Measuring Heat Dissipation and Entropic Potential in Battery Cathodes Made with Conjugated and Conventional Polymer Binders Using Calorimetry.

This study explores the influence of electronic and ionic conductivities on the behavior of conjugated polymer binders through the measurement of entropic potential and heat generation in an operating lithium-ion battery. Specifically, the traditional poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) binder in LiNiCoAlO (NCA) cathode electrodes was replaced with semiconducting polymer binders based on poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene). Two conjugated polymers were explored: one is a homopolymer with all aliphatic side chains, and the other is a copolymer with both aliphatic and ethylene oxide side chains.

An Immobilized (Carbene)Nickel Catalyst for Water Oxidation.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of water splitting is essential to electrochemical energy storage applications. While nickel electrodes are widely available heterogeneous OER catalysts, homogeneous nickel catalysts for OER are underexplored. Here we report two carbene-ligated nickel(II) complexes that are exceptionally robust and efficient homogeneous water oxidation catalysts.

The Hydrogen Evolution Activity of BaZrS, BaTiS, and BaVS Chalcogenide Perovskites.

Chalcogenide perovskites are a class of materials with electronic and optoelectronic properties desirable for solar cells, infrared optics, and computing. The oxide counterparts of these chalcogenides have been studied extensively for their electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical properties. As chalcogenide perovskites are more covalent, conductive, and stable, we hypothesize that they are more viable as electrocatalysts than oxide perovskites.

Vertex Differentiation Strategy for Tuning the Physical Properties of -Dodecaborate Weakly Coordinating Anions.

We report the synthesis and characterization of various compounds containing the 1,7,9-hydroxylated -dodecahydrododecaborate (BH(OH)) cluster motif. Specifically, we show how the parent compound can be synthesized on the multigram scale and further perhalogenated, leading to a new class of vertex-differentiated weakly coordinating anions. We show that a postmodification of the hydroxyl groups by alkylation affords further opportunities for tailoring these anions' stability, steric bulk, and solubility properties.

Rapid and Reversible Lithium Insertion in the Wadsley-Roth-Derived Phase NaNbO.

The development of new high-performing battery materials is critical for meeting the energy storage requirements of portable electronics and electrified transportation applications. Owing to their exceptionally high rate capabilities, high volumetric capacities, and long cycle lives, Wadsley-Roth compounds are promising anode materials for fast-charging and high-power lithium-ion batteries. Here, we present a study of the Wadsley-Roth-derived NaNbO phase and examine its structure and lithium insertion behavior.

Electrochemical Cycling of Redox-Active Boron Cluster-Based Materials in the Solid State.

This work demonstrates the first successful electrochemical cycling of a redox-active boron cluster-based material in the solid state. Specifically, we designed and synthesized an ether-functionalized dodecaborate cluster, B(OCH), which is the smallest redox-active building block in the B(OR) family. This species can reversibly access four oxidation states in solution, ranging from a dianion to a radical cation.

Electrochemical Studies of the Cycloaddition Activity of Bismuth(III) Acetylides Towards Organic Azides Under Copper(I)-Catalyzed Conditions.

Time-dependent monitoring of the reactive intermediates provides valuable information about the mechanism of a synthetic transformation. However, the process frequently involves intermediates with short lifetimes that significantly challenge the accessibility of the desired kinetic data. We report cyclic voltammetry (CV) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies of the cycloaddition reaction of organobismuth(III) compounds with organic azides under the copper(I)-catalyzed conditions.