Pseudocapacitive Ti-Doped Niobium Pentoxide Nanoflake Structure Design for a Fast Kinetics Anode toward a High-Performance Mg-Ion-Based Dual-Ion Battery

Enhancing the Lithium Storage Performance of the Nb2O5 Anode via Synergistic Engineering of Phase and Cu Doping

Nb2O5 has been viewed as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries by virtue of its appropriate redox potential and high theoretical capacity. However, it suffers from poor electric conductivity and low ion diffusivity. Herein, we demonstrate the controllable fabrication of Cu-doped Nb2O5 with orthorhombic (T-Nb2O5) and monoclinic (H-Nb2O5) phases through annealing the solvothermally presynthesized Nb2O5 precursor under different temperatures in air, and the Cu doping amount can be readily controlled by the concentration of the precursor solution, whose effect on the lithium storage behaviors of the Cu-doped Nb2O5 is thoroughly investigated. H-Nb2O5 shows obvious redox peaks (Nb5+/Nb4+ and Nb4+/Nb3+) with much higher capacity and better cycling stability than those for the widely investigated T-Nb2O5. When introducing appropriate Cu doping, the optimized H-Cu0.1-Nb2O5 electrode shows greatly enhanced conductivity and lower diffusion barrier as revealed by the theoretical calculations and electrochemical characterizations, delivering a high reversible capacity of 203.6 mAh g-1 and a high capacity retention of 140.8 mAh g-1 after 5000 cycles at 1 A g-1, with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 91% and a high rate capacity of 144.2 mAh g-1 at 4 A g-1. As a demonstration for full-cell application, the H-Cu0.1-Nb2O5||LiFePO4 cell displays good cycling performance, exhibiting a reversible capacity of 135 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g-1. More importantly, this work offers a new synthesis protocol of the monoclinic Nb2O5 phase with high capacity retention and improved reaction kinetics.

Organic Electrode Materials for Dual-Ion Batteries

Organic materials are widely used in various energy storage devices due to their renewable, environmental friendliness and adjustable structure. Dual-ion batteries (DIBs), which use organic materials as the electrodes, are an attractive alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries for sustainable energy storage devices owing to the advantages of low cost, environmental friendliness, and high operating voltage. To date, various organic electrode materials have been applied in DIBs. In this review, we present the development of DIBs with a following brief introduction of characteristics and mechanisms of organic materials. The latest progress in the application of organic materials as anode and cathode materials for DIBs is mainly reviewed. Finally, we also discussed the challenges and prospects of organic electrode materials for DIBs.

Sustainable Dual-Ion Batteries beyond Li

The limitations of resources used in current Li-ion batteries may hinder their widespread use in grid-scale energy storage systems, prompting the search for low-cost and resource-abundant alternatives. "Beyond-Li cation" batteries have emerged as promising contenders; however, they confront noteworthy challenges due to the scarcity of suitable host materials for these cations. In contrast, anions, the other crucial component in electrolytes, demonstrate reversible intercalation capacity in specific materials like graphite. The convergence of anion and cation storage has given rise to a new battery technology known as dual-ion batteries (DIBs). This comprehensive review presents the current status, advancements, and future prospects of sustainable DIBs beyond Li. Notably, most DIBs exhibit similar cathode reaction mechanisms involving anion intercalation, while the distinguishing factor lies in the cation types functioning at the anode. Accordingly, the review is organized into sections by various cation types, including Na-, K-, Mg-, Zn-, Ca-, Al-, NH4 + -, and proton-based DIBs. Moreover, a perspective on these novel DIBs is presented, along with proposed protocols for investigating DIBs and promising future research directions. It is envisioned that this review will inspire fresh concepts, ideas, and research directions, while raising important questions to further tailor and understand sustainable DIBs, ultimately facilitating their practical realization.

High-Energy Aqueous Magnesium Ion Batteries with Capacity-Compensation Evolved from Dynamic Copper Ion Redox

The low specific capacity and low voltage plateau are significant challenges in the advancement of practical magnesium ion batteries (MIBs). Here, a superior aqueous electrolyte combining with a copper foam interlayer between anode and separator is proposed to address these drawbacks. Notably, with the dynamic redox of copper ions, the weakened solvation of Mg²⁺ cations in the electrolyte and the enhanced electronic conductivity of anode, which may offer effective capacity-compensation to the 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI)-Mg conversion reactions during the long-term cycles. As a result, the unique MIBs using expanded graphite cathode coupled with PTCDI anode demonstrate exceptional performance with an ultra-high capacity (205 mAh g^-1 , 243 Wh kg^-1 at 5 A g^-1 ) as well as excellent cycling stability after 600 cycles and rate capability (138 mAh g^-1 , 81 Wh kg^-1 at 10 A g^-1 ).

Cyto-genotoxicity of crystalline and amorphous niobium (V) oxide nanoparticles in CHO-K1 cells

Niobium (V) oxide nanoparticles (NINPs) have been widely and increasingly applied in various health products and industrial processes. This merits further study of their toxicity. Here, we investigated the potential of NINPs to induce DNA damage, cytotoxicity, and chromosome instability in cultured CHO-K1 cells. NINPs were physico-chemically characterized. As assessed by comet assay, crystalline and amorphous NINPs were genotoxic at the highest concentrations evaluated. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay demonstrated that a 24-h treatment with NINPs, for the crystalline and the amorphous samples, significantly reduced the nuclear division cytotoxicity index. In addition, a 4-h treatment period of crystalline NINPs increased micronucleus (MNi) frequencies. MNi, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds were detected after exposure of the cells for 24 h to crystalline NINPs. In the amorphous sample, chromosome instability was restricted to the induction of MNi, in the 24-h treatment, detected at all tested concentrations. The fluorescence and dark field microscopy demonstrated the uptake of NINPs by CHO-K1 cells and an intracellular distribution outlining the nucleus. Our data advance understanding of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of NINPs and should be taken into consideration when setting up guidelines for their use in industrial or health products.

A Magnesium/Lithium Hybrid-Ion Battery with Modified All-Phenyl-Complex-Based Electrolyte Displaying Ultralong Cycle Life and Ultrahigh Energy Density

Magnesium/lithium hybrid-ion batteries (MLHBs) combine the advantages of high safety and fast ionic kinetics, which enable them to be promising emerging energy-storage systems. Here, a high-performance MLHB using a modified all-phenyl complex with a lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide electrolyte and a NiCo₂S₄ cathode on a copper current collector is developed. A reversible conversion involving a copper collector with NiCo₂S₄ efficiently avoids the electrolyte dissociation and diffusion difficulties of Mg²⁺ ions, enabling low polarization and fast redox, which is verified by X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis. Such combination affords the best MLHB among all those ever reported, with a reversible capacity of 204.7 mAh g^-1 after 2600 cycles at 2.0 A g^-1, and delivers an ultrahigh full electrode-basis energy density of 708 Wh kg^-1. The developed MLHB also achieves good rate performance and temperature tolerance at -10 and 50 °C with a low electrolyte consumption. The hybrid-ion battery system presented here could inspire a broad set of engineering potentials for high-safety battery technologies and beyond.

Negative sulfur-based electrodes and their application in battery cells: Dual-ion batteries as an example

In this work, a cell concept comprising of an anion intercalating graphite-based positive electrode (cathode) and an elemental sulfur-based negative electrode (anode) is presented as a transition metal- and in a specific concept even Li-free cell setup using a Li-ion containing electrolyte or a Mg-ion containing electrolyte. The cell achieves discharge capacities of up to 37 mAh g−1 and average discharge cell voltages of up to 1.9 V. With this setup, more than 100 cycles with a high capacity retention (> 90% of the highest achieved value) and Coulombic efficiencies up to 95% could be achieved, which opens a broad new field for energy storage approaches.

Rational Design Strategy of Novel Energy Storage Systems: Toward High-Performance Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) are promising candidates to replace currently commercialized lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in large-scale energy storage applications owing to their merits of abundant resources, low cost, high theoretical volumetric capacity, etc. However, the development of RMBs is still facing great challenges including the incompatibility of the electrolyte and the lack of suitable cathode materials with high reversible capacity and fast kinetics of Mg²⁺ . While tremendous efforts have been made to explore compatible electrolytes and appropriate electrode materials, the rational design of unconventional Mg-based battery systems is another effective strategy for achieving high electrochemical performance. This review specifically discusses the recent research progress of various Mg-based battery systems. First, the optimization of electrolyte and electrode materials for conventional RMBs is briefly discussed. Furthermore, various Mg-based battery systems, including Mg-chalcogen (S, Se, Te) batteries, Mg-halogen (Br₂ , I₂ ) batteries, hybrid-ion batteries, and Mg-based dual-ion batteries are systematically summarized. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of different Mg-based battery systems, which can inspire latecomers to explore new strategies for the development of high-performance and practically available RMBs.

Sustainable and cost-effective ternary electrolyte Et3NHCl-AlCl3-Mg(DEP)2 for high-performance rechargeable magnesium batteries

Cost-effective and sustainable battery materials for large-scale batteries are the need of the hour to garner renewable energy with high-performance metal battery technologies. Here, we report the high-performance and long cycle life electrolyte prepared from low-cost triethylamine hydrochloride (Et₃NHCl) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) termed as (TA) with different concentrations of magnesium diethylphosphate (Mg(DEP)₂) salt. The optimized ratio of the 0.1 M Mg(DEP)₂ electrolyte has shown a high ionic conductivity of 4.5 × 10^-3 S cm^-1 at ambient temperature and good anodic stability of 2.41 V vs. Mg/Mg²⁺. The dissolution/deposition of magnesium (Mg) on a Pt working electrode was systematically analyzed in this electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the Mg-graphite battery was used to probe the intercalation/de-intercalation of Mg-AlCl₄^- ions into/from the graphite layer structure. This was confirmed by various analytical techniques, such as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction technique and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Notably, during the galvanostatic study analysis, the assembled Mg cell delivered a high discharge capacity of 115 mA h g^-1 at a high C/10 rate, with more than 180 cycles at >80% coulombic efficiency. This electrolyte will be helpful in grid-scale power storage systems in future generations.

Application of expanded graphite-based materials for rechargeable batteries beyond lithium-ions

New types of rechargeable batteries other than lithium-ions, including sodium/potassium/zinc/magnesium/calcium/aluminum-ion batteries and non-aqueous batteries, are rapidly advancing towards large-scale energy storage applications. A major challenge for these burgeoning batteries is the absence of appropriate electrode materials, which gravely hinders their further development. Expanded graphite (EG)-based electrode materials have been proposed for these emerging batteries due to their low cost, non-toxic, rich-layered structure and adjustable layer spacing. Here, we evaluate and summarize the application of EG-based materials in rechargeable batteries other than Li⁺ batteries, including alkaline ion (such as Na⁺, K⁺) storage and multivalent ion (such as Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺) storage batteries. Particularly, this article discusses the composite strategy and performance of EG-based materials, which enables them to function as an electrode in these emerging batteries. Future research areas in EG-based materials, from the fundamental understanding of material design and processing to reaction mechanisms and device performance optimization strategies, are being looked forward to.

Opportunities and Limitations of Ionic Liquid- and Organic Carbonate Solvent-Based Electrolytes for Mg-Ion-Based Dual-Ion Batteries

Dual-ion batteries (DIBs) offer a great alternative to state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, based on their high promises due to the absence of transition metals and the use of low-cost materials, which could make them economically favorable targeting stationary energy storage applications. In addition, they are not limited by certain metal cations, and DIBs with a broad variety of utilized ions could be demonstrated over the last years. Herein, a systematic study of different electrolyte approaches for Mg-ion-based DIBs was conducted. A side-by-side comparison of Li- and Mg-ion-based electrolytes using activated carbon as negative electrode revealed the opportunities but also limitations of Mg-ion-based DIBs. Ethylene sulfite was successfully introduced as electrolyte additive and increased the specific discharge capacity significantly up to 93±2 mAh g-1 with coulombic efficiencies over 99 % and an excellent capacity retention of 88 % after 400 cycles. In addition, and for the first time, highly concentrated carbonate-based electrolytes were employed for Mg-ion-based DIBs, showing adequate discharge capacities and high coulombic efficiencies.

Recent Advances and Perspectives on the Polymer Electrolytes for Sodium/Potassium-Ion Batteries

Owing to the low cost of sodium/potassium resources and similar electrochemical properties of Na⁺ /K⁺ to Li⁺ , sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are regarded as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in large-scale energy storage field. However, traditional organic liquid electrolytes bestow SIBs/KIBs with serious safety concerns. In contrast, quasi-/solid-phase electrolytes including polymer electrolytes (PEs) and inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) show great superiority of high safety. However, the poor processibility and relatively low ionic conductivity of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions limit the further practical applications of ISEs. PEs combine some merits of both liquid-phase electrolytes and ISEs, and present great potentials in next-generation energy storage systems. Considerable efforts have been devoted to improving their overall properties. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of an in-depth and comprehensive review to get insights into mechanisms and corresponding design strategies of PEs. Herein, the advantages of different electrolytes, particularly PEs are first minutely reviewed, and the mechanism of PEs for Na⁺ /K⁺ ion transfer is summarized. Then, representative researches and recent progresses of SIBs/KIBs based on PEs are presented. Finally, some suggestions and perspectives are put forward to provide some possible directions for the follow-up researches.

An Overview on Anodes for Magnesium Batteries: Challenges towards a Promising Storage Solution for Renewables

Magnesium-based batteries represent one of the successfully emerging electrochemical energy storage chemistries, mainly due to the high theoretical volumetric capacity of metallic magnesium (i.e., 3833 mAh cm-3 vs. 2046 mAh cm-3 for lithium), its low reduction potential (-2.37 V vs. SHE), abundance in the Earth's crust (104 times higher than that of lithium) and dendrite-free behaviour when used as an anode during cycling. However, Mg deposition and dissolution processes in polar organic electrolytes lead to the formation of a passivation film bearing an insulating effect towards Mg2+ ions. Several strategies to overcome this drawback have been recently proposed, keeping as a main goal that of reducing the formation of such passivation layers and improving the magnesium-related kinetics. This manuscript offers a literature analysis on this topic, starting with a rapid overview on magnesium batteries as a feasible strategy for storing electricity coming from renewables, and then addressing the most relevant outcomes in the field of anodic materials (i.e., metallic magnesium, bismuth-, titanium- and tin-based electrodes, biphasic alloys, nanostructured metal oxides, boron clusters, graphene-based electrodes, etc.).