Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell based on an aqueous Zn?NO2 system with a nano-NiO catalyst deposited as gas diffusion cathode, a metallic Zn foil as anode and a ZnCl2 aqueous solution as electrolyte. Importantly, the electrolyte can efficiently capture NO2, then convert it to NO2 and eventually to the value-added NH3, while simultaneously producing electric power. The obtained electrochemical cell exhibits bifunctional activity and stability (>100 h) towards reversible NO2 reduction and evolution reactions. A high cell-level energy density of 553.2 Wh·kg?1cell/1589.6 Wh·L?1cell from pouch cells (2.4 Ah) has been achieved. As an additional green feature, the produced NO2? by the Zn?NO2 cell is subsequently converted to NH3 by a self-power mechanism, thereby servicing multiple key conversion steps in the nitrogen cycle all within a single device, paving the way to scalable, highly integrated solutions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high capacity, high energy density and high power reversible Li—Cl2 battery system. The battery system includes a halogen-based cathode, an anode, a separator placed between the halogen-based cathode and the anode, and an organic electrolyte disposed in a space between the halogen-based cathode and the anode. The halogen-based cathode includes at least one interhalogen compound statically adsorbed to a porous host electrode. The reversible Li—Cl2 battery system can deliver a capacity of at least 200 mAh g?1, an energy density in a range of 750-1100 Wh kg?1, and a power density in a range of 1400-4500 Wh kg?1 within a current density of 425 to 1250 mA g?1.

Abstract: A novel conversion-type rechargeable battery is constructed, the battery using selenium as the cathode material. Preferably, the selenium is coated over the surface of the pores in a mesoporous ion collector such as carbon. A salt of zinc having an organic ion with polar function group is used with the battery, allowing the solvent of the battery to be either organic or aqueous.

Abstract: A novel conversion-type rechargeable zinc (Zn) battery is constructed. A zinc fluoride (Zn/ZnF2) interface provides an artificial solid electrolyte interlayer (SEI) at the Zn/electrolyte interface that allows plating of Zn dendrite free and protects the Zn metal anode from direct exposure to bulk aqueous electrolyte. This provides the advantage that the interfacial Zn2+ ion transport is regulated, which controls nucleation distribution and the growth pattern of Zn deposition on the surface of the anode, and also improve inherent H2O/O2 resistant properties.

Abstract: A novel anode for a zinc battery is proposed, in which zinc is provided as a coat of zinc powder onto a tin substrate, which is in turn laid over a copper substrate for a current collector. Alternatively, the coat of zinc powder is laid over titanium as the current collector. Such configurations mitigate zinc corrosion and hydrogen production.

Abstract: A battery includes a plurality of energy storage units, a flexible linkage arranged to physically and electrically connect each adjacent pair of energy storage units, and an encapsulation arranged to encapsulate the energy storage units and the linkages. The energy storage units are movable with respect to each other via the flexible linkage within each adjacent pair of energy storage units in the encapsulation.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte includes a polyethylene oxide matrix, a plasticizer additive, a solute, and a filler. The plasticizer additive includes an ionic liquid and the filler includes zinc oxide. An energy storage device includes an anode, a cathode and the polymer electrolyte. An energy storage device includes a zinc anode, a cathode and a polymer electrolyte, in which the polymer electrolyte includes a polyethylene oxide matrix and a plasticizer additive that includes an ionic liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a zinc powder electrode formed on a MXene framework. The zinc powder anode formed on an MXene framework, referred to as an MXene@Zn electrode can act as an anode and/or cathode for an electrochemical cell or battery. As such, the present invention further relates to an electrode comprising MXene@Zn and a battery comprising such an electrode.

Abstract: A separator for a battery contains a MXene nanosheet, a poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) framework, and a physical isolation flame retardant dispersed within the poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) framework. The MXene nanosheet is affixed to the poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) framework. A separator manufacturing method for the separator herein and a battery manufacturing method are also included.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte includes a polyethylene oxide matrix, a plasticizer additive, a solute, and a filler. The plasticizer additive includes an ionic liquid and the filler includes zinc oxide. An energy storage device includes an anode, a cathode and the polymer electrolyte. An energy storage device includes a zinc anode, a cathode and a polymer electrolyte, in which the polymer electrolyte includes a polyethylene oxide matrix and a plasticizer additive that includes an ionic liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a range of halide organic salts and their use in a cathode of an electrical cell and in batteries. Elemental halides have attracted intense interest as promising electrodes for energy storage. However, they suffer from a number of inherent physicochemical drawbacks, including the volatility of iodine, the corrosiveness of liquid bromine. The salts of the present invention may serve as a cathode matched with a zinc anode avoiding these issues.

Abstract: The present invention provides a zinc battery anode that includes a first layer of zinc foil. An electroplated zinc seed layer is formed on the first layer of zinc foil, the electroplated zinc seed layer having a thickness in a range of 0.01 to 2 microns. The invention further provides a method for forming a seed layer on a zinc battery anode. In the process, the zinc seed layer is deposited on a zinc foil battery anode by electrochemical deposition from a zinc ion-containing solution at a current density of approximately 20 mA cm?2 to 100 mA cm?2 to form a uniform and dense seed layer. Through use of a seed layer on the zinc anode, dendrite formation is prevented and long battery life is demonstrated.

Abstract: An electrolyte for use in an energy storage device, an energy storage device and a method of forming such electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a polymer matrix of at least two crosslinked structures, including a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material; and an electrolytic solution retained by the polymer matrix; wherein the electrolyte is arranged to physically deform when subjected to an external mechanical load applied to the polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a range of halide organic salts and their use in a cathode of an electrical cell and in batteries. Elemental halides have attracted intense interest as promising electrodes for energy storage. However, they suffer from a number of inherent physicochemical drawbacks, including the volatility of iodine, the corrosiveness of liquid bromine. The salts of the present invention may serve as a cathode matched with a zinc anode avoiding these issues.

Abstract: This invention relates to a zinc powder electrode formed on a MXene framework. The zinc powder anode formed on an MXene framework, referred to as an MXene@Zn electrode can act as an anode and/or cathode for an electrochemical cell or battery. As such, the present invention further relates to an electrode comprising MXene@Zn and a battery comprising such an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high output voltage supercapacitor having a cathode including layers of phosphorene, an anode comprising zinc, and an organic-solvent-based electrolyte including zinc. The supercapacitor demonstrates a high anti-self-discharge. The organic electrolyte may include an anhydrous zinc salt, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, and propylene carbonate (Et4NBF4/PC). The electrochemical stability window of Et4NBF4/PC extends beyond 2.5 V. The supercapacitor can be charged to 2.5 V and possesses high initial discharge voltage. The supercapacitor delivered 130 F g?1 even after more than 9500 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g?1. More importantly, the supercapacitor exhibits a capacitance retention of 70.16% even after 500 hours self-discharge behavior.

Abstract: An electrolyte for use in an energy storage apparatus includes: a metal halide-based electrolytic solution arranged to electrically connect a cathode and an anode of the energy storage apparatus during an operation of charging and discharging cycle. The electrolytic solution includes a first metal halide arranged to prevent a dissolution of the cathode and/or a formation of dendrites on the anode during the operation of charging and discharging cycle, thereby maintaining cyclic stability of the energy storage apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage apparatus and a method of preparing the same. The electrical energy storage apparatus includes a first energy storage device arranged to supply electrical energy to an external electrical load; a second energy storage device arranged to recharge the first energy storage when at least a portion of the second energy storage device is exposed to air. The second energy storage device includes an encapsulation arranged to selectively block an air exposure to the second energy storage device, so as to maintain the second energy storage device in an idle state.

Abstract: A method of preparing graphdiyne-based material and a substrate for use in such material preparation process. The method includes the steps of: disposing an alkynye-based monomer on a substrate; maintaining a planar structure of each of a plurality of molecules of the monomer on a surface of the substrate; and initiating polymerization of the monomer on the substrate to synthesize a two-dimensional crystalline layer of the graphdiyne-based material on the substrate.

Abstract: A novel anode for a zinc battery is proposed, in which zinc is provided as a coat of zinc powder onto a tin substrate, which is in turn laid over a copper substrate for a current collector. Alternatively, the coat of zinc powder is laid over titanium as the current collector. Such configurations mitigate zinc corrosion and hydrogen production.