Huaping Zhao’s research while affiliated with Technische Universität Ilmenau and other places

Binary metal sulfides hold significant promise as anode materials for advanced sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but their application is often limited by rapid capacity degradation and slow reaction kinetics. While carbon composites are frequently used to address these issues, the influence of the sequence of carbonization and sulfidation on anode performance has been largely overlooked. To bridge this gap, Co‐Sn sulfides are synthesized through various processes to examine the impact of synthesis methods on material properties. Among these, the one‐step synthesized CSS‐C1 exhibits enhanced sodium‐ion kinetics and excellent stability. It delivers a capacity of 220.4 mAh g⁻¹ at an ultra‐high current density of 20 A g⁻¹ and maintained 389 mAh g⁻¹ over 2300 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. When assembled into full‐cell devices (CSS‐C1||Na3V2(PO4)3), it demonstrates stable capacity retention for over 900 cycles, establishing it as a highly stable and efficient anode material for SIBs.

Atomic‐level designed electrocatalysts, including single‐/dual‐atom catalysts, have attracted extensive interests due to their maximized atom utilization efficiency and increased activity. Herein, a new electrocatalyst system termed as “atomic symbiotic‐catalyst”, that marries the advantages of typical single‐/dual‐atom catalysts while addressing their respective weaknesses, was proposed. In atomic symbiotic‐catalyst, single‐atom MNx and local carbon defects formed under a specific thermodynamic condition, act synergistically to achieve high electrocatalytic activity and battery efficiency. This symbiotic‐catalyst shows greater structural precision and preparation accessibility than those of dual‐atom catalysts owing to its reduced complexity in chemical space. Meanwhile, it outperforms the intrinsic activities of conventional single‐atom catalysts due to multi‐active‐sites synergistic effect. As a proof‐of‐concept study, an atomic symbiotic‐catalyst comprising single‐atom MnN4 moieties and abundant sp³‐hybridized carbon defects was constructed for low‐temperature zinc‐air battery, which exhibited a high peak power density of 76 mW cm⁻² with long‐term stability at −40 °C, representing a top‐level performance of such batteries.

Atomic‐level designed electrocatalysts, including single‐/dual‐atom catalysts, have attracted extensive interests due to their maximized atom utilization efficiency and increased activity. Herein, a new electrocatalyst system termed as “atomic symbiotic‐catalyst”, that marries the advantages of typical single‐/dual‐atom catalysts while addressing their respective weaknesses, was proposed. In atomic symbiotic‐catalyst, single‐atom MN x and local carbon defects formed under a specific thermodynamic condition, act synergistically to achieve high electrocatalytic activity and battery efficiency. This symbiotic‐catalyst shows greater structural precision and preparation accessibility than those of dual‐atom catalysts owing to its reduced complexity in chemical space. Meanwhile, it outperforms the intrinsic activities of conventional single‐atom catalysts due to multi‐active‐sites synergistic effect. As a proof‐of‐concept study, an atomic symbiotic‐catalyst comprising single‐atom MnN 4 moieties and abundant sp ³ ‐hybridized carbon defects was constructed for low‐temperature zinc‐air battery, which exhibited a high peak power density of 76 mW cm ⁻² with long‐term stability at −40 °C, representing a top‐level performance of such batteries.

Due to its high theoretical capacity, cobalt oxide (Co3O4) has attracted attention to sodium‐ion battery (SIB) anodes. However, its low conductivity and poor rate performance have limited its practical application. This work proposes a co‐precipitation doping strategy to synthesize iron‐doped Co3O4 nanoparticles (FexCo3‐xO4 NPs). Both experimental and theoretical results confirm that iron (Fe) doping at octahedral sites within spinel structures is a critical factor in enhancing rate performance. The decreased bandgap and enlarged ion transport spacing originate in Fe doping. This effectively facilitates the electron and Na‐ion (Na⁺) transport during discharge/charge processes, delivering an impressive rate capability of 402.9 mAh g⁻¹ at 3 A g⁻¹. The FexCo3‐xO4 NPs demonstrate remarkable cycling stability. They maintain a high specific capacity of 786.2 mAh g⁻¹ even after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹, with no noticeable capacity fading. When assembled into a Na‐ion full cell, a remarkable discharge capacity of 105 mAh g⁻¹ with stable cycling performance is attained. This work provides valuable insights into the functional design of high‐rate electrodes, offering a promising approach to addressing the critical challenges faced by sodium anodes.

Organic sodium‐ion batteries (OSIBs) possessing excellent characteristics of low price, abundant sources, and eco‐compatibility have gained numerous attentions in the recent decade. However, solubility is one of the main severe limitations of the application of OSIBs, especially for small organic molecules. The dissolution of molecules into electrolytes can cause the loss of active materials, the pulverization of electrodes, and even short circuits in batteries, as active materials may shuttle through separators, thus leading to poor cycling stability for sodium‐ion batteries. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop insoluble organic molecules for OSIBs. The advanced development of OSIBs over the past decades is overviewed, and the primary challenges faced by long‐cycling OSIBs in terms of solubility are systematically analyzed. Focusing on the three core components of the battery system electrodes, separators, and electrolytes, targeted optimization strategies are proposed to mitigate solubility issues and enhance battery performance. In addition, the prospects of OSIBs toward long‐cycle stability and practical application are explored.

Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels and global carbon neutrality goals have driven interest in technologies that both mitigate CO2 emissions and provide sustainable energy storage solutions. Metal-carbon dioxide (M-CO2) batteries offer significant promise due to their high energy density and potential to utilize atmospheric CO2. A key challenge in advancing M-CO2 batteries lies in optimizing CO2-breathing cathodes, which are essential for CO2 adsorption, diffusion, and conversion. Carbon-based cathodes play a critical role in facilitating CO2 redox for M-CO2 batteries, owing to their cost-effectiveness, high conductivity, tunable microstructure, and porosity. However, there is a lack of current systematic understanding of the relationship between the structure, composition, and catalytic properties of carbon-based cathodes, as well as their impact on the overall efficiency, stability, and durability of M-CO2 batteries. In this review, we will give an insightful review and analysis of recent advances in various carbon-based materials, including commercial carbons, single-atom catalysts, transition metal/carbon composites, metal-organic frameworks, etc. , focusing on their structure-function-property relationships. A comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role played by carbon-based materials and their optimization strategies in M-CO2 batteries will be provided. Moreover, future perspectives and research suggestions for carbon-based materials are presented to advance the development and innovation of M-CO2 batteries.

Organic materials, with abundant resources, low cost, high flexibility, tunable structures, lightweight nature, and wide operating temperature range, are regarded as promising candidates for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Unfortunately, their poor...

Despite their favorable high energy density and potential for CO2 recycling, Na‐CO2 batteries have been held back by limitations in cycling capability, stemming from the sluggish CO2 reduction/evolution reaction (CO2RR/CO2ER) kinetics at CO2 cathode and unmanageable deposition/stripping of metallic Na at the anode upon cycling. Herein, a “two‐in‐one” electrode with multiscale defective FeCu interfaces (CP@FeCu) is presented, which is capable of improving the CO2RR/CO2ER kinetics of CO2‐breathing cathode, while modulating sodium deposition behavior. Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal multiscale defective FeCu interfaces are responsible for the enhancement of sodiophilicity and catalytic properties. The defect and valence oscillation effects originate in multiscale defective FeCu interfaces, effectively facilitating the adsorption of reactants and decomposition of Na2CO3 during CO2RR/CO2ER processes, along with exceptional cycling stability of 2400 cycles (4800 h) at 5 µA cm⁻². Meanwhile, the CP@FeCu with sodium affinity creates a uniform electric field and robust adsorption for Na, making initial nucleation sites more conducive to Na deposition and achieving dendrite‐resistant and durable anodes. This work offers a scientific insight into the functionalization design of “two‐in‐one” electrodes, which is essential for a unified solution to the challenges in sodium anodes and CO2 cathodes.