Nano-Metallic Materials for New Energy

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 7162

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081,China
Interests: nano energetic materials; initiation theory and technology; nano metal; thermal kinetics; energy release; 3D printing of energetic materials
School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: metallic fuels; composite ernergetic materials; polymer-bonded explosive; ignition and combustion; reaction kinetics of thermal oxidation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the increasing research in nanochemistry and nanotechnology, different techniques have been developed for synthesizing nanometallic materials of various natures, sizes and shapes. Recently, new insights into the atomic/molecular-scale description of interfacial regions have provided innovative ways to control the properties of these nanometallic materials. The advantages of these new nanometallic materials, including the addition of further ingredients into the energy devices, make it possible to reach not only high energy density, excellent output power and high energy exchange efficiency, but also introduce the possibility of improving service life and safety. As a kind of highly reactive material, they should lead to major breakthroughs in Li-ion batteries, fuel cells, thrusters, actuators and propulsion-related energetic devices, and in small-size integrated pyrotechnic devices.

  • The design and preparation of nano metallic fuels;
  • The reaction kinetics of thermal oxidation;
  • The ignition and combustion performance;
  • Applications in propellants and explosives;
  • Applications in energetic devices;
  • High calorific value alloy fuels;
  • The moisture resistance and oxidation resistance;
  • Advanced characterization methods of nano composites.

Prof. Dr. Hui Ren
Dr. Shi Yan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nano metal
  • nano energic devices
  • prepare
  • characterization
  • microstructure
  • energy release
  • output power
  • safety
  • storage stability

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 5100 KiB  
Article
Cu2−xS and Cu2−xSe Alloys: Investigating the Influence of Ag, Zn, and Ni Doping on Structure and Transport Behavior
by Andrzej Mikuła, Tomasz Kurek, Miłosz Kożusznik and Paweł Nieroda
Metals 2024, 14(3), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14030360 - 20 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1227
Abstract
Cu2−xS and Cu2−xSe (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) alloys stand out as highly promising materials for thermoelectric applications, owing to the phonon–liquid electron–crystal (PLEC) convention. In this study, we undertake a comprehensive investigation to reassess the synthesis [...] Read more.
Cu2−xS and Cu2−xSe (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) alloys stand out as highly promising materials for thermoelectric applications, owing to the phonon–liquid electron–crystal (PLEC) convention. In this study, we undertake a comprehensive investigation to reassess the synthesis conditions, with a focus on achieving pure-phased systems through a direct reaction between elements at elevated temperatures. Simultaneously, we present experimental evidence showcasing the feasibility of doping these systems with Ag, Ni, and Zn. The study demonstrates that obtaining single-phased systems requires multi-step processes, and the dissolution of chosen impurities appears doubtful, as evidenced by numerous foreign phase segregations. Additionally, it is revealed that the partial dissolution of individual impurities deteriorates the operational parameters of these chalcogenides. For the optimal Cu1.97S composition, it reduces the thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT from 1.5 to approximately 1.0, 0.65, and 0.85 for Ag-, Ni-, and Zn-doped systems, respectively, while marginally improving their stability. For metal-like Cu1.8Se, the ZT parameter remains at a low level, ranging between 0.09 and 0.15, showing slight destabilization during subsequent operating cycles. The article concludes with an in-depth analysis of the basic thermoelectric performance exhibited by these doped systems, contributing valuable insights into the potential enhancements and applications of Cu2−xS and Cu2−xSe alloys in the field of thermoelectric materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Metallic Materials for New Energy)
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14 pages, 4980 KiB  
Article
Controllable Synthesis of Flower-like Hierarchical CuCo2S4 Nanostructure Arrays for High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors
by Man Li, Ningning Yu, Lei Xu, Wenyu Wang, Fuxiang Wei, Jiqiu Qi and Yanwei Sui
Metals 2024, 14(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14020145 - 24 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1198
Abstract
Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) are considered as attractive materials in the areas of energy storage because of their unique redox properties, excellent electronic conductivity, as well as environmental friendliness. However, poor cyclic stability and limited electrochemical active sites hinder their further application. To [...] Read more.
Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) are considered as attractive materials in the areas of energy storage because of their unique redox properties, excellent electronic conductivity, as well as environmental friendliness. However, poor cyclic stability and limited electrochemical active sites hinder their further application. To address this issue, a flower-like hierarchical CuCo2S4 structure is constructed by a two-step hydrothermal method. In this nanostructure, CuCo2S4 grows outward to form a tightly bound hierarchical structure on the nickel foams (NFs). This oriented structure can provide more laminar gaps for electrolyte ion diffusion, exposing more reaction sites to increase the ion transport efficiency between the layers, reducing the ion transport resistance and improving the reaction kinetics. Thus, the CuCo2S4 electrode exhibits excellent energy storage performance, exhibiting a high specific capacity of 1415.6 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. After 10,000 cycles of 10 A g−1, it still has 91.9% of the initial performance. In addition, an asymmetrical supercapacitor (ASC) was constructed by choosing CuCo2S4 as the anode and RGO as the cathode, which has the maximum energy density (61.8 Wh Kg−1) at 812.1 W Kg−1 and significant cycling endurance (92.05% retention) at 10,000 turns. Briefly, the researchers successfully constructed an array of CuCo2S4 flower-like hierarchical nanostructures and confirmed their potential application in supercapacitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Metallic Materials for New Energy)
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15 pages, 13638 KiB  
Article
Improved Combustion Performance of Fluororubber-Coated Micro-Nano Composite Aluminum Powder
by Xinzhou Wu, Hui Ren and Qingjie Jiao
Metals 2023, 13(3), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13030556 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1811
Abstract
In order to improve the reaction rate and reaction degree of aluminized explosives, the micro-nano composite aluminum powder was fabricated by a new method of in situ electro-explosion. The combustion performances of the composite aluminum powder were studied. The results showed that the [...] Read more.
In order to improve the reaction rate and reaction degree of aluminized explosives, the micro-nano composite aluminum powder was fabricated by a new method of in situ electro-explosion. The combustion performances of the composite aluminum powder were studied. The results showed that the micro-nano composite aluminum powder was like a “sea urchin structure” with many nano-sized powders around a single micro-sized aluminum particle. The heat of combustion was 25.67 MJ/kg at 3 MPa oxygen pressure, and the rising rate of pressure was particularly obvious. The ignition performance in an air environment was much better than the micro-sized aluminum powder. At the same time, the reaction process of the micro-nano composite aluminum powder was analyzed. The reaction can be divided into three stages, the decomposition of fluororubber between 500 and 600 °C, then melting, and the first step of the oxidation of aluminum powder occurred between 600 and 700 °C. In the third stage, the micro-nano composite aluminum powder reacted violently around 1000 °C and the released energy reached 3779 J/g. The micro-nano composite aluminum powder had excellent combustion performance and a good application prospect in high-power energy storage materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Metallic Materials for New Energy)
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12 pages, 2257 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Analysis, and Characterization of Aluminum Nanoparticles Coated with 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
by Guanyi Wang, Huixin Wang, Qingzhong Cui, Xiaoping Li, Xingyu Wu, Hongzhe Liao and Zhe Zhang
Metals 2023, 13(2), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13020322 - 5 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2276
Abstract
In this study, to solve the problem of low activity of aluminum nanoparticles in combustion, aluminum nanoparticles were coated with 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (C8H18-Al), enabling the deactivation of aluminum nanoparticles to be effectively inhibited. The morphological characteristics, particle size distribution, chemical [...] Read more.
In this study, to solve the problem of low activity of aluminum nanoparticles in combustion, aluminum nanoparticles were coated with 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (C8H18-Al), enabling the deactivation of aluminum nanoparticles to be effectively inhibited. The morphological characteristics, particle size distribution, chemical state, and thermal properties of C8H18-Al were characterized via SEM, TEM, DLS, XPS, and TG-DSC. The stability and energy performance of C8H18-Al were studied based on the national standard test method. The results showed that C8H18-Al had a typical shell–core structure with a smooth surface and good sphericity. The particle size was normally distributed, and the content of active aluminum nanoparticles was high (85.45%), with good thermal stability and a fast energy release rate (about four times that of ordinary nano aluminum particles). The results demonstrated that an in situ C8H18 coating is beneficial for the preparation of structurally stable aluminum nanoparticle composites with good performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Metallic Materials for New Energy)
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