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Garnet based solid-state electrolyte Li 6.75 La 3 Zr 1.75 Ta 0.25 O 12 (LLZTO) is one of the most promising electrolytes for advanced all-solid-state lithium batteries. However, the ceramic electrolyte is difficult to densify under normal sintering conditions, and hence the Li+ transportation via grain boundary is significantly limited by the loose contact between electrolyte granules, resulting in a high Li+ ionic impedance. Herein, we report a novel 2-step approach to obtain a relatively dense LLZTO ceramic pellet by a special Al-doping method, in which the Al was derived from the erosion of the corundum milling beads by LiOH during ball milling. This approach enables the simultaneous distribution of the aluminum (Al) within the LLZTO lattice and uniformly within the grain boundary, serving as a sintering aid, effectively boosts the fusion of grain boundary and reduced the failure rate during the sintering process. The ceramic pellet had a conductivity of 8.13 × 10−4 S cm−1, higher than that without Al-doping or using Al 2 O 3 as dopant. This method provides an easier way to sinter the garnet ceramic electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mg-Li alloys can be promising candidates as bioresorbable Li-releasing implants for bipolar disorder and other neurodegenerative disorders. In order to compare the therapeutic efficacy of conventional Li salts and Li delivered through Mg-Li alloy extracts, we tested an in vitro model based on the neuroinflammation hypothesis of mood disorders (peripheral inflammation inducing neuroinflammation) wherein, a coculture of microglia and astrocytes was treated with conditioned medium from pro-inflammatory macrophages. Two alloys, Mg-1.6Li and Mg-9.5Li, were tested in the form of material extracts and well-known outcomes of Li treatment such as GSK3β phosphorylation (indirect flow cytometry) and influence on inflammation-related gene expression (qPCR) were compared against Li salts. This is the first study demonstrating that Li can increase the phosphorylation of GSK3β in glial cells in the presence of excess Mg. Furthermore, Mg-Li alloys were more effective than Li salts in downregulating IL6 and upregulating the neurotrophin GDNF. Mg had no antagonistic effects toward Li-driven downregulation of astrogliosis markers. Overall, the results provide evidence to support further studies employing Mg-Li alloys for neurological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothesis: Porous carbon microspheres (PCMs) with embedded tin di‐oxide (SnO2) quantum dots (QDs) (P‐SnO2@PCMs) are synthesized and employed as polysulfide barriers to enrich the electrochemical properties. Experiments: This composite structure is prepared by spray drying procedure and followed by heat‐treatment, resulting in well‐arranged macropores with a diameter of 59 nm generated by the polystyrene (PS) nanobeads (ϕ = 150 nm) decomposition. P‐SnO2@PCMs is functioned as an electrocatalytic interlayer and offer advantages such as reduced diffusion length for charged particles that guarantees immediate transfer, improved electrode wetting due to efficient electrolyte infiltration, and accommodation of large volume fluctuations during the redox reactions. Furthermore, the incorporation of polar SnO2 QDs within the microspheres allows for efficient chemical confinement and alteration of trapped polysulfide species due to catalytic activity, leading to an extensive use of the active material. Findings: Advancing from the nanostructural eminence, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) cells paired with P‐SnO2@PCMs‐coated separator and conventional sulfur electrode showed outstanding rate performance (321 mA h g−1 at 2.0 C) and prolonged cyclic steadiness at 0.1 C. This innovative synthesis strategy provides valuable insights for developing novel nanostructures applicable to various rechargeable devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promotion of electric vehicles brings notable environmental and economic advantages. Precisely estimating the state of health (SOH) of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for maintaining their efficiency and safety. This study introduces an SOH estimation approach for lithium-ion batteries that integrates multi-feature analysis with a convolutional neural network and kolmogorov-arnold network (CNN-KAN). Initially, we measure the charging time, current, and temperature during the constant voltage phase. These include charging duration, the integral of current over time, the chi-square value of current, and the integral of temperature over time, which are combined to create a comprehensive multi-feature set. The CNN's robust feature extraction is employed to identify crucial features from raw data, while KAN adeptly models the complex nonlinear interactions between these features and SOH, enabling accurate SOH estimation for lithium batteries. Experiments were carried out at four different charging current rates. The findings indicate that despite significant nonlinear declines in the SOH of lithium batteries, this method consistently provides accurate SOH estimations. The root mean square error (RMSE) is below 1%, with an average coefficient of determination (R 2 ) exceeding 98%. Compared to traditional methods, the proposed method demonstrates significant advantages in handling the nonlinear degradation trends in battery life prediction, enhancing the model's generalization ability as well as its reliability in practical applications. It holds significant promise for future research in SOH estimation of lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐metal solid‐state batteries are attractive as next generation of Li‐ion batteries due to higher safety and potentially higher energy density. To improve processability, solid‐composite separators combine advantages of inorganic and polymer separators in hybrid structure. We report a systematic approach to fabricate composite separators with high content (90–95 wt %) of ceramic Li‐ion conducting Li6.45Al0.05La3Zr1.6Ta0.4O12 (LLZO) powder embedded in a polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐LiTFSI (20 : 1) matrix and understand factors affecting their properties and performance. Separators with good mechanical flexibility and excellent thermal stability were obtained, by optimizing materials and processing parameters. It was found that PEO molecular weight strongly influences the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the separators. In optimized separator with 90 wt % of LLZO and PEO with Mw 300,000 g/mol, a total ionic conductivity of 1.4×10−5 S/cm at 60 °C was achieved. The ceramic‐rich separator showed excellent long‐term cycling stability for more than 460 cycles (1000 h) at 0.1 mA/cm2 in Li/Li symmetrical cells and achieved a critical current density of 0.25 mA/cm2. The separators also enabled initial discharge capacities of more than 160 mAh/g in full cells with Li metal anode and composite solid‐state LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode, although rapid capacity fade was observed after 10 cycles in fully solid‐state configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a novel aging-coupled predictive thermo-electrical dynamic modeling tool tailored for primary lithium manganese dioxide ( L i - M n O 2 ) batteries in active implantable medical devices (AIMDs). The aging mechanisms of rechargeable lithium batteries are well documented using computationally intensive physics-based models, unsuitable for real-time onboard monitoring in AIMDs due to their high demands. There is a critical need for efficient, less demanding modeling tools for accurate battery health monitoring and end-of-life prediction as well as battery safety assessment in these devices. The presented model in this article simulates the battery terminal voltage, remaining capacity, temperature, and aging during active discharge, making it suitable for real-time health monitoring and end-of-life prediction. We incorporate a first-order dynamic for internal resistance growth, influenced by time, temperature, discharge depth, and load current. By adopting Arrhenius-type kinetics and polynomial relationships, this model effectively simulates the combined impact of these variables on battery aging under diverse operational conditions. The simulation handles both the continuous micro-ampere-level demands necessary for device housekeeping and periodic high-rate pulses needed for therapeutic functions, at a constant ambient temperature of 37 °C, mimicking human body conditions. Our findings reveal a gradual, nonlinear increase in internal resistance as the battery ages, rising by an order of magnitude over a period of 5 years. Sensitivity analysis shows that as the battery ages and load current increases, the terminal voltage becomes increasingly sensitive to internal resistance. Specifically, at defibrillation events, the ∂ V ∂ R trajectory dramatically increases from 10 − 12 to 10 − 8 , indicating a fourth-order-of-magnitude enhancement in sensitivity. A model verification against experimental data shows an R2 value of 0.9506, indicating a high level of accuracy in predicting the L i - M n O 2 cell terminal voltage. This modeling tool offers a comprehensive framework for effectively monitoring and optimizing battery life in AIMDs, therefore enhancing patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li–S batteries are promising large-scale energy storage systems but currently suffer from performance issues; a major reason is the dissolution of polysulfides in electrolytes. To this end, we report a high-energy-density Lithium–Sulfur (Li–S) battery that combines a catholyte and a sulfur-free carbon nanofiber (CNF) cathode. The cathode was synthesized by carbonizing binder-free polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, affording a high surface area. In the catholyte, added polysulfides acted as both conductive Li salts and active materials. Investigating the electrochemical performance of this concept in both Swagelok- and pouch-type cells afforded energy densities exceeding 3 mAh cm−2 at a discharge rate of 0.1 C. This combination could also be utilized in high-capacity pouch cells with capacities of up to 250 mAh g−1. Both cell types exhibited good cycle performance. Adding LiNO3 to the electrolyte suppressed the redox shuttle reactions. Moreover, the cathode being binder-free increased the energy density and simplified cathode fabrication. Characterizing the cathode before and after cycling revealed that deposition was reversible, and that cell reactions at least partially formed sulfur as the end product, resulting in high sulfur amounts in the cell. We expect our concept to greatly aid in the development of practically applicable Li–S cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐metal anodes (LMAs) are the ultimate choice for realizing high‐energy‐density batteries; however, its use is hindered by problematic Li growth in the form of dendrites. To alleviate dendritic Li growth, the preparation of LMAs with a lithiophilic current collector (CC) is effective; however, applying a lithiophilic CC to LMAs is still challenging due to the manufacturing complexity involved in the separate lithiophilic treatment and lithiation processes. Herein, a facile one‐pot LMA fabrication method by utilizing thiourea (TU) as a precursor is proposed. A lithiophilic Cu2S layer is formed on Cu foam (CF) by the in situ electrochemical oxidation of TU (CuxSCF), and the lithiation of CC is performed via subsequent Li electrodeposition (Li@CuxSCF). The Cu2S on CuxSCF can lead to uniform Li deposition by providing lithiophilic sites, and it is converted to form ionic‐conductive Li2S‐rich solid electrolyte interphase layer. Resultantly, CuxSCF significantly enhances the cycling performance of LMAs compared to CF. Specifically, a LiFePO4/Li@CuxSCF full‐cell lithium‐metal battery (LMB) with a low n/p ratio (1.6) exhibits capacity retention of 95.6% at 0.5 C (220 cycles) and can maintain 85.0% of initial capacity (425 cycles, n/p = 4) at 2.0 C. LMBs with LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2 and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1 also exhibit improved electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high energy density advantage of lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) makes them increasingly desirable; however, problems such as strong reactivity and dendrite growth of Li metal anode limit their practical uses. In this work, a novel Li‐containing glycerol (LiGL) or lithicone protection layer on a 50 μm thick Li metal anode is employed for improving the performance of LMBs. This LiGL layer was accurately deposited via a molecular layer deposition (MLD) process at 150 °C, using lithium tert‐butoxide and glycerol as precursors. The as‐formed LiGL coating layer is highly tunable in its thickness by simply adjusting MLD cycles and shows a good stability and outstanding ionic transport properties. The LiGL layer is found to effectively mitigate side reactions and enhance cycling stability in both symmetric cells and full cells. Specifically, the LMBs with LiGL@Li anode of 400 MLD cycles and LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathode enable a capacity retention of ≈87%, much higher than ≈35% of the cells with bare Li after 200 cycles at a charge/discharge current density of 2.1 mA cm−2. This work paves a feasible way for practical LMBs with improved capacity and stability through applying an innovative protection layer on Li metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current researches on belief rule base (BRB), input parameters are tended to be expressed in the form of quantitative values through expert knowledge combined with optimization methods. A singular quantitative value fails to capture the statistical properties, leading to irrational outcomes. Therefore, an attempt on attribute weights is made in this paper, and a new model with probability distribution attribute weights (pdw) called BRB-pdw is proposed. The combination of two attributes is in detail discussed, where attribute weights are described as random variables with specific probability distribution. To characterize the output of probability distribution attribute weight, a new concept of expectation of activation weight is proposed. In addition, the BRB-pdw is extended to multiple attributes to demonstrate its universality. Furthermore, fundamental properties and characteristics of the BRB-pdw are further validated by rigorous mathematical derivation. Finally, practicability of the BRB-pdw is validated with NASA lithium battery open dataset, and experiments show that the BRB-pdw model is more robust while maintaining precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of Zn improves the wettability and surface lithiophilicity of Cu foam toward Li metal, and a sublevel scaffold of Li x Zn alloy is constructed in the pores of Cu foam, regulating uniform Li deposition in the modified 3D skeleton. [Display omitted] Lithium (Li) metal anode (LMA) is one of the most promising anodes for high energy density batteries. However, its practical application is impeded by notorious dendrite growth and huge volume expansion. Although the three-dimensional (3D) host can enhance the cycling stability of LMA, further improvements are still necessary to address the key factors limiting Li plating/stripping behavior. Herein, porous copper (Cu) foam (CF) is thermally infiltrated with molten Li-rich Li-zinc (Li-Zn) binary alloy (CFLZ) with variable Li/Zn atomic ratio. In this process, the LiZn intermetallic compound phase self-assembles into a network of mixed electron/ion conductors that are distributed within the metallic Li phase matrix and this network acts as a sublevel skeleton architecture in the pores of CF, providing a more efficient and structured framework for the material. The as-prepared CFLZ composite anodes are systematically investigated to emphasize the roles of the tunable lithiophilicity and hierarchical structure of the frameworks. Meanwhile, a thin layer of Cu-Zn alloy with strong lithiophilicity covers the CF scaffold itself. The CFLZ with high Zn content facilitates uniform Li nucleation and deposition, thereby effectively suppressing Li dendrite growth and volume fluctuation. Consequently, the hierarchical and lithiophilic framework shows low Li nucleation overpotential and highly stable Coulombic efficiency (CE) for 200 cycles in conventional carbonate based electrolyte. The full cell coupled with LiFePO 4 (LFP) cathode demonstrates high cycle stability and rate performance. This work provides valuable insights into the design of advanced dendrite-free 3D LMA toward practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • N doped carbon coating CoP hollow nanofibers was successfully fabricated. • Multifunctional materials N/C@CoP-HNFs are used for PIBs and Li-S batteries. • N/C@CoP-HNFs with unique structures show good performance in PIBs and Li-S batteries. • Phase variations of electrodes at different states are studied. • DFT are used to understand electrochemical properties at the atomic level. Herein, a composite of N -doped carbon coated phosphating cobalt hollow nanofibers (N/C@CoP-HNFs) was synthesized by electrospinning, phosphating, and carbon coating processes. When employed as multifunctional electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) and lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, the N/C@CoP-HNFs demonstrated notable electrochemical properties. Specifically, it delivered an initial specific capacity of 420.4 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1, with a sustained capacity of 190.8 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles in PIBs, and a specific capacity of 1448 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.5C in Li-S batteries, which is considered relatively high for these types of battery technology. This good performance may due to the combination of the carbon nitrogen layer and cobalt phosphide bilayer hollow tube structure, which is conducive to telescoping the diffusion length of ions and electrons and buffer volume variation, and effectively inhibits the shuttle effect. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also used to explore the energy storage mechanism of the material. The possible adsorption sites and corresponding adsorption energy of K+ were analyzed, and the advantages of the material were explored by calculating the diffusion barrier and state density. The theoretical simulations further validated the strong adsorption capability of CoP for polysulfides. This work is expected to provide new ideas for new energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-metal batteries, considered as the possible post-lithium-ion battery technology for large-scale energy storage, face severe challenges such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution side reaction (HER) on Zn negative electrode. Herein, a three-dimensional Cu-In alloy interface is developed through a facile potential co-replacement route to realize uniform Zn nucleation and HER anticatalytic effect simultaneously. Both theoretical calculations and experimental results demonstrate that this bifunctional Cu-In alloy interface inherits the merits of low Zn-nucleation overpotential and high HER overpotential from individual copper and indium constituents, respectively. Moreover, the dynamical self-reconstruction during cycling leads to an HER-anticatalytic and zincophilic gradient hierarchical structure, enabling highly reversible Zn chemistry with dendrite-free Zn (002) deposition and inhibited HER. Moreover, the improved interface stability featured by negligible pH fluctuations in the diffusion layer and suppressed by-product formation is evidenced by in-situ scanning probe technology, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical gas chromatography. Consequently, the lifespan of the CuIn@Zn symmetric cell is extended to more than one year with a voltage hysteresis of 6 mV. Importantly, the CuIn@Zn negative electrode is also successfully coupled with high-loading iodine positive electrode to fabricate Ah-level (1.1 Ah) laminated pouch cell, which exhibits a capacity retention of 67.9% after 1700 cycles. Rechargeable aqueous Zn metal batteries are impeded by dendrite growth and the hydrogen evolution side reaction. Here, authors develop a bifunctional Cu-In alloy interface to realize uniform Zn nucleation and prevent hydrogen evolution, enabling operation of Ah-level Zn metal pouch cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium niobium oxide (TiNbxO2 + 2.5x) is emerging as a promising electrode material for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its exceptional safety characteristics, high electrochemical properties (e.g., cycling stability and rate performance), and eco‐friendliness. However, several intrinsic critical drawbacks, such as relatively low electrical conductivity, significantly hinder its practical applications. Developing reliable strategies is crucial to accelerating the practical use of TiNbxO2 + 2.5x‐based materials in LIBs, especially high‐power LIBs. Here, we provide a chronicle review of the research progress on TiNbxO2 + 2.5x‐based anodes from the early 1950s to the present, which is classified into early stage (before 2008), emerging stage (2008–2012), explosive stage (2013–2017), commercialization (2018), steady development (2018–2022), and new breakthrough stage (since 2022). In each stage, the advancements in the fundamental science and application of the TiNbxO2 + 2.5x‐based anodes are reviewed, and the corresponding developing trends of TiNbxO2 + 2.5x‐based anodes are summarized. Moreover, several future research directions to propel the practical use of TiNbxO2 + 2.5x anodes are suggested based on reviewing the history. This review is expected to pave the way for developing the fabrication and application of high‐performance TiNbxO2 + 2.5x‐based anodes for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐capacity nickel‐rich layered oxides are promising cathode materials for high‐energy‐density lithium batteries. However, the poor structural stability and severe side reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface result in unsatisfactory cycle performance. Herein, the thin layer of two‐dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon‐nitride (g‐C3N4) is uniformly coated on the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (denoted as NCM811@CN) using a facile chemical vaporization‐assisted synthesis method. As an ideal protective layer, the g‐C3N4 layer effectively avoids direct contact between the NCM811 cathode and the electrolyte, preventing harmful side reactions and inhibiting secondary crystal cracking. Moreover, the unique nanopore structure and abundant nitrogen vacancy edges in g‐C3N4 facilitate the adsorption and diffusion of lithium ions, which enhances the lithium deintercalation/intercalation kinetics of the NCM811 cathode. As a result, the NCM811@CN‐3wt% cathode exhibits 161.3 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 84.6% at 0.5 C and 55 °C after 400 cycles and 95.7 mAh g−1 at 10 C, which is greatly superior to the uncoated NCM811 (i.e. 129.3 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 67.4% at 0.5 C and 55 °C after 220 cycles and 28.8 mAh g−1 at 10 C). The improved cycle performance of the NCM811@CN‐3wt% cathode is also applicable to solid–liquid‐hybrid cells composed of PVDF:LLZTO electrolyte membranes, which show 163.8 mAh g−1 and the capacity retention of 88.1% at 0.1 C and 30 °C after 200 cycles and 95.3 mAh g−1 at 1 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current global warming, coupled with the growing demand for energy in our daily lives, necessitates the development of more efficient and reliable energy storage devices. Lithium batteries (LBs) are at the forefront of emerging power sources addressing these challenges. Recent studies have shown that integrating hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanomaterials into LBs enhances the safety, longevity, and electrochemical performance of all LB components, including electrodes, electrolytes, and separators, thereby suggesting their potential value in advancing eco‐friendly energy solutions. This review provides an overview of the most recent applications of h‐BN nanomaterials in LBs. It begins with an informative introduction to h‐BN nanomaterials and their relevant properties in the context of LB applications. Subsequently, it addresses the challenges posed by h‐BN and discusses existing strategies to overcome these limitations, offering valuable insights into the potential of BN nanomaterials. The review then proceeds to outline the functions of h‐BN in LB components, emphasizing the molecular‐level mechanisms responsible for performance improvements. Finally, the review concludes by presenting the current challenges and prospects of integrating h‐BN nanomaterials into battery research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of lithium (Li) metal anodes in high‐capacity batteries is impeded by the formation of hazardous Li dendrites. To address this challenge, this research presents a novel methodology that combines laser ablation and heat treatment to precisely induce controlled grain growth within laser‐structured grooves on copper (Cu) current collectors. Specifically, this approach enhances the prevalence of Cu (100) facets within the grooves, effectively lowering the overpotential for Li nucleation and promoting preferential Li deposition. Unlike approaches that modify the entire surface of collectors, our work focuses on selectively enhancing lithiophilicity within the grooves to mitigate the formation of Li dendrites and exhibit exceptional performance metrics. The half‐cell with these collectors maintains a remarkable Coulombic efficiency of 97.42% over 350 cycles at 1 mA cm−2. The symmetric cell can cycle stably for 1600 h at 0.5 mA cm−2. Furthermore, when integrated with LiFePO4 cathodes, the full‐cell configuration demonstrates outstanding capacity retention of 92.39% after 400 cycles at a 1C discharge rate. This study introduces a novel technique for fabricating selective lithiophilic three‐dimensional (3D) Cu current collectors, thereby enhancing the performance of Li metal batteries. The insights gained from this approach hold promise for enhancing the performance of all laser‐processed 3D Cu current collectors by enabling precise lithiophilic modifications within complex structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) featuring sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) are recognized as the most promising next‐generation energy storage technology because of their exceptional safety and much‐improved energy density. However, lithium dendrite growth in sulfide SEs and their poor air stability have posed significant obstacles to the advancement of sulfide‐based ASSLMBs. Here, a thin layer (approximately 5 nm) of g‐C3N4 is coated on the surface of a sulfide SE (Li6PS5Cl), which not only lowers the electronic conductivity of Li6PS5Cl but also achieves remarkable interface stability by facilitating the in situ formation of ion‐conductive Li3N at the Li/Li6PS5Cl interface. Additionally, the g‐C3N4 coating on the surface can substantially reduce the formation of H2S when Li6PS5Cl is exposed to humid air. As a result, Li–Li symmetrical cells using g‐C3N4‐coated Li6PS5Cl stably cycle for 1000 h with a current density of 0.2 mA cm−2. ASSLMBs paired with LiNbO3‐coated LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 exhibit a capacity of 132.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and a high‐capacity retention of 99.1% after 200 cycles. Furthermore, g‐C3N4‐coated Li6PS5Cl effectively mitigates the self‐discharge behavior observed in ASSLMBs. This surface‐coating approach for sulfide solid electrolytes opens the door to the practical implementation of sulfide‐based ASSLMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates a novel polymerization‐derived polymer electrolyte consisting of methyl methacrylate, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and fluoroethylene carbonate. The polymerization of MMA was initiated by the amino compounds following an anionic catalytic mechanism. LiTFSI plays both roles including the initiator and Li ion source in the polymer electrolyte. Normally, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide has difficulty in initiating the polymerization reaction of methyl methacrylate monomer, a very high concentration of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide is needed for initiating the polymerization. However, the fluoroethylene carbonate additive can work as a supporter to facilitate the degree of dissociation of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and increase its initiator capacity due to the high dielectric constant. The as‐prepared poly‐methyl methacrylate‐based polymer electrolyte has a high ionic conductivity (1.19 × 10−3 S cm−1), a wide electrochemical stability window (5 V vs Li+/Li), and a high Li ion transference number (tLi+) of 0.74 at room temperature (RT). Moreover, this polymerization‐derived polymer electrolyte can effectively work as an artificial protective layer on Li metal anode, which enabled the Li symmetric cell to achieve a long‐term cycling performance at 0.2 mAh cm−2 for 2800 h. The LiFePO4 battery with polymerization‐derived polymer electrolyte‐modified Li metal anode shows a capacity retention of 91.17% after 800 cycles at 0.5 C. This work provides a facile and accessible approach to manufacturing poly‐methyl methacrylate‐based polymerization‐derived polymer electrolyte and shows great potential as an interphase in Li metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered the ideal choice for high volumetric energy density lithium‐ion batteries, but uncontrolled lithium deposition poses a significant challenge to the stability of such devices. In this paper, we introduce a 2.5 μm‐thick asymmetric and ultrastrong separator, which can induce tissue‐like lithium deposits. The asymmetric separator, denoted by utPE@Cu2O, was prepared by selective synthesis of Cu2O nanoparticles on one of the outer surfaces of a nanofibrous (diameter ~10 nm) ultrastrong ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) membrane. Microscopic analysis shows that the lithium deposits have tissue‐like morphology, resulting in the symmetric lithium cells assembled using utPE@Cu2O with symmetric Cu2O coating exhibiting stable performance for over 2000 h of cycling. This work demonstrates the feasibility of a facile approach ultrathin separators for the deployment of lithium metal batteries, providing a pathway towards enhanced battery performance and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intense research of lithium‐ion batteries has been motivated by their successful applications in mobile devices and electronic vehicles. The emerging of intelligent control in kinds of devices brings new requirements for battery systems. The high‐energy lithium batteries are expected to respond or react under different environmental conditions. In this work, a tri‐salt composite electrolyte is designed with a temperature switch function for intelligently temperature‐controlled lithium batteries. Specifically, the halide Li3YBr6 together with LiTFSI and LiNO3 works as active fillers in a low‐melting‐point polymer matrix (polyethyleneglycol dimethyl ether (PEGDME) and polyethylene oxide (PEO)), which is further filled into the pre‐lithiated alumina fiber skeleton. Above 60 °C, the composite electrolyte exists in the liquid state and fully contacts with the working electrodes on the liquid–solid interface, effectively minimizing the interfacial resistance and leading to high discharge capacity in the cell. The electrolyte is changed into a solid state below 30 °C so that the ionic conductivity is significantly reduced and the interface resistance is increased dramatically on the solid–solid interface. Therefore, by simply adjusting the temperature, the cell can be turned "ON" or "OFF" intentionally. This novel function of the composite electrolyte has enlightening significance in developing intelligently temperature‐controlled lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its exceptionally high theoretical energy density, fluorinated carbon has been recognized as a strong contender for the cathode material in lithium primary batteries particularly valued in aerospace and related industries. However, CF x cathode with high F/C ratio, which enables higher energy density, often suffer from inadequate rate capability and are unable to satisfy escalating demand. Furthermore, their intrinsic low discharge voltage imposes constraints on their applicability. In this study, a novel and high F/C ratio fluorinated carbon nanomaterials (FNC) enriched with semi-ionic C–F bonds is synthesized at a lower fluorination temperature, using aggregated nanocarbon as the precursor. The increased presence semi-ionic C–F bonds of the FNC enhances conductivity, thereby ameliorating ohmic polarization effects during initial discharge. In addition, the spherical shape and aggregated configuration of FNC facilitate the diffusion of Li+ to abundant active sites through continuous paths. Consequently, the FNC exhibits high discharge voltage of 3.15 V at 0.01C and superior rate capability in lithium primary batteries. At a high rate of 20C, power density of 33,694 W kg–1 and energy density of 1,250 Wh kg–1 are achieved. Moreover, FNC also demonstrates notable electrochemical performance in sodium/potassium-CF x primary batteries. This new-type alkali-metal/CF x primary batteries exhibit outstanding rate capability, rendering them with vast potential in high-power applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene‐based materials, which exhibit large surface areas and superior electrical properties, are promising materials as anodes in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the large surfaces of these electrodes causes the loss of active lithium, leading to a severe reduction in coulombic efficiency and cycle retention. In this study, we combined an electrochemical lithium deposition (ELD) strategy, wherein active lithium was inserted into an electrode to minimize lithium loss during cycling, with the use of a vertically aligned three‐dimensional (3D) graphene foam. This foam, which was created via freeze‐casting, facilitated uniform lithium distribution during ELD, enhancing active lithium utilization. Consequently, the lithium preplated vertically aligned graphene foam anode could improve charge transfer and stabilize the SEI. It exhibited a superior cycle retention of 86% at a current density of 0.5 C for 200 cycles in LIBs, which is superior to that of preplated film‐type anodes and lithium foils. Moreover, it enabled the easy infiltration of polymer electrolyte through aligned graphene sheets while maintaining its original cell performance with a liquid electrolyte. Furthermore, it exhibited a higher discharge capacity than that of lithium foil anodes with the same negative/positive ratio in high‐areal‐capacity lithium–sulfur batteries. Therefore, this paper indicates the potential of preplated vertically aligned graphene foam as a high safety, high‐areal‐capacity anode for various next‐generation rechargeable lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium tantalum phosphate LiTa 2 PO 8 ceramics have attracted significant attention as solid electrolytes in oxide-based all-solid-state batteries owing to their superior bulk conductivity of more than 1 mS cm−1 at room temperature. However, high-temperature sintering at 1050 °C, which is required to achieve a dense morphology, results in a high interfacial resistance at the grain boundaries. In this study, dense LiTa 2 PO 8 ceramics were successfully synthesized via a conventional solid-state method at a low sintering temperature of 900 °C using Bi 2 O 3 as the additive. A total lithium-ion conductivity of 1.41 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C was achieved. The microstructures of the sintered LiTa 2 PO 8 ceramics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Large LiTa 2 PO 8 grains grew in the dense solid-electrolyte body together with the interfacial BiPO 4 phase, which acted as a sintering flux material, at a low sintering temperature of 900 °C. Thus, these LiTa 2 PO 8 ceramics can serve as oxide solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries owing to their high total Li-ion conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cubic phase Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) is a promising electrolyte material for all-solid-state rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The homogeneous densification of the garnet solid electrolyte ceramic material is crucial for enhancing its ionic conductivity performance. Herein, an Al/Ta co-doped strategy is employed to stabilize the cubic phase structure of LLZO and is combined with a two-step sintering method to enhance densification, in order to investigate its effect on microstructure, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical properties. During the formation process, amorphous Li 2 O reacts with doped Al 2 O 3 to create a Li–Al–O liquid phase at the grain boundaries. Combined with two-step sintering to ensure that the desired material transformation is achieved, resulting in a dense microstructure and better mechanical properties. The solid electrolyte Li 6.4 Al 0.1 La 3 Zr 1.7 Ta 0.3 O 12 under two-step sintering (LLZATO-2) is successfully synthesized, delivering an ionic conductivity up to 7.33 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and an activation energy of 0.22 eV. This work also highlights the critical role of co-doping combined with two-step sintering in preparing well-performing solid-state electrolytes and all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. LLZO solid electrolyte with lithium ion conductivity is prepared by Al/Ta co-doped combined with two-step sintering. The experimental and theoretical results indicate that amorphous Li 2 O reacts with Al 2 O 3 to form a Li–Al–O liquid phase at the grain boundaries, filling the pores generated at the grain boundaries. The two-step sintering further suppresses grain growth and promotes densification growth. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous organic cages (POCs) with permanent porosity and excellent host–guest property hold great potentials in regulating ion transport behavior, yet their feasibility as solid-state electrolytes has never been testified in a practical battery. Herein, we design and fabricate a quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSSE) based on a POC to enable the stable operation of Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Benefiting from the ordered channels and cavity-induced anion-trapping effect of POC, the resulting POC-based QSSE exhibits a high Li+ transference number of 0.67 and a high ionic conductivity of 1.25 × 10−4 S cm−1 with a low activation energy of 0.17 eV. These allow for homogeneous Li deposition and highly reversible Li plating/stripping for over 2000 h. As a proof of concept, the LMB assembled with POC-based QSSE demonstrates extremely stable cycling performance with 85% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. Therefore, our work demonstrates the practical applicability of POC as SSEs for LMBs and could be extended to other energy-storage systems, such as Na and K batteries. Highlights: A porous organic cage (POC)-based quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSSE) with cavity-induced anion-trapping effect was rationally designed to enable the stable operation of Li-metal batteries. The POC-based QSSE exhibits a high Li+ transference number of 0.67 and a high ionic conductivity of 1.25×10−4 S cm−1 with a low activation energy of 0.17 eV. The POC-based QSSE demonstrates a highly reversible Li plating/stripping cycling for 2000 h and superior Li||LFePO4 cycling for thousands of cycles at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-voltage initial anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs) promise the maximized energy densities of rechargeable lithium batteries. However, the reversibility of the high-voltage cathode and lithium metal anode is unsatisfactory in sustaining their long lifespan. In this research, a concentrated electrolyte comprising dual salts of LiTFSI and LiDFOB dissolved in mixing solvents of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) with a LiNO3 additive was formulated to address this challenge. FEC and LiNO3 regulate the anion-rich solvation structure and help form a LiF, Li3N-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with a high lithium plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency of 98.3%. LiDFOB preferentially decomposes to effectively suppress the side reaction at the high-voltage operation of the Li-rich Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode. Moreover, the large irreversible capacity during the initial charge/discharge cycle of the cathode provides supplementary lithium sources for cycle life extension. Owing to these merits, the as-fabricated AFLMBs can operate stably for 80 cycles even at an ultrahigh voltage of 4.6 V. This study sheds new insights on the formulation of advanced electrolytes for highly reversible high-voltage cathodes and lithium metal anodes and could facilitate the practical application of AFLMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite a variability in response and a narrow therapeutic index, Lithium (Li) remains the gold standard treatment for bipolar disorders (BD), and a treatment of choice for unipolar disorders (UD). Red blood cell Li concentration (RBCLiC) and red blood cell/plasma Li ratio (LiR) have been studied in many areas of mood disorders (such as acute or chronic Li efficacy, adherence, side effects (SE), intoxication management) as well as in several research domains. This systematic review aims to synthesize the existing literature. Methods: We conducted a systematic review, based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA) guidelines, of articles published between 1972 and February 2023, indexed in the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library. The search terms were combinations of the following headings: "Lithium AND Plasma AND Erythrocyte AND Mood disorders". The systematic review protocol was published to PROSPERO (CRD42023406154). Results and conclusion: Out of the 252 identified studies, 57 met the selection criteria. The articles investigated the interest of RBCLiC and other blood parameters (PLiC and LiR) in various areas: (i) disease management (31 articles) (compliance/adherence (5 articles), SE/toxicity (13 articles), prediction of Li response/therapeutic efficacy for acute episode or for relapse prevention (17 articles)), (ii) Li blood parameters as trait markers of mood disorders subtypes (UD, BDI, BDII) (16 articles), (iii) Li blood parameters as state markers of mood episodes (11 articles), (iv) factors influencing Li blood parameters (age, gender, ethnicity, dosage and duration of Li treatment, co-medications with other treatments, seasonality) associated with RBCLiC or LiR (24 articles), and (v) potential pathophysiological mechanisms (30 articles). Conclusion: Overall, this review suggests that RBCLiC or LiR could be of interest for tolerance monitoring. However, the heterogeneity of methods and results, coupled with the limited amount of data, does not allow clear conclusions to be drawn in the other areas explored in this literature review. Given the potential interest in exploring brain Li pharmacokinetics (PK)s, this review calls for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • SiO 2 @G-M layer on Cu collector is achieved at one-step. • SiO 2 @G-M offers a stable Li deposition stable at a high capacity of 2 mAh cm−2. • LiFePO 4 -based AFLMBs offer a specific capacity of 129.82 mAh g−1 at 0.5C after 100 cycles. Anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLBs) have attracted considerable attention due to their high theoretical specific capacity and absence of Li. However, the heterogeneous Li deposition and stripping on the lithiophobic Cu collector hamper AFLBs in practice. To achieve a uniform and reversible Li deposition, a carbon-based layer on the Cu collector has attracted intense interest due to its high conductivity. However, the 2D single-component carbon-based interface is inadequate lithiophilic for obtaining the homogeneous Li deposition and preventing the lithium dendrite from piercing the separator. Herein, we present a 3D embedded lithiophilic SiO 2 nanoparticles-graphene nanosheet matrix (SiO 2 @G-M) on the Cu collector by organic nano carbon source. In this structure, the lithiophilic SiO 2 nanoparticles as active points promote the homogeneous lithium nucleation and the 3D graphene nanosheet matrix offers homogenous electron distribution and voids to prevent the piercing. Finally, SiO 2 @G-M/Li cell shows a high coulombic efficiency of 98.62 % after 100 cycles at a high current density of 2 mA cm−2 with an areal capacity of 1 mAh cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zr 2 ON 2 @NiFe LDH provides a large electrochemical surface area and multiple active sites due to the heterojunction structures and the interfacial synergy between NiFe LDH and Zr 2 ON 2 , enhancing bifunctional catalytic performance with a Δ E of 0.73 V, as well as improved stability for 443 h at 5 mA cm−2 in Zn-air batteries. [Display omitted] The development of a highly efficient, stable, and low-cost bifunctional catalyst is imperative for facilitating the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, significant challenges are involved in extending its applications to rechargeable zinc-air batteries. This study presents a bifunctional catalyst, Zr 2 ON 2 @NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH), that was developed by utilizing a urea-glass route for synthesizing the Zr 2 ON 2 precursor, followed by riveting NiFe LDH nanosheets using a hydrothermal method. Specifically, the vertical distribution of NiFe LDH on the Zr 2 ON 2 surface ensures the maximization of the number of accessible active sites and interfacial catalysis of NiFe LDH. Notably, Zr 2 ON 2 @NiFe LDH demonstrates ORR and OER bifunctional electrocatalytic behavior and high stability owing to its heterostructure and composition. Furthermore, a rechargeable zinc-air battery using a Zr 2 ON 2 @NiFe LDH electrocatalyst as the air cathode demonstrated a high peak power density (172 mW cm−2) and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycle stability (5 mA cm−2 over 443 h). Thus, this study presents an efficient and cost-effective strategy for the design of bifunctional electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The sluggish kinetics and inferior stability of oxygen electrocatalyst in rechargeable zinc air battery (ZAB) hamper its industrialization. In this work, we activate cobalt telluride (CoTe) by introduction of metallic cobalt (Co) to modulate the work function to facilitate the electron transfer from Co to CoTe during oxygen catalysis; additionally, the three-dimensional porous carbon nanosheets (3DPC) are invited to reduce the resistance towards electrolyte/oxygen diffusion. Thereby, Co-CoTe@3DPC only demands 280 mV overpotential to reach 10 mA cm−2 under alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) condition, relatively lower than commercial iridium oxides (IrO 2); besides, the operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicates a better resistance towards surface reconstruction than Co@3DPC leading to a superior stability. A Pt-like oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance, half-wave potential associated with kinetic current density, is achieved for Co-CoTe@3DPC. A maximum power density of 203 mW cm−2 is achieved and sustains for 800 h. Furthermore, the all-solid-state ZAB offers 97 mW cm−2. Theoretical calculation suggests that the incorporation of metallic Co to CoTe maintains the superb ORR activity and promotes the OER catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the introduction of Ce(OH) 3 , the composite electrolyte layer coating on the PP separator provides a variety of Li-ion transport channels. Coupling with LiFePO 4 (LFP) cathode and Li metal, the cells exhibit long-term cycling stability and highly capacity retention of 91.6 % after 400 cycles. [Display omitted] • The Ce(OH) 3 composite with LLZTO provides multiple effective transport channels for the uniform distribution of Li ions. • Three dimensional of Li+ transport network in the composite electrolyte layer on the PP separator. • LLZTCO@PP exhibits elevated ionic conductivity (>10– 3 S cm– 1) at room temperature, a broad electrochemical window (>4.8 V) and high lithium ion transference number of 0.73. • The cells using LLZTCO@PP exhibit a dendrite-free morphology during repeated discharge–charge, remarkable cycling stability and capacity retention. Lithium (Li) metal anodes (LMAs) are regarded as leading technology for advanced-generation batteries due to their high theoretical capacity and favorable redox potential. However, the practical integration of LMAs into high-energy rechargeable batteries is hindered by the challenge of Li dendrite growth. In this work, nanoparticles of Li 6.4 La 3 Zr 1.4 Ta 0.6 O 12 (LLZTO) loaded with Ce(OH) 3 (LLZTCO) were designed and synthesized by a hydrothermal method. A functional composite separator was crafted by coating one side of a polypropylene (PP) separator with a composite electrolyte comprised of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and LLZTCO. The synergistic interactions between PVDF and LLZTCO provide numerous rapid lithium-ion (Li+) channels, facilitating the efficient redistribution of disparate Li+ flux originating from the insulated PP separator. The composite separator demonstrated an ionic conductivity (σ) of 3.68 × 10–3 S cm−1, substantial Li+ transference number (t+) of 0.73, and a high electrochemical window of 4.8 V at 25℃. Furthermore, the Li/LLZTCO@PP/Li symmetric cells demonstrated stable cycling for over 2000 h without significant dendrite formation. The Li/LiFePO 4 (LFP) cells assembled with LLZTCO@PP separators exhibited a capacity retention of 91.6 % after 400 cycles at 1C. This study offers a practical approach to fabricating composite separators with enhanced safety and superior electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) composed of polymer matrix and inorganic fillers show considerable potential for applications in all-solid-state lithium (Li) metal batteries. However, challenges such as fillers agglomeration and low lithium ion transference number (t Li+) remain significant obstacles to the practical application of CSEs. Herein, a general strategy of graft polymerization on the fillers surface to modulate the interface compatibility with the polymer matrix is proposed, and CSEs are prepared to verify the feasibility. The microstructure and composition of the surface coating of the fillers are analyzed, with subsequent studies of the fillers distribution within the CSEs confirming the improved interface compatibility. The enhancement of interface compatibility facilitates uniform dispersion of fillers, thereby greatly improving the utilization of fillers. CSEs exhibits high ionic conductivity (0.163 mS·cm−1 at 30 °C) and t Li+ (0.77), which gives the battery excellent rate performance and cycle stability. Therefore, chemical grafting of polymer onto the fillers surface to enhance the interface compatibility with the polymer matrix represents a promising strategy for the practical application of solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Heat buildup from factors like mechanical, electrical, or thermal stress is the main safety issue in lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Even without such stressors, however, LMBs may remain fire-prone because of the development of unstable electrode–electrolyte interphase on charge–discharge, potentially leading to internal short circuits. In this study, a stable cathode-electrolyte interphase inducer (SCEI-I) is proposed to tackle both the cycling stability issue and safety concerns. SCEI-I is synthesized by incorporating montmorillonite, a clay mineral, and methylphosphonic acid dimethyl ester, a flame-retardant material, onto a porous polyethylene film. On cycling, SCEI-I can induce a thin (<8 nm), uniform and robust cathode-electrolyte interphase layer, contributing to a steady and high Coulombic efficiency of 99.6%–99.8% with decreased impedance. SCE-I improves electrochemical performance by reducing the capacity degradation from ∼21.9% to ∼8.9% after 100 cycles. SCE-I also demonstrates strong thermal stability as the endothermic energy of SCEI-I is only –32.4 J/g (24 °C–280 °C), which is less than one-third of that of polypropylene separator (–118.9 J/g). Furthermore, when exposed to fire, the SCEI-I membrane instantly extinguished flames by disrupting combustion chain reaction. The present study proposes an interfacial engineering approach to improve the stability and safety of LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the internal reactions in Li‐ion batteries is crucial to analyze them more accurately and improve their efficiency since they are involved in almost every aspect of everyday life. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a valuable research technique to investigate such batteries, as it reveals sensitive properties and essential information about cell reaction mechanisms and kinetics. Physical understanding of the electrochemical process and system of a battery can be analyzed using equivalent electric circuits (EECs) with rational selection of electric circuit elements and their combination. However, impedance analysis of a battery is often conducted using oversimplified EEC models in practice due to the complexity and difficulty of the physics and mathematics of the modeling. This study proposes and verifies an EEC model that represents a three‐stage mechanism for intercalation‐type materials. For the systematic model study and verifications, we investigated cathode half cells using four different layered structured cathode materials, namely, LiCoO2, LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2, LiNi0.9Mn0.05Co0.05O2, and Ni0.815Co0.15Al0.035O2. Parametric analysis of the impedance fittings for the four different cathode materials showed similar behavior depending on the states of charge. We also provided the complete set of parameters of the four systems: charge transfer resistance, double‐layer capacitance, and solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) resistance and capacitance. Lastly, we explain how different electrochemical processes, such as intercalation and alloying, can be analyzed and modeled in EEC models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are desirable candidates owing to their high‐energy advantage for next‐generation batteries. However, the practical application of LMBs continues to be constrained by thorny safety issues with the formation and growth of Li dendrites. Herein, the ZIF‐67 MOFs are in situ coupled onto a single face of 3D porous nanofiber to fabricate an asymmetric Janus membrane, harnessing their anion adsorption capabilities to promote the uniform deposition of Li ions. In addition, the poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and trifluoromethyl methacrylate are introduced into nanofiber skeleton to form Janus@GPE, which preferentially reacts with Li metal to form a LiF‐rich stable SEI layer to inhibit Li dendrite growth. Importantly, the synergistic effect of the MOFs and stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer results in superior cycling performance, achieving a remarkable 2500 h cycling at 1 mA cm−2 in the Li/Janus@GPE/Li configuration. In addition, the Janus@GPE electrolyte has a certain flame retardant, which can self‐extinguish within 3 s, improving the safety performance of the batteries. Consequently, the Li/Janus@GPE/LFP flexible pouch cell exhibits favorable cycling stability (the capacity retention rate of 45 cycles is 91.8% at 0.1 C). This work provides new insights and strategies to improve the safety and practical utility of LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), the most commonly used lithium battery electrolyte salt, is vulnerable to heat and humidity. Quantitative and qualitative determination the variation of LiPF6 have always relied on advanced equipment. Herein, we develop a fast, convenient, high-selective fluorescence detection method based on metal--organic cages (MOC), whose emission is enhanced by nearly 20 times in the presence of LiPF6 with good stability and photobleaching resistance. The fluorescent probe can also detect moisture in battery electrolyte. We propose and verify that the luminescence enhancement is due to the presence of hydrogen bond-induced enhanced emission effect in cages. Fluorescent excitation-emission matrix spectra and variable-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are employed to clarify the role of hydrogen bonds in guest-loaded cages. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation is applied to simulate the structure of host-guest complexes and estimate the adsorption energy involved in the system. The precisely matched lock-and-key model paves a new way for designing and fabricating novel host structures, enabling specific recognition of other target compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anode-free lithium batteries (AFLBs) present an opportunity to eliminate the need for conventional graphite electrodes or excess lithium–metal anodes, thus increasing the cell energy density and streamlining the manufacturing process. However, their attributed poor coulombic efficiency leads to rapid capacity decay, underscoring the importance of achieving stable plating and stripping of Li on the negative electrode for the success of this cell configuration. A promising approach is the utilization of lithiophilic coatings such as silver to mitigate the Li nucleation overpotential on the Cu current collector, thereby improving the process of Li plating/stripping. On the other hand, inkjet printing (IJP) emerges as a promising technique for electrode modification in the manufacturing process of lithium batteries, offering a fast and scalable technology capable of depositing both thin films and patterned structures. In this work, a Fujifilm Dimatix inkjet printer was used to deposit Ag sites on a Cu current collector, aiming to modulate the interfacial electrochemistry of the system. Samples were fabricated with varying areas of coverage and the electrochemical performance of the system was systematically evaluated from bare Cu (non-lithiophilic) to a designed pattern (partially lithiophilic) and the fully coated thin film case (lithiophilic). Increasing lithiophilicity resulted in lower charge transfer resistance, higher exchange current density and reduced Li nucleation overpotential (from 55.75 mV for bare Cu to 13.5 mV for the fully coated case). Enhanced half-cell cyclability and higher coulombic efficiency were also achieved (91.22% CE over 76 cycles for bare Cu, 97.01% CE over 250 cycles for the fully coated case), alongside more uniform lithium deposition and fewer macroscopic irregularities. Moreover, our observations demonstrated that surface patterning through inkjet printing could represent an innovative, easy and scalable strategy to provide preferential Li nucleation sites to guide the subsequent Li deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal batteries offer high energy density but are challenged by dendrite growth, which can lead to short circuits and battery failure. Multiple models with varying degrees of accuracy and computational cost have been developed to understand and predict dendrite growth. This study presents a simple model to simulate macroscale dendrite growth on lithium metal electrodes. The model uses a 3D single-particle Diffusion-Limited Aggregation (DLA) algorithm with an electric field bias to simulate dendrite growth. The electric field bias was introduced into the model with an important parameter, namely the biasing factor c, which determines the balance between diffusion and electric field effects. Before performing the simulation with the proposed model, the dendrite growth in a lithium symmetric cell during charging was measured by sequential 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These data were then used to validate the simulation, as the dendrite structure in each measured MRI time frame was used a starting point for a new simulation, the results of which were then validated with the measured dendrite structure of the next time frame. The best agreement between the simulated and measured dendrite structures using the overlap and displacement of deposition sites metrics was obtained at the biasing factor c = 0.7. This agreement was also good in terms with the fractal dimension of the dendrite structures. The proposed method offers a simple, accurate, and scalable framework for predicting dendrite growth over long deposition periods, making it a valuable tool for studying dendrite suppression under real-world battery charging conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiFePO₄ (LFP) cathodes are popular due to their safety and cyclic performance, despite limitations in lithium-ion diffusion and conductivity. These can be improved with carbon coating, but further advancements are possible despite commercial success. In this study, we modified the carbon coating layer using sulfur to enhance the electronic conductivity and stabilize the carbon surface layer via two methods: 1-step and 2-step processes. In the 1-step process, sulfur powder was mixed with cellulose followed by heat treatment to form a coating layer; in the 2-step process, an additional coating layer was applied on top of the carbon coating layer. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the 1-step sulfur-modified LFP significantly improved the discharge capacity (~152 mAh·g−1 at 0.5 C rate) and rate capability compared to pristine LFP. Raman analyses indicated that sulfur mixed with a carbon source increases the graphitization of the carbon layer. Although the 2-step sulfur modification did not exceed the 1-step process in enhancing rate capability, it improved the storage characteristics of LFP at high temperatures. The residual sulfur elements apparently protected the surface. These findings confirm that sulfur modification of the carbon layer is effective for improving LFP cathode properties, offering a promising approach to enhance the performance and stability of LFP-based lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithium-ion battery (LIB) is a promising energy storage system that has dominated the energy market due to its low cost, high specific capacity, and energy density, while still meeting the energy consumption requirements of current appliances. The simple design of LIBs in various formats—such as coin cells, pouch cells, cylindrical cells, etc.—along with the latest scientific findings, trends, data collection, and effective research methods, has been summarized previously. These papers addressed individual design parameters as well as provided a general overview of LIBs. They also included characterization techniques, selection of new electrodes and electrolytes, their properties, analysis of electrochemical reaction mechanisms, and reviews of recent research findings. Additionally, some articles on computer simulations and mathematical modeling have examined the design of full-cell LIBs for power grid and electric vehicle applications. To fully understand LIB operation, a simple and concise report on design parameters and modification strategies is essential. This literature aims to summarize the design parameters that are often overlooked in academic research for the development of full-cell LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most promising high energy density technology, lithium metal batteries are associated with serious interfacial challenges because the electrolytes employed are unable to meet the requirements of both electrodes simultaneously, namely, the systems that work for Li metal are highly likely to be unsuitable for the cathode, and vice versa. In this study, we investigate the synergistic effects of lithium bis (oxalate) borate (LiBOB), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and adiponitrile (ADN) to develop a formula that is compatible with both elements in the battery. The solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) multi-layer generated from LiBOB and FEC successfully protects the electrolyte from the lithium and suppresses the decomposition of ADN on lithium, identified by the tiny amounts of isonitriles on the surface of the anode. Simultaneously, most of the ADN molecules remain and protect the cathode particles via the absorption layer of the nitrile groups, in the same way that this process works in commercial lithium-ion batteries. Benefiting from the stable interfacial films formed synchronously on the anode and cathode, the Li/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cells with an area capacity of ~3 mAh cm−2 operate stably beyond 250 cycles and target the accumulated capacity to levels as high as ~653.4 mAh cm−2. Our approach demonstrates that electrolyte engineering with known additives is a practical strategy for addressing the challenges of lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Nonflammable gel polymer electrolyte (SGPE) is developed by in situ polymerizing trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFMA) monomers with flame-retardant triethyl phosphate (TEP) solvents and LiTFSI–LiDFOB dual lithium salts. Molecular polarity interaction between TEP and PTFMA mitigates interfacial reactions and changes the solvation of Li+. SGPE forms stable inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interface/cathode electrolyte interface layer, exhibiting well compatibility with Li anode and LiCoO2-type high-voltage cathode. The risk of flammability is an unavoidable issue for gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). Usually, flame-retardant solvents are necessary to be used, but most of them would react with anode/cathode easily and cause serious interfacial instability, which is a big challenge for design and application of nonflammable GPEs. Here, a nonflammable GPE (SGPE) is developed by in situ polymerizing trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFMA) monomers with flame-retardant triethyl phosphate (TEP) solvents and LiTFSI–LiDFOB dual lithium salts. TEP is strongly anchored to PTFMA matrix via polarity interaction between -P = O and -CH2CF3. It reduces free TEP molecules, which obviously mitigates interfacial reactions, and enhances flame-retardant performance of TEP surprisingly. Anchored TEP molecules are also inhibited in solvation of Li+, leading to anion-dominated solvation sheath, which creates inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interface/cathode electrolyte interface layers. Such coordination structure changes Li+ transport from sluggish vehicular to fast structural transport, raising ionic conductivity to 1.03 mS cm−1 and transfer number to 0.41 at 30 °C. The Li|SGPE|Li cell presents highly reversible Li stripping/plating performance for over 1000 h at 0.1 mA cm−2, and 4.2 V LiCoO2|SGPE|Li battery delivers high average specific capacity > 120 mAh g−1 over 200 cycles. This study paves a new way to make nonflammable GPE that is compatible with Li metal anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the energy inconsistency of each battery during the use of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), a bidirectional active equalization topology of lithium battery packs based on energy transfer was constructed, and a bivariate equalization control strategy of adjacent SOC difference and voltage is proposed according to the corresponding relationship between open circuit voltage (OCV) and state of charge (SOC). The energy transfer between the inductor and the lithium battery is realized through the combination of the main circuit and the secondary circuit. Based on the Buck–Boost equalization circuit, the pulse width modulation (PWM) drive signal duty ratio is adjusted to improve the equalization speed and efficiency. The SOC is estimated by the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) algorithm, and the SOC of each single battery is estimated and sorted. The results of charge and discharge and static simulation and test of lithium battery show that the SOC difference between each cell is controlled within the threshold value of 3%, the voltage range is controlled within the range of 0.01 V, and the equalization speed is increased by 51% compared with the traditional unidirectional transfer of inductive energy balancing method. The change trend of the test results and the simulation results show a good consistency, avoiding the overcharge and overdischarge of the battery pack, and reducing the inconsistency. This method can complete the energy balance management of the battery well, the efficiency is relatively high, and the service life of the battery is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are pivotal in advancing the practical implementation of all‐solid‐state batteries. Poly(1,3‐dioxane) (PDOL)‐based electrolytes have attracted significant attention due to the pseudo‐high conductivity achieved through sophisticated in situ polymerization methods; however, such PDOL‐based electrolytes present challenges of crystallization over time and monomers residual during processing. In this study, integrating LiTFSI and LiDFOB as a universal copolymerization strategy for developing high‐performance PDOL electrolytes with a wide range of epoxy crosslinkers is proposed. It is discovered that this approach leverages the protective effects of TFSI anions on the boron active center and catalyzes polymer chain growth via crosslinking. The homogenously crosslinked (benzene‐centered) PDOL electrolyte exhibits remarkable thermo‐mechanical stability (up to 100 °C), high ion migration number (tLi+ = 0.42), a wide electrochemical window (≈5.0 V vs Li+/Li), and high ionic conductivity (4.5×10−4 S cm−1). Notably, the crosslinked PDOL electrolyte is in the all‐solid‐state with minimal monomer/oligomer residual, exhibiting no crystallization during relaxation, delivering a robust performance in all‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The lithium-ion conduction mechanism of organic-inorganic composite solid electrolytes (OICSEs) is thoroughly conducted and concluded from the microscopic perspective based on filler content, type, and system. The classic inorganic filler types, including inert and active fillers, are categorized with special emphasis on the relationship between inorganic filler structure design and the electrochemical performance of OICSEs. Advanced characterization techniques for OICSEs are discussed, and the challenges and prospects for developing superior all-solid-state lithium batteries are highlighted. To address the limitations of contemporary lithium-ion batteries, particularly their low energy density and safety concerns, all-solid-state lithium batteries equipped with solid-state electrolytes have been identified as an up-and-coming alternative. Among the various SEs, organic–inorganic composite solid electrolytes (OICSEs) that combine the advantages of both polymer and inorganic materials demonstrate promising potential for large-scale applications. However, OICSEs still face many challenges in practical applications, such as low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial stability, which severely limit their applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research advancements in OICSEs. Specifically, the influence of inorganic fillers on the main functional parameters of OICSEs, including ionic conductivity, Li+ transfer number, mechanical strength, electrochemical stability, electronic conductivity, and thermal stability are systematically discussed. The lithium-ion conduction mechanism of OICSE is thoroughly analyzed and concluded from the microscopic perspective. Besides, the classic inorganic filler types, including both inert and active fillers, are categorized with special emphasis on the relationship between inorganic filler structure design and the electrochemical performance of OICSEs. Finally, the advanced characterization techniques relevant to OICSEs are summarized, and the challenges and perspectives on the future development of OICSEs are also highlighted for constructing superior ASSLBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The underlying migration mechanism of Mg2+ in cathode materials and roles of defects in Mg2+ migration in cathode materials were studied. Applications of defect engineering to Mg2+ migration in cathode materials and the strategies for introducing various defects were summarized. New development directions of defect engineering in cathode materials for rechargeable magnesium battery were prospected Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) have been considered a promising "post lithium-ion battery" system to meet the rapidly increasing demand of the emerging electric vehicle and grid energy storage market. However, the sluggish diffusion kinetics of bivalent Mg2+ in the host material, related to the strong Coulomb effect between Mg2+ and host anion lattices, hinders their further development toward practical applications. Defect engineering, regarded as an effective strategy to break through the slow migration puzzle, has been validated in various cathode materials for RMBs. In this review, we first thoroughly understand the intrinsic mechanism of Mg2+ diffusion in cathode materials, from which the key factors affecting ion diffusion are further presented. Then, the positive effects of purposely introduced defects, including vacancy and doping, and the corresponding strategies for introducing various defects are discussed. The applications of defect engineering in cathode materials for RMBs with advanced electrochemical properties are also summarized. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives of defect engineering in cathode materials for the overall high-performance RMBs are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium, a natural element, has been employed as a mental stabilizer in psychiatric treatments; however, some reports indicate it has an anticancer effect, prompting the consideration of repurposing lithium for cancer treatment. The potential anticancer use of lithium may depend on its form (salt type) and the type of cancer cells targeted. Little is known about the effects of Li2CO3 or LiCl on cancer cells, so we focused on exploring their effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle as part of the hallmarks of cancer. Firstly, we established the IC50 values on HeLa, SiHa, and HaCaT cells with LiCl and Li2CO3 and determined by crystal violet that cell proliferation was time-dependent in the three cell lines (IC50 values for LiCl were 23.43 mM for SiHa, 23.14 mM for HeLa, and 15.10 mM for HaCaT cells, while the IC50 values for Li2CO3 were 20.57 mM for SiHa, 11.52 mM for HeLa, and 10.52 mM for HaCaT cells.) Our findings indicate that Li2CO3 and LiCl induce DNA fragmentation and caspase-independent apoptosis, as shown by TUNEL, Western Blot, and Annexin V/IP assay by flow cytometry. Also, cell cycle analysis showed that LiCl and Li2CO3 arrested the cervical cancer cells at the G1 phase. Moreover, lithium salts displayed an anti-migratory effect on the three cell lines observed by the wound-healing assay. All these findings imply the viable anticancer effect of lithium salts by targeting several of the hallmarks of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]