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Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have emerged as the most commercialized rechargeable battery technology. However, their inherent property, called thermal runaway, poses a high risk of fire. This article introduces the "Battery Immersed in Fire Prevention Material (BIF)", the immersion-type battery in which all of the LIB cells are surrounded by a liquid agent. This structure and the agent enable active battery fire suppression under abusive conditions while facilitating improved thermal management during normal operation. Abuse tests involving a battery revealed that the LIB module experienced fire, explosions, and burnouts with the target cell reaching temperatures of 1405 °C and the side reaching 796 °C. Conversely, the BIF module exhibited a complete lack of fire propagation, with temperatures lower than those of LIBs, particularly 285 and 17 °C, respectively. Under normal operating conditions, the BIF module exhibited an average temperature rise ~8.6 times lower than that of a normal LIB. Furthermore, it reduced the uneven thermal deviation between the cells by ~5.3 times more than LIB. This study provides a detailed exploration of the BIF and covers everything from components to practical applications. With further improvements, this technology can significantly enhance fire safety and prevent the thermal degradation of batteries in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable seawater batteries (SWBs) using seawater as a catholyte have attracted extensive attention owing to the ocean's high theoretical energy density (3051 Wh L‐1, 3145 Wh kg‐1) and excellent thermal management. However, despite many improvements in materials and cell designs used in SWBs so far, there is a limit on the energy density in practical use, because of the lack of optimization of the cell structure. Herein, this work introduces a novel design by applying a rigid frame with an extended space called "prismatic‐type." Consequently, an energy density of 23 Wh (242 Wh L‐1) is obtained by increasing the specific area of the unit cell and the capability of the anode active materials in the internal space. In addition, it enables the design of a discrete type that can improve the power density by increasing the surface area of the cathode current collectors. With the increased surface area, a peak power of 1162 mW is achieved for the discrete type compared to 727 mW for the integral type. These results suggest that these newly designed prismatic SWBs could contribute to practical applications in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium‐seawater batteries (Na‐SWB) are considered among the most promising electrochemical devices for large‐scale energy storage and the marine sector. In fact, by employing an open‐structured cathode, they benefit from the unlimited supply of sodium from seawater. This means, that the energy of such systems is intrinsically limited by the capacity of the anode. In order to increase the energy of Na‐SWB, it is therefore necessary to introduce a high‐capacity anode such as, e.g., red phosphorus. However, due to its large volume changes upon charge/discharge processes, obtaining thick electrodes and large areal capacity is extremely challenging. Herein, the areal/absolute capacity of the red phosphorus anode is increased by employing a semi‐liquid electrode, which includes two redox mediators, i.e., sodium‐biphenyl and sodium‐pyrene, as reducing and oxidizing species for the exploitation of the full red phosphorus capacity. As a result, the red phosphorus semi‐liquid anode in Na‐SWB provides a high‐capacity of 15 mAh cm–2 in a static anode, showing great energy storage potential for operation in flow‐mode when storing the semi‐liquid negative electrode in a storage tank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable seawater batteries (SWBs) are regarded as sustainable alternatives to Li‐ion batteries due to the use of an unlimited and free source of Na ion active materials. Although many approaches including the introduction of new catalysts have successfully improved the performance of SWBs, reconsidering the cell design is an urgent requirement to improve the performance and scale up the production of practical batteries. In this study, by adjusting the maximum space efficiency, a rectangular cell is developed which due to its unique architecture, benefits from optimized contact to improve the overall charge transfer in the system. In view of the rigidity of the solid electrolyte, the novel cell model is intended to have adequate flexibility to be easily transported and practically utilized. Furthermore, the enhanced efficiency of the parallel stacked modules, indicates the capability of this cell in practical use. The designed catalyst‐free cell system shows a record capacity of 3.8 Ah (47.5 Ah kg−1), energy of 11 Wh (137.5 Wh kg−1), and peak power of 523 mW for individual unit cell, while it also retains performance up to 100 cycles. This design paves the way for commercializing rechargeable seawater batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable seawater batteries have gained recognition as key sustainable electrochemical systems by employing the near‐infinite and eco‐friendly catholyte seawater. However, their practical applications have been limited owing to the low chemical and electrochemical stability of the anode component. Herein, a stability‐secured approach was developed by using sodium‐biphenyl‐dimethoxyethane solution as a redox‐active functional anolyte for high‐performance seawater batteries. This anolyte system shows high electrochemical stability, superior cycle performance, and cost‐effectiveness over conventional electrolyte systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A strategy is described to increase charge storage in a dual electrolyte Na‐ion battery (DESIB) by combining the redox chemistry of the electrolyte with a Na+ ion de‐insertion/insertion cathode. Conventional electrolytes do not contribute to charge storage in battery systems, but redox‐active electrolytes augment this property via charge transfer reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The capacity of the cathode combined with that provided by the electrolyte redox reaction thus increases overall charge storage. An aqueous sodium hexacyanoferrate (Na4Fe(CN)6) solution is employed as the redox‐active electrolyte (Na‐FC) and sodium nickel Prussian blue (Nax‐NiBP) as the Na+ ion insertion/de‐insertion cathode. The capacity of DESIB with Na‐FC electrolyte is twice that of a battery using a conventional (Na2SO4) electrolyte. The use of redox‐active electrolytes in batteries of any kind is an efficient and scalable approach to develop advanced high‐energy‐density storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are of vital importance in energy conversion and storage devices. Despite the recent progress in bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, their unbalanced and insufficient OER and ORR activities has continued to pose challenges for the practical application of such energy devices. The design of highly integrated, high-performance, bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts composed of highly graphitic nanoshells embedded in mesoporous carbon (GNS/MC) is reported. The GNS/MC exhibits very high oxygen electrode activity, which is one of the best performances among nonprecious metal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, and substantially outperforms Ir- and Pt-based catalysts. Moreover, the GNS/MC shows excellent durability for both OER and ORR. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry reveal the roles of residual Ni and Fe entities in enhancing OER and ORR activities. Raman spectra indicate highly graphitic, defect-rich nature of the GNS/MC, which can contribute to the enhanced OER activity and to high stability for the OER and ORR. In aqueous Na-air battery tests, the GNS/ MC air cathode-based cell exhibits superior performance to Ir/C- and Pt/C-based batteries. Significantly, the GNS/MC-based cell demonstrates the first example of rechargeable aqueous Na-air battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Strategies for Li-ion batteries that are based on lithium-insertion compounds as cathodes are limited by the capacities of the cathode materials and by the safe charging rates for Li transport across a passivating SEI layer on a carbon-based anode. With these strategies, it is difficult to meet the commercial constraints on Li-ion batteries for plug-in-hybrid and all-electric vehicles as well as those for stationary electrical energy storage (EES) in a grid. Existing alternative strategies include a gaseous O2 electrode in a Li/air battery and a solid sulfur (S8) cathode in a Li/S battery. We compare the projected energy densities and EES efficiencies of these cells with those of a third alternative, a Li/Fe(III)/Fe(II) cell containing a redox couple in an aqueous solution as the cathode. Preliminary measurements indicate proof of concept, but implementation of this strategy requires identification of a suitable Li+-ion electrolyte. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new cathode composition in the form of LiNi0.81Co0.1Al0.09O2 is reported by Youngsik Kim, Jaephil Cho, and co‐workers in article number 1301583. Compared to the popular LiNi0.85Co0.1Al0.05O2 cathode, the new LiNi0.81Co0.1Al0.09O2 exhibits excellent rate capability of 155 mAh g−1 at 10 C with a cut‐off voltage range between 3 and 4.5 V, corresponding to 562 Wh kg−1 at 24 °C. It additionally provides improved thermal stability above 200 °C and electrochemical performance at the high temperature of 60 °C, demonstrating a discharge capacity of 122 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles with a capacity retention of 59%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a composite polymer matrix for gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is prepared by the electrospinning process, combining poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and nano-sized Al 2 O 3 ceramic particles. The composite matrix is impregnated with a liquid electrolyte to prepare the GPE-Al 2 O 3 composite and its properties are compared with those of pure GPE. The GPE-Al 2 O 3 composite improves the interfacial resistance, ion coordination and the electrochemical stability of the GPE. The electrochemical performances are analyzed by applying the GPEs to LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 (NMC) and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) cells. The GPE-Al 2 O 3 composite exhibits a higher discharge capacity than the GPE at 0.1 C-rate and excellent performance in both the LTO and the NMC half-cells under cyclic conditions. The GPE-Al 2 O 3 composite shows good compatibility and high electrochemical property on LTO/NMC full-cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing green energy solutions has become crucial to society. However, to develop a clean and renewable energy system, significant developments must be made, not only in energy conversion technologies (such as solar panels and wind turbines) but also regarding the feasibility and capabilities of stationary electrical energy storage (EES) systems. Many types of EES systems have been considered such as pumped hydroelectric storage (PHS), compressed air energy storage (CAES), flywheels, and electrochemical storage. Among them, electrochemical storage such as battery has the advantage of being more efficient compared to other candidates, because it is more suitable in terms of the scalability, efficiency, lifetime, discharge time, and weight and/or mobility of the system. Currently, rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are the most successful portable electricity storage devices, but their use is limited to small electronic equipment. Using LIBs to store large amounts of electrical energy in stationary applications is limited, not only by performance but also by cost. Thus, a viable battery technology that can store large amounts of electrical energy in stationary applications is needed. In this review, well-developed and recent progress on the chemistry and design of batteries, as well as their effects on the electrochemical performance, is summarized and compared. In addition, the challenges that are yet to be solved and the possibilities for further improvements are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The water and carbon cycles are central to the Earth's ecosystem, enabling the sustainable development of human societies. To mitigate the global issues of water shortages and climate change, we report a new electrochemical system that fulfills two functions—seawater desalination and carbon dioxide air-capture—during the charge and discharge processes. The seawater desalination-carbon capture system utilizes a seawater battery platform, consisting of three major compartments (desalination, sodium-collection, and carbon-capture), which are separated by sodium superionic conducting ceramic membranes. It is found that the concentrations of sodium ions and chloride ions in fresh seawater (total dissolved solids ≈ 34,000 ppm) are significantly decreased by the charging of the seawater desalination-carbon capture system, resulting in brackish water (total dissolved solids ≈ 7000 ppm). The discharge process induces the air-capture of ambient carbon dioxide gases through carbonation reactions, which is demonstrated by the carbon dioxide gas removal in this compartment. The hybrid system suggests a new electrochemical approach for both desalination and carbon capture. Highlights • A Hybrid-type Seawater Desalination-Carbon Capture system is demonstrated. • The hybrid system uses NASICON membranes to utilize Na+ ions from seawater. • Charging of the system can remove Na+ and Cl− ions from seawater. • Discharging of the system can capture CO 2 via formation of carbonate precipitates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently introduced seawater battery concept is an eco-friendly energy storage system that offers appealing electrochemical performance. Its radically innovative design, compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, makes use of seawater as an almost infinite sodium reservoir for the positive electrode and, thereby, avoids the use of expensive, scarce, and toxic elements like nickel and cobalt. So far, the problems identified mostly originate from the available negative electrode active materials. In this study, a starch-derived hard carbon was used to optimize the system. Due to its improved disordered structure compared with commercial hard carbon, the starch hard carbon exhibits an increased reversible capacity, current-rate capability, and cycling ability. The material, in fact, depicts a high maximum power density of 700 W kg −1 (based on hard carbon weight) upon discharge at 900 mA g −1 , while still being active at 2700 mA g −1 . These results represent an important step toward practical application of the sodium-based seawater battery technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell design and optimization of the components, including active materials and passive components, play an important role in constructing robust, high-performance rechargeable batteries. Seawater batteries, which utilize earth-abundant and natural seawater as the active material in an open-structured cathode, require a new platform for building and testing the cells other than typical Li-ion coin-type or pouch-type cells. Herein, we present new findings based on our optimized cell. Engineering the cathode components—improving the wettability of cathode current collector and seawater catholyte flow—improves the battery performance (voltage efficiency). Optimizing the cell component and design is the key to identifying the electrochemical processes and reactions of active materials. Hence, the outcome of this research can provide a systematic study of potentially active materials used in seawater batteries and their effectiveness on the electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifunctional catalysts are prominent to attain high capacity, maximum energy efficiency and long cycle-life for aqueous rechargeable Na-air batteries. In this work, we report the synthesis of bi-functional noble metal free, Co 3 (PO 4 ) 2 nanostructures by facile precipitation technique and evaluated its electrocatalytic activity. Co 3 (PO 4 ) 2 nanostructure was investigated as a potential electrocatalyst for rechargeable aqueous Na-air battery for the first time. The synthesized Co 3 (PO 4 ) 2 grain-like nanostructures showed better oxygen evolution activity compared to Pt/C catalyst. The fabricated Na-air battery with the Co 3 (PO 4 ) 2 catalyst as air-cathode delivered low overpotential and its round trip energy efficiency reached up to 83%. The Na-air battery exhibited stable cycle performance up to 50 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the assembly of a rechargeable seawater battery using hard carbon as the anode, seawater as the cathode, and a fast Na ion-conducting ceramic as the solid electrolyte. Two different Na ion-conducting ceramics, β″-Al 2 O 3 and Na 3 Zr 2 Si 2 PO 12 (NASICON), are used as the solid electrolytes in this study. The discharge capacity of the seawater battery with the NASICON solid electrolyte is 120 mAh g −1 after the first cycle and over 91% coulombic efficiency after twenty cycles. However, under the same experimental conditions, the discharge capacity of the seawater battery with a β"-Al 2 O 3 electrolyte significantly drops to 10 mAh g −1 after one cycle. It is observed that the stability of NASICON in seawater is superior to that of β"-Al 2 O 3 and impedance results of NASICON are not changed significantly compared to that of β"-Al 2 O 3 after cycling tests. The stability of Na ion-conducting ceramics in seawater and their effects on the electrochemical performance of seawater batteries are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first rechargeable aqueous Na–air battery has been fabricated, and its electrochemical properties and reversibility are reported herein. The charge–discharge properties of the battery were tested using both Vulcan XC72R- and Pt/C-coated carbon paper as the air electrode. Pt/C-coated carbon paper exhibited a voltage efficiency of 84.3%, whereas, for Vulcan XC72R-coated carbon paper and uncoated carbon paper, the observed efficiencies were 78.0% and 72.4%, respectively. Use of Pt/C-coated carbon paper led to a high and stable discharging voltage of 2.85 V. The reported rechargeable aqueous Na–air battery is a potential candidate for high energy density batteries in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study focuses on preparing a hybrid electrolyte, the combination of 90wt% inorganic solid and 10wt% organic liquid, for lithium based rechargeable batteries to illustrate the effect of electrode/electrolyte interfacing on electrochemical performance. The inorganic solid electrolyte selected is Li1.3Ti1.7Al0.3(PO4)3, and the Li-ion conducting organic liquid electrolyte selected is 1M LiPF6 in EC:DEC. Because of the addition of Li-ion conducting liquid between the solid electrode and solid electrolyte, the hybrid electrolyte cell minimizes the ineffective solid-on-solid interfaces common in all-solid-state cells. It is also expected that using a liquid electrolyte at the point of contact between the solid electrolyte and the electrode will adjust for the volume change of the electrode during Li insertion/extraction. As a result, the electrochemical performance of the hybrid electrolyte cell is superior to that of a solid electrolyte cell and is also competitive to that of a pure liquid electrolyte coin cell. Another advantage of the hybrid electrolyte cell observed in this work is that this system behaves as a self-safety device when sudden, higher temperatures are applied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aqueous Li-air batteries have attracted a great deal of attention due to their high theoretical energy capacities. However, while still in the early stages of research, the reported energy capacities of Li-air batteries are far from what has been theoretically predicted. In this research, we have designed a Li-air battery that has a Li ǀ organic liquid electrolyte ǀ Li+-conducting glass ceramic plate (LiGC plate) ǀ aqueous electrolyte ǀ Pt air electrode structure and studied the impacts of the compositions of the aqueous electrolyte on the battery performance. With lower concentrations of alkali aqueous electrolytes (≤0.05M LiOH), a discharge voltage of approximately 3.5V (at 0.05mAcm−2) and a voltage efficiency up to 84% were observed. The addition of LiClO4 into the aqueous solution slightly lowered the discharge voltage to 3.3V but dramatically decreased the internal resistance of the battery to 35.4Ωcm−2. With a charge voltage plateau observed at 3.90V at a current of 0.05mAcm−2, the Li ǀ organic liquid electrolyte ǀ LiGC ǀ 1M LiClO4 ǀ Pt air battery showed an 85% voltage efficiency at room temperature. Adding LiClO4 into the aqueous electrolytes resulted in an impedance reduction and slowed the pH increase of the alkaline-based electrolyte due to the fast or long-term discharge of the air electrode in the Li-air battery. The discharge and charge voltage behaviors of the battery and the changes to the pH values of the aqueous electrolyte at different current rates were also recorded and are presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel desalination seawater battery (DSWB) has been developed by adapting the design of a rechargeable seawater battery, which operates for both seawater desalination and energy storage. The DSWB system has a unique architecture composed of two subsystems used for desalination and salination during charging and discharging, respectively. A higher energy density (4010 Wh/kg) can be achieved at high nominal cell potential (EO = 3.46 V, pH 8.4) in the DSWB system throughout the charging (desalination) process which is much larger than those of any reported desalination battery system (< 78 Wh/kg and <1.25 V). In addition, the system provides a compartment for desalination, which is independent from the salination (discharging) process, enabling the salination process to be carried out without renewing the seawater for every step, which enables the proposed system to achieve high levels of seawater desalination (up to 84%). The results affirm that further optimization of the cell system will facilitate economical and practical desalination battery applications with high energy density. Unlabelled Image • A novel desalination seawater battery was demonstrated. • The system stores energy with simultaneous desalination process. • The unique architecture prevents interference between salination and desalination. • This system exhibits high energy density (4010 Wh/kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]