Search Results (52)

Driven by the imperative for enhanced battery safety, solid electrolytes have emerged as a leading strategy in next-generation energy storage technologies. Beyond conventional polymer, oxide, and sulfide systems, chloride-based inorganic solid electrolytes have recently garnered significant attention due to their unique combination of high ionic conductivity, favorable electrochemical stability, and processability. This work presents a comprehensive review of chloride solid electrolytes, examining their crystal structures, synthesis approaches, ionic transport mechanisms, and physicochemical stability under operational conditions. Furthermore, we discuss critical considerations for integrating these materials into practical all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), including performance across wide temperature ranges, scalable cell fabrication methods, and cost-effectiveness. By bridging fundamental material properties with device-level engineering challenges, this review aims to provide a roadmap for future research and development, highlighting the substantial promise of chloride electrolytes in enabling safe, high-performance solid-state batteries. Full article

Due to its very high theoretical specific capacity, lithium is still considered a promising anode material for innovative next-generation battery cells. The aim is to produce thin lithium metal anodes (LMAs) that are sufficient for the battery cell due to the lithium already present in the cathode and thus additionally increase the energy density of the cell. The production of thin lithium layers (<10 µm) is challenging with most processes, and very costly with decreasing thickness. In this study, the use of magnetron sputtering to deposit thin layers of lithium for the production of LMAs is tested. An innovative process—the deposition of lithium from a liquid phase via Hot Target Sputtering—will be presented that has the potential to overcome the previous limitations in the deposition rate, and enables the potential for industrial application. The process was successfully tested in terms of general process control, stability and reproducibility and used to produce lithium metal anodes. These were then successfully integrated in All-Solid-State-Battery (ASSB) cells and compared with a lithium reference foil in a C-rate test with regard to their electrochemical performance reaching ≈ 110 mAh g⁻¹ at a 1C discharge rate. Full article

This paper presents a practical thermal control strategy to enhance the output performance of oxide-based all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), which typically exhibit low ionic conductivity at room temperature. A lightweight polyimide (PI) film heater was designed, fabricated, and integrated into the cell stack to locally maintain the optimal operating temperature range (≈65–75 °C) for electrolyte activation. Unlike previous studies limited to liquid or sulfide-based batteries, this work demonstrates the direct integration and coupled numerical–experimental validation of a PI film heater within oxide-based ASSBs. The proposed design achieves high heating efficiency (~92%) with minimal thickness (<100 μm) and long-term stability, enabling reliable and scalable thermal management. Finite-element simulations and experimental verification confirmed that the proposed heater achieved rapid and uniform heating with less than a 10 °C temperature deviation between the cell and heater surfaces. These findings provide a foundation for smart battery management systems with distributed temperature sensing and feedback control, supporting the development of high-performance and reliable solid-state battery platforms. Full article

Most risk assessment and source apportionment studies of the heavy metals in the surface soils in China have focused primarily on East China, whereas studies focused on Northwest China, particularly regarding heavy metals in surface soils in the central and western areas, remain limited. In this study, surface soils in the central–western Ali region were investigated, and the concentrations of nine heavy metals were determined. Moreover, the distribution patterns and ecological risks of these heavy metals were elucidated via a combination of the geoaccumulation index, pollution load index ($PLI$), comprehensive potential ecological risk index ($RI$), and integrated X-ray diffraction (XRD)–multivariate statistical techniques. Additionally, the pollution characteristics and sources were analyzed. The results indicated the following: (1) The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution is closely linked to the geological background, and high–pollution zones (e.g., Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, As, and Cd) conform well with the distributions of ultramafic rocks and iron/chromite ore beds. The geoaccumulation index revealed that Cd caused slight and moderate contamination at 29.1% and 5.5% of the sites, respectively, whereas As affected 14.6% of the sites. The pollution load index indicated moderate pollution in 20% of the sites, and the potential ecological risk index indicated that 41.8% of the sites posed moderate risks, which was largely driven by Cd (mean $E_r^i$ = 43.1). The comprehensive ecological risk index ($RI$ = 115) confirmed a moderate risk level overall. Principal component analysis revealed three primary sources: natural weathering (Cr–Ni–Co–Cu, 39.1%); a mixed source influenced by nonagricultural anthropogenic activities such as transport and regional deposition, combined with natural processes such as arid climate and alkaline soil conditions that influence Cd mobility (Cd–Mo–Pb, 20.8%); and industrial/mining activities (As–Sb, 14.2%). Mineralogical analyses further indicated that heavy metals are present via lattice substitution, adsorption, and precipitation. This study systematically clarifies the composite pollution pattern and sources of heavy metals in the alpine Ali region, supporting targeted contamination control. Full article

MXenes, a rapidly emerging family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have attracted considerable attention in recent years for their potential in next-generation energy storage technologies. In solid-state batteries (SSBs), they combine metallic-level conductivity (>10³ S cm⁻¹), adjustable surface terminations, and mechanical resilience, which makes them suitable for diverse functions within the cell architecture. Current studies have shown that MXene-based anodes can deliver reversible lithium storage with Coulombic efficiencies approaching ~98% over 500 cycles, while their use as conductive additives in cathodes significantly improves electron transport and rate capability. As interfacial layers or structural scaffolds, MXenes effectively buffer volume fluctuations and suppress lithium dendrite growth, contributing to extended cycle life. In solid polymer and composite electrolytes, MXene fillers have been reported to increase Li⁺ conductivity to the 10⁻³–10⁻² S cm⁻¹ range and enhance Li⁺ transference numbers (up to ~0.76), thereby improving both ionic transport and mechanical stability. Beyond established Ti-based systems, double transition metal MXenes (e.g., Mo₂TiC₂, Mo₂Ti₂C₃) and hybrid heterostructures offer expanded opportunities for tailoring interfacial chemistry and optimizing energy density. Despite these advances, large-scale deployment remains constrained by high synthesis costs (often exceeding USD 200–400 kg⁻¹ for Ti₃C₂T_x at lab scale), restacking effects, and stability concerns, highlighting the need for greener etching processes, robust quality control, and integration with existing gigafactory production lines. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for enabling MXene-based SSBs to transition from laboratory prototypes to commercially viable, safe, and high-performance energy storage systems. Beyond summarizing performance, this review elucidates the mechanistic roles of MXenes in SSBs—linking lithiophilicity, field homogenization, and interphase formation to dendrite suppression at Li|SSE interfaces, and termination-assisted salt dissociation, segmental-motion facilitation, and MWS polarization to enhanced electrolyte conductivity—thereby providing a clear design rationale for practical implementation. Full article

Mechanochemical methods have received much attention in the synthesis and design of all-solid-state battery materials in recent years due to their advantages of being green, efficient, easy to operate, and solvent-free. In this review, common mechanochemical methods, including high-energy ball milling, twin-screw extrusion (TSE), and resonant acoustic mixing (RAM), are introduced with the aim of providing a fundamental understanding of the subsequent material design. Subsequently, the discussion focuses on the application of mechanochemical methods in the construction of solid-state electrolytes, anode materials, and cathode materials, especially the research progress of mechanical energy-induced polymerization strategies in building flexible composite electrolytes and enhancing interfacial stability. Through the analysis of representative work, it is demonstrated that mechanochemical methods are gradually evolving from traditional physical processing tools to functional synthesis platforms with chemical reaction capabilities. This review systematically organizes its development and research trends in the field of all-solid-state battery materials and explores potential future breakthrough directions. Full article

The Matra As–Sb deposit (Alpine Corsica, France) is hosted in the normal N–S trending Matra Fault. Sulfide minerals in ore consist of realgar, stibnite, and pyrite with minor orpiment and hörnesite. The gangue includes quartz, dolomite, and calcite. In this study, the microstructural analysis of selected ore samples has been combined with the geochemical characterization of the sulfides. The results depict a succession of events that record the evolution of the ore deposit related to fault movement. In the pre–ore stage, plumose, crustiform, jigsaw, and feathery textures of quartz testify to a short–lived boiling event. The mineral assemblage of the main–ore stage includes an Fe(–Zn) substage dominated by the formation of different textures of pyrite. In general, pyrite samples contain significant concentrations of As (≤32,231 ppm) and Sb (≤10,684 ppm), with lesser amounts of by Tl (≤1257 ppm) and Ni (≤174 ppm). This is followed by an Sb–As–Fe substage of pyrite–stibnite–realgar ±orpiment. The precipitation of the sulfides was mainly driven by changes in ƒS₂. The increasing level of oxidation is attributed to a progressive influx of meteoric water resulting from reactivation of the Matra Fault. Full article

In this study, we perform density functional theory (DFT) simulations to investigate the Raman spectra of the bulk and surface phases of β-Li₃PS₄ (LPS) and Li₂S, as well as their interfaces at varying compositional ratios. This analysis is relevant given the widespread application of these materials in Li–S solid-state batteries, where Li₂S functions not only as a cathode material but also as a protective layer for the lithium anode. Understanding the interfacial structure and how compositional variations influence its chemical and mechanical stability is therefore crucial. Our results demonstrate that the LPS/Li₂S interface remains stable regardless of the compositional ratio. However, when the content of both materials is low, the Raman-active vibrational mode associated with the [PS₄]³⁻ tetrahedral cluster dominates the interface spectrum, effectively obscuring the characteristic peaks of Li₂S and other interfacial features. Only when sufficient amounts of both LPS and Li₂S are present does the coupling between their vibrational modes become sufficiently pronounced to alter the Raman profile and reveal distinct interfacial fingerprints. Full article

Mining and analyzing information from multiple sources—such as geophysics and geochemistry—is a key aspect of big data-driven mineral prediction. Clustering, which groups large datasets based on distance metrics, is an essential method in multidimensional data analysis. The Two-Step Clustering (TSC) approach offers advantages by handling both categorical and continuous variables and automatically determining the optimal number of clusters. In this study, we applied the TSC method to mineral prediction in the northeastern margin of the Jiaolai Basin by: (i) converting residual gravity and magnetic anomalies into categorical variables using Ward clustering; and (ii) transforming 13 stream sediment elements into independent continuous variables through factor analysis. The results showed that clustering is sensitive to categorical variables and performs better with fewer categories. When variables share similar distribution characteristics, consistency between geophysical discretization and geochemical boundaries also influences clustering results. In this study, the (3 × 4) and (4 × 4) combinations yielded optimal clustering results. Cluster 3 was identified as a favorable zone for gold deposits due to its moderate gravity, low magnetism, and the enrichment in F1 (Ni–Cu–Zn), F2 (W–Mo–Bi), and F3 (As–Sb), indicating a multi-stage, shallow, hydrothermal mineralization process. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining Ward clustering for variable transformation with TSC for the integrated analysis of categorical and numerical data, confirming its value in multi-source data research and its potential for further application. Full article

The Tuztaşı low-sulfidation epithermal Au–Ag deposit (Biga Peninsula, Türkiye) records a multi-stage hydrothermal history that can be interpreted through the trace and rare-earth-element (REE) chemistry of quartz. High-precision LA-ICP-MS analyses of five representative quartz samples (23 ablation spots; 10 analytically robust) reveal two fluid stages. Early fluids were cold, dilute meteoric waters (δ¹⁸O₍H₂O₎ ≈ −6.8 to +0.7‰), whereas later fluids circulated deeper, interacted with felsic basement rocks, and evolved in composition. Mineralized quartz displays marked enrichment in As (raw mean = 2854 ± 6821 ppm; filtered mean = 70 ± 93 ppm; one spot 16,775 ppm), K (498 ± 179 ppm), and Sb (57.8 ± 113 ppm), coupled with low Ti/Al (<0.005) and elevated Ge/Si (0.14–0.65 µmol mol⁻¹). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show pronounced but variable LREE enrichment ((La/Yb)_n ≤ 45.3; ΣLREE/ΣHREE up to 10.8) and strongly positive Eu anomalies (δEu ≤ 9.3) with slightly negative Ce anomalies (δCe ≈ 0.29); negligible Ce–Eu covariance (r² ≈ 0.05) indicates discrete redox pulses. These signatures indicate chemically evolved, reducing fluids conducive to Au–Ag deposition. By contrast, barren quartz is characterized by lower pathfinder-element contents, less fractionated REE profiles, higher Ti/Al, and weaker Eu anomalies. A composite exploration toolkit emerges: As > 700 ppm, As/Sb > 25, Ti/Al < 0.005, Ge/Si > 0.15 µmol mol⁻¹, and δEu ≫ 1 reliably identify ore-bearing zones when integrated with δ¹⁸O data and fluid-inclusion microthermometry from earlier studies on the same vein system. This study provides one of the first systematic applications of integrated trace-element and REE analysis of quartz to a Turkish low-sulfidation epithermal system, offering an applicable model for vectoring mineralization in analogous settings worldwide. Full article

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have garnered significant attention due to their potential in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, adoption remains constrained by challenges such as low thermal stability and limited ionic conductivity. Here, we report on an electrospun (PAN/PEO)- conductive salt (LiBF₄) system, where the influence of varying polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) ratios, along with different plasticizer concentrations, is evaluated. Notably, the 50:50 PAN/PEO sample exhibited the highest ionic conductivity, reaching 1∙10⁻² S/cm at 55 °C. This system also balanced conductivity and processability. Succinonitrile (SN) significantly influenced the morphology and conductivity. Samples with increased SN content showed enhanced capacity in symmetrical cells, achieving ~140 mAs/cm² for an 18:9:1 polymer (PAN/PEO):SN:conductive salt (LiBF₄) composition. The enhanced lithium-ion conductivity of the electrospun blend is attributed to the deliberate use of an unmixable PAN–PEO system. Their immiscibility creates well-defined interfacial regions within fibers, acting as efficient lithium-ion pathways. These findings support electrospun polymer blends as promising candidates for high-performance SPEs for ASSB development. Full article

This work presents a comprehensive investigation into the interfacial charge storage mechanisms and lithium-ion transport behavior of Li-metal all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) employing LiFePO₄ (LFP) cathodes fabricated via alternating current electrophoretic deposition (AC-EPD) and Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP) as the solid-state electrolyte. We demonstrate that optimal sintering improves the LATP–LFP interfacial contact, leading to higher lithium diffusivity (~10⁻⁹ cm²∙s⁻¹) and diffusion-controlled kinetics (b ≈ 0.5), which directly translate to better rate capability. Structural and electrochemical analyses—including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and rate capability tests—demonstrate that the cell with LATP sintered at 900 °C delivers the highest Li-ion diffusivity (~10⁻⁹ cm²∙s⁻¹), near-ideal diffusion-controlled behavior (b-values ~0.5), and superior rate capability. In contrast, excessive sintering at 1000 °C led to reduced diffusivity (~10⁻¹⁰ cm²∙s⁻¹). The liquid electrolyte system showed higher b-values (~0.58), indicating the inclusion of surface capacitive behavior. The correlation between b-values, diffusivity, and morphology underscores the critical role of interface engineering and electrolyte processing in determining the performance of solid-state batteries. This study establishes AC-EPD as a viable and scalable method for fabricating additive-free LFP cathodes and offers new insights into the structure–property relationships governing the interfacial transport in ASSBs. Full article

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSBs) have a wide operating temperature range (−40 °C to +120 °C) and are expected to be applied to lunar exploration, which has become increasingly active in recent years. Since a ground development test confirmed that ASSBs are tolerant of the space environment, in this study, a space demonstration test is conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). The battery was exposed in the ISS Exposed Section for 434 days. A total of 562 charge–discharge cycle tests were conducted, in addition to basic charge–discharge characterization, with no significant degradation observed in the charge–discharge characteristics or battery appearance. These results confirm that the battery operates reliably even in a complex space environment. This test confirmed that the lifetime characteristics of ASSBs can be estimated via ground-based charge–discharge characteristics, encouraging their potential application in space exploration. Full article

Traditional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) utilize liquid electrolytes, which pose significant safety risks. To address these concerns and enhance energy density, all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) have emerged as a safer and more efficient alternative to conventional liquid electrolyte-based systems. ASSBs offer notable advantages, including higher energy density and improved safety, driving growing interest from both industry and academia. A key component in all-solid-state battery (ASSB) development is the solid-state electrolyte (SSE), which plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance and safety of these batteries. Sulfide SSEs are characterized by distinctive attributes, including notably high ionic conductivity and remarkably low interfacial resistance with lithium metal anodes, which renders them particularly advantageous for advancing ASSB technology. This paper systematically examines sulfide-based SSEs, with particular emphasis on their underlying physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, and essential functional attributes relevant to ASSB applications. Additionally, we explore preparation methods for sulfide SSEs and analyze their potential applications in next-generation ASSBs. Considering current challenges (e.g., interfacial instability or air sensitivity) we summarize strategies to address these obstacles, aiming to facilitate their integration into future energy storage systems. Full article

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), as key materials for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), face challenges such as low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial stability. With the rapid advancement of computational science and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, theoretical calculations and AI methods are emerging as efficient and important virtual tools for predicting and screening high-performance SSEs. To further promote the development of the SSEs, this review outlines recent applications of theoretical calculations and AI in this field. First, the current applications of theoretical calculation methods, such as density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD), in material structure optimization, electronic property analysis, and ionic transport dynamics are introduced, along with an analysis of their limitations. Second, innovative applications of AI methods, including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), in predicting material properties, analyzing structural features, and simulating interfacial behaviors are elaborated. Subsequently, the synergistic application strategies combining high-throughput screening (HTS), theoretical calculations, and AI methods are highlighted, demonstrating the unique advantages of integrating multiple methodologies in material discovery and performance optimization. Finally, the current research progress is summarized, and future development trends are forecasted. The deep integration of theoretical calculations and AI methods is expected to significantly accelerate the development of high-performance SSE materials, thereby driving the industrial application of ASSBs. Full article