Zhelong Jiang

All Publications

• A formal FeIII/V redox couple in an intercalation electrode. Nature materials Ramachandran, H., Mu, E. W., Lomeli, E. G., Braun, A., Goto, M., Hsu, K. H., Liu, J., Jiang, Z., Lim, K., Busse, G. M., Moritz, B., Kas, J. J., Vinson, J., Rehr, J. J., Park, J., Abate, I. I., Shimakawa, Y., Solomon, E. I., Yang, W., Gent, W. E., Devereaux, T. P., Chueh, W. C. 2025

  Abstract

  Iron redox cycling between low-valent oxidation states of FeII and FeIII drives crucial processes in nature. The FeII/III redox couple charge compensates the cycling of lithium iron phosphate, a positive electrode (cathode) for lithium-ion batteries. High-valent iron redox couples, involving formal oxidation higher than FeIII, could deliver higher electrochemical potentials and energy densities. However, because of the instability of high-valent Fe electrodes, they have proven difficult to probe and exploit in intercalation systems. Here we report and characterize a formal FeIII/V redox couple by revisiting the charge compensation mechanism of (de)lithiation in Li4FeSbO6. Valence-sensitive experimental and computational core-level spectroscopy reveal a direct transition from FeIII (3d5) to a negative-charge-transfer FeV (3d5L2) ground state on delithiation, without forming FeIV, or oxygen dimers. We identify that the cation ordering in Li4FeSbO6 drives a templated phase transition to stabilize the unique FeV species and demonstrate that disrupting cation ordering suppresses the FeIII/V redox couple. Exhibiting resistance to calendar aging, high operating potential and low voltage hysteresis, the FeIII/V redox couple in Li4FeSbO6 provides a framework for developing sustainable, Fe-based intercalation cathodes for high-voltage applications.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41563-025-02356-x

  View details for PubMedID 41094071

  View details for PubMedCentralID 4002152

• Unravelling electro-chemo-mechanical interplay in layered oxide cathode degradation in solid-state batteries. Science advances Zheng, X., Xue, Z., Hao, H., Cho, Y., Li, Y., Kim, C., Czaja, P., Lee, S. S., Bone, S., Spielman-Sun, E., Jiang, Z., Gu, X. W., Weker, J. N., Yang, G., Nanda, J. 2025; 11 (41): eady7189

  Abstract

  Solid-state batteries (SSBs) hold notable promise for advancing energy storage technologies. However, their commercial viability is limited by the poor cycle stability and complex degradation mechanism. This study underscores the pivotal role of electro-chemo-mechanical interactions in driving the failure of SSBs. Leveraging advanced x-ray imaging and spectroscopy techniques, we analyzed LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathodes from cycled LixIn||Li6PS5Cl (LPSC)||NMC811 SSBs, uncovering the interplay between microstructure, chemical heterogeneity, mechanical characteristics, and electrochemical performance. Our results show that revealing electro-chemo-mechanical interactions is essential to develop strategies to suppress the degradation of SSBs. Particularly, we revisit a LiNbO3 (LNO) coating layer to mitigate electrochemical degradation. The LNO@NMC811 cathode retains 116 milliampere-hours per gram after 200 cycles, showing excellent stability, while the uncoated NMC811 cathode keeps degrading over time, with suppressed chemical heterogeneity and mechanical failure. This work highlights the importance of synergizing advanced material design with coating techniques, ensuring uniform lithium flux and improving mechanical properties to achieve stable, high-performance SSBs.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/sciadv.ady7189

  View details for PubMedID 41061061

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12506959

• A reversible four-electron Sn metal aqueous battery JOULE Wang, J., Catalina, S. K., Jiang, Z., Xu, X., Zhou, Q., Chueh, W. C., Mefford, J. 2024; 8 (12)

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.joule.2024.09.002

  View details for Web of Science ID 001386202100001

• Decoupling first-cycle capacity loss mechanisms in sulfide solid-state batteries ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Kaeli, E., Jiang, Z., Yang, X., Choy, E. L., Liang, N. B., Barks, E., Wang, S., Kang, S., Chueh, W. C. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1039/d4ee04908j

  View details for Web of Science ID 001390399400001

• Calcination Heterogeneity in Li-Rich Layered Oxides: A Systematic Study of Li₂CO₃ Particle Size CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS Busse, G. M., Csernica, P. M., Lim, K., Lee, J., Jiang, Z., Rivera, D. F., Kim, Y., Shapiro, D. A., Gent, W. E., Chueh, W. C. 2023; 35 (24): 10658-10671

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02404

  View details for Web of Science ID 001133027400001

• Experimental Discovery of a Fast and Stable Lithium Thioborate Solid Electrolyte, Li6+2x [B10S18]S- x (x approximate to 1) ACS ENERGY LETTERS Ma, Y., Wan, J., Xu, X., Sendek, A. D. D., Holmes, S. E. E., Ransom, B., Jiang, Z., Zhang, P., Xiao, X., Zhang, W., Xu, R., Liu, F., Ye, Y., Kaeli, E., Reed, E. J. J., Chueh, W. C. C., Cui, Y. 2023; 8 (6): 2762-2771

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acsenergylett.3c00560

  View details for Web of Science ID 001005978800001

• Chemical Amplification of Subthreshold Base Triggers To Drive Sol-Gel Transitions in Polymers ACS MATERIALS LETTERS Lai, S., Chaudhary, G., Jiang, Z., Ewoldt, R. H., Braun, P. 2022; 4 (8): 1503-1510

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.2c00480

  View details for Web of Science ID 000842853100001

• <i>In situ</i> energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction of local phase dynamics during solvothermal growth of Cu₄O₃ JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Jiang, Z., Sharma, J., Okasinski, J. S., Chen, H., Shoemaker, D. P. 2021; 54: 42-53

  View details for DOI 10.1107/S1600576720014806

  View details for Web of Science ID 000613988600006

• A unique copper coordination structure with both mono- and bi-dentate ethylenediamine ligands CRYSTENGCOMM Sharma, J., Jiang, Z., Bhutani, A., Behera, P., Shoemaker, D. P. 2019; 21 (17): 2718-2726

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c8ce02188k

  View details for Web of Science ID 000465988900011

• High capacity 3D structured tin-based electroplated Li-ion battery anodes ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS Sun, P., Davis, J., Cao, L., Jiang, Z., Cook, J. B., Ning, H., Liu, J., Kim, S., Fan, F., Nuzzo, R. G., Braun, P. 2019; 17: 151-156

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ensm.2018.11.017

  View details for Web of Science ID 000456689500018

• Phase stability and structural comparison of phases in the Cu-Zn-Sn-S system using solid-state NMR SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS Pogue, E. A., Sutrisno, A., Johnson, N. E., Goetter, M. B., Jiang, Z., Johnson, N. E., Shoemaker, D. P., Rockett, A. A. 2019; 190: 37-48

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.solmat.2018.10.007

  View details for Web of Science ID 000452565800006

• Accessing magnetic chalcogenides with solvothermal synthesis: KFeS₂ and KFe₂S₃ JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY Han, I., Jiang, Z., dela Cruz, C., Zhang, H., Sheng, H., Bhutani, A., Miller, D. J., Shoemaker, D. P. 2018; 260: 1-6

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jssc.2018.01.003

  View details for Web of Science ID 000428005000001

• <i>In situ</i> identification of kinetic factors that expedite inorganic crystal formation and discovery JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C Jiang, Z., Ramanathan, A., Shoemaker, D. P. 2017; 5 (23): 5709-5717

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c6tc04931a

  View details for Web of Science ID 000403571200012

• Dynamic Gradient Directed Molecular Transport and Concentration in Hydrogel Films. Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) Tsai, T. H., Ali, M. A., Jiang, Z., Braun, P. V. 2017; 56 (18): 5001-5006

  Abstract

  Materials which selectively transport molecules along defined paths offer new opportunities for concentrating, processing and sensing chemical and biological agents. Here, we present the use of traveling ionic waves to drive molecular transport and concentration of hydrophilic molecules entrained within a hydrogel. The traveling ionic wave is triggered by the spatially localized introduction of ions, which through a dissipative ion exchange process, converts quaternary ammonium groups in the hydrogel from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Through a reaction-diffusion process, the hydrophobic region expands with a sharp transition at the leading edge; it is this sharp gradient in hydrophilicity that drives the transport of hydrophilic molecules dispersed within the film. The traveling wave moved up to 450 μm within 30 min, while the gradient length remained 20 μm over this time. As an example of the potential of molecular concentration using this approach, a 70-fold concentration of a hydrophilic dye was demonstrated.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/anie.201700166

  View details for PubMedID 28370916

• Capturing Phase Evolution during Solvothermal Synthesis of Metastable Cu₄O₃ CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS Jiang, Z., Tian, S., Lai, S., McAuliffe, R. D., Rogers, S. P., Shim, M., Shoemaker, D. P. 2016; 28 (9): 3080-3089

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b00421

  View details for Web of Science ID 000375810400023

• Titanate and titania nanostructured materials for environmental and energy applications: a review RSC ADVANCES Zhang, Y., Jiang, Z., Huang, J., Lim, L. Y., Li, W., Deng, J., Gong, D., Tang, Y., Lai, Y., Chen, Z. 2015; 5 (97): 79479–510

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c5ra11298b

  View details for Web of Science ID 000361834900030

• Understanding the Role of Nanostructures for Efficient Hydrogen Generation on Immobilized Photocatalysts ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS Jiang, Z., Tang, Y., Tay, Q., Zhang, Y., Malyi, O. I., Wang, D., Deng, J., Lai, Y., Zhou, H., Chen, X., Dong, Z., Chen, Z. 2013; 3 (10): 1368-1380

  View details for DOI 10.1002/aenm.201300380

  View details for Web of Science ID 000328742200017

• Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production with Synergistic Two-Phase Anatase/Brookite TiO₂ Nanostructures JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C Tay, Q., Liu, X., Tang, Y., Jiang, Z., Sum, T., Chen, Z. 2013; 117 (29): 14973-14982

  View details for DOI 10.1021/jp4040979

  View details for Web of Science ID 000322503600012

• Efficient Ag@AgCl Cubic Cage Photocatalysts Profit from Ultrafast Plasmon-Induced Electron Transfer Processes ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS Tang, Y., Jiang, Z., Xing, G., Li, A., Kanhere, P. D., Zhang, Y., Sum, T., Li, S., Chen, X., Dong, Z., Chen, Z. 2013; 23 (23): 2932-2940

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adfm.201203379

  View details for Web of Science ID 000320382800004

• Specific surface area of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles influences cyto- and photo-toxicity. Toxicology Xiong, S., Tang, Y., Ng, H. S., Zhao, X., Jiang, Z., Chen, Z., Ng, K. W., Loo, S. C. 2013; 304: 132-40

  Abstract

  The aim of this study is to examine how different specific surface areas of similar-sized titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particles could influence both cytotoxicity and phototoxicity. TiO(2) particles of different specific surface areas were compared for their toxic effects on RAW264.7 cells in the absence and presence of UV light. From the results, TiO(2) particles with larger specific surface area were found to induce higher cyto- (UV absent) and photo-toxicity (UV activated) to cells after 24h incubation. The observed cytotoxicity from TiO(2) particles with larger surface area could be explained from their interactions with biomolecules. Upon photoactivation, a larger number of hydroxyl radicals were detected from TiO(2) particles with larger surface area, again suggesting a surface area dependent phototoxic effect. On the other hand, pre-adsorbing TiO(2) particles with extracellular proteins were found to decrease toxicity effects.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.tox.2012.12.015

  View details for PubMedID 23295712

• Synthesis of nanostructured silver/silver halides on titanate surfaces and their visible-light photocatalytic performance. ACS applied materials & interfaces Tang, Y., Jiang, Z., Deng, J., Gong, D., Lai, Y., Tay, H. T., Joo, I. T., Lau, T. H., Dong, Z., Chen, Z. 2012; 4 (1): 438-46

  Abstract

  Dense and uniform silver halides AgX (X = Cl, Br, I) nanoparticles were successfully fabricated on layered titanate nanowired honeycomb (TNHC) thin films. The growth of AgX nanocrystals was carried out through two steps. Firstly, ion-exchange was employed to incorporate Ag(+) ions into the interlayer of the titanate nanowires. Secondly, hydrogen halide (HX) solution was rapidly injected onto the ion-exchanged silver TNHC surface to generate nanosized AgX particles on TNHC films. The effect of the reaction time, solution pH, and concentration of halide anions on the morphology of the AgX photocatalysts has been studied. Followed by light-irradiation, the optimized Ag/AgX thin films exhibited excellent degradation performance under visible light because of localized surface plasmon resonance effect.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/am2015102

  View details for PubMedID 22175781

• Visible-light plasmonic photocatalyst anchored on titanate nanotubes: a novel nanohybrid with synergistic effects of adsorption and degradation RSC ADVANCES Tang, Y., Jiang, Z., Tay, Q., Deng, J., Lai, Y., Gong, D., Dong, Z., Chen, Z. 2012; 2 (25): 9406-9414

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c2ra21300a

  View details for Web of Science ID 000312061000016