Restraining Shuttle Effect in Rechargeable Batteries by Multifunctional Zeolite Coated Separator

Abstract

The detrimental shuttle of soluble species from cathode to anode inside battery, is a critical thorn limiting stability and reversibility of rechargeable battery. Herein, an ordered pore-window of zeolite molecular sieve is employed to effectively block shuttle of soluble matters, and prepared zeolite powder into thin zeolite layer (5 µm thick) coated on celgard separator (zeolite@celgard) with flexible and grid-scale fabrication features. External pressure is applied to press zeolite@celgard to reduce existed interparticle gaps among zeolite particles. The separation function toward soluble species and attached H 2 O scavenger role of zeolite@celgard are demonstrated via 1H/19F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra, Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy results collected from Li/LiMn 2 O 4 battery, time-dependent in situ Raman tests in Li/S battery, and penetration experiments of redox mediator shuttle in Li/O 2 battery. Replacing typically-used celgard/glassfiber separators, a series of side reactions (active material outflowing, low coulombic efficiency, and anode corrosion) induced via shuttle of soluble species are addressed, resulting in battery performance improvement of Li/LiMn 2 O 4 , Li/S, and Li/O 2 batteries. Both scientific hypothesis of utilizing pore-size effect of zeolite for physically block soluble species, and cost-effective, grid-scale, and flexible zeolite-based separators can be extended to other rechargeable battery systems based on flowing/soluble species.

Toward High Performance Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries: From Hard Carbons to Anode-Free Systems

“…Relying on the size effect and particular influence on the solvation structure, porous materials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolite molecular sieves (ZMS) , have been used to regulate the properties of electrolytes and exhibit unusual performances. Recently, a 3 Å ZMS film is introduced to transform the one-step desolvation process to the step-by-step desolvation process (Figure b) .…”

“…3 Å ZMS film has been added into the assembly of Na metal batteries (SMBs) and placed between the Na metal and the separator manufacturing sieved electrolytes . Relying on the size effect, the cation-dominated SSIP is blocked and CIP/AGG is successfully retained in the nanopore due to size effect, which is considered to be similar to superconcentrated electrolytes. , The significantly reduced electrolyte activity effectively suppresses the violent decomposition of metallic Na and the release of combustible gases (Figure d). In addition, a robust SEI with abundant NaF and Na 2 O was identified, which has been shown to be beneficial for reversible Na plating and stripping.…”

Acid-scavenging separators promise long-term cycling stability of lithium-ion batteries

“…Reproduced with permission. 100 Copyright 2022, Wiley. (e) Schematic illustration of the working mechanism and the cross-sectional SEM image of the zeolite@Celgard separator.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. 100 Copyright 2022, Wiley. (f) The contact angle of Celgard and zeolite separator towards electrolyte, and digital pictures of zeolite@Celgard with large-scale preparation and flexibility features.…”

Three-Dimensional Nitrogen-Doped Carbonaceous Networks Anchored with Cobalt as Separator Modification Layers for Low-Polarization and Long-Lifespan Aluminum–Sulfur Batteries

“…Quasi-solid-state Al–S batteries employing cathode hosts with Co–N 4 as the catalytic sites facilitating Al–Cl and S–S bonds breakage exhibit effectively alleviated polarization, and the use of the quasi-solid electrolyte inhibiting the shuttle effect also improves the cyclic stability . Furthermore, engineering of separator interface has been demonstrated to be an effective approach in mitigating the shuttle effect in metal–S batteries, − as the modification layer of separators can weaken the transport of polysulfides across the separator via physicochemical adsorption . Previous researches have reported that carbonaceous nanomaterials with a high surface area and suitable pore size as the modification layer of separator can effectively enhance cyclic stability of the Al–S batteries by anchoring polysulfides during battery reaction. , When combined with nitrogen-based functional groups or transition-metal-based catalysts, the electrochemical reaction of the adsorbed polysulfide can be promoted, which leads to reduced polarization .…”