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    A Review of Carbon-Composited Materials as Air-Electrode Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Metal-Air Batteries
    Yan-Jie Wang, Baizeng Fang, Dan Zhang, Aijun Li, David P. Wilkinson, Anna Ignaszak, Lei Zhang, Jiujun Zhang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (1): 1-34.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0002-3
    Abstract967)      PDF       Save
    Metal-air batteries (MABs), particularly rechargeable MABs, have gained renewed interests as a potential energy storage/conversion solution due to their high specifc energy, low cost, and safety. The development of MABs has, however, been considerably hampered by its relatively low rate capability and its lack of efcient and stable air catalysts in which the former stems mainly from the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the latter stems from the corrosion/oxidation of carbon materials in the presence of oxygen and high electrode potentials. In this review, various carbon-composited bifunctional electrocatalysts are reviewed to summarize progresses in the enhancement of ORR/OER and durability induced by the synergistic efects between carbon and other component(s). Catalyst mechanisms of the reaction processes and associated performance enhancements as well as technical challenges hindering commercialization are also analyzed. To facilitate further research and development, several research directions for overcoming these challenges are also proposed.

    Full-text: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0002-3
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    High-Performance Anode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries
    Jun Lu, Zhongwei Chen, Feng Pan, Yi Cui, Khalil Amine
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (1): 35-53.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0001-4
    Abstract1284)      PDF       Save
    Transformational changes in battery technologies are critically needed to enable the efective use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, and to allow for the expansion of the electrifcation of vehicles. Developing high-performance batteries is critical to meet these requirements, which certainly relies on material breakthroughs. This review article presents the recent progresses and challenges in discovery of high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries related to their applications in future electrical vehicles and grid energy storage. The advantages and disadvantages of a series of anode materials are highlighted.

    Full-text: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0001-4
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    Cited: Baidu(4)
    Silicon/Carbon Composite Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
    Fei Dou, Liyi Shi, Guorong Chen, Dengsong Zhang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2019, 2 (1): 149-198.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-00028-w
    Abstract1054)      PDF       Save
    Silicon (Si) is a representative anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to properties such as a high theoretical capacity, suitable working voltage, and high natural abundance. However, due to inherently large volume expansions (~400%) during insertion/deinsertion processes as well as poor electrical conductivity and unstable solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI) flms, Si-based anodes possess serious stability problems, greatly hindering practical application. To resolve these issues, the modifcation of Si anodes with carbon (C) is a promising method which has been demonstrated to enhance electrical conductivity and material plasticity. In this review, recent researches into Si/C anodes are grouped into categories based on the structural dimension of Si materials, including nanoparticles, nanowires and nanotubes, nanosheets, and porous Si-based materials, and the structural and electrochemical performance of various Si/C composites based on carbon materials with varying structures will be discussed. In addition, the progress and limitations of the design of existing Si/C composite anodes are summarized, and future research perspectives in this feld are presented.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-00028-w
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    Recent Advancements in Polymer-Based Composite Electrolytes for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
    Shuang-Jie Tan, Xian-Xiang Zeng, Qiang Ma, Xiong-Wei Wu, Yu-Guo Guo
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (2): 113-138.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0011-2
    Abstract851)      PDF       Save
    In recent years, lithium batteries using conventional organic liquid electrolytes have been found to possess a series of safety concerns. Because of this, solid polymer electrolytes, benefting from shape versatility, fexibility, low-weight and low processing costs, are being investigated as promising candidates to replace currently available organic liquid electrolytes in lithium batteries. However, the inferior ion difusion and poor mechanical performance of these promising solid polymer electrolytes remain a challenge. To resolve these challenges and improve overall comprehensive performance, polymers are being coordinated with other components, including liquid electrolytes, polymers and inorganic fllers, to form polymer-based composite electrolytes. In this review, recent advancements in polymer-based composite electrolytes including polymer/liquid hybrid electrolytes, polymer/polymer coordinating electrolytes and polymer/inorganic composite electrolytes are reviewed; exploring the benefts, synergistic mechanisms, design methods, and developments and outlooks for each individual composite strategy. This review will also provide discussions aimed toward presenting perspectives for the strategic design of polymer-based composite electrolytes as well as building a foundation for the future research and development of high-performance solid polymer electrolytes.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0011-2
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    Cited: Baidu(1)
    Engineering Graphenes from the Nano- to the Macroscale for Electrochemical Energy Storage
    Junwei Han, Wei Wei, Chen Zhang, Ying Tao, Wei Lv, Guowei Ling, Feiyu Kang, Quan-Hong Yang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (2): 139-168.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0006-z
    Abstract2649)      PDF       Save
    Carbon is a key component in current electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices and plays a crucial role in the improvement in energy and power densities for the future EES devices. As the simplest carbon and the basic unit of all sp2 carbons, graphene is widely used in EES devices because of its fascinating and outstanding physicochemical properties; however, when assembled in the macroscale, graphene-derived materials do not demonstrate their excellence as individual sheets mostly because of unavoidable stacking. This review proposal shows to engineer graphene nanosheets from the nano- to the macroscale in a well-designed and controllable way and discusses how the performance of the graphene-derived carbons depends on the individual graphene sheets, nanostructures, and macrotextures. Graphene-derived carbons in EES applications are comprehensively reviewed with three representative devices, supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-sulfur batteries. The review concludes with a comment on the opportunities and challenges for graphene-derived carbons in the rapidly growing EES research area.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0006-z
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    Cited: Baidu(5)
    Vanadium-Based Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Multivalent Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities
    Han Tang, Zhuo Peng, Lu Wu, Fangyu Xiong, Cunyuan Pei, Qinyou An, Liqiang Mai
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (2): 169-199.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0007-y
    Abstract837)      PDF       Save
    Due to the large reserves, low cost, high security and high energy density, rechargeable multivalent batteries have attracted extensive research enthusiasm for a long time. Multivalent batteries are also supposed as the potential candidates to Li-ion batteries in portable electronic devices and large-scale energy storage units. Unfortunately, most commercial cathode materials in Li-ion batteries cannot be applied in multivalent batteries because of the intensive polarization problem of multivalent intercalated ions (Mg2+, Zn2+, Al3+). Choosing and synthesizing the appropriate cathode materials are the main issues in overcoming the intensive polarization problem. Vanadium-based materials often possess many kinds of oxidation states because of the mutable vanadium element, which can facilitate achieving local electroneutrality and relieve the polarization problem of multivalent ions. In this review, we summarize the researches about the vanadium-based cathode materials for multivalent batteries and highlight the intercalation mechanism of multivalent ions to vanadium-based materials. In addition, diferent kinds of optimizing strategies are extracted from the literatures. On the basis of our review, progresses and future challenges of vanadium-based cathode materials in rechargeable multivalent batteries are more explicit.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0007-y
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    Electrode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Considerations on Crystal Structures and Sodium Storage Mechanisms
    Tianyi Wang, Dawei Su, Devaraj Shanmukaraj, Teoflo Rojo, Michel Armand, Guoxiu Wang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (2): 200-237.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0009-9
    Abstract914)      PDF       Save
    Sodium-ion batteries have been emerging as attractive technologies for large-scale electrical energy storage and conversion, owing to the natural abundance and low cost of sodium resources. However, the development of sodium-ion batteries faces tremendous challenges, which is mainly due to the difculty to identify appropriate cathode materials and anode materials. In this review, the research progresses on cathode and anode materials for sodium-ion batteries are comprehensively reviewed. We focus on the structural considerations for cathode materials and sodium storage mechanisms for anode materials. With the worldwide efort, high-performance sodium-ion batteries will be fully developed for practical applications.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0009-9
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    Structural Design of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: From Fundamental Research to Practical Application
    Xiaofei Yang, Xia Li, Keegan Adair, Huamin Zhang, Xueliang Sun
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (3): 239-293.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0010-3
    Abstract972)      PDF       Save
    Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been considered as one of the most promising energy storage devices that have the potential to deliver energy densities that supersede that of state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries. Due to their high theoretical energy density and cost-efectiveness, Li-S batteries have received great attention and have made great progress in the last few years. However, the insurmountable gap between fundamental research and practical application is still a major stumbling block that has hindered the commercialization of Li-S batteries. This review provides insight from an engineering point of view to discuss the reasonable structural design and parameters for the application of Li-S batteries. Firstly, a systematic analysis of various parameters (sulfur loading, electrolyte/sulfur (E/S) ratio, discharge capacity, discharge voltage, Li excess percentage, sulfur content, etc.) that infuence the gravimetric energy density, volumetric energy density and cost is investigated. Through comparing and analyzing the statistical information collected from recent Li-S publications to fnd the shortcomings of Li-S technology, we supply potential strategies aimed at addressing the major issues that are still needed to be overcome. Finally, potential future directions and prospects in the engineering of Li-S batteries are discussed.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0010-3
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    Recent Advances in Sodium-Ion Battery Materials
    Yongjin Fang, Lifen Xiao, Zhongxue Chen, Xinping Ai, Yuliang Cao, Hanxi Yang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (3): 294-323.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0008-x
    Abstract955)      PDF       Save
    Grid-scale energy storage systems with low-cost and high-performance electrodes are needed to meet the requirements of sustainable energy systems. Due to the wide abundance and low cost of sodium resources and their similar electrochemistry to the established lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted considerable interest as ideal candidates for grid-scale energy storage systems. In the past decade, though tremendous eforts have been made to promote the development of SIBs, and signifcant advances have been achieved, further improvements are still required in terms of energy/power density and long cyclic stability for commercialization. In this review, the latest progress in electrode materials for SIBs, including a variety of promising cathodes and anodes, is briefy summarized. Besides, the sodium storage mechanisms, endeavors on electrochemical property enhancements, structural and compositional optimizations, challenges and perspectives of the electrode materials for SIBs are discussed. Though enormous challenges may lie ahead, we believe that through intensive research eforts, sodium-ion batteries with low operation cost and longevity will be commercialized for large-scale energy storage application in the near future.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0008-x
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    Toward Better Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Functional Non-aqueous Liquid Electrolytes
    Shizhao Xiong, Michael Regula, Donghai Wang, Jiangxuan Song
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (3): 388-402.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0015-y
    Abstract733)      PDF       Save
    Having been extensively studied in the past fve decades, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries possess a high theoretical energy density (~2600 Wh kg-1), ofering the potential to power advanced twenty-frst-century technologies such as electric vehicles and drones. However, a surprisingly complex engineering challenge remains in the application of these batteries:the identifcation of appropriate electrolytes that are compatible with both sulfur cathodes and lithium metal anodes. Non-aqueous liquid electrolytes, typically consisting of a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent, cannot themselves demonstrate efective electrochemical performances. Researchers have found that functional electrolytes ofer unique possibilities to engineer the surface chemistries of sulfur cathodes and lithium anodes to enable long-term cycling. In this article, recent progresses in the development of functional non-aqueous liquid electrolytes in Li-S batteries are reviewed, including novel co-solvent solutions, lithium salts, additives, redox mediators, and ionic liquids. Characterization techniques and interpretations are cited to elucidate the efects of these components on the kinetics of sulfur redox reactions, lithium passivation, and cell performance. The information presented and the studies highlighted in this review will provide guidance for future optimized electrolyte designs.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0015-y
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    Multifunctionality of Carbon-based Frameworks in Lithium Sulfur Batteries
    Tianyu Tang, Yanglong Hou
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (3): 403-432.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0016-x
    Abstract10147)      PDF       Save
    Compared with conventional lithium ion batteries (LIBs), lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries possess advantages such as higher theoretical energy densities and better cost efciencies, making them promising next-generation energy storage systems. However, the commercialization of Li-S batteries is impeded by several drawbacks, including low cycling stabilities, limited sulfur utilizations, existing shuttle efects of polysulfde intermediates, serious safety concerns, as well as inferior cycling performances of lithium metal anodes. To address these issues, researchers have achieved rapid developments for sulfur cathodes and increased their attention to lithium metal anodes to facilitate the widespread application of Li-S batteries. And among the substrate materials for electrodes in Li-S batteries being developed, carbon-based materials have been especially promising because of their multifunctionality, demonstrating great potential for application in advanced energy storage and conversion systems. In this review, recent advancements of carbon-based frameworks applied to Li-S batteries will be summarized and diverse utilization methods of these carbon-based materials for both sulfur cathodes and lithium metal anodes will be provided. Future research directions and the prospects of Li-S batteries with high performance and practicability will also be discussed.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0016-x
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    Recent Progress in Liquid Electrolyte-Based Li-S Batteries: Shuttle Problem and Solutions
    Sui Gu, Changzhi Sun, Dong Xu, Yang Lu, Jun Jin, Zhaoyin Wen
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (4): 599-624.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0021-0
    Abstract2984)      PDF       Save
    Lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs) are among the most promising candidates for next-generation high-energy lithium batteries. However, the polysulfde shuttle efect remains a key obstacle in the practical application of LSBs. Liquid electrolytes, which transport lithium ions between electrodes, play a vital role in battery performances due to the dissolution of polysulfdes, and recently, researchers have shown that LSB performances can be greatly improved through the confnement of polysulfdes within cathodes. Inspired by this, growing eforts are been devoted to the suppression of the shuttle efect in LSBs by using liquid electrolytes, such as controlling the solubility of solvents and intercepting shuttle reactions. In this review, the design of applicable electrolytes and their functionality on the shuttle efect will be outlined and discussed. In addition, perspectives regarding the future research of LSBs will be presented.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0021-0
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    The Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: a Review of Current Processes and Technologies
    Li Li, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Matthew Li, Renjie Chen, Feng Wu, Khalil Amine, Jun Lu
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (4): 461-482.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0012-1
    Abstract1012)      PDF       Save
    The application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in consumer electronics and electric vehicles has been growing rapidly in recent years. This increased demand has greatly stimulated lithium-ion battery production, which subsequently has led to greatly increased quantities of spent LIBs. Because of this, considerable eforts are underway to minimize environmental pollution and reuse battery components. This article will review the current status of the main recycling processes for spent LIBs, including laboratory-and industrial-scale recycling processes. In addition, a brief review of the design and reaction mechanisms of LIBs will be provided, and typical physical, chemical, and bioleaching recycling processes will be discussed. The signifcance of recycling will also be emphasized in terms of economic benefts and environmental protection. Furthermore, due to the unprecedented development of electric vehicles, large quantities of retired power batteries are predicated to appear in the near future. And because of this, secondary uses of these retired power batteries will be discussed from an economic, technical, and environmental perspective. Finally, potential problems and challenges of current recycling processes and prospects of key recycling technologies will be addressed.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0012-1
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    Recent Progresses and Prospects of Cathode Materials for Non-aqueous Potassium-Ion Batteries
    Yun-Hai Zhu, Xu Yang, Tao Sun, Sai Wang, Yin-Lei Zhao, Jun-Min Yan, Xin-Bo Zhang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (4): 548-566.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0019-7
    Abstract801)      PDF       Save
    Rechargeable potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are potential alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for application in large-scale energy storage systems due to their inexpensive and highly abundant resources. Recently, various anode materials have been investigated for use in KIBs, especially the traditional graphite anodes which have already been successfully applied in KIBs. In contrast, the appropriate cathode materials which are able to accommodate large K ions are urgently needed. In this review, a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements in cathode materials for non-aqueous KIBs in terms of capacity, cycle life and energy density will be presented, as well as K-storage mechanisms. In addition, various strategies to improve K-storage performance will be provided through combining insights from the study of material structures and properties and thus bring low-cost non-aqueous KIBs a step closer to application in sustainable large-scale energy storage systems.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0019-7
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    Cathode Materials for Potassium-Ion Batteries: Current Status and Perspective
    Qing Zhang, Zhijie Wang, Shilin Zhang, Tengfei Zhou, Jianfeng Mao, Zaiping Guo
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2018, 1 (4): 625-658.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0023-y
    Abstract1076)      PDF       Save
    Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have recently attracted considerable attention in electrochemical energy storage applications due to abundant and widely distributed potassium resources and encouraging intercalation chemistries with graphite, the commercial anode of lithium-ion batteries. One main challenge in PIBs, however, is to develop suitable cathode materials to accommodate the large size of K+ ions with reasonable capacity, voltage, kinetics, cycle life, cost, etc. In this review, recent advancements of cathode materials for PIBs are reviewed, covering various fundamental aspects of PIBs, and various cathode materials in terms of synthesis, structure, and electrochemical performance, such as capacity, working potential, and K-storage mechanisms. Furthermore, strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of cathode materials through increasing crystallinity, using bufering and conducting matrixes, designing nanostructures, optimizing electrolytes, and selecting binders are summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges and prospects of these materials are provided to guide future development of cathode materials in PIBs.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0023-y
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    Cited: Baidu(3)
    Automotive Li-Ion Batteries: Current Status and Future Perspectives
    Yuanli Ding, Zachary P. Cano, Aiping Yu, Jun Lu, Zhongwei Chen
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2019, 2 (1): 1-28.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-0022-z
    Abstract1094)      PDF       Save
    Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the most suitable energy storage device for powering electric vehicles (EVs) owing to their attractive properties including high energy efciency, lack of memory efect, long cycle life, high energy density and high power density. These advantages allow them to be smaller and lighter than other conventional rechargeable batteries such as lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries (Ni-Cd) and nickel-metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH). Modern EVs, however, still sufer from performance barriers (range, charging rate, lifetime, etc.) and technological barriers (high cost, safety, reliability, etc.), limiting their widespread adoption. Given these facts, this review sets the extensive market penetration of LIB-powered EVs as an ultimate objective and then discusses recent advances and challenges of electric automobiles, mainly focusing on critical element resources, present and future EV markets, and the cost and performance of LIBs. Finally, novel battery chemistries and technologies including high-energy electrode materials and all-solid-state batteries are also evaluated for their potential capabilities in next-generation long-range EVs.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0022-z
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    Polymer Electrolytes for High Energy Density Ternary Cathode Material-Based Lithium Batteries
    Huanrui Zhang, Jianjun Zhang, Jun Ma, Gaojie Xu, Tiantian Dong, Guanglei Cui
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2019, 2 (1): 128-148.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-018-00027-x
    Abstract784)      PDF       Save
    Layered transition metal oxides such as LiNixMnyCo1-x-yO2 and LiNixCoyAl1-x-yO2 (NCA) (referred to as ternary cathode material, TCM) are widely recognized to be promising candidates for lithium batteries (LBs) due to superior reversible capacities, high operating voltages and low production costs. However, despite recent progress toward practical application, commercial TCM-based lithium ion batteries (LIBs) sufer from severe issues such as the use of fammable and hazardous electrolytes, with one high profle example being the ignition of NCA-based LIBs used in Tesla Model S vehicles after accidents, which jeopardizes the future development of TCM-based LBs. Here, the need for TCM and fammable liquid electrolytes in TCM-based LBs is a major obstacle that needs to be overcome, in which conficting requirements for energy density and safety in practical application need to be resolved. To address this, polymer electrolytes have been demonstrated to be a promising solution and thus far, many polymer electrolytes have been developed for high-performance TCM-based LBs. However, comprehensive performances, especially long-term cycling capabilities, are still insufcient to meet market demands for electric vehicles, and moreover, comprehensive reviews into polymer electrolytes for TCM-based LBs are rare. Therefore, this review will comprehensively summarize the ideal requirements, intrinsic advantages and research progress of polymer electrolytes for TCM-based LBs. In addition, perspectives and challenges of polymer electrolytes for advanced TCM-based LBs are provided to guide the development of TCM-based power batteries.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-00027-x
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    Recent Progress in All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Using High Li-Ion Conductive Solid Electrolytes
    Ediga Umeshbabu, Bizhu Zheng, Yong Yang
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2019, 2 (2): 199-230.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-019-00029-3
    Abstract1071)      PDF       Save
    Rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their extremely high energy densities and low cost compared with state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. However, the main obstacles of conventional Li-S batteries arise from the dissolution of lithium polysulfdes in organic liquid electrolytes and corresponding safety issues. To address these issues, an efective approach is to replace conventional liquid electrolytes with solid-state electrolytes. In this review, recent progress in the development of solid electrolytes, including solid polymer electrolytes and inorganic glass/ceramic solid electrolytes, along with corresponding all-solid-state Li-S batteries (ASSLSBs) and related interfacial issues at the electrode/electrolyte interface, will be systematically summarized. In addition, the importance of various solid-state lithium ion conductors in ASSLSBs will be discussed followed by detailed presentations on the development of various forms of sulfur-based positive electrode materials (e.g., elemental sulfur, lithium sulfde, metal sulfdes, lithium thiophosphates, and lithium polysulfdophosphates) along with key interfacial challenges at the electrode/solid electrolyte interface (cathode/SE and anode/SE). Finally, this review will provide a brief outlook on the future research of ASSLSBs.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-019-00029-3/fulltext.html
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    Li-Rich Layered Oxides and Their Practical Challenges: Recent Progress and Perspectives
    Sijiang Hu, Anoop. S. Pillai, Gemeng Liang, Wei Kong Pang, Hongqiang Wang, Qingyu Li, Zaiping Guo
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2019, 2 (2): 277-311.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-019-00032-8
    Abstract830)      PDF       Save
    Lithium-rich layered oxides (LLOs), also known as Li1+xM1-xO2 or xLi2MnO3-(1-x)LiMO2 (M=Ni, Co, Mn), have been regarded as some of the highest capacity lithium cathodes and have attracted increasing attention from battery researchers and engineers in recent years. This is because LLOs possess maximum possible capacities of~280 to 310 mAh g-1 with a high working potential of~3.7 V (vs. Li+/Li0) and an astounding energy density of~900 Wh kg-1. Despite these promising properties, these technologically important cathodes have not yet been successfully commercialized due to low initial Coulombic efciency, poor rate capabilities and gradual capacity/voltage fade during electrochemical cycling as well as further complications from continuous structural changes during cycling. Here, researchers have concluded that these issues mainly originate from the electrochemical activation of Li2MnO3 components, which, although it provides anomalously high capacity performances, also causes associated complex anionic redox activities of O and irreversible structural and phase transformations during charging at potentials greater than 4.5 V (vs. Li+/Li0). To provide perspectives, this review will summarize various attempts made towards addressing these issues and present the connections between electrochemical properties and structural change. In addition, this review will discuss redox chemistries and mechanistic behaviours during cycling and will provide future research directions to guide the commercialization of LLOs.

    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-019-00032-8/fulltext.html
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    Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Zinc-Ion and Zinc-Air Batteries: Current Status and Future Perspectives
    Dan Yang, Huiteng Tan, Xianhong Rui, Yan Yu
    Electrochemical Energy Reviews    2019, 2 (3): 395-427.   DOI: 10.1007/s41918-019-00035-5
    Abstract1224)            Save

    Advanced energy storage systems hold critical signifcance in satisfying the ever-increasing global demand for energy. And as a viable and efective alternative to lithium-ion batteries that dominate the current energy market, Zn-based batteries[i.e. Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) and Zn-air batteries (ZABs)] have attracted extensive research eforts. Zn metal possesses many advantages because of its high theoretical capacity, its inexpensiveness and its good safety characteristic, and in recent years, tremendous eforts have been carried out to accelerate the development of ZIBs and ZABs with various electrode materials and electrocatalysts being proposed and investigated. In addition, with advances in characterization techniques, the underlying reaction mechanisms of these materials are also being elucidated. Therefore, this review will provide a comprehensive summary of the latest progress in various electrode materials adopted in the current ZIBs and ZABs along with corresponding mechanisms. Specifcally, Mn- and V-containing cathode materials for ZIBs and associated reaction mechanisms will be thoroughly discussed, and emerging cathodes such as Prussian blue analogues, NASICON-type nanostructures and organic compounds will be presented. In terms of ZABs, this review will discuss three major types of electrocatalysts, including noble metals, heteroatom-doped carbons and transition metal oxides/sulphides/phosphides/nitrides. In addition, as a critical factor in the performance of Zn-based batteries, challenges encountered by the current Zn anodes and strategies developed to tackle these issues will be discussed as well. Finally, a short summary including the current progress and future perspectives of ZIBs and ZABs will be provided.


    Full-text:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-019-00035-5/fulltext.html

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