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Calcium‐ion batteries (CIBs) are considered as potential next‐generation energy storage systems due to their abundant reserves and relatively low cost. However, irreversible structural changes and weak conductivity still hinder in current CIBs cathode materials. Herein, an organic molecular intercalation strategy is proposed, in which V2O5 regulated with quinoline, pyridine, and water molecules are studied as cathode material to provide fast ion diffusion channels, large storage host, and high conductivity for Ca ions. Among them, V2O5‐quinoline (QVO) owns the largest interplanar spacing of 1.25 nm and the V‐O chains are connected with organic molecular by hydrogen bond, which stabilizes the crystal structure. As a result, QVO exhibits a specific capacity of 168 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and capacity retention of 80% after 500 cycles at 5 A g−1 than the other materials. Furthermore, X‐Ray diffraction and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy results reveal a reversible order‐disorder transformation mechanism of Ca2+ for QVO, which can make full use of the abundant active sites for high capacity and simultaneously achieve fast reaction kinetics for excellent rate performance. These results demonstrate that QVO is a promising cathode material for CIBs, providing more choices for the development of high‐performance CIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium ion batteries (CIBs) are considered as an important candidate for post‐lithium energy storage devices due to their abundance of resources and low cost. However, CIBs still suffer from slow kinetics due to the large solvation structure and high desolvation energy of Ca2+ ions. Here, a solvation regulation strategy based on donor number (DN) is reported to achieve easy‐desolvation and rapid storage of Ca2+ in sodium vanadate (Na2V6O16·2H2O, NVO). Specially, the solvent with a low DN, represented by propylene carbonate (PC), forms the first solvation shell of calcium ions with weak binding energy and small shell structure, which facilitates the migration of Ca2+ in the electrolyte. More importantly, the low DN solvent is preferentially desolvated at the cathode/electrolyte interface, promoting the insertion of Ca2+ into the NVO electrode. Mechanism studies further confirm the highly reversible uptake/release of Ca2+ in the NVO cathode, along with the VO distance change in the coordination structure. Therefore, the NVO cathode achieves high capacity (376 mAh g−1 at 0.3 A g−1) and high‐rate performance (151 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1). The weak solvation effect strategy further improves the electrochemical performance and provides great importance for the design of the long‐term development of CIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage systems due to their high safety, large capacity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, their commercialization is currently hindered by several challenging issues, including cathode degradation and zinc dendrite growth. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have gained significant attention and are widely used in AZIBs due to their highly porous structures, large specific surface area, and ability to design frameworks for Zn2+ shuttle. Based on preceding contributions, this review aims to generalize two design principles for MOF-based materials in AZIBs: cathode preparation and anode protection. For cathode preparation, we mainly introduce novel MOF-based electrode materials such as pure MOFs, porous carbon materials, metal oxides, and their compounds, focusing on the analysis of the specific capacity of AZIBs. For anode protection, we systematically analyze MOF-based materials used as 3D Zn architecture, solid electrolyte interfaces, novel separators, and solid-state electrolytes, highlighting the improvement in the cyclic stability of Zn anodes. Finally, we propose the future development of MOF-based materials in AZIBs. Our work can give some clues for raising the practical application level of aqueous ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in new energy power generation and the continuous augment in the penetration rate of electric vehicles, it is of crucial importance to use electric vehicles as energy storage devices to promote the consumption of new energy. Aiming at the uncertainty of electric vehicles, this paper proposes a method based on multiobjective optimization for electric vehicle‐supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system to track PV project output. The hybrid system consists of electric vehicles and supercapacitor. Electric vehicles and supercapacitors supplement the deviation of PV actual power and predicted power by charging and discharging. The electric vehicle is regarded as a nonspecific way to label a piece of equipment that can store energy. First and foremost, on the basis of traditional method of predicting PV output, a PSO‐BP prediction method based on PCA is proposed to improve the accuracy of PV output prediction. Secondarily, according to the different characteristics of electric vehicles and supercapacitors, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method is used to decompose the deviation that the hybrid energy storage system needs to bear with the purpose of initially allocating the energy. Furthermore, a multiobjective optimization model is established for the precise energy distribution of the hybrid energy storage system, and the NSGA‐III algorithm is used to solve it. Ultimately, the data of a domestic PV power station are used for simulation. After optimized control, the result shows that the standard deviation of the system output is reduced from 1967 to 75.77. The research in this article provides a theoretical basis for the application of electric vehicle virtual energy storage technology in the field of auxiliary new energy grid connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have received incremental attention because of their cost‐effectiveness and the materials abundance. They are a promising choice for large‐scale energy storage applications. However, developing suitable cathode materials for ZIBs remains a great challenge. In this work, pioneering work on the designing and construction of aqueous Zn//Na0.33V2O5 batteries is reported. The Na0.33V2O5 (NVO) electrode delivers a high capacity of 367.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and exhibits long‐term cyclic stability with a capacity retention over 93% for 1000 cycles. The improvement of electrical conductivity, resulting from the intercalation of sodium ions between the [V4O12]n layers, is demonstrated by single nanowire device. Furthermore, the reversible intercalation reaction mechanism is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, Raman, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The outstanding performance can be attributed to the stable layered structure and high conductivity of NVO. This work also indicates that layered structural materials show great potential as the cathode of ZIBs, and the indigenous ions can act as pillars to stabilize the layered structure, thereby ensuring an enhanced cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aqueous Zn/VS2 battery is designed, which consists of a VS2 cathode, a zinc anode, and a mild ZnSO4 aqueous electrolyte. The battery delivers a high capacity, and exhibits long‐term cyclic stability due to the large layer spacing and high conductivity of VS2. A reversible insertion/extraction of Zn2+ is observed during the discharge/charge process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), as a widely used tool in probing the structure evolution in electrochemical process as well as the energy storage and capacity fading mechanism, has shown great effects with optimizing and building better batteries. Based on the research progresses of in situ XRD in recent years, we give a review of the development and the utilization of this powerful tool in understanding the complex electrochemical mechanisms. The studies on in situ XRD are divided into three sections based on the reaction mechanisms: alloying, conversion, and intercalation reactions in lithium-ion batteries. The alloying reaction, in which lithium ions insert into Si, Sb, and Ge is firstly reviewed, followed by a discussion about the recent development of in situ XRD on conversion reaction materials (including metal oxides and metal sulfides) and intercalation reaction materials (including cathode materials and some structure-stable anode materials). As for sodium-ion batteries, we divide these researches on structure evolution into two categories: cathode and anode materials. Finally, the future development of in situ XRD is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accompanied by the development and utilization of renewable energy sources, efficient energy storage has become a key topic. Electrochemical energy storage devices are considered to be one of the most practical energy storage devices capable of converting and storing electrical energy generated by renewable resources, which are also used as the power source of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. The ultimate goals of electrochemical energy storage devices are long lifespan, high safety, high power, and high energy density. To achieve the above goals, researchers have attempted to use various nanomaterials to improve electrochemical performance. Among these, 1D materials play a critical role. This review classifies nanowires according to morphologies (simple nanowires, core–shell/coated nanowires, hierarchical/heterostructured nanowires, porous/mesoporous nanowires, hollow structures) and combined forms (nanowire arrays, nanowire networks, nanowire bundles) and introduces their characteristics and corresponding synthetic methods. The characteristics and advantages of nanowires in lithium‐ion, sodium‐ion and zinc‐ion batteries, and supercapacitors, along with in situ characterization of nanowire electrode are reflected in the application examples. In the summary and outlook section, some comments are presented to provide directions for further exploring nanowire based electrochemical energy storage in the future. Nanowires possess the advantages of 1D nanoarchitecture and various combinations to further enhance the performance of electrochemical energy storage devices. The current status of nanowires, including methods for controllable synthesis, and their significant applications in lithium‐ion, sodium‐ion and zinc‐ion batteries, and supercapacitors, is presented. Meanwhile, in situ characterization of nanowire electrodes is also mentioned as an efficient approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The energy transfer processes in Lu2SiO5:Ce3+ luminescence was investigated through the temperature dependent luminescence under excitation with VUV–UV. Ce1 center emission peaking at 393 and 422nm and Ce2 center emission peaking at 462nm were observed. Ce2 center emission is enhanced with the temperature, which can be explained by the rate of energy transfer from Ce1 center increases when the temperature rises. The Ce1 emission shows the thermal quenching effect under the direct excitation of Ce3+ at 262nm. However, under the interband excitation of 183nm, the Ce1 center emission exhibits undulating temperature dependence. This is because the emission is governed by thermal quenching and possible thermal enhancement of the transport of free carriers with the rising temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]