Table of Content

20 March 2023, Volume 6 Issue 1

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Parameters Affecting the Fuel Cell Reactions on Platinum Bimetallic Nanostructures

Nicolas Alonso-Vante

2023, 6(1):  3.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00145-7

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In this paper the electrochemical properties of some platinum-based nanoalloys are reviewed. The revision is centered on electrocatalytic materials generated via the carbonyl chemical route (CCR). In considering the effects of segregation in these bimetals, the reaction of the hydrogen oxidation (HOR) and oxygen reduction (ORR) in the alkaline medium was investigated. The reaction kinetics of these electrochemical processes in the alkaline electrolyte is still a challenge. For the design of high-performance platinum-based electrocatalysts, it is of importance to know that the kinetics of HOR and ORR also depends on the Pt adsorbate. The electrochemical analysis, based on the study of Pt nanoalloyed surfaces with different Pt-adsorbate interactions, was taken into account. A clear trend in the HOR as well as the ORR activity, in the alkaline electrolyte, was established, revealing that the activity changes in the order PtSn/C < PtCr/C < Pt/C (JM) < PtCo/C < PtNi/C for the former, and for the latter Pt/C (Tek) < Pt/C (JM) < PtCr/C < PtNi/C. The decisive effect of the Pt-H_ad energy on the HOR kinetics on Pt surfaces apparently depends on the oxophilicity role of the metal to favor M-OH_ad. The apparent electronic effect is not evident on these materials, except if a strong metal interaction is induced per se with either the carbon or oxide supports, e.g., the Pt/SnO₂-C interface in acidic media. Favorable effects of Pt-H_ad energy on HOR kinetics were found with the oxophilicity of the sp² domains of carbon that serve as anchoring or nucleation sites for platinum atoms. These results were compared with the literature data, and it turns out that this type of strong metal support interaction (SMSI) modification is favorably induced by UV–VIS irradiation and outperforms Pt-M materials to some extent. Either for HOR or ORR, it is shown that non-noble metals not only act as a surrogate metal for Pt utilization by inducing a compressive stress effect between the Pt atoms in the outermost layer but also participate in the electrocatalytic reaction. This information is important to understand and develop structures with the Pt/C catalyst for the manufacture of electrode materials in the alkaline medium.



Designing All-Solid-State Batteries by Theoretical Computation: A Review

Shu Zhang, Jun Ma, Shanmu Dong, Guanglei Cui

2023, 6(1):  4.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00143-9

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All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with solid-state electrolytes and lithium-metal anodes have been regarded as a promising battery technology to alleviate range anxiety and address safety issues due to their high energy density and high safety. Understanding the fundamental physical and chemical science of ASSBs is of great importance to battery development. To confirm and supplement experimental study, theoretical computation provides a powerful approach to probe the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of battery materials and their interfaces, resulting in the design of better batteries. In this review, we assess recent progress in the theoretical computations of solid electrolytes and the interfaces between the electrodes and electrolytes of ASSBs. We review the role of theoretical computation in studying the following: ion transport mechanisms, grain boundaries, phase stability, chemical and electrochemical stability, mechanical properties, design strategies and high-throughput screening of inorganic solid electrolytes, mechanical stability, space-charge layers, interface buffer layers and dendrite growth at electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Finally, we provide perspectives on the shortcomings, challenges and opportunities of theoretical computation in regard to ASSBs.



Progress in 3D-MXene Electrodes for Lithium/Sodium/Potassium/Magnesium/Zinc/Aluminum-Ion Batteries

Tariq Bashir, Shaowen Zhou, Shiqi Yang, Sara Adeeba Ismail, Tariq Ali, Hao Wang, Jianqing Zhao, Lijun Gao

2023, 6(1):  5.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00174-2

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MXenes have attracted increasing attention because of their rich surface functional groups, high electrical conductivity, and outstanding dispersibility in many solvents, and have demonstrated competitive efficiency in energy storage and conversion applications. However, the restacking nature of MXene nanosheets like other two-dimensional (2D) materials through van der Waals forces results in sluggish ionic kinetics, restricted number of active sites, and ultimate deterioration of MXene material/device performance. The strategy of raising 2D MXenes into three-dimensional (3D) structures has been considered an efficient way for reducing restacking, providing greater porosity, higher surface area, and shorter distances for mass transport of ions, surpassing standard one-dimensional (1D) and 2D structures. In multivalent ion batteries, the positive multivalent ions combine with two or more electrons at the same time, so their capacities are two or three times that of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) under the same conditions, e.g., a magnesium ion battery has a high theoretical specific capacity of 2 205 mAh g^-1 and a high volumetric capacity of 3 833 mAh cm^-3. In this review, we summarize the most recent strategies for fabricating 3D MXene architectures, such as assembly, template, 3D printing, electrospinning, aerogel, and gas foaming methods. Special consideration has been given to the applications of highly porous 3D MXenes in energy storage devices beyond LIBs, such as sodium ion batteries (SIBs), potassium ion batteries (KIBs), magnesium ion batteries (MIBs), zinc ion batteries (ZIBs), and aluminum ion batteries (AIBs). Finally, the authors provide a summary of the future opportunities and challenges for the construction of 3D MXenes and MXene-based electrodes for applications beyond LIBs.



Pt-Based Intermetallic Compound Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Structural Control at the Atomic Scale to Achieve a Win–Win Situation Between Catalytic Activity and Stability

Jue Wang, Fengwen Pan, Wenmiao Chen, Bing Li, Daijun Yang, Pingwen Ming, Xuezhe Wei, Cunman Zhang

2023, 6(1):  6.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00141-x

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The development of ordered Pt-based intermetallic compounds is an effective way to optimize the electronic characteristics of Pt and its disordered alloys, inhibit the loss of transition metal elements, and prepare fuel cell catalysts with high activity and long-term durability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This paper reviews the structure–activity characteristics, research advances, problems, and improvements in Pt-based intermetallic compound fuel cell catalysts for the ORR. First, the structural characteristics and performance advantages of Pt-based intermetallic compounds are analyzed and explained. Second, starting with 3d transition metals such as Fe, Co, and Ni, whose research achievements are common, the preparation process and properties of Pt-based intermetallic compound catalysts for the ORR are introduced in detail according to element types. Third, in view of preparation problems, improvements in the preparation processes of Pt-based intermetallic compounds are also summarized in regard to four aspects: coating to control the crystal size, doping to promote ordering transformation, constructing a “Pt skin” to improve performance, and anchoring and confinement to enhance the interaction between the crystal and support. Finally, by analyzing the research status of Pt-based intermetallic compound catalysts for the ORR, prospective research directions are suggested.



A Review of Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) and Dendrite Formation in Lithium Batteries

Borong Li, Yu Chao, Mengchao Li, Yuanbin Xiao, Rui Li, Kang Yang, Xiancai Cui, Gui Xu, Lingyun Li, Chengkai Yang, Yan Yu, David P. Wilkinson, Jiujun Zhang

2023, 6(1):  7.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00147-5

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Lithium-metal batteries with high energy/power densities have significant applications in electronics, electric vehicles, and stationary power plants. However, the unstable lithium-metal-anode/electrolyte interface has induced insufficient cycle life and safety issues. To improve the cycle life and safety, understanding the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and growth of lithium dendrites near the anode/electrolyte interface, regulating the electrodeposition/electrostripping processes of Li⁺, and developing multiple approaches for protecting the lithium-metal surface and SEI layer are crucial and necessary. This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress in SEI and lithium dendrite growth in terms of their classical electrochemical lithium plating/stripping processes, interface interaction/nucleation processes, anode geometric evolution, fundamental electrolyte reduction mechanisms, and effects on battery performance. Some important aspects, such as charge transfer, the local current distribution, solvation, desolvation, ion diffusion through the interface, inhibition of dendrites by the SEI, additives, models for dendrite formation, heterogeneous nucleation, asymmetric processes during stripping/plating, the host matrix, and in situ nucleation characterization, are also analyzed based on experimental observations and theoretical calculations. Several technical challenges in improving SEI properties and reducing lithium dendrite growth are analyzed. Furthermore, possible future research directions for overcoming the challenges are also proposed to facilitate further research and development toward practical applications.



Improving the Initial Coulombic Efficiency of Carbonaceous Materials for Li/Na-Ion Batteries: Origins, Solutions, and Perspectives

Zheng Tang, Siyu Zhou, Yuancheng Huang, Hong Wang, Rui Zhang, Qi Wang, Dan Sun, Yougen Tang, Haiyan Wang

2023, 6(1):  8.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00178-y

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Carbonaceous materials for lithium (Li)/sodium (Na)-ion batteries have attracted significant attention because of their widespread availability, renewable nature, and low cost. During the past decades, although great efforts have been devoted to developing high-performance carbonaceous materials with high capacity, long life span, and excellent rate capability, the low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of high-capacity carbonaceous materials seriously limits their practical applications. Various methods have been successfully exploited, and a revolutionary impact has been achieved through the utilization of different techniques. Different carbonaceous materials possess different ion storage mechanisms, which means that the initial capacity loss may vary. However, there has rarely been a special review about the origins of and progress in the ICE for carbonaceous materials from the angle of the crystal structure. Hence, in this review, the structural differences between and ion storage mechanisms of various carbonaceous materials are first introduced. Then, we deduce the correlative factors of low ICE and thereafter summarize the proposed strategies to address these issues. Finally, some challenges, perspectives, and future directions on the ICE of carbonaceous materials are given. This review will provide deep insights into the challenges of improving the ICE of carbonaceous anodes for high-energy Li/Na-ion batteries, which will greatly contribute to their commercialization process.Carbonaceous materials for lithium (Li)/sodium (Na)-ion batteries have attracted significant attention because of their widespread availability, renewable nature, and low cost. During the past decades, although great efforts have been devoted to developing high-performance carbonaceous materials with high capacity, long life span, and excellent rate capability, nevertheless the low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of high capacity carbonaceous materials seriously limits their practical applications. Various methods have been successfully exploited and a revolutionary impact has been achieved through the utilization of different techniques. It is well known that different carbonaceous materials possess different ion storage mechanisms, which means the initial capacity loss may vary. However, there has rarely been a special review about the origins and progress of ICE for carbonaceous materials from the angle of crystal structure. Hence, in this review, the structural differences and ion storage mechanisms between various carbonaceous materials are particularly introduced firstly. And then, we conclude the correlative factors of low ICE, and thereafter summarize the proposed strategies to address these issues. Finally, some challenges, perspectives, and future directions on the ICE of carbonaceous materials have been given. This review will provide deep insights into the challenges of improving the ICE of carbonaceous anodes for high-energy Li/Na-ion batteries, which will greatly contribute to their commercialization process.



Two-Dimensional Mesoporous Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion: Current Status, Chemical Synthesis and Challenging Perspectives

Jieqiong Qin, Zhi Yang, Feifei Xing, Liangzhu Zhang, Hongtao Zhang, Zhong-Shuai Wu

2023, 6(1):  9.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00177-z

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Two-dimensional (2D) mesoporous materials (2DMMs), defined as 2D nanosheets with randomly dispersed or orderly aligned mesopores of 2–50 nm, can synergistically combine the fascinating merits of 2D materials and mesoporous materials, while overcoming their intrinsic shortcomings, e.g., easy self-stacking of 2D materials and long ion transport paths in bulk mesoporous materials. These unique features enable fast ion diffusion, large specific surface area, and enriched adsorption/reaction sites, thus offering a promising solution for designing high-performance electrode/catalyst materials for next-generation energy storage and conversion devices (ESCDs). Herein, we review recent advances of state-of-the-art 2DMMs for high-efficiency ESCDs, focusing on two different configurations of in-plane mesoporous nanosheets and sandwich-like mesoporous heterostructures. Firstly, a brief introduction is given to highlighting the structural advantages (e.g., tailored chemical composition, sheet configuration, and mesopore geometry) and key roles (e.g., active materials and functional additives) of 2DMMs for high-performance ESCDs. Secondly, the chemical synthesis strategies of 2DMMs are summarized, including template-free, 2D-template, mesopore-template, and 2D mesopore dual-template methods. Thirdly, the wide applications of 2DMMs in advanced supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries, and electrocatalysis are discussed, enlightening their intrinsic structure–property relationships. Finally, the future challenges and perspectives of 2DMMs in energy-related fields are presented.In this review, the recent advances of 2DMMs (including in-plane mesoporous nanosheets and sandwich-like mesoporous heterostructures) for energy storage and conversion are systematically summarized.