Article
Electrochemistry
Cataldo Simari, Mariarosaria Tuccillo, Sergio Brutti, Isabella Nicotera
Summary: The expansion of renewable energy sources relies on the availability of affordable, safe, and suitable energy storage systems. Among various battery chemistries, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the leading option due to their excellent performance, low self-discharge, and technological readiness. However, the high costs, sustainability concerns, and safety issues hinder the widespread adoption of LIBs. Aprotic sodium ion and sodium metal batteries offer a more balanced performance-to-sustainability ratio compared to LIBs. Improving the electrolyte technology is crucial for both LIBs and NIBs to enhance safety and enable commercialization. This study proposes and demonstrates the use of a sodiated Nafion membrane as a single-ion conductor electrolyte for sodium-ion batteries, providing a new avenue for the development of safer and more efficient energy storage systems.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikita A. Slesarenko, Alexander V. Chernyak, Kyunsylu G. Khatmullina, Guzaliya R. Baymuratova, Alena V. Yudina, Galiya Z. Tulibaeva, Alexander F. Shestakov, Vitaly I. Volkov, Olga V. Yarmolenko
Summary: This article investigates the specific features of competitive ionic and molecular transport in nanocomposite systems synthesized by radical polymerization. The study finds two types of fast and slow molecular and ionic transport and suggests increasing the proportion of ethylene carbonate to improve lithium ion conductivity. This approach is important for the development of thermostable nanocomposite electrolytes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ernestino Lufrano, Cataldo Simari, Apostolos Enotiadis, Isabella Nicotera
Summary: In this study, sPEEK was used as a polymer matrix and the addition of organosilica nanoplatelets improved the mechanical and proton transport properties of the membranes. This nanocomposite material shows great potential for applications in PEMFCs.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mounesha N. Garaga, Nishani Jayakody, Carla C. Fraenza, Boris Itin, Steven Greenbaum
Summary: Designing new electrolytes requires a better understanding of the correlation between their transport properties and molecular structure. This study utilizes nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to probe the structure and dynamics of ionic liquids and polymer gel electrolytes. Results show that diffusivity of [P4441][TFSI] ILs is greater than [N4441][TFSI] ILs in both liquid and gel electrolytes, and higher PMMA content in samples affects the interaction between ions and polymer.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Ruggero Poiana, Ernestino Lufrano, Akiko Tsurumaki, Cataldo Simari, Isabella Nicotera, Maria Assunta Navarra
Summary: In this study, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) based on PVdF-HFP, 1 M LiPF6 in EC/DMC (LP30), and [Py-14]PF6 were developed to enhance the safety and electrochemical performance of high voltage lithium batteries. The GPEs demonstrated nonflammable character and mechanical stability through physical crosslinks, and showed improved lithium ion conduction property. When using LP30 with 30 wt% [Py-14]PF6, the lithium metal batteries exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance with high coulombic efficiency and specific capacity retention throughout 150 cycles. This suggests that [Py-14]PF6 is a promising additive for extending battery life.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cataldo Simari
Summary: The development of nanocomposite membranes based on hydrocarbon polymers is a promising strategy for overcoming the limitations of Nafion in fuel cell applications. This study investigates the effect of LDH introduction on water arrangement and proton transport in sPSU.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Samuel Berens, Febrian Hillman, Mohamad Rezi Abdul Hamid, Hae-Kwon Jeong, Sergey Vasenkov
Summary: Pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR at high magnetic field was used to study molecular self-diffusion of ethylene, ethane, and propylene in a 2-ethylimidazole (eIm) linker-doped ZIF-8. The results indicated that the elm linker substitution tends to increase gas intracrystalline diffusivities, especially for larger elm linker fractions at low loading pressures, without affecting the ethylene/ethane diffusion selectivity.
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yi Jiang, Bin Cai, Ying Yang, Fei Yu, Yilai Sun, Xin Qi, Liying Wang, Xuesong Li, Xijia Yang
Summary: Supercapacitors, as efficient energy storage devices, have demonstrated excellent charge storage capacity and stable cycling performance. In this study, a core-shell structure of NiCoSe2@NiCo-LDH was synthesized and used as electrode material for supercapacitors, showing significantly improved specific capacitance and cycling stability. Furthermore, the NiCoSe2@NiCo-LDH composite and activated carbon materials were assembled into an asymmetric supercapacitor, confirming its potential for practical applications.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrii Mahun, Peter Cernoch, Bartosz Paruzel, Hynek Benes, Rafal Konefal, Emna Hleli, Zuzana Moravkova, Tomas Kazda, Jiri Brus, Libor Kobera, Sabina Abbrent
Summary: Advanced materials based on polyoxazoline chemistry are presented as electrochemically, mechanically and thermally stable, efficient and versatile green gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). A series of GPEs was prepared by cationic ring-opening copolymerization (CROP) of two 2-oxazolines with different ratios of the comonomers and their subsequent crosslinking and swelling in Li salt solution. The samples were investigated in terms of their ionic conductivity, thermal properties and ionic diffusion. Finally, a lithium stripping/plating experiment was used to evaluate their electrochemical stability. Promising electrolytes possessing high conductivity (3.7 center dot 10(-4) S/cm at 20 degrees C) and excellent durability were obtained.
SOLID STATE IONICS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Laurence Savignac, Jeremy I. G. Dawkins, Steen B. Schougaard, Janine Mauzeroll
Summary: The study found that saturating the electrolyte with CO2 does not have a significant effect on DLi+ and does not hinder Li+ mass transport.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra M. Kusova, Ilnaz T. Rakipov, Yuriy F. Zuev
Summary: The intracellular environment involves the interaction of proteins, sugars, and nucleic acids in a restricted medium. The excluded volume effect in the cytoplasm accounts for 40% of the available volume for macromolecules. This study examines the diffusion of proteins in crowded solutions and demonstrates the deviation from conventional Brownian motion under conditions of altered medium viscosity and rigid obstacles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Alaa Mohamed, Samy Yousef, Tawheed Hashem, Mohammed Ali Abdelnaby
Summary: The mechanical properties of PES membranes and their nanocomposites were studied, showing a significant reduction in mechanical properties due to the addition of nanofillers altering the pore topology. The constitutive model effectively derived the uniaxial stress-strain curves of PES membranes and their nanocomposites with high predictability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Jiangfeng Guo, Michael M. B. Ross, Benedict Newling, Maggie Lawrence, Bruce J. Balcom
Summary: This paper introduces a low-cost permanent magnet design for measuring laminar flow, proposes a series of MR measurement methods for characterizing fluid flow, validates their accuracy, and points out the advantages of simple hardware and measurement methods.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samy Yousef, Justas Eimontas, Nerijus Striu, Alaa Mohamed, Mohammed Ali Abdelnaby
Summary: This study focused on the pyrolysis utilization of end-life ultrafiltration polymer nanocomposite membranes, finding that CNTs and GNs can effectively reduce the activation energy of the decomposition process, making polymer membranes a potential source of renewable energy.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dhiyaa A. Hussein Al-Timimi, Qusay F. Alsalhy, Adnan A. AbdulRazak, Mohammed Ahmed Shehab, Zoltan Nemeth, Klara Hernadi
Summary: This study aims to optimize operating parameters of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) fabricated from polyethersulfone (PES) and silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) or modified silica NPs with polyethylenimine (PEI) (SiO2-g-PEI NPs) for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. The results showed that SiO2 MMMs had a permeate flux of 38.27 LMH and 81.26% MBV rejection, while SiO2-g-PEI MMMs had a permeate flux of 104.11 LMH and 99.00% MBV rejection. The optimal parameters for SiO2 MMMs were SiO2 wt % of 0.8447%, MBV concentration of 98.18 ppm, and pH of 4, while the optimal parameters for SiO2-g-PEI MMMs were SiO2-g-PEI wt% of 0.93%, MBV concentration of 22.7 ppm, and pH of 4.79.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Irene Gatto, Angela Capri, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Sabrina Zignani, Assunta Patti, Vincenzo Baglio
Summary: Water electrolysis for hydrogen production is an environmentally friendly method, especially when powered by renewable energy sources. The use of anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) in electrolyzer technology has attracted growing interest. In this study, a FAA3-5 0 anion-exchange membrane is tested as the electrolyte/separator in a 5 cm2 electrolysis cell, with IrO2 and Pt/C catalysts at the anode and cathode, respectively. The effects of cell temperature, membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) procedure, and electrolyte choice on performance are analyzed, with the catalyst-coated membrane approach and diluted KOH solution showing potential for improved operation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Martinez-Lazaro, A. Capri, I Gatto, J. Ledesma-Garcia, N. Rey-Raap, A. Arenillas, F. Espinosa-Lagunes, V Baglio, L. G. Arriaga
Summary: A NiFe2O4 catalyst with nanoparticle morphology, obtained by hydrothermal treatment using glucose and urea as precursors, is investigated as an anode catalyst in an anion exchange membrane electrolyser. The catalyst shows higher current density and stability compared to benchmark catalyst IrO2.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Angela Capri, Irene Gatto, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Stefano Trocino, Alessandra Carbone, Vincenzo Baglio
Summary: A nickel ferrite catalyst was prepared and successfully deposited on an anion exchange membrane. The catalyst demonstrated higher current density than commercial catalysts and showed good stability during a 120-hour test.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Giosue Giacoppo, Stefano Trocino, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Vincenzo Baglio, Maria I. Diez-Garcia, Antonino Salvatore Arico, Orazio Barbera
Summary: The only strategy for reducing fossil fuel-based energy sources is to increase the use of sustainable ones. Among renewable energy sources, solar energy can significantly contribute to a sustainable energy future, and hydrogen is an effective carrier and means of energy storage due to its ability to be produced from primary energy sources and transformed, without greenhouse gas emissions, into mechanical, thermal, and electrical energy, emitting only water as a by-product.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Xiang Lyu, Irene Gatto, Barr Zulevi, Alexey Serov, Vincenzo Baglio
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the performance of alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFCs) with commercial materials and establish a reference for comparing newly developed materials. Fe-N-C catalysts, Fumasep (FAA-3-50) based AEMs, and FAA3 based AEIs were used, and parameters such as operating temperature and methanol concentration were optimized. Electrochemical measurements showed that the best performance was achieved with 5 M methanol at 60 degrees C, demonstrating a remarkable power density of 48.2 mW cm-2. This work provides insights for the large-scale application of ADMFC with commercial PGM-free materials.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Alessandra Carbone, Irene Gatto, Vincenzo Baglio
Summary: This paper discusses the use of a commercial Fumasep((R)) FAA3-50 membrane as an anion exchange membrane (AEM) in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFCs). The membrane is exchanged in chloride and hydroxide forms and its conductivity is measured in KOH solution and KOH/methanol mixture. AEM-DMFC tests are conducted and the results indicate that the Fumasep((R)) FAA3-50 membrane is a viable option for ADMFC application.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Carmelo Lo Vecchio
Article
Electrochemistry
C. Simari, A. Capri, M. H. Ur Rehman, A. Enotiadis, I. Gatto, V. Baglio, I. Nicotera
Summary: This study introduces a nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (AEM) based on trimethylammonium functionalized silica nanoscale ionic materials (NIM-N+) incorporated in quaternized polysulfone (qPSU). The presence of NIM-N+ greatly enhances the dimensional and thermo-mechanical stability of the composite AEM. The nanoparticles are directly involved in the transport process of hydroxide ions, resulting in impressive anionic conductivity values for the qPSU/NIM-N+ composite membrane.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Minju Thomas, Catia Cannilla, Antonino Brigandi, Isabella Nicotera, Francesco Lufrano
Summary: Introduces the potential of mesoporous carbons for high energy and power density energy storage devices, with CMK-3 as a promising candidate for supercapacitor electrodes. The authors synthesized a series of ordered mesoporous carbon materials using two different methods, and achieved high capacitance values and long-term durability when applied in supercapacitors.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Review
Electrochemistry
Enrico Berretti, Luigi Osmieri, Vincenzo Baglio, Hamish A. Miller, Jonathan Filippi, Francesco Vizza, Monica Santamaria, Stefania Specchia, Carlo Santoro, Alessandro Lavacchi
Summary: In the last two decades, extensive research has been conducted on direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) as potential on-demand power sources. Two leading technologies, proton exchange membranes (PEMs) and anion exchange membranes (AEMs), have emerged for acidic and alkaline DAFCs respectively. This review analyzes the current state-of-the-art in acidic and alkaline DAFCs using methanol and ethanol as fuels, with a focus on the effect of reaction stoichiometry. It highlights the participation of hydroxyl ions (OH-) and the presence of anions as alcohol oxidation products in alkaline systems, which are important considerations for fuel design and energy evaluation from a whole system perspective.
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seyed Ariana Mirshokraee, Mohsin Muhyuddin, Roberto Lorenzi, Giorgio Tseberlidis, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Vincenzo Baglio, Enrico Berretti, Alessandro Lavacchi, Carlo Santoro
Summary: In the circular economy, waste litchi's skins were transformed into electrocatalysts for ORR and HER. The activated char was functionalized with transition metal-phthalocyanine, with different temperatures resulting in different performances for HER and ORR. The Ni-Co 900 sample showed better performance for HER, while the Fe 600 sample was the most active electrocatalyst for ORR with the least production of peroxide anion.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
David Sebastian, Stefano Trocino, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Alexey Serov, Plamen Atanassov, Vincenzo Baglio
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) heavily rely on the counter electrode for their performance. Platinum (Pt) has been traditionally used as a counter-electrode material, but its limitations have led to the exploration of alternative materials such as iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) catalysts. This study investigates the performance of Fe-N-C materials as counter electrodes in DSSCs and provides insights for the development of this sustainable technology.
MATERIALS FOR RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
(2023)