Design advanced lithium metal anode materials in high energy density lithium batteries.

Nowadays, the ongoing electrical vehicles and energy storage devices give a great demand of high-energy-density lithium battery. The commercial graphite anode has been reached the limit of the theoretical capacity. Herein, we introduce lithium metal anode to demonstrate the promising anode which can replace graphite. Lithium metal has a high theoretical capacity and the lowest electrochemical potential. Hence, using lithium metal as the anode material of lithium batteries can reach the limit of energy and power density of lithium batteries. However, lithium metal has huge flaw such as unstable SEI layer, volume change and dendrites formation. Therefore, we give a review of the lithium metal anode on its issues and introduce the existing research to overcome these. Besides, we give the perspective that the engineering problems also restrict the commercial use of lithium metal. This review provides the reasonable method to enhance the lithium metal performance and give the development direction for the subsequent research.

Biomass-derived carbon materials for vanadium redox flow battery: From structure to property.

Biomass-derived carbon (BDC) materials are suitable as electrode or catalyst materials for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), owing to the characteristics of vast material sources, environmental friendliness, and multifarious structures. A timely and comprehensive review of the structure and property significantly facilitates the development of BDC materials. Here, the paper starts with the preparation of biomass materials, including carbonization and activation. It is designed to summarize the lastest developments in BDC materials of VRFB in four different structural dimensions from zero dimension (0D) to three dimension (3D). Every dimension begins with meticulously selected examples to introduce the structural characteristics of materials and then illustrates the improved performance of the VRFB due to the structure. Simultaneously, challenges, solutions, and prospects are indicated for the further development of BDC materials. Overall, this review will help researchers select excellent strategies for the fabrication of BDC materials, thereby facilitating the use of BDC materials in VRFB design.