Toward Next-Generation Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries: Current Status and Future Prospects

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Guest Editor
National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
Interests: lithium-ion batteries; high-performance fibers for lithium batteries; application of fiber materials in the field of new energy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For significant industrial areas such as electrified transportation, consumer electronics, and stationary energy storage, lithium batteries (including lithium-ion, lithium–sulfur, and lithium–air cells) are regarded as enabling technology. Therefore, it is crucial to develop next-generation rechargeable Li-ion batteries with higher energy densities, enhanced safety features, reduced costs, and longer cycle lives.

In this Special Issue, we aim to address topics of interest including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Novel LIB electrode materials;
  • Replacing traditional liquid electrolytes—e.g., ionic liquids, high-salt-content electrolytes, and solid-state batteries;
  • High-performance and functional separators;
  • Advanced fabrication technologies;
  • Performance improvement or mechanism under extreme environments or conditions;
  • Advanced flexible lithium-ion batteries;
  • Degradability or sustainability of lithium-ion batteries;
  • New battery chemistry;
  • Technologies and functionality of battery management system.

Dr. Zhenzhen Wei
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • lithium batteries
  • electrodes
  • electrolyte
  • separator
  • performance
  • chemistry
  • protection
  • functionality
  • battery management

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2679 KiB  
Article
Batch Fabrication of Electrospun PAN/PU Composite Separators for Safe Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Wenfei Ding and Lan Xu
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010006 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1916
Abstract
As an important element of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the separator plays a critical role in the safety and comprehensive performance of the battery. Electrospun nanofiber separators have a high porosity and good electrolyte affinity, which are favorable to the transference of lithium ions. [...] Read more.
As an important element of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the separator plays a critical role in the safety and comprehensive performance of the battery. Electrospun nanofiber separators have a high porosity and good electrolyte affinity, which are favorable to the transference of lithium ions. In this paper, the batch preparation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based nanofiber separators are obtained via spherical section free surface electrospinning (SSFSE). Introducing an appropriate amount of polyester polyurethane (PU) can effectively enhance the mechanical property of PAN nanofiber separators and help the separators resist the external force extrusion. The results show that when PAN:PU = 8:2, the porosity and electrolyte uptake rate of the composite nanofiber separator (PAN-2) are 62.9% and 643.3%, respectively, exhibiting a high ionic conductivity (1.90 mS/cm). Additionally, the coin battery assembled with PAN-2 as a separator (LiFePO4/PAN-2/lithium metal) shows good cycling performance and good rate performance, with a capacity retention rate of 93.9% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C, indicating that the battery with PAN-2 has a good application potential in advanced energy storage. Full article
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12 pages, 4153 KiB  
Article
Crosslinked PVA/Citric Acid Nanofibrous Separators with Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Shuangyang Cai, Yuexi Liang, Jialu Wu, Haizhen Chen, Zhenzhen Wei and Yan Zhao
Batteries 2023, 9(11), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries9110556 - 15 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2332
Abstract
Electrospinning polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membranes have gained increased attention for their uses as separators for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high porosity and excellent electrolyte wettability, but their poor mechanical and thermal properties have limited their further development. In this work, [...] Read more.
Electrospinning polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membranes have gained increased attention for their uses as separators for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high porosity and excellent electrolyte wettability, but their poor mechanical and thermal properties have limited their further development. In this work, a crosslinked PVA composite separator (PVA/CA-H) was first prepared via the electrospinning of the PVA and citric acid (CA) mixed solution and then the heating of the nanofibrous membrane, and the effects of the amount of CA on the structure and performance of the PVA/CA-H separator were investigated. The hydroxyl group of PVA and the carboxyl group of CA were crosslinked under the heat treatment, resulting in a slight reduction in the porosity and pore size of the composite separator compared to pure PVA, and to compensate for this issue, the mechanical strengths, as well as the thermal dimensional stability of the PVA/CA-H separator, were significantly improved. Meanwhile, the PVA/CA-H separator exhibited good electrolyte uptake (158.1%) and high ionic conductivity (1.63 mS cm−1), and, thus, the battery assembled with the PVA/CA-H separator exhibited a capacity retention of 96.3% after 150 cycles at 1 C. These features mean that the crosslinked PVA composite separator can be considered as a prospective high-safety and high-performance separator for LIBs. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 2774 KiB  
Review
An Overview of the Sustainable Recycling Processes Used for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Daniele Marchese, Chiara Giosuè, Antunes Staffolani, Massimo Conti, Simone Orcioni, Francesca Soavi, Matteo Cavalletti and Pierluigi Stipa
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010027 - 11 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5727
Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can play a crucial role in the decarbonization process that is being tackled worldwide; millions of electric vehicles are already provided with or are directly powered by LIBs, and a large number of them will flood the markets within the [...] Read more.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can play a crucial role in the decarbonization process that is being tackled worldwide; millions of electric vehicles are already provided with or are directly powered by LIBs, and a large number of them will flood the markets within the next 8–10 years. Proper disposal strategies are required, and sustainable and environmental impacts need to be considered. Despite still finding little applicability in the industrial field, recycling could become one of the most sustainable options to handle the end of life of LIBs. This review reports on the most recent advances in sustainable processing for spent LIB recycling that is needed to improve the LIB value chain, with a special focus on green leaching technologies for Co-based cathodes. Specifically, we provide the main state of the art for sustainable LIB recycling processes, focusing on the pretreatment of spent LIBs; we report on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on the usage of acids, including mineral as well as organic ones; and summarize the recent innovation for the green recovery of valuable metals from spent LIBs, including electrochemical methods. The advantage of using green leaching agents, such as organic acids, which represent a valuable option towards more sustainable recycling processes, is also discussed. Organic acids can, indeed, reduce the economic, chemical, and environmental impacts of LIBs since post-treatments are avoided. Furthermore, existing challenges are identified herein, and suggestions for improving the effectiveness of recycling are defined. Full article
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