Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Research Articles

Influence of iron phosphate on the performance of lithium iron phosphate as cathodic materials in rechargeable lithium batteries

Influence of iron phosphate on the performance of lithium iron phosphate as cathodic materials in rechargeable lithium batteries

3D-printed portable device for illicit drug identification based on smartphone-imaging and artificial neural networks

In this manuscript, a 3D-printed analytical device has been successfully developed to classify illicit drugs using smartphone-based colorimetry. Representative compounds of different families, including cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamine and cathinone derivatives, pyrrolidine cathinones, and 3,4-methylenedioxy cathinones, have been analyzed and classified after appropriate reaction with Marquis, gallic acid, sulfuric acid, Simon and Scott reagents. A picture of the colored products was acquired using a smartphone, and the corrected RGB values were used as input data in the chemometric treatment. ANN using two active layers of nodes (6 nodes in layer 1 and 2 nodes in layer 2) with a sigmoidal transfer function and a minimum strict threshold of 0.50 identified illicit drug samples with a sensitivity higher than 83.4 % and a specificity of 100 % with limits of detection in the microgram range. The 3D printed device can operate connected to a rechargeable lithium-ion cell portable battery, is inexpensive, and requires minimal training. The analytical device has been able to discriminate the analyzed psychoactive substances from cutting and mixing agents, being a useful tool for law enforcement agents to use as a screening method.

Tartaric Acid Cross-Linking Polyvinyl Alcohol as Degradable Separators for Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries.

The escalating focus on environmental concerns and the swift advancement of eco-friendly biodegradable batteries raises a pressing demand for enhanced material design in the battery field. The traditional polypropylene (PP) that is monopolistically utilized in the commercial LIBs is hard to recycle. In this work, we prepare a novel water degradable separators via the cross-linking of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and dibasic acid (tartaric acid, TA). Through the integration of non-solvent liquid-phase separation, we successfully produced a thermally stable PVA-TA membrane with tunable thickness and a high level of porosity. These specially engineered PVA-TA separators were implemented in LiFePO4 (LFP)|separator|Li cells, resulting in superior multiplicative performance and achieving a capacity of 88 mAh g-1 under 5 C. Additionally, the straightforward small molecule cross-linking technique significantly reduced the crystalline region of the polymer, thereby enhancing ionic conductivity. Notably, after cycling, the PVA-TA separators can be easily dissolved in 95°C hot water, enabling its reutilization for the production of new PVA-TA separators. Therefore, this work introduces a novel concept to design green and sustainable separators for recyclable lithium batteries.

A Naphthalenetetracarboxdiimide-Containing Covalent Organic Polymer: Preparation, Single Crystal Structure and Battery Application.

Inspired by dative boron-nitrogen (B←N) bonds proven to be the promising dynamic linkage for the construction of crystalline covalent organic polymers/frameworks (COPs/COFs), we employed 1,4-bis(benzodioxaborole) benzene (BACT) and N,N'-Di(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxdiimide (DPNTCDI) as the corresponding building blocks to construct a functional COP (named as CityU-25), which had been employed as an anode in rechargeable lithium ion batteries. CityU-25 displayed an excellent reversible lithium storage capability of 455 mAh/g after 170 cycles at 0.1 A/g, and an impressive one of 673 mAh/g after 720 cycles at 0.5 A/g. These findings suggest that CityU-25 is a standout candidate for advanced battery technologies, highlighting the potential application of this type of materials.

Homogenous coating of Li+ conductive Li5AlO4 on single-crystalline nonstoichiometric Li1.04Ni0.92Al0.04O2 for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Cobalt-free, nickel-rich LiNi1-xAlxO2 (x ≤ 0.1) is an attractive cathode material because of high energy density and low cost but suffers from severe structural degradation and poor rate performance. In this study, we propose a molten salt-assisted synthesis in combination with a Li-refeeding induced aluminum segregation strategy to prepare Li5AlO4-coated single-crystalline slightly Li-rich Li1.04Ni0.92Al0.04O2. The symbiotic formation of Li5AlO4 from reaction between molten lithium hydroxide and doped aluminum in the bulk ensures a high lattice matching between the Ni-rich oxide and the homogenous conductive Li5AlO4 that permits high Li+ conductivity. Benefiting from mitigated undesirable side reactions and phase evolution, the Li5AlO4-coated single-crystalline Li1.04Ni0.92Al0.04O2 delivers a high specific capacity of 220.2 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C and considerable rate capability (182.5 mA h g−1 at 10 C). Besides, superior capacity retention of 90.8% is obtained at 1/3 C after 100 cycles in a 498.1 mA h pouch full cell. Furthermore, the particulate morphology of Li1.04Ni0.92Al0.04O2 remains intact after cycling at a cutoff voltage of 4.3 V, whereas slightly Li-deficient Li0.98Ni0.97Al0.05O2 features intragranular cracks and irreversible lattice distortion. The results highlight the value of molten salt-assisted synthesis and Li-refeeding induced elemental segregation strategy to upgrade Ni-based layered oxide cathode materials for advanced Li-ion batteries.

Recovery of lithium by pseudocapacitive electrodes in capacitive deionization

Lithium is a crucial component in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for many applications, including the powering of electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. This investigation focused on two hybrid pseudocapacitive materials, the polystyrene sulfonate-MXene composite (PM) and the sodium titanate/graphene oxide composite (NG), for lithium ions recovery from aqueous Li+ resources. This was achieved by selectively removing unwanted divalent Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, as well as monovalent K+ ions, through capacitive deionization (CDI) using a single-cell system, resulting in a final solution enriched with Li+ ions. Based on the ion selectivity order observed previously as Mg2+≈ Ca2+ >K+ > Li+, a series of CDI experiments were conducted with sequential steps to remove more selective ions first and to obtain a lithium-enriched solution with higher purity and maximum extracted fraction. Both PM and NG electrodes demonstrated promising performance when tested in binary, ternary, and quaternary ionic solutions with the recovered lithium solution purity in the range of 59.09 %-95.94 % and 59.75 %-77.17 %, respectively. Further, the highest enrichment factor values observed were SLi+,Mg2+; 268.1 for PM and SLi+,Ca2+; 44.25, for NG electrodes. The PSS-modified MXene composite electrode in obtaining the Li+ solution with the highest purity when separated Ca2+ from a binary solution. These findings offer valuable insights into the selective electrosorption of divalent ions over lithium ions through the utilization of ion intercalation pseudocapacitive nanocomposite electrodes. The obtained results hold significance in advancing novel non-precipitation techniques for the recovery of lithium ions from aqueous lithium resources.

From Inorganic to Organic Iodine: Stabilization of I+ Enabling High-Energy Lithium-Iodine Battery.

Organic materials have been considered a class of promising cathodes for metal-ion batteries because of their sustainability in preparation and source. However, organic batteries with high energy density and application potential require high discharge voltage, multielectron transfer, and long cycling performance. Here, we report an exceptional lithium-iodine (Li//I2) battery, in which the organic iodine (BPD-HI) cathode formed by the Lewis acid-base coordination between hydroiodic acid (HI) and 4,4'-bipyridine (BPD) allows 2e- transfer via the I-/I0 and I0/I+ redox couples. The I+ stabilized by BPD exhibits a high discharge voltage plateau at ∼3.4 V. Remarkably, from inorganic to organic iodine, it realizes a 2-fold increase in the achieved capacity, up to ∼400 mA h gI-1 (Theor. 422 mA h gI-1 and 245.6 mA h g-1 based on the mass of BPD-HI), and an over 2-fold energy density, reaching 1160 W h kgI-1 (Theor. 1324 W h kgI-1). More importantly, a capacity retention rate of 85% over 850 cycles is attained for the Li//BPD-HI battery at a current density of 2 A gI-1. This facile strategy enables positively charged I+ to be electrochemically active in a rechargeable lithium battery. The new redox chemistry discovered provides new insights for developing organic batteries with high energy density.

The role of graphene in SnS2@Graphene for rechargeable lithium batteries: A view from the electronic structure

Based on the first-principles study, the adsorption and electron transfer properties of Li atom at different sites of SnS2 monolayer, SnS2@Graphene 2D-nanocomposite are analyzed. The differential charge density and density of states (DOS) analysis show that the graphene substrate as an electron donor can change the 2D-nanocomposite from a semiconductor to a metal, and reduce the adsorption energy of Li atom by decreasing the charge transferring from Li atom to SnS2. This indicates that graphene substrate is beneficial for improving the performance of SnS2@Graphene. Meanwhile, the Li atoms tend not to cluster on the SnS2@Graphene 2D-nanocomposite, which is useful to prolong the lifespan of the SnS2@Graphene. The functionality of graphene in SnS2@Graphene 2D-nanocomposite is proved by other electron donor substrates, such as a two-H-atom model and a Sn (111) substrate model. All the results indicate that the graphene, as an electron donor in SnS2@Graphene 2D-nanocomposite, plays a key role in improving the performance of SnS2 in rechargeable lithium batteries.

Polyester-enhanced poly (cyclic carbonate-fluoride)-based polymer electrolyte for stable circulating solid lithium batteries

Polymer solid-state electrolytes have become one of the promising materials for constructing solid-state lithium batteries due to their excellent processability and good compatibility with electrode interfaces. However, their limited electrochemical performance and mechanical strength have hindered their widespread application. Through the adoption of an in-situ thermal curing method, we successfully prepared a poly(carbonate-fluoride) solid-state electrolyte, utilizing a polyester separator with abundant polar groups as a reinforcing framework. The introduction of ionic liquid into the solid polymer electrolyte not only enhances the mobility of polymer chain segments to improve ionic conductivity but also, in synergy with trifluoromethyl, promotes lithium salt dissociation while restricting the migration of lithium salt anions. Additionally, their reaction with the lithium metal anode generates the LiF-rich SEI, regulating the deposition of lithium dendrites. The resulting 31VPIF/OZ exhibited outstanding ionic conductivity (3.58 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C), Li-ion migration number (0.52), and electrochemical window (5.4 V). Li | 31VPIF/OZ | Li battery cycled for 1000 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 without short-circuiting. Importantly, Li | | LiFePO4 battery demonstrated a high capacity retention rate of 91.5 % after 600 cycles at 0.5C (25 °C). Thus, through the synergistic interplay of polymer structure design and fillers, we have successfully achieved stable cycling in solid-state lithium batteries, providing robust support for their application in rechargeable lithium battery technology.

Recent Progress in Developing High-Performance Anode Materials for Next-Generation Sodium-Ion Batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted great attention due to their large-scale energy storage applications such as electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale energy storage systems (ESSs). The ongoing transition towards EVs has accelerated ever-increasing demand for LIBs that causes the shortage of lithium metal resources and their expensive price. Therefore, great efforts have been made to exploit an alternative system that replaces the conventional LIBs. While sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) can be the most evident alternatives to LIBs based on the natural abundance and low cost of sodium resources, the major scientific challenges reside in developing the new anode materials due to the poor performance of conventional LIB anodes in Na cells, such as graphite and silicon. This article reviews the potential of SIBs as promising alternatives to LIBs and recent progress in developing high-performance anode materials for SIBs. The strengths and drawbacks of recently developed anode materials have been discussed, including graphite, hard carbon, silicon, phosphorus, and other transition metal compounds such as oxides, phosphides, and sulfides.

Synthesis and electrochemical studies of 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2’-diol for aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion battery applications

The constant increase in the utilization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in various field applications, including electrical vehicles and electronic devices, has led researchers to focus on their multiple path developments to obtain new electrode materials. The practical development of these electrode materials, based on organic and inorganic moieties, is challenging for various groups of LIB scientists. The concept of organic electrode materials is highly competitive with inorganic electrode materials because of the accessibility of more active sites with structural diversity, high energy and power density, environmental friendliness potential sustainability, and low cost. Herein, 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2’-diol (BINOL) is investigated as an organic electrode material that contains two hydroxyl groups that act as active centers. The oxidative coupling process is employed to synthesize BINOL and so obtained product was characterized by using FT-IR, 1H-NMR and MASS techniques. The electrochemical investigations were carried out using sat. Li2SO4 electrolytic medium at three-electrode cell system. The Cyclic voltammetry (CV) has provided information on the anodic behavior of the material and its stability studied at different scan rates. The battery performance of the cell BINOL | Sat. Li2SO4 | LiMn2O4 by galvanostatic charge-discharge potential limit (GCPL) shows 197/171mAhg−1 specific capacity and 90% columbic efficiency. The electrochemical kinetic obtained by potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (PEIS) shows a semi-infinite diffusion process.

Innovative Design and Implementation of Portable and Rechargeable Air Purifier and Humidifier

This study presents the innovative design and successful implementation of a Portable and Rechargeable Air Purifier and Humidifier (PRAPH) aimed at addressing indoor air quality issues in Uganda. The device combines air purification and humidification functionalities into a compact, user-friendly, and energy-efficient unit. The design phase of the PRA-PH involved a thorough analysis of existing air purifiers and humidifiers, identifying key limitations such as limited portability, energy inefficiency, and complex maintenance requirements. The system incorporates high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, activated carbon filters, and ultrasonic humidification technology to effectively remove particulate matter, allergens, and airborne contaminants while simultaneously maintaining optimal humidity levels. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery was integrated to ensure portability, enabling users to use the PRA-PH without relying on a constant power source. Additionally, smart sensors and microcontroller-based control systems were employed to automate the device's operation, adjusting purification and humidification settings based on real-time air quality measurements. The PRA-PH was subjected to rigorous testing to evaluate its efficiency in purifying air and maintaining suitable humidity levels across various indoor environments. The results demonstrated significant improvements in air quality, showcasing the device's ability to effectively remove pollutants and maintain a comfortable humidity range. This study contributes to a portable and rechargeable air purifier and humidifier system that addresses the limitations of existing solutions. The PRA-PH's innovative design, efficient operation, and user-friendly interface make it a promising option for individuals seeking a convenient and effective way to improve indoor air quality and enhance the overall well-being of Ugandans.

Cu2ZnSnS4‐Based Electrode as an Improvement Strategy for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries: A Status Review

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is seen as a microstructure electrode due to its high energy density when applied in lithium rechargeable batteries such as lithium‐ion batteries (LIB) and lithium sulfur batteries (LSB). This review provides a systematic observation to evaluate the CZTS electrode capabilities from the perspective of electrode composition and its performance in lithium rechargeable batteries. This review starts by focusing on state‐of‐art lithium rechargeable batteries using common sulfur/sulfide‐based materials reported from literature. The relation between the LSB performance with the active materials ‐ sulfur, binder, solvents, electrolytes, and conducting additive used for lithium sulfide (Li2S) formation required for charge transfer properties is discussed critically. The following section discusses the current progress on CZTS‐based electrode in lithium rechargeable batteries and it is found that the highest capacity obtained with improved interfacial compatibility is 1802 mAh g−1 by hydrothermal techniques using 1 m LiPF6 in EC/EMC/DMC electrolyte. These properties have made sulfide component in CZTS structure as a great substitute to conventional sulfur/sulfide‐based active materials. Therefore, CZTS has become a promising and huge potential electrode in lithium rechargeable batteries.

Investigation of Charging Technologies for Electric Vehicles

In today's world, internal combustion engine vehicles are widely used. These vehicles cause harmful emissions as they use fossil fuels for engine propulsion and vehicle movement. To address this issue, electric vehicles have been considered as a solution. In electric vehicles, electric motors are used instead of traditional internal combustion engines and the necessary electrical energy is supplied from battery packs. In this way, electric vehicles do not cause harmful emissions to the environment. If the energy required for electric vehicle charging stations is obtained from renewable energy systems, electric vehicles will be zero-emission vehicles. Battery packs, that provide energy for electric vehicles, typically consist of rechargeable Lithium-ion battery groups and they can be charged using fast charging technology. In this study, the future of transportation, electric vehicles and the standards and technologies used in electric vehicle charging stations have been examined. Additionally, an electric vehicle system has been designed using MATLAB/Simscape.

Designer Lithium Reservoirs for Ultralong Life Lithium Batteries for Grid Storage.

The minimization of irreversible active lithium loss stands as a pivotal concern in rechargeable lithium batteries, particularly in the context of grid-storage applications, where achieving the utmost energy density over prolonged cycling is imperative to meet stringent demands, notably in terms of life cost. Departing from conventional methodologies advocating electrode prelithiation and/or electrolyte additives, a new paradigm is proposed here: the integration of a designer lithium reservoir (DLR) featuring lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) and elemental sulfur. This approach concurrently addresses active lithium consumption through solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and mitigates minor yet continuous parasitic reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface during extended cycling. The remarkable synergy between the Li-ion conductive Li4SiO4 and the SEI-favorable elemental sulfur enables customizable compensation kinetics for active lithium loss throughout continuous cycling. The introduction of a minute quantity of DLR (3 wt% Li4SiO4@S) yields outstanding cycling stability in a prototype pouch cell (graphite||LiFePO4) with an ampere-hour-level capacity (≈2.3 Ah), demonstrating remarkable capacity retention (≈95%) even after 3000 cycles. This utilization of a DLR is poised to expedite the development of enduring lithium batteries for grid-storage applications and stimulate the design of practical, implantable rechargeable batteries based on related cell chemistries.

Employment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Techniques in Battery Management System (BMS) for Electric Vehicles (EV): Issues and Challenges

Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries have been widely utilized in diverse mobility applications, including electric vehicles (EVs), due to their high energy density and prolonged lifespan. However, the performance characteristics of those batteries, in terms of stability, efficiency, and life cycle, greatly affect the overall performance of the EV. Therefore, a battery management system (BMS) is required to manage, monitor and enhance the performance of the EV battery pack. For that purpose, a variety of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have been proposed in the literature to enhance BMS capabilities, such as monitoring, battery state estimation, fault detection and cell balancing. This paper explores the state-of-the-art research in AI techniques applied to EV BMS. Despite the growing interest in AI-driven BMS, there are notable gaps in the existing literature. Our primary output is a comprehensive classification and analysis of these AI techniques based on their objectives, applications, and performance metrics. This analysis addresses these gaps and provides valuable insights for selecting the most suitable AI technique to develop a reliable BMS for EVs with efficient energy management.

Design of Organic Cathode Material Based on Quinone and Pyrazine Motifs for Rechargeable Lithium and Zinc Batteries.

Despite the rapid expansion of the organic cathode materials field, we still face a shortage of materials obtained through simple synthesis that have stable cycling and high energy density. Herein, we report a two-step synthesis of a small organic molecule from commercially available precursors that can be used as a cathode material. Oxidized tetraquinoxalinecatechol (OTQC) was derived from tetraquinoxalinecatechol (TQC) by the introduction of additional quinone redox-active centers into the structure. The modification increased the voltage and capacity of the material. The OTQC delivers a high specific capacity of 327 mAh g-1 with an average voltage of 2.63 V vs Li/Li+ in the Li-ion battery. That corresponds to an energy density of 860 Wh kg-1 on the OTQC material level. Furthermore, the material demonstrated excellent cycling stability, having a capacity retention of 82% after 400 cycles. Similarly, the OTQC demonstrates increased average voltage and specific capacity in comparison with TQC in aqueous Zn-organic battery, reaching the specific capacity of 326 mAh g-1 with an average voltage of 0.86 V vs Zn/Zn2+. Apart from good electrochemical performance, this work provides an additional in-depth analysis of the redox mechanism and degradation mechanism related to capacity fading.

Reviewing metal fluorides as the cathode materials for high performance Li batteries

AbstractExploring high‐energy density rechargeable lithium (Li) batteries is urgently needed to meet the demand of the large‐scale electric vehicle market. Conversion‐type metal fluorides (MFx) have been considered as desirable cathode materials for next‐generation rechargeable batteries because of their high operational voltages, environmental non‐toxicity, low cost, and high thermal stability. In this review, we present the most promising and feasible MFx applied in rechargeable Li batteries in terms of capacity, discharge potential, volume change, fabricated methods, crystal structure, and cost/abundance. The electrochemical performance is briefly illustrated, and the recent advances in mechanisms focused on MFx cathodes upon cyclic processes are noted and discussed in detail. Finally, prospects for the current challenges and possible research directions, with the aim to provide some inspiration for the development of MFx‐based cathodes are presented.

Theoretical prediction of two-dimensional CrSi2N4 as a potential anode material for Na-ion batteries

Efficient anode materials are critical for high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries. This paper systematically investigates the potential of the CrSi2N4 monolayer as anode material for LIBs and sodium-ion batteries by first-principles density functional theory calculations. It was found that CrSi2N4 exhibits outstanding performance in sodium-ion batteries, with a low diffusion energy barrier of 0.10 eV and a high theoretical specific capacity of 490 mAh g−1. Meanwhile, the average open circuit voltage is 0.47 V, comparable to the typical anode materials. In addition, a small lattice constant change of 0.3%–3.1% ensures the cycling stability of CrSi2N4 in sodium-ion batteries. This work suggests a promising candidate anode material for sodium-ion batteries.

Facile Synthesis of Diazaanthraquinone Dimers as High-Capacity Organic Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries.

Organic cathode materials (OCMs) have tremendous potential to construct sustainable and highly efficient batteries beyond conventional Li-ion batteries. Thereinto, quinone/pyrazine hybrids show significant advantages in material availability, energy density, and cycling stability. Herein, we propose a facile method to synthesize quinone/pyrazine hybrids, i.e., the condensation reaction between ortho-diamine and bromoacetyl groups. Based on it, we have successfully synthesized three 1,4-diazaanthraquinone (DAAQ) dimers, including 2,2'-bi(1,4-diazaanthraquinone) (BDAAQ) with an exceptional theoretical capacity of 512 mAh g-1 based on the eight-electron reaction. It can be fully utilized in Li batteries in a wide voltage range of 0.8-3.8 V, at the cost of inferior cycling stability. In an optimal voltage range of 1.4-3.8 V, BDAAQ exhibits one of the best comprehensive electrochemical performances for small-molecule OCMs, including a high specific capacity of 366 mAh g-1, an average discharge voltage of 2.26 V, as well as a respectable capacity retention of 59% after 500 cycles. Moreover, the in-depth investigations reveal the redox reaction mechanisms based on C═O and C═N groups as well as the capacity fading mechanisms based on dissolution-redeposition behaviors. In brief, this work provides an instructive synthesis method and mechanism understanding of high-performance OCMs based on a quinone/pyrazine hybrid structure.