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A nanowire-on-microrod structured polyaniline (PANI)@FeS2 hybrid was developed via a facile metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived chemical method. The in situ grown PANI nanowires on the surface of pyramidal FeS2 microrods displayed better mechanical flexibility and improved Al-storage performance. The PANI nanowires not only enhanced electron transfer during the electrochemical reaction, but also accommodated the volume expansion of FeS2 during discharge. The PANI@FeS2 hybrid as the cathode in AIBs delivered a reliable battery capacity of 152.8 mA h g−1 along with a Coulombic efficiency of >96.5% after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.5 A g−1. In addition, a high capacity retention of 160.2 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.5 A g−1 at −10 °C was achieved. These findings provide a feasible strategy by constructing a nanowire-on-microrod hybrid that can be applied in high-performance secondary batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging power batteries with both high volumetric energy density and fast charge/discharge kinetics are required for electric vehicles. The rapid ion/electron transport of mesostructured electrodes enables a high electrochemical activity in secondary batteries. However, the typical low fraction of active materials leads to a low volumetric energy density. Herein, we report a novel biomimetic “bee pupa infilled honeycomb”-structured 3D mesoporous cathode. We found previously the maximum active material filing fraction of an opal template before pinch-off was about 25%, whereas it could be increased to ∼90% with the bee pupa-infilled honeycomb-like architecture. Importantly, even with a high infilling fraction, fast Li+/e− transport kinetics and robust mechanical property were achievable. As the demonstration, a bee pupa infilled honeycomb-shaped Li2MnSiO4/C cathode was constructed, which delivered a high volumetric energy density of 2443 W h L−1. The presented biomimetic bee pupa infilled honeycomb configuration is applicable for a broad set of both cathodes and anodes in high energy density batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methodology to screen additives in lead-acid batteries is critical. We developed a three-electrode system that can rapidly check the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) and hydrogen evolution of electrodes. The electrode with 2% MXene and 0.2% carbon black shows a better DCA, which indicates its great potential in the start–stop technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]