Article
Chemistry, Physical
Liang Shen, Yun-Wei Song, Juan Wang, Chang-Xin Zhao, Chen-Xi Bi, Shu-Yu Sun, Xue-Qiang Zhang, Bo-Quan Li, Qiang Zhang
Summary: The Fe-Co-based dual-atom catalyst (DAC) is adopted to enhance the performance of Li-S batteries by accelerating the sulfur redox kinetics and improving the discharge capacity and rate performances. The unique structure of the dual-atom site allows synergistic effects and promotes the interactions with lithium polysulfides, resulting in high discharge capacity and excellent rate performances.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuhong Ma, Tongwei Wu, Yu Jiao, Fan Wang, Bo Chen, Yichao Yan, Anjun Hu, Yinuo Li, Yuxin Fan, Miao He, Yin Hu, Yaoyao Li, Tianyu Lei, Yanning Zhang, Wei Chen, Ming Huang, Jun Zhu, Fei Li
Summary: Lithium-sulfur batteries have gained attention due to their low cost, high energy density, and environmental friendliness. However, the slow conversion of lithium polysulfides during charge and discharge processes hinders their rate performance and practical application. In this study, well-defined Ni single-atom catalysts embedded in porous nitrogen-doped graphitic carbons were synthesized to promote the conversion kinetics of lithium polysulfides and suppress the shuttle effect. Experimental results and theoretical calculations confirmed the effectiveness of these catalysts. The lithium-sulfur batteries showed stable cycling performance and high initial capacity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meng Zhao, Xiang Chen, Xi-Yao Li, Bo-Quan Li, Jia-Qi Huang
Summary: This study introduces diphenyl diselenide (DPDSe) as a redox co-mediator to accelerate the sulfur redox kinetics in lithium-sulfur batteries, improving rate performance and cycle stability. The use of DPDSe leads to faster sulfur redox kinetics, increased lithium sulfide deposition, and enhanced overall battery performance, demonstrating potential for high-energy density battery applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ce Song, Fangyuan Hu, Tianpeng Zhang, Siyang Liu, Wanyuan Jiang, Zihui Song, Zhe Wang, Man Yao, Xigao Jian
Summary: Exploring prominent active centers with high catalytic activity is crucial for the development of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). In this study, a novel pyrrolic-N-incorporated coordination environment is proposed for designing high-performance SACs. Compared to the commonly used pyridinic-N coordination structure, this new coordination structure exhibits stronger adsorption of lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) and higher catalytic efficiencies for LiPSs conversion, leading to improved sulfur utilization, cycle stability, and rate capability of LSBs. The study also reveals the hybridization patterns between sulfur species and metal atoms in different coordination environments, explaining the higher adsorption strength of LiPSs in the pyrrolic-N-incorporated active centers. Data-driven efforts are employed to elucidate the relationship between the intrinsic features of active centers and the catalytic efficiencies on LiPSs conversion. This research provides insights into the design of advanced SACs in LSBs.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tengfei Duan, Li Wang, Zhongyun Ma, Yong Pei
Summary: Single-atom catalysts are effective in suppressing shuttle effect in Li-S batteries by accelerating the redox kinetics. However, the screening of new efficient catalysts and understanding the structure-activity relationship remains challenging. In this study, N-doped defective graphene supported 3d, 4d, and 5d transition metals are used as single-atom catalyst models to explore electrocatalytic SRR/SOR in Li-S batteries. The results show that M-1/NG (M-1 = Ru, Rh, Ir, Os) exhibits enhanced SRR and SOR activity compared to other catalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan-Qi Peng, Meng Zhao, Zi-Xian Chen, Qian Cheng, Yiran Liu, Xi-Yao Li, Yun-Wei Song, Bo-Quan Li, Jia-Qi Huang
Summary: This study proposes an effective redox mediator and validates its applicability in high-energy-density Li-S batteries under practical working conditions. By using this mediator, high specific discharge capacity and energy density are achieved, and the battery exhibits good cycling stability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Donghua Wang, Kaikai Ma, Jiamao Hao, Wenyuan Zhang, Haofeng Shi, Chengdeng Wang, Zhihao Xiong, Zhiming Bai, Fu-Rong Chen, Junjie Guo, Bingshe Xu, Xiaoqin Yan, Yousong Gu
Summary: Developing an electrocatalyst that can improve the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries is crucial. The utilization of traditional metal electrocatalytic nanoparticles has not met expectations. In this study, a single-atom catalyst with a nitrogen-doped graphene mesh is engineered to achieve high efficiency in catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides. The catalyst suppresses shuttle effect and enhances sulfur redox kinetics, leading to improved battery performance.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ru Xiao, Tong Yu, Shan Yang, Ke Chen, Zhuangnan Li, Zhibo Liu, Tianzhao Hu, Guangjian Hu, Jiong Li, Hui -Ming Cheng, Zhenhua Sun, Feng Li
Summary: By adjusting the electronic structure of the catalyst, this study improved the coverage of Li2S products on catalytic sites during discharge. It was found that using single-atom copper as a catalyst can achieve control over the adsorbed Li2S electronic structure and form 3D spherical clusters of Li2S nuclei on SA-Cu decorated carbon fiber foam. This design demonstrates the importance of catalyst design in adjusting the adsorbed Li2S electronic structure for developing high-rate and long-life Li-S batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xi-Yao Li, Shuai Feng, Meng Zhao, Chang-Xin Zhao, Xiang Chen, Bo-Quan Li, Jia-Qi Huang, Qiang Zhang
Summary: This study identified surface gelation on disulfide electrocatalysts for the first time, which reduces their electrocatalytic activity, and introduced TEA as a competitive inhibitor to enhance the performance of Li-S batteries. The research provides new insights into the actual surface structure of electrocatalysts in Li-S batteries.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qing Liu, Xiaotong Han, Zhiyong Zheng, Peixun Xiong, Rag-Gyo Jeong, Gildong Kim, Hyunyoung Park, Jongsoon Kim, Bo-Kyong Kim, Ho Seok Park
Summary: This study demonstrates the crystallinity regulation of NixFey alloy anchored on oxidized carbon nanotube/nitrogen-doped graphene for application as a functional separator in lithium-sulfur batteries. The low crystalline NixFey@OCNT/NG modified separator shows superior LiPS absorbability, redox mediating capability, and uniform flux of Li+ into the anode. Theoretical calculations confirm the high adsorption energies and low diffusion energy barriers of the low crystalline NixFey alloy towards LiPSs.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Ru Xiao, Ke Chen, Xiaoyin Zhang, Zhenzhen Yang, Guangjian Hu, Zhenhua Sun, Hui-Ming Cheng, Feng Li
Summary: Metal-sulfur batteries are considered promising for next generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, slow redox kinetics of sulfur species and shuttle effect lead to performance decay. Recently, single-atom catalysts have been introduced to improve sulfur conversion kinetics in metal-sulfur systems.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ming Gu, Jiayu Wang, Zihao Song, Chengming Li, Weikun Wang, Anbang Wang, Yaqin Huang
Summary: This study proposes a polyacrylonitrile-derived asymmetric separator to improve the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The separator accelerates the redox kinetics of sulfur and guides the plating and stripping of lithium, leading to enhanced battery performance. The experimental results demonstrate that Li-S batteries assembled with this separator exhibit improved rate performance, cycling stability, sulfur utilization, and thermal stability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongcheng Gao, Shunlian Ning, Jiaju Lin, Xiongwu Kang
Summary: The rate performance of Li-S batteries is improved by selectively coating a set of 2D organic molecules on honeycomb-like porous carbon interlayers to enhance the redox kinetics of polysulfides, with the order of enhancement being CA.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin Li, Yingbo Xiao, Qinghan Zeng, Liangliang Xu, Sijia Guo, Cheng Zheng, Qi Zhang, Shaoming Huang
Summary: This study found that the use of PCN-222(Cu)-NS catalyst can effectively increase the discharge capacity of lithium-sulfur batteries and slow down the rate of capacity decay, as its d-p orbital hybridization with sulfur species is most effective in promoting LiPSs conversion and suppressing shuttle effect.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Guo, Zhaoqing Jin, Jianhao Lu, Lei Wei, Weikun Wang, Yaqin Huang, Anbang Wang
Summary: This study develops a promising lithium-sulfur battery system based on single-atom catalysts with unique coordination chemistry. The system shows improved efficiency and cycling performance by rational design and overcoming spatial scale mismatch and agglomeration challenges. The experimental results demonstrate significant improvement of the system in coin cells and pouch cells.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peng Wang, Wei Nong, Yan Li, Hao Cui, Chengxin Wang
Summary: This study introduces strain engineering to design NRR electrocatalysts, achieving the goal of enhancing both activity and selectivity. The CuAu@2LCS catalyst with around 2 layers of atomic Cu skin shows the highest NH3 yield rate and Faradic efficiency in experiments.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinzhi Tang, Zhihao Zeng, Haikuan Liang, Zhihao Wang, Wei Nong, Zhen Yang, Chenze Qi, Zhengping Qiao, Yan Li, Chengxin Wang
Summary: This study proposes a strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of a single Cu atom coordinated with three N atoms (CuN3) for both ORR and OER by increasing the density of connected CuN3 moieties. The research demonstrates that by increasing the density of metal centers, a single CuN3 moiety, which initially showed no catalytic performance, can be activated and weaken the binding affinity to *OH. The theoretical design of a two-dimensional compound of C3N3Cu with a high concentration of homogeneously distributed CuN3 moieties exhibits efficient catalytic performance for both ORR and OER.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong Wang, Wei Nong, Na Gong, Teddy Salim, Mingchuan Luo, Teck Leong Tan, Kedar Hippalgaonkar, Zheng Liu, Yizhong Huang
Summary: This study reports a simple, surfactant-free, and efficient synthesis method for carbon-encapsulated FeNi nanoalloys with excellent electrocatalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction. The method allows precise control of size and composition, and can be extended to various types of nanoalloys.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobin Zou, Fei Tian, Haikuan Liang, Yan Li, Yong Sun, Chengxin Wang
Summary: In this study, a low-pressure CVD method is proposed to successfully synthesize large-scale Bi2O2Te ultrathin film. The experimental results reveal its high conductivity, large magnetoresistance, and room-temperature ferroelectricity, indicating its potential as a high-performance nanoelectronic two-dimensional semiconductor and working in the mid-infrared region.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuexing Lin, Zhaoxu Mai, Haikuan Liang, Yan Li, Gongzheng Yang, Chengxin Wang
Summary: In this study, a novel electrolyte additive, sodium 3,3'-dithiodipropane sulfonate (SPS) surfactant, was introduced to regulate the solvation structure and inhibit the deposition of Zn in the (002) orientation in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Real-time in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy revealed that with the SPS additive, surface corrosion, hydrogen evolution, and dendrite growth were significantly suppressed. These findings demonstrate the great potential of this system for practical applications.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan Li, Wei Nong, Zhihao Zeng, Chengxin Wang
Summary: By investigating heteroatoms-doped reduced graphene oxides, the degradation mechanism of acidic ORR performance of carbon-based metal free catalysts (CMFCs) is found to be correlated with the oxygen-baring defects in the carbon sp(2) lattice. The study suggests a new design strategy for CMFCs independent on doping strategy.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaobin Zou, Mingyuan Xie, Ruize Wang, Haikuan Liang, Yan Li, Fei Tian, Yong Sun, Chengxin Wang
Summary: Researchers have successfully synthesized 2D single-crystal ultrathin Bi3O2S3 nanosheets using low-pressure chemical vapor deposition. They clarified the atomic arrangement of the nanosheets and observed a thickness-independent superconducting transition at around 6.1 K. The transport measurements revealed typical 2D superconducting characteristics and strong anisotropy. The difference in superconductivity between the nanosheets and powders was attributed to their respective microstructures. These findings provide fresh insights into the search for other bismuth oxychalcogenides and BiS2-based analogues at the 2D limit.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siyi Wu, Chenhui Wang, Haikuan Liang, Wei Nong, Zhihao Zeng, Yan Li, Chengxin Wang
Summary: Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising cathode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries. This study identifies a new effective descriptor A(Li -S -Li) for accelerating the screening of superior SACs by clarifying the effects of bond formation and breakage on the kinetics of Li2S decomposition. The results open up a new pathway for designing SACs for alkaline-chalcogenide batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yijun Du, Zhen Yang, Yan Li, Chenze Qi, Chengxin Wang
Summary: This study proposes a design strategy for single atom catalysts (SACs) with p-block element tin (Sn) as active sites, which exhibit excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Theoretical calculations show that atomically dispersed Sn atoms supported by metallic monolayers of C5N can efficiently catalyze OER, with a low overpotential comparable or even lower than transition-metal-based SACs. The study also reveals that the OER performance is not strongly correlated with the charge state of Sn atoms and Sn-N/C bond length, paving a new way for theoretically designing SACs containing main group elements for OER or broader range of electro-chemical reactions.
COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiuyan Jin, Chenhui Wang, Yingying Guo, Yuhang Xiao, Xiaohong Tan, Jianpo Chen, Weidong He, Yan Li, Hao Cui, Chengxin Wang
Summary: Guided by theoretical calculations, a five-fold coordinated single-atom Zn site with one axial O ligand (Zn-N-4-O) was constructed by ionic liquid-assisted molten salt template method. The additional axial O induced a geometry transformation and electron transfer, weakening the adsorption strength and decreasing the energy barrier of the rate determining step of ORR. As a result, the Zn-N-4-O sites exhibited improved ORR activity and excellent methanol tolerance. The Zn-air battery assembled with Zn-N-4-O showed a high power density and long-term durability. This work provides new insights into the design of Zn-based single atom catalysts through axial coordination engineering.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gongzheng Yang, Zhaoheng Liang, Qian Li, Yan Li, Fei Tian, Chengxin Wang
Summary: This study proposes a high-safety aqueous zinc battery with improved cycling capability and discharge capacity by addressing the structural distortion of cathode materials in aqueous electrolytes. The design of the cathode allows for high-voltage full cells and demonstrates high capacity retention over numerous cycles at different discharge rates. The battery also operates successfully under harsh temperature conditions.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chenhui Wang, Fan Huang, Haikuan Liang, Wei Nong, Fei Tian, Yan Li, Chengxin Wang
Summary: Electrocatalysis is an essential process in energy storage and conversion devices. The strain effect has been investigated to enhance the performance of single-atom catalysts (SACs). In this study, high throughput calculations were performed to explore the catalytic performance of SACs with MN4 configuration for electrochemical reactions. The results showed that Os@BNNC exhibited the highest catalytic activity for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), while Co@BNNC and Sn@BNNC showed excellent catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively. The findings suggest that controlling the adsorption energy of N-2 and O-2 molecules is crucial for improving the catalytic activity of SACs.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yucheng Hao, Gabriel L. Murphy, Philip Kegler, Yan Li, Piotr M. Kowalski, Simon Blouin, Yang Zhang, Shuao Wang, Lars Robben, Thorsten M. Gesing, Evgeny Alekseev
Summary: A novel polymorph of ThB2O5, beta-ThB2O5, has been successfully synthesized under high-temperature high-pressure conditions. Experimental and computational results show that beta-ThB2O5 is the preferred phase under high-temperature high-pressure conditions.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
