Search

Aluminum batteries employing organic electrode materials present an appealing avenue for sustainable and large‐scale energy storage. Nevertheless, conventional organic materials encounter limitations due to their restricted active sites, known instability, and sluggish redox kinetics. In this study, a redox‐active covalent organic framework supported by CNT is reported, enriched with substantial C═O groups, as an advanced cathode material for Al‐organic batteries. Theoretical simulation and ex situ analysis unveil the pivotal roles of C═O groups in effectively storing AlCl2+. As a result, Al batteries with the organic cathode exhibit a specific capacity of 290 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and outstanding rate performance. Furthermore, it retains a reversible capacity of 170 mAh g−1 even after 32 000 cycles at 10 A g−1 and attains an energy density of 389 Wh kg−1. The remarkable performance stems not only from the abundant C═O and C─N groups enabling the storage of multiple AlCl2+ by the favorable pseudocapacitive process, but also from the synergistic interplay between the robust COF network and the conductive CNT channels that significantly enhances structural stability and accelerates ion/electron diffusion. This work stands to inspire further research in the pursuit of stable organic cathodes, fostering designs with plentiful accessible redox‐active sites to boost energy storage capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc‐bromine batteries (ZBBs) have emerged as a compelling solution for large‐scale energy storage, yet they confront significant technical challenges impeding widespread commercialization. The electrochemical processes within ZBBs rely on a stoichiometric mechanism, where the bromine reaction at the cathode drives the zinc plating reaction on the anode. However, the sluggish electrochemical kinetics of Br2/Br− redox reactions lead to substantial electrochemical polarization, resulting in interruptions in zinc plating and significant voltage losses in ZBBs. This study introduces a new solution to address these challenges by leveraging carbon nanofiber decorated with tin nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst. The catalyst serves to enhance the Br2/Br– redox reaction, effectively reducing voltage losses in ZBBs. When implemented in static ZBB configurations, the Sn/CNF catalysts demonstrate exceptional long‐term stability, achieving an impressive 3000 cycles with minimal voltage loss. In contrast, ZBBs utilizing SnO2 based catalysts experience a substantially higher voltage loss of 736 mV, along with limited and unstable cycling performance. These findings signify a promising approach for the development of catalytic electrodes, paving the way for high‐performance ZBBs with improved efficiency and cycling durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc‐bromine flow batteries (ZBFBs) are promising candidates for the large‐scale stationary energy storage application due to their inherent scalability and flexibility, low cost, green, and environmentally friendly characteristics. ZBFBs have been commercially available for several years in both grid scale and residential energy storage applications. Nevertheless, their continued development still presents challenges associated with electrodes, separators, electrolyte, as well as their operational chemistry. Therefore, rational design of these components in ZBFBs is of utmost importance to further improve the overall device performance. In this review, the focus is on the scientific understanding of the fundamental electrochemistry and functional components of ZBFBs, with an emphasis on the technical challenges of reaction chemistry, development of functional materials, and their application in ZBFBs. Current limitations of ZBFBs with future research directions in the development of high performance ZBFBs are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cost‐effective and long‐life rechargeable aluminium ion batteries (AIBs) shows promising prospects for sustainable energy storage applications. Here, we report a heteroatom π‐conjugated polymer featuring synergistic C=O and C=N active centres as a new cathode material in AIBs using a low‐cost AlCl3/urea electrolyte. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the fused C=N sites in the polymer not only benefit good π‐conjugation but also enhance the redox reactivity of C=O sites, which enables the polymer to accommodate four AlCl2(urea)2+ per repeating unit. By integrating the polymer with carbon nanotubes, the hybrid cathode exhibits a high discharge capacity and a long cycle life (295 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 85 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 over 4000 cycles). The achieved specific energy density of 413 Wh kg−1 outperforms most Al–organic batteries reported to date. The synergistic redox‐active sites strategy sheds light on the rational design of organic electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for high‐performance rechargeable energy storage systems has stimulated the exploration of advanced electrode materials. MXenes are a class of two‐dimensional (2D) inorganic transition metal carbides/nitrides, which are promising candidates in electrodes. The layered structure facilitates ion insertion/extraction, which offers promising electrochemical characteristics for electrochemical energy storage. However, the low capacity accompanied by sluggish electrochemical kinetics of electrodes as well as interlayer restacking and collapse significantly impede their practical applications. Recently, interlayer space engineering of MXenes by different chemical strategies have been widely investigated in designing functional materials for various applications. In this review, an overview of the most recent progress of 2D MXenes engineering by intercalation, surface modification as well as heterostructures design is provided. Moreover, some critical challenges in future research on MXene‐based electrodes have been also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rücktitelbild: Heterocyclic Conjugated Polymer Nanoarchitectonics with Synergistic Redox-Active Sites for High-Performance Aluminium Organic Batteries (Angew. AlCl3/Urea Electrolyte, Aluminium Batteries, Heterocycles, Polymer Electrodes, Redox Chemistry Keywords: AlCl3/Urea Electrolyte; Aluminium Batteries; Heterocycles; Polymer Electrodes; Redox Chemistry EN AlCl3/Urea Electrolyte Aluminium Batteries Heterocycles Polymer Electrodes Redox Chemistry 1 1 1 06/14/22 20220620 NES 220620 B Aluminiumionenbatterien b (AIBs) bieten große Chancen für die Entwicklung nachhaltiger Energiespeicher. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: 2D materials; energy storage; interlayer structure; MXenes; structural engineering EN 2D materials energy storage interlayer structure MXenes structural engineering 1 1 1 01/29/21 20210126 NES 210126 B Advanced electrodes with good rate b capability and cycling stability are key components in energy storage devices for future electric vehicles, portable electronics, and smart grids. The interlayer space engineering provides extra room to further enhance their electrochemical properties, especially high redox activity and rate capability for energy storage. 2D materials, energy storage, interlayer structure, MXenes, structural engineering. [Extracted from the article]

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) with organic electrode materials have garnered significant attention due to their excellent safety profile, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly nature. This review examines the fundamental properties of organic compounds and their effects on battery performance, with a primary focus on how changes in ion interactions and charge storage mechanisms at active sites influence overall performance. The aim is to propose innovative design approaches for AIBs that overcome the constraints associated with various types of organic materials. The review also discusses the application of advanced analytical tools, providing insights to better understand the electrochemical process of AIBs., (© 2024 The Authors. ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)