Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• The synthetic protocols of various Prussian blue analogue (PBA)-templated nanocomposites are discussed. • Alkali-ion storage mechanisms based on intercalation, alloying, or conversion reactions are analysed. • The properties of PBA-templated nanocomposites in alkali-ion batteries (AIBs) are evaluated and compared to outline the structure–activity correlation. • Perspectives for the future development of PBA-templated AIB electrodes are envisaged.
Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated the portable electronic and electrochemical energy markets since their commercialisation, whose high cost and lithium scarcity have prompted the development of other alkali-ion batteries (AIBs) including sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Owing to larger ion sizes of Na+ and K+ compared with Li+, nanocomposites with excellent crystallinity orientation and well-developed porosity show unprecedented potential for advanced lithium/sodium/potassium storage. With enticing open rigid framework structures, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) remain promising self-sacrificial templates for the preparation of various nanocomposites, whose appeal originates from the well-retained porous structures and exceptional electrochemical activities after thermal decomposition. This review focuses on the recent progress of PBA-derived nanocomposites from their fabrication, lithium/sodium/potassium storage mechanism, and applications in AIBs (LIBs, SIBs, and PIBs). To distinguish various PBA derivatives, the working mechanism and applications of PBA-templated metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, metal phosphides, and other nanocomposites are systematically evaluated, facilitating the establishment of a structure–activity correlation for these materials. Based on the fruitful achievements of PBA-derived nanocomposites, perspectives for their future development are envisioned, aiming to narrow down the gap between laboratory study and industrial reality.
1. Introduction
Renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, and tide have garnered increasing attention due to the depletion of fossil fuels, whose intermittence has driven the quest for efficient energy storage systems. Among these, as indispensable members of alkali-ion batteries (AIBs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have occupied a predominant place in human life powering portable electronic devices and electrical vehicles (EVs) since their commercialisation in 1991 by Sony [1–4]. With the continued growth of the LIBs market, higher demands are raised, including lower cost, higher energy density, resource preservation, and greater safety. To address the skyrocketing price and scarcity of Li (~12,000 USD per tonne in May 2024, battery grade lithium metal), a significant interest in “beyond Li” batteries has been triggered, where sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are viable alternatives for LIBs due to their abundant natural resources, cost-effectiveness, and similar working mechanisms [5]. For these AIBs, the kinetic and capacity mismatch between cathodes and anodes severely hampers their advancement [6–8], which urgently requires further design and optimisation of electrode materials.
To controllably fabricate AIB electrode materials with specific compositions and morphologies, it is viable to employ self-sacrificial templates. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a typical type of porous crystalline organic–inorganic hybrid materials, have been intensively investigated as templates/precursors for energy materials with well-developed porosity, tailorable chemical composition, and desirable functionality [9–13]. Consisting of secondary building units (metal entities and bridging ligands), MOFs with structural periodicity and open pores are versatile templates to guarantee phase uniformity and large surface area of targeted products. As a symbolic family of MOFs, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) with the open framework structure comprising metal cations bridged by cyanide groups can exert advantages including abundant diffusion channel for charge carrier ions, adjustable metal nodes, structural rigidity, and easy preparation when applied in the energy arena [14]. The ordered structure with interstitial spaces and metal centres enables the Faradic intercalation reaction and ion/mass transportation. Considering the redox activities provided by metal centres, primitive PBAs have been studied as lithium/sodium/potassium storage materials, during which phase transformation may occur with the insertion/extraction of alkali ions [15]. Nevertheless, there is still
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Jian-En Zhou, Yilin Li, Xiaoming Lin, Jiaye Ye (2024). Prussian Blue Analogue-Templated Nanocomposites for Alkali-Ion Batteries: Progress and Perspective. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01517-y
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoTechIntel claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) and why are they used as templates?
Prussian blue analogues are a family of metal-organic frameworks with an open framework structure consisting of metal cations bridged by cyanide groups. They are used as self-sacrificial templates because they can be thermally decomposed to produce nanocomposites with well-retained porous structures and exceptional electrochemical activities, making them promising for alkali-ion battery electrodes.
What alkali-ion batteries are discussed in this review?
The review discusses lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), collectively referred to as alkali-ion batteries (AIBs). It focuses on the application of PBA-derived nanocomposites in these systems.
What types of PBA-derived nanocomposites are covered?
The review covers PBA-templated metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, metal phosphides, and other nanocomposites, evaluating their working mechanisms and applications in alkali-ion batteries.
What is the significance of the structure-activity correlation in this context?
Establishing a structure-activity correlation helps in understanding how the composition, morphology, and porosity of PBA-derived nanocomposites influence their electrochemical performance, which is crucial for designing advanced electrode materials for alkali-ion batteries.
What are the future perspectives for PBA-derived nanocomposites in AIBs?
The review envisions future developments aimed at narrowing the gap between laboratory study and industrial reality, focusing on optimizing synthesis methods, enhancing electrochemical performance, and scaling up production for practical applications.
Related Technical Papers & Translations
Direct Repair of the Crystal Structure and Coating Surface of Spent LiFePO4 Materials Enables Superfast Li-Ion Migration
The rapid accumulation of spent LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes from retired lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of effective and environmental-friendly recycling strategies. In this context, direct regeneration has emerged as a promising approach for reclaiming LFP cathode materials, offering a streamlined pathway to restore their electrochemical functionality. We report an integrated regeneration protocol that simultaneously repairs the degraded crystal structure and reconstructs the damaged carbon coating in spent LFP. The regenerated cathode material had superfast lithium-ion diffusion kinetics and a stable cathode–electrolyte interface, giving a remarkable rate capability with specific capacities of 122 mAh g−1 at 5C and 106 mAh g−1 at 10C (1C = 170 mA g−1). It also maintained capacities of 110.7 mAh g−1 (5C) and 84.1 mAh g−1 (10C) after 400 cycles. It could be used in harsh environments and could be stably cycled at subzero temperatures (−10 and −20 °C) and in solid-state electrolyte batteries. Life cycle assessment combined with economic evaluation using the EverBatt model reveals that this direct regeneration approach has high economic and environmental benefits.
Oxide Semiconductor for Advanced Memory Architectures: Atomic Layer Deposition, Key Requirement and Challenges
Oxide semiconductors (OSs), introduced by the Hosono group in the early 2000s, have evolved from display backplane materials to promising candidates for advanced memory and logic devices. The exceptionally low leakage current of OSs and compatibility with three-dimensional (3D) architectures have recently sparked renewed interest in their use in semiconductor applications. This review begins by exploring the unique material properties of OSs, which fundamentally originate from their distinct electronic band structure. Subsequently, we focus on atomic layer deposition (ALD), a core technique for growing excellent OS films, covering both basic and advanced processes compatible with 3D scaling. The basic surface reaction mechanisms—adsorption and reaction—and their roles in film growth are introduced. Furthermore, material design strategies, such as cation selection, crystallinity control, anion doping, and heterostructure engineering, are discussed. We also highlight challenges in memory applications, including contact resistance, hydrogen instability, and lack of p-type materials, and discuss the feasibility of ALD-grown OSs as potential solutions. Lastly, we provide an outlook on the role of ALD-grown OSs in memory technologies. This review bridges material fundamentals and device-level requirements, offering a comprehensive perspective on the potential of ALD-driven OSs for next-generation semiconductor memory devices.
Laser powder bed fusion of biodegradable Zn-4Cu alloy: Processing, microstructure and properties
Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants, however, its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications. In this study, the performance of Zn was enhanced by developing Zn-Cu alloys via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Optimal LPBF parameters for forming stable tracks were achieved by adjusting laser power and scanning speed. Under optimized conditions of 100 W and 100 mm/s, high-density (99.58%) Zn-Cu alloys with improved hardness (68.2HV) and yield strength (160 MPa) were achieved. These improvements are attributed to solid solution strengthening, segregation strengthening, and grain refinement. The Zn-Cu alloys also demonstrated favorable degradation behavior, with a rate of 0.16 mm/year. This degradation is primarily driven by micro-galvanic corrosion between the CuZn5 phase and Zn matrix, along with refined grains and increased grain boundary density. This work demonstrates a viable strategy for fabricating Zn-based implants with enhanced structural integrity and mechanical performance via LPBF.