Rate Capability Research Articles

Crystal Modulation of Mn‐Based Layered Oxide toward Long‐Enduring Anionic Redox with Fast Kinetics for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Mn‐based layered oxide cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries with anionic redox reactions hold great potential for energy storage applications due to their ultra‐high capacity and cost effectiveness. However, achieving high capacity requires overcoming challenges such as oxygen‐redox failure, sluggish kinetics, and structural degradation. Herein, we employ an innovative crystal modulation strategy, using Mn‐based Na0.72Li0.24Mn0.76O2 as a representative cathode material, which shows that the highly exposed {010} active facets enable an enhanced rate capability (119.6 mAh g−1 at 10C) with fast kinetics. Meanwhile, the reinforced Mn–O bond inhibits excessive oxidation of lattice oxygen and O–O cohesion loss, stabilizing and maintaining a long‐enduring reversible oxygen‐redox activity (100% high capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.5C and 84.28% retention after 300 cycles at 5C). Time‐resolved operando two‐dimensional X‐ray diffraction reveals the robust structural stability, zero‐strain behavior, and suppressed phase transition with ultra‐low volume variation during cycling at different rates (0.1C: 1.75%, 1C: 0.31%, 5C: 0.04%). Additionally, the full cell coupled with hard carbon achieves a high energy density of approximately 211 Wh kg−1 with superior performance. This work highlights the significance of crystal modulation and presents a universal approach in developing Mn‐based oxide cathodes with stable anionic redox for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries.

Amorphous NiO nanopyramids with superior electrochromic energy storage properties

In this work, amorphous NiO nanopyramid film has been obtained by using the pulsed magnetron sputtering technique. The uniform amorphous NiO nanostructures exhibit significant electrochromic modulation efficiency in the visible and near-infrared ranges, achieving a high modulation efficiency of 60.73 % at 550 nm and 21.58 % at 1500 nm. It exhibits rapid response time (coloring takes 2.4 s, and bleaching takes 1.0 s) and significant coloring efficiency (43.23 cm2C-1). Moreover, amorphous NiO nanopyramid film displays promising properties of energy storage. The NiO nanopyramid film shows high areal capacitance (7.08 mF/cm2), along with satisfying rate capability. The alteration in the electrode color offers a convenient method for monitoring the quantity of energy stored. Furthermore, the microstructure characteristic, degree of crystallization and electrochemical performance of the NiO film are significantly influenced by both oxygen partial pressure and sputtering time. These findings highlight the potential of employing this bifunctional amorphous NiO nanopyramid film in diverse advanced nanodevices, encompassing electrochromic energy storage applications with superior performance.

One step glow-discharge electrolysis-based preparation of Al doped Ni-Co layered double hydroxide/ graphene oxide as supercapacitor electrode material

Nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising materials for supercapacitor electrodes; however, they face challenges in terms of cycling stability and rate capability owing to agglomeration and low conductivity. In this study, Ni(III)CoAlx-LDH/GO with an extended layer spacing and excellent electronic conductivity was synthesized by one-step glow discharge electrolysis. A nickel–cobalt alloy was used as the anode, a graphite rod as the cathode, and sodium chloride as the electrolyte. In addition, incorporating an appropriate amount of aluminum chloride into the electrolyte can alter the microstructure of the electrode material, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance. Ni(III)CoAl0.2-LDH/GO, synthesized using 0.2 g AlCl3, demonstrated exceptional electrochemical performance of 1014C g−1 at 2 A/g. At a current density of 5 A/g, the capacitance retention rate was 85.3 % after 10,000 cycles, indicating strong cyclic stability. Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor built with Ni(III)CoAl0.2-LDH/GO as the anode and commercial activated carbon as the cathode achieved a specific capacitance of 146.2F/g at a current density of 1 A/g. This device demonstrated outstanding circular stability, retaining 85.07 % of its capacitance after 10,000 cycles. In addition, the device achieves relatively high energy density and power density (energy density of 66.63 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1022.23 W kg−1). This study introduces a novel synthesis method for the preparation of high-performance electrode materials aimed at advancing energy storage devices.

In-situ growth of FeCo layered double hydroxide nanorods on MXene for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

In the pursuit of clean energy solutions, supercapacitors have gained attention due to their exceptional energy storage capabilities. Layered double hydroxide (LDH), a notable material in this field, faces some challenges such as slow charge transfer speed and volumetric expansion. To tackle these issues, a novel FeCo-LDH/MXene composite was synthesized through in-situ hydrothermal growth of FeCo layered double hydroxide (FeCo-LDH) nanorods on MXene using ionic self-assembly, forming a three-dimensional (3D) composite with enhanced rate capability and cycling stability due to the synergetic coupling of MXene and LDH. The FeCo-LDH/MXene electrode significantly improves surface capacitance control performance and exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance, achieving a specific capacitance of 2058.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and maintaining 1732.7 F g−1 at 10 A g−1, with 82.4 % capacity retention. Furthermore, the assembled supercapacitor delivers an energy density of 48.8 Wh kg−1 at 750 W kg−1 and 25.7 Wh kg−1 at 15000 W kg−1, demonstrating excellent rate performance, as well as 80.3 % capacitance after 5000 cycles at 2 A g−1, highlighting its durability. This advancement not only overcomes the specific capacitance challenge of MXene electrodes but also enhances the conductivity and cyclic stability of LDH, making FeCo-LDH/MXene a promising candidate for future high-performance energy storage applications.

The reduced graphene oxide conductive additives with a certain defect concentration enabling rate-capability of lithium-ion batteries

Graphene as conductive additives for enhancing the electrochemical performance of commercial cathode materials (e.g., LiFePO4, LiCoO2, and LiMn2O4) in advanced Li-ion batteries (LIBs) has attracted great attention in recent years. However, the LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 electrodes usually show a poor rate capability when using graphene as the conductive additive, since its planar structure hinders ion transmission. Herein, a variety of reduced graphene oxides (rGO-x) have been successfully prepared using the modified Hummer's method followed by calcination. The results show that due to a large specific area and moderate defect density, rGO-5 can ensure good enough interfacial contact between active material particles and collector, thus maintaining fast electron/ion transportation. It has been found that LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 electrodes exhibit good lithium storage properties of 160.95 and 139.41 mA h g-1 at a rate of 0.1 C when rGO-5 is utilized as a conductivity additive. Meanwhile, combined with the electrochemical impedance and kinetic exploration, it can be seen that the LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 electrodes demonstrate a high Li+ diffusion coefficient (DLi+) of 6.7 × 10-14 cm2 s-1 and 4.3 × 10-13 cm2 s-1, respectively. Therefore, this research sheds new light on the practical utilization of rGO additives in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Spontaneous built-in electric field in W-W2C@C heterostructure: Accelerating Sn2- directed migration in Li-S batteries

The commercialization of Li-S batteries is severely hindered by shuttle effect and sluggish redox reaction kinetics of LiPSs. Heterostructure can resolve the above shortcomings through the synergistic effect of adsorption and catalysis. However, long-chain LiPSs dissolving in electrolyte tend to cluster, resulting in low sulfur utilization and preventing kinetic conversion Thus, it is necessary to regulate the diffusion of Sn2− to achieve the directional diffusion from adsorbent to catalyst. Nevertheless, the design principle has not yet been clarified. W-W2C@C heterostructure with W of strong adsorption ability and high work function and W2C of excellent catalytic activity and low work function is designed by theoretical screening. Due to work function difference, this heterostructure controls the direction of the interface built-in electric field (BIEF), realizing the directional migration process of Sn2− from adsorptive W to catalytic W2C, thereby achieving a continuous “trapping-directional migration-conversion” reaction mechanism. The batteries have an excellent Li+ diffusion rate, high initial discharge specific capacity (1400.6 mAh/g at 0.2C), excellent rate capability (853.2 mAh/g at 2C), high reversible capacity (977.9 mAh/g after 150 cycles at 0.2C) and an extremely low capacity decay rate of 0.09 % per cycle after 300 cycles at 1C.

Suppressing high voltage chemo-mechanical degradation in single crystal nickel-rich cathodes for high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries

Sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium batteries (SASSLBs) suffer from electrochemo.mechanical damage to Ni-rich oxide-based cathode active materials (CAMs), primarilycaused by severe volume changes, results in significant stress and strain cuase micro-cracks, and interfacial contact loss at potentials > 4.3 V(vs. Li/Li+). Quantifying micro-cracks and voids in cathode active materials (CAMs) can reveal the degradation mechanisms of Ni-rich oxide-based cathodes during electrochemical cycling. Nonetheless, the origin of electrochemical-mechanical damage remains unclear. Herein, We have developed a multifunctional PEG-based soft buffer layer (SBL) on the surface of carbon black (CB). This layer functions as a percolation network in the single crystal LiNi0.83Co0.07Mn0.1O2 and Li6PS5Cl composite cathode layer, ensuring superior ionic conductivity, reducing void formation and particle cracking, and promoting uniform utilization of the cathode active material in all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). STEM-HAADF combined with nanoscale X-ray holo-tomography and plasma-focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the PEG-based SBL mitigated strain induced by reaction heterogeneity in the cathode. This strain produces lattice stretches, distortions, and the formation of curved transition metal oxide layers near the surface, contributing to structural degradation at elevated voltages. Consequently, ASSLBs with a LiNi0.83Co0.07Mn0.1O2 cathode containing LCCB-10 (CB/PEG mass ratio: 100/10) demonstrate a high areal capacity (2.53 mAh g–1/0.32 mA g–1) and remarkable rate capability (0.58 mAh g–1 at 1.4 mA g–1), with 88% capacity retention over 1000 cycles.

Devitrified silica minerals glass of tanohataite (LiMn2Si3O8F) mineral as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Devitrified silica minerals glass was obtained from stoichiometric tanohataite (LiMn2Si3O8F) mineral prepared by melt quench route. Low-quartz and cristobalite (∼19.5 %) were developed in glass during melt cooling and casting the glass melt. However, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the devitrified glass showed nanoscale particles scattered in a few crystallized spots. When it was tested as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, a relatively high initial capacity of ca.785 mAh g−1 was obtained at 50 mA g−1 as an initial discharge capacity. Very good stability with excellent capacity retention (sometimes it exceeds 100 %) was observed based on the 2nd discharge capacity until the 500th cycle with about 100 % coulombic efficiency. The sample showed good rate capability as it still delivers a capacity of 26 mAh g−1 after increasing the current density 40 times of magnitude. Also, it is a flexible material as after this considerable load, it can restore 185 mAh g−1 after returning to the initial low current (50 mA g−1). The electrochemical performance was supported by electrochemical impedance (EIS) measurement, which showed a decrease in EIS and an increase in lithium diffusion upon extended cycling. This unique electrochemical performance for this multicomponent non-crystalline glass was formerly supported by XPS characterization, which emphasized the presence of Mn4+ in the synthesized sample.

Influence of reduction treatment for TiNb2O7 nanoparticles on the electrochemical properties for Li‐ion batteries

AbstractThe discharge capacities and rate capability of TiNb2O7 powders were enhanced through the additional postreduction treatment. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance results confirmed the formation of oxygen vacancies in TiNb2O7 powders after a reduction treatment. The appearance of oxygen vacancies in TiNb2O7 powders formed the impurity level in the forbidden gap and decreased the bandgap values of TiNb2O7. Compared with the pristine TiNb2O7 powders, when TiNb2O7 powders were reduced at 400°C for 40 min, the charge transfer resistance of prepared samples was reduced from 43.67 to 19.35 Ω, and the pseudocapacitive contribution of TiNb2O7 was increased from 44% to 59%. In addition, the discharge capacities at 0.1 and 20 C of prepared batteries were increased by 10.84% and 105.85%, respectively. On the other hand, increasing the temperature in the reduction treatment caused the formation of Ti4+/Ti3+ and Nb5+/Nb4+ pairs and decreased the amounts of available redox couples, thereby deteriorating the electrochemical performance of prepared batteries. The results in the present study revealed that the discharge capacities and rate capability of TiNb2O7 powders were enhanced through a postreduction treatment.

High-Power and Long-Lifespan Rechargeable Ion Batteries based on Na+-Confined Na+/Mg2+ Coinsertion Chemistry.

Magnesium-sodium hybrid ion batteries (MSHIBs) are expected to achieve excellent rate capability. However, existing MSHIB cathodes exhibit low ionic conductivity and poor structural stability, resulting in low power density and cycle lifespan. Herein, sodium-rich Na3.7V6O16·2.9H2O (Na-rich NVO) nanobelts are synthesized as MSHIB cathodes. Excess Na+ induced NaO5 and NaO3 interlayer pins, which ensures NVO structural stability to accommodate Mg2+ and Na+. They also confine the migration pathway of cations to the diffusion direction, lowering the migration barriers of Mg2+ and enhancing the ionic conductivity. Excess interlayer Na+ increases the electronic conductivity of the involved Na-rich NVO cathode. The cathode exhibits a high Mg2+ diffusion coefficient, and the resulting MSHIBs exhibit a power density of 3.4kW kg-1 and a lifespan of 20 000 cycles at 5.0 A g-1, with a capacity retention rate of 85%. Overall, this study paves the way for designing and developing fast-charging secondary batteries.

Enhancing Li4Ti5O12 Anodes for High‐Performance Batteries: Ti3+ Induction via Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition and Dual Carbon/LLZO Coatings

AbstractLithium titanium oxide (LTO) is a promising anode material due to its ability to store lithium through intercalation reactions. However, its electrochemical performance is limited by poor electron conductivity and side reactions with the electrolyte. In this study, plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is employed to introduce oxygen vacancies and self‐doped Ti3+ into LTO to improve the internal conductivity. Subsequent carbon coating and aluminum‐doped lithium lanthanum zirconate garnet (LLZO) layers resulted in a multi‐layered composite denoted as LTO−L‐x. Morphological analyses using SEM and TEM demonstrated the successful growth of Al‐doped LLZO on carbon‐coated LTO. Aluminum ions in LLZO cubic structure are crucial for stabilizing the high ionic conductive phase during cooling, as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. The dual coating layers have a significant impact on the rate capability, reducing polarization gaps and enabling higher capacities at various current rates. Long‐term cycling tests reveal the robustness of the composite, with LTO−L‐1.0 retaining 90.8 % capacity after 4000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. This underscores the sustained high electronic and ionic conductivity facilitated by the dual coating layers. The study contributes to the design of advanced anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, emphasizing the importance of tailored coating strategies to address conductivity and stability challenges.

Phase Engineering of ZnSe by Small Molecules as a High-Performance Protective Layer for Zn Anode.

The practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries is still hampered by the side reactions and dendrite growth on Zn anode. Herein, the phase engineering of ZnSe coating layer by incorporating small molecules is developed to enhance the performance of Zn anode. The unique electronic structure of ZnSe⋅0.5N2H4 promises strong adsorption for Zn atoms and enhanced ability to inhibit hydrogen evolution, thereby promoting uniform Zn deposition and preventing by-product and dendrite growth. Meanwhile, fast Zn2+ transfer and deposition kinetics are also demonstrated by ZnSe⋅0.5N2H4. As a result, the ZnSe⋅0.5N2H4@Zn symmetric cell achieves long-term cycling stability up to 1900 h and 300 h at high current densities of 5 mA cm-2 and 20 mA cm-2, respectively. The assembled ZnSe⋅0.5N2H4@Zn||NH4V4O10 full cell presents outstanding cycling stability and rate capability. This work highlights the key role of crystal phase control of protective layer for high-performance zinc anode.

Design and Synthesis of Sb-Doped CuS@C Hollow Nanocubes as Efficient Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Battery.

Copper sulfide has received widespread attention for application as anode materials in sodium-ion batteries due to their potent capabilitiess and eco-friendly properties. However, it is a challenge to achieve a high rate capability and long cycle stability owing to the heterogeneous transfer of sodium ions during charge-discharge, the interior poor electron conductivity and repeated volumetric expansion of copper sulfide. In this study, Sb-doped copper sulfide hollow nanocubes coated with carbon shells (Sb-CuS@C) was designed and constructed as anode nanomaterials in sodium-ion batteries. Thanks to the intrinsic good electron conductivity and chemical stability of carbon shells, Sb-CuS@C possesses a higher overall electron transfer as anode material, avoids agglomeration and structural destruction during the cycling. As a result, the synthesized Sb-CuS@C achieved an excellent reversible capacity of 595 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g-1 and a good rate capability of 340 mA h g-1 at a higher 10 A g-1. DFT calculations clarify that the uniformly doped Sb would act as active sodiophilic nucleation sites to help adsorbing sodium-ion during discharging and leading uniform sodium deposition. This work provides a new insight into the structural and componential modification for common transition-metal sulfides towards application as anode materials in sodium-ion battery.

Cell-Shearing Chemistry Directed Closed-Pore Regeneration in Biomass-Derived Hard Carbons for Ultrafast Sodium Storage.

The closed-pore structure of hard carbons holds the key to high plateau capacity and rapid diffusion kinetics when applied as sodium-ion battery (SIB) anodes. However, understanding and establishing the structure-electrochemistry relationship still remains a significant challenge. This work, for the first time, introduces an innovative deep eutectic solvent (DES) cell-shearing strategy to precisely tailor the cell structure of natural bamboo and consequently the closed-pore in its derived hard carbons. The DES shearing force effectively modifies the pore architecture by simultaneously shearing and dissolving amorphous components to form closed pore cores with adjustable sizes, as well as disintegrating crystalline cellulose through generation of competing hydrogen bonds to elaborately tune the pore wall thickness and ordering. The optimized closed-pore structure featuring appropriate pore size (∼2 nm) and ultra-thin (1-3 layers) disordered pore walls, exhibits abundant active sites and delivers rapid ion diffusion kinetics and high reaction reversibility. Consequently, a high reversible capacity of 422 mAh g-1 at 30 mA g-1 along with an exceptional rate capability (318.6 mAh g-1 at 6 A g-1) are achieved, outperforming almost all previous reported hard carbons. The new concept of cell-shearing chemistry for closed-pore regeneration significantly advances the applications of biomass materials for energy storage.

Synthesis and characterization of MoS2-carbon based materials for enhanced energy storage applications

The article delves into the synthesis and characterization of MoS2-carbon-based materials, holding promise for applications in supercapacitors and ion batteries. The synthesis process entails the preparation of MoS2 and its carbon hybrids through exfoliation, hydrothermal treatment, and subsequent pyrolysis. Various analytical techniques were employed to comprehensively examine the structural, compositional, and morphological properties of the resulting materials. The article explores the electrochemical performance of these electrode materials in supercapacitors and ion batteries (LiB, SiB, KiB). Electrochemical measurements were conducted in aqueous electrolyte for supercapacitors and various aprotic electrolytes for ion batteries. Results highlight the impact of the synthesis process on electrochemical performance, emphasizing factors such as capacitance, rate capability, and charge/discharge cycle performance. Hydrothermally treated MoS2-carbon exhibited a specific capacitance of approximately 150 F g-1 in supercapacitors, attributed to its high surface area and efficient charge storage mechanisms. Additionally, for Li-ion battery materials without hydrothermal treatment showed impressive capacity retention of around 88% after 500 charge-discharge cycles, starting with an initial specific capacity of about 920 mAh/g. Long-term stability was demonstrated in both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, with minimal capacitance degradation even after extensive charge-discharge cycles. This research underscores the potential of MoS2-based materials as effective energy storage solutions.

Preparation of Tectona grandis Leaves derived Activated Carbon for High-Performance Supercapacitor Application

In energy-based applications, biomass porous micro/nanostructures activated carbon materials are the significant candidates, because of their high specific surface area, superior electrical conductivity, affordability and environmental friendliness. In this work, the activated carbon was prepared from Tectona grandis leaves as a biomass, and thus activated by 25% K2CO3 solution. The prepared carbon was designated as TGLAC. Second carbon was prepared from TGLAC was doped with urea and named as N-doped TGLAC. The physico-chemical analytical methods were employed to access the phase structure, bonding nature and morphological properties of the freshly prepared activated carbon material. Three electrode systems were utilized to estimate the supercapacitor features in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The prepared activated carbon electrode provides a specific capacitance of 371 F g–1 at 1 A g–1 and a 62% rate capability at 5 A g–1. It retains 94% of its initial capacitance during the cyclic stability analysis at 5 A g–1 over 5,000 cycles. This study demonstrates that carbon based materials obtained from sustainable waste biomass can exhibit favourable electrochemical performance in energy applications, providing a clear and feasible synthetic approach and strategy for their utilization.

Synthesis of graphitic carbon from empty palm oil fruit bunches through single-step graphitization process using K2FeO4-KOH catalyst as lithium ion battery anode

This research aims to optimize the graphitization process of carbon derived from Empty Palm Oil Fruit Bunches (EPOFB), a renewable biomass source, using a single-step K₂FeO₄-KOH impregnation-activation method. The results demonstrate that increasing the mass of K₂FeO₄, up to the optimal level, enhances the degree of graphitization, as confirmed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Optimal performance is observed with a catalyst mass of 0.11 g K₂FeO₄ in the C_ K₂FeO₄(0.11)KOH_800 sample, which exhibits a d002 spacing of 0.3356 nm, an IG/ID ratio of 2.42, a high surface area of 787.767 m²/g, and clearly defined graphitic layers in TEM images. Electrochemical testing of C_ K₂FeO₄(0.11)_KOH_800 reveals promising results, including the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 87.18 Ω, a significant area under the curve in cyclic voltammetry, a charging capacity of 330.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, with an excellent rate capability of 183 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 C after 100 cycles, maintaining a retention rate of 68.2 %. The single-step K₂FeO₄-KOH impregnation-activation method effectively enhances the graphitization of EPOFB-derived carbon, offering potential applications in high-performance lithium battery anodes.

Extending the π‐Conjugation of a Donor‐Acceptor Covalent Organic Framework for High‐Rate and High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractRealizing high‐rate and high‐capacity features of Lihium‐organic batteries is essential for their practical use but remains a big challenge, which is due to the instrinsic poor conductivity, limited redox kinetics and low utility of organic electrode mateials. This work presents a well‐designed donor‐acceptor Covalent Organic Framework (COFs) with extended conjugation, mesoscale porosity, and dual redox‐active centers to promote fast charge transfer and multi‐electron processes. As anticipated, the prepared cathode with benzo [1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b′′] trithiophene (BTT) as p‐type and pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone (PTO) as n‐type material (BTT‐PTO‐COF) delivers impressive specific capacity (218 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 in ether‐based electrolyte and 275 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 in carbonate‐based electrolyte) and outstanding rate capability (79 mAh g−1 at 50 A g−1 in ether‐based electrolyte and 124 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 in carbonate‐based electrolyte). In addition, the potential of BTT‐PTO‐COF electrode for prototype batteries has been demonstrated by full cells of dual‐ion (FDIBs), which attain comparable electrochemical performances to the half cells. Moreover, mechanism studies combining ex situ characterization and theoratical calculations reveal the efficient dual‐ion storage process and facile charge transfer of BTT‐PTO‐COF. This work not only expands the diversity of redox‐active COFs but also provide concept of structure design for high‐rate and high‐capacity organic electrodes.

Tailored Regulation of Graphite Microcrystals via Tandem Catalytic Carbonization for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Hard Carbon in the Low‐Voltage Plateau

AbstractThe sodium storage behavior in the plateau region is crucial for determining the capacity and rate capability of hard carbon (HC) anodes in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Key structural features for achieving excellent plateau performance include extended graphite domains and increased interlayer spacing. However, synchronously optimizing these two structures is challenging due to their inherent trade‐off. Herein, a tandem catalytic carbonization strategy is developed to construct HC with long graphite domains (La = 5.31 nm) and large interlayer spacing (d002 = 0.389 nm) simultaneously. Comprehensive in situ and ex situ tests unravel the catalytic selective bond breaking and aromatization effects of ZnCl2, the catalytic graphitic layers enlargement and occupied effects of formed ZnO and Zn in different temperature stages, leading to the formation of the unique structure. The optimal HCZ‐0.1 exhibits a high reversible capacity of 346.9 mAh g−1 with a plateau capacity of 249.4 mAh g−1, and high‐rate performance (114.0 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1). In addition, the sodium storage mechanism and origin of enhanced Na+ kinetics of HCZ‐0.1 are also revealed. This work offers a precise method to engineer the graphite microcrystal structure in HC for superior sodium storage in the plateau region.

Resource-efficient electrodes with metallized woven-glass-grid current collectors for lithium-ion batteries.

A novel class of resource-efficient, woven-glass-grid current collectors (CCs) for Li-ion batteries is introduced. These CCs are based on ultra-light multifilament glass threads, woven to a grid and surrounded with a thin metal layer (equivalent to a 1 µm-thick metal foil) in a roll-to-roll physical vapor deposition process. This saves > 90% of the required Cu and Al metals and reduces the mass of the CCs by > 80%. At the same time, the gravimetric capacity of anodes with graphite and cathodes with LiCoO2 active material increases by 48% and 14%, respectively, while full cells are characterized by an increase of 26%. Thus, the specific energy can be improved by 25%. A complete anode and cathode fabrication process from preparing the CCs and electrodes to cells is described and demonstrated in coin cell format. Coin cells with woven-glass-grid CCs achieved 300 cycles with a capacity retention of 93%, a Coulombic efficiency of > 99.9%, and a higher rate capability until a C-rate of 3C. This technology opens up new possibilities for designing ultralight CCs with dedicated surface properties for Li and beyond Li batteries.