Search Results (105)

Liquid electrolytes in conventional lithium-ion batteries pose safety risks associated with flammability, leakage, and explosion, whereas solid polymer electrolytes are generally limited by insufficient ionic conductivity at ambient temperature, restricting the development of high-energy lithium batteries. To address these issues, flexible poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)-based gel polymer electrolyte membranes (GPEs) were prepared via a slit-coating process combined with UV curing. NASICON-type lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7P₃O₁₂, LATP) and garnet-type tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconate (Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂, LLZTO) were introduced as inorganic ceramic fillers to improve the ion-transport and interfacial properties of the GPE. Among the investigated samples, the PVDF-HFP-based GPE containing 10 wt% LLZTO exhibited the best overall performance, with an ionic conductivity of 3.40 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature and a Li⁺ transference number of 0.77. Cyclic voltammetry results showed that the LLZTO-modified electrolyte membrane exhibited sharper and more symmetric redox peaks, higher peak current response, and better curve overlap during repeated cycles, indicating improved electrochemical reversibility and interfacial stability. In addition, LLZTO incorporation enhanced the mechanical strength, broadened the electrochemical stability window, and improved the flame-retardant behavior of the membrane. The LiFePO₄/GPE/Li cell assembled with the optimized membrane delivered an initial discharge capacity of 160 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and maintained 80 mAh·g⁻¹ at 1 C, demonstrating good rate capability. Moreover, a capacity retention of 96% was maintained after 100 cycles at 0.1 C, confirming excellent cycling stability. Therefore, this work provides an effective strategy for the structural optimization and scalable preparation of high-performance gel polymer electrolyte membranes for lithium battery applications. Full article

All-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) couple the high theoretical energy density of sulfur (2600 Wh kg⁻¹) with the safety and polysulfide-shuttle suppression advantages of solid electrolytes (SEs). In practice, however, sluggish solid-state conversion kinetics, chemo-mechanical degradation in composite cathodes, and large solid–solid interfacial resistance remain the principal barriers to practical implementation. This review systematically examines recent progress across the three key components of ASSLSBs: cathodes, solid electrolytes, and interfaces. For cathodes, S/C composite design strategies and alternative active materials—including Li₂S, metal sulfides, and organosulfur compounds—are discussed. For solid electrolytes, inorganic (sulfide, oxide, halide, and hydride), polymer, and hybrid composite systems are compared. For interfaces, physical strategies (stack pressure, compliant interlayers, three-dimensional cathode architectures) and chemical strategies (cathode–SE and Li metal–SE interphase engineering, in situ stabilization) are evaluated. Outstanding challenges and design guidelines for next-generation ASSLSBs are discussed. Full article

Ester-based electrolytes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offer high oxidative stability but often suffer from poor stability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on hard carbon anodes, severely limiting fast-charging capabilities and cycling lifespan. To address this interfacial instability, this work introduces trimethoxysilane (HTOS) as an electrolyte additive into 1 M NaPF₆ in EC:DMC electrolyte (denoted as ED). Compared with the rough and inorganic-rich interphase formed in the ED electrolyte, the HTOS additive induces the formation of a smoother, more uniform, and organic-rich SEI. This optimized interfacial structure effectively suppresses continuous interfacial degradation during cycling and significantly reduces the apparent activation energy for Na⁺ migration. Consequently, the HTOS-modified electrolyte demonstrates markedly superior electrochemical performance, delivering a reversible capacity of 198.76 mAh g⁻¹ at 1C and maintaining 85% of the initial capacity after 200 cycles at 0.5 C. This study demonstrates that utilizing silicon-containing functional additives for SEI regulation is a highly effective strategy to enhance the fast-charging and long-term cycling stability of hard carbon anodes in SIBs. Full article

Thermal runaway (TR) remains a critical bottleneck for the safe application of lithium-ion battery (LIB) in large-scale energy storage systems, arising from the instability of battery materials under high temperatures. This review systematically summarizes materials design strategies to suppress TR, focusing on modifications of cathodes, anodes, separators, and electrolytes. For cathodes, surface coating and bulk doping enhance the structural stability and thermal decomposition temperature of high-Ni materials, while nanoscale engineering and carbon networks improve the electronic conductivity and interfacial stability of LiFePO₄ (LFP). For anodes, surface modification of graphite suppresses solid-electrolyte interphase degradation, and nanostructured silicon-based composites mitigate thermal failure caused by volume expansion. Separator functionalization, including ceramic coating, inorganic separators, and thermal shutdown separators, enhances thermo-mechanical stability and enables thermally triggered ion blocking. Flame-retardant electrolytes incorporate phosphorus-based, organosilicon, and halogenated additives that act through combined gas- and condensed-phase mechanisms. The review further discusses challenges in interfacial compatibility, system integration, and trade-offs among multiple performance metrics. Future efforts should focus on integrating intrinsic thermal stability with smart safety functions to achieve both high energy density and inherent safety. This review provides a systematic reference for the design and industrialization of high-safety materials for LIBs. Full article

Graphite remains the predominant negative electrode material in commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); however, its practical performance is increasingly limited by interface-driven degradation rather than bulk intercalation. This review examines the interconnected electrochemical, mechanical, and safety challenges associated with uncoated and coated graphite, with particular focus on how solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and evolution deplete cyclable lithium, increase interfacial resistance, and induce polarization that leads to lithium plating and dendritic growth during rapid charging and low-temperature operation. Electrolyte and solvation engineering are highlighted as coating-free strategies to mitigate these issues by reducing Li⁺ desolvation barriers and directing interphase chemistry toward thinner, more ion-conductive, fluorinated SEI films that inhibit plating while maintaining high-rate capability. Coated graphite approaches are compared, including carbon, inorganic, and polymer coatings that function as artificial SEI layers to minimize direct electrolyte contact, stabilize interphase composition, and enhance mechanical durability. Key trade-offs are discussed, including decreased first-cycle coulombic efficiency (FCCE) due to increased surface area, transport limitations arising from excessively thick coatings, nonuniform coverage leading to local current hotspots, and side reactions induced by the coatings. The discussion is further extended to sodium and potassium systems, explaining how larger ion sizes, unfavorable thermodynamics, and significant lattice expansion hinder their insertion into graphite, and summarizing strategies such as interlayer expansion and alternative carbon architectures that improve reversibility for larger ions. This review concludes that achieving durable, safe, and fast-charging graphite electrodes requires an integrated interfacial design that combines optimized graphite morphology, electrode architecture, and electrolyte chemistry. Full article

The demand for high-energy-density and fast-charging solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) often subjects practical devices to internal thermal loads, making high-temperature operation a common operational condition rather than an isolated scenario. To address the interfacial degradation and dendrite growth accelerated by such thermomechanical stresses, we developed a composite gel electrolyte (CGE) by incorporating an optimal concentration of active Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ (LLZTO) into a fluoropolymer network. The abundant Lewis acidic sites on the LLZTO surfaces promote competitive solvation decoupling by interacting with anions, thereby modulating the primary solvation sheath of Li⁺. This localized modulation lowers the lithium-ion migration activation energy to 0.248 eV and facilitates a dual-interfacial passivation mechanism. Specifically, a rigid, inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) forms to suppress morphological instability at the lithium anode, while an organic-dominated cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) enhances the oxidative stability up to 4.3 V. As a result, symmetric cells demonstrate stable electrodeposition for over 450 h at 80 °C and 0.5 mA cm⁻². Furthermore, NCM811/Li full cells utilizing this CGEs exhibit significantly improved thermal resilience and cycling stability. Full article

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) typically suffer from sluggish kinetics and interfacial instability at elevated temperatures and high voltages. Herein, 3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (TTA) is employed to construct an ultrathin (~25 μm), robust, and homogeneous GPE. TTA acts as a molecular bridge, significantly improving compatibility between the PVDF-HFP (Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)) matrix and LLZTO (Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂) fillers to create continuous ion-conducting pathways. Consequently, the TTA-GPEs exhibits high ionic conductivity (0.267 mS cm⁻¹ at room temperature), low activation energy (0.181 eV), and an increased lithium-ion transference number (0.425). Advanced surface analysis reveals that TTA preferentially reacts to form a dense, gradient hierarchical interphase (solid electrolyte interphase/cathode electrolyte interphase, SEI/CEI) enriched with inorganic species (LiF, Li₃N, and Li₂S) on the inner side. This architecture suppresses parasitic reactions and lithium dendrite growth. Accordingly, NCM811(LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂)//Li batteries with TTA-GPEs demonstrate stable cycling at 80 °C and 1C, retaining 57.68% capacity after 125 cycles—significantly outperforming benchmarks. This study offers a molecular engineering strategy to simultaneously optimize bulk transport and interfacial stability for high-energy-density solid-state batteries. Full article

The current research investigates the electrochemical performance of plasticized nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes derived from a polyethylene oxide (PEO)–polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blended system with lithium iodide (LiI) as the dopant salt and tin dioxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles as the inorganic nanofillers. Thin nanofilms of the synthesized electrolytes were prepared and progressively examined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD characterization confirmed the successful establishment of the polymer electrolyte matrix and reflected a significant decrease in crystallinity upon the incorporation of nanofillers, whereas crystallite size was estimated using the Debye–Scherrer equation. FT-IR spectra showed prominent molecular interactions and complexation of polymer, salt, and nanofiller components. UV–Vis spectroscopy provides information on the optical absorption behavior, whereas the SEM micrograph shows the morphological features and homogeneity of plasticized nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte films. The addition of SnO₂ nanofillers was shown to improve both the structural and electrochemical properties of the electrolyte system, highlighting its potential usage in solid-state batteries and other high-end electrochemical devices. These enhancements make the developed nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes viable candidates for high-performance, flexible lithium-ion battery applications, offering a promising route toward safer and more efficient energy storage systems. Comprehensive electrochemical performance evaluation will be addressed in future studies. Full article

With ongoing development in the process industries, the accumulation of industrial inorganic solid wastes (IISWs) has become increasingly significant. IISWs are characterized by large volume and toxicity and pose challenges in treatment and control. IISWs from chemical processes mainly include red mud (RM), zinc slag, lithium slag (LS), electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), phosphogypsum (PG), water treatment sludge (WTS), sewage sludge, blast furnace slag (BFS), steel slag (SS), coal fly ash (CFA), coal gasification slag (CGS), copper smelting slag (CSS), and lead smelting slag (LSS). Having been chemically processed, they exhibit complex compositions that pose challenges for further utilization. In this paper, we comprehensively review the preparation of adsorbents from IISWs as raw materials, the applications of IISW-derived adsorbents, and their adsorption mechanisms. The obtained adsorbents include modified IISWs, zeolites, porous ceramics, and composite and hybrid adsorbents. The adsorption mechanisms, such as van der Waals forces, electrostatic interactions, and π–π interactions, contribute to the rapid adsorption kinetics and high adsorption capacity observed in these adsorbents. Full article

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

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes typically suffer from limited ionic conductivity at near-room temperature and often require inorganic reinforcement. Halide solid-state electrolytes such as Li₃InCl₆ (LIC) offer fast Li⁺ transport but are moisture-sensitive and typically require pressure-assisted densification. Here, we fabricate a flexible LIC–PEO composite electrolyte via slurry casting in acetonitrile with a small amount of LiPF₆ additive. The free-standing membrane delivers an ionic conductivity of 1.19 mS cm⁻¹ at 35 °C and an electrochemical stability window up to 5.15 V. Compared with pristine LIC, the composite shows improved moisture tolerance, and its conductivity can be recovered by mild heating after exposure. The electrolyte enables stable Li|LIC–PEO|Li cycling for >620 h and supports Li|LIC–PEO|NCM111 cells with capacity retentions of 84.2% after 300 cycles at 0.2 C and 80.6% after 150 cycles at 1.2 C (35 °C). Structural and surface analyses (XRD, SEM/EDX, XPS) elucidate the composite microstructure and interfacial chemistry. Full article

Low-grade Cu-Ni-PGM concentrators increasingly operate under the combined constraints of declining ore grades, variable process water quality, and the need to optimise reagent suites for sustainable production. This study examines the performance of mixed thiol collectors under controlled inorganic electrolyte conditions representative of modern concentrator water circuits. A comprehensive review of mixed-collector flotation is followed by a bench-scale experimental programme using sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX), sodium diethyl dithiophosphate (SEDTP), and their mixtures, tested in synthetic plant water and in CaCl₂ and NaCl solutions at fixed ionic strength. Results show that increasing the SEDTP molar fraction significantly enhances froth stability, water recovery, and solids recovery across all water types, driven by stronger surface activity and the presence of surface-active impurities. Ca²⁺ bearing process water promoted the highest Cu and Ni recoveries but also intensified gangue recoveries at high SEDTP levels, lowering concentrate grades. In contrast, SIBX-rich mixtures yielded superior selectivity, particularly in Na⁺ containing process water. Mechanistic interpretation shows that combined effects of electrical double-layer compression, mineral activation, mixed-collector adsorption, and froth stabilisation behaviour govern the observed grade–recovery trends. Overall, this study demonstrates that thiol-collector synergy is strongly water-chemistry-dependent, and that optimising collector mixtures requires coordinated control of reagent composition and process water quality. The findings provide a mechanistic basis for water-responsive reagent design in Cu-Ni-PGM flotation circuits. Full article

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and improved safety. To achieve this goal, the development of solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and low interfacial resistance is essential. In recent years, composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) have garnered extensive attention due to their ability to combine the intrinsic flexibility of polymers with the enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness provided by inorganic fillers. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by tunable pore structures, high surface areas, and excellent thermal and mechanical stability, are considered ideal fillers for constructing MOF–polymer composite electrolytes (MPCEs). This review summarizes the performance enhancement mechanisms of MPCEs and strategies for electrode–electrolyte interface stability. First, the primary preparation methods of MPCEs are introduced. Subsequently, the roles of MOFs in regulating ionic transport, suppressing dendrite growth, improving electrochemical stability, and optimizing the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer are discussed. In addition, various interface engineering strategies are highlighted, including in situ polymerization of the polymer matrix, in situ growth of MOF fillers, integration of liquid plasticizers forming gel-like ionic conductor, and design of composite electrode to enhance interfacial compatibility and stability. Finally, the significant challenges and future research directions of MPCEs are outlined. This review provides valuable insights into the rational design of MPCEs and offers guidance for the development and practical application of high-performance SSBs. Full article

Silicon (Si) anodes offer ultrahigh theoretical capacity (~4200 mAh g⁻¹) for next-generation lithium-ion batteries but suffer from severe mechanical degradation due to repetitive volume expansion (>300%). Conventional electrode-centric strategies face scalability limitations, shifting focus to electrolyte engineering as a critical solution. This review synthesizes recent advances in liquid electrolyte design for stabilizing Si anodes, emphasizing three key pillars: (i) Lithium salts that enable anion-derived inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers with high fracture toughness; (ii) Solvent systems including carbonates, ethers, and phosphonates, where fluorination and steric hindrance tailor SEI elasticity; (iii) Functional additives (F/B/Si-containing) that form mechanically compliant interphases and scavenge detrimental species. Innovative architectures—high-concentration electrolytes (HCEs), localized HCEs (LHCEs), and weakly solvating electrolytes—are critically assessed for their ability to decouple ion transport from volume strain. The perspective highlights the imperative of hybrid solid–liquid interfaces to enable commercially viable Si anodes. Full article

Polymer materials have become promising candidates for next-generation energy storage, with structural tunability, multifunctionality, and compatibility with a variety of device platforms. They have a molecular design capable of customizing ion and electron transport routes, integrating redox-active species, and enhancing interfacial stability, surpassing the drawbacks of traditional inorganic systems. New developments have been made in multifunctional polymers that have the ability to combine conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and self-healing into a single scaffold system, which is useful in battery, supercapacitor, and solid-state applications. By incorporating polymers with carbon nanostructures, ceramics, or two-dimensional materials, hybrid polymer nanocomposites improve electrochemical performance, durability, and mechanical compliance, and the solid polymer electrolytes, as well as artificial solid electrolyte interphases, resolve dendrite growth and safety issues. The multifunctionality also extends to flexibility, stretchability, and miniaturization, which implies that polymers are suitable for use in wearable devices and biomedical devices. At the same time, sustainable polymer innovation focuses on bio-based feedstocks, which can be recycled, and green synthesis pathways. Polymer discovery using artificial intelligence and machine learning is faster than standard methods, predicts structure–property–performance relationships, and can be rationally engineered. Although there are difficulties in stability during long periods, scalability, and trade-offs between indeedness and mechanical endurance, polymers are a promising avenue with regard to dependable, safe, and sustainable power storage. This review presents the molecular strategies, multifunctional uses, and prospects, where polymers are at the center of the next-generation energy technologies. Full article