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At least 1,135 records · Page 63

Control of Two Solid Electrolyte Interphases at the Negative Electrode of an Anode‐Free All Solid‐State Battery based on Argyrodite Electrolyte

Abstract Anode‐free all solid‐state batteries (AF‐ASSBs) employ “empty” current collector with three active interfaces that determine electrochemical stability; lithium metal – Solid electrolyte (SE) interphase (SEI‐1), lithium – current collector interface, and collector – SE interphase (SEI‐2). Argyrodite Li 6 PS 5 Cl (LPSCl) solid electrolyte (SE) displays SEI‐2 containing copper sulfides, formed even at open circuit. Bilayer of 140 nm magnesium/30 nm tungsten (Mg/W‐Cu) controls the three interfaces and allows for state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical performance in half‐cells and fullcells. AF‐ASSB with NMC811 cathode achieves 150 cycles with Coulombic efficiency (CE) above 99.8%. With high mass‐loading cathode (8.6 mAh cm −2 ), AF‐ASSB retains 86.5% capacity after 45 cycles at 0.2C. During electrodeposition of Li, gradient Li‐Mg solid solution is formed, which reverses upon electrodissolution. This promotes conformal wetting/dewetting by Li and stabilizes SEI‐1 by lowering thermodynamic driving force for SE reduction. Inert refractory W underlayer is required to prevent ongoing formation of SEI‐2 that also drives electrochemical degradation. Inert Mo and Nb layers likewise protect Cu from corroding, while Li‐alloying layers (Mg, Sn) are less effective due to ongoing volume changes and associated pulverization. Mechanistic explanation for observed Li segregation within alloying Li x Mg layer is provided through mesoscale modelling, considering opposing roles of diffusivity differences and interfacial stresses.

Wang, Yixian [Materials Science and Engineering Pr↗

Ultrafast Symmetry Control in Photoexcited Quantum Dots

Symmetry control is essential for realizing unconventional properties, such as ferroelectricity, nonlinear optical responses, and complex topological order, thus it holds promise for the design of emerging quantum and photonic systems. Nevertheless, fast and reversible control of symmetry in materials remains a challenge, especially for nanoscale systems. Here, reversible symmetry changes are unveiled in colloidal lead chalcogenide quantum dots on picosecond timescales. Using a combination of ultrafast electron diffraction and total X-ray scattering, in conjunction with atomic-scale structural modeling and first-principles calculations, it is revealed that symmetry-broken lead sulfide quantum dots restore to a centrosymmetric phase upon photoexcitation. The symmetry restoration is driven by photoexcited electronic carriers, which suppress lead off-centering for about 100 ps. Furthermore, the change in symmetry is closely correlated with the electronic properties, and the bandgap transiently red-shifts in the symmetry-restored quantum dots. Overall, this study elucidates reversible symmetry changes in colloidal quantum dots, and more broadly defines a new methodology to optically control symmetry in nanoscale systems on ultrafast timescales.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Anion Vacancies Coupling with Heterostructures Enable Advanced Aerogel Cathode for Ultrafast Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Storage

As a potential cathode material, manganese-based sulfide has recently attracted increasing interest due to its many advantages in aqueous zinc-ion storage. Unfortunately, some challenges such as sluggish kinetics, unstable structure, and controversial phase transition mechanism during the energy storage process hinder its practical application. Herein, inspired by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a novel 3D sulfur vacancy-rich and heterostructured MnS/MXene aerogel is designed, and used as a cathode for aqueous Zn-ion batteries/hybrid capacitors (ZIBs/ZICs) for the first time. Thanks to the synergistic modification strategy of sulfur vacancies and heterostructures, the as-constructed MnS/MXene//Zn ZIBs exhibit significantly enhanced electrochemical properties, especially outstanding rate capability and cyclic stability. More encouragingly, the as-assembled MnS/MXene//porous carbon (PC) ZICs exhibit an ultrahigh energy density, a high power density, and a splendid cycling lifespan. Most notably, systematic kinetic analyses, ex situ characterizations, and DFT calculations illustrate that MnS/MXene first irreversibly converts into MnO x @ZnMnO 3 /MXene, and then undergoes a reversible conversion from MnO x @ZnMnO 3 /MXene to MnOOH@ZnMn 2 O 4 /MXene, accompanied by the co-insertion/extraction of H + and Zn 2+ . Further, the synergistic modification strategy of sulfur vacancies and heterostructures and the thorough mechanistic study proposed in this work offer valuable guidance for designing and exploiting high-performance cathodes in aqueous zinc-based energy storage devices.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Manganese‐Based Spinel Cathodes: A Promising Frontier for Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Recently, all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs), which exhibit improved safety and enhanced energy density compared to conventional commercialized lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), thereby have garnered extensive research interest. Among the promising cathode candidates, Mn-based spinel cathodes LiMn 2 O 4 (LMO) and LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO), with the unique characteristics of low cost, structural stability, and 3D Li-ion diffusion channels, have demonstrated excellent performance in LIBs and presented great potential in ASSLIBs applications. However, several challenges, including structural degradations, poor interfacial contact, large interfacial resistance, and Mn-dissolution/diffusion during the electrochemical cycling, hinder their practical applications and commercialization in the ASSLIBs. Particularly, the high-voltage LNMO cathodes suffer from the challenge of electrochemical incompatibility with most of the solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Herein, the spinel structure, the electrochemical behavior, and the structural degradation of the LMO/LNMO are explored. The characteristics and recent progress of the mitigating strategies to the challenges of various SSEs, including polymer-, oxide-, composite-, sulfide-, halide-, and LiPON-based SSEs, are introduced when paired with LMO/LNMO. Finally, the directions for future research to advance Mn-based spinel cathodes and fulfill the requirements of the next-generation ASSLIBs are also discussed.

Dou, Yu [Concordia University, Montreal, QC (Canad↗

Material-Dependent Antagonistic Effects between Soot and ZDDP

While soot in engine oil is known to accelerate the wear of diesel and gasoline direct-injection compression-ignition engines, there is a lack of consensus on the wear mechanism though various hypotheses have been proposed in the literature. Particularly, some recently observed antagonistic effects between soot and a common lubricant antiwear additive, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), while others did not. The discrepancy is, in part, explained by the strong alloy dependence of such antagonism discovered in this study. Specifically, four alloys, 52100 steel and M2, M50, and A2 tool steels, are tested in lubricants containing carbon black (CB, a soot surrogate) with and without ZDDP present. Adding the CB alone to the oil increases the wear rate for all steel alloys as expected. However, distinct wear performance is observed for the four steel alloys when ZDDP is introduced to the CB-containing oil: while the 52100 steel has notable wear reduction, the three tool steels suffer significant wear increase. Comprehensive tribofilm characterization suggests that the Mo content in the steel alloy and the sulfur from ZDDP strongly influence wear behavior. The combination of CB/Mo-catalyzed sulfidation and CB-accelerated abrasion is hypothesized to be responsible for the high wear of the Mo-alloyed tool steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Infrared Optical Anisotropy in Quasi‐1D Hexagonal Chalcogenide BaTiSe 3

Polarimetric infrared (IR) detection bolsters IR thermography by leveraging the polarization of light. Optical anisotropy, i.e., birefringence and dichroism, can be leveraged to achieve polarimetric detection. Recently, giant optical anisotropy is discovered in quasi-1D narrow-bandgap hexagonal perovskite sulfides, A 1+x TiS 3 , specifically BaTiS 3 and Sr 9/8 TiS 3 . In these materials, the critical role of atomic-scale structure modulations in the unconventional electrical, optical, and thermal properties raises the broader question of the nature of other materials that belong to this family. To address this issue, for the first time, high-quality single crystals of a largely unexplored member of the A 1+x TiX 3 (X = S, Se) family, BaTiSe 3 are synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction determined the room-temperature structure with the P31c space group, which is a superstructure of the earlier reported P6 3 /mmc structure. The crystal structure of BaTiSe 3 features antiparallel c-axis displacements similar to but of lower symmetry than BaTiS 3 , verified by the polarization dependent Raman spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to characterize the optical anisotropy of BaTiSe 3 , whose refractive index along the ordinary (E ⊥ c) and extraordinary (E ‖ c) optical axes is quantitatively determined by combining ellipsometry studies with FTIR. With a giant birefringence Δn ∼ 0.9, BaTiSe 3 emerges as a new candidate for miniaturized birefringent optics for mid-wave infrared to long-wave infrared imaging.

optical anisotropy↗

Monolayer Vanadium‐Doped Tungsten Disulfide: A Room‐Temperature Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor

Abstract Dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS), achieved through substitutional doping of spin‐polarized transition metals into semiconducting systems, enable experimental modulation of spin dynamics in ways that hold great promise for novel magneto–electric or magneto–optical devices, especially for two‐dimensional (2D) systems such as transition metal dichalcogenides that accentuate interactions and activate valley degrees of freedom. Practical applications of 2D magnetism will likely require room‐temperature operation, air stability, and (for magnetic semiconductors) the ability to achieve optimal doping levels without dopant aggregation. Here, room‐temperature ferromagnetic order obtained in semiconducting vanadium‐doped tungsten disulfide monolayers produced by a reliable single‐step film sulfidation method across an exceptionally wide range of vanadium concentrations, up to 12 at% with minimal dopant aggregation, is described. These monolayers develop p‐type transport as a function of vanadium incorporation and rapidly reach ambipolarity. Ferromagnetism peaks at an intermediate vanadium concentration of ~2 at% and decreases for higher concentrations, which is consistent with quenching due to orbital hybridization at closer vanadium–vanadium spacings, as supported by transmission electron microscopy, magnetometry, and first‐principles calculations. Room‐temperature 2D‐DMS provide a new component to expand the functional scope of van der Waals heterostructures and bring semiconducting magnetic 2D heterostructures into the realm of practical application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Correlating Macro and Atomic Structure with Elastic Properties and Ionic Transport of Glassy Li 2 S‐P 2 S 5 (LPS) Solid Electrolyte for Solid‐State Li Metal Batteries

Abstract A combination of high ionic conductivity and facile processing suggest that sulfide‐based materials are promising solid electrolytes that have the potential to enable Li metal batteries. Although the Li 2 S‐P 2 S 5 (LPS) family of compounds exhibit desirable characteristics, it is known that Li metal preferentially propagates through microstructural defects, such as particle boundaries and/or pores. Herein, it is demonstrated that a near theoretical density (98% relative density) LPS 75‐25 glassy electrolyte exhibiting high ionic conductivity can be achieved by optimizing the molding pressure and temperature. The optimal molding pressure reduces porosity and particle boundaries while preserving the preferred amorphous structure. Moreover, molecular rearrangements and favorable Li coordination environments for conduction are attained. Consequently, the Young's Modulus approximately doubles (30 GPa) and the ionic conductivity increases by a factor of five (1.1 mS cm −1 ) compared to conventional room temperature molding conditions. It is believed that this study can provide mechanistic insight into processing‐structure‐property relationships that can be used as a guide to tune microstructural defects/properties that have been identified to have an effect on the maximum charging current that a solid electrolyte can withstand during cycling without short‐circuiting.

Garcia‐Mendez, Regina↗

Toward Higher Voltage Solid-State Batteries by Metastability and Kinetic Stability Design

The energy density of battery systems is limited largely by the electrochemical window of the electrolyte. Here, the combined thermodynamic and kinetic effects of mechanically induced metastability are shown to greatly widen the operational voltage window of solid-state batteries based on ceramic-sulfide electrolytes. Solid electrolyte voltage stability up to 10 V is achieved with minimal degradation, far beyond the capability of organic liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, combined experiment, ab initio computation, and theoretical modeling identify the nature of mechanically constrained Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 decomposition both within the bulk and at interfaces with cathode materials at very high voltages. Previously unclear kinetic processes are identified that, when properly implemented, can potentially allow solid-state full cells with remarkably high operational voltages.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

New Cost-Effective Halide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Batteries: Mechanochemically Prepared Fe 3+ -Substituted Li 2 ZrCl 6

Owing to the combined advantages of sulfide and oxide solid electrolytes (SEs), that is, mechanical sinterability and excellent (electro)chemical stability, recently emerging halide SEs such as Li 3 YCl 6 are considered to be a game changer for the development of all-solid-state batteries. However, the use of expensive central metals hinders their practical applicability. In this study, a new halide superionic conductors are reported that are free of rare-earth metals: hexagonal close-packed (hcp) Li 2 ZrCl 6 and Fe 3+ -substituted Li 2 ZrCl 6 , derived via a mechanochemical method. Conventional heat treatment yields cubic close-packed monoclinic Li 2 ZrCl 6 with a low Li + conductivity of 5.7 × 10 –6 S cm –1 at 30 °C. In contrast, hcp Li 2 ZrCl 6 with a high Li + conductivity of 4.0 × 10 –4 S cm –1 is derived via ball-milling. More importantly, the aliovalent substitution of Li 2 ZrCl 6 with Fe 3+ , which is probed by complementary analyses using X-ray diffraction, pair distribution function, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy measurements, drastically enhances the Li + conductivity up to ≈1 mS cm –1 for Li 2.25 Zr 0.75 Fe 0.25 Cl 6 . The superior interfacial stability when using Li 2+ x Zr 1– x Fe x Cl 6 , as compared to that when using conventional Li 6 PS 5 Cl, is proved. Furthermore, an excellent electrochemical performance of the all-solid-state batteries is achieved via the combination of Li 2 ZrCl 6 and single-crystalline LiNi 0.88 Co 0.11 Al 0.01 O 2 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Lithium Oxide Superionic Conductors Inspired by Garnet and NASICON Structures

Abstract The key component in lithium solid‐state batteries (SSBs) is the solid electrolyte composed of lithium superionic conductors (SICs). Lithium oxide SICs offer improved electrochemical and chemical stability compared with sulfides, and their recent advancements have largely been achieved using materials in the garnet‐ and NASICON (sodium superionic conductor)‐ structured families. In this work, using the ion‐conduction mechanisms in garnet and NASICON as inspiration, a common pattern of an “activated diffusion network” and three structural features that are beneficial for superionic conduction: a 3D percolation Li diffusion network, short distances between occupied Li sites, and the “homogeneity” of the transport path are identified. A high‐throughput computational screening is performed to search for new lithium oxide SICs that share these features. From this search, seven candidates are proposed exhibiting high room‐temperature ionic conductivity evaluated using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Their structural frameworks including spinel, oxy‐argyrodite, sodalite, and LiM(SeO 3 ) 2 present new opportunities for enriching the structural families of lithium oxide SICs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Nickel-Decorated Carbon Flower/Sulfur Cathode for Lean-Electrolyte Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries involve a reversible conversion reaction between sulfur and lithium sulfide (Li 2 S) via a series of soluble lithium polysulfide intermediates (LiPSs), enabling a high theoretical specific capacity of 1675 mAh g –1 . However, this process exhibits large polarization and low sulfur utilization and suffers critical capacity fade. The primary approach to tackle the problem has so far been to infiltrate sulfur into nanostructured carbon. Furthermore, most studies using porous carbon as host materials have tested with high electrolyte to sulfur ratios (E/S) (generally > 15 µL mg –1 ) that compromise the cell-level energy density. Here, a flower-shaped porous carbon structure with nickel nanoparticles that can address the problems discussed above is designed. First, the 3D flower-shaped carbon structure enables short ionic transport lengths. Second, the small pore diameters <10 nm and high specific surface areas > 3300 m 2 g –1 with sufficient pore volume are ideal for charging performance for low E/S ratios. Finally, Ni nanoparticles are employed onto the flower-shaped network to improve the reaction kinetics. Collectively, it is successfully demonstrated that the batteries with a high mass loading of 5 mg cm –2 and a 5 µL mg –1 E/S ratio can retain cycle retention of 70% after 150 cycles.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Novel Co‐Catalytic Activities of Solid and Liquid Phase Catalysts in High‐Rate Li‐Air Batteries

Abstract Li‐air batteries are considered strong candidates for the next‐generation energy storage systems designed for electrical transportation. However, low cyclability and current rates are two major drawbacks that hinder them from further realization. These issues necessitate the discovery of novel materials to significantly enhance the redox process of discharge products. In this study, a novel catalytic system comprised of tin sulfide (SnS) nanoflakes as a solid catalyst and tin iodide (SnI 2 ) as a dual‐functional electrolyte additive is discovered. This system enables operating the battery at high current rates up to 10 000 mA g −1 (corresponding to 1 mA cm −2 ). The SnS catalyst shows outstanding catalytic activity for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions compared to carbon, noble metals, and other transition metal dichalcogenides. It also exhibits good structural integrity at high rates. The computations indicate numerous possible oxygen reduction sites without oxygen dissociations on the SnS surface through solution mechanism that is likely responsible for the formation of Li 2 O 2 . The calculations also indicate that the role of the SnI 2 is not only reacting with the lithium anode to provide protection but reducing the charge potential by promoting catalytic decomposition of the Li 2 O 2 . This work provides new novel additives for designing high‐rate Li‐air batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Accelerated Short Circuiting in Anode-Free Solid-State Batteries Driven by Local Lithium Depletion

“Anode-free” solid-state batteries (SSBs), which have no anode active material, can exhibit extremely high energy density (≈1500 Wh L -1 ). However, there is a lack of understanding of the lithium plating/stripping mechanisms at initially lithium-free solid-state electrolyte (SSE) interfaces because excess lithium metal is often used. Here, it is demonstrated that commercially relevant quantities of lithium (>5 mAh cm -2 ) can be reliably plated at moderate current densities (1 mA cm -2 ) using the sulfide SSE Li 6 PS 5 Cl. Investigations of lithium plating/stripping mechanisms, in conjunction with cryo-ocused ion beam (FIB) imaging, synchrotron tomography, and phase-field modeling, reveal that the cycling stability of these cells is fundamentally limited by the nonuniform presence of lithium during stripping. Local lithium depletion causes isolated lithium regions toward the end of stripping, decreasing electrochemically active area and resulting in high local current densities and void formation. This accelerates subsequent filament growth and short circuiting compared to lithium-excess cells. Despite this degradation mode, here it is shown that anode-free cells exhibit comparable Coulombic efficiency to lithium-excess cells, and improved resistance to short circuiting is achieved by avoiding local lithium depletion through retention of thicker lithium at the interface. These new insights provide a foundation for engineering future high-energy anode-free SSBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Interface Coating Design for Dynamic Voltage Stability of Solid‐State Batteries

Abstract Intrinsic or interface thermodynamic voltage windows of solid electrolytes are often narrower than the operational voltage range needed by a full battery, thus various interface decomposition reactions can happen in a practical solid‐state battery. Experimentally, it is found that a proper battery design utilizing the reactions can lead to a dynamic evolution from interface instability to stability, giving the so‐called dynamic voltage stability for advanced battery performance. Here, first the state‐of‐the‐art understanding is articulated about how the dynamic voltage stability should be interpreted in physical picture and treated in computation, emphasizing the potential importance of nonequilibrium reaction pathways. The constrained ensemble computational approach is further applied across most types of solid‐state electrolytes to systematically evaluate and compare their dynamic stability voltage windows in response to the mechanical constriction effect. High‐throughput calculations are used to search for coating materials for different interfaces between sulfide, halide, and oxide electrolytes and typical cathode materials with enhanced dynamic voltage stability. A comparison with experiment is given to highlight the value of these computational predictions.

Wang, Yichao↗

Crack‐Free Single‐Crystalline LiNiO 2 for High Energy Density All‐Solid‐State Batteries

Abstract Single‐crystalline layered oxide (LiNi 1‐ x ‐ y Mn x Co y O 2 ) cathodes have been found to exhibit exceptional electrochemical properties when coupled with various inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) in all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs). Their advantages stem from the robust morphological integrity with the absence of grain boundaries and the high electrochemical oxidative stability. Here, ASSBs featuring single‐crystalline LiNiO 2 (LNO) with the highest Ni content are reported, offering a high theoretical specific capacity of 275 mAh g ‐1 alongside a high average discharge voltage (3.7 V vs Li + /Li). Through a careful investigation, it is demonstrated that micron‐sized single‐crystalline LNO (µSC‐LNO) composite cathodes with a halide ISE exhibit a high initial discharge capacity of 205 mAh g ‐1 with an outstanding cycle performance over 200 cycles in room‐temperature ASSBs. The significance of engineering parameters is emphasized, such as particle size and specific density, in promoting a homogeneous and fast Li + transport within the composite cathodes. Furthermore, the formation of undesirable interphase between the halide ISE in the cathode and sulfide ISE separator is elucidated, which may be a critical factor impeding long‐term cyclability of ASSBs. This work provides insights into the design of composite cathodes for high‐energy‐density ASSBs.

Chemistry↗

NaGaS 2 : An Elusive Layered Compound with Dynamic Water Absorption and Wide‐Ranging Ion‐Exchange Properties

Abstract Most ternary sulfides belonging to the MGaS 2 structure‐type have been known for many years and are well‐characterized. Surprisingly, there have been no reports of the NaGaS 2 composition, which contains Na, a monovalent cation slightly larger in size than Li, found in LiGaS 2 , a compound known for its non‐linear optical properties. Now it is demonstrated for the first time that the unique reversible water absorption in NaGaS 2 has resulted in its absence from previous reports owing to difficulties encountered when characterizing this compound by SC XRD. The layered structure of this compound coupled with uniquely easy migration of water molecules between the layers allows for ion exchange with 3d and 5f metal cations. Some cations, for example, Ni 2+ , facilitate exfoliation of the layers, providing a facile synthetic route to a new class of 2D chalcogenide materials and furthermore demonstrating that NaGaS 2 can readily uptake uranyl species from aqueous solutions.

Klepov, Vladislav V.↗

Heavily Tungsten–Doped Sodium Thioantimonate Solid–State Electrolytes with Exceptionally Low Activation Energy for Ionic Diffusion

A strategy for modifying the structure of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to reduce the cation diffusion activation energy is presented. Two heavily W-doped sodium thioantimonate SSEs, Na 2.895 W 0.3 Sb 0.7 S 4 and Na 2.7 W 0.3 Sb 0.7 S 4 are designed, both exhibiting exceptionally low activation energy and enhanced room temperature (RT) ionic conductivity; 0.09 eV, 24.2 mS/cm and 0.12 eV, 14.5 mS/cm. At –15 °C the Na 2.895 W 0.3 Sb 0.7 S 4 displays a total ionic conductivity of 5.5 mS/cm. Here, the 30 % W content goes far beyond the 10–12 % reported in the prior studies, and results in novel pseudo-cubic or orthorhombic structures. Calculations reveal that these properties result from a combination of multiple diffusion mechanisms, including vacancy defects, strongly correlated modes and excessive Na-ions. An all-solid-state battery (ASSB) using Na 2.895 W 0.3 Sb 0.7 S 4 as the primary SSE and a sodium sulfide (Na 2 S) cathode achieves a reversible capacity of 400 mAh g –1 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗