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Aqueous rechargeable batteries (ARBs) are generally safer than non-aqueous analogues, they are also less-expensive, and more friendly to the environment. However, the inherent disadvantage of the narrow electrochemical window of H2O seriously restricts the energy density and output voltage of ARBs, especially aqueous rechargeable Fe-based batteries. Herein, we introduce a new battery system: the anode contains C@Fe/Fe2O3 composite, which is interfaced with an alkaline electrolyte; the cathode contains LiMn2O4 in contact with a neutral electrolyte. A Li+-conducting membrane is carefully selected to decouple the electrode-electrolyte, which effectively widens the electrochemical window to above 2.65 V, thereby enables an aqueous rechargeable iron battery. Its average output voltage is 1.83 V and its energy density is 235.3 Wh/kg at 549 W/kg. In this work, we propose the energy storage mechanism with the aid of density functional theory (DFT). The calculated reduction potential of the anode agrees with the experimental value. Furthermore, this battery system demonstrates long cycle lifespan of approximately 2500 cycles at 2 A/g, corresponding to a capacity retention of 82.1%. These results are very far superior than those of mainstream aqueous rechargeable Fe-based batteries, which guarantee future investigation for storing electricity energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A binary Mo/Fe-nitrogen-carbon material (MoFe-NC) catalyst was synthesized following the concept of biological nitrogen fixation. The MoFe-NC catalyst demonstrated a maximum N2 reduction faradaic efficiency of 39.9% and a NH3 yield rate of 28.5 μg mgcat−1 h−1 under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A binary Mo/Fe-nitrogen-carbon material (MoFe-NC) catalyst was synthesized following the concept of biological nitrogen fixation. The MoFe-NC catalyst demonstrated a maximum N2 reduction faradaic efficiency of 39.9% and a NH3 yield rate of 28.5 μg mgcat−1 h−1 under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc corrosion and dendrite formation are the main issues which impede the performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) after certain times. In this work, we systematically investigated the effects of three different valence ions (e. g. Na+, Mg2+, Al3+) as electrolyte additives on the suppression of zinc corrosion and the inhibition of dendrite growth. By combining experiments and theoretical calculations, it has been found that the existence of Na+ ions effectively suppressing the zinc dendrite growth because Na+ possessess high adsorption energy approximately −0.39 eV. Moreover, Na+ ions could lengthen the zinc dendrite formation duration up to 500 h. On the other hand, the PANI/ZMO cathode materials showed the small band gap approximately 0.097 eV, signifying that the PANI/ZMO possessed the semiconductor characteristics. Furthermore, an assembled Zn//PANI/ZMO/GNP full battery using Na+ ions as electrolyte additive displayed capacity retention of 90.2 % after 500 cycles at 0.2 A g−1, whereas the capacity retention of the control battery using pure ZnSO4 electrolyte was only 58.2 %. This work could provide a reference for the selection of electrolyte additives in future batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of MnO2 nanosheet arrays vertically grown on the surface of vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) are fabricated by a low-temperature redox reaction between KMnO4 and the VGCFs. An assembled AC/0.5 M K2SO4/MnO2@VGCF electrochemical capacitor exhibits a higher specific capacitance, as well as a better rate capability, at a fast-current density compared to the capacitor built on hydrothermally prepared, standalone MnO2. Electrochemical tests revealed that VGCFs act as a conducting matrix, which effectively improves the conductivity of MnO2 nanosheets during cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A binary Mo/Fe-nitrogen-carbon material (MoFe-NC) catalyst was synthesized following the concept of biological nitrogen fixation. The MoFe-NC catalyst demonstrated a maximum N 2 reduction faradaic efficiency of 39.9% and a NH 3 yield rate of 28.5 μg mg cat -1 h -1 under ambient conditions.

Zinc corrosion and dendrite formation are the main issues which impede the performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) after certain times. In this work, we systematically investigated the effects of three different valence ions (e. g., Na + , Mg 2+ , Al 3+ ) as electrolyte additives on the suppression of zinc corrosion and the inhibition of dendrite growth. By combining experiments and theoretical calculations, it has been found that the existence of Na + ions effectively suppressing the zinc dendrite growth because Na + possessess high adsorption energy approximately -0.39 eV. Moreover, Na + ions could lengthen the zinc dendrite formation duration up to 500 h. On the other hand, the PANI/ZMO cathode materials showed the small band gap approximately 0.097 eV, signifying that the PANI/ZMO possessed the semiconductor characteristics. Furthermore, an assembled Zn//PANI/ZMO/GNP full battery using Na + ions as electrolyte additive displayed capacity retention of 90.2 % after 500 cycles at 0.2 A g -1 , whereas the capacity retention of the control battery using pure ZnSO 4 electrolyte was only 58.2 %. This work could provide a reference for the selection of electrolyte additives in future batteries., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)