Surface Modifications of Positive-Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Lithium ion batteries are typically based on one of three positive-electrode materials, namely layered oxides, olivine- and spinel-type materials. The structure of any of them is 'resistant' to electrochemical cycling, and thus, often requires modification/post-treatment to improve a certain property, for example, structural stability, ionic and/or electronic conductivity. This review provides an overview of different examples of coatings and surface modifications used for the positive-electrode materials as well as various characterization techniques often chosen to confirm/detect the introduced changes. It also assesses the electrochemical success of the surface-modified positive-electrode materials, thereby highlighting remaining challenges and pitfalls.

How reliable is the Na metal as a counter electrode in Na-ion half cells?

Despite the extensive research on Na-ion batteries little is known about the stability of the Na-metal counter electrode in a half-cell configuration. Therefore, in our study we focus on identifying the key factors responsible for its high interfacial resistance and often premature degradation in carbonate-based electrolytes.

Performance-Enhancing Asymmetric Separator for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Asymmetric separators with polysulfide barrier properties consisting of porous polypropylene grafted with styrenesulfonate (PP-g-PLiSS) were characterized in lithium-sulfur cells to assess their practical applicability. Galvanostatic cycling at different C-rates with and without an electrolyte additive and cyclic voltammetry were used to probe the electrochemical performance of the cells with the PP-g-PLiSS separators and to compare it with the performance of the cells utilizing state-of-the-art separator, Celgard 2400. Overall, it was found that regardless of the applied cycling rate, the use of the grafted separators greatly enhances the Coulombic efficiency of the cell. An appropriate Li-exchange-site (-SO3(-)) concentration at and near the surface of the separator was found to be essential to effectively suppress the polysulfide shuttle without sacrificing the Li-ion mobility through the separator and to improve the practical specific charge of the cell.

Anion exchange in [Ni(η(5)-C(5)H(4)R)(Cl)(NHC)]. Counterion effect on the structure and catalytic activity.

A series of novel complexes [Ni(η(5)-C5H4R)(L)(NHC)](+)A(-)2a-2j and [Ni(η(5)-C5H5)(A)(NHC)] 3a-3c has been obtained by anion metathesis from the corresponding chlorides 1a-1d, depending on the anion binding properties and reaction conditions. Solid-state structures of two cationic complexes (2c, 2j) and two complexes with a coordinated anion (3a, 3c) have been determined by X-ray diffraction revealing a trigonal planar geometry in all cases. Unexpectedly, 3c displayed unprecedented for this type of compounds temperature-dependent NMR spectra that were interpreted in terms of spin equilibrium. The cationic complexes 2 were less efficient in styrene polymerization than the parent chlorides 1. However, the activity of 2 and 3 in Suzuki cross-coupling did not depend considerably on the counterion.