China Automotive Battery Research Institute

Li-rich layered oxide (LLO) cathodes possess high theoretical capacity and voltage, but constructing cathodes with high active material fractions to achieve high energy density in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) remains challenging. In this work, it is demonstrated that the main limitation to electrochemical performance lies not in interfacial instability but in sluggish Li+ transport arising from intra- and interparticle voids. Intraparticle voids are found to hinder ion diffusion within polycrystalline LLO, while extensive interparticle voids are introduced in reduced-particle-size LLO due to particle aggregation under limited solid-state electrolyte content. In these aggregated domains, Li+ conduction is restricted to isolated LLO regions and the intrinsically low ionic conductivity of LLO further aggravates transport limitations. To address these issues, a composite cathode with a Li3InCl6 coating was designed to improve the interfacial contact and Li+ conduction pathways. The resulting ASSB delivers 245.2 mAh/g at 0.1 C, retains 80.9% capacity after 250 cycles at 0.3 C, and maintains 75.9 mAh/g at 5 C with only 27.5 wt % Li3InCl6. This work provides a practical cathode design strategy for realizing high-energy-density LLO-based halide ASSBs.

The investigation of electrochemical-mechanical coupling mechanisms stands as a core fundamental research priority in lithium-ion battery science. Mechanical behavior is not merely a passive physical phenomenon but a direct manifestation of underlying electrochemical processes, most notably ion (de)intercalation and phase transformations within electrode materials. Consequently, the development of nondestructive spectrum characterization techniques capable of probing electrochemical-mechanical interactions is critical for unraveling degradation pathways and failure mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we present a novel integrated operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) and strain monitoring platform that simultaneously correlates electrochemical performance with mechanical stress measurements, enabling real-time tracking of electrochemical-mechanical evolution. The versatility of this operando XRD system is rigorously demonstrated through a series of operando experiments conducted on commercial pouch cells under various electrochemical conditions, including different cutoff voltages, operating temperatures, and C-rates. Analysis of the correlated data sets reveals a positive correlation between differential stress and capacity, which is intrinsically linked to the phase behavior of the electrodes. These findings offer unprecedented insights into the electrochemomechanical origins of stress generation, establishing a foundational framework for the rational design of battery systems optimized for both performance and reliability.

Sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries employing Si anodes hold great promise for achieving high safety and energy density. However, the severe structural degradation of Si during cycling and its sluggish reaction kinetics lead to rapid capacity decay, significantly limiting battery lifespan. Herein, we propose a reversible nanocrystalline-phase transformation strategy by incorporating phosphate (P) and zinc (Zn) into a Si matrix to develop a high-capacity and stable Si-based anode. The anodes are electrochemically driven and converted in situ into Li15Si4, LiZn, and Li3P nanocrystalline phases during cycling, which mitigated the expansion stress of the electrode, maintaining its structural stability. Meanwhile, Zn and P reduced the Li-ion diffusion energy barrier and band gap of Si, improving the ion/electron transport ability within the electrode. The NCM90-based full cell incorporating this anode demonstrates stable operation for over 3,000 cycles at 2C rate. This alloy-based anode design offers an effective pathway for developing long-cycle-life all-solid-state batteries.

Abstract Transition Metal Phosphides (TMPs) are highly focused on as electrode materials for their potential applications in electrochemical energy storage and conversion (EESC) devices due to their high theoretical capacity, carrier mobility, and excellent chemical and mechanical stability. However, pristine TMPs typically suffer from low device stability and safety concerns due to sluggish electronic/ionic kinetics and volumetric variation after prolonged cycling. The precise morphological design and synthesis of TMPs with good dispersity, novel assembling techniques, and mitigation approaches, emphasizing nanoarchitectonics engineering, opens up new frontiers to overcome these challenges. This paper comprehensively reviews state‐of‐the‐art advances in TMP‐based key materials, focusing on geometric design engineering, electronic structure modulation, and their applications in EESC, including rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and electrocatalysis. In the end, current technical concerns and potential future research prospects of TMP‐based nanostructured materials have also been presented for EESC applications.

Next-Generation Batteries In article number 2303751, Yiming Zhang, Lve Wang, Jie Sun, and co-workers propose a multifunctional additive through a functional group integration strategy that simultaneously builds robust interfacial layers at both cathodic and anodic surfaces, scavenges HF, quenches free radicals, and inhibits transition metal ions dissolution, leading to the enhanced performance of Ni-rich cathode and SiOx anode battery at 4.8 V ultra-high voltage.