Metal–Air/CO2 Batteries

Our research group also focuses on high energy density rechargeable Metal-Air/CO2 batteries (Adv. Energy Mater. 2023,13, 2302325; Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022, 32, 2201258; Adv. Funct. Mater. 2021, 31, 2011151). In particular, Metal-CO2 batteries, which can be converted into sustainable electricity from CO2, provide an ideal solution to address pressing issues such as global warming and energy shortage (Small 2023, 12, 2206445; Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. 2022, 3, 100973; Mater. Today Energy 2021, 19, 100594). Considering the crucial role of well-designed functional materials and components (e.g., electrodes/catalysts, electrolytes, and membranes/separators) and their impact on CO2 conversion at the industrial level, we systematically summarize the similarities and differences between direct electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (ECO2RR) and CO2 batteries (Adv. Funct. Mater. 2023, 9, 2300926). Considering the uncontrollable sodium dendrite growth and poor electrochemical kinetics of the CO2 cathode, we constructed a multifunctional electrode to realize a dendrite-free and CO2 redox kinetics-enhanced high-reversible symmetric Na-CO2 battery (Energy Environ. Mater. 2024, 7, e12626). The paper was selected as the cover article.

Aqueous Zinc-ion Batteries

Our group also focuses on the design of 3D structured cathode materials to improve the energy storage performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). The strong electrostatic interactions between Zn2+ and atoms in the cathode material lattice often lead to sluggish transport kinetics, resulting in poor rate performance and insufficient cycling stability. Therefore, it is very important to develop suitable cathodes with open and stable structures with high capacity and cyclability in AZIBs.

Recently, MnV12O31·10H2O (MnVO) synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method is proposed as a promising cathode material for AZIBs.The large layered space and 3D hieratical morphology of MnVO provide a large space for the accommodation of the cationic charge carriers and fascinate their rapid transport. (Small Struct. 2023,12, 2300136) In addition, how to improve the material utilization rate is one of the keys to improving the cathode capacity and the energy density of the whole AZIBs. The utilization rate of zinc vanadate material increased from 69.60% to 99.2% by directly growing active substances on the collector. (Small 2023,19, 2303307)