Bioderived molecules have been identified as viable anodes for organic potassium-ion batteries (OPIBs) due to the abundance of the necessary natural resources, their high capacity, and their sustainability. However, the high solubility and the inherent nonconductivity cause serious capacity decay and large voltage hysteresis. Here, the biomass molecule juglone was cross-linked with a carbon nanotube network, coupling and cooperating with sodium alginate binder (J@CNT-SA), and was proposed to inhibit small molecule dissolution via weak intermolecular interactions. The synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding and π−π stacking is proven for its outstanding reversible high capacities (262 mA h g −1 at 0.05 A g −1 ), and a remarkable long life span with capacity retention of 77% over 5000 cycles. Further in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to reveal the electrochemical mechanism. The feasibility of juglone as an anode for PIBs paves the way for other natural organic small molecules to be investigated as potential energy storage materials.

Understanding the mapping relationship between electrochemical characteristics and physicochemical properties of layered LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) cathodes is important to develop high energy density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Combining in situ and ex situ characterization, the effect of the H2‐H3 phase transition on the capacity decay and aging mechanism of NCA materials are systematically investigated. With the increase of cut‐off voltage, the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on the NCA interface shows an evolutionary path of formation‐thickening‐rupture. This phenomenon is closely related to the H2‐H3 phase transition. The volumetric stresses and strains caused by the H2‐H3 phase transition accelerate the formation and expansion of secondary particle microcracks in the electrode material, leading to the growth of interfacial CEI variations. The capacity of the electrode material can decrease even if the material does not experience the H2‐H3 phase transition due to the persistence of interfacial side reactions with calendar aging from long cycles. This work opens up a valuable perspective for the study of the mapping relationship between phase transition and electrochemical properties in Ni‐rich layered oxide cathodes and provides guidance for developing high capacity and long cycle life LIBs.

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Recycling rechargeable batteries while addressing environmental burden requires the conversion to scrap materials into high added‐value products. Statistical analysis can help to understand hot spots and difficulties in recycling technologies, to develop breakthrough recycling technologies. Herein, a bibliometrics‐based analysis is applied to mine the patents and scientific literature from 1999 to 2020 and identifies the research trends of rechargeable battery recycling globally. The investigations demonstrate that the recycling of batteries experiences three important stages. Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) recycling has dominated the number of patent applications and articles published, followed by lead‐acid batteries, nickel–metal hydride (Ni‐MH) batteries, and nickel–cadmium (Ni–Cd) batteries. Recycling enterprises have more distributed over patents, while universities or research institutions contribute more to literary publications. Technology distribution of electrical/metallurgy/chemistry/environmental protection and other fields, with strong interdisciplinary characteristics, occurs. With the countries from the policy aspect of strict control of environmental protection and the improvement on resource demands, recycling technology still has great room for improvements. Industrial policies, especially pollution prevention norms, and standards provide important support for the research and application of related technologies. The “5M” and “3S” principles should be implemented in technology and policy for next‐generation recycling technology, respectively.

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