Multivalent batteries including Mg batteries and Ca batteries

High-energy cathodes for multivalent battereis and Na-ion batteries

Electrolyte and metal anodes

2014-10--2016-10   Heidelberg University   Visiting PhD student

2011-09--2016-07   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences  Doctor of Engineering

2007-09--2011-07   Beijing Jiaotong Univeristy  Bachlor of Science

   

2023-04 till now, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PI of Research Group "Multivalent Batteries"

2021-01~2023-01, Ulm University, Habilitand

2020-08~2023-01, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology / Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Project Leader

2017-06~2020-08, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology / Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Postdoctral Researcher

Solid State Chemistry and its Application to Energy Materials

Articles：

1. D. Fan, Y. Wang, X. Zhao, J. Jin, Q. Shen, Z. Li*, X. Qu, L. Jiao, Y. Liu*, Z. Guo*, Na_3.4MnV_0.2Cr_0.2Ti_0.6(PO₄)₃ cathode with ultrahigh energy density and remarkable cycling stability toward practical Na-ion batteries. Mater. Today 2025, DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.03.010.
2. A. Reupert, H. Schleicher, Y. Hu*, S. Fuchs, M. Dillenz, C. N. Borca, T. Huthwelker, A. Groß, M. Fichtner*, Z. Li*, Solid-State Synthesis of Phase-Pure Micron-Sized Patrónite Vanadium Tetrasulfide towards Practical Magnesium Batteries. Small Struct. 2025, DOI: 10.1002/sstr.202400518.
3. C. Jin, Y. Wang, X. Zhao, J. Jin, Z. Li*, X. Qu, L. Jiao, Y. Liu*, Entropy Driving “Quasi-Zero Strain” Stepwise Multicationic Redox Chemistry Toward a High-Performance NASICON-Cathode for Na-Ion Batteries. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025, 2422101. 
4. Z. Li*⁺, S. Cui⁺, J. Häcker, M. Nojabaee, M. Fichtner, G. Cui*, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Calcium Chemistry as A New Member of Post-Lithium Battery Family: What Can We Learn from Sodium and Magnesium Systems. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202415942. 
5. L. Gao, F. Li, G. Zeng, X. Jin, Z. Li*, C. Wang*, Stabilizing 4.6 V LiCoO₂ via Surface-to-Bulk Titanium Modification. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025, 35, 2416338.
6. M. R. Palacin, P. Johansson, R. Dominko, B. Dlugatch, D. Aurbach, Z. Li, M. Fichtner et al., Roadmap on multivalent batteries. J. Phys. Energy 2024, 6,031501. 
7. H. Shi, G. Wang, Z. Wang, L. Yang, S. Zhang, S. Dong, B. Qu, A. Du*, Z. Li*, X. Zhou, G. Cui*, Understanding the Cathode-Electrolyte Interfacial Chemistry in Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries. Adv. Sci. 2024, 2401536. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202401536.
8. A. Roy, M. Sotoudeh, S. Dinda, Y. Tang, C. Kübel, A. Groß, Z. Zhao-Karger, M. Fichtner, Z. Li*, Improving rechargeable magnesium batteries through dual cation co-intercalation strategy. Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 492
9. Z. Li*, A. Welle, S. Vincent, L. Wang, S. Fuchs, S. Riedel, A. Roy, D. Bosubabu, J. M. García-Lastra, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger, Addressing the Sluggish Kinetics of Sulfur Redox for High‐Energy Mg–S Batteries. Adv. Energy Mater. 2023, 2302905. DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202302905
10. D. Bier, Z. Li*, S. Klyatskaya*, N. Sbei, A. Roy, S. Riedel, M. Fichtner, M. Ruben*, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Long Cycle-Life Ca Batteries with Poly(anthraquinonylsulfide) Cathodes and Ca−Sn Alloy Anodes. ChemSusChem 2023, e202300932.
11. Z. Li*, J. Häcker, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Cathode Materials and Chemistries for Magnesium Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities. Adv. Energy Mater. 2023, 2300682. Back Cover 
12. J. A. Blázquez*, R. R. Maça, O. Leonet, E. Azaceta, A. Mukherjee, Z. Zhao-Karger, Z. Li, A. Kovalevsky, A. Fernández-Barquín, A. R. Mainar, P. Jankowski, L. Rademacher, S. Dey, S. E. Dutton, C. P. Grey, J. Drews, J. Häcker, T. Danner, A. Latz, D. Sotta, M. R. Palacin, J.-F. Martin, J. M. G. Lastra, M. Fichtner, S. Kundu, A. Kraytsberg, Y. Ein-Eli, M. Noked*, D. Aurbach*, A practical perspective on the potential of rechargeable Mg batteries. Energy Environ. Sci. 2023, 16, 1964-1981.
13. Y. Xiu, A. Mauri, S. Dinda, Y. Pramudya, Z. Ding, T. Diemant, A. Sarkar, L. Wang, Z. Li, W. Wenzel, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Anion Storage Chemistry of Organic Cathodes for High‐Energy and High‐Power Density Divalent Metal Batteries. Angew. Chem.-Int. Edit. 2023, 62, e202212339.
14. Z. Zhao-Karger*, Y. Xiu, Z. Li, A. Reupert, T. Smok, M. Fichtner, Calcium-tin alloys as anodes for rechargeable non-aqueous calcium-ion batteries at room temperature. Nat. Commun. 2022, 13, 3849.
15. L. Wang*, Z. Li, Z. Meng, Y. Xiu, B. Dasari, Z. Zhao-Karger*, M. Fichtner*, Designing Gel Polymer Electrolyte with Synergetic Properties for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries. Energy Storage Mater. 2022, 48, 155-163.
16. L. Wang*, P. Jankowski, C. Njel, W. Bauer, Z. Li, Z. Meng, B. Dasari, T. Vegge, J. M. G. Lastra, Z. Zhao-Karger*, M. Fichtner*, Dual Role of Mo 6 S 8 in Polysulfide Conversion and Shuttle for Mg–S Batteries. Adv. Sci. 2022, 9, 2104605.
17. A. Roy, V. Bhagavathi Parambath, T. Diemant, G. Neusser, C. Kranz, R. J. Behm, Z. Li*, Z. Zhao-Karger, M. Fichtner, Investigation of the Anode‐Electrolyte Interface in a Magnesium Full‐Cell with Fluorinated Alkoxyborate‐Based Electrolyte. Batteries & Supercaps 2022, 5, e202100305.
18. P. Jankowski*, Z. Li, Z. Zhao-Karger, T. Diemant, M. Fichtner, T. Vegge, J. M. G. Lastra, Development of Magnesium Borate Electrolytes: Explaining the Success of Mg[B(hfip)4]2 Salt. Energy Storage Mater. 2022, 45, 1133-1143.
19. D. Bosubabu*, Z. Li, Z. Meng, L.-P. Wang, M. Fichtner*, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Mitigating self-discharge and improving the performance of Mg–S battery in Mg[B(hfip)4]2 electrolyte with a protective interlayer. J. Mater. Chem. A 2021, 9, 25150-25159.
20. K. Wang, W. Hua, Z. Li*, Q. Wang, C. Kübel, X. Mu*, New Insight into Desodiation/Sodiation Mechanism of MoS2: Sodium Insertion in Amorphous Mo–S Clusters, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 13, 40481-40488.
21. Z. Li*, T. Diemant, Z. Meng, Y. Xiu, A. Reupert, L. Wang, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Establishing a Stable Anode–Electrolyte Interface in Mg Batteries by Electrolyte Additive, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 13, 33123-33132.
22. Y. Xiu, Z. Li*, V. Bhaghavathi Parambath, Z. Ding, L. Wang, A. Reupert, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger*, Combining Quinone-Based Cathode with an Efficient Borate Electrolyte for High-Performance Magnesium Batteries, Batteries & Supercaps 2021, 4, 1850.
23. Z. Li, B. P. Vinayan, T. Diemant, R. J. Behm, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger*. Rechargeable Calcium–Sulfur Batteries Enabled by an Efficient Borate-Based Electrolyte. Small 2020, 2001806. Back Inside Cover
24. Z. Li*, B. P. Vinayan, P. Jankowski, C. Njel, A. Roy, T. Vegge, J. Maibach, J. M. G. Lastra, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger*. Multi-electron reactions enabled by anion-participated redox chemistry for high-energy multivalent rechargeable batteries. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 11483.
25. Z. Li, O. Fuhr, M. Fichtner, Z. Zhao-Karger, Towards stable and efficient electrolytes for room-temperature rechargeable calcium batteries, Energy & Environ. Sci. 2019, 12, 3496-3501 Back Cover and Featured by Nature
26. Z. Li*, S. Liu, B.P. Vinayan, Z. Zhao-Karger, T. Diemant, K. Wang, R. Jürgen Behm, C. Kübel, R. Klingeler, M. Fichtner, Hetero-layered MoS2/C composites enabling ultrafast and durable Na storage, Energy Storage Materials, 2019, 21, 115-123.
27. Z. Li*, A. Ottmann, Q. Sun, A. K. Kast, K. Wang, T. Zhang, H. Meyer, C. Backes, C. Kuebel, R. R. Schröder, J. Xiang, Y. Vaynzof and R. Klingeler, Hierarchical MoS2-carbon porous nanorods towards atomic interfacial engineering for high-performance lithium storage, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 7553-7564.
28. Z. Li*+, X. Mu+, Z. Zhao-Karger*, T. Diemant, R. J. Behm, C. Kübel, M. Fichtner, Fast kinetics of multivalent intercalation chemistry enabled by solvated magnesium-ions into self-established metallic layered materials, Nat. Commun. 2018, 9, 5115. Featured in Nat. Commun. Editors' Highlights

 

Book Chapters:

1. Z. Li*, L. Wang, S. P. Bautista, M. Weil, in Encyclopedia of Electrochemical Power Sources 2nd Edition (Ed.: J. Garche), Elsevier, 2023, in press.