Rechargeable Research Articles

Iodine Boosted Fluoro‐Organic Borate Electrolytes Enabling Fluent Ion‐conductive Solid Electrolyte Interphase for High‐Performance Magnesium Metal Batteries

Rechargeable magnesium batteries are regarded as a promising multi‐valent battery system for low‐cost and sustainable energy storage applications. Boron‐based magnesium salts with terminal substituent fluorinated anions (Mg[B(ORF)4]2, RF = fluorinated alkyl) have exhibited impressive electrochemical stability. Nevertheless, their deployment is hindered by the complicated synthesis routes and the surface passivation of Mg anode. Herein, we report the design of an advanced electrolyte formulation comprised of B(HFIP)3 and I2 in 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME), which eventually convert into a Mg[B(HFIP)4]2/DME‐MgI2 electrolyte system upon interacting with Mg anode. The Mg anode reacts with I2 and the electron‐accepting B(HFIP)3, leading to the in‐situ formation of a solid‐electrolyte interphase layer composed of MgF2 and MgI2 species that can facilitate fast and stable Mg plating/stripping. Compared with the pristine Mg[B(HFIP)4]2/DME electrolyte, the Mg[B(HFIP)4]2/DME‐MgI2 electrolyte exhibited superior electrochemical performance including an ultra‐low overpotential (~80 mV), high Coulombic efficiency and a long‐cycling period over 1500 h. In result, the rechargeable magnesium batteries with Mg[B(HFIP)4]2/DME‐MgI2 electrolyte and Mo6S8 cathode show outstanding compatibility, rapid kinetics, and stable cyclability for over 1200 cycles, surpassing all previously reported boron‐based electrolytes. This work introduces a promising halogen‐enhancement strategy for boron‐based Mg‐ion electrolytes and is pivotal for the advancement and optimization of multi‐valent secondary batteries.

Review of Progress in the Application of Polytetrafluoroethylene-Based Battery Separators.

Batteries have broad application prospects in the aerospace, military, automotive, and medical fields. The performance of the battery separator, a key component of rechargeable batteries, is inextricably linked to the quality of the batteries. The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based membrane, in addition to PTFE's intrinsic properties of corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance, also possesses characteristics such as high porosity and high strength, making it an ideal substrate for the separator in current high-performance batteries, such as fuel cells (FC), all-vanadium redox liquid current batteries (VRBs), solid-state batteries (SSBs), and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This paper introduces the PTFE membrane's main preparation methods and application fields and outlines its advantages as a battery separator. It then comprehensively describes the status of PTFE-based battery separator applications, sums up the advantages and development prospects of PTFE-based battery separators, and looks forward to the important role and challenges PTFE-based battery separators will play in the future of rechargeable batteries and even in new energy equipment with even more harsh and complex electrolytes. In the future, PTFE-based battery separators will be used in rechargeable batteries and even in new energy devices with more severe and complex electrolytes, which will play an important role and challenge in providing a reference for the research on PTFE-based battery separators.

Enrichment of lithium ions for battery application by electrolysis through a nanoporous membrane

In recent years, lithium (Li) has become a valuable commodity widely used in rechargeable batteries. The present study aims to extract battery-grade lithium-ion, as lithium hydroxide (LiOH), from lithium chloride (LiCl) solution by the membrane electrolysis process. Experiments are performed using a commercial cation exchange membrane and an indigenous High flux-Nanofiltration 300 alkali resistant (HF-NF 300 AR) nanoporous membrane. The dual-chamber electrolytic cell incorporates a selective membrane to separate the feed and concentrate chambers containing LiCl solution and deionized water. These two chambers are connected with titanium electrodes through the external circuit. The in-situ design of the compact two-chambered acrylic electrolytic cell helps to separate metal ions from ionizable salts of sodium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, etc. The experiment is conducted on a laboratory scale by varying the LiCl concentration at voltages of 24 V and 36 V. The feed and concentrate solutions are analyzed for pH, conductivity, and total dissolved solids. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry evaluates the presence of metal ions in the solution. The study shows effective metal ion recovery and separation to achieve battery-grade Li.

Microgrid energy optimization management considering consumer segmentation optimization and dynamic time intervals

ABSTRACT To prioritize critical loads and enhance microgrid energy management efficiency, this study introduces a method that combines consumer segmentation optimization and dynamic time intervals. A penalty-based approach is used to minimize unmet load demands, prioritizing energy for critical loads. A joint classification model for multi-type consumers is developed using a convolutional neural network autoencoder and hierarchical clustering. Dynamic time intervals are applied to reduce iterations and improve memory and processor efficiency in solving the energy management model. Simulation tests on a microgrid with distributed generation, battery storage, and consumption units confirm the method’s effectiveness. Results show that configuring dynamic time intervals and segmenting loads by priority yield solutions similar to fixed interval methods. Finally, the energy optimization management effects of the proposed method were compared with those of two latest methods. The comparison results demonstrate that if a microgrid underwent four different disconnection scenarios from the main distribution network, the proposed method saves 23.15%, 23.08%, 23.79%, and 34.61% time to achieve energy optimization management compared with that of the first latest method, and 24.20%, 23.87%, 25.11%, and 36.18% time than that of the second latest method.

THE POTENTIAL FOR PEER-TO-PEER ELECTRICITY TRADING IN GEORGIA

The global energy transition is fundamentally reshaping electricity markets, moving from centralized systems reliant on fossil fuels to decentralized, renewable energy solutions. Distributed energy resources such as solar panels and storage batteries are empowering consumers to become active participants in the energy market. Peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading, enabled by blockchain technology, presents a new model for consumers to trade surplus energy directly with one another, bypassing traditional suppliers. This article explores the potential of P2P electricity trading in Georgia, a country with significant renewable energy resources but limited experience with decentralized energy systems. As Georgia aligns its energy policies with European regulations, the development of a P2P trading market could enhance energy security, empower prosumers, and drive local economic development. Through an analysis of global trends, technological innovations, and the current Georgian energy landscape, this article assesses the opportunities and challenges in implementing P2P trading. By building the necessary infrastructure and fostering public participation, Georgia has the potential to transform its energy market and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

S-LCA of lithium mining in Chile and its potential impacts on water and the local community

Abstract Purpose Lithium is critical to the clean energy transition, specifically for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and grid-level energy storage. Chile is a major source of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate from brine. The main production facilities are in the Salar de Atacama (SdA), a hyper-arid region home to indigenous communities. A social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) was conducted to better understand the potential impacts of lithium mining on these communities, particularly in relation to water consumption as this is a concern within the region. Methods A cradle-to-gate S-LCA on lithium was performed from brine extraction to the gate of the chemical plant. A hotspot analysis using the Social Hotspots Database (SHDB), in combination with literature and local discussions, was used to prioritize stakeholder groups and subcategories for data collection. Local community, Worker, and Society were selected as stakeholder groups. Subcategories for the Local community included Access to material resources (with a focus on freshwater), Cultural heritage, Respect of indigenous rights, Community engagement, and Local employment. Data sources included primary data from a mining company and interviews with the local community during a site visit. The reference scale approach was applied using Chilean laws and international best practices. Results and discussion Two scoring approaches yielded different scores on the reference scale. With an average scoring approach, all subcategories were at compliance level or above for all stakeholders. The mining company has many projects and initiatives ongoing to improve the wellbeing of the local community. Policies and projects lead to higher scores when applying the average scoring approach. However, with a precautionary approach, where the worst performing indicator determines the score, four subcategories were identified as potential issues for the Local community: Access to material resources — freshwater, Access to material resources — agriculture, Delocalization and migration, and Respect of indigenous rights. For Access to material resources — freshwater, local community members had varying perspectives on freshwater scarcity, but some connected it to lithium mining and also described the cultural importance of water. Conclusions The results of this S-LCA can be used to better understand the potential social impacts from lithium production and how they can be improved. Recommendations are provided to address the potential social impacts of lithium mining in the SdA, including continuing increased communication and projects with the communities, fostering initiatives to improve the understanding of the lithium production process, and considering that community members have equal access to benefit from projects.

Design and development of geothermal-based cooling system for human comfort

In this study, a geothermal cooling system is developed to address extreme heat conditions in regions like Nawabshah, Pakistan, by utilising the earth’s stable underground temperature. This system uses ground-source cooling, powered by a 12V solar PV system or battery, as a low-energy alternative for areas with a limited electricity supply. The experiment demonstrates that a geothermal cooling system could help redress indoor temperatures by up to 16°C during peak summer, resulting in a lower grid-connected or fossil fuel-based cooling system requirement. The results obtained through this study suggest a significant reduction in indoor temperature, ultimately enhancing comfort levels and reducing the reliance on conventional cooling systems like air conditioning. Moreover, the system design is easily adaptable to other regions with similar climates, highlighting its potential for widespread use. However, pipe configuration optimisation is needed to minimise costs and maximise heat transfer rate. This research emphasises geothermal technologies' potential as a cost-effective cooling system, ultimately reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.

Operating Key Factor Analysis of a Rotary Kiln Using a Predictive Model and Shapley Additive Explanations

The global smelting business of nickel using rotary kilns and electric furnaces is expanding due to the growth of the secondary battery market. Efficient operation of electric furnaces requires consistent calcine temperature in rotary kilns. Direct measurement of calcine temperature in rotary kilns presents challenges due to inaccuracies and operational limitations, and while AI predictions are feasible, reliance on them without understanding influencing factors is risky. To address this challenge, various algorithms including XGBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost, and GRU were employed for calcine temperature prediction, with CatBoost achieving the best performance in terms of MAPE and MLSE. The influential factors on calcine temperature were identified using SHAP from XAI in the context of the CatBoost model. SHAP effectively assesses model impacts, accounting for variable interdependencies, and offers visualization in high-dimensional contexts. Given the correlation and dimensionality of variables predicting calcine temperature, SHAP was preferred over Feature Importance or PDP for the analysis. By incorporating seven out of twenty operational factors like burner fuel and reductant feed rate, combustion conditions inside of the rotary kiln and RPM, the calcine temperature increased from 840 °C in 2023 to 910 °C by October 2024, concurrently reducing the electricity unit consumption of the electric furnace by 7.8%. Enhancements to the CatBoost algorithm will enable the provision of guidance values after optimizing key variables. It is expected that managing the rotary kiln’s calcine temperature according to the predictive model’s guidance values will allow for autonomous operation of the rotary kiln through inputting guidance values to the PLC.

BIOM-40. BLOOD AND NASAL BIOMARKERS OF BRAIN MICROENVIRONMENT BLOOD–BRAIN BARRIER PERMEABILITY: CLINICAL AND APPLIED CONCEPTS

Abstract The limiting step to treating glioblastoma (GBM) patients is the close blood-brain barrier (BBB) which protects the brain making it an inaccessible compartment. Although multiple studies have highlighted the presence of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients their relationship with brain microenvironment and BBB permeability was not explored in depth. We studied the development of GBM by transferring tumour cells into the mouse brain and also in a subcutaneous location to verify how the different microenvironment affected the release of circulating tumour and endothelial cells. Glioblastoma U3T3MG IDHwt secondary cell line was transfected to track circulating tumour cells released. Moreover, both U3T3 cells and short-time-expanded CTCs1 from GBM patients were used for intracranial xenografts and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). The in vivo models demonstrated the correspondence between BBB permeability with the release of CTCs and the increment of endothelial progenitor cells in GBM HIFpos >20% compared to subcutaneous xenografts releasing CTCs in GBM HIFpos< 20%. These data were confirmed in HIFpos tissue biopsy of GBM-IDHwt patients with CTCs >30 cells/ml. Both in PDXs and in the GBM patient demonstrated that the release of CTCs was intermittent, related to BBB opening induced by HIF-dependent cytokines release (IL8, TNFa)2. In parallel, the analysis of structural Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)3, on nasal secretion and interstitial fluid, collected in surgical treated GBM patients, demonstrated that the recognition of the two GFAP isoforms (p150 and p50 kDa) were the result of inflammatory microenvironment enriched for proteases induced by IL8, TNFa. Overall data indicate at least two different ways of monitoring the BBB and the brain microenvironment, one distal (blood) and one proximal (nasal secretion) useful to perform precision treatments in patients with GBM. REFERENCES 1) Malara, N. et al. Mol Cancer 23, 32 (2024). doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01951-x2) Coluccio ML. et al Cancers (2020) doi: 10.3390/cancers12061362.3) Malara, N. et al Front. Oncol.(2021) doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.737730

Electro‐Chemo‐Mechanical Domain to Enable Less Hysteretic Fast‐Charging

AbstractA new avenue by transforming the conventional electrochemical domain into an electro‐chemo‐mechanical domain is proposed to achieve less hysteretic fast‐charging based on the three pictures: i) electro‐chemo‐mechanics, ii) phase transition kinetics, and iii) ionic kinetics. Each concept is demonstrated leading to the electrochemical improvement using data‐driven computation and experimental analyses, and its novel framework is generalized based on alkali‐ion chalcogenide models. The mechanical strain lowers and delays the electrochemical yield point, which gives rise to extending the elastic region and enhancing the phase and ionic kinetics. This is experimentally verified with less hysteresis upon (dis)charging for all models. Implementing the electro‐chemo‐mechanical domain is central in alkali‐ion chalcogenide batteries and broadens its application in other rechargeable batteries, ultimately playing a critical role in providing practical fast‐charging solutions.

Optimal Planning of Standalone Rural Microgrid With Effective Dispatch Strategies and Battery Technology

ABSTRACTMicrogrids are a viable substitute for traditional power systems because they may deliver cleaner, more dependable, affordable power with fewer losses. However, the microgrid's performance is impacted by the variable nature of renewable energy sources. Battery storage is a crucial component of microgrid planning since it defines the system's techno‐economic feasibility. A standalone rural microgrid is designed in the current study, employing three distinct battery types: lithium‐ion, lead acid, and zinc‐bromine flow. The suggested microgrid's techno‐economic analysis employs three distinct dispatch mechanisms, that is, cycle charging, load flow, and complete dispatch. The case study of the suggested framework is carried out in Lucknow (India). The system comprises PV/battery/wind energy system/diesel and battery. The simulation results suggest that the optimal system with the least electrification cost is 0.113 $/kWh using complete dispatch strategies and a zinc‐bromine battery. It has 206 kWh zinc‐bromine flow batteries, a 10 kW converter, a 20 kW PV, a 13‐kW diesel generator, and a Combined dispatch strategy. The system's net present cost per unit cost of energy is $40 275 and 0.113 $/kWh for the chosen region, respectively. Compared to the other two battery technologies for hybrid systems, the zinc‐bromine flow battery technology is also shown to be the most environmentally friendly. Among the three battery technologies available, zinc‐bromine flow is best used in a particular location's hybridized operation.

Integrated Method of Future Capacity and RUL Prediction for Lithium‐Ion Batteries Based on CEEMD‐Transformer‐LSTM Model

ABSTRACTAccurately predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium‐ion batteries for energy storage is of critical significance to ensure the safety and reliability of electric vehicles, which can offer efficient early warning signals in a timely manner. Considering nonlinear changes in the aging trajectory of lithium‐ion batteries, a method for predicting the RUL of lithium‐ion batteries was proposed in this study based on a complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) as well as transformer and long short‐term memory (LSTM) neural network dual‐drive machine learning model. First, the CEEMD algorithm was adopted to decompose the raw aging data of lithium‐ion batteries into intrinsic mode function (IMF) sequences and residual sequence, where the number of modal layers was produced by the proposed posterior feedback entropy and relevance (PFER) method. Second, prediction models of LSTM and transformer neural networks were established to predict IMF and residual sequences. Simultaneously, the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) was used to obtain the optimal value of the hyperparameter learning rate for the RUL prediction model. Finally, the predicted IMF and residual sequences were combined to comprehensively calculate the future lifespan aging trajectory of lithium‐ion batteries. The aging data of two groups of lithium‐ion batteries were obtained from the CALCE at the University of Maryland as well as the laboratory at AQNU University to verify the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively predict the RUL of lithium‐ion batteries; moreover, it exhibited better robustness and generalization ability.

Influence of Chloride and Electrolyte Stability on Passivation Layer Evolution at the Negative Electrode of Mg Batteries Revealed byoperandoEQCM-D.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries are promising for future energy storage. However, among other challenges, their practical application is hindered by low coulombic efficiencies of magnesium plating and stripping. Fundamental processes such as the formation, structure, and stability of passivation layers and the influence of different electrolyte components on them are still not fully understood. In this work, we gain unique insights into the initial Mg plating and stripping cycles by comparing Mg bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Mg(TFSI)2)- and Mg tetrakis(hexafluoroisopropyloxy)borate (Mg[B(hfip)4]2)-based electrolytes, each with and without MgCl2, on gold electrodes by highly sensitive operando electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D) applying hydrodynamic spectroscopy. With the stable Mg[B(hfip)4]2-based electrolytes, highly efficient and interphase-free cycling is possible and passivation layers are attributed to electrolyte contaminants. These are forming and degrading during the so-called initial conditioning process. With the more reactive Mg(TFSI)2-based electrolyte, thick passivation layers with small pores are growing during cycling. We demonstrate that the addition of chloride lowers the amount of passivated Mg deposits in these electrolytes and accelerates the currentless dissolution of the passivation layer. This has a positive effect since we observe the most efficient cycling and uniform deposition when no interphase is present on the electrode.

Influence of Chloride and Electrolyte Stability on Passivation Layer Evolution at the Negative Electrode of Mg Batteries Revealed by operando EQCM‐D

Rechargeable magnesium batteries are promising for future energy storage. However, among other challenges, their practical application is hindered by low coulombic efficiencies of magnesium plating and stripping. Fundamental processes such as the formation, structure, and stability of passivation layers and the influence of different electrolyte components on them are still not fully understood. In this work, we gain unique insights into the initial Mg plating and stripping cycles by comparing Mg bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Mg(TFSI)2)‐ and Mg tetrakis(hexafluoroisopropyloxy)borate (Mg[B(hfip)4]2)‐based electrolytes, each with and without MgCl2, on gold electrodes by highly sensitive operando electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM‐D) applying hydrodynamic spectroscopy. With the stable Mg[B(hfip)4]2‐based electrolytes, highly efficient and interphase‐free cycling is possible and passivation layers are attributed to electrolyte contaminants. These are forming and degrading during the so‐called initial conditioning process. With the more reactive Mg(TFSI)2‐based electrolyte, thick passivation layers with small pores are growing during cycling. We demonstrate that the addition of chloride lowers the amount of passivated Mg deposits in these electrolytes and accelerates the currentless dissolution of the passivation layer. This has a positive effect since we observe the most efficient cycling and uniform deposition when no interphase is present on the electrode.

Ultra-rapid Synthesis of High-entropy MAX Phases and Their Derivative MXenes for Battery Electrodes.

High-entropy materials hold immense promise for energy storage, owing to their varied compositions and unforeseen physicochemical properties, yet, which poses challenges in synthesis due to tendentious phase separation and extended sintering durations. Herein, an ultra-rapid strategy based on spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques is proposed to synthesize high-entropy MAX phases within 15 minutes, including a new phase of (Ti0.2V0.2Cr0.2Nb0.2Mo0.2)4AlC3 and several phases of 413-type TiVNbMoAlC3, TiVCrMoAlC3 and (Ti0.2V0.2Cr0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2)4AlC3, achieving utmost purity level up to 99.54%. Under high temperature, the overfeed of Al with low melt point (~660°C) can foster a liquid environment, which remits the immiscibility among starting materials and benefits to diffusion dynamics to some extents. Theoretical calculations are employed to elucidate the thermodynamic preponderance of high-entropy MAX phases in the intricate multi-element systems. Meanwhile, the varied stacking modes among MX slabs in high-entropy MAX phases and the distinct topological transformations to their derivative MXenes can be observed directly at the atomic level. Moreover, four high-entropy MXenes as electrode materials were investigated for rechargeable batteries. Among them, TiVNbMoC3 electrode demonstrates superior lithium-ion storage capabilities with 725 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1, triggering the edification to the application of high-entropy MXenes for energy domain.

Ultra‐rapid Synthesis of High‐entropy MAX Phases and Their Derivative MXenes for Battery Electrodes

High‐entropy materials hold immense promise for energy storage, owing to their varied compositions and unforeseen physicochemical properties, yet, which poses challenges in synthesis due to tendentious phase separation and extended sintering durations. Herein, an ultra‐rapid strategy based on spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques is proposed to synthesize high‐entropy MAX phases within 15 minutes, including a new phase of (Ti0.2V0.2Cr0.2Nb0.2Mo0.2)4AlC3 and several phases of 413‐type TiVNbMoAlC3, TiVCrMoAlC3 and (Ti0.2V0.2Cr0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2)4AlC3, achieving utmost purity level up to 99.54%. Under high temperature, the overfeed of Al with low melt point (~660°C) can foster a liquid environment, which remits the immiscibility among starting materials and benefits to diffusion dynamics to some extents. Theoretical calculations are employed to elucidate the thermodynamic preponderance of high‐entropy MAX phases in the intricate multi‐element systems. Meanwhile, the varied stacking modes among MX slabs in high‐entropy MAX phases and the distinct topological transformations to their derivative MXenes can be observed directly at the atomic level. Moreover, four high‐entropy MXenes as electrode materials were investigated for rechargeable batteries. Among them, TiVNbMoC3 electrode demonstrates superior lithium‐ion storage capabilities with 725 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g‐1, triggering the edification to the application of high‐entropy MXenes for energy domain.

An Optimized Strategy for the Integration of Photovoltaic Systems and Electric Vehicles into the Real Distribution Grid

The increasing spread of photovoltaic systems for private households (PVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in order to reduce carbon emissions significantly impacts operation conditions in existing distribution networks. Variable and unpredictable PVs can stress distribution network operation, mainly manifested in voltage violations during the day. On the other hand, variable loads such as EV chargers which have battery storage in their configuration have the ability of storying a surplus energy and, if it is necessary, support a distribution network with energy, commonly known as vehicle-to-grid concept (V2G), to help voltage stability network enhancement. This paper proposes an optimal power flow (OPF)-based model for EV charging to minimize power exchange between the superior-10 kV grid and the observed distribution feeder. The optimization procedure is realized using the co-simulation approach that connects power flow analysis software and optimization method. Three different scenarios are observed and analysed. The first scenario is referred to as a base case without optimization. The second and third scenarios include optimal EV charging and discharging patterns under different constraints. To test the optimization model, a 90-bus unbalanced distribution feeder modelled based on real-life examples is used. The obtained results suggest that this optimization model does not only significantly reduce the power exchange between an external network and the distribution feeder but also improves voltage stability and demand curve in the distribution feeder.

Promoting Reaction Kinetics of the Air Cathode for Neutral Zinc-Air Batteries by the Photothermal Effect.

Rechargeable neutral zinc-air batteries are attracting enormous research interest due to their long lifetime and low cost. However, the sluggish kinetics of the air cathode in the neutral electrolyte reduces the catalytic performance and impedes the power density and energy efficiency of zinc-air batteries. In this work, we propose a universal, sustainable, and effective approach to improve the kinetics of the air cathode through a solar-energy-induced photothermal effect. By illumination of the cost-effective carbon-black-based cathode, the temperature of the air cathode increases from room temperature to 40.5 °C, thereby accelerating the kinetics for the electrocatalytic reaction and reducing the interfacial resistance of the zinc-air battery. Attributed to the sunlight-promoted reaction kinetics, the neutral zinc-air battery exhibits a higher power density of 2.89 mW cm-2 and longer cycling durability over 250 h, 116 and 156% times the one without light illumination, significantly improved in contrast to the one without light illumination. Furthermore, we demonstrated solar energy-driven and solar-enhanced charging in the daytime and discharging at night, potentially applying in distributed energy storage applications. The proposed sustainable solar-energy-promoted reaction kinetics of air cathodes will drive the development of efficient zinc-air batteries and also inspire the rational design of electrocatalytic electrodes in other electrochemical devices.

Recent advances in porous multimetallic alloy-based anodes for rechargeable alkali metal-ion batteries

Recent advances in porous multimetallic alloy-based anodes for rechargeable alkali metal-ion batteries

Grain-Boundary-Rich Interphases for Rechargeable Batteries.

The formation of stable interphases on the electrodes is crucial for rechargeable lithium (Li) batteries. However, next-generation high-energy batteries face challenges in controlling interphase formation due to the high reactivity and structural changes of electrodes, leading to reduced stability and slow ion transport, which accelerate battery degradation. Here, we report an approach to address these issues by introducing multicomponent grain-boundary-rich interphase that boosts the rapid transport of ions and enhances passivation toward prolonged lifespan. This is guided by fundamental principles of solid-state ionics and geological crystallization differentiation theory, achieved through improved solvation chemistry. Demonstrations showcase how the introduction of the interphase substantially impacts the Li-ion transport across the interphase and the electrode-electrolyte compatibility in cost-effective electrolyte solutions optimized with multiple Li salts. The resulting interphases feature microstructures rich in inorganic grain boundaries with a diverse array of nanosized grains, presenting enhanced Li-ion transport. Comprehensive analyses revealed that this realizes remarkable electrochemical stability over extended cycling periods by inhibiting electrode corrosion, thus holding promise for high-capacity thin-Li-metal, Si-based anodes, and even Li-free anodes when paired with high-capacity oxide cathodes. This work opens new avenues to customize protective interphases on high-capacity electrodes, promoting the development of batteries with the highest energy density using cost-effective electrolytes.