Role of binary metal chalcogenides in extending the limits of energy storage systems: Challenges and possible solutions

Abstract

Binary metal chalcogenides (BMCs) have shown better electrochemical performance compared with their mono metal counterparts owing to their abundant phase interfaces, higher active sites, faster electrochemical kinetics and higher electronic conductivity. Nevertheless, their performance still undergoes adverse decline during electrochemical processes mainly due to poor intrinsic ionic conductivities, large volume expansions, and structural agglomeration and fracture. To tackle these problems, various strategies have been applied to engineer the BMC nanostructures to obtain optimized electrode materials. However, the lack of understanding of the electrochemical response of BMCs still hinders their large-scale application. This review not only highlights the recent progress and development in the preparation of BMC-based electrode materials but also explains the kinetics to further understand the relation between structure and performance. It will also explain the engineering of BMCs through nanostructuring and formation of their hybrid structures with various carbonaceous materials and three-dimensional (3D) templates. The review will discuss the detailed working mechanism of BMC-based nanostructures in various electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems including supercapacitors, metal-ion batteries, metal-air batteries, and alkaline batteries. In the end, major challenges and prospective solutions for the development of BMCs in EES devices are also outlined. We believe that the current review will provide a guideline for tailoring BMCs for better electrochemical devices.

Ultrasensitive and Self‐Powered SnSe/Ge Heterojunction Photodetector Driven by Spontaneously Interfacial Excitation Transfer of Carriers

“…Besides, the staggered arrangement of SnSe crystal-plates inside the thicker films can reduce the adverse effect of leakage current in a certain extent, even though the leakage current originated from the boundary defects cannot be completely ruled out. [55][56][57] The output curves of I-V of the device obtained under dark and light irradiation conditions have been quantitatively compared in semi-logarithmic scale, as shown in Figure 6b. Obviously, the device displays the significant photocurrent response to the 1064 nm light, and it primarily generated within the range of applied reverse bias voltage.…”

In‐Situ Colloidal Synthetic Route to Monodispersed NiCo2S4 Nanoparticles over Nickel Foam for High‐Performance Supercapacitive Charge Storage

“…There have been many kinds of electrode materials applied to SCs, typically including carbon‐based materials, [8] conductive polymers, [9] transition metal oxides and chalcogenides, [10] etc. Among them, transition metal chalcogenides, especially bimetallic chalcogenides (such as FeNi 2 S 4 , [11] Co 2 NiSe 4 , [12] and CoFeS 2 [13] ), are promising since they integrate a variety of merits like large natural abundance, environment‐friendly preparation, mechanical stableness, exceptional conductivity, and high theoretical capacitance [14] for the fabrication of SCs consequently. Very recently, ternary nickel and cobalt sulfide (NiCo 2 S 4 ) has caught much attention due to its excellent electrochemical performance and better cycling property, mainly resulted from the different transition metals within the compound with possibly varied chemical valences responding to reversible redox reactions [15] .…”

MOF-Derived AlCuSe2 Embedded in a Carbon Matrix for an Economical Anode of Lithium-Ion Battery

“… 32 Binary metal chalcogenides give better performance than monometal chalcogenides. 33 In general, binary metal chalcogenides have considerable structural and chemical benefits over monometallic chalcogenides, increasing their electrochemical properties. The existence of multiphases in binary metal chalcogenides results in numerous phase boundaries and tiny crystalline domains, which aids in bypassing solid-state diffusion and enabling fast ionic diffusion kinetics.…”

“…It has been reported that binary metal chalcogenides have excellent electrical conductivity due to their comparatively narrow band gap and low activation energy for electron transport between cations, resulting in improved electrochemical characteristics . Binary metal chalcogenides give better performance than monometal chalcogenides . In general, binary metal chalcogenides have considerable structural and chemical benefits over monometallic chalcogenides, increasing their electrochemical properties.…”