Rechargeable Nickel Telluride/Aluminum Batteries with High Capacity and Enhanced Cycling Performance

Exploring the potential of CuCoFeTe@CuCoTe yolk-shelled microrods in supercapacitor applications

Driven by their excellent conductivity and redox properties, metal tellurides (MTes) are increasingly capturing the spotlight across various fields. These properties position MTes as favorable materials for next-generation electrochemical devices. Herein, we introduce a novel, self-sustained approach to creating a yolk-shelled electrode material. Our process begins with a metal-organic framework, specifically a CoFe-layered double hydroxide-zeolitic imidazolate framework67 (ZIF67) yolk-shelled structure (CFLDH-ZIF67). This structure is synthesized in a single step and transformed into CuCoLDH nanocages. The resulting CuCoFeLDH-CuCoLDH yolk-shelled microrods (CCFLDH-CCLDHYSMRs) are formed through an ion-exchange reaction. These are then converted into CuCoFeTe-CuCoTe yolk-shelled microrods (CCFT-CCTYSMRs) by a tellurization reaction. Benefiting from their structural and compositional advantages, the CCFT-CCTYSMR electrode demonstrates superior performance. It exhibits a fabulous capacity of 1512 C g-1 and maintains an impressive 84.45% capacity retention at 45 A g-1. Additionally, it shows a remarkable capacity retention of 91.86% after 10 000 cycles. A significant achievement of this research is the development of an activated carbon (AC)||CCFT-CCTYSMR hybrid supercapacitor. This supercapacitor achieves a good energy density (Eden) of 63.46 W h kg-1 at a power density (Pden) of 803.80 W kg-1 and retains 88.95% of its capacity after 10 000 cycles. These results highlight the potential of telluride-based materials in advanced energy storage applications, marking a step forward in the development of high-energy, long-life hybrid supercapacitors.

Ultrahigh Capacity from Complexation-Enabled Aluminum-Ion Batteries with C70 as the Cathode

Restricted by the available energy storage modes, currently rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (RABs) can only provide a very limited experimental capacity, regardless of the very high gravimetric capacity of Al (2980 mAh g-1 ). Here, a novel complexation mechanism is reported for energy storage in RABs by utilizing 0D fullerene C70 as the cathode. This mechanism enables remarkable discharge voltage (≈1.65 V) and especially a record-high reversible specific capacity (750 mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1 ) of RABs. By means of in situ Raman monitoring, mass spectrometry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is found that this elevated capacity is attributed to the direct complexation of one C70 molecule with 23.5 (super)halogen moieties (superhalogen AlCl4 and/or halogen Cl) in average, forming (super)halogenated C70 ·(AlCl4 )m Cln-m complexes. Upon discharging, decomplexation of C70 ·(AlCl4 )m Cln-m releases AlCl4 - /Cl- ions while preserving the intact fullerene cage. This work provides a new route to realize high-capacity and long-life batteries following the complexation mechanism.

RuSe2-CoTe Heterogeneous Surfaces Coated with NC Layer for Excellent HER Performance under Alkaline Condition

Electrocatalytic hydrogen production has been a promising high-purity hydrogen production technology, attracting a large number of researchers' research interest. Ru has a hydrogen binding capacity similar to Pt, but its price is far lower than Pt, making it a promising alternative to Pt. However, a single Se electronic structure modulation is not sufficient to enable RuSe2 to be used for practical applications on a large scale due to the lack of electrons. Therefore, choosing a suitable way to electronically modulate the Ru atoms in RuSe2 can effectively improve the activity of the catalyst. Cobalt telluride (CoTe) can significantly enhance electrocatalytic performance due to tellurium's low electronegativity and excellent metal properties. In this work, the NC layer possesses excellent electrical conductivity and CoTe acts as an electron donor to optimize the electronic structure locally and trigger electron transfer efficiently. The RuSe2-CoTe/NC electrode requires an overpotential of only 25.4 mV (10 mA cm-2), which is superior to that of RuSe2/NF (65 mV) and CoTe/NC (115 mV). Meanwhile, the Tafel slope of RuSe2-CoTe/NC (67.8 mV dec-1) was better than that of RuSe2/NF (113.6 mV dec-1) and CoTe/NC (209.5 mV dec-1), showing that the build-up of the superior heterojunction makes the RuSe2-CoTe/NC with better hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) reaction kinetics. In addition, after 30 h of long-term stability testing, no significant decrease in catalytic activity was observed, proving the good stability of the RuSe2-CoTe/NC catalyst.

Construction of double reaction zones for long-life quasi-solid aluminum-ion batteries by realizing maximum electron transfer

Achieving high energy density and long cycling life simultaneously remains the most critical challenge for aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs), especially for high-capacity conversion-type positive electrodes suffering from shuttle effect in strongly acidic electrolytes. Herein, we develop a layered quasi-solid AIBs system with double reaction zones (DRZs, Zone 1 and Zone 2) to address such issues. Zone 1 is designed to accelerate reaction kinetics by improving wetting ability of quasi-solid electrolyte to active materials. A composite three-dimensional conductive framework (Zone 2) interwoven by gel network for ion conduction and carbon nanotube network as electronic conductor, can fix the active materials dissolved from Zone 1 to allow for continuing electrochemical reactions. Therefore, a maximum electron transfer is realized for the conversion-type mateials in DRZs, and an ultrahigh capacity (400 mAh g-1) and an ultralong cycling life (4000 cycles) are achieved. Such strategy provides a new perspective for constructing high-energy-density and long-life AIBs.

Investigation of reversible metal ion (Li+, Na+, Mg2+, Al3+) insertion in MoTe2 for rechargeable aqueous batteries

In this work, we report the electrochemical reactivity of MoTe₂ for various metal ions with special emphasis on Al³⁺ ion storage in aqueous electrolytes for the first time. A stable discharge capacity of 100 mA h g^-1 over 250 cycles at a current density of 1 Ag^-1 could be obtained for the Al³⁺ ion, whereas inferior storage capacities were shown for other metal ions.

Phenoxazine Polymer-based p-type Positive Electrode for Aluminum-ion Batteries with Ultra-long Cycle Life

Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage due to the abundant reserves, low cost, good safety, and high theoretical capacity of Al. However, AIBs with inorganic positive electrodes still suffer from sluggish kinetics and structural collapse upon cycling. Herein, we propose a novel p-type poly(vinylbenzyl-N-phenoxazine) (PVBPX) positive electrode for AIBs. The dual active sites enable PVBPX to deliver a high capacity of 133 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1 . More impressively, the expanded π-conjugated construction, insolubility, and anionic redox chemistry without bond rearrangement of PVBPX for AIBs contribute to an amazing ultra-long lifetime of 50000 cycles. The charge storage mechanism is that the AlCl₄ ^- ions can reversibly coordinate/dissociate with the N and O sites in PVBPX sequentially, which is evidenced by both experimental and theoretical results. These findings establish a foundation to advance organic AIBs for large-scale energy storage.

Selection principles of polymeric frameworks for solid-state electrolytes of non-aqueous aluminum-ion batteries

Liquid electrolyte systems of aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have restrictive issues, such as high moisture sensitivity, strong corrosiveness, and battery leakage, so researchers have turned their attention to developing high safety, leak-free polymer electrolytes. However, the stability of the active factor of AIB systems is difficult to maintain with most of polymeric frameworks due to the special Al complex ion balance in chloroaluminate salts. Based on this, this work clarified the feasibility and specific mechanism of using polymers containing functional groups with lone pair electrons as frameworks of solid-state electrolytes for AIBs. As for the polymers reacting unfavorably with AlCl₃, they cannot be used as the frameworks directly due to the decrease or even disappearance of chloroaluminate complex ions. In contrast, a class of polymers represented by polyacrylamide (PAM) can interact with AlCl₃ and provide ligands, which not only have no effect on the activity of Al species but also provide chloroaluminate complex ions through complexation reactions. According to DFT calculations, amide groups tend to coordinates with AlCl₂ ⁺ via O atoms to form [AlCl₂(AM)₂]⁺ cations, while disassociating chloroaluminate anions. Furthermore, the PAM-based solid-state and quasi-solid-state gel polymer electrolytes were also prepared to investigate their electrochemical properties. This work is expected to provide new theoretical and practical directions for the further development of polymer electrolytes for AIBs.

Design, synthesis and application of two-dimensional metal tellurides as high-performance electrode materials

Multifunctional electrode materials with inherent conductivity have attracted extensive attention in recent years. Two-dimensional (2D) metal telluride nanomaterials are more promising owing to their strong metallic properties and unique physical/chemical merits. In this review, recent advancements in the preparation of 2D metal tellurides and their application in electrode materials are presented. First, the most available preparation methods, such as hydro/solvent thermal, chemical vapor deposition, and electrodeposition, are summarized. Then, the unique performance of metal telluride electrodes in capacitors, anode materials of Li/Na ion batteries, electrocatalysis, and lithium-sulfur batteries are discussed. Finally, significant challenges and opportunities in the preparation and application of 2D metal tellurides are proposed.

Design Strategies of High-Performance Positive Materials for Nonaqueous Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries: From Crystal Control to Battery Configuration

Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) have been paid considerable attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage batteries due to their advantages of low cost, good safety, high capacity, long cycle life, and good wide-temperature performance. Unlike traditional single-ion rocking chair batteries, more than two kinds of active ions are electrochemically participated in the reaction processes on the positive and negative electrodes for nonaqueous RABs, so the reaction kinetics and battery electrochemistries need to be given more comprehensive assessments. In addition, although nonaqueous RABs have made significant breakthroughs in recent years, they are still facing great challenges in insufficient reaction kinetics, low energy density, and serious capacity attenuation. Here, the research progresses of positive materials are comprehensively summarized, including carbonaceous materials, oxides, elemental S/Se/Te and chalcogenides, as well as organic materials. Later, different modification strategies are discussed to improve the reaction kinetics and battery performance, including crystal structure control, morphology and architecture regulation, as well as flexible design. Finally, in view of the current research challenges faced by nonaqueous RABs, the future development trend is proposed. More importantly, it is expected to gain key insights into the development of high-performance positive materials for nonaqueous RABs to meet practical energy storage requirements.

Fabrication of cobaltous telluride and carbon composite as a promising carrier for boosting electro oxidation of ethylene glycol on palladium in alkaline medium

The development of highly active and earth-rich electrocatalysts remains a formidable challenge for the commercialization of fuel cells. Herein, a composite carrier composed of cobaltous telluride (CoTe) and carbon (C) has been designed for the first time to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) for the electro-oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG). Remarkably, the mass activity for the as-prepared Pd/CoTe-C catalyst during the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) is found to reach up to 3917.3 mA mg^-1, which is 2.2 times higher than that of Pd/Co-C (1785.0 mA mg^-1) and 4.1 times greater than that of commercial Pd/C catalyst (962.4 mA mg^-1), exceeding that obtained for most Pd-based electrocatalysts reported thus far. In particular, the Pd/CoTe-C catalyst shows better electrochemical stability toward the EGOR than the Pd/Co-C and commercial Pd/C catalysts. Thus, the Pd/CoTe-C electrocatalyst is expected to exhibit broad application prospects in the field of fuel cells.

Facile hydrothermal synthesis of NiTe nanorods for non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing of whole blood hemoglobin in pregnant anemic women

Electrochemical sensing methods monitor biomolecules because of their specificity, rapid response, lower cost, and automation. Hemoglobin is an abundant protein in the human body and is correlated with various physiological processes. Levels of hemoglobin in blood are associated with anemia in pregnant women. In this research, a non-enzymatic sensor based on NiTe nanorods is developed for the detection and quantification of hemoglobin (Hb) from anemic pregnant patients. NiTe nanorods are synthesized by the single-step method. After characterizing the material, sensing parameters such as the effect of scan rate, pH, concentration, and interferences are optimized using standard hemoglobin samples. Linearity, the limit of detection (LOD), and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for NiTe nanorods are 0.99698, 0.012 nM, and 0.04 nM, respectively. Stability is measured by cyclic chronoamperometry (12 h) and voltammetry (100 cycles). Recovery of hemoglobin from blood samples is in the range of 63-90%. NiTe nanorods quantitatively determine hemoglobin from the blood samples of anemic pregnant women.

Long life of exceeding 10000 cycles for aluminum-ion batteries based on FeTe2@GO composite as cathode

Iron telluride wrapped with graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite via a hydrothermal method is introduced as the cathode material for aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs), exhibiting best cyclability ( 120.4 mA h g-1...

Constructing NiCo2Se4/NiCoS4 heterostructures for high-performance rechargeable aluminum battery cathodes

An aluminum battery based on the NiCo2Se4/NiCoS4 cathode delivers a capacity of 112 mA h g−1 after 195 cycles. The charge–discharge principle of the NiCo2Se4/NiCoS4 cathode is the Al3+ intercalation and valence state transition of the Ni, Co, and S elements.

Boron-doping-induced Defect Engineering Enables High-performance Graphene Cathode for Aluminum Batteries

Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) have received significant interest due to the low cost, high volumetric capacity, and low flammability of aluminum. However, the paucity of reliable cathode materials poses substantial...

A room-temperature rechargeable dual-plating lithium-aluminium battery

A room-temperature rechargeable dual-plating lithium-aluminium battery with a high theoretical energy density is presented. Based on the aluminium plating/stripping and lithium stripping/plating occurring at the cathode and anode sides, respectively, this lithium-aluminium battery displays an output voltage of 1.75 V (theoretically, about 2.0 V). Moreover, a "cathode-free" lithium-aluminium battery is designed, which displays good stability.

Solvent-Free Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel Tellurides with Various Stoichiometries: NiTe, NiTe2 and Ni2Te3

The paper reports the synthesis of nickel tellurides via a mechanochemical method from elemental precursors. NiTe, NiTe₂, and Ni₂Te₃ were prepared by milling in stainless steel vials under nitrogen, using milling times from 1 h to 12 h. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), UV-VIS spectrometry, and thermal analysis (TGA and DSC). The products were obtained in the form of aggregates, several hundreds of nanometers in size, consisting of smaller nanosized crystallites. The magnetic measurements revealed a ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The band gap energies calculated using Tauc plots for NiTe, NiTe₂, and Ni₂Te₃ were 3.59, 3.94, and 3.70 eV, respectively. The mechanochemical process has proved to be a simple and successful method for the preparation of binary nickel tellurides, avoiding the use of solvents, toxic precursors, and energy-consuming reaction conditions.

Nonaqueous Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries: Progresses, Challenges, and Perspectives

For significantly increasing the energy densities to satisfy the growing demands, new battery materials and electrochemical chemistry beyond conventional rocking-chair based Li-ion batteries should be developed urgently. Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) with the features of low cost, high safety, easy fabrication, environmental friendliness, and long cycling life have gained increasing attention. Although there are pronounced advantages of utilizing earth-abundant Al metals as negative electrodes for high energy density, such RAB technologies are still in the preliminary stage and considerable efforts will be made to further promote the fundamental and practical issues. For providing a full scope in this review, we summarize the development history of Al batteries and analyze the thermodynamics and electrode kinetics of nonaqueous RABs. The progresses on the cutting-edge of the nonaqueous RABs as well as the advanced characterizations and simulation technologies for understanding the mechanism are discussed. Furthermore, major challenges of the critical battery components and the corresponding feasible strategies toward addressing these issues are proposed, aiming to guide for promoting electrochemical performance (high voltage, high capacity, large rate capability, and long cycling life) and safety of RABs. Finally, the perspectives for the possible future efforts in this field are analyzed to thrust the progresses of the state-of-the-art RABs, with expectation of bridging the gap between laboratory exploration and practical applications.

Challenges and prospects of polyatomic ions’ intercalation in the graphite layer for energy storage applications

This review focuses on unraveling the reaction mechanisms of the intercalation of polyatomic ions into GICs by in situ techniques, correlated with computational studies.