reached 374.3 mAh g –1. This simple method also can be extended to the preparation of other metal sulfide composites.

A polyolefin separator reinforced inorganic/organic composite electrolyte for quasi-solid-state Lithium-sulfur batteries with high cycle stability and long lifespan

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered a promising next-generation energy storage system due to the high energy density and the low cost. However, the severe shuttle effect of polysulfide and the security issue caused by organic liquid electrolyte and lithium metal anode have hindered their commercial application. Herein we achieved a polyolefin commercial separator reinforced inorganic/organic composite electrolyte (denoted as Com-LATP) via coating the polypropylene (PP) separator with the composite of polymethyl methacrylate/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PMMA/PVDF) modified with Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP). The Com-LATP electrolyte (thickness: ∼30 um) exhibits remarkable tensile strength of 103 MPa, an ionic conductivity of 0.47·mS cm-1 with the Li+ transfer number of 0.45, which is beneficial for the uniform Li+ flux and the stable striping and plating of Li metal. The Li symmetrical batteries equipped with this Com-LATP exhibited stable cycling for over 350 h. Meanwhile, the Com-LATP electrolyte with the special dense structure can hinder the polysulfide diffusion. The developed quasi-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries have demonstrated impressive cycling stability with an initial specific capacity of 1184.8 mA h g-1 at a discharge rate of 0.2 C, maintaining performance over 200 cycles. Additionally, they exhibited outstanding rate capability, retaining a reversible capacity of 710.4 mA h g-1 even at a higher discharge rate of 2 C. This research introduces an innovative structural design approach for high-performance quasi-solid-state Li-S batteries, which holds significant promise for advancing the commercialization of lithium-sulfur battery technology.

Simultaneous structure and surface engineering of metal-organic framework derived LiNi0.5-xFe2xMn1.5-xO4 cathode material for improving high voltage performance of lithium-ion batteries

This study presents a novel material synthesis approach utilizing a terephthalic acid-based metal-organic framework as a precursor and employing an ethanol-assisted hydrothermal treatment to produce high-performance Fe-doped LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode material. This strategy yields a well-crystallized spinel structure with uniformly distributed transition metal ions. Additionally, the appropriate quantity of Fe dopant can achieve the desired Mn3+/Mn4+ ratio, level of structural disordering, and crystal phase purity for Fe-doped LNMO. The synthesis process also aids in forming an amorphous Li2CO3 surface layer, approximately 1 nm thick, which protects the active material from excessive reaction with electrolyte. The typical Fe-doped LNMO cathode (S-05) exhibits superior performance compared to a commercialized LNMO counterpart. It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 135 mAh g-1 at 1 C with exceptional cycling stability over 500 cycles (capacity retention of 90%) under high voltage (5.0 V vs. Li+/Li). Furthermore, its rate capability significantly improves, with a capacity retention of 85% (5 C/0.2 C). This enhanced performance aligns with evidence of activated Ni2+/Ni3+/Ni4+ redox reactions and suppressed cathode electrolyte interphase resistance, leading to promoted Li+ diffusion. Moreover, it is found the cathode helps alleviate electrolyte degradation at high voltages by inhibiting the formation of singlet oxygen in the electrolyte.

Review of thermal neutron scintillators: Evaluation metrics and future prospects for demanding applications

Neutron applications are progressing rapidly, requiring detectors to meet increasingly rigorous criteria. Specifications such as high neutron counting rates, fast timing resolution and low background have a significant impact on choice of scintillator and how scintillators are evaluated. This work considers detector requirements for neutron scattering instruments that are becoming more stringent as the sources and scattering technologies continue to improve. Meanwhile, both prominent scintillators used for neutron scattering detectors, ZnS:Ag/6LiF and GS-glass, remain stagnant. While these scintillators have been suitable for many years, they are becoming a limiting factor for neutron scattering instruments. ZnS:Ag is inhibiting count rate capability and GS-glass is too gamma sensitive so alternatives need to be found. A brief explanation of neutron scattering, its detector requirements and how those relate to scintillator properties will be discussed. Furthermore, this work explains how standard characterization methods and reporting of scintillation properties are not entirely suitable for high count rate, low background applications like neutron scattering. As a result, modifications to characterization of gamma discrimination, light output, and decay kinetics are suggested. Additional steps are suggested including neutron activation and a more appropriate assessment of count rate capability. A non-exhaustive set of 6Li containing neutron sensitive scintillators including ZnS:Ag/6LiF, GS20 glass, ZnO:Zn/6LiF, Cs6LiYCl:Ce, 6LiI:Eu, 6LiI:Ce, 6LiCaAlF:Eu, LiCaAlF:Ce, transparent rubber sheet (TRUST) 6LiCaAlF:Eu, TRUST 6LiCaAlF:Eu with added fluorophore and EJ-270 (6Li containing plastic) are reviewed and studied from this different perspective. Finally, new scintillator developments relevant to high count rate, low background applications are discussed.

In situ growth of MnO2 on graphitized cellulose nanocrystal: A novel coaxial heterostructures with unblocked conductive networks as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitor

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) with high theoretical capacitance and natural abundance has attracted great attention but is still challenging for use in supercapacitors, due to the limited conductivity and lower electron and ion migration. Here, a facile in situ growth strategy is developed to prepare heterostructural graphitized cellulose nanocrystal (GCNC)/MnO2 with unblocked conductive networks through a hydrothermal reaction. The GCNC with highly ordered graphitic carbon layers as conductive support framework solves the agglomeration problem of MnO2 and increases effective specific surface areas in contact with electrolyte ions. Meanwhile, the stable connection of MnOC covalent bonds enhances the interface bonding, which effectively reduces the contact resistance at the interface of heterostructural GCNC/MnO2 and enhances the interface firmness. The resulting GCNC/MnO2 electrode shows a remarkable specific capacitance of 528.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1. Furthermore, the symmetric supercapacitor based on GCNC/MnO2-15 mM exhibits high rate capability and excellent cycle stability of 100 % capacitance retention after 3000 cycles. This work provides a new path to designing high performance electrode material for sustainable energy technologies.

The Effect of Nickel Addition on α-Fe2O3 Synthesis Using NaOH and Application as Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Material

Research has been conducted in the pursuit of developing the performance of batteries. The increasing demand for electronic devices and electric vehicles has driven the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Among the various anode materials, α-Fe2O3 has attracted significant attention due to its high theoretical specific capacity of 1007 mAh/g. However, its low conductivity and poor rate capability limit its practical application. To address these issues, this study investigates the addition of nickel (Ni) into α-Fe2O3 through a co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The electrochemical performance was evaluated using an LCR meter and charge-discharge cycling. The results showed the addition of Ni improved the conductivity of the α-Fe2O3 material. The optimal Ni content was found as much as 18×10-4 mol which exhibits the highest conductivity and specific capacity. The synthesized α-Fe1.965Ni0.035O3 material demonstrated a specific charging capacity of 1.8433 mAh/g and a specific discharging capacity of 1.8388 mAh/g. These findings suggest that Ni-doped α-Fe2O3 has the potential to be a promising anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Optimizing Reversible Phase‐Transformation of FeS2 Anode via Atomic‐Interface Engineering Toward Fast‐Charging Sodium Storage: Theoretical Predication and Experimental Validation

AbstractSodium‐storage performance of pyrite FeS2 is greatly improved by constructing various FeS2‐based nanostructures to optimize its ion‐transport kinetics and structural stability. However, less attention has been paid to rapid capacity degradation and electrode failure caused by the irreversible phase‐transition of intermediate NaxFeS2 to FeS2 and polysulfides dissolution upon cycling. Under the guidance of theoretical calculations, coupling FeS2 nanoparticles with honeycomb‐like nitrogen‐doped carbon (NC) nanosheet supported single‐atom manganese (SAs Mn) catalyst (FeS2/SAs Mn@NC) via atomic‐interface engineering is proposed to address above challenge. Systematic electrochemical analyses and theoretical results unveil that the functional integration of such two type components can significantly enhance ionic conductivity, accelerate charge transfer efficiency, and improve Na+‐adsorption capability. Particularly, SAs Mn@NC with Mn‐Nx coordination center can reduce the decomposition barrier of Na2S and NaxFeS2 to further accelerate reversible phase transformation of Fe/Na2S→NaFeS2→FeS2 and polysulfides decomposition. As predicted, such FeS2/SAs Mn@NC showcases outstanding rate capability and fascinating cyclic durability. A sequence of kinetic studies and ex situ characterizations provide the comprehensive understanding for ion‐transport kinetics and phase‐transformation process. Its practical use is further demonstrated in sodium‐ion full cell and capacitor with impressive electrochemical capability and excellent energy‐density output.

Radiation Performance Comparison and Analysis of Ku-band Microstrip Antennas with Diamond, Octagonal, and Circular Array Configurations

Phased array antennas are essential in modern communication systems, particularly within the Ku-band, which is widely used for satellite communications and radar applications due to its high data rate capabilities. This paper explores the radiation characteristics of Ku-band microstrip antennas arranged in diamond, octagonal, and circular arrays, focusing on uniform excitation to ensure consistency across evaluations. Using CST Microwave Studio 2024 for simulations, the study found that the rectangular array provides the highest gain and narrowest beamwidth, making it suitable for applications where directional accuracy is critical. However, this configuration also resulted in higher sidelobe levels, which can be problematic in environments where minimal interference is required. The diamond array, while exhibiting lower gain, achieved superior sidelobe suppression, making it ideal for scenarios where reducing interference is prioritized over maximizing directivity. The octagonal and circular arrays provided balanced performance across all metrics, offering versatile options for various operational needs. These results provide valuable guidance for optimizing phased array designs to meet specific requirements in Ku-band applications.

Improving Oxygen-Redox-Active Layered Oxide Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries Through Crystal Facet Modulation and Fluorinated Interfacial Engineering.

Layered oxides with active oxygen redox are attractive cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to high capacity but suffer from rapid capacity/voltage deterioration and sluggish reaction kinetics stemming from lattice oxygen release, interfacial side reactions, and structural reconstruction. Herein, a synergistic strategy of crystal-facet modulation and fluorinated interfacial engineering is proposed to achieve high capacity, superior rate capability, and long cycle stability in Na0.67Li0.24Mn0.76O2. The synthesized single-crystal Na0.67Li0.24Mn0.76O2 (NLMO{010}) featuring increased {010} active facet exposure exhibits faster anionic redox kinetics and delivers a high capacity (272.4 mAh g-1 at 10mA g-1) with superior energy density (713.9Wh kg-1) and rate performance (116.4 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1). Moreover, by incorporating N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFBS) as electrolyte additive, the NLMO{010} cathode retains 84.6% capacity after 400 cycles at 500mA g-1 with alleviated voltage fade (0.27mV per cycle). Combined in situ analysis and theoretical calculations unveil dual functionality of NFBS, which results in thin yet durable fluorinated interfaces on the NLMO{010} cathode and hard carbon anode and scavenges highly reactive oxygen species. The results indicate the importance of fast-ion-transfer facet engineering and fluorinated electrolyte formulation to enhance oxygen redox-active cathode materials for high-energy-density SIBs.

Organic cation‐supported layered vanadate cathode for high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries

AbstractLayered vanadates are ideal energy storage materials due to their multielectron redox reactions and excellent cation storage capacity. However, their practical application still faces challenges, such as slow reaction kinetics and poor structural stability. In this study, we synthesized [Me2NH2]V3O7 (MNVO), a layered vanadate with expended layer spacing and enhanced pH resistance, using a one‐step simple hydrothermal gram‐scale method. Experimental analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed supportive ionic and hydrogen bonding interactions between the thin‐layered [Me2NH2]+ cation and [V3O7]− anion layers, clarifying the energy storage mechanism of the H+/Zn2+ co‐insertion. The synergistic effect of these bonds and oxygen vacancies increased the electronic conductivity and significantly reduced the diffusion energy barrier of the insertion ions, thereby improving the rate capability of the material. In an acidic electrolyte, aqueous zinc‐ion batteries employing MNVO as the cathode exhibited a high specific capacity of 433 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. The prepared electrodes exhibited a maximum specific capacity of 237 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 and maintained a capacity retention of 83.5% after 10,000 cycles. This work introduces a novel approach for advancing layered cathodes, paving the way for their practical application in energy storage devices.

Aqueous Supercapacitor with Wide-Temperature Operability and over 100,000 Cycles Enabled by Water-in-Salt Electrolyte.

Supercapacitors are crucial in renewable energy integration, satellite power systems, and rapid power delivery applications for mitigating voltage fluctuations and storing excess energy. Aqueous electrolytes offer a promising solution for low-cost and safe supercapacitors. However, they still face limitations in cycle life and wide-temperature range performance. Here, we present a symmetric supercapacitor utilizing activated carbon electrodes and a "water-in-salt" electrolyte (WiSE) based on lithium perchlorate. The WiSE electrolyte exhibits an expanded electrochemical stability window, endowing the aqueous supercapacitor with remarkable stability and long cycle life of over 100,000 cycles at 500 mA g-1 with more than 91 % capacity retention. Moreover, the supercapacitor demonstrates good rate capability and wide temperature operability ranging from -20 to 80 °C. The use of high concentrations of salt in the aqueous electrolyte contributes not only to the enhancement of supercapacitor performance and cycle life but also to the temperature stability range, enabling all-season operability.

Eco-Friendly High-Performance Symmetric All-COF/Graphene Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Developing high-performance aqueous symmetric all-organic batteries (SAOBs) by replacing metal-based batteries or batteries with organic electrolytes is highly attractive to achieve a greener rechargeable world. However, such a new energy storage system still exhibits unsatisfactory rate capability and cycling stability due to the limitations in electrode materials screening. Here, a novel covalent organic framework (COF) containing abundant CN and CO for the electrode material is designed, which is combined with graphene and assembled into all-COF/graphene batteries for the first time. Moreover, the co-storage of Zn2+ and H+ in COF can be achieved in a mild aqueous electrolyte. Impressively, benefiting from the extended porous structure of COF, plentiful active reaction sites, more extensive electron delocalization from CO modification at molecular level, as well as enhanced fast H+ storage capacity of graphene and CO in COF, this kind of SAOBs show excellent cycle life and high rate performance (over 15000 cycles with a capacity of 80 mAh g-1 at a high current density of 5 A g-1 in pouch cell). This work will open a new window for the design of high-performance aqueous organic batteries, further moving toward a more eco-friendly electrochemical world.

Band Engineering of Mn-P Alloy Enables HER-suppressed Aqueous Manganese Ion Batteries.

Aqueous manganese ion batteries hold potential for stationary storage applications owing to their merits in cost, energy density, and environmental sustainability. However, the formidable challenge is the instability of metallic manganese (Mn) anodes in aqueous electrolytes due to severe hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is more serious than the commonly studied Zn metal anodes. Moreover, the mechanism of HER side reactions has remained unclear. Herein, we design a series of Mn-P alloying anodes by precisely regulating their energy band structures to mitigate the HER issue. It is found that the serious HER primarily originates from the spontaneous Mn-H2O reaction driven by the excessively high HOMO energy level of Mn, rather than electrocatalytic water splitting. Owing to a reduced HOMO energy level and enhanced electron escape work function, the MnP anode achieves an evidently enhanced cycle durability (over 1000 hours at a high current density of 5 mA cm-2). The MnP||AgVO full cell with an N/P ratio of 4 exhibits better rate capability and extended cycle life (7000 cycles) with minimal capacity degradation than the cell using metallic Mn anode (less than 100 cycles). This study provides a practical approach for developing highly durable aqueous Mn ion batteries.

A Facile In Situ Etching–coating of Artificial Solid‐Electrolyte Interphase on Zn Metal Anode for Aqueous Batteries

AbstractZn metal anode is desired for aqueous batteries due to its high capacity and low redox potential. However, uneven Zn deposition and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) have hindered the electrochemical reversibility and stability. Herein, an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) composed of metal center incorporated siloxane coupling with fluoride is in situ generated on Zn surface by a facile “etching–coating” process. This SZ‐SEI provides interaction sites with Zn2+, which helps with its desolvation at the interface and enlarges the transference number. Uniform Zn deposition underneath the layer is thus realized. Meanwhile, the SZ‐component hinders the adsorption of hydrogen atom and effectively suppresses HER. Thanks to the above effects, the cycle life of symmtric cells with SZ‐Zn electrodes extends to 2200 and 1400 h at the current densities of 10 and 20 mA cm−2, respectively. The coulombic efficiency of Zn plating/stripping also reaches 99.8% for 3800 cycles. In addition, the SZ‐Zn anode enables better rate capability and cycling stability of full cells.

Band Engineering of Mn‐P Alloy Enables HER‐suppressed Aqueous Manganese Ion Batteries

AbstractAqueous manganese ion batteries hold potential for stationary storage applications owing to their merits in cost, energy density, and environmental sustainability. However, the formidable challenge is the instability of metallic manganese (Mn) anodes in aqueous electrolytes due to severe hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is more serious than the commonly studied Zn metal anodes. Moreover, the mechanism of HER side reactions has remained unclear. Herein, we design a series of Mn−P alloying anodes by precisely regulating their energy band structures to mitigate the HER issue. It is found that the serious HER primarily originates from the spontaneous Mn‐H2O reaction driven by the excessively high HOMO energy level of Mn, rather than electrocatalytic water splitting. Owing to a reduced HOMO energy level and enhanced electron escape work function, the MnP anode achieves an evidently enhanced cycle durability (over 1000 hours at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2). The MnP||AgVO full cell with an N/P ratio of 4 exhibits better rate capability and extended cycle life (7000 cycles) with minimal capacity degradation than the cell using metallic Mn anode (less than 100 cycles). This study provides a practical approach for developing highly durable aqueous Mn ion batteries

Metal-Hydroxide Organic Frameworks for Aqueous Nickel-Zinc Batteries.

Hydroxides exhibit a high theoretical capacity for energy storage by ion release and are often intercalated with anions to enhance the ion migration kinetics. In this study, a series of metal-hydroxide organic frameworks (MHOFs) are synthesized by intercalating aromatic organic linkers into hydroxides using I-M/Ni(OH)2 (where M = Co2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Fe2+). The coordination environment and layer spacing (1.09 nm) of I-M/Ni(OH)2 are explored by X-ray absorption fine structure and cryo-electron microscopy. The intercalation nanostructure improves the conductivity of the hydroxides and facilitates Zn2+ migration by increasing the interlayer spacing, while enhancing the rate capability and cycling stability. Consequently, the I-Co/Ni(OH)2 material exhibites a satisfactory specific capacity of 0.35 mAh cm-2 at 3 mA cm-2 and a high peak power density of 6.78 mW cm-2. This study offers a novel perspective on the design of intercalated hydroxide and provides new insights into high-performance nickel-zinc batteres.

Enhancing the electrochemical characteristics of P2-Na0.7Mn0.6Cu0.3Cr0.1O2 cathode materials through morphological manipulation: assessment of rate capability and coulombic efficiency

Abstract Manganese-based layered oxides are regarded as an excellent cathode material for Na-ion batteries. These materials are susceptible to phase transitions, which result in structural instability and constrain their reversible capacity. Layered self-assembled microsphere-type cathodes Na0.7Mn0.6Cu0.3Cr0.1O2 were developed to modify the efficiency of sodium-ion batteries through a technique focused on controlling morphology. The incorporation of organic compounds such as benzoic acid employs molecular design techniques to modify intermolecular interactions and increase the spacing between layers. The self-assembled layered spherical architecture enhances the interface between the cathode and electrolyte, thereby markedly boosting the transport efficiency of sodium ions. Based on the cathode for batteries, it demonstrates a substantial initial capacity of 200.26 mAh g-1 at a current density of 26 mA g-1 within the voltage amount of 1.5-4.1 V, with a capacity retention of 82.69% after 100 cycles.

Multifunctional Nanocomposite Polymer‐integrated Ca‐doped CeO2 Electrolyte for Robust and High‐rate All‐solid‐state Sodium‐ion Batteries

AbstractDue to the seamless interfaces between solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) and electrode materials, SPEs‐based all‐solid‐state sodium‐ion batteries (ASSSIBs) are considered promising energy storage systems. However, the sluggish Na+ transport and uncontrollable Na dendrite propagation still hinder the practical application of SPEs‐based ASSSIBs. Herein, Ca‐doped CeO2 (Ca−CeO2) nanotube framework is synthesized and integrated with poly (ethylene oxide) methyl ether acrylate‐perfluoropolyether copolymer (PEOA‐PFPE), resulting in multifunctional solid nanocomposite electrolytes (namely SNEs, i.e., PEOA‐PFPE/Ca−CeO2). Our investigations demonstrate that the fluorous effect incurred by the fluorine‐containing PEOA‐PFPE and the oxygen vacancy effect induced by the Ca−CeO2 framework could synergistically promote the dissociation of sodium salt, ultimately enhancing the Na+ mobility in SNEs. Besides, the resultant SNEs construct rapid Na+ transport channels and homogenize the Na deposition in SNEs/Na interface, which effectively prevents the Na dendrite growth. Furthermore, the assembled carbon‐coated sodium vanadium phosphate (NVP@C)||PEOA‐PFPE/Ca−CeO2||Na coin cell delivers impressive rate capability of 97.9 mAh g−1 at 2 C and outstanding cycling stability with capacity retention of 84.3 % after 300 cycles at 1 C. This work illustrates that constructing multifunctional SNEs via incorporating functional inorganic frameworks into fluorine‐containing SPEs could be a promising strategy for the commercialization of robust and high‐performance ASSSIBs.