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Zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have been extensively investigated and discussed as promising energy storage devices in recent years owing to their low cost, high energy density, inherent safety, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, several challenges remain that need to be prioritized before realizing the widespread application of ZIBs. In particular, the development of zinc anodes has been hindered by many challenges, such as inevitable zinc dendrites, corrosion passivation, and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which have severely limited the practical application of high‐performance ZIBs. This review starts with a systematic discussion of the origins of zinc dendrites, corrosion passivation, and the HER, as well as their effects on battery performance. Subsequently, we discuss solutions to the above problems to protect the zinc anode, including the improvement of zinc anode materials, modification of the anode–electrolyte interface, and optimization of the electrolyte. In particular, this review emphasizes design strategies to protect zinc anodes from an integrated perspective with broad interest rather than a view with limited focus. In the final section, comments and perspectives are provided for the future design of high‐performance zinc anodes. A systematic and detailed summary of the research progress on zinc ion battery anodes is presented, including the causes of zinc dendrites, corrosion passivation and hydrogen evolution reaction on zinc anodes along with the existing strategies. Perspectives are provided for the future design of high‐performance zinc anodes.

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as a low‐cost complementary or alternative system to prestigious lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of their similar working principle to LIBs, cost‐effectiveness, and sustainable availability of sodium resources, especially in large‐scale energy storage systems (EESs). Among various cathode candidates for SIBs, Na‐based layered transition metal oxides have received extensive attention for their relatively large specific capacity, high operating potential, facile synthesis, and environmental benignity. However, there are a series of fatal issues in terms of poor air stability, unstable cathode/electrolyte interphase, and irreversible phase transition that lead to unsatisfactory battery performance from the perspective of preparation to application, outside to inside of layered oxide cathodes, which severely limit their practical application. This work is meant to review these critical problems associated with layered oxide cathodes to understand their fundamental roots and degradation mechanisms, and to provide a comprehensive summary of mainstream modification strategies including chemical substitution, surface modification, structure modulation, and so forth, concentrating on how to improve air stability, reduce interfacial side reaction, and suppress phase transition for realizing high structural reversibility, fast Na+ kinetics, and superior comprehensive electrochemical performance. The advantages and disadvantages of different strategies are discussed, and insights into future challenges and opportunities for layered oxide cathodes are also presented. Recent progress in layered oxide cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) from air stability, interface chemistry, and phase transition are comprehensively summarized. The intrinsic degradation mechanisms behind electrochemical performance and mainstream modification strategies are systematically sorted out and analyzed. The remaining challenges, promising optimization strategies as well as endeavor directions to break current limitations are also presented for the future design of high‐performance layered oxide cathodes for SIBs.

Sugarcane is a multifunctional crop mainly used for sugar and renewable bioenergy production. Accurate and timely estimation of the sugarcane yield before harvest plays a particularly important role in the management of agroecosystems. The rapid development of remote sensing technologies, especially Light Detecting and Ranging (LiDAR), significantly enhances aboveground fresh weight (AFW) estimations. In our study, we evaluated the capability of LiDAR mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in estimating the sugarcane AFW in Fusui county, Chongzuo city of Guangxi province, China. We measured the height and the fresh weight of sugarcane plants in 105 sampling plots, and eight variables were extracted from the field-based measurements. Six regression algorithms were used to build the sugarcane AFW model: multiple linear regression (MLR), stepwise multiple regression (SMR), generalized linear model (GLM), generalized boosted model (GBM), kernel-based regularized least squares (KRLS), and random forest regression (RFR). The results demonstrate that RFR (R2 = 0.96, RMSE = 1.27 kg m−2) performs better than other models in terms of prediction accuracy. The final fitted sugarcane AFW distribution maps exhibited good agreement with the observed values (R2 = 0.97, RMSE = 1.33 kg m−2). Canopy cover, the distance to the road, and tillage methods all have an impact on sugarcane AFW. Our study provides guidance for calculating the optimum planting density, reducing the negative impact of human activities, and selecting suitable tillage methods in actual cultivation and production.

The scarcity of high electrocatalysis composite electrode materials has long been suppressing the redox reaction of V(II)/V(III) and V(IV)/V(V) couples in high performance vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). Herein, through ingeniously regulating the growth of Aspergillus Niger, a wrinkle‐like carbon (WLC) material that possesses edge‐rich carbon, abundant heteroatoms, and nature wrinkle‐like structure is obtained, which is subsequently successfully introduced and uniform dispersed on the surface of carbon fiber of graphite felt (GF). This composite electrode presents a lower overpotential and higher charge transfer ability, as the codoped multiheteroatoms increase the electrocatalysis activity and the wrinkled structure affords more abundant reaction area for vanadium ions in the electrolyte when compared with the pristine GF electrode, which is also supported by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Hence, the assembled battery using WLC electrodes achieves a high energy efficiency of 74.5% for 300 cycles at a high current density of 200 mA cm−2, as well as the highest current density of 450 mA cm−2. The WLC material not only uncovers huge potential in promoting the application of VRFBs, but also offers referential solution to synthesis microorganism‐based high‐performance electrode in other energy storage systems. By controlling the growth of Aspergillus Niger and the distribution of its products on graphite felt (GF), this work exhibits a microorganism‐based high‐performance electrode, which possesses edge‐rich carbon, abundant heteroatoms, and wrinkle‐like structure and demonstrates excellent electrocatalytic activity for V(II)/V(III) and V(IV)/V(V) redox couples in vanadium redox flow batteries(VRFBs), which is supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experiment analyses.

The pursuit of high energy density while achieving long cycle life remains a challenge in developing transition metal (TM) oxide cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Here, we present a concept of precisely manipulating structural evolution via local coordination chemistry regulation to design high‐performance composite cathode materials. The controllable structural evolution process is realized by tuning magnesium content in Na 0.6 Mn 1− x Mg x O 2 , which is elucidated by a combination of experimental analysis and theoretical calculations. The substitution of Mg into Mn sites not only induces a unique structural evolution from layered–tunnel structure to layered structure but also mitigates the Jahn–Teller distortion of Mn 3+ . Meanwhile, benefiting from the strong ionic interaction between Mg 2+ and O 2− , local environments around O 2− coordinated with electrochemically inactive Mg 2+ are anchored in the TM layer, providing a pinning effect to stabilize crystal structure and smooth electrochemical profile. The layered–tunnel Na 0.6 Mn 0.95 Mg 0.05 O 2 cathode material delivers 188.9 mAh g −1 of specific capacity, equivalent to 508.0 Wh kg −1 of energy density at 0.5C, and exhibits 71.3% of capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 5C as well as excellent compatibility with hard carbon anode. This work may provide new insights of manipulating structural evolution in composite cathode materials via local coordination chemistry regulation and inspire more novel design of high‐performance SIB cathode materials. image

The development of lithium (Li) metal batteries has been severely limited by the formation of lithium dendrites and the associated catastrophic failure and inferior Coulombic efficiency which caused by non‐uniform or insufficient Li+ supply across the electrode–electrolyte interface. Therefore, a rational strategy is to construct a robust electrolyte that can allow efficient and uniform Li+ transport to ensure sufficient Li+ supply and homogenize the Li plating/stripping. Herein, we report an ion‐percolating electrolyte membrane that acts as a stable Li+ reservoir to ensure a near‐single Li+ transference number (0.78) and homogenizes Li+ migration to eradicate dendrite growth, endowing Li//LFP cell with an ultrahigh average Coulombic efficiency (ca. 99.97%) after cycling for nearly half of a year and superior cycling stability when pairing with LiCoO2 with limited Li amount and LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2. These estimable attributes demonstrate significant potential of utility value for the ion‐percolating electrolyte. An ion‐percolating electrolyte membrane with near‐single Li+ migration is fabricated with the affluent internal channels in attapulgite functional layer, which serves as a natural Li+ reservoir to homogenize Li+ transportation across electrolyte–electrode interface, and thus it enables Li metal batteries to operate stably for nearly half a year with ultrahigh CE and dendrite‐free plating/stripping, revealing vast opportunities for rechargeable metal batteries.

LiNixCoyMnzO2 (LNCM)-layered materials are considered the most promising cathode for high-energy lithium ion batteries, but suffer from poor rate capability and short lifecycle. In addition, the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM 111) is considered one of the most widely used LNCM cathodes because of its high energy density and good safety. Herein, a kind of NCM 111 with semi-closed structure was designed by controlling the amount of urea, which possesses high rate capability and long lifespan, exhibiting 140.9 mAh·g−1 at 0.85 A·g−1 and 114.3 mAh·g−1 at 1.70 A·g−1, respectively. The semi-closed structure is conducive to the infiltration of electrolytes and fast lithium ion-transfer inside the electrode material, thus improving the rate performance of the battery. Our work may provide an effective strategy for designing layered-cathode materials with high rate capability.

The pursuit of green and sustainable energy is a long‐term goal for modern society and people's life. Particularly under the context of carbon neutralization, decarbonization has become a consensus and propels the turning of research enthusiasm to explore new materials and chemistries for energy conversion and storage at a low expenditure. Zinc (Zn) enabled redox flow batteries (RFBs) are competitive candidates to fulfill the requirements of large‐scale energy storage at the power generation side and customer end. Considering the explosive growth, this review summarizes recent advances in material chemistry for zinc‐based RFBs, covering the cathodic redox pairs of metal ions, chalcogens, halogens, and organic molecules. After a brief introduction of common issues for Zn2+/Zn conversion reaction at the anode side, the focus is devoted to expounding challenges of redox species and possible problem‐solving strategies at the cathode side. Besides, the auxiliary components of separator and current collector are also discussed for achieving optimal RFBs' performance. At last, the conclusion and outlook of future endeavor for Zn‐based RFBs implementation are put forward. Zinc enabled redox flow batteries are promising candidates of large‐scale energy storage for green energy to attain the target of carbon neutralization, triggering vast research enthusiasm. Recent advances in material chemistry for this topic are summarized, covering challenges and tactics at zinc anode, cathode, and critical auxiliary components for achieving practical performance. Future endeavors are also put forward.

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are receiving increasing interest in energy storage fields because of their safety and versatility. However, the electrocatalytic activity of the electrode is a pivotal factor that still restricts the power and cycling capabilities of VRFBs. Here, a hierarchical carbon micro/nanonetwork (HCN) electrode codoped with nitrogen and phosphorus is prepared for application in VRFBs by cross‐linking polymerization of aniline and physic acid, and subsequent pyrolysis on graphite felt. Due to the hierarchical electron pathways and abundant heteroatom active sites, the HCN exhibits superior electrocatalysis toward the vanadium redox couples and imparts the VRFBs with an outstanding energy efficiency and extraordinary stability after 2000 cycles at 250 mA cm−2 and a discharge capacity of 10.5 mA h mL−1 at an extra‐large current density of 400 mA cm−2. Such a micro/nanostructure design will force the advancement of durable and high‐power VRFBs and other electrochemical energy storage devices. A hierarchical carbon micro/nanonetwork (HCN) with nitrogen and phosphorus codoping is fabricated, which serves as a stable and high‐area structure to homogenize the ion and electron distribution and accelerate vanadium redox reactions with the aid of abundant catalytic sites, exhibiting a high‐rate performance and durable cycle life toward vanadium redox flow battery.

Due to natural and production activities, mercury contamination has become one of the major environmental problems over the world. Mercury contamination is a serious threat to human health. Among the existing technologies available for mercury pollution control, the adsorption process can get excellent separation effects and has been further studied. This review is attempted to cover a wide range of adsorbents that were developed for the removal of mercury from the year 2011. Various adsorbents, including the latest adsorbents, are presented along with highlighting and discussing the key advancements on their preparation, modification technologies, and strategies. By comparing their adsorption capacities, it is evident from the literature survey that some adsorbents have shown excellent potential for the removal of mercury. However, there is still a need to develop novel, efficient adsorbents with low cost, high stability, and easy production and manufacture for practical utility.