Abstract The energy characteristics of Li-O2 battery (LOB) largely depend on the activity and stability of the bifunctional catalyst for electroreduction and evolution of oxygen (oxygen reaction) on the positive electrode. In this work, electrodeposited nickel was investigated for use as the bifunctional catalyst for the oxygen reaction proceeding in the electrolyte based on lithium perchlorate in dimethyl sulfoxide (LiClO4/DMSO). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data showed that the nickel electrodeposition on the surface of pyrographite (PG) disk resulted in the formation of deposits with various porosities. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) spectra revealed a crystalline phase in the composition of NiC/PG and NiD/PG. The electrochemical characteristics of NiC/PG and NiD/PG were studied using the cyclic voltammetry in the potentiodynamic mode in the oxygen reaction potential range (1.5–4.0 V vs. Li/Li+). It was shown that NiC/PG and NiD/PG retained their bifunctional activity toward the oxygen reaction after repeated cycling. The resistance of nickel deposits against degradation can be improved by optimizing the ratio between the nickel weight and the free surface area of the carbon support with retention of the catalytic activity of nickel toward the oxygen reaction.

All-solid-state anode-free sodium batteries present a special and especially important kind of energy storage device. Unfortunately, the industrial production of such batteries has been absent up to now, although the prospects of their development seem to be rather optimistic. The present mini review considers the fundamental advantages of all-solid-state anode-free sodium batteries as well as challenges in their creation. The advantages of all-solid-state anode-free sodium batteries reveal themselves when comparing them with ordinary sodium-ion batteries, sodium metal batteries, sodium batteries with liquid electrolyte, and their lithium counterparts.

It was shown for the first time that Ge–Co nanostructures can be formed on a copper substrate by electrochemical deposition. The nanostructures are globules, reaching 1 μm in size and consisting of smaller particles whose size does not exceed 10 nm. They demonstrate a sufficiently high reversible capacity of 850 mA h/g and good stability under long-term cycling.

The principal features of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries and similar ones with a lithium metal electrode are reviewed. The main areas of application of such batteries are considered. Solid inorganic electrolytes and electrode materials are discussed in detail. The principal manufacturers are briefly listed.

Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction phase analysis, voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry are used to study the physicochemical properties of lead coating on steel substrates obtained galvanically. The effect the oxidized surface layer and through pores in the lead coating have on the coating’s function as an anode of chemical power sources is analyzed. It is shown that at positive temperatures, the anodic oxidation of the steel substrate can contribute to the functioning of the anode during a discharge. The high discharge characteristics of lead-coated anodes with no barrier layers on steel substrates at temperatures of −50 to +50°С are confirmed by tests of pilot batches of Pb/HClO4/PbO2 reserve power sources. The potential of using tin–lead alloy POS 63 on copper substrates to manufacture anodes for chemical power sources is demonstrated.

Germanium-cobalt-indium (Ge-Co-In) nanostructures are a promising material for negative electrodes of lithium- ion batteries aimed for arctic exploitation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used for a detailed study of the interaction of Ge-Co-In nanostructures with lithium in a temperature range from -35 to +20 degrees C. The discharge capacity at temperatures of 20, 0, -10, -20, and -35 degrees C amounted to 1400, 1228, 1040, 907, and 793 mAh g-1, respectively. The impedance spectra measured at various lithiation degrees were found to differ but insignificantly whereas temperature variation resulted in notable changes in the spectra. A normalized charge transfer resistance for Ge-Co-In nanostructures was significantly (more than an order of magnitude) less than for Ge-In nanowires (obtained by the same method, but without the addition of cobalt salt into the electrolysis solution). It is this difference in charge transfer resistance that can explain the difference in the shapes of the impedance spectra for both objects. Also, in contrast to data for Ge-In nanowires, the dependences of the lithium diffusion coefficient in Ge-Co-In nanostructures on potential had a clearly defined minimum. The lithium diffusion coefficient in Ge-Co-In nanostructures slightly exceeded that in Ge-In nanowires, and the activation energy of lithium diffusion in Ge-Co-In nanostructures was marginally less than in Ge-In nanowires.

The aim of this work is to study of germanium nanowires as low temperature and high charging rate lithium‐ion battery anode material. Using a full cell with a cathode based on NMC811 and an anode based on synthesized germanium nanostructures in combination with the proposed electrolyte composition, we demonstrate the ability to charge and cycle the battery at temperatures as low as −40°C. The results generally indicate that using germanium nanowires as anode material in lithium‐ion batteries may solve the problem of their reversible and safe charging at sub‐zero temperatures.

The cathode material of Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 composition (NNMO) was obtained by the carbonate coprecipitation followed by solid-phase reaction and characterized by XRD analysis, ICP-MS, and electron and impedance spectroscopy. NNMO crystallizes in a P2-type layered hexagonal structure (sp. gr. P63/mmc), consists of spherical agglomerates of 1–3 microns in size, and forms from the plate-like primary grains. The NNMO ionic conductivity value at room temperature was 1.8*10−4 and 1.3*10−4 S cm−1 when measured perpendicularly and parallel to the compression axis, respectively. The estimated in dc mode values of electronic conductivity were by 2–3 orders of magnitude less than ionic conductivity. The obtained materials were tested as cathodes in sodium-ion battery cells versus sodium metal. The discharge capacity of NNMO was 160 mAh g−1 and 86 mAh g−1 in the potential range of 1.5–4.0 V and 2.3–4.0 V, respectively (20 mA g−1). NNMO was shown to be stable under cycling in the potential range of 2.3–4.0 V.

Lithium titanates Li4+xTi5–xMxO12 (M = Sc, Ga, Al, Cr; x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) and their composites with carbon nanotubes were synthesized by the sol–gel method and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, impedance spectroscopy, and 7Li MAS NMR spectroscopy; their electrochemical performance was studied. Doping with trivalent cations leads to a decrease in the mobility of lithium ions in Li4+xTi5–xMxO12, which indicates that lithium transport through vacancies predominates in these materials. The best electrochemical characteristics were found for the Li4+xTi5–xMxO12 composites with carbon nanotubes.

To achieve the predicted energy characteristics of the Li–O2 battery (LOB), which are expected to be the highest among known metal-air systems, it is necessary to ensure its long-term cycling at high depth of discharge and high current density. However, in such conditions, the deposition of non-conductive lithium peroxide (Li2O2), a product of LOB discharge, is accelerated on the positive electrode, resulting in the blockage of electronic transport. In this work, using a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) in the potentiodynamic regime, the possibility of using CNTs in the active layer (AL) of the positive electrode for long-term LOB discharge in Li+ electrolytes based on DMSO and TEGDME is shown. The direct formation of Li2O2 in the pores of the AL electrode ensures the preservation of a surface fraction that is free of lithium peroxide and accessible for electron transport. The effect of the porous structure is most evident in the DMSO-based electrolyte, which facilitates the formation of Li2O2 on a smooth electrode through the diffusion of the superoxide anion (O2–•) to the solution and its subsequent disproportionation. When oxygen is reduced on the CNTs in the given electrolyte, the formed O2–• is converted to Li2O2 directly in the pores of the AL due to diffusion limitations.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to detailed study the interaction of Ge-Co-In nanostructures with lithium in a temperature range of ‒32 to +20 °C. The nanostructures were synthesized by electrodeposition from aqueous complex solutions of Ge (IV) and Co (II). Such nanostructures were described by slightly modernized equivalent circuit, including the resistance of the electrolyte (Rs), the resistance of the SEI (RSEI) shunted by an element with constant phase shift (CPESEI), the charge transfer resistance (Rct), shunted by CPEct, and the Warburg impedance (W). The impedance spectra measured at various lithiation degrees were found to differ but insignificantly whereas temperature variation resulted in notable change in the spectra. All room-temperature impedance spectra consist of high-frequency semicircle and low-frequency Warburg straight line. Temperature lowering is accompanied by some distortion and even degeneration of the semicircle, in contrast to features of Ge-In nanowires studied previously. Also, in contrast to data for Ge-In nanowires the dependences of the lithium diffusion coefficient in Ge-In-Co nanostructures on potential have a clearly defined minimum. The lithium diffusion coefficient in Ge-In-Co nanostructures slightly exceeds that in Ge-In nanowires, and activation energy of lithium diffusion in Ge-In-Co nanostructures is marginally less than in Ge-In nanowires.

The problem of fast charging of lithium-ion batteries is one of the key problems for the development of electric transport. This problem is multidisciplinary and is connected, on the one hand, with electrochemical current-producing processes and the features of lithium-ion batteries themselves, and on the other hand, with the charging infrastructure, the design of chargers, charging protocols, thermal management, battery management systems, etc. This review concerns the electrochemical aspects of fast charging keeping in mind that lithium-ion battery is a complicated and delicate system. Problems associated with positive and negative electrodes and electrolyte are considered separately.

The discharge of the zinc–perchloric acid–lead dioxide electrochemical system at temperatures from –50 to +50°C was studied. Zinc coatings, including those subjected to chromate passivation, can be used as anode materials for fast-activated reserve chemical power sources. The tests of pilot batches confirmed that the power sources met the activation time requirements (no more than 50 ms). The power sources of the given system are characterized by increased discharge voltage (the maximum voltage of one cell is 2.12–2.44 V) compared with that of the lead–perchloric acid–lead dioxide system (1.50–1.86 V). The disadvantages of the zinc–perchloric acid–lead dioxide system were revealed: instability of discharge characteristics and possible cell polarity reversal as a result of side reactions, which may have a significant negative impact on the reliability of reserve power sources.

Gallium phosphide (GaP) was synthesized and studied as an anode functional material for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. Electrochemical interaction of GaP with lithium and sodium was compared. The reversible capacity of GaP toward lithium and sodium insertion was found to be about 760 and 465 mAh g–1, respectively.

In this work, a new cathode material for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries was developed. Microporous carbon (with predominant pore size pound 1.2 nm) served as both a matrix for sulfur retention and conductive additive. Microporous carbon was shown to be capable of adsorbing lithium polysulfides thereby suppressing their migration toward lithium anode. The discharge capacity of the S/C composite at the 1 st and 20th th cycles in Li-S battery operation was 513 and 421 mAh g -1 at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1. -1 .

Two new electrochemical systems have been developed for sodium-ion batteries with a positive electrode based on manganese-doped sodium iron phosphate (NaFe0.5Mn0.5PO4) and a negative electrode based on a CoGe2P0.1 nanostructure, as well as with a positive electrode based on iron-doped sodium vanadophosphate (Na3V1.9Fe0.1(PO4)3) and a negative electrode based on a CoGe2P0.1 nanostructure. The results of cycling of battery models showed that the energy density of the NaFe0.5Mn0.5PO4/CoGe2P0.1 and Na3V1.9Fe0.1(PO4)3/CoGe2P0.1 electrochemical systems is 165 and 167 W h/kg, respectively.

Due to the chemical and thermal stability, lithium iron phosphate is a popular cathode material, the properties of which can be improved by doping. This work presents a study of the charge/discharge mechanisms for the LiFe1XMnXPO4/C cathodes using synchrotron operando Mossbauer measurements. Both an increase in the cycling rate and Mn-substitution in the LiFePO4 structure lead to a gradual switch of lithium intercalation mechanisms between the two-phase transformation and the formation of an extended solid solution domain at the Fe1XMnXPO4/LiFe1-XMnXPO4 interface. The role of doping in improving the cycling of LiFe1-XMXPO4/C cathodes during both charge and discharge and their cycling mechanism are discussed.

The purpose of this research is to improve the performance and reduce the activation time of reserve power sources based on lead-acid systems at lower temperatures, down to –50 °C. Physico-chemical factors affecting the activation speed of reserve power sources based on Pb–HClO4–PbO2 and Zn–HClO4–PbO2 systems are investigated using chronopotentiometry, scanning electron microscopy, and standard contact porosimetry. Two approaches to the improvement of the low-temperature performance of power sources are used. The first one is based on the substitution of lead as anodic material with zinc. This allows the increase in discharge voltage and simultaneous decrease in activation time, but brings about the instability of discharge characteristics and, finally, deteriorates the reliability of power sources. The second approach is based on the use of PbO2 cathode material with enhanced nanoporosity. The chronopotentiometric method in galvanostatic mode is applied to the quality estimation of cathodes. The criterion of applicability of cathodes for reserve power sources consists in the low discharge overvoltage (0.1–0.2 V). Efficient performance of reserve power sources possessing the stable discharge voltage (1.5–1.8 V per cell) and the unprecedentedly short activation time (under 30 ms) even at lower temperatures (down to –50 °C) is achieved. The results are verified by fabrication and testing of pilot batches of miniaturized reserve power sources having microcells’ volume of 0.02 ml. The second approach to the improvement of power sources is transferred into the industrial production.

— The influence of the positive electrode properties on the activation time of the reserve chemical power sources based on the lead–perchloric acid–lead dioxide system is studied. Coatings of cathodes with lead dioxide obtained under various conditions are characterized by scanning electron spectroscopy, X-ray spectral microanalysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and standard contact porosimetry. The improvement of the performance characteristics of the power sources including the ensuring of a short time of their activation at a low temperature is shown to be possible with the use of a lead dioxide nanoporous coating. To evaluate the applicability of cathodes for the manufacturing of power sources with a minimal activation time, a diagnostic principle is used that it based on the testing of the cathodes by chronopotentiometric measurements during their galvanostatic discharge. Pilot industrial samples of small-sized reserve power sources of the above-mentioned electrochemical system with unprecedented short activation time (less than 30 ms at temperature –50°С) were manufactured and tested.