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Inorganics
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Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices
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Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2025 | Viewed by 13226

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Chek Hai Lim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Interests: materials science; electrochemical applications; energy storage; dental materials; nanomaterials; synthesis and characterization of materials; biomedical applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the advent of advanced technology, various portable and large-scale applications, such as consumer electronics, smart grids, electric vehicles, and potentially aircraft, have been developed to ease our livelihoods. Consequently, this has caused a jump in energy consumption of fossil fuels, leading to depletion of energy resources and environmental issues. In 1991, alternative renewable energy resources were proposed to replace traditional energy with the first commercialization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Since then, a variety of inorganic materials have been tailored into advanced electrode materials to develop different energy storage devices with high performance, safety, lifespan, and cost-effective batteries.

Advanced electrode materials are key to the advancement of energy storage devices. Numerous of synthesis and fabrication techniques have been attuned to augment and produce novel electrode materials by exploring the composition of materials, doping, shape, morphology, nanostructures, surface modification, and design of electrode materials, such as graphene/carbon-inorganic materials and 3D structures. Through advanced characterization (in situ and ex situ techniques), it has been discovered that the macro- and microstructures of electrode materials can be tailored to enhance charge transfer kinetics, accelerate redox reaction rates, improve electron transport and ion diffusion kinetics, increase activity, and improve structural stability while studying their reaction mechanisms and addressing problems to establish fundamental studies.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. The papers presented in this Special Issue will provide insights into the topics related to (but are not limited by) electrode material design, synthesis, characterization, reaction mechanisms, electrode–electrolyte interfaces, and electrochemical properties and performance investigation. Both experimental and computational studies are welcome in this Special Issue. We aim to give a platform to multidisciplinary approaches to build a comprehensive fundamental understanding of advanced electrode materials for various energy storage devices.

Dr. Chek Hai Lim
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Inorganics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • synthesis
  • characterization
  • electrode materials
  • electrolyte
  • reaction mechanism
  • electrochemical properties
  • nanostructure
  • supercapacitors
  • energy storage devices
  • batteries

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 11306 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Effect of Solution Concentration on the Optical and Supercapacitive Performance of CoWO4 Nanoparticles Prepared via the Solvothermal Method
by Sagar M. Mane, Aviraj M. Teli, Sonali A. Beknalkar, Jae Cheol Shin and Jaewoong Lee
Inorganics 2024, 12(8), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12080203 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 767
Abstract
This study explores the influence of solution concentration, specifically that of water and ethylene glycol mixtures, on the optical and supercapacitive properties of cobalt tungstate (CoWO4) nanoparticles. CoWO4 nanoparticles were synthesized using varying ratios of water to ethylene glycol to [...] Read more.
This study explores the influence of solution concentration, specifically that of water and ethylene glycol mixtures, on the optical and supercapacitive properties of cobalt tungstate (CoWO4) nanoparticles. CoWO4 nanoparticles were synthesized using varying ratios of water to ethylene glycol to ascertain the optimal conditions for enhanced performance. Detailed characterization was conducted using UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) to evaluate the optical properties and electrochemical behavior, respectively. The results revealed that the solution concentration significantly impacted the bandgap, absorbance, and emission properties of the CoWO4 nanoparticles. Effective bandgap tuning was achieved by altering the solution concentration. When using only water, the nanoparticles displayed the lowest bandgap of 2.57 eV. In contrast, a solution with equal water and ethylene glycol concentrations resulted in the highest bandgap of 2.65 eV. Additionally, the electrochemical studies demonstrated that the water/ethylene glycol ratio markedly influenced the charge storage capacity and cyclic stability of the nanoparticles. The results indicated that the solvent concentration significantly influenced the crystallinity, particle size, and surface morphology of the CoWO4 nanoparticle nanoparticles, which affected their optical properties and electrochemical performance. Notably, nanoparticles synthesized with a 1.25:0.75 proportion of water to ethylene glycol exhibited superior supercapacitive performance, with a specific capacitance of 661.82 F g−1 at a current density of 7 mA cm−2 and 106% capacitance retention after 8000 charge–discharge cycles. These findings underscore the critical role of solvent composition in tailoring the functional properties of CoWO4 nanoparticles, providing insights for their application in optoelectronic devices and energy storage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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13 pages, 3058 KiB  
Article
MOF-Derived Fe2CoSe4@NC and Fe2NiSe4@NC Composite Anode Materials towards High-Performance Na-Ion Storage
by Hangxuan Xie, Wei Zhang, Chao Wang, Shangcheng Zhao, Zhentao Hao, Xiaolian Huang, Kanghua Miao and Xiongwu Kang
Inorganics 2024, 12(6), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12060165 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Binary transition metal selenides (BTMSs) are more promising than single transition metal selenides (TMS) as anode materials of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, it is still very challenging to prepare high-performance BTMSs in the pure phase, instead of a mixture of two TMSs. In [...] Read more.
Binary transition metal selenides (BTMSs) are more promising than single transition metal selenides (TMS) as anode materials of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, it is still very challenging to prepare high-performance BTMSs in the pure phase, instead of a mixture of two TMSs. In this study, a binary metal center-based MOF derived selenization strategy was developed to prepare iron–cobalt selenide (Fe2CoSe4@NC) and iron–nickel selenide (Fe2NiSe4@NC) nanocomposites in the single phase and when wrapped with carbon layers. As the anode material of SIBs, Fe2CoSe4@NC exhibits higher long-term cycling performance than Fe2NiSe4@NC, maintaining a capacity of 352 mAh g−1 after 2100 cycles at 1.0 A g−1, which is ascribed to the higher percentage of the nanopores, larger lattice spacing, and faster Na+ diffusion rate in the electrode materials of the former rather than the latter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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18 pages, 19644 KiB  
Article
Improving Zinc-Ion Batteries’ Performance: The Role of Nitrogen Doping in V2O3/C Cathodes
by He Lin, Huanhuan Cheng and Yu Zhang
Inorganics 2024, 12(4), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12040117 - 16 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1180
Abstract
This study presents the synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of nitrogen-doped vanadium oxide (N−V2O3/C) as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), using a hydrothermal method. Compared to undoped V2O3/C, N−V2O3/C [...] Read more.
This study presents the synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of nitrogen-doped vanadium oxide (N−V2O3/C) as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), using a hydrothermal method. Compared to undoped V2O3/C, N−V2O3/C exhibits enhanced electrical conductivity, capacity, and electrochemical kinetics, attributed to the incorporation of pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen. The initial charge–discharge cycles indicate phase transitions to amorphous vanadium oxides, enhancing conductivity. N−V2O3/C shows a high specific capacity of 168.4 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 and remarkable reversibility, highlighted by the transient existence of intermediate species during cycling. Optimal electrochemical performance is achieved with a vanadium-to-nitrogen molar ratio of 2:3, indicating the significant impact of the nitrogen doping concentration on the material’s efficiency. This work underscores the potential of N−V2O3/C as a superior cathode material for AZIBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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16 pages, 4274 KiB  
Article
Zinc Storage Performance of Oxygen-Deficient NH4V3O8: Theoretical and Experimental Study
by He Lin, Xuanxuan Cai and Yu Zhang
Inorganics 2024, 12(4), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12040107 - 8 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1054
Abstract
Using density functional theory (DFT), the density of states of NH4V3O8 (NVO) was analyzed pre- and post-oxygen defect (Od) formation. The findings revealed a reduced bandgap in NVO after Od introduction, emphasizing the role of [...] Read more.
Using density functional theory (DFT), the density of states of NH4V3O8 (NVO) was analyzed pre- and post-oxygen defect (Od) formation. The findings revealed a reduced bandgap in NVO after Od introduction, emphasizing the role of Od in enhancing conductivity of the material, thus improving its electrochemical attributes. Through the water bath method, both NVO and its oxygen-deficient counterpart, (NH4)2V10O25·8H2O (NVOd), were synthesized as potential cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Experimental outcomes resonated with DFT predictions, highlighting the beneficial role of oxygen defects in boosting electrical conductivity. Notably, the refined material displayed a remarkable capacity of 479.3 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, underscoring its promise for advanced energy storage solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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16 pages, 13807 KiB  
Article
Positive Influence of Oxalate and Cyanate on the Supercapacitance Performance of V/Co 2D-Nanolayered Structures
by Osama Saber, Sajid Ali Ansari, Nazish Parveen, Nagih M. Shaalan, Aya Osama and Mostafa Osama
Inorganics 2023, 11(12), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11120458 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1498
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) nanolayered and nanohybrid structures, which are composed of different species of organic anions and multi-valence inorganic cations, are considered favorable in the field of energy storage for use as supercapacitors. In this study, host–guest interactions were used to build a series [...] Read more.
Two-dimensional (2D) nanolayered and nanohybrid structures, which are composed of different species of organic anions and multi-valence inorganic cations, are considered favorable in the field of energy storage for use as supercapacitors. In this study, host–guest interactions were used to build a series of these nanohybrids. The host was the layered double hydroxides of vanadium–cobalt (V/Co) nanolayers with different molar ratios. Cyanate was used as a guest to design a V/Co supercapacitor with a 2D-nanolayered structure. In addition, oxalate was used as a new additive to improve the performance of the V/Co supercapacitor. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of the nanolayered structures of cyanate-V/Co. In the case of the oxalate-V/Co nanostructures, a new phase of cobalt oxalate was produced and combined with the nanolayered structure to build a 3D porous structure. A three-assembly electrode system was used to study the electrochemical supercapacitive behavior of the cyanate-V/Co and oxalate-V/Co nanolayered structures. The results indicated that the OXVC-20 electrode possessed the highest specific capacitance as compared to that of the OXVC-16 and CNOVC electrodes. An excellent stability performance of up to 91% after various charge–discharge cycles was detected for the optimum case. Because of the positive effect of oxalate on the supercapacitance performance of the V/Co supercapacitor, it is suggested as a new track for building active electrodes for high-performance supercapacitor applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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Review

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63 pages, 7584 KiB  
Review
A Review of Ionic Liquids and Their Composites with Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Applications
by José Pereira, Reinaldo Souza and Ana Moita
Inorganics 2024, 12(7), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12070186 - 3 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1478
Abstract
The current study focuses on reviewing the actual progress of the use of ionic liquids and derivatives in several electrochemical application. Ionic liquids can be prepared at room temperature conditions and by including a solution that can be a salt in water, or [...] Read more.
The current study focuses on reviewing the actual progress of the use of ionic liquids and derivatives in several electrochemical application. Ionic liquids can be prepared at room temperature conditions and by including a solution that can be a salt in water, or a base or acid, and are composed of organic cations and many charge-delocalized organic or inorganic anions. The electrochemical properties, including the ionic and electronic conductivities of these innovative fluids and hybrids, are addressed in depth, together with their key influencing parameters including type, fraction, functionalization of the nanoparticles, and operating temperature, as well as the incorporation of surfactants or additives. Also, the present review assesses the recent applications of ionic liquids and corresponding hybrids with the addition of nanoparticles in diverse electrochemical equipment and processes, together with a critical evaluation of the related feasibility concerns in different applications. Those ranging from the metal-ion batteries, in which ionic liquids possess a prominent role as electrolytes and reference electrodes passing through the dye of sensitized solar cells and fuel cells, to finishing processes like the ones related with low-grade heat harvesting and supercapacitors. Moreover, the overview of the scientific articles on the theme resulted in the comparatively brief examination of the benefits closely linked with the use of ionic fluids and corresponding hybrids, such as improved ionic conductivity, thermal and electrochemical stabilities, and tunability, in comparison with the traditional solvents, electrolytes, and electrodes. Finally, this work analyzes the fundamental limitations of such novel fluids such as their corrosivity potential, elevated dynamic viscosity, and leakage risk, and highlights the essential prospects for the research and exploration of ionic liquids and derivatives in various electrochemical devices and procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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19 pages, 6709 KiB  
Review
Li-Rich Mn-Based Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries: Progress and Perspective
by Weibin Guo, Zhangzhao Weng, Chongyang Zhou, Min Han, Naien Shi, Qingshui Xie and Dong-Liang Peng
Inorganics 2024, 12(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12010008 - 24 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4186
Abstract
The development of cathode materials with high specific capacity is the key to obtaining high-performance lithium-ion batteries, which are crucial for the efficient utilization of clean energy and the realization of carbon neutralization goals. Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials (LRM) exhibit high specific capacity [...] Read more.
The development of cathode materials with high specific capacity is the key to obtaining high-performance lithium-ion batteries, which are crucial for the efficient utilization of clean energy and the realization of carbon neutralization goals. Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials (LRM) exhibit high specific capacity because of both cationic and anionic redox activity and are expected to be developed and applied as cathode materials for a new generation of high-energy density lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, the difficulty of regulating anionic redox reactions poses significant challenges to LRM, such as low initial Coulombic efficiency, poor rate capability, and fast cycling capacity and voltage decay. To address the existing challenges of LRM, this review introduces their basic physicochemical characteristics in detail, analyzes the original causes of these challenges, focuses on the recent progress of the modification strategies, and then especially discusses the development prospects of LRM from different aspects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Devices)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Designing of Electrode Nanomaterials for Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Chek Hai Lim
Affiliation: Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Abstract: Global efforts to shift from non-renewable to renewable resources are one of the strategies used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Emerging electrochemical energy storage devices, such as metal-alkali batteries, metal batteries, supercapacitors, and other devices, have been developed to transform renewable resources between electricity and chemical energy to power electronics, electric vehicles, and other applications. Since the introduction of lithium-ion batteries in 1991, scientists have discovered various active materials and other component materials for energy storage devices, including metal oxides and non-metal oxides, such as anode, cathode, separator, and electrolyte. Most bulk active materials are poor in electronic or ionic conductivities and tend to crack after reaching a threshold of ion storage. Thus, numerous efforts have been dedicated to developing electrode materials that could contribute to high power and energy densities in energy storage devices with long-term cycling stability. Nanomaterials have recently received tremendous attention due to their unique properties when reduced from bulk micron-sized to nano-sized materials. Owing to their small size, nanomaterials possess a large surface area to provide more active sites for electrochemical reactions. Another advantage of nanomaterials is the short ion diffusion path, which induces fast ionic transportation and electrochemical kinetics. Although nanomaterials can improve the conductivities of the electrodes, the instability of nanometer-sized materials has deteriorated the electrochemical performance, especially the degradation of cycling and rate-capability performances. The major drawback of the large active surface area of nanomaterials is their high contact area with electrolytes, leading to the decomposition of electrolytes to form an electrolyte interphase layer due to parasitic reactions. Another problem of the large surface area is their high surface energy, and the open surface structure tends to agglomerate into secondary particles due to thermodynamically metastable, which is not beneficial in electronic and ionic transportation and poses a difficulty in shape or morphology-controlled synthesis. Scientists have recently devoted their efforts to overcome the limitations of nanomaterials. Tuning and designing of material structures and composition could potentially produce thermodynamically stable nanostructured materials through various techniques such as structure modification, coating, spatial arrangement, and assembly of nanostructured materials into micro/nanostructure (3D structures). We, therefore, reviewed the fundamental aspects of mitigating the side effects of various dimensional nanomaterials for energy storage devices. Surface modification and structural design of heterogeneous nanostructures with synergetic properties are also presented to explore the contemporary state-of-the-art rational design of various dimensional nanomaterials with different complexity in structure for energy storage devices. Further improving the power and energy density of electrode nanomaterials requires assembling nanostructured materials into densely packed hierarchical complex 3D interconnected networks (nanoarchitecture) to eliminate unused spaces or dead areas. Some examples of nanoarchitecture in constructing 3D active materials or electrodes will be provided in this review as an extension to the advancement and utilization of nanomaterials in energy storage devices.

Title: The improvement of low-temperature lithium-ion batteries.
Authors: Chong Yan
Affiliation: Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 P.R. China
Abstract: The improvement of low-temperature lithium-ion batteries.

Title: synthesis and characterization of a new kind of functionalized hexagonal boron nitride which has potential for battery and other applications.
Authors: Karoly Nemeth
Affiliation: Physics Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3101 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Title: Maximizing Lithium-Air Battery Performance with Polystyrene-Based Membranes in Humid Environments
Authors: Muhammad Naqvi
Affiliation: College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait
Abstract: The Lithium Air Battery (LAB) is considered as the most promising battery type due to its significantly high theoretical energy density. Most LAB research takes place in pure oxygen environments, as operating them under normal conditions with moisture raises safety concerns. Hydrophobic membranes prove highly effective at preventing moisture infiltration, thereby enabling operation of Lithium Air Batteries (LAB) under regular environmental conditions. This novel study incorporates a Polystyrene-based graphite membrane with added graphite enhancing their properties to safeguard against moisture intrusion and extend durability for various applications including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. To assess the performance, five distinct membranes are fabricated, with varying graphite content ranging from 0 to 1 wt.% of Polystyrene. Subsequently, such membranes are integrated into the battery, and implications of incorporating Polystyrene membranes in LAB operation are thoroughly discussed. The comprehensive study reveals that 0.7 wt.% graphite-infused PS membrane performs efficiently and is subsequently employed in LAB. Additionally, the use of MnO2 as a catalyst in the cathode material is explored through Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), showing promising results. The enhancement of the cyclic performance of the battery is investigated through the substitution of carbonate-based electrolyte with TEGDME.

Title: Rational Design of Advanced Sulfur Cathode for Practical Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Jiajin Li; Xinhai Yuan; Lijun Fu; Yuping Wu
Affiliation: Southeast University

Title: A Protic Ionic Liquid Promoted Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Solid-State Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Jiaxing Liu; Zan Wang; Zhihao Yang; Meiling Liu; Hongtao Liu
Affiliation: Central South University
Abstract: This study presents the synthesis of a transparent, flexible gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on protic ionic liquid BMImHSO4 and polyvinyl alcohol by solution-casting method and electrochemical evaluation in a 2.5 V symmetrical C/C electrical double-layer solid-state capacitor (EDLC). The free-standing GPE film exhibits high thermal stability (>300 °C), wide electrochemical windows (>2.7 V), and good ionic conductivity (2.43×10-2 S cm-1 at 20 °C). EDLC using this novel GPE film showed high specific capacitance of 81 F g-1 as well as good retention above 90 % of initial capacitance after 4500 cycles. The engineered protic ionic liquid GPE is hopefully applicable to high-performance solid-state electrochemical energy storage.

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