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Electrolytes are one of the most influential aspects determining the efficiency of electrochemical supercapacitors. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the effect of introducing co-solvents of ester into ethylene carbonate (EC). The use of ester co-solvents in ethylene carbonate (EC) as an electrolyte for supercapacitors improves conductivity, electrochemical properties, and stability, allowing greater energy storage capacity and increased device durability. We synthesized extremely thin nanosheets of niobium silver sulfide using a hydrothermal process and mixed them with magnesium sulfate in different wt% ratios to produce Mg(NbAgS)x)(SO4)y. The synergistic effect of MgSO4 and NbS2 increased the storage capacity and energy density of the supercapattery. Multivalent ion storage in Mg(NbAgS)x(SO4)y enables the storage of a number of ions. The Mg(NbAgS)x)(SO4)y was directly deposited on a nickel foam substrate using a simple and innovative electrodeposition approach. The synthesized silver Mg(NbAgS)x)(SO4)y provided a maximum specific capacity of 2087 C/g at 2.0 A/g current density because of its substantial electrochemically active surface area and linked nanosheet channels which aid in ion transportation. The supercapattery was designed with Mg(NbAgS)x)(SO4)y and activated carbon (AC) achieved a high energy density of 79 Wh/kg in addition to its high power density of 420 W/kg. The supercapattery (Mg(NbAgS)x)(SO4)y//AC) was subjected to 15,000 consecutive cycles. The Coulombic efficiency of the device was 81% after 15,000 consecutive cycles while retaining a 78% capacity retention. This study reveals that the use of this novel electrode material (Mg(NbAgS)x(SO4)y) in ester-based electrolytes has great potential in supercapattery applications.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as a promising battery technology due to their excellent safety, high capacity, low cost, and eco-friendliness. However, the cycle life of AZIBs is limited by severe side reactions and zinc dendrite growth on the zinc electrode surface, hindering large-scale application. Here, an electrolyte optimization strategy utilizing the simplest dipeptide glycylglycine (Gly-Gly) additive is first proposed. Theoretical calculations and spectral analysis revealed that, due to the strong interaction between the amino group and Zn atoms, Gly-Gly preferentially adsorbs on zinc’s surface, constructing a stable and adaptive interfacial layer that inhibits zinc side reactions and dendrite growth. Furthermore, Gly-Gly can regulate zinc ion solvation, leading to a deposition mode shift from dendritic to lamellar and limiting two-dimensional dendrite diffusion. The symmetric cell with the addition of a 20 g/L Gly-Gly additive exhibits a cycle life of up to 1100 h. Under a high current density of 10 mA cm−2, a cycle life of 750 cycles further demonstrates the reliable adaptability of the interfacial layer. This work highlights the potential of Gly-Gly as a promising solution for improving the performance of AZIBs.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) hold significant promise in energy storage devices due to their low cost and abundant resources. Layered transition metal oxide cathodes (NaxTMO2, TM = Ni, Mn, Fe, etc.), owing to their high theoretical capacities and straightforward synthesis procedures, are emerging as the most promising cathode materials for SIBs. However, the practical application of the NaxTMO2 cathode is hindered by an unstable interface, causing rapid capacity decay. This work reviewed the critical factors affecting the interfacial stability and degradation mechanisms of NaxTMO2, including air sensitivity and the migration and dissolution of TM ions, which are compounded by the loss of lattice oxygen. Furthermore, the mainstream interface modification approaches for improving electrochemical performance are summarized, including element doping, surface engineering, electrolyte optimization, and so on. Finally, the future developmental directions of these layered NaxTMO2 cathodes are concluded. This review is meant to shed light on the design of superior cathodes for high-performance SIBs.

K-ion battery (KIB) is a new-type energy storage device that possesses potential advantages of low-cost and abundant resource of potassium. To develop advanced electrode materials for accommodating the large size and high activity of potassium ion is of great interests. Herein, a segment-like antimony (Sb) nanorod encapsulated in hollow carbon tube electrode material (Sb@HCT) was prepared. Beneficial from the virtue of abundant nitrogen doping in carbon tube, one-dimensional and hollow structure advantages, Sb@HCT exhibits excellent potassium storage properties: in the case of potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI) electrolyte, Sb@HCT displays a reversible capacity of up to 453.4 mAh·g −1 at a current density of 0.5 A·g −1 and good rate performance (a capacity of 211.5 mAh·g −1 could be achieved at an ultrahigh rate of 5 A·g −1 ). Additionally, Sb@HCT demonstrates excellent long-cycle stability at a current density of 2 A·g −1 over 120 cycles. Meanwhile, electrolyte optimization is an effective strategy for greatly improving electrochemical performance. Through ex-situ characterizations, we disclosed the potassiation of Sb anode is quite reversible and undergoes multistep processes, combining solid solution reaction and two-phase reaction.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), renowned for their high theoretical energy density, safety, cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, offer immense potential in the realm of energy storage and conversion, finding applications in renewable energy and portable devices. However, the development of AZIBs still faces several challenges related to the electrochemical behavior of zinc anodes in aqueous electrolytes, primarily zinc dendrite formation, which emphasize the critical need for a fundamental understanding of the interfacial phenomena between the electrode and electrolyte. This review focuses on the three models: the electric double layer (EDL) model, the solvation structure model, and the Zn/electrolyte interface model. They guide the design of the electrolyte system in AZIBs. These models provide a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the electrode, electrolyte, and the solvated ions in the system. By optimizing the salt types, salt concentrations, solvents and additives based on these models, it is possible to enhance the performance of AZIBs, including their energy density, cycle life, and safety. The review also highlights recent research progress in electrolyte modification of AZIBs for understanding battery behavior, along with perspectives for the direction of further investigations.

Switchable self‐driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices are developed to boost H 2 O 2 or electricity generation under visible‐light illumination, in which p‐n type carbon quantum dots (N‐CQDs) is applied as conceptually‐new “semiconductor electrolytes”. The N‐CQDs contains N‐dopants, and both negatively‐ and positively‐charged surface groups. This allows N‐CQDs to act as the electrolyte and to interact with both a BiVO 4 photoanode and a Cu 2 O photocathode. In a two‐compartment cell with a separating membrane, N‐CQDs can dynamically form p‐n heterojunctions with the photoanode or the photocathode, facilitating charge separation. In this setup, the fine‐tuned electronic structure of N‐CQDs promotes the two‐electron reactions with water or O 2 to produce H 2 O 2 , achieving a rate of 28 µ m  min −1 and Faradic efficiency exceeding 80%. Switching into a one‐compartment cell, N‐CQDs promotes four‐electron charge transfer and stabilizes the photoelectrodes, giving electricity output for over 120 h. This control over electron transfer, selectivity, and durability cannot be achieved using traditional electrolytes.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc metal batteries (RAZMBs) have received extensive attention for large-scale energy storage systems due to the merits of Zn anodes, including moderate volumetric and gravimetric energy density, low redox potential, abundant reserve, low cost and impressive intrinsic safety. However, Zn anodes suffer from a series of adverse reactions (dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and surface passivation) resulting in low Coulombic efficiency, large polarization, and unsatisfied cycling performance, which inevitably hinder the wide application of RAZMBs. To address the above issues, cellulose-based materials are widely used for Zn anode protection because of their unique physical and chemical properties and other advantages such as biocompatibility, non-toxicity, degradability and easy extraction. In order to better understand the current progress in cellulose-based materials for the Zn anode protection, we have classified and summarized the relevant literatures. In this review, we summarize and elaborate the causes of poor reversibility for Zn anodes, including dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, and surface passivation. Subsequently, the effective strategies (anode interfacial engineering, gel electrolyte optimization, and separator modification) of cellulose-based materials toward stabilizing Zn anodes are overviewed. In the end, the existing challenges and prospects of cellulose-based materials in Zn anode protection are summarized to shed light on future work.

Highlights A double-layered protective film based on zinc-based coordination compound and ZnF 2 -rich solid electrolyte interphase layer has been successfully fabricated on the zinc metal anode via electrode/electrolyte synergistic optimization. The double-layered architecture can effectively modulate Zn 2+ flux and suppress the zinc dendrite growth, thus facilitating the uniform zinc deposition. The as-developed zinc-(dual) halogen batteries based on double-layered protective film can present high areal capacity and satisfactory cycling stability. Aqueous zinc-halogen batteries are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage due to their abundant resources, intrinsic safety, and high theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, the uncontrollable zinc dendrite growth and spontaneous shuttle effect of active species have prohibited their practical implementation. Herein, a double-layered protective film based on zinc-ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid (ZEA) artificial film and ZnF 2 -rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer has been successfully fabricated on the zinc metal anode via electrode/electrolyte synergistic optimization. The ZEA-based artificial film shows strong affinity for the ZnF 2 -rich SEI layer, therefore effectively suppressing the SEI breakage and facilitating the construction of double-layered protective film on the zinc metal anode. Such double-layered architecture not only modulates Zn 2+ flux and suppresses the zinc dendrite growth, but also blocks the direct contact between the metal anode and electrolyte, thus mitigating the corrosion from the active species. When employing optimized metal anodes and electrolytes, the as-developed zinc-(dual) halogen batteries present high areal capacity and satisfactory cycling stability. This work provides a new avenue for developing aqueous zinc-(dual) halogen batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc–iodine batteries have gained traction as a promising solution due to their suitable theoretical energy density, cost‐effectiveness, eco‐friendliness, and safety features. However, challenges such as the polyiodide shuttle effect, low iodine cathode conductivity, zinc anode dendritic growth, and the requirement for efficient separators and electrolytes hinder their commercial prospects. Hence, this review highlights recent progress in refining the core optimization strategies of zinc–iodine batteries, focusing on enhancements to the cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte. Cathode improvements involve the addition of inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials to counteract the shuttle effect and boost redox kinetics, where these functional materials also are applied in anode modifications to curb dendritic growth and enhance cycling stability. Meanwhile, cell separator design approaches that effectively block polyiodide shuttle while promoting uniform zinc deposition are also discussed, while electrolyte innovations target zinc corrosion and polyiodide dissolution. Ultimately, the review aims to map out a strategy for developing zinc–iodine batteries that are efficient, safe, and economical, aligning with the demands of contemporary energy storage.

Zinc‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs) may be the most promising energy storage device alternatives for portable and large‐scale electronic devices in the future, as they combine the benefits of both supercapacitors and zinc‐ion batteries. Even though many surprise outcomes have been accomplished with ZHSCs, the creation of suitable cathode materials and electrolytes, as well as the enhancement of zinc anodes, continue to be the most difficult obstacles in the development of high‐performance ZHSCs. The low capacitance of the cathode material, poor stability, and low utilization rate of the zinc anode seriously affect the electrochemical performance and application of ZHSCs. Furthermore, parasitic processes in aqueous electrolytes, such as the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions might result in low‐voltage windows and unsatisfied cycling performance of the ZHSCs. This review provides a concise summary of the most recent developments and energy storage mechanisms in ZHSCs. Meanwhile, the cathode material design strategy (structural engineering, hybrid‐composite design, heteroatom doping, and so on), the zinc anode design strategy (zinc foil improvement, zinc‐free metal composites, and so on), and the structure–activity relationship of the electrochemical performance of ZHSCs are discussed. Additionally, a summary of the impact of modifications in electrolyte composition on the electrochemical performance of ZHSCs is provided. Finally, this review also discusses the future development direction of ZHSCs. It is anticipated that this evaluation will serve as a helpful reference for the creation of high‐performance ZHSCs, which will hasten the development of these devices. This review summarizes the latest progress, energy storage mechanisms, and current challenges in zinc‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs), based on the three aspects of cathode and anode material design strategy, and electrolyte optimization composition. This review provides a useful reference for the construction of high‐performance ZHSCs for speeding up their development.