Operando Investigation of Zr Doping in NMC811 Cathode for High Energy Density Lithium Ion Batteries.

LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.

Hydride-Induced Reconstruction of Pd Electrode Surfaces: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study.

Designing electrocatalysts with optimal activity and selectivity relies on a thorough understanding of the surface structure under reaction conditions. In this study, experimental and computational approaches are combined to elucidate reconstruction processes on low-index Pd surfaces during H-insertion following proton electroreduction. While electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy clearly reveals pronounced surface roughening and morphological changes on Pd(111), Pd(110), and Pd(100) surfaces during cyclic voltammetry, a complementary analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry excludes Pd dissolution as the primary cause of the observed restructuring.

Structural, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of Laminate-Type Thin Film SWCNT/SiON Composites.

The development of new encapsulating coatings for flexible solar cells (SCs) can help address the complex problem of the short lifespan of these devices, as well as optimize the technological process of their production. In this study, new laminate-type protective composite coatings were prepared using a silicon oxynitride thin-film matrix obtained by curing the pre-ceramic polymer perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) through two low-temperature methods: (i) thermal annealing at 180 °C and (ii) exposure to UV radiation at wavelengths of 185 and 254 nm. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were used as fillers via dry transfer, facilitating their horizontal orientation within the matrix.

Understanding of a Ni-Rich O3-Layered Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Synthesis Mechanism and Al-Gradient Doping.

O3-type NaNiMnCoO (NaNMC811) cathode active materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), with a theoretical high specific capacity (∼ 187 mAh g), are in the preliminary exploration stage. This study comprehensively investigates NaNMC811 from multiple perspectives. For the first time, the phase evolution ( - - ) during the solid-state synthesis is systemically investigated, which elucidates in-depth the mechanisms of the thermal sodiation process.

Temperature promotes selectivity during electrochemical CO reduction on NiO:SnO nanofibers.

Electrolyzers operate over a range of temperatures; hence, it is crucial to design electrocatalysts that do not compromise the product distribution unless temperature can promote selectivity. This work reports a synthetic approach based on electrospinning to produce NiO:SnO nanofibers (NFs) for selectively reducing CO to formate above room temperature. The NFs comprise compact but disjoined NiO and SnO nanocrystals identified with STEM.

Surface and Grain Boundary Coating for Stabilizing LiNiMnCoO Based Electrodes.

The widespread use of high-capacity Ni-rich layered oxides such as LiNiMnCoO (NMC811), in lithium-ion batteries is hindered due to practical capacity loss and reduced working voltage during operation. Aging leads to defective NMC811 particles, affecting electrochemical performance. Surface modification offers a promising approach to improve cycle life.

Characterization of the Lithium/Solid Electrolyte Interface in the Presence of Nanometer-thin TiO Layers for All-Solid-State Batteries.

It is still unclear which role space charge layers (SCLs) play within an all-solid-state battery during operation with high current densities, as well as to which extent they form. Herein, we use a solid electrolyte with a known SCL formation and investigate it in a symmetric cell under non-blocking conditions with Li metal electrodes. Since the used LICGC™ electrolyte is known for its instability against lithium, it is protected from rapid degradation by nanometer-thin layers of TiO deployed by atomic layer deposition.

Experimental and Computational Study Toward Identifying Active Sites of Supported SnO Nanoparticles for Electrochemical CO Reduction Using Machine-Learned Interatomic Potentials.

SnO has received great attention as an electrocatalyst for CO reduction reaction (CORR), however; it still suffers from low activity. Moreover, the atomic-level SnO structure and the nature of the active sites are still ambiguous due to the dynamism of surface structure and difficulty in structure characterization under electrochemical conditions. Herein, CORR performance is enhanced by supporting SnO nanoparticles on two common supports, vulcan carbon and TiO.

Comprehensive Study of Zr-Doped Ni-Rich Cathode Materials Upon Lithiation and Co-Precipitation Synthesis Steps.

Ni-rich layered oxides LiNiMnCoO (NMC811, = 0.1 and = 0.1) are considered promising cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) due to their high energy density.

Enhanced Electrochemical Hydrogenation of Benzaldehyde to Benzyl Alcohol on Pd@Ni-MOF by Modifying the Adsorption Configuration.

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) approaches under ambient temperature and pressure offer significant potential advantages over thermal hydrogenation processes but require highly active and efficient hydrogenation electrocatalysts. The performance of such hydrogenation electrocatalysts strongly depends not only on the active phase but also on the architecture and surface chemistry of the support material. Herein, Pd nanoparticles supported on a nickel metal-organic framework (MOF), Ni-MOF-74, are prepared, and their activity toward the ECH of benzaldehyde (BZH) in a 3 M acetate (pH 5.

High Voltage Cycling Stability of LiF-Coated NMC811 Electrode.

The development of LiNiMnCoO (NMC811) as a cathode material for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) intends to address the driving limitations of electric vehicles. However, the commercialization of this technology has been hindered by poor cycling stability at high cutoff voltages. The potential instability and drastic capacity fade stem from irreversible parasitic side reactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

The effect of the pyrolysis temperature and biomass type on the biocarbons characteristics.

The conversion of biomass and natural wastes into carbon-based materials for various applications such as catalysts and energy-related materials is a fascinating and sustainable approach emerged during recent years. Precursor nature and characteristics are complex, hence, their effect on the properties of resulting materials is still unclear. In this work, we have investigated the effect of different precursors and pyrolysis temperature on the properties of produced carbon materials and their potential application as negative electrode materials in Li-ion batteries.

Robust method for uniform coating of carbon nanotubes with VO for next-generation transparent electrodes and Li-ion batteries.

Composites comprising vanadium-pentoxide (VO) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising components for emerging applications in optoelectronics, solar cells, chemical and electrochemical sensors, . We propose a novel, simple, and facile approach for SWCNT covering with VO by spin coating under ambient conditions. With the hydrolysis-polycondensation of the precursor (vanadyl triisopropoxide) directly on the surface of SWCNTs, the nm-thick layer of oxide is amorphous with a work function of 4.

Superaerophilic/superaerophobic cooperative electrode for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction via enhanced mass transfer.

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), as an effective method to produce green hydrogen, is greatly impeded by inefficient mass transfer, i.e., bubble adhesion on electrode, bubble dispersion in the vicinity of electrode, and poor dissolved H diffusion, which results in blocked electrocatalytic area and large H concentration overpotential.

Temperature-Controlled Syngas Production via Electrochemical CO Reduction on a CoTPP/MWCNT Composite in a Flow Cell.

The mixture of CO and H, known as syngas, is a building block for many substantial chemicals and fuels. Electrochemical reduction of CO and HO to syngas would be a promising alternative approach for its synthesis due to negative carbon emission footprint when using renewable energy to power the reaction. Herein, we present temperature-controlled syngas production by electrochemical CO and HO reduction on a cobalt tetraphenylporphyrin/multiwalled carbon nanotube (CoTPP/MWCNT) composite in a flow cell in the temperature range of 20-50 °C.

Multifunctional Elastic Nanocomposites with Extremely Low Concentrations of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Stretchable and flexible electronics has attracted broad attention over the last years. Nanocomposites based on elastomers and carbon nanotubes are a promising material for soft electronic applications. Despite the fact that single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based nanocomposites often demonstrate superior properties, the vast majority of the studies were devoted to those based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) mainly because of their higher availability and easier processing procedures.

High performance silicon electrode enabled by titanicone coating.

This paper presents the electrochemical performance and characterization of nano Si electrodes coated with titanicone (TiGL) as an anode for Li ion batteries (LIBs). Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of the metal combined with the molecular layer deposition (MLD) of the organic precursor is used to prepare coated electrodes at different temperatures with improved performance compared to the uncoated Si electrode. Coated electrodes prepared at 150 °C deliver the highest capacity and best current response of 1800 mAh g at 0.

Understanding the Stabilizing Effects of Nanoscale Metal Oxide and Li-Metal Oxide Coatings on Lithium-Ion Battery Positive Electrode Materials.

Nickel-rich layered oxides, such as LiNiCoMnO (NMC622), are high-capacity electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, this material faces issues, such as poor durability at high cut-off voltages (>4.4 V vs Li/Li), which mainly originate from an unstable electrode-electrolyte interface.

Reuse of LiCoO Electrodes Collected from Spent Li-Ion Batteries after Electrochemical Re-Lithiation of the Electrode.

The recycling of used Li-ion batteries is important as the consumption of batteries is increasing every year. However, the recycling of electrode materials is tedious and energy intensive with current methods, and part of the material is lost in the process. In this study, an alternative recycling method is presented to minimize the number of steps needed in the positive electrode recovery process.

Benzenedisulfonic Acid as an ALD/MLD Building Block for Crystalline Metal-Organic Thin Films*.

Two new atomic/molecular layer deposition processes for depositing crystalline metal-organic thin films, built from 1,4-benzenedisulfonate (BDS) as the organic linker and Cu or Li as the metal node, are reported. The processes yield in-situ crystalline but hydrated Cu-BDS and Li-BDS films; in the former case, the crystal structure is of a previously known metal-organic-framework-like structure, while in the latter case not known from previous studies. Both hydrated materials can be readily dried to obtain the crystalline unhydrated phases.

Mesoporous Carbon Microfibers for Electroactive Materials Derived from Lignocellulose Nanofibrils.

The growing adoption of biobased materials for electronic, energy conversion, and storage devices has relied on high-grade or refined cellulosic compositions. Herein, lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNF), obtained from simple mechanical fibrillation of wood, are proposed as a source of continuous carbon microfibers obtained by wet spinning followed by single-step carbonization at 900 °C. The high lignin content of LCNF (∼28% based on dry mass), similar to that of the original wood, allowed the synthesis of carbon microfibers with a high carbon yield (29%) and electrical conductivity (66 S cm).

Conjugation with carbon nanotubes improves the performance of mesoporous silicon as Li-ion battery anode.

Carbon nanotubes can be utilized in several ways to enhance the performance of silicon-based anodes. In the present work, thermally carbonized mesoporous silicon (TCPSi) microparticles and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are conjugated to create a hybrid material that performs as the Li-ion battery anode better than the physical mixture of TCPSi and CNTs. It is found out that the way the conjugation is done has an essential role in the performance of the anode.

FMN-dependent oligomerization of putative lactate oxidase from Pediococcus acidilactici.

Lactate oxidases belong to a group of FMN-dependent enzymes and they catalyze a conversion of lactate to pyruvate with a release of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is also utilized as a read out in biosensors to quantitate lactate levels in biological samples. Aerococcus viridans lactate oxidase is the best characterized lactate oxidase and our knowledge of lactate oxidases relies largely to studies conducted with that particular enzyme.

Comprehensive study to design advanced metal-carbide@garaphene and metal-carbide@iron oxide nanoparticles with tunable structure by the laser ablation in liquid.

Core-shell nanoparticles represent a class of materials that exhibit a variety of properties. By rationally tuning the cores and the shells in such nanoparticles (NPs), a range of materials with tailorable properties can be produced which are of interest for a wide variety of applications. Herein, experimental and theoretical approaches have been combined to show the structural transformation of NPs resulting to the formation of either NiFeC encapsulated in ultra-thin graphene layer (NiFe@UTG) or NiC/FeC@FeO NPs with the universal one-step pulse laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) method.