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In this paper, we design a binder GG-CA-GLY (abbreviation: GGC) for silicon negative electrode by guar gum as the backbone chain with self-healing function, combing and straightening the guar molecular chain of guar gum through the plasticizing effect of glycerol. The condensation reactions between the exposed hydroxyl sites of guar gum and the carboxyl groups of citric acid create a stronger hydrogen bond, so as to achieve the effect of self-healing and cope with the serious volume expansion effect of silicone-based materials. [Display omitted] • A easy polycondensation reaction is used to create a mechanically strong self-healing polymer (GGC). • GGC adhesives have excellent mechanical properties and facilitate rapid self-healing. • GGC@Si electrodes were prepared with excellent rate capability and higher cycling stability. • GGC adhesives have the ability to repair cracks and other damage on prepared silicon anodes, returning them to their original state. Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries with its superior capacity. However, the volume change of the silicon anode seriously affects the electrode integrity and cycle stability. The waterborne guar gum (GG) binder has been regarded as one of the most promising binders for Si anodes. Here, a unique steric molecular combing approach based on guar gum, glycerol, and citric acid is proposed to develop a self-healing binder GGC, which would boost the structural stability of electrode materials. The GGC binder is mainly designed to weaken van der Waals' forces between polymers through the plasticizing effect of glycerol, combing and straightening the guar molecular chain of GG, and exposing the guar hydroxyl sites of GG and the carboxyl groups of citric acid. The condensation reaction between the hydroxyl sites of GG and the carboxyl groups of citric acid forms stronger hydrogen bonds, which can help achieve self-healing effect to cope with the severe volume expansion effect of silicone-based materials. Silicon electrode lithium-ion batteries prepared with GGC binders exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance, with a discharge capacity of up to 1579 mAh/g for 1200 cycles at 1 A/g, providing a high capacity retention rate of 96%. This paper demostrates the great potential of GGC binders in realizing electrochemical performance enhancement of silicon anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel synthesis method of HCPs with more mesoporous and hetero atoms, which is through the incorporation of functional macromolecules. • Tetraphenylporphyrin zinc (TPP-Zn) doped HCP-based hard carbon (CTHCP) with stable structure was prepared by Friedel-Crafts reaction. • Uncovered the design rules of HC anode materials suitable for Li+/Na+ batteries and provided a new idea for the preparation of high-performance HC anode materials. Hyper cross-linked polymers (HCPs), as a key precursor of hard carbon (HC) anode materials, stand out because of their capacity for molecular-scale structural design and comparatively straightforward preparation techniques, which are not seen in other porous materials synthesized procedure. A novel synthesis method of HCPs is developed in this paper, which is through the incorporation of functional macromolecules, the structural control and heteroatom doping of the product has been achieved, thus augmenting its electrochemical performance in batteries. In this work, carbonized tetraphenylporphyrin zinc (TPP-Zn) doped HCP-based hard carbon (CTHCP) with stable structure was prepared by Friedel-Crafts reaction and carbonization by using naphthalene and trace TPP-Zn as monomers, dimethoxybenzene (DMB) as crosslinking agent and FeCl 3 as catalyst. The introduction of TPP-Zn, a functional macromolecule with unique two-dimensional structure, realized the pore structure regulation and N doping of the raw carbonized HCP-based hard carbon (CHCP). The results showed that CTHCP had higher mesoporous volume, N content and wider layer spacing than CHCP. In addition, CTHCP anode exhibited excellent Li+/Na+ storage performance, initial reversible capacity, rate performance and long cycle life. More amount of N -containing (N-5) active sites and mesoporous content in CTHCP anode was the main reason for the improvement of Na+ storage effect. While the increased interlayer spacing had a greater effect on the lithium storage capacity. This study uncovered the design rules of HC anode materials suitable for Li+/Na+ batteries and provided a new idea for the preparation of high-performance HC anode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Lithium ion capacitors (LICs) are a new generation of energy storage devices that combine the super energy storage capability of lithium ion batteries with the satisfactory power density of supercapacitors. The development of high-performance LICs still faces great challenges due to the unbalanced reaction kinetics at the anode and cathode. Therefore, it is an inevitable need to enhance the electron/ion transfer capability of the anode materials. In this paper, to obtain a superior-rate and high-capacity Ni 3 S 2 -based anode, highly conductive Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene sheets were introduced to sever as the carrier of Ni 3 S 2 nanoparticles and simultaneously an amorphous carbon layer which coats onto the surface of Ni 3 S 2 nanoparticles was in-situ generated by the carbonization of dopamine reactant. The as-synthesized Ni 3 S 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x /C composite exhibits a high specific surface area (112.6 m2/g) because of the addition of Ti 3 C 2 T x that can reduce the aggregation of Ni 3 S 2 nanoparticles and the in-situ generated amorphous carbon layer that can suppress the growth of Ni 3 S 2 nanoparticles. The Ni 3 S 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x /C anode possesses a remarkable reversible discharge specific capacity (626.0 mAh/g under 0.2 A/g current density), which increases to 1150.8 mAh/g after 400-cycle charge/discharge measurement at the same measurement condition indicating eminent cyclability, along with superior rate capability. To construct a superior-performance LIC device, a sterculiae lychnophorae derived porous carbon (SLPC) cathode with an average discharge specific capacity of 73.4 mAh/g@0.1A/g was prepared. The Ni 3 S 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x /C//SLPC LIC device with optimal cathode/anode mass ratio has a satisfactory energy density ranging from 32.8 to 119.1 Wh kg−1 at the corresponding power density of 8799.4 to 157.5 W kg−1, together with a prominent capacity retention (95.5 %@1 A/g after 10,000 cycles). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenol–formaldehyde resin (PF) coating regulates Zn ion transfer and interfacial behavior in AZIBs through the dual effect of fast desolvation and ion confinement, thus achieving stable zinc metal anodes. [Display omitted] • PF coating anodes were constructed to regulate the deposition of Zn ions. • Zn@PF anodes has the dual effect of fast desolvation and ion confinement. • Hydroxyl group in PF can promote the desolvation of [Zn(H 2 O) 6 ]2+, thus reducing side reactions. • The pore structure of PF provides ion confinement to uniform ions flux. • Zn@PF||MnO 2 cell can be stably cycled for 1500 cycles at 1.5 A/g. Aqueous Zn ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered to be highly promising rechargeable secondary batteries. However, the growth of zinc dendrites and irreversible side reactions hinder its further application. In this paper, an artificial interfacial protective layer of phenol–formaldehyde resin (PF) was constructed to achieve high-performance zinc anode. There is a strong interaction between hydroxyl groups in PF and Zn ions. This interaction modulates the solvation sheath of Zn ions and promotes the desolvation of [Zn(H 2 O) 6 ]2+, which reduces the side reactions induced by reactive H 2 O. Furthermore, the pore structure of PF provides ion-confinement effect to regulate the Zn ions flux, thus reducing the growth of dendrites caused by inhomogeneous deposition. Thus, the PF coating has the dual effect of fast desolvation and ion confinement, which is beneficial to the uniform Zn ions deposition and achieves highly stable zinc anodes. Consequently, the Zn@PF||MnO 2 full cell can be stably cycled for 1500 cycles at 1.5 A/g and the capacity retention remains 82.4 %. This method provides a convenient and practical approach to tackle the problems of zinc anodes, and establishes the foundation for their further application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The 2H-MoS 2 /nitrogen-doped carbon (2H-MoS 2 /NC) composite is a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Various transition metal doping has been adopted to optimize the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and lack of active sites in the intralayer of 2H-MoS 2. However, its optimization mechanisms have not been well probed. In this paper, using Cobalt (Co) as an example, we aim to investigate the influence of transition metal doping on the electronic and mechanical properties and electrochemical performance of 2H-MoS 2 /NC via first-principles calculation. Co doping is found to be effective in improving the electronic conductivity and the areas of active sites on different positions (C surface, interface, and MoS 2 surface) of 2H-MoS 2 /NC. The increased active sites can optimize K adsorption and diffusion capability/processes, where general smaller K adsorption energies and diffusion energy barriers are found after Co doping. This helps improve the rate performance. Especially, the pyridinic N (pyN), pyrrolic N (prN), and graphitic N (grN) are first unveiled to respectively work best in K kinetic adsorption, diffusion, and interfacial stability. These findings are instructive to experimental design of high rate 2H-MoS 2 /NC electrode materials. The roles of different N types provide new ideas for optimal design of other functional composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]