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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 March 2024) | Viewed by 36931

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Dr. Jian Peng

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Guest Editor

Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Interests: rechargeable batteries; electrode materials; metal–organic frameworks; energy storage devices; operando characterizations
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Dr. Zhangxiang Hao

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Guest Editor

School of Science, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: rechargeable batteries; Li-S batteries; Mg-S batteries; electrode materials

Prof. Dr. Zhe Hu

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Guest Editor

College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
Interests: Li/Na/Zn ion batteries; Li/Na-CO₂ batteries
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The years 2011–2020 comprised the warmest decade ever recorded, with the global average temperature reaching 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels in 2019. The evidence is clear: the main cause of climate change is burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. When burnt, fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the air, causing the planet to heat up. The exploration and utilization of renewable energy to generate electricity can effectively reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels and create a sustainable and green future for all human beings. However, renewables are intermittent, and require advanced energy storage and conversion systems, such as rechargeable batteries, to provide a continuous power supply. High-performance and cost-effective electrode materials are key for the successful implementation of rechargeable batteries.

This year, the journal Molecules will publish a Special Issue of papers featuring selected contributions on novel electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. As Guest Editors of this Special Issue, we are writing to invite you to contribute a research paper, rapid communication, perspective or review article on your latest research activities in the field of rechargeable batteries.

This Special Issue will offer a forum to present papers focused on rechargeable batteries specially related to the synthesis, characterization and practical application of novel electrode materials. We kindly invite contributions covering the aspects broadly indicated by the keywords.

Dr. Jian Peng
Dr. Zhangxiang Hao
Prof. Dr. Zhe Hu
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

energy
batteries
electrode materials
synthesis
characterization
practical application

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Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries, 2nd Edition in Molecules (6 articles)

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Research

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19 pages, 9426 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Extraction Valuable Metal Elements by Co-Roasting Coal Gangue with Coal Gasification Coarse Slag

by Jincheng Zhao, Tao Yu, Huan Zhang, Yu Zhang, Lanting Ma, Jinling Li, Chengtun Qu and Te Wang

Molecules 2024, 29(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010130 - 25 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1218

Abstract

Coal gangue (CG) and coal gasification coarse slag (CGCS) possess both hazardous and resourceful attributes. The present study employed co-roasting followed by H₂SO₄ leaching to extract Al and Fe from CG and CGCS. The activation behavior and phase transformation mechanism during the co-roasting process were investigated through TG, XRD, FTIR, and XPS characterization analysis as well as Gibbs free energy calculation. The results demonstrate that the leaching rate of total iron (TFe) reached 79.93%, and Al³⁺ achieved 43.78% under the optimized experimental conditions (co-roasting process: CG/CGCS mass ratio of 8/2, 600 °C, 1 h; H₂SO₄ leaching process: 30 wt% H₂SO₄, 90 °C, 5 h, liquid to solid ratio of 5:1 mL/g). Co-roasting induced the conversion of inert kaolinite to active metakaolinite, subsequently leading to the formation of sillimanite (Al₂SiO₅) and hercynite (FeAl₂O₄). The iron phases underwent a selective transformation in the following sequence: hematite (Fe₂O₃) → magnetite (Fe₃O₄) → wustite (FeO) → ferrosilite (FeSiO₃), hercynite (FeAl₂O₄), and fayalite (Fe₂SiO₄). Furthermore, we found that acid solution and leached residue both have broad application prospects. This study highlights the significant potential of co-roasting CG and CGCS for high-value utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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13 pages, 9986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Boosting Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO Nanowires via Building Heterojunction with g-C₃N₄

by Yayang Wang, Ziyi Liu, Yuesheng Li, Xiaojie Yang, Lingfei Zhao and Jian Peng

Molecules 2023, 28(14), 5563; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145563 - 21 Jul 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1638

Abstract

The development of a stable and highly active photocatalyst has garnered significant attention in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, a novel technique involving a facile stirring method was devised to fabricate an array of g-C₃N₄/ZnO nanowire (ZnO NW) composites. Through the introduction of g-C₃N₄ to augment the generation of electron-hole pairs upon exposure to light, the catalytic efficacy of these composites was found to surpass that of the pristine ZnO NWs when subjected to simulated sunlight. The photocatalytic performance of a 20 mg·L⁻¹ methylene blue solution was found to be highest when the doping rate was 25 wt%, resulting in a degradation rate of 99.1% after 60 min. The remarkable enhancement in catalytic efficiency can be ascribed to the emergence of a captivating hetero-junction at the interface of g-C₃N₄ and ZnO NWs, characterized by a harmoniously aligned band structure. This alluring arrangement effectively curtailed charge carrier recombination, amplified light absorption, and augmented the distinct surface area, culminating in a notable boost to the photocatalytic prowess. These findings suggest that the strategic engineering of g-C₃N₄/ZnO NW heterostructures holds tremendous promise as a pioneering avenue for enhancing the efficacy of wastewater treatment methodologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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14 pages, 11538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Outstanding Electrochemical Performance of Ni-Rich Concentration-Gradient Cathode Material LiNi_0.9Co_0.083Mn_0.017O₂ for Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Hechen Li, Yiwen Guo, Yuanhua Chen, Nengshuang Gao, Ruicong Sun, Yachun Lu and Quanqi Chen

Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3347; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083347 - 10 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2063

Abstract

The full-concentrationgradient LiNi_0.9Co_0.083Mn_0.017O₂ (CG-LNCM), consisting of core Ni-rich LiNi_0.93Co_0.07O₂, transition zone LiNi_1−x−yCo_xMn_yO_2, and outmost shell LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was prepared by a facile co-precipitation method and high-temperature calcination. CG-LNCM was then investigated with an X-ray diffractometer, ascanning electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope, and electrochemical measurements. The results demonstrate that CG-LNCM has a lower cation mixing of Li⁺ and Ni²⁺ and larger Li⁺ diffusion coefficients than concentration-constant LiNi_0.9Co_0.083Mn_0.017O₂ (CC-LNCM). CG-LNCM presents a higher capacity and a better rate of capability and cyclability than CC-LNCM. CG-LNCM and CC-LNCM show initial discharge capacities of 221.2 and 212.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2C (40 mA g⁻¹) with corresponding residual discharge capacities of 177.3 and 156.1 mAh g⁻¹ after 80 cycles, respectively. Even at high current rates of 2C and 5C, CG-LNCM exhibits high discharge capacities of 165.1 and 149.1 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, respectively, while the residual discharge capacities of CC-LNCM are as low as 148.8 and 117.9 mAh g⁻¹ at 2C and 5C after 100 cycles, respectively. The significantly improved electrochemical performance of CG-LNCM is attributed to its concentration-gradient microstructure and the composition distribution of concentration-gradient LiNi_0.9Co_0.083Mn_0.017O₂. The special concentration-gradient design and the facile synthesis are favorable for massive manufacturing of high-performance Ni-rich ternary cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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12 pages, 2724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Heavily Doped P-Type PbSe with High Thermoelectric Performance by the NaCl Salt-Assisted Approach

by Xinru Ma, Xuxia Shai, Yu Ding, Jie Zheng, Jinsong Wang, Jiale Sun, Xiaorui Li, Weitao Chen, Tingting Wei, Weina Ren, Lei Gao, Shukang Deng and Chunhua Zeng

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2629; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062629 - 14 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) technology, which can convert scrap heat into electricity, has attracted considerable attention. However, broader applications of TE are hindered by lacking high-performance thermoelectric materials, which can be effectively progressed by regulating the carrier concentration. In this work, a series of PbSe(NaCl)_x (x = 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5) samples were synthesized through the NaCl salt-assisted approach with Na⁺ and Cl⁻ doped into their lattice. Both theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that manipulating the carrier concentration by adjusting the content of NaCl is conducive to upgrading the electrical transport properties of the materials. The carrier concentration elevated from 2.71 × 10¹⁹ cm⁻³ to 4.16 × 10¹⁹ cm⁻³, and the materials demonstrated a maximum power factor of 2.9 × 10⁻³ W m⁻¹ K⁻². Combined with an ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of 0.7 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, a high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) with 1.26 at 690 K was attained in PbSe(NaCl)_4.5. This study provides a guideline for chemical doping to improve the thermoelectric properties of PbSe further and promote its applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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16 pages, 6958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Copper Sulfide Stoichiometric Coefficient and Morphology on Electrochemical Performance

by Yanhong Ding, Rongpeng Lin, Shuicheng Xiong, Yirong Zhu, Meng Yu and Xiaobo Duan

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2487; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062487 - 8 Mar 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2336

Abstract

In this work, CuS, Cu₇S₄, Cu₉S₅, Cu_7.2S_4, and Cu₂S with the same morphology were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. According to the calculation, their galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) curves were 43.29 (CuS), 86.3 (Cu₇S₄), 154 (Cu₉S₅), 185.4 (Cu_7.2S₄), and 206.9 F/g (Cu₂S) at the current density of 1 A/g. The results showed that the energy storage capacity of copper sulfide with the same morphology increased with the increase of the copper sulfide stoichiometric coefficient. At the second part of this work, the agglomerated cuprous sulfide and the microporous cuprous sulfide were successfully prepared, respectively. In addition, the porous spherical cuprous sulfide was annealed to get nano cuprous sulfide. It is found that the specific capacity of the agglomerated structure is the highest, which had reached 206.9 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g, and 547.9 F/g at the current density of 10 A/g after activation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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10 pages, 2904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile One-Step Heat Treatment of Cu Foil for Stable Anode-Free Li Metal Batteries

by Jie Chen, Linna Dai, Pei Hu and Zhen Li

Molecules 2023, 28(2), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020548 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3272

Abstract

The anode-free lithium metal battery (AFLMB) is attractive for its ultimate high energy density. However, the poor cycling lifespan caused by the unstable anode interphase and the continuous Li consumption severely limits its practical application. Here, facile one-step heat treatment of the Cu foil current collectors before the cell assembly is proposed to improve the anode interphase during the cycling. After heat treatment of the Cu foil, homogeneous Li deposition is achieved during cycling because of the smoother surface morphology and enhanced lithiophilicity of the heat-treated Cu foil. In addition, Li₂O-riched SEI is obtained after the Li deposition due to the generated Cu₂O on the heat-treated Cu foil. The stable anode SEI can be successfully established and the Li consumption can be slowed down. Therefore, the cycling stability of the heat-treated Cu foil electrode is greatly improved in the Li|Cu half-cell and the symmetric cell. Moreover, the corresponding LFP|Cu anode-free full cell shows a much-improved capacity retention of 62% after 100 cycles, compared to that of 43% in the cell with the commercial Cu foil. This kind of facile but effective modification of current collectors can be directly applied in the anode-free batteries, which are assembled without Li pre-deposition on the anode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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Review

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25 pages, 9149 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances and Challenges in Electrolyte Development for Magnesium–Sulfur Batteries: A Comprehensive Review

by Lin Sheng, Junrun Feng, Manxi Gong, Lun Zhang, Jonathan Harding, Zhangxiang Hao and Feng Ryan Wang

Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061234 - 11 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2009

Abstract

Magnesium–sulfur batteries are an emerging technology. With their elevated theoretical energy density, enhanced safety, and cost-efficiency, they have the ability to transform the energy storage market. This review investigates the obstacles and progress made in the field of electrolytes which are especially designed for magnesium–sulfur batteries. The primary focus of the review lies in identifying electrolytes that can facilitate the reversible electroplating and stripping of Mg²⁺ ions whilst maintaining compatibility with sulfur cathodes and other battery components. The review also addresses the critical issue of managing the shuttle effect on soluble magnesium polysulfide by looking at the innovative engineering methods used at the sulfur cathode’s interface and in the microstructure design, both of which can enhance the reaction kinetics and overall battery efficiency. This review emphasizes the significance of reaction mechanism analysis from the recent studies on magnesium–sulfur batteries. Through analysis of the insights proposed in the latest literature, this review identifies the gaps in the current research and suggests future directions which can enhance the electrochemical performance of Mg-S batteries. Our analysis highlights the importance of innovative electrolyte solutions and provides a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanisms in order to overcome the existing barriers and pave the way for the practical application of Mg-S battery technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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17 pages, 8704 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances on F-Doped Layered Transition Metal Oxides for Sodium Ion Batteries

by Hao Wang, Lifeng Zhou, Zhenyu Cheng, Liying Liu, Yisong Wang and Tao Du

Molecules 2023, 28(24), 8065; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28248065 - 13 Dec 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2160

Abstract

With the development of social economy, using lithium-ion batteries in energy storage in industries such as large-scale electrochemical energy storage systems will cause lithium resources to no longer meet demand. As such, sodium ion batteries have become one of the effective alternatives to LIBs. Many attempts have been carried out by researchers to achieve this, among which F-doping is widely used to enhance the electrochemical performance of SIBs. In this paper, we reviewed several types of transition metal oxide cathode materials, and found their electrochemical properties were significantly improved by F-doping. Moreover, the modification mechanism of F-doping has also been summed up. Therefore, the application and commercialization of SIBs in the future is summarized in the ending of the review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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18 pages, 5395 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress of Hydrogen Production Technology and Related Catalysts by Electrolysis of Water

by Haiyao Li, Jun Guo, Zhishan Li and Jinsong Wang

Molecules 2023, 28(13), 5010; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135010 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7232

Abstract

As a clean and renewable energy source for sustainable development, hydrogen energy has gained a lot of attention from the general public and researchers. Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is the most important approach to producing hydrogen, and it is also the main way to realize carbon neutrality. In this paper, the main technologies of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water are discussed in detail; their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages are analyzed; and the selection criteria and design criteria of catalysts are presented. The catalysts used in various hydrogen production technologies and their characteristics are emphatically expounded, aiming at optimizing the existing catalyst system and developing new high-performance, high-stability, and low-cost catalysts. Finally, the problems and solutions in the practical design of catalysts are discussed and explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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21 pages, 3909 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Progress of Hard Carbon as an Anode Material in Sodium-Ion Batteries

by Suchong Tan, Han Yang, Zhen Zhang, Xiangyu Xu, Yuanyuan Xu, Jian Zhou, Xinchi Zhou, Zhengdao Pan, Xingyou Rao, Yudong Gu, Zhoulu Wang, Yutong Wu, Xiang Liu and Yi Zhang

Molecules 2023, 28(7), 3134; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073134 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 11467

Abstract

When compared to expensive lithium metal, the metal sodium resources on Earth are abundant and evenly distributed. Therefore, low-cost sodium-ion batteries are expected to replace lithium-ion batteries and become the most likely energy storage system for large-scale applications. Among the many anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, hard carbon has obvious advantages and great commercial potential. In this review, the adsorption behavior of sodium ions at the active sites on the surface of hard carbon, the process of entering the graphite lamellar, and their sequence in the discharge process are analyzed. The controversial storage mechanism of sodium ions is discussed, and four storage mechanisms for sodium ions are summarized. Not only is the storage mechanism of sodium ions (in hard carbon) analyzed in depth, but also the relationships between their morphology and structure regulation and between heteroatom doping and electrolyte optimization are further discussed, as well as the electrochemical performance of hard carbon anodes in sodium-ion batteries. It is expected that the sodium-ion batteries with hard carbon anodes will have excellent electrochemical performance, and lower costs will be required for large-scale energy storage systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries)

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