materials-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Electrode Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2015) | Viewed by 98921

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Interests: batteries; post-lithium batteries, electrochemical nitrogen reduction; hybrid photovoltaics; biosourced polymers; dye-sensitized solar cells; integrated energy devices polymer electrolytes; sustainable ammonia production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Group for Applied Materials and Electrochemistry – GAMELab, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: lithium-based and post-lithium batteries; polymer electrolytes; nanostructured electrodes; sustainable polymers and processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equality, and an environment that allows the world to thrive. Infinitely cheap, safe, and environmentally friendly energy production, conversion, and storage provide a vision of a future oasis. In such a scenario, exploring renewable, efficient, and green energy sources is the greatest challenge to be overcome for sustainable human progress.

Innovation is one of the key strategies for overcoming the aforesaid challenge and nanotechnology represents the most promising solution. Materials at the nanometer scale show completely different properties than those we are used to in our everyday lives. Understanding these nanomaterials' huge potentialities and learning how to exploit them in real devices opens up new, extraordinary opportunities.

The field of alternative energy is certainly the most challenging platform for some of nanotechnology’s most exciting contributions. In this respect, the development of new types of high performance electrode materials, along with advancements in their chemistry, represent methods of surpassing the efficiencies and electrochemical performances of anodes and cathodes currently used. Nanotechnology is a prospective solution for meeting the demand for highly efficient energy production and storage, such as in third generation photovoltaics, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and secondary batteries (e.g., Li and Na-based batteries).

The main focus of the forthcoming “Electrode Materials” Special Issue is to present a comprehensive overview of the new developments in nanostructured materials that will profoundly influence real advancements in electrochemical energy production, storage, and conversion technologies, so as to offer promising prospects for addressing rapidly growing environmental concerns and increasing global energy demand. Innovative material designs, novel green and sustainable chemical synthesis and processing, advanced materials characterization, and electrochemical evaluation data are all encompassed within the scope of this Special Issue.

We kindly invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all warmly welcome.

Dr. Federico Bella; Dr. Claudio Gerbaldi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • anodes and cathodes
  • nanostructures
  • energy production, conversion and storage
  • hybrid systems
  • organic electrodes
  • electrode/electrolyte interface phenomena, electrochemical characterization
  • manufacturing, formation, processing, and production techniques
  • safety, reliability, cell design, and engineering
  • lifetime and degradation
  • Recycling and sustainability
  • microfluidic architectures

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (13 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

1943 KiB  
Article
Spin-Coated vs. Electrodeposited Mn Oxide Films as Water Oxidation Catalysts
by Simelys Hernández, Carminna Ottone, Sara Varetti, Marco Fontana, Diego Pugliese, Guido Saracco, Barbara Bonelli and Marco Armandi
Materials 2016, 9(4), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9040296 - 19 Apr 2016
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6766
Abstract
Manganese oxides (MnOx), being active, inexpensive and low-toxicity materials, are considered promising water oxidation catalysts (WOCs). This work reports the preparation and the physico-chemical and electrochemical characterization of spin-coated (SC) films of commercial Mn2O3, Mn3O [...] Read more.
Manganese oxides (MnOx), being active, inexpensive and low-toxicity materials, are considered promising water oxidation catalysts (WOCs). This work reports the preparation and the physico-chemical and electrochemical characterization of spin-coated (SC) films of commercial Mn2O3, Mn3O4 and MnO2 powders. Spin coating consists of few preparation steps and employs green chemicals (i.e., ethanol, acetic acid, polyethylene oxide and water). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time SC has been used for the preparation of stable powder-based WOCs electrodes. For comparison, MnOx films were also prepared by means of electrodeposition (ED) and tested under the same conditions, at neutral pH. Particular interest was given to α-Mn2O3-based films, since Mn (III) species play a crucial role in the electrocatalytic oxidation of water. To this end, MnO2-based SC and ED films were calcined at 500 °C, in order to obtain the desired α-Mn2O3 crystalline phase. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were performed to study both electrode charge transport properties and electrode–electrolyte charge transfer kinetics. Long-term stability tests and oxygen/hydrogen evolution measurements were also made on the highest-performing samples and their faradaic efficiencies were quantified, with results higher than 95% for the Mn2O3 SC film, finally showing that the SC technique proposed here is a simple and reliable method to study the electrocatalytic behavior of pre-synthesized WOCs powders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3714 KiB  
Article
Lignin as a Binder Material for Eco-Friendly Li-Ion Batteries
by Huiran Lu, Ann Cornell, Fernando Alvarado, Mårten Behm, Simon Leijonmarck, Jiebing Li, Per Tomani and Göran Lindbergh
Materials 2016, 9(3), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9030127 - 25 Feb 2016
Cited by 62 | Viewed by 10515
Abstract
The industrial lignin used here is a byproduct from Kraft pulp mills, extracted from black liquor. Since lignin is inexpensive, abundant and renewable, its utilization has attracted more and more attention. In this work, lignin was used for the first time as binder [...] Read more.
The industrial lignin used here is a byproduct from Kraft pulp mills, extracted from black liquor. Since lignin is inexpensive, abundant and renewable, its utilization has attracted more and more attention. In this work, lignin was used for the first time as binder material for LiFePO4 positive and graphite negative electrodes in Li-ion batteries. A procedure for pretreatment of lignin, where low-molecular fractions were removed by leaching, was necessary to obtain good battery performance. The lignin was analyzed for molecular mass distribution and thermal behavior prior to and after the pretreatment. Electrodes containing active material, conductive particles and lignin were cast on metal foils, acting as current collectors and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. Good reversible capacities were obtained, 148 mAh·g−1 for the positive electrode and 305 mAh·g−1 for the negative electrode. Fairly good rate capabilities were found for both the positive electrode with 117 mAh·g−1 and the negative electrode with 160 mAh·g−1 at 1C. Low ohmic resistance also indicated good binder functionality. The results show that lignin is a promising candidate as binder material for electrodes in eco-friendly Li-ion batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

5008 KiB  
Article
Controllable Electrochemical Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide Thin-Film Constructed as Efficient Photoanode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Soon Weng Chong, Chin Wei Lai and Sharifah Bee Abd Hamid
Materials 2016, 9(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9020069 - 25 Jan 2016
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7288
Abstract
A controllable electrochemical synthesis to convert reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from graphite flakes was introduced and investigated in detail. Electrochemical reduction was used to prepare rGO because of its cost effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and ability to produce rGO thin films in industrial scale. [...] Read more.
A controllable electrochemical synthesis to convert reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from graphite flakes was introduced and investigated in detail. Electrochemical reduction was used to prepare rGO because of its cost effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and ability to produce rGO thin films in industrial scale. This study aimed to determine the optimum applied potential for the electrochemical reduction. An applied voltage of 15 V successfully formed a uniformly coated rGO thin film, which significantly promoted effective electron transfer within dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Thus, DSSC performance improved. However, rGO thin films formed in voltages below or exceeding 15 V resulted in poor DSSC performance. This behavior was due to poor electron transfer within the rGO thin films caused by poor uniformity. These results revealed that DSSC constructed using 15 V rGO thin film exhibited high efficiency (η = 1.5211%) attributed to its higher surface uniformity than other samples. The addition of natural lemon juice (pH ~ 2.3) to the electrolyte accelerated the deposition and strengthened the adhesion of rGO thin film onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glasses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3590 KiB  
Article
Heteroatom Doped-Carbon Nanospheres as Anodes in Lithium Ion Batteries
by George S. Pappas, Stefania Ferrari, Xiaobin Huang, Rohit Bhagat, David M. Haddleton and Chaoying Wan
Materials 2016, 9(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9010035 - 9 Jan 2016
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 8514
Abstract
Long cycle performance is a crucial requirement in energy storage devices. New formulations and/or improvement of “conventional” materials have been investigated in order to achieve this target. Here we explore the performance of a novel type of carbon nanospheres (CNSs) with three heteroatom [...] Read more.
Long cycle performance is a crucial requirement in energy storage devices. New formulations and/or improvement of “conventional” materials have been investigated in order to achieve this target. Here we explore the performance of a novel type of carbon nanospheres (CNSs) with three heteroatom co-doped (nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur) and high specific surface area as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The CNSs were obtained from carbonization of highly-crosslinked organo (phosphazene) nanospheres (OPZs) of 300 nm diameter. The OPZs were synthesized via a single and facile step of polycondensation reaction between hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and 4,4′-sulphonyldiphenol (BPS). The X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed a high heteroatom-doping content in the structure of CNSs while the textural evaluation from the N2 sorption isotherms revealed the presence of micro- and mesopores and a high specific surface area of 875 m2/g. The CNSs anode showed remarkable stability and coulombic efficiency in a long charge–discharge cycling up to 1000 cycles at 1C rate, delivering about 130 mA·h·g−1. This study represents a step toward smart engineering of inexpensive materials with practical applications for energy devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

1391 KiB  
Article
A Critical Evaluation of the Influence of the Dark Exchange Current on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Rodrigo García-Rodríguez, Julio Villanueva-Cab, Juan A. Anta and Gerko Oskam
Materials 2016, 9(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9010033 - 8 Jan 2016
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6125
Abstract
The influence of the thickness of the nanostructured, mesoporous TiO2 film on several parameters determining the performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. We pay special attention to the effect of the exchange current density in the [...] Read more.
The influence of the thickness of the nanostructured, mesoporous TiO2 film on several parameters determining the performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. We pay special attention to the effect of the exchange current density in the dark, and we compare the values obtained by steady state measurements with values extracted from small perturbation techniques. We also evaluate the influence of exchange current density, the solar cell ideality factor, and the effective absorption coefficient of the cell on the optimal film thickness. The results show that the exchange current density in the dark is proportional to the TiO2 film thickness, however, the effective absorption coefficient is the parameter that ultimately defines the ideal thickness. We illustrate the importance of the exchange current density in the dark on the determination of the current–voltage characteristics and we show how an important improvement of the cell performance can be achieved by decreasing values of the total series resistance and the exchange current density in the dark. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

3036 KiB  
Article
First-Principles Study of Mo Segregation in MoNi(111): Effects of Chemisorbed Atomic Oxygen
by Yanlin Yu, Wei Xiao, Jianwei Wang and Ligen Wang
Materials 2016, 9(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9010005 - 26 Dec 2015
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6056 | Correction
Abstract
Segregation at metal alloy surfaces is an important issue because many electrochemical and catalytic properties are directly correlated to the surface composition. We have performed density functional theory calculations for Mo segregation in MoNi(111) in the presence of chemisorbed atomic oxygen. In particular, [...] Read more.
Segregation at metal alloy surfaces is an important issue because many electrochemical and catalytic properties are directly correlated to the surface composition. We have performed density functional theory calculations for Mo segregation in MoNi(111) in the presence of chemisorbed atomic oxygen. In particular, the coverage dependence and possible adsorption-induced segregation phenomena are addressed by investigating segregation energies of the Mo atom in MoNi(111). The theoretical calculated results show that the Mo atom prefers to be embedded in the bulk for the clean MoNi(111), while it segregates to the top-most layer when the oxygen coverage is thicker than 1/9 monolayer (ML). Furthermore, we analyze the densities of states for the clean and oxygen-chemisorbed MoNi(111), and see a strong covalent bonding between Mo d-band states and O p-states. The present study provides valuable insight for exploring practical applications of Ni-based alloys as hydrogen evolution electrodes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

2345 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Supported Pd-Based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Performance, Durability and Methanol Tolerance
by Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Cinthia Alegre, David Sebastián, Alessandro Stassi, Antonino S. Aricò and Vincenzo Baglio
Materials 2015, 8(12), 7997-8008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8125438 - 25 Nov 2015
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6212
Abstract
Next generation cathode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) must have high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a lower cost than benchmark Pt catalysts, and high stability and high tolerance to permeated methanol. In this study, palladium catalysts supported [...] Read more.
Next generation cathode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) must have high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a lower cost than benchmark Pt catalysts, and high stability and high tolerance to permeated methanol. In this study, palladium catalysts supported on titanium suboxides (Pd/TinO2n–1) were prepared by the sulphite complex route. The aim was to improve methanol tolerance and lower the cost associated with the noble metal while enhancing the stability through the use of titanium-based support; 30% Pd/Ketjenblack (Pd/KB) and 30% Pd/Vulcan (Pd/Vul) were also synthesized for comparison, using the same methodology. The catalysts were ex-situ characterized by physico-chemical analysis and investigated for the ORR to evaluate their activity, stability, and methanol tolerance properties. The Pd/KB catalyst showed the highest activity towards the ORR in perchloric acid solution. All Pd-based catalysts showed suitable tolerance to methanol poisoning, leading to higher ORR activity than a benchmark Pt/C catalyst in the presence of low methanol concentration. Among them, the Pd/TinO2n–1 catalyst showed a very promising stability compared to carbon-supported Pd samples in an accelerated degradation test of 1000 potential cycles. These results indicate good perspectives for the application of Pd/TinO2n–1 catalysts in DMFC cathodes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

5310 KiB  
Article
3D Microstructure Effects in Ni-YSZ Anodes: Influence of TPB Lengths on the Electrochemical Performance
by Omar M. Pecho, Andreas Mai, Beat Münch, Thomas Hocker, Robert J. Flatt and Lorenz Holzer
Materials 2015, 8(10), 7129-7144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8105370 - 21 Oct 2015
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7027
Abstract
3D microstructure-performance relationships in Ni-YSZ anodes for electrolyte-supported cells are investigated in terms of the correlation between the triple phase boundary (TPB) length and polarization resistance (Rpol). Three different Ni-YSZ anodes of varying microstructure are subjected to eight reduction-oxidation (redox) [...] Read more.
3D microstructure-performance relationships in Ni-YSZ anodes for electrolyte-supported cells are investigated in terms of the correlation between the triple phase boundary (TPB) length and polarization resistance (Rpol). Three different Ni-YSZ anodes of varying microstructure are subjected to eight reduction-oxidation (redox) cycles at 950 °C. In general the TPB lengths correlate with anode performance. However, the quantitative results also show that there is no simplistic relationship between TPB and Rpol. The degradation mechanism strongly depends on the initial microstructure. Finer microstructures exhibit lower degradation rates of TPB and Rpol. In fine microstructures, TPB loss is found to be due to Ni coarsening, while in coarse microstructures reduction of active TPB results mainly from loss of YSZ percolation. The latter is attributed to weak bottlenecks associated with lower sintering activity of the coarse YSZ. The coarse anode suffers from complete loss of YSZ connectivity and associated drop of TPBactive by 93%. Surprisingly, this severe microstructure degradation did not lead to electrochemical failure. Mechanistic scenarios are discussed for different anode microstructures. These scenarios are based on a model for coupled charge transfer and transport, which allows using TPB and effective properties as input. The mechanistic scenarios describe the microstructure influence on current distributions, which explains the observed complex relationship between TPB lengths and anode performances. The observed loss of YSZ percolation in the coarse anode is not detrimental because the electrochemical activity is concentrated in a narrow active layer. The anode performance can be predicted reliably if the volume-averaged properties (TPBactive, effective ionic conductivity) are corrected for the so-called short-range effect, which is particularly important in cases with a narrow active layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

2499 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Coral-Like Cu2O Nano/Microstructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Chih-Hung Tsai, Po-Hsi Fei and Chih-Han Chen
Materials 2015, 8(9), 5715-5729; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8095274 - 31 Aug 2015
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7639
Abstract
In this study, a chemical oxidation method was employed to fabricate coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures on Cu foils as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The Cu2O nano/microstructures were prepared at various sintering temperatures (400, 500, 600 and 700 °C) to investigate [...] Read more.
In this study, a chemical oxidation method was employed to fabricate coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures on Cu foils as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The Cu2O nano/microstructures were prepared at various sintering temperatures (400, 500, 600 and 700 °C) to investigate the influences of the sintering temperature on the DSSC characteristics. First, the Cu foil substrates were immersed in an aqueous solution containing (NH4)2S2O8 and NaOH. After reacting at 25 °C for 30 min, the Cu substrates were converted to Cu(OH)2 nanostructures. Subsequently, the nanostructures were subjected to nitrogen sintering, leading to Cu(OH)2 being dehydrated into CuO, which was then deoxidized to form coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures. The material properties of the Cu2O CEs were comprehensively determined using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope, and cyclic voltameter. The Cu2O CEs sintered at various temperatures were used in DSSC devices and analyzed according to the current density–voltage characteristics, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, and electrochemical impedance characteristics. The Cu2O CEs sintered at 600 °C exhibited the optimal electrode properties and DSSC performance, yielding a power conversion efficiency of 3.62%. The Cu2O CEs fabricated on Cu foil were generally mechanically flexible and could therefore be applied to flexible DSSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

8933 KiB  
Article
3D Microstructure Effects in Ni-YSZ Anodes: Prediction of Effective Transport Properties and Optimization of Redox Stability
by Omar M. Pecho, Ole Stenzel, Boris Iwanschitz, Philippe Gasser, Matthias Neumann, Volker Schmidt, Michel Prestat, Thomas Hocker, Robert J. Flatt and Lorenz Holzer
Materials 2015, 8(9), 5554-5585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8095265 - 26 Aug 2015
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 8278
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of microstructure on the effective ionic and electrical conductivities of Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) anodes. Fine, medium, and coarse microstructures are exposed to redox cycling at 950 °C. FIB (focused ion beam)-tomography and image analysis are used to quantify [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of microstructure on the effective ionic and electrical conductivities of Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) anodes. Fine, medium, and coarse microstructures are exposed to redox cycling at 950 °C. FIB (focused ion beam)-tomography and image analysis are used to quantify the effective (connected) volume fraction (Φeff), constriction factor (β), and tortuosity (τ). The effective conductivity (σeff) is described as the product of intrinsic conductivity (σ0) and the so-called microstructure-factor (M): σeff = σ0*M. Two different methods are used to evaluate the M-factor: (1) by prediction using a recently established relationship, Mpred = εβ0.365.17, and (2) by numerical simulation that provides conductivity, from which the simulated M-factor can be deduced (Msim). Both methods give complementary and consistent information about the effective transport properties and the redox degradation mechanism. The initial microstructure has a strong influence on effective conductivities and their degradation. Finer anodes have higher initial conductivities but undergo more intensive Ni coarsening. Coarser anodes have a more stable Ni phase but exhibit lower YSZ stability due to lower sintering activity. Consequently, in order to improve redox stability, it is proposed to use mixtures of fine and coarse powders in different proportions for functional anode and current collector layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

11058 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage: Organic Na Electrodes
by Viorica-Alina Oltean, Stéven Renault, Mario Valvo and Daniel Brandell
Materials 2016, 9(3), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9030142 - 1 Mar 2016
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 11086
Abstract
In this review, we summarize research efforts to realize Na-based organic materials for novel battery chemistries. Na is a more abundant element than Li, thereby contributing to less costly materials with limited to no geopolitical constraints while organic electrode materials harvested from biomass [...] Read more.
In this review, we summarize research efforts to realize Na-based organic materials for novel battery chemistries. Na is a more abundant element than Li, thereby contributing to less costly materials with limited to no geopolitical constraints while organic electrode materials harvested from biomass resources provide the possibility of achieving renewable battery components with low environmental impact during processing and recycling. Together, this can form the basis for truly sustainable electrochemical energy storage. We explore the efforts made on electrode materials of organic salts, primarily carbonyl compounds but also Schiff bases, unsaturated compounds, nitroxides and polymers. Moreover, sodiated carbonaceous materials derived from biomasses and waste products are surveyed. As a conclusion to the review, some shortcomings of the currently investigated materials are highlighted together with the major limitations for future development in this field. Finally, routes to move forward in this direction are suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

815 KiB  
Correction
Correction: First-Principles Study of Mo Segregation in MoNi(111): Effects of Chemisorbed Atomic Oxygen. Materials 2016, 9, 5
by Yanlin Yu, Wei Xiao, Jianwei Wang and Ligen Wang
Materials 2016, 9(5), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9050352 - 11 May 2016
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3883
Abstract
The authors wish to make the following corrections to this manuscript [1].[...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

2098 KiB  
Letter
Effects of the F4TCNQ-Doped Pentacene Interlayers on Performance Improvement of Top-Contact Pentacene-Based Organic Thin-Film Transistors
by Ching-Lin Fan, Wei-Chun Lin, Hsiang-Sheng Chang, Yu-Zuo Lin and Bohr-Ran Huang
Materials 2016, 9(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9010046 - 13 Jan 2016
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7951
Abstract
In this paper, the top-contact (TC) pentacene-based organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) with a tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ)-doped pentacene interlayer between the source/drain electrodes and the pentacene channel layer were fabricated using the co-evaporation method. Compared with a pentacene-based OTFT without an interlayer, OTFTs [...] Read more.
In this paper, the top-contact (TC) pentacene-based organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) with a tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ)-doped pentacene interlayer between the source/drain electrodes and the pentacene channel layer were fabricated using the co-evaporation method. Compared with a pentacene-based OTFT without an interlayer, OTFTs with an F4TCNQ:pentacene ratio of 1:1 showed considerably improved electrical characteristics. In addition, the dependence of the OTFT performance on the thickness of the F4TCNQ-doped pentacene interlayer is weaker than that on a Teflon interlayer. Therefore, a molecular doping-type F4TCNQ-doped pentacene interlayer is a suitable carrier injection layer that can improve the TC-OTFT performance and facilitate obtaining a stable process window. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrode Materials)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop