Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianing Lu, Zhi Zhang, Yifan Zheng, Yihua Gao
Summary: This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in in situ TEM investigations of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), focusing on the morphological, structural, and chemical evolutions of cathode materials, anode materials, and solid-electrolyte interface during sodium storage. The detailed relationship between the structure/composition of electrode materials and the electrochemical performance of SIBs has been clarified. This review aims to provide insights for the effective selection and rational design of advanced electrode materials for high-performance SIBs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianing Lu, Zhi Zhang, Yifan Zheng, Yihua Gao
Summary: This review comprehensively summarizes recent progress in in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations on the morphological, structural, and chemical evolutions of cathode materials, anode materials, and solid-electrolyte interface during the sodium storage of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The detailed relationship between the structure/composition of electrode materials and the electrochemical performance of SIBs has been clarified.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiang-Jing Wang, Suyang Sun, Lu Lu, Hongchu Du, Chun-Lin Jia, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Jian Yang, Guiwu Liu, Chongjian Zhou, Guanjun Qiao, Zhongqi Shi, En Ma, Bangzhi Ge, Yuan Yu, Matthias Wuttig, Wei Zhang
Summary: A design strategy to stabilize the excess zinc ions in β-Zn4Sb3 material and achieve a homogeneous distribution of zinc interstitials has been presented. This design strategy not only improves the carrier mobility and conductivity but also leads to excellent thermoelectric performance of the material.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shan-Shan Wang, D. Huber, J. D. Poplawsky, G. S. Frankel
Summary: The study demonstrated that surface abrasion creates altered surface layers (ASLs) on various types of aluminum alloys, which have lower corrosion resistance. High temperature treatments can enhance the precipitation of eta phase in the ASL, leading to an increase in ASL breakdown potential by decreasing the zinc content in the ASL solid solution.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yixian Wang, Hui Dong, Naman Katyal, Bairav S. Vishnugopi, Manish K. Singh, Hongchang Hao, Yijie Liu, Pengcheng Liu, Partha P. Mukherjee, Graeme Henkelman, John Watt, David Mitlin
Summary: Sodiophilic micro-composite films of sodium-chalcogenide intermetallics (Na2Te and Na2S) and Cu particles are fabricated onto commercial copper foam current collectors, demonstrating a controllable capacity thermal infusion process. Enhanced wetting by the metal electrodeposition leads to state-of-the-art electrochemical performance.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
E. Thronsen, S. Shah, C. Hatzoglou, C. D. Marioara, S. Wenner, S. J. Andersen, B. Holmedal, R. Holmestad
Summary: The evolution of early-stage precipitates in a 7003 aluminium alloy was investigated through artificial ageing. It was found that after 10 minutes of artificial ageing, the hardness of the precipitates decreased and their size increased, indicating the dissolution of the Guinier-Preston (GP) zones. Subsequently, as the ageing time increased, the hardness gradually increased and new precipitate phases appeared. Atomically resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy images of the disputed T' phase were also presented.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sang-Hwa Lee, Jae-Gil Jung, Sung-Il Baik, David N. Seidman, Min-Seok Kim, Young-Kook Lee, Kwangjun Euh
Summary: The research revealed that the formation and evolution of GPI and GPII zones during natural aging had a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the Al-7.6Zn-2.7Mg-2.0Cu-0.1Zr-0.07Ti alloy. The Zn/Mg atomic ratio, mean radius, number density, and volume fraction of the GP zones also played crucial roles in influencing the mechanical properties of the alloy.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kevin Rossi, Andrea Ruiz-Ferrando, Dario Faust Akl, Victor Gimenez Abalos, Javier HerasDomingo, Romain Graux, Xiao Hai, Jiong Lu, Dario Garcia-Gasulla, Nuria Lopez, Javier Perez-Ramirez, Sharon Mitchell
Summary: This study investigates the organization and interactions of metal centers in ultra-high-density single-atom catalysts using microscopy, machine learning, and simulations. The findings reveal the presence of multimers with increasing atom density, characterize the size and shape of low-nuclearity clusters, and identify surface atom density criteria for isolation. Additionally, the study uncovers repulsive interactions that influence the disordered distribution of metal centers and quantifies the degree of intermixing in multimetallic systems.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jian Bao, Hai-Juan Pei, Xin-Yang Yue, Xun-Lu Li, Cui Ma, Rui-Jie Luo, Chong-Yu Du, Yong-Ning Zhou
Summary: A ZnO-coated Zn foam was used as a host matrix for thermal infusion of lithium, resulting in a Li composite electrode with better cycle stability and rate capability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
A. Lervik, E. Thronsen, J. Friis, C. D. Marioara, S. Wenner, A. Bendo, K. Matsuda, R. Holmestad, S. J. Andersen
Summary: Scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging of Al-Zn-Mg alloys at low temperatures has revealed the atomic structures of solute-rich clusters, characterized by a unique unit with high Zn/Mg ratio. The arrangement of these basic units to form larger clusters is described by Frank-Kasper structures, supported by density functional theory calculations, atom probe tomography, and simulated diffraction patterns. These results provide new insight into the early stages of age-hardening in aluminum alloys.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sohail Shah, Elisabeth Thronsen, Constantinos Hatzoglou, Sigurd Wenner, Calin D. Marioara, Randi Holmestad, Bjorn Holmedal
Summary: Cyclic ageing at room temperature enhances the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys by continuously injecting vacancies and enabling the dynamic precipitation of fine solute clusters. These clusters, uniformly distributed throughout the material, exhibit structural similarities to GPI zones observed after low temperature ageing. The strengthening effect of solute clusters is accelerated during cyclic ageing compared to natural ageing.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haofei Zhao, Yuchen Zhu, Huanyu Ye, Yang He, Hao Li, Yifei Sun, Feng Yang, Rongming Wang
Summary: Nanocrystals play a crucial role in material sciences and industry. Designing nanocrystals with desired structures and properties is a major challenge that requires a deep understanding of atomic-scale dynamics. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), especially environmental TEM, has provided valuable insights into nanocrystals. This comprehensive review highlights the progress in the understanding of nanocrystal dynamics, including nucleation and growth, structure evolution, and dynamics in reaction conditions.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xianzhong Yang, Chao Li, Zhongti Sun, Shuai Yang, Zixiong Shi, Rong Huang, Bingzhi Liu, Shuo Li, Yuhan Wu, Menglei Wang, Yiwen Su, Shixue Dou, Jingyu Sun
Summary: The study successfully inhibited Zn dendrite formation and side reactions by depositing a ZnSe film on commercial Zn foil, leading to improved cyclic stability of the battery and providing feasibility for commercial applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mei Wang, Asher C. Leff, Yue Li, Taylor J. Woehl
Summary: This study successfully demonstrated the in situ controlled synthesis of alloyed AuCu nanocrystals under LP-TEM, while maintaining the molecular structure of metal thiolate complexes. The research revealed that polymer capping ligands not only have known functions during LP-TEM synthesis, but also prevent copper oxidation and facilitate the formation of prenucleation cluster intermediates.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peter Tieu, Xingxu Yan, Mingjie Xu, Phillip Christopher, Xiaoqing Pan
Summary: The development of single atom catalysts (SACs) with carefully controlled properties has been driven by the need for atom efficient catalysts. Advances in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including aberration correction, spectroscopy, and in situ/operando observation, have enabled researchers to study SACs at an atomic scale, providing crucial information about their location, characteristics, and stability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaozhen Zhang, Gaopan Liu, Ke Zhou, Yong Cheng, Tianpeng Jiao, Lin Huang, Yue Zou, Ming-Sheng Wang, Yong Yang, Jianming Zheng
Summary: In this study, a diazacyclo type electrolyte additive, 2-fluoropyrazine (2-FP), was used to enhance the interfacial stabilization of lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM90) cathode. By adding 0.2% 2-FP into the electrolyte, the capacity retention of NCM90 was significantly improved. This improvement is attributed to the formation of a compact and homogeneous cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) film on the NCM90 electrode particles.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingjie Sun, Yong Cheng, Hehe Zhang, Xiaolin Yan, Zhefei Sun, Weibin Ye, Wangqin Li, Mingyue Zhang, Haowen Gao, Jiajia Han, Dong-Liang Peng, Yong Yang, Ming-Sheng Wang
Summary: Using intercalation-type lithiophilic seeds can effectively prevent aggregation and redistribution of lithium metal anodes, improving the performance and stability of lithium metal batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hehe Zhang, Yong Cheng, Jingjie Sun, Weibin Ye, Chengzhi Ke, Mengting Cai, Haowen Gao, Ping Wei, Qiaobao Zhang, Ming-Sheng Wang
Summary: Transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) show high energy density but suffer from severe capacity fading as anodes for potassium-ion storage. This study reveals that the aggregation of nanosized TMCs during conversion reaction is the main cause of electrode failures and proposes an anti-aggregation strategy by using carbon nanoshells. The confined aggregation within the nanoshells improves the structural and electrochemical stability of the electrode.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Meng Xia, Tianpeng Jiao, Gaopan Liu, Yuhui Chen, Jian Gao, Yong Cheng, Yong Yang, Mingsheng Wang, Jianming Zheng
Summary: The study focuses on a DME-based high-concentration electrolyte that enhances the stability and capacity retention of lithium metal batteries.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Xu, Hehe Zhang, Tangjing Ding, Ruiqi Tian, Dongmei Sun, Ming-Sheng Wang, Xiaosi Zhou
Summary: This paper introduces a novel weak acid etching strategy for potassium-ion batteries, which achieves high specific capacity, considerable rate capacity, and stable cycling performance through the design and fabrication of robust yolk-shell spheres with internal void space. The full battery constructed by pairing the anode with a thermally annealed cathode demonstrates outstanding cycling stability.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gaopan Liu, Meng Xia, Jian Gao, Yong Cheng, Mingsheng Wang, Wenjing Hong, Yong Yang, Jianming Zheng
Summary: This study designed a localized high-concentration electrolyte (D-LHCE-F) containing dual-salt (LiFSI-LiPF6) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to improve the interfacial stability of silicon-based electrodes. The addition of FEC and the stable LiFSI salt promoted the formation of a protective SEI layer and increased the flexibility of the interface, enabling the electrode to adapt to volume changes. The SiOx/C electrode using this electrolyte retained 78.5% of its initial capacity after 500 cycles at 0.5C, surpassing the control electrolyte's capacity retention of 3.4%.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weibin Ye, Xin Li, Bowen Zhang, Weicheng Liu, Yong Cheng, Xinhang Fan, Hehe Zhang, Yuanpeng Liu, Quanfeng Dong, Ming-Sheng Wang
Summary: Fast ion diffusion in anode hosts is crucial for dendrite-free alkali-metal batteries. Expanding the interlayer spacing of anode materials is an effective strategy for Li diffusion, but not as efficient for Na and K. This study proposes a universal strategy to enhance the mass-transport efficiency of Na/K by introducing open mesochannels in carbon hosts. The modified carbon hosts enable uniform deposition of Na/K and stable dendrite-free cycling with outstanding rate performance.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yue Zou, Yukang Xiao, Yonglin Tang, Yong Cheng, Shi-Gang Sun, Ming-Sheng Wang, Yong Yang, Jianming Zheng
Summary: A hybrid coating layer of LaPO4 and Al2O3 is designed and constructed on the surface of LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode to improve its performance and cycle life at high voltage operation. The hybrid coating layer effectively suppresses side reactions and mitigates structural damage of LCO, resulting in significantly enhanced capacity retention after cycling.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linshan Luo, Feng Zheng, Haowen Gao, Chaofei Lan, Zhefei Sun, Wei Huang, Xiang Han, Ziqi Zhang, Pengfei Su, Peng Wang, Shengshi Guo, Guangyang Lin, Jianfang Xu, Jianyuan Wang, Jun Li, Cheng Li, Qiaobao Zhang, Shunqing Wu, Ming-Sheng Wang, Songyan Chen
Summary: The failure mechanism of ionic conductor interlayers, especially the influence from electron penetration, remains largely unknown. An Al-LiF bilayer is found to dramatically promote the interfacial stability between Li/LATP, providing potential for high-performance solid-state batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linshan Luo, Zhefei Sun, Haowen Gao, Chaofei Lan, Xiaojuan Huang, Xiang Han, Pengfei Su, Zhiyong Zhang, Cheng Li, Wei Huang, Qiulong Wei, Qiaobao Zhang, Ming-Sheng Wang, Songyan Chen
Summary: This study demonstrates that an electronic conductor interlayer, such as aluminum or silver, can greatly enhance the interfacial stability between Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)(3) (LATP) solid-state electrolyte and lithium metal in lithium-ion batteries. By employing various techniques, the researchers unveil the mechanism behind the enhanced interfacial stability and discover that combining the electronic conductor interlayer with a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) can effectively protect LATP and improve the cycling performance of the battery. This work provides an in-depth understanding of the mechanism and offers a universal interface architecture to enhance the cyclability of solid-state batteries.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Bensheng Xiao, Hehe Zhang, Zhefei Sun, Miao Li, Yingzhu Fan, Haichen Lin, Haodong Liu, Bing Jiang, Yanbin Shen, Ming-Sheng Wang, Meicheng Li, Qiaobao Zhang
Summary: This study proposes a yolk-shell structured Sb2S3 confined in N, S co-doped hollow carbon nanorod as a promising anode for potassium-ion batteries. The structure effectively addresses the challenges of volume expansion and sluggish kinetics, resulting in outstanding cycling performance and rate capability. The mechanism of performance enhancement and K+ storage of Sb2S3 is elucidated through in situ/ex situ microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiangsi Liu, Yong Cheng, Yu Su, Fucheng Ren, Jun Zhao, Ziteng Liang, Bizhu Zheng, Jingwen Shi, Ke Zhou, Yuxuan Xiang, Jianming Zheng, Ming-Sheng Wang, Jianyu Huang, Minhua Shao, Yong Yang
Summary: Layered nickel-rich materials have been considered promising cathode candidates for solid-state batteries, but they suffer from low Coulombic efficiency and poor cycle stability at high cutoff potentials. This study investigates the bulk structure evolution of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode material in solid-state batteries and reveals the crucial role of surface chemistry in the degradation mechanism and performance enhancement. The results demonstrate that surface coating not only suppresses interfacial side reactions but also eliminates sluggish phase, leading to improved performance.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weicheng Liu, Hehe Zhang, Weibin Ye, Bensheng Xiao, Zhefei Sun, Yong Cheng, Ming-Sheng Wang
Summary: The wettability of hard carbons is improved by introducing open mesochannels, resulting in a series of hollow mesoporous carbon capsules with enhanced wettability compared to microporous counterparts. Various characterizations confirm the effects on promoting the kinetics and potassiophilicity of the carbons, which can be further improved by S-doping. The 2D mesoporous carbon anode exhibits excellent rate capability, high reversible capacity, and outstanding cycling stability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin Wang, Zhixiao Liu, Baihua Qu, Zhipeng Li, Yiming Zhang, Chunliu Xu, Zhao Chen, Qingshui Xie, Ming-Sheng Wang, Miao Lu, Junmei Zhao, Jingfeng Wang, Dong-Liang Peng, Fusheng Pan, Yong-Sheng Hu
Summary: By constructing an ionic-electronic dual-conducting interlayer with abundant N-sites on the Na metal anode, the stability of the electrode/electrolyte interaction is improved, resulting in prolonged cycling lifespan and enhanced electrochemical performance of Na-based batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhefei Sun, Miao Li, Zhiming Zheng, Zhilin Chen, Hehe Zhang, Bensheng Xiao, Baihua Qu, Bing Jiang, Honggang Liao, Li Zhang, Meicheng Li, Qiaobao Zhang, Ming-Sheng Wang
Summary: Researchers have developed a dual core-shell structured Si-based nanocomposite for lithium-ion batteries. The composite consists of a Si nanoparticle core, a Li3PO4/Li4P2O7 shell, and a void-preserving F-doped carbon shell, which improves the cycling stability and performance of the anode. The composite shows a reversible capacity of 569 mAh/g after 500 cycles and a good cycling performance in full cell assembly.
MATERIALS TODAY NANO
(2023)