Nowadays it is extremely urgent to seek high performance solid polymer electrolyte that possesses both interfacial stability toward lithium/graphitic anodes and high voltage cathodes for high energy density solid state batteries. Inspired by the positive interfacial effect of vinylene carbonate additive on solid electrolyte interface, a novel poly (vinylene carbonate) based solid polymer electrolyte is presented via a facile in situ polymerization process in this paper. It is manifested that poly (vinylene carbonate) based solid polymer electrolyte possess a superior electrochemical stability window up to 4.5 V versus Li/Li⁺ and considerable ionic conductivity of 9.82 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 50 °C. Moreover, it is demonstrated that high voltage LiCoO₂/Li batteries using this solid polymer electrolyte display stable charge/discharge profiles, considerable rate capability, excellent cycling performance, and decent safety characteristic. It is believed that poly (vinylene carbonate) based electrolyte can be a very promising solid polymer electrolyte candidate for high energy density lithium batteries.

Nitrile or cyano-based compounds have aroused interest in high performance battery electrolyte fields due to their unique characteristics such as a high dielectric constant, high anodic oxidization potential and favorable interaction with lithium ions. Particularly, owing to the presence of a unique plastic-crystalline phase, succinonitrile/salt-based solid electrolytes possess an ultra high ionic conductivity of more than 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. Herein, recent progress in nitrile-based polymer electrolytes has been reviewed in terms of their potential application in flexible, solid-state or high voltage lithium batteries. Factors affecting the ionic conductivity of nitrile-based electrolytes have also been summarized. We hope that fresh and established researchers can obtain a clear perspective of nitrile based polymer electrolytes and our mini review can spur more extensive interest for the exploration of high performance batteries.

It is urgent to seek high performance solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) via a facile chemistry and simple process. The lithium salts are composed of complex anions that are stabilized by a Lewis acid agent. This Lewis acid can initiate the ring opening polymerization. Herein, a self‐catalyzed strategy toward facile synthesis of crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether‐based solid polymer electrolyte (C‐PEGDE) is presented. It is manifested that the poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether‐based solid polymer electrolyte possesses a superior electrochemical stability window up to 4.5 V versus Li/Li⁺ and considerable ionic conductivity of 8.9 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature. Moreover, the LiFePO₄/C‐PEGDE/Li batteries deliver stable charge/discharge profiles and considerable rate capability. It is demonstrated that this self‐catalyzed strategy can be a very effective approach for high performance solid polymer electrolytes.

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have emerged as promising and advanced power systems that can considerably reduce fossil fuel dependence, and thus have attracted worldwide attention. DEFCs have many apparent merits over the analogous devices fed with hydrogen or methanol. As the key constituents, the catalysts for both cathodes and anodes usually face some problems (such as high cost, low conversion efficiency, and inferior durability) that hinder the commercialization of DEFCs. This review mainly focuses on the most recent advances in nanostructured catalysts for anode materials in DEFCS. First, we summarize the effective strategies used to achieve highly active Pt- and Pd-based catalysts for ethanol electro-oxidation, including composition control, microstructure design, and the optimization of support materials. Second, a few non-precious catalysts based on transition metals (such as Fe, Co, and Ni) are introduced. Finally, we outline the concerns and future development of anode catalysts for DEFCs. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of anode catalysts for ethanol oxidation in DEFCs.