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@article{WOS:001598368000001,
title = {Robust Silicon-Based Anode with High Energy Density upon Dual Welding
Encapsulation},
author = {Wenhui Lai and Jong Hak Lee and Zhen Yuan Yeo and Yue Yuan and Yuqing Liu and Lu Shi and Yanhui Pu and Yong Kang Ong and Carlos Maria Alava Limpo and Yifan Rao and Ting Xiong and Mario Lanza and Duane N Loh and Barbaros Ozyilmaz},
doi = {10.1021/acsnano.5c13278},
times_cited = {2},
issn = {1936-0851},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-11-01},
journal = {ACS NANO},
volume = {19},
number = {43},
pages = {38040-38052},
publisher = {AMER CHEMICAL SOC},
address = {1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA},
abstract = {Silicon has long been considered one of the most promising anode
materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries due to its high
theoretical capacity. However, a significant challenge that restricts
its practical application is the persistent issue of weak interfacial
contact in the silicon anode, which leads to structural instability
during lithiation/delithiation processes due to large volume expansion.
In this work, we develop a dual welding encapsulation strategy by
constructing Si-C chemical bonding between the silicon and conductive
covering shells and establishing C-C interlayer bonding connections
among the covering shells. By directly examining the interface of
silicon-based composites, we identify the types of compounds and hybrid
orbital structures from their spatial distribution using
machine-learning-enhanced transmission electron microscopy analysis
techniques. This dual welding mechanism not only enhances the mechanical
strength of the protective carbon shell but also ensures sustained
electrical connection between the core and shell through the Si-C bonds.
The robust heterogeneous structure effectively mitigates interfacial
instability within the silicon anode, suppressing volume expansion below
12% after 300 cycles. Thus, the full-cell with the composite anode and
LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode performs a high energy density of 576 Wh
kg-1 and stable cycling, inspiring the construction of commercial
silicon batteries.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{WOS:001552275100001,
title = {Adjustable SiC interfacial layers toward reliable Si-based anode
applications},
author = {Wenhui Lai and Jong Hak Lee and Yue Yuan and Yong Kang Ong and Carlos Limpo and Lu Shi and Yanhui Pu and Yifan Rao and Mario Lanza and Barbaros Ozyilmaz},
doi = {10.1039/d5nh00338e},
times_cited = {3},
issn = {2055-6756},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-01},
journal = {NANOSCALE HORIZONS},
volume = {10},
number = {11},
pages = {2931-2944},
publisher = {ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY},
address = {THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS,
ENGLAND},
abstract = {The incorporation of a SiC interfacial layer has been recognized as an
effective strategy to tackle the interface contact issue between Si and
carbon, ensuring the structural integrity of Si-based anodes and thereby
enhancing their cycling stability. However, its inherent low activity
and poor conductivity pose a persistent challenge for maximizing
capacity and facilitating ion and electron transport. Here, we present a
thickness/content adjustable SiC interfacial layer in the Si-SiC-C
heterostructure using a modified spark plasma sintering technique. The
SiC layer, with a content of similar to 10%, is discretely coated on
the surface of the Si core, exerting minimal influence on capacity and
ion/electron kinetics, while ensuring high electrode structural
stability. Consequently, the Si-based anode exhibits a stable capacity
of 582 mAh g-1 (0.1 A g-1) and good rate capability (324 mAh g-1 at 2 A
g-1), while maintaining 80% capacity retention over 500 cycles with a
low electrode swelling of 12.6%. More importantly, its capacity
presents a continuous rising trend with the increase of the cycle
number, suggesting a mechanism where the SiC interfacial layer gradually
transforms into a Li-ion-rich phase. This transformation facilitates ion
transport and reaction with Si, resulting in gradual capacity
enhancement. Therefore, the reasonably thickness-regulated SiC
interfacial layer holds promise for providing inspiration for the design
of commercial Si-based anodes.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{WOS:001532082000001,
title = {Reinforcement-free monolithic all-in-one structural supercapacitors},
author = {Yifan Rao and Jong Hak Lee and Yanhui Pu and Yong Kang Ong and Lu Shi and Wenhui Lai and Carlos Limpo and Yue Yuan and Ting Xiong and Mario Lanza and Barbaros Ozyilmaz},
doi = {10.1016/j.cej.2025.165492},
times_cited = {0},
issn = {1385-8947},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-01},
journal = {CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL},
volume = {519},
publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA},
address = {PO BOX 564, 1001 LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND},
abstract = {Structural supercapacitors, potential game-changers for various
applications such as aerospace, automotive, and construction industries,
offer a combination of energy storage and load-bearing functionalities.
Conventional approaches, however, have been hindered by a significant
decrease in overall energy storage performance due to the inherent
separation of energy storage components and structural reinforcement
elements. In this study, we report reinforcement-free all-in-one
structural supercapacitors that tailor the conventional trade-off
problem between energy capacity and mechanical strength by ensuring that
the essential energy storage components possess high mechanical
properties. This dual-functional structure ensures that it
volumetrically constitutes nearly 90% of the cells excluding the
packaging. Simultaneously, by employing interlocking interfacial
engineering, we optimize the functionalities of these components,
enhancing the overall robustness and energy capacity of the device.
Consequently, our structural supercapacitor demonstrates good structural
integrity, as evidenced by its flexural modulus of 8.34 GPa. Moreover,
our supercapacitor stands out in terms of energy storage capacity,
boasting a volumetric energy density of 45 Wh/L. This achievement,
outperforming the current state-of-the-art by a staggering tenfold,
significantly enhances multifunctionality, a critical index for
evaluating structural energy devices, reaching a 9.95 rating. This novel
strategy provides insight for other structural energy storage devices
with higher multifunctional efficiency.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{WOS:001203104900001,
title = {High mechanical strength Si anode synthesis with interlayer bonded
expanded graphite structure for lithium-ion batteries},
author = {Wenhui Lai and Jong Hak Lee and Lu Shi and Yuqing Liu and Yanhui Pu and Yong Kang Ong and Carlos Limpo and Ting Xiong and Yifan Rao and Chorng Haur Sow and Barbaros Ozyilmaz},
doi = {10.1016/j.jechem.2024.02.021},
times_cited = {27},
issn = {2095-4956},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-06-01},
journal = {JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY},
volume = {93},
pages = {253-263},
publisher = {ELSEVIER},
address = {RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS},
abstract = {Despite advancements in silicon -based anodes for high -capacity lithium
-ion batteries, their widespread commercial adoption is still hindered
by significant volume expansion during cycling, especially at high
active mass loadings crucial for practical use. The root of these
challenges lies in the mechanical instability of the material, which
subsequently leads to the structural failure of the electrode. Here, we
present a novel synthesis of a composite combining expanded graphite and
silicon nanoparticles. This composite features a unique
interlayer-bonded graphite structure, achieved through the application
of a modified spark plasma sintering method. Notably, this innovative
structure not only facilitates efficient ion and electron transport but
also provides exceptional mechanical strength (Vickers hardness: up to
658 MPa, Young's modulus: 11.6 GPa). This strength effectively
accommodates silicon expansion, resulting in an impressive areal
capacity of 2.9 mA h cm -2 (736 mA h g-1) and a steady cycle life (93%
after 100 cycles). Such outstanding performance is paired with features
appropriate for large-scale industrial production of silicon batteries,
such as active mass loading of at least 3.9 mg cm -2, a high -tap
density electrode material of 1.68 g cm -3 (secondary clusters: 1.12 g
cm -3), and a production yield of up to 1 kg per day. (c) 2024 Science
Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of
Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. All rights
reserved.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{WOS:001156660000001,
title = {Interfacial design towards stable zinc metal-free zinc-ion batteries
with high energy density},
author = {Ting Xiong and Deqiang Zhang and Jing Ying Yeo and Yufeng Zhan and Yong Kang Ong and Carlos Maria Alava Limpo and Lu Shi and Yifan Rao and Yanhui Pu and Wenhui Lai and Jonghak Lee and Wee Siang Vincent Lee and Barbaros Ozyilmaz},
doi = {10.1039/d3ta07674a},
times_cited = {14},
issn = {2050-7488},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-01},
journal = {JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A},
volume = {12},
number = {9},
pages = {5499-5507},
publisher = {ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY},
address = {THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS,
ENGLAND},
abstract = {Zinc metal-free zinc-ion batteries hold promise for achieving higher
energy densities by eliminating the need for dense zinc foil as the
anode. However, the direct use of substrates like copper foil in these
batteries results in poor cyclic stability due to dendrite growth.
Herein, we propose a strategy to modulate the nucleation sites and
growth dynamics of Zn. This is achieved by introducing a graphene
coating on the copper substrate, which directs the initial nucleation of
Zn to form hexagonal plates. Subsequently, the incorporation of
positively polarized poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)
promotes growth along these hexagonal plates, resulting in uniform
crystalline plates. As a result, the half-cell demonstrated a
significant improvement in the cyclic life of 3000 cycles at a high
current density of 10 mA cm-2 and capacity of 1 mA h cm-2. When paired
with Zn-inserted MnO2 cathode, the full cell exhibited high cyclic
stability (retaining 83% capacity after 500 cycles at 1 mA cm-2) and
energy density of 378 W h kg-1 at 0.5 mA cm-2. This is notably higher
than the conventional Zn ion battery based on a Zn anode (136 W h kg-1).
To showcase its potential, we prepared a pouch cell that successfully
powered the electric fan and LED lights, suggesting its promising
application in high-performance Zn ion batteries.
Graphene and positively polarized P(VDF-TrFE) assist in controlling Zn
nucleation and growth on a Cu substrate, enabling high-performance zinc
metal-free zinc-ion batteries.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}