Direct Intermediate Regulation Enabled by Sulfur Containers in Working Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Biomass-Derived Lenthionine Enhanced by Radical Receptor for Rechargeable Lithium Battery

Organic compounds with tunable structures and high capacities are promising electrode materials for batteries. Cyclic organosulfide (i. e., lenthionine), as a natural material that can provide excellent ratio of effective atoms (S) and non-efficient atoms (C, H, and others), has a high theoretical specific capacity of 853.6 mAh g^-1 . However, the multiphase transformation causes rapid capacity decay and hysteresis of charge/discharge voltage plateaus. To overcome these issues, a receptor, phenyl disulfide (PDS), was introduced to truncate subsequent transformations directly from the source and change the reaction path, inhibit the capacity decay, and improve the cycling stability. After 500 cycles, the capacity retention was 81.1 % with PDS, which was in sharp contrast to that (35.6 %) of the control cell. This study helps to understand the electrochemistry mechanism of biomass-derived lenthionine used as a high-capacity cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries, also offering a strategy to overcome its inherent issues.

Understanding the Design of Cathode Materials for Na-Ion Batteries

With the escalating demand for sustainable energy sources, the sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) appear as a pragmatic option to develop large energy storage grid applications in contrast to existing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to the availability of cheap sodium precursors. Nevertheless, the commercialization of SIBs has not been carried out so far due to the inefficacies of present electrode materials, particularly cathodes. Thus, from a future application perspective, this short review highlights the intrinsic challenges and corresponding strategies for the extensively researched layered transition metal oxides, polyanionic compounds, and Prussian blue analogues. In addition, the commercial feasibility of existing materials considering relevant parameters is also discussed. The insights provided in the current review may serve as an aid in designing efficient cathode materials for state-of-the-art SIBs.

Advanced Electrolyte Design for High-Energy-Density Li-Metal Batteries under Practical Conditions

Given the limitations inherent in current intercalation-based Li-ion batteries, much research attention has focused on potential successors to Li-ion batteries such as lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries and lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂ ) batteries. In order to realize the potential of these batteries, the use of metallic lithium as the anode is essential. However, there are severe safety hazards associated with the growth of Li dendrites, and the formation of "dead Li" during cycles leads to the inevitable loss of active Li, which in the end is undoubtedly detrimental to the actual energy density of Li-metal batteries. For Li-metal batteries under practical conditions, a low negative/positive ratio (N/P ratio), a electrolyte/cathode ratio (E/C ratio) along with a high-voltage cathode is prerequisite. In this Review, we summarize the development of new electrolyte systems for Li-metal batteries under practical conditions, revisit the design criteria of advanced electrolytes for practical Li-metal batteries and provide perspectives on future development of electrolytes for practical Li-metal batteries.