Xiangwu Zhang

Lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries attract significant interest owing to sulfur's high theoretical specific capacity, natural abundance, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, poor cycling and C‐rate performance limit their commercialization. Modified high‐porosity separators offer an efficient approach to enhancing the electrochemical performance of Li‐S cells. Conductive and porous separator coatings and interlayers can simultaneously suppress polysulfide migration, improve sulfur utilization, and facilitate the reutilization of trapped active materials. This review examines the research and development of various separator structures for Li‐S batteries and summarizes the electrochemical performance of cells employing carbon‐, metal oxide‐, and polymer‐coated separators. It also discusses conductive interlayer structures, including carbon‐based, carbon‐metal oxide‐based, and conductive polymer‐based configurations, and their effectiveness in extending cell cycle life. Finally, the article highlights the remaining challenges and emerging opportunities in separator engineering for practical Li‐S batteries.

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs), particularly zinc‐manganese (Zn‐Mn) systems, hold great promise for large‐scale energy storage but face challenges from parasitic reactions of the anode and poor conductivity of the cathode. Herein, a multifunctional additive naphthol green B (NGB), which contains a planar organic group and a transition metal ion, is applied to concurrently address anode and cathode issues during battery cycling. Specifically, the adsorption and partial decomposition of the planar organic group construct a hierarchical interfacial layer on the anode surface, comprising an organic outer phase and an inorganic inner phase, assists to alleviate side reactions and modulate zinc deposition. Meanwhile, Fe ³⁺ ions released from NGB incorporate into the α‐MnO ₂ cathode during discharge, increasing oxygen defects and lowering the Mn average oxidation state, which improves the structural stability and electrical conductivity of the Mn‐based cathode, further boosting capacity and cycling performance. Consequently, the Zn‖Zn cell demonstrates stable operation for 3500 h at 1 mA cm ⁻² , and the Zn‖Cu cell achieves an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.87% over 2500 cycles at 5 mA cm ⁻² . Notably, the Zn‖MnO ₂ cell employing modified electrolyte exhibits no capacity decay after cycling 250 and 1000 times at 0.2 and 1 A g ⁻¹ , respectively. This work presents new perspectives on simultaneously addressing anode and cathode issues in AZIBs based on electrolyte engineering, highlighting the function of the additive structure and composition.

The increasing demand for high‐capacity energy storage, spurred by the growth of renewable energy, has accelerated the pursuit of cost‐effective and sustainable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries as a viable alternative to traditional lithium‐ion batteries. In this study, a cation‐anion coordination cathode material (Zn‐MnO₂F_X) is proposed, which regulates the central valence state of Mn ions by covalently anchoring manganese oxides with Zn ions and F ions to inhibit Jahn‐Teller distortion and manganese dissolution. Density Functional Theory calculations elucidate the intercalation of Zn²⁺ extends the MnO₂ layer spacing, reduces ion diffusion barriers, and accelerates ion diffusion, while F⁻ ions repair defects and enhance the electronic conductivity of MnO₂, which stabilizes the cathodes and prolongs the life span of batteries. The co‐insertion of Zn²⁺/H⁺ in MnO₂ and the auxiliary effect of Zn₄SO₄·(OH)₆·xH₂O on dissolution/deposition were elucidated by analyzing the changes in structure, morphology, and impedance during the cycling process. The Zn‐MnO₂F_x cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 365.5 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹, with remarkable capacity retention of 96.7% after 1000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹. The initial specific capacity of the flexible yarn battery reaches 112.5 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹. This work adeptly addresses the kinetic‐stability balance in cathode materials, offering a pioneering strategy for sustainable and efficient large‐scale energy storage.

Solid electrolytes may be the answer to overcome many obstacles in developing the next generation of renewable batteries. A novel composite solid electrolyte (CSE) composed of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) base with an active nanofiber filler of aluminum-doped garnet Li ceramic, Li salt lithium bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), Li fluoride (LiF) stabilizing additive, and plasticizer sulfolane was fabricated. In a Li|CSE|LFP cell with this CSE, a high capacity of 168 mAh g^-1 with a retention of 98% after 200 cycles was obtained, representing the best performance to date of a solid electrolyte with a PVDF base and a garnet inorganic filler. In a Li metal cell with Si and Li, it yielded a discharge capacity of 2867 mAh g^-1 and was cycled 60 times at a current density of 100 mAh g^-1, a significant step forward in utilizing a solid electrolyte of any kind with the desirable Si anode. In producing this CSE, the components and fabrication process were chosen to have a lower cost and improved safety and environmental impact compared with the current state-of-the-art Li-ion battery.