Tailored Polyimide-Graphene Nanocomposite as Negative Electrode and Reduced Graphene Oxide as Positive Electrode for Flexible Hybrid Sodium-Ion Capacitors

3D Porous Oxygen-Doped and Nitrogen-Doped Graphitic Carbons Derived from Metal Azolate Frameworks as Cathode and Anode Materials for High-Performance Dual-Carbon Sodium-Ion Hybrid Capacitors

Sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs) in principle can utilize the advantages of batteries and supercapacitors and satisfy the cost demand of large-scale energy storage systems, but the sluggish kinetics and low capacities of its anode and cathode are yet to be overcome. Here, a strategy is reported to realize high-performance dual-carbon SIHCs using 3D porous graphitic carbon cathode and anode materials derived from metal-azolate framework-6s (MAF-6s). First, MAF-6s, with or without urea loading, are pyrolyzed to synthesize MAF-derived carbons (MDCs). Then, cathode materials are synthesized via the controlled KOH-assisted pyrolysis of MDCs (K-MDCs). K-MDCs, 3D graphitic carbons, resulting in a record-high surface area (5214 m2  g-1 ) being ≈four-fold higher than pristine MAF-6, oxygen-doped sites for high capacity, rich mesopores affording fast ion transport, and high capacity retention over 5000 charge/discharge cycles. Moreover, 3D porous MDC anode materials are synthesized from N-containing MAF-6 and exhibited to allow cycle stability over 5000 cycles. Furthermore, dual-carbon MDC//K-MDC SIHCs with different loadings (3 to 6 mg cm-2 ) are demonstrated to achieve high energy densities exceeding those of sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. Additionally, it allows an ultrafast-chargeable high power density of 20000 W kg-1 and robust cycle stability overcoming those of a typical battery.

Self-Patterning of Highly Stretchable and Electrically Conductive Liquid Metal Conductors by Direct-Write Super-Hydrophilic Laser-Induced Graphene and Electroless Copper Plating

Stretchable electrodes are desirable in flexible electronics for the transmission and acquisition of electrical signals, but their fabrication process remains challenging. Herein, we report an approach based on patterned liquid metals (LMs) as stretchable electrodes using a super-hydrophilic laser-induced graphene (SHL-LIG) process with electroless plating copper on a polyimide (PI) film. The LMs/SHL-LIG structures are then transferred from the PI film to an Ecoflex substrate as stretchable electrodes with an ultralow sheet resistance of 3.54 mΩ per square and excellent stretchability up to 480% in elongation. Furthermore, these electrodes show outstanding performances of only 8% electrical resistance changes under a tensile strain of 300%, and strong immunity to temperature and pressure changes. As demonstration examples, these electrodes are integrated with a stretchable strain sensing system and a smart magnetic soft robot toward practical applications.

Exploring 2D Energy Storage Materials: Advances in Structure, Synthesis, Optimization Strategies, and Applications for Monovalent and Multivalent Metal-Ion Hybrid Capacitors

The design and development of advanced energy storage devices with good energy/power densities and remarkable cycle life has long been a research hotspot. Metal-ion hybrid capacitors (MHCs) are considered as emerging and highly prospective candidates deriving from the integrated merits of metal-ion batteries with high energy density and supercapacitors with excellent power output and cycling stability. The realization of high-performance MHCs needs to conquer the inevitable imbalance in reaction kinetics between anode and cathode with different energy storage mechanisms. Featured by large specific surface area, short ion diffusion distance, ameliorated in-plane charge transport kinetics, and tunable surface and/or interlayer structures, 2D nanomaterials provide a promising platform for manufacturing battery-type electrodes with improved rate capability and capacitor-type electrodes with high capacity. In this article, the fundamental science of 2D nanomaterials and MHCs is first presented in detail, and then the performance optimization strategies from electrodes and electrolytes of MHCs are summarized. Next, the most recent progress in the application of 2D nanomaterials in monovalent and multivalent MHCs is dealt with. Furthermore, the energy storage mechanism of 2D electrode materials is deeply explored by advanced characterization techniques. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of 2D nanomaterials-based MHCs are prospected.

Ultra-stable all-solid-state sodium metal batteries enabled by perfluoropolyether-based electrolytes

Rechargeable batteries paired with sodium metal anodes are considered to be one of the most promising high-energy and low-cost energy-storage systems. However, the use of highly reactive sodium metal and the formation of sodium dendrites during battery operation have caused safety concerns, especially when highly flammable liquid electrolytes are used. Here we design and develop solvent-free solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on a perfluoropolyether-terminated polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based block copolymer for safe and stable all-solid-state sodium metal batteries. Compared with traditional PEO SPEs, our results suggest that block copolymer design allows for the formation of self-assembled nanostructures leading to high storage modulus at elevated temperatures with the PEO domains providing transport channels even at high salt concentration (ethylene oxide/sodium = 8/2). Moreover, it is demonstrated that the incorporation of perfluoropolyether segments enhances the Na⁺ transference number of the electrolyte to 0.46 at 80 °C and enables a stable solid electrolyte interface. The new SPE exhibits highly stable symmetric cell-cycling performance at high current density (0.5 mA cm^-2 and 1.0 mAh cm^-2, up to 1,000 h). Finally, the assembled all-solid-state sodium metal batteries demonstrate outstanding capacity retention, long-term charge/discharge stability (Coulombic efficiency, 99.91%; >900 cycles with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode) and good capability with high loading NaFePO₄ cathode (>1 mAh cm^-2).

Graphene-Supported Naphthalene-Based Polyimide Composite as a High-Performance Sodium Storage Cathode

Electroactive acid anhydride with multicarbonyl is highly promising for electrochemical energy storage because of its high specific capacity and environmental benignity. Its low electrical conductivity and high dissolution in organic electrolyte, however, result in poor cycling and rate capabilities. Here, we report a naphthalene polyimide derivative (NPI) synthesized by using anhydride under condensation polymerization conditions, along with its composite with graphene (NPI-G) fabricated via in situ polymerization. The composite delivers a high reversible capacity and outstanding cycling stability and rate capability as a cathode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to the formation of a polymer, the improvement in the electrical conductivity brought about by the highly dispersed graphene sheets, and the enhancement of structural stability resulting from the π-π stacking interaction between the phenyl groups of NPI and the six-member carbon rings of graphene. This investigation sheds light on the development, design, and screening of next-generation organic electrode materials with high performance for SIBs.

Recent Progress on Two-Dimensional Carbon Materials for Emerging Post-Lithium (Na+, K+, Zn2+) Hybrid Supercapacitors

The hybrid ion capacitor (HIC) is a hybrid electrochemical energy storage device that combines the intercalation mechanism of a lithium-ion battery anode with the double-layer mechanism of the cathode. Thus, an HIC combines the high energy density of batteries and the high power density of supercapacitors, thus bridging the gap between batteries and supercapacitors. Two-dimensional (2D) carbon materials (graphite, graphene, carbon nanosheets) are promising candidates for hybrid capacitors owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, including their enormous specific surface areas, abundance of active sites (surface and functional groups), and large interlayer spacing. So far, there has been no review focusing on the 2D carbon-based materials for the emerging post-lithium hybrid capacitors. This concept review considers the role of 2D carbon in hybrid capacitors and the recent progress in the application of 2D carbon materials for post-Li (Na+, K+, Zn2+) hybrid capacitors. Moreover, their challenges and trends in their future development are discussed.

One-pot mechanochemical exfoliation of graphite and in situ polymerization of aniline for the production of graphene/polyaniline composites for high-performance supercapacitors

Graphene/polyaniline composites have attracted considerable attention as high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials; however, there are still numerous challenges for their practical applications, such as the complex preparation process, high cost, and disequilibrium between energy density and power density. Herein, we report an efficient method to produce graphene/polyaniline composites via a one-pot ball-milling process, in which aniline molecules act as both the intercalator for the exfoliation of graphite and the monomer for mechanochemical polymerization into polyaniline clusters on the in situ exfoliated graphene sheets. The graphene/polyaniline composite electrode delivered a large specific capacitance of 886 F g⁻¹ at 5 mV s⁻¹ with a high retention of 73.4% at 100 mV s⁻¹. The high capacitance and rate capability of the graphene/polyaniline composite can contribute to the fast electron/ion transfer and dominantly capacitive contribution because of the synergistic effects between the conductive graphene and pseudocapacitive polyaniline. In addition, a high energy density of 40.9 W h kg⁻¹ was achieved by the graphene/polyaniline-based symmetric supercapacitor at a power density of 0.25 kW kg⁻¹, and the supercapacitor also maintained 89.1% of the initial capacitance over 10 000 cycles.

Efficient ball-milling production of graphene/polyaniline composites as supercapacitor electrodes with enhanced capacitive contribution, rate capability, and specific capacitance.

Three-Dimensional Topotactic Host Structure-Secured Ultrastable VP-CNO Composite Anodes for Long Lifespan Lithium- and Sodium-Ion Capacitors

Performance degradation of lithium/sodium-ion capacitors (LICs/SICs) mainly originates from anode pulverization, particularly the alloying and conversion types, and has spurred research for alternatives with an insertion mechanism. Three-dimensional (3D) topotactic host materials remain much unexplored compared to two-dimensional (2D) ones (graphite, etc.). Herein, vanadium monophosphide (VP) is designed as a 3D topotactic host anode. Ex situ electrochemical characterizations reveal that there are no phase changes during (de)intercalation, which follows the topotactic intercalation mechanism. Computational simulations also confirm the metallic feature and topotactic structure of VP with a spacious interstitial position for the accommodation of guest species. To boost the electrochemical performance, carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are coupled with 3D VP. Superior specific capacity and rate capability of VP-CNOs vs lithium/sodium can be delivered due to the fast ion diffusion nature. An exceptional capacity retention of above 86% is maintained after 20 000 cycles, benefitting from the topotactic intercalation process. The optimized LICs/SICs exhibit high energy/power densities and an ultrastable lifespan of 20 000 cycles, which outperform most of the state-of-the-art LICs and SICs, demonstrating the potential of VP-CNOs as insertion anodes. This exploration would draw attention with regard to insertion anodes with 3D topotactic host topology and provide new insights into anode selection for LICs/SICs.