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9 pages, 2161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Designing Spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ Electrode as Anode Material for Poly(ethylene)oxide-Based Solid-State Batteries

by Ander Orue Mendizabal, Nuria Gomez, Frédéric Aguesse and Pedro López-Aranguren

Materials 2021, 14(5), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14051213 - 4 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2984

The development of a promising Li metal solid-state battery (SSB) is currently hindered by the instability of Li metal during electrodeposition; which is the main cause of dendrite growth and cell failure at elevated currents. The replacement of Li metal anode by spinel [...] Read more.

The development of a promising Li metal solid-state battery (SSB) is currently hindered by the instability of Li metal during electrodeposition; which is the main cause of dendrite growth and cell failure at elevated currents. The replacement of Li metal anode by spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) in SSBs would avoid such problems, endowing the battery with its excellent features such as long cycling performance, high safety and easy fabrication. In the present work, we provide an evaluation of the electrochemical properties of poly(ethylene)oxide (PEO)-based solid-state batteries using LTO as the active material. Electrode laminates have been developed and optimized using electronic conductive additives with different morphologies such as carbon black and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The electrochemical performance of the electrodes was assessed on half-cells using a PEO-based solid electrolyte and a lithium metal anode. The optimized electrodes displayed an enhanced capability rate, delivering 150 mAh g⁻¹ at C/2, and a stable lifespan over 140 cycles at C/20 with a capacity retention of 83%. Moreover, postmortem characterization did not evidence any morphological degradation of the components after ageing, highlighting the long-cycling feature of the LTO electrodes. The present results bring out the opportunity to build high-performance solid-state batteries using LTO as anode material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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9 pages, 2659 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synthesis, Bottom up Assembly and Thermoelectric Properties of Sb-Doped PbS Nanocrystal Building Blocks

by Doris Cadavid, Kaya Wei, Yu Liu, Yu Zhang, Mengyao Li, Aziz Genç, Taisiia Berestok, Maria Ibáñez, Alexey Shavel, George S. Nolas and Andreu Cabot

Materials 2021, 14(4), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14040853 - 10 Feb 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3265

Abstract

The precise engineering of thermoelectric materials using nanocrystals as their building blocks has proven to be an excellent strategy to increase energy conversion efficiency. Here we present a synthetic route to produce Sb-doped PbS colloidal nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are then consolidated into nanocrystalline [...] Read more.

The precise engineering of thermoelectric materials using nanocrystals as their building blocks has proven to be an excellent strategy to increase energy conversion efficiency. Here we present a synthetic route to produce Sb-doped PbS colloidal nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are then consolidated into nanocrystalline PbS:Sb using spark plasma sintering. We demonstrate that the introduction of Sb significantly influences the size, geometry, crystal lattice and especially the carrier concentration of PbS. The increase of charge carrier concentration achieved with the introduction of Sb translates into an increase of the electrical and thermal conductivities and a decrease of the Seebeck coefficient. Overall, PbS:Sb nanomaterial were characterized by two-fold higher thermoelectric figures of merit than undoped PbS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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18 pages, 21974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Co₃O₄ from Cobalt/2,6-Napthalenedicarboxylic Acid Metal-Organic Framework as Electrode for Supercapacitor Application

by Ibnu Syafiq Imaduddin, Siti Rohana Majid, Shujahadeen B. Aziz, Iver Brevik, Siti Nor Farhana Yusuf, M. A. Brza, Salah R. Saeed and Mohd Fakhrul Zamani Abdul Kadir

Materials 2021, 14(3), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14030573 - 26 Jan 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3128

Abstract

In this study, cobalt-based metal-organic framework (MOF) powder was prepared via the solvothermal method using 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (NDC) as the organic linker and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. The thermal decomposition of the pristine cobalt-based MOF sample (CN-R) was identified using a thermogravimetric [...] Read more.

In this study, cobalt-based metal-organic framework (MOF) powder was prepared via the solvothermal method using 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (NDC) as the organic linker and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. The thermal decomposition of the pristine cobalt-based MOF sample (CN-R) was identified using a thermogravimetric examination (TGA). The morphology and structure of the MOFs were modified during the pyrolysis process at three different temperatures: 300, 400, and 500 °C, which labeled as CN-300, CN-400, and CN-500, respectively. The results were evidenced via field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallite size of all samples was calculated using Scherrer’s equation. The smallest crystallite size of 7.77 nm was calculated for the CN-300 sample. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra were acquired for all the samples. The graphical study of the cyclic voltammogram (CV) gave the reduction and oxidation peaks. The charge transfer resistance and ionic conductivity were studied using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) responses of all samples were analyzed. The relatively high specific capacitance of 229 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ was achieved in the sample CN-300, whereby 110% of capacitance was retained after 5000 cycles. These findings highlighted the durability of the electrode materials at high current densities over a long cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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21 pages, 2921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Porous Proton Ion Conducting Solid Polymer Blend Electrolytes Based on PVA: CS Polymers: Structural, Morphological and Electrochemical Properties

by Muaffaq M. Nofal, Shujahadeen B. Aziz, Jihad M. Hadi, Rebar T. Abdulwahid, Elham M. A. Dannoun, Ayub Shahab Marif, Shakhawan Al-Zangana, Qayyum Zafar, M. A. Brza and M. F. Z. Kadir

Materials 2020, 13(21), 4890; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214890 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 3374

Abstract

In this study, porous cationic hydrogen (H⁺) conducting polymer blend electrolytes with an amorphous structure were prepared using a casting technique. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), chitosan (CS), and NH₄SCN were used as raw materials. The peak broadening and drop in [...] Read more.

In this study, porous cationic hydrogen (H⁺) conducting polymer blend electrolytes with an amorphous structure were prepared using a casting technique. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), chitosan (CS), and NH₄SCN were used as raw materials. The peak broadening and drop in intensity of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the electrolyte systems established the growth of the amorphous phase. The porous structure is associated with the amorphous nature, which was visualized through the field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images. The enhancement of DC ionic conductivity with increasing salt content was observed up to 40 wt.% of the added salt. The dielectric and electric modulus results were helpful in understanding the ionic conductivity behavior. The transfer number measurement (TNM) technique was used to determine the ion (t_ion) and electron (t_elec) transference numbers. The high electrochemical stability up to 2.25 V was recorded using the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 6925 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Polytetrafluoroethylene Coated Micron Aluminium with Enhanced Oxidation

by Benbo Zhao, Shixiong Sun, Yunjun Luo and Yuan Cheng

Materials 2020, 13(15), 3384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13153384 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5523

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) powders of micron size are widely applied to energetic materials as a high energy fuel. However, its energy conversion efficiency is generally low due to low oxidation activity. In this paper, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating layer with both protection and activation [...] Read more.

Aluminium (Al) powders of micron size are widely applied to energetic materials as a high energy fuel. However, its energy conversion efficiency is generally low due to low oxidation activity. In this paper, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating layer with both protection and activation action was successfully introduced onto the surface of Al via adsorption and following heat treatment. The preparation conditions were optimized and the thermal activity of this core-shell composite material was studied. The potential enhancement mechanism for Al oxidation was proposed. The results showed that PTFE powders deformed into membrane on the surface of Al after the sintering process. This polymer shell could act as an effective passivation layer protecting internal Al from oxidation during aging. The reduction in metallic Al of Al/PTFE was decreased by 84.7%, more than that in original spherical Al when the aging time is 60 days. Moreover, PTFE could react with Al resulting in a thin AlF₃ layer, which could promote the destruction of Al₂O₃ shell. Thus, PTFE could enhance oxidation activity of micro-Al. The conversion of Al was increased by a factor of 1.8 when heated to 1100 °C. Improved aging-resistant performance and promoted oxidation activity of Al could potentially broaden its application in the field of energetic materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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10 pages, 7367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ab Initio Screening of Doped Mg(AlH₄)₂ Systems for Conversion-Type Lithium Storage

by Zhao Qian, Hongni Zhang, Guanzhong Jiang, Yanwen Bai, Yingying Ren, Wenzheng Du and Rajeev Ahuja

Materials 2019, 12(16), 2599; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12162599 - 15 Aug 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2792

Abstract

In this work, we have explored the potential applications of pure and various doped Mg(AlH₄)₂ as Li-ion battery conversion electrode materials using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Through the comparisons of the electrochemical specific capacity, the volume change, the average [...] Read more.

In this work, we have explored the potential applications of pure and various doped Mg(AlH₄)₂ as Li-ion battery conversion electrode materials using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Through the comparisons of the electrochemical specific capacity, the volume change, the average voltage, and the electronic bandgap, the Li-doped material is found to have a smaller bandgap and lower average voltage than the pure system. The theoretical specific capacity of the Li-doped material is 2547.64 mAhg⁻¹ with a volume change of 3.76% involving the electrode conversion reaction. The underlying reason for property improvement has been analyzed by calculating the electronic structures. The strong hybridization between Lis-state with H s-state influences the performance of the doped material. This theoretical research is proposed to help the design and modification of better light-metal hydride materials for Li-ion battery conversion electrode applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 4205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design, Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Ba-Doped Derivatives of SrCo_0.95Ru_0.05O_3−δ Perovskite as Cathode Materials for SOFCs

by Sabina Sydyknazar, Vanessa Cascos, Loreto Troncoso, Ana Laura Larralde, María Teresa Fernández-Díaz and José Antonio Alonso

Materials 2019, 12(12), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12121957 - 18 Jun 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3157

Abstract

We have designed and prepared a novel cathode material for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based on SrCo_0.95Ru_0.05O_3−δ perovskite. We have partially replaced Sr by Ba in Sr_0.9Ba_0.1Co_0.95Ru_0.05O_3−δ (SBCRO) [...] Read more.

We have designed and prepared a novel cathode material for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based on SrCo_0.95Ru_0.05O_3−δ perovskite. We have partially replaced Sr by Ba in Sr_0.9Ba_0.1Co_0.95Ru_0.05O_3−δ (SBCRO) in order to expand the unit-cell size, thereby improving the ionic diffusion of O²⁻ through the crystal lattice. The characterization of this new oxide has been studied at room temperature by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) experiments. At room temperature, SBCRO perovskite crystallizes in the P4/mmm tetragonal space group, as observed from NDP data. The maximum conductivity value of 18.6 S cm⁻¹ is observed at 850 °C. Polarization resistance measurements on LSGM electrolyte demonstrate an improvement in conductivity with respect to the parent Sr-only perovskite cathode. A good chemical compatibility and an adequate thermal expansion coefficient make this oxide auspicious for using it as a cathode in SOFC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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10 pages, 1883 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dual Oxygen Defects in Layered La_1.2Sr_0.8−xBa_xInO_4+δ (x = 0.2, 0.3) Oxide-Ion Conductors: A Neutron Diffraction Study

by Loreto Troncoso, Carlos Mariño, Mauricio D. Arce and José Antonio Alonso

Materials 2019, 12(10), 1624; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12101624 - 17 May 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3165

Abstract

The title compounds exhibit a K₂NiF₄-type layered perovskite structure; they are based on the La_1.2Sr_0.8InO_4+δ oxide, which was found to exhibit excellent features as fast oxide-ion conductor via an interstitial oxygen mechanism. These new [...] Read more.

The title compounds exhibit a K₂NiF₄-type layered perovskite structure; they are based on the La_1.2Sr_0.8InO_4+δ oxide, which was found to exhibit excellent features as fast oxide-ion conductor via an interstitial oxygen mechanism. These new Ba-containing materials were designed to present a more open framework to enhance oxygen conduction. The citrate-nitrate soft-chemistry technique was used to synthesize such structural perovskite-type materials, followed by annealing in air at moderate temperatures (1150 °C). The subtleties of their crystal structures were investigated from neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. They crystallize in the orthorhombic Pbca space group. Interstitial O3 oxygen atoms were identified by difference Fourier maps in the NaCl layer of the K₂NiF₄ structure. At variance with the parent compound, conspicuous oxygen vacancies were found at the O2-type oxygen atoms for x = 0.2, corresponding to the axial positions of the InO₆ octahedra. The short O2–O3 distances and the absence of steric impediments suggest a dual oxygen-interstitial mechanism for oxide-ion conduction in these materials. Conductivity measurements show that the activation energy values are comparable to those typical of ionic conductors working by simple vacancy mechanisms (~1 eV). The increment of the total conductivity for x = 0.2 can be due to the mixed mechanism driving both oxygen vacancies and interstitials, which is original for these potential electrolytes for solid-oxide fuel cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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9 pages, 4310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Micro-Segregated Liquid Crystal Haze Films for Photovoltaic Applications: A Novel Strategy to Fabricate Haze Films Employing Liquid Crystal Technology

by Jae-Hyun Bae, Eui Dae Jung, Yun Seok Nam, Byeong-Cheon Kim, Hyeon-Joon Choi, Hyun Gi Kim, Myoung Hoon Song and Suk-Won Choi

Materials 2018, 11(11), 2188; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11112188 - 5 Nov 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3786

Abstract

Herein, a novel strategy to fabricate haze films employing liquid crystal (LC) technology for photovoltaic (PV) applications is reported. We fabricated a high optical haze film composed of low-molecular LCs and polymer and applied the film to improve the energy conversion efficiency of [...] Read more.

Herein, a novel strategy to fabricate haze films employing liquid crystal (LC) technology for photovoltaic (PV) applications is reported. We fabricated a high optical haze film composed of low-molecular LCs and polymer and applied the film to improve the energy conversion efficiency of PV module. The technique utilized to fabricate our haze film is based on spontaneous polymerization-induced phase separation between LCs and polymers. With optimized fabrication conditions, the haze film exhibited an optical haze value over 95% at 550 nm. By simply attaching our haze film onto the front surface of a silicon-based PV module, an overall average enhancement of 2.8% in power conversion efficiency was achieved in comparison with a PV module without our haze film. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid State Materials for Energy Applications)

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