Table of Content

20 September 2023, Volume 6 Issue 3

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Building Better Full Manganese-Based Cathode Materials for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries

Jin Song, Hangchao Wang, Yuxuan Zuo, Kun Zhang, Tonghuan Yang, Yali Yang, Chuan Gao, Tao Chen, Guang Feng, Zewen Jiang, Wukun Xiao, Tie Luo, Dingguo Xia

2023, 6(3):  20.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00184-8

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Lithium-manganese-oxides have been exploited as promising cathode materials for many years due to their environmental friendliness, resource abundance and low biotoxicity. Nevertheless, inevitable problems, such as Jahn-Teller distortion, manganese dissolution and phase transition, still frustrate researchers; thus, progress in full manganese-based cathode materials (FMCMs) has been relatively slow and limited in recent decades. Recently, with the fast growth of vehicle electrification and large-scale energy-storage grids, there has been an urgent demand to develop novel FMCMs again; actually, new waves of research based on FMCMs are being created. Herein, we systematically review the history of FMCMs, correctly describe their structures, evaluate the advantages and challenges, and discuss the resolution strategies and latest developments. Additionally, beyond FMCMs, a profound discussion of current controversial issues, such as oxygen redox reaction, voltage decay and voltage hysteresis in Li₂MnO₃-based cathode materials, is also presented. This review summarizes the effectively optimized approaches and offers a few new possible enhancement methods from the perspective of the electronic-coordination-crystal structure for building better FMCMs for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.



High-Energy Room-Temperature Sodium-Sulfur and Sodium-Selenium Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage

Zefu Huang, Pauline Jaumaux, Bing Sun, Xin Guo, Dong Zhou, Devaraj Shanmukaraj, Michel Armand, Teofilo Rojo, Guoxiu Wang

2023, 6(3):  21.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00182-w

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Rechargeable room-temperature sodium-sulfur (Na-S) and sodium-selenium (Na-Se) batteries are gaining extensive attention for potential large-scale energy storage applications owing to their low cost and high theoretical energy density. Optimization of electrode materials and investigation of mechanisms are essential to achieve high energy density and long-term cycling stability of Na-S(Se) batteries. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the recent progress in Na-S(Se) batteries. We elucidate the Na storage mechanisms and improvement strategies for battery performance. In particular, we discuss the advances in the development of battery components, including high-performance sulfur cathodes, optimized electrolytes, advanced Na metal anodes and modified separators. Combined with current research achievements, this review outlines remaining challenges and clear research directions for the future development of practical high-performance Na-S(Se) batteries.



Leap of Li Metal Anodes from Coin Cells to Pouch Cells: Challenges and Progress

Qian Wang, Tiantian Lu, Yuanbin Xiao, Jianyang Wu, Lixiang Guan, Lifeng Hou, Huayun Du, Huan Wei, Xiaoda Liu, Chengkai Yang, Yinghui Wei, Henghui Zhou, Yan Yu

2023, 6(3):  22.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00185-7

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Li metal anodes have attracted tremendous attention in the last decade because of their high theoretical capacities and low electrochemical potentials. However, until now, there has only been limited success in improving the interfacial and structural stabilities and in realizing the highly controllable and large-scale fabrication of this emerging material; these limitations have posed great obstacles to further performing fundamental and applied studies in Li metal anodes. In this review, we focus on summarizing the existing challenges of Li metal anodes based on the leap from coin cells to pouch cells and on outlining typical methods for designing Li metal anodes on demand; we controllably engineer their surface protection layers and structure sizes by encapsulating structured Li metal inside a variety of synthetic protection layers. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding and serve as a strategic guide for designing and fabricating practicable Li metal anodes for use in pouch batteries. Challenges and opportunities regarding this burgeoning field are critically evaluated at the end of this review.Li metal anode has attracted tremendous attention in the last decade because of its high theoretical capacity and low electrochemical potential. However, till now, there is only limited success in improving its interface stability and structure stability, as well as realizing the highly controllable and large-scaled fabrication of this emerging material, posing great obstacles to further promoting its fundamental and applied studies. In this review, we focus on summarizing the existing challenges of Li metal anode based on the leap from coin cells to pouch cells and outlining the typical solutions for designing Li metal anode on-demand through controllably engineering its surface protection layer and structure size, which trend is encapsulating structured Li metal inside a variety of synthetic protection layer. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding and serve as a strategic guidance for designing and fabricating practicable Li metal anode using in pouch batteries. Challenges and opportunities regarding this burgeoning field are also critically evaluated at the end of this review.



Recent Advances in High-Efficiency Electrocatalytic Water Splitting Systems

Xian-Wei Lv, Wen-Wen Tian, Zhong-Yong Yuan

2023, 6(3):  23.  doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00159-1

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Electrocatalytic water splitting driven by renewable energy input to produce clean hydrogen (H₂) has been widely considered a prospective approach for a future hydrogen-based society. However, the development of industrial alkaline water electrolyzers is hindered due to their unfavorable thermodynamics with high overpotential for delivering the whole process, caused by sluggish kinetics involving four-electron transfer. Further exploration of water electrolysis with low energy consumption and high efficiency is urgently required to meet the ever-growing energy storage and portfolio demands. This review emphasizes the strategies proposed thus far to pursue high-efficiency water electrolysis systems, including from the aspects of electrocatalysts (from monofunctional to bifunctional), electrode engineering (from powdery to self-supported), energy sources (from nonrenewable to renewable), electrolytes (from pure to hybrid), and cell configurations (from integrated to decoupled). Critical appraisals of the pivotal electrochemistry are highlighted to address the challenges in elevating the overall efficiency of water splitting. Finally, valuable insights for the future development directions and bottlenecks of advanced, sustainable, and high-efficiency water splitting systems are outlined.



Emerging Atomic Layer Deposition for the Development of High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Sina Karimzadeh, Babak Safaei, Chris Yuan, Tien-Chien Jen

2023, 6(3):  24.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00192-8

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With the increasing demand for low-cost and environmentally friendly energy, the application of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as reliable energy storage devices in electric cars, portable electronic devices and space satellites is on the rise. Therefore, extensive and continuous research on new materials and fabrication methods is required to achieve the desired enhancement in their electrochemical performance. Battery active components, including the cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator, play an important role in LIB functionality. The major problem of LIBs is the degradation of the electrolyte and electrode materials and their components during the charge-discharge process. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is considered a promising coating technology to deposit uniform, ultrathin films at the atomic level with controllable thickness and composition. Various metal films can be deposited on the surface of active electrodes and solid electrolyte materials to tailor and generate a protective layer at the electrode interface. In addition, synthesis of microbatteries and novel nanocomplexes of the cathode, anode, and solid-state electrolyte to enhance the battery performance can all be attained by ALD. Therefore, the ALD technique has great potential to revolutionize the future of the battery industry. This review article provides a comprehensive foundation of the current state of ALD in synthesizing and developing LIB active components. Additionally, new trends and future expectations for the further development of next-generation LIBs via ALD are reported.



Ion Exchange Membranes in Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction Processes

Faezeh Habibzadeh, Peter Mardle, Nana Zhao, Harry D. Riley, Danielle A. Salvatore, Curtis P. Berlinguette, Steven Holdcroft, Zhiqing Shi

2023, 6(3):  26.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00183-9

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The low-temperature electrolysis of CO₂ in membrane-based flow reactors is a promising technology for converting captured CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels. In recent years, substantial improvements in reactor design have significantly improved the economic viability of this technology; thus, the field has experienced a rapid increase in research interest. Among the factors related to reactor design, the ion exchange membrane (IEM) plays a prominent role in the energetic efficiency of CO₂ conversion into useful products. Reactors utilizing cation exchange, anion exchange and bipolar membranes have all been developed, each providing unique benefits and challenges that must be overcome before large-scale commercialization is feasible. Therefore, to direct advances in IEM technology specific to electrochemical CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RRs), this review serves to first provide polymer scientists with a general understanding of membrane-based CO₂RR reactors and membrane-related shortcomings and to encourage systematic synthetic approaches to develop membranes that meet the specific requirements of CO₂RRs. Second, this review provides researchers in the fields of electrocatalysis and CO₂RRs with more detailed insight into the often-overlooked membrane roles and requirements; thus, new methodologies for membrane evaluation during CO₂RR may be developed. By using CO₂-to-CO/HCOO^- methodologies as practical baseline systems, a clear conceptualization of the merits and challenges of different systems and reasonable objectives for future research and development are presented.



Pathways of the Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction: From Ammonia Synthesis to Metal-N₂ Batteries

Sebastian Cyril Jesudass, Subramani Surendran, Joon Young Kim, Tae-Yong An, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Tae-Hoon Kim, Jung Kyu Kim, Uk Sim

2023, 6(3):  27.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00186-6

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Ammonia is considered as an alternative fuel resource for a sustainable green future. The production of ammonia involves the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which has gained considerable attention due to its eco-friendly resources and nonharmful byproducts. Even with the manifold works on NRR, the technique has not reached the industrial scale because of the impediments of NRR electrocatalysts, and in addition, state-of-the-art electrocatalysts have not yet been discovered. In this review, first, the mechanism of the NRR, key metrics, and operational procedures for NRR electrochemistry are presented. Then, the electrocatalyst designs for efficient NRR are briefly introduced, followed by a discussion on the influence of the electrolytes that enhance NRR performance. The counterion effects of electrolytes on NRR performance and strategies for suppressing the HER by electrolyte additives are also discussed. Later, the NRR mechanisms are upgraded, and a comprehensive review of metal-N₂ batteries is provided. This review summarizes the effective methods for performing the NRR and strategies to suppress the HER on various electrocatalysts by tuning electrolytes and their additives. The review concludes by discussing the prospects of metal-N₂ batteries.



Recent Advances on PEM Fuel Cells: From Key Materials to Membrane Electrode Assembly

Shanyun Mo, Lei Du, Zhiyin Huang, Junda Chen, Yangdong Zhou, Puwei Wu, Ling Meng, Ning Wang, Lixin Xing, Mingquan Zhao, Yunsong Yang, Junke Tang, Yuquan Zou, Siyu Ye

2023, 6(3):  28.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00190-w

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In recent years, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have regained worldwide attention from academia, industries, investors, and governments. The prospect of PEM fuel cells has turned into reality, with fuel cell vehicles successfully launched in the market. However, today’s fuel cells remain less competitive than combustion engines and batteries, primarily due to their high cost and short lifetime, which are significantly affected by the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), or the “chips” of PEM fuel cells. Therefore, many efforts have been devoted to developing advanced materials and manufacturing processes for MEAs. In this paper, we critically review the recent progress of key materials for MEAs, focusing on how to integrate materials into electrodes and MEAs. We also present the most advanced designs and manufacturing techniques of MEAs and discuss their possible constraints. Finally, perspectives on future R&D directions of materials and MEAs are provided. This review aims to bridge the gaps between academic material research and industrial manufacturing process development.



Li-S Batteries: Challenges, Achievements and Opportunities

Hassan Raza, Songyan Bai, Junye Cheng, Soumyadip Majumder, He Zhu, Qi Liu, Guangping Zheng, Xifei Li, Guohua Chen

2023, 6(3):  29.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00188-4

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To realize a low-carbon economy and sustainable energy supply, the development of energy storage devices has aroused intensive attention. Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as one of the most promising next-generation battery devices because of their remarkable theoretical energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benignity. However, the practical application of Li-S batteries is hindered by such challenges as low sulfur utilization (< 80%), fast capacity fade, short service life (< 200 redox cycles), and severe self-discharge. The reasons behind the challenges are: (1) low conductivity of the active materials, (2) large volume changes during redox cycling, (3) serious polysulfide shuttling and, (4) lithium-metal anode contamination/corrosion and dendrite formation. Significant achievements have been made to address these problems in the past decade. In this review, the recent advances in material synthesis and technology development are analysed in terms of the electrochemical performance of different Li-S battery components. The critical analysis was conducted based on the merits and shortcomings of the reported work on the issues facing the individual component. A versatile 3D-printing technique is also examined on its practicability for Li-S battery production. The insights on the rational structural design and reasonable parameters for Li-S batteries are highlighted along with the “five 5s” concept from a practical point of view. The remaining challenges are outlined for researchers to devote more efforts on the understanding and commercialization of the devices in terms of the material preparation, cell manufacturing, and characterization.



Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: A Comparative Review of Acidic and Alkaline Systems

Enrico Berretti, Luigi Osmieri, Vincenzo Baglio, Hamish A. Miller, Jonathan Filippi, Francesco Vizza, Monica Santamaria, Stefania Specchia, Carlo Santoro, Alessandro Lavacchi

2023, 6(3):  30.  doi:10.1007/s41918-023-00189-3

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In the last 20 years, direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) have been the subject of tremendous research efforts for the potential application as on-demand power sources. Two leading technologies respectively based on proton exchange membranes (PEMs) and anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have emerged: the first one operating in an acidic environment and conducting protons; the second one operating in alkaline electrolytes and conducting hydroxyl ions. In this review, we present an analysis of the state-of-the-art acidic and alkaline DAFCs fed with methanol and ethanol with the purpose to support a comparative analysis of acidic and alkaline systems, which is missing in the current literature. A special focus is placed on the effect of the reaction stoichiometry in acidic and alkaline systems. Particularly, we point out that, in alkaline systems, OH^- participates stoichiometrically to reactions, and that alcohol oxidation products are anions. This aspect must be considered when designing the fuel and when making an energy evaluation from a whole system perspective.