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Regulation of Aqueous Electrolyte Interface via Electrolyte Strategies for Uniform Zinc Deposition
Nano Research
Available online: 27 February 2024
Downloads:26

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.

Open Access Review Article Issue
Issues and strategies of cathode materials for mild aqueous static zinc-ion batteries
Green Chemical Engineering 2023, 4 (3): 264-284
Published: 07 January 2023
Downloads:0

Researchers prefer mild aqueous static zinc-ion batteries (ASZIBs) for their distinct benefits of excellent safety, abundant zinc resources, low cost, and high energy density. However, at the moment there are some issues with the cathode materials of mild ASZIBs, including dissolution, by-products, poor conductivity, and a contentious energy storage system. Consequently, there are numerous difficulties in the development of high-performance mild ASZIBs cathode materials. This overview examines the mechanisms for storing energy and the developments in inorganic, organic, and other novel cathode materials that have emerged in recent years. At the same time, three solutions—structural engineering, interface engineering, and reaction pathway engineering—as well as the difficulties now faced by the cathode materials of mild ASZIBs are forcefully introduced. Finally, a prospect is made regarding the evolution of cathode materials in the future.

Open Access Review Article Issue
Recent advances in hybrid water electrolysis for energy-saving hydrogen production
Green Chemical Engineering 2023, 4 (1): 17-29
Published: 11 November 2022
Downloads:2

Electricity-driven water splitting to convert water into hydrogen (H2) has been widely regarded as an efficient approach for H2 production. Nevertheless, the energy conversion efficiency of it is greatly limited due to the disadvantage of the sluggish kinetic of oxidation evolution reaction (OER). To effectively address the issue, a novel concept of hybrid water electrolysis has been developed for energy–saving H2 production. This strategy aims to replace the sluggish kinetics of OER by utilizing thermodynamically favorable organics oxidation reaction to replace OER. Herein, recent advances in such water splitting system for boosting H2 evolution under low cell voltage are systematically summarized. Some notable progress of different organics oxidation reactions coupled with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are discussed in detail. To facilitate the development of hybrid water electrolysis, the major challenges and perspectives are also proposed.

Review Article Issue
Realizing high-performance all-solid-state batteries with sulfide solid electrolyte and silicon anode: A review
Nano Research 2023, 16 (3): 3741-3765
Published: 26 July 2022
Downloads:112

Sulfide solid electrolyte (SE) is one of the most promising technologies for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) because of its high ionic conductivity and ductile mechanical properties. In order to further improve the energy density of sulfide-based ASSBs and promote practical applications, silicon anodes with ultrahigh theoretical capacity (4,200 mAh·g−1) and rich resource abundance have broad commercial prospects. However, significant challenges including bulk instability of sulfide SEs and poor utilization of silicon materials have severely impeded the ASSBs from becoming viable. In this review, we first introduce the critical bulk properties of sulfide SEs and the most recent improving strategies covering the ionic conductivity, air stability, electrochemical window, mechanical stability, thermostability and solvent stability. Next, we introduce the main factors affecting the compatibility of silicon and sulfide SE, including the carbon’s effect, particle size of silicon, external pressure, silicon composite matrix and the depth of silicon’s lithiation. Finally, we discuss possible research directions in the future. We hope that this review can provide a comprehensive picture of the role of nanoscale approaches in recent advances in ASSBs with sulfide and silicon, as well as a source of inspiration for future research.

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