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A novel inorganic-organic composite ultrathin film was fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly of naphthol green B (NGB) and layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanoplatelets, which shows remarkable electrocatalytic behavior for oxidation of ascorbic acid. LDHs nanoplatelets were prepared using a method involving separate nucleation and aging steps (particle size: 25±5 nm; aspect ratio: 2-4) and used as building blocks for alternate deposition with NGB on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and XRD display regular and uniform growth of the NGB/LDHs ultrathin film with extremely c-orientation of LDHs nanoplatelets (ab plane of microcrystals parallel to substrates). A continuous and uniform surface morphology was observed by SEM and AFM image. The film modified electrode displays a couple of well-defined reversible redox peaks attributed to Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) in NGB (ΔE(p)=68 mV and I(a)/I(c)=1.1). Moreover, the modified electrode shows a high electrocatalytic activity towards ascorbic acid in the range 1.2-55.2 μM with a detection limit of 0.51 μM (S/N=3). The Michaelis-Menten constant was calculated to be K(M)(app)=67.5 μM., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) based on anion (de)intercalation into low‐cost graphitic carbon cathodes hold great promise in grid‐scale energy storage. Different from the electrolyte in rocking‐chair batteries, which only serves as a charge transporter, both cations and anions in the electrolyte for DIBs participate in battery reactions. Hence, the impact of the electrolyte formulation on cycle life, energy density, as well as cost has become a subject of vital importance. This review discussed the challenges and recent progress of electrolytes for DIBs, with a particular focus on the exploration of electrolytes with high oxidation stability, high salt concentration, high ionic conductivity, and low cost. Moreover, the influence of varied ion concentrations at different state‐of‐charge levels on the electrolyte properties such as ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability is analyzed. Finally, perspectives on the current limitations and future research directions of electrolytes for DIBs are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chalcogenides have been viewed as important conversion‐type Mg2+‐storage cathodes to fulfill the high volumetric energy density promise of magnesium (Mg) batteries. However, the low initial Columbic efficiency and the rapid capacity degradation remain challenges for the chalcogenide cathodes, as the clear Mg2+‐storage mechanism has yet to be clarified. Herein, we illustrate that the charge storage mechanism of the Cu2−xSe cathode is a reversible displacement reaction along with a polyselenide (PSe) mediated solution process of anion‐compensation. The unique anion redox improves charge storage, while the dissolution of PSe also leads to performance degradation. To address this issue, we introduce Mo6S8 into the Cu2−xSe cathode to immobilize PSe, which significantly improves performance, especially the reversible capacity (from 140 mAh g−1 to 220 mAh g−1). This work provides inspiration for the modification of the Mg2+‐storage cathode, which is a milestone for high‐performance Mg batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state zinc (Zn) batteries offer a new candidate for emerging applications sensitive to volume, safety and cost. However, current solid polymeric or ceramic electrolyte structures remain poorly conductive for the divalent Zn2+, especially at room temperature. Constructing a heterogeneous interface which allows Zn2+ percolation is a viable option, but this is rarely involved in multivalent systems. Herein, we construct a solid Zn2+‐ion conductor by inducing crystallization of tailored eutectic liquids formed by organic Zn salts and bipolar ligands. High‐entropy eutectic‐networks weaken the ion‐association and form interfacial Zn2+‐percolated channels on the nucleator surfaces, resulting in a solid crystal with exceptional selectivity for Zn2+ transport (tZn2+ =0.64) and appreciable Zn2+ conductivity (σZn2+ =3.78×10−5 S cm−1 at 30 °C, over 2 orders of magnitude higher than conventional polymers), and finally enabling practical ambient‐temperature Zn/V2O5 metal solid cells. This design principle leveraged by the eutectic solidification affords new insights on the multivalent solid electrochemistry suffering from slow ion migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover Feature: Rational Design of Functional Electrolytes Towards Commercial Dual-Ion Batteries (ChemSusChem 4/2023) Keywords: dual-ion batteries; electrochemistry; electrolytes; energy density; energy storage EN dual-ion batteries electrochemistry electrolytes energy density energy storage 1 1 1 02/23/23 20230220 NES 230220 B The Cover Feature b shows a dual-ion battery based on anion intercalation into graphite cathode for grid-scale energy storage. Dual-ion batteries, electrochemistry, electrolytes, energy density, energy storage. [Extracted from the article]

Supported nickel nanoparticles with high dispersion have been prepared by partial reduction of NiAl-layered double hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) precursors, which exhibit significant electrocatalytic behavior towards glucose. XRD and XPS results confirm that the nickel nanoparticles are successfully synthesized. TEM images reveal that the nickel nanoparticles are highly dispersed in the NiAl-LDH matrix with a size of 6±0.3 nm. The resulting nanocomposite modified electrode displays significant electrocatalytic performance to glucose with a broad linear response range (8.0×10−5-2.0×10−3 M), low detection limit (3.6 µM), high sensitivity (339.2 µA/mM), selectivity and excellent reproducibility as well as repeatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • All-amorphous PEO-based Zn2+ solid polymer electrolyte is designed. • In-situ polymerization process endows compatible interfaces. • Highly reversible solid-state Zn electrochemistry is achieved. The revival of rechargeable zinc (Zn)-ion batteries was overshadowed by the deep-seated issues of dendrite growth and intricate side-reactions in routine aqueous electrolytes. Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are potentially promising to address these issues, but the valid Zn2+ conduction and proper Zn electrochemistry have been difficult of accomplishment due to the high-degree crystallization of PEO and its interfacial incompatibility with stiff Zn metal. Herein, we bypass these obstacles by the in-situ polymerization of the stark but hand-picked monomer, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate, characterized by the long side-chains with pendant ethylene oxide units, to construct the all-amorphous Zn2+ SPEs for the first time. The long side-chains favor the formation of amorphous matrix while the in-situ process endows compatible electrolyte/electrode interfaces, thus leading to a high ambient ionic conductivity (2.87 × 10−5 S cm−1) as well as low interfacial resistances. The demonstration of this SPE in solid state Zn/Zn symmetrical cells and rechargeable Zn/Mo 6 S 8 cells with long life-spans signifies the highly reversible and dendrite-free Zn electrochemistry. Our results lay groundwork not only for Zn but for other multivalent-metal batteries suffering from poor bulk and interfacial ion transport to construct the rechargeable all-solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]