Lithium- (Li-) ion batteries have revolutionized our daily life towards wireless and clean style, and the demand for batteries with higher energy density and better safety is highly required. The next-generation batteries with innovatory chemistry, material, and engineering breakthroughs are in strong pursuit currently. Herein, the key historical developments of practical electrode materials in Li-ion batteries are summarized as the cornerstone for the innovation of next-generation batteries. In addition, the emerging electrode materials for next-generation batteries are discussed as the revolving challenges and potential strategies. Finally, the future scenario of high-energy-density rechargeable batteries is presented. The combination of theory and experiment under multiscale is highlighted to promote the development of emerging electrode materials.

Xin Shen

Xue-Qiang Zhang

Fei Ding

Jia-Qi Huang

Rui Xu

Xiang Chen

Chong Yan

Fang-Yuan Su

Cheng-Meng Chen

Xingjiang Liu

Qiang Zhang

Advanced Electrode Materials in Lithium Batteries: Retrospect and Prospect

Amorphous molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising electrochemical catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to more active sites exposed on the surface compared to its crystalline counterpart. In this study, a novel fast three-minute one-pot method is proposed to prepare the single-wall carbon nanotube- (SWCNT-) supported amorphous MoS2 via a microwave heating process. Compared to traditional hydro- or solvent thermal methods to prepare MoS2 which usually consume more than 10 hours, it is more promising for fast production. An overpotential at 10&#x2009;mA/cm2 of amorphous MoS2@SWCNT is 178&#x2009;mV, which is 99&#x2009;mV and 22&#x2009;mV lower than crystalline MoS2@SWCNT and pure amorphous MoS2, respectively. After running 1000 cycles of polarization, &#x007E;2&#x0025; increase in overpotential is observed, indicating its good stability. The enhanced performance results from the beneficial combination of the SWCNT substrate and the amorphous microstructures. The introduction of SWCNT increases catalyst conductivity and prevents MoS2 aggregation. The amorphous microstructures of MoS2 prepared by a microwave heating method lead to more Mo edges or active sites exposed.

Wei Tang

Jie Jian

Gen Chen

Wenjuan Bian

Jiuling Yu

Haiyan Wang

Meng Zhou

Dong Ding

Hongmei Luo

Carbon Nanotube Supported Amorphous MoS2 via Microwave Heating Synthesis for Enhanced Performance of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The integration of solid-polymer electrolytes into all-solid-state lithium batteries is highly desirable to overcome the limitations of current battery configurations that have a low energy density and severe safety concerns. Polyacrylonitrile is an appealing matrix for solid-polymer electrolytes; however, the practical utilization of such polymer electrolytes in all-solid-state cells is impeded by inferior ionic conductivity and instability against a lithium-metal anode. In this work, we show that a polymer-in-salt electrolyte based on polyacrylonitrile with a lithium salt as the major component exhibits a wide electrochemically stable window, a high ionic conductivity, and an increased lithium-ion transference number. The growth of dendrites from the lithium-metal anode was suppressed effectively by the polymer-in-salt electrolyte to increase the safety features of the batteries. In addition, we found that a stable interphase was formed between the lithium-metal anode and the polymer-in-salt electrolyte to restrain the uncontrolled parasitic reactions, and we demonstrated an all-solid-state battery configuration with a LiFePO4 cathode and the polymer-in-salt electrolyte, which exhibited a superior cycling stability and rate capability.

Hongcai Gao

Nicholas S. Grundish

Yongjie Zhao

Aijun Zhou

John B. Goodenough

Formation of Stable Interphase of Polymer-in-Salt Electrolyte in All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

About this journal

The Open Access journal Energy Material Advances, published in association with BIT, is an interdisciplinary platform for research in multiple fields from cutting-edge material to energy science.

Journal profile

Meet the editorial board

Energy Material Advances’&nbsp;editorial board is led by Feng Wu (Beijing Institute of Technology) and&nbsp;Jun Liu (University of Washington) and is comprised of experts who have made significant and well recognized contributions to the field.

Editorial board

More special issue details

Energy Material Advances&nbsp;is now considering submissions for two special issues:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://spj.sciencemag.org/energy-material-advances-special-issues/perovskite/">Perovskite Semiconductor Nanocrystals</a>

&nbsp;

<a href="https://spj.sciencemag.org/energy-material-advances-special-issues/na-ion-batteries/">Na-Ion Batteries</a>

Table of Contents

Table of Contents: 2021

Advanced Electrode Materials in Lithium Batteries: Retrospect and Prospect

Carbon Nanotube Supported Amorphous MoS₂ via Microwave Heating Synthesis for Enhanced Performance of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Formation of Stable Interphase of Polymer-in-Salt Electrolyte in All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries