Molten salt-shielded solid-state synthesis (MS) reaction-driven >99% pure TiAlC MAX phase: effect of MAX phase purity on the interlayer separation of MXenes and Na-ion storage.

TiC-X MXenes have attracted tremendous research interest because their 2D laminar morphology provides numerous functional applications. The application options rely on the purity and interlayer spacing of MXenes, which eventually depend on the purity of the MAX phase. This motivated us to synthesize pure MAX phases to produce MXenes at large scale using simpler and less expensive techniques.

Microstructure tuned NaV(PO)@C electrodes toward ultra-long-life sodium-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as the best replacement for Li-ion batteries. In this regard, research on developing a reliable cathode material for SIBs is burgeoning. Rhombohedral NaV(PO) (NVP), is a typical sodium super ionic conductor (NASICON) type material having prominent usage as a cathode material for SIBs.

Solid state engineering of BiS/rGO nanostrips: an excellent electrode material for energy storage applications.

The study presents a novel, one-pot, and scalable solid-state reaction scheme to prepare bismuth sulphide (BiS)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites using bismuth oxide (BiO), thiourea (TU), and graphene oxide (GO) as starting materials for energy storage applications. The impact of GO loading concentration on the electrochemical performance of the nanocomposites was investigated. The reaction follows a diffusion substitution pathway, gradually transforming BiO powder into BiS nanostrips, concurrently converting GO into rGO.

Highly Stable MWCNT@NVP Composite as a Cathode Material for Na-Ion Batteries.

A 3D framework with Nasicon structured polyanionic NaV(PO) (NVP) has been emphasized as a leading cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high working voltage plateau, structural stability, and good rate performance. Herein, pristine NVP and MWCNT@NVP composite synthesized via a facile solid-state method are examined and compared as cathode materials for Na-ion batteries. The morphological study confirms the uniform distribution of MWCNTs in the pristine NVP structure.

Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Synthesis of Mixed-Phase Manganese Oxide Nanorods for a High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) provide a safer and cost-effective energy storage solution by utilizing nonflammable water-based electrolytes. Although many research efforts are focused on optimizing zinc anode materials, developing suitable cathode materials is still challenging. In this study, one-dimensional, mixed-phase MnO nanorods are synthesized using ionic liquid (IL).

Porous Mn-doped cobalt oxide@C nanocomposite: a stable anode material for Li-ion rechargeable batteries.

Cobalt oxide is a transition metal oxide, well studied as an electrode material for energy storage applications, especially in supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries, due to its high charge storage ability. However, it suffers from low conductivity, which effectively hampers its long-term stability. In the present work, a simple strategy to enhance the conductivity of cobalt oxide is adopted to achieve stable electrochemical performance by means of carbon coating and Mn doping, via a simple and controlled, urea-assisted glycine-nitrate combustion process.

Facile Synthesis of Unique Cellulose Triacetate Based Flexible and High Performance Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with polymer based electrolytes have attracted enormous attention due to the possibility of fabricating intrinsically safer and flexible devices. However, economical and eco-friendly sustainable technology is an oncoming challenge to fulfill the ever increasing demand. To circumvent this issue, we have developed a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on renewable polymers like cellulose triacetate and poly(polyethylene glycol methacrylate) p(PEGMA) using a photo polymerization technique.

Composite Gel Polymer Electrolyte Based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) with Modified Aluminum-Doped Lithium Lanthanum Titanate (A-LLTO) for High-Performance Lithium Rechargeable Batteries.

A composite gel polymer electrolyte (CGPE) based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) polymer that includes Al-doped Li0.33La0.56TiO3 (A-LLTO) particles covered with a modified SiO2 (m-SiO2) layer was fabricated through a simple solution-casting method followed by activation in a liquid electrolyte.

Hierarchical 3D ZnIn2S4/graphene nano-heterostructures: their in situ fabrication with dual functionality in solar hydrogen production and as anodes for lithium ion batteries.

Hierarchical 3D ZnIn2S4/graphene (ZnIn2S4/Gr) nano-heterostructures were successfully synthesized using an in-situ hydrothermal method. The dual functionality of these nano-heterostructures i.e.

Two-Dimensional Mesoporous Carbon Electrode for High Energy Density Electrochemical Supercapacitors.

Mesoporous carbon (MPC) with highly textured, reproducible and uniform structure is prepared by silica-sol template assisted method, as new carbonaceous supercapacitor materials with high energy density. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that the MPC consisted of textured structure of carbon on the sheets like domains and exhibited a specific surface area of 1412 m2 g-1. The symmetric supercapacitor of MPC exhibits an excellent cyclability over 5000 cycles and high energy density of 84.

Simple synthesis of highly catalytic carbon-free MnCo2O4@Ni as an oxygen electrode for rechargeable Li-O2 batteries with long-term stability.

An effective integrated design with a free standing and carbon-free architecture of spinel MnCo2O4 oxide prepared using facile and cost effective hydrothermal method as the oxygen electrode for the Li-O2 battery, is introduced to avoid the parasitic reactions of carbon and binder with discharge products and reaction intermediates, respectively. The highly porous structure of the electrode allows the electrolyte and oxygen to diffuse effectively into the catalytically active sites and hence improve the cell performance. The amorphous Li2O2 will then precipitate and decompose on the surface of free-standing catalyst nanorods.

Carbon Encapsulated Tin Oxide Nanocomposites: An Efficient Anode for High Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The major obstacle in realizing sodium (Na)-ion batteries (NIBs) is the absence of suitable negative electrodes. This is because graphite, a commercially well known anode material for lithium-ion batteries, cannot be utilized as an insertion host for Na ions due to its large ionic size. In this study, a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal method to prepare carbon coated tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructures as an efficient anode material for NIBs was reported as a function of the solvent used.

Conducting additive-free amorphous GeO2/C composite as a high capacity and long-term stability anode for lithium ion batteries.

In this study, a novel method has been proposed for synthesizing amorphous GeO2/C composites. The amorphous GeO2/C composite without carbon black as an electrode for Li-ion batteries exhibited a high specific capacity of 914 mA h g(-1) at the rate of C/2 and enhanced rate capability. The amorphous GeO2/C electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical stability with a 95.

Facile and cost effective synthesis of mesoporous spinel NiCo2O4 as an anode for high lithium storage capacity.

To fulfill the high power and high energy density demands for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) new anode materials need to be explored to replace conventional graphite. Herein, we report the urea assisted facile co-precipitation synthesis of spinel NiCo2O4 and its application as an anode material for LIBs. The synthesized NiCo2O4 exhibited an urchin-like microstructure and polycrystalline and mesoporous nature.

B₂O₃-added lithium aluminium germanium phosphate solid electrolyte for Li-O₂ rechargeable batteries.

B2O3-added Li(1.5)Al(0.5)Ge(1.

One step hydrothermal synthesis of a carbon nanotube/cerium oxide nanocomposite and its electrochemical properties.

A carbon nanotube (CNT)/cerium oxide composite was prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal reaction in the presence of KOH and capping agent polyvinylpyrrolidone. The nanocomposite displayed pronounced capacitive behaviour with very small diffusion resistance. The electrochemical performance of the composite electrode in a symmetric supercapacitor displayed a high energy density of 35.

Ceria based catalyst for cathode in non-aqueous electrolyte based Li/O2 batteries.

This study suggests combustion synthesized Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O(2) (CZO; x = 0.1-0.5) as a new catalyst for the cathode in non-aqueous electrolyte based Li/O(2) cells.

Investigations on silver/polyaniline electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors.

Polyaniline (PANI) and silver doped polyaniline (Ag/PANI) thin films were deposited on stainless steel substrates by a dip coating technique. To study the effect of doping concentration of Ag on the specific capacitance of PANI the concentration of Ag was varied from 0.3 to 1.

Catalytic characteristics of MnO2 nanostructures for the O2 reduction process.

Nanorods with an α type MnO(2) structure and a diameter ranging from 25 to 40 nm, along with tipped needles with a β MnO(2) structure and a diameter of 100 nm were obtained. The 25 nm diameter α MnO(2) nanorods showed the best catalytic activity for dissociation of HO(2)(-) formed during oxygen reduction in a KOH solution. The MnO(2) nanostructures preferably followed a two-electron oxygen reduction mechanism in a LiOH solution.