Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wu Yujing, Zhou Hongxiu, Zhang Ao, Zhao Leqing
Summary: The research shows that flowing electrode direct methanol fuel cell (FEDMFC) effectively reduces methanol crossover rate while maintaining high power densities. Increasing flow rate can decrease crossover rate but will affect efficiency and stability, with optimal flow rate controlled at 1-3 sccm.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hongxiu Zhou, Yujing Wu, Leqing Zhao
Summary: A complete flow field and two-phase model for DMFC is developed to study the impact of anode flow fields on various aspects. Four different flow field structures are analyzed and compared. The results show that SFF has the highest power density but suffers from increased pressure drop and potential bubble blockage, while PFF has lower pressure loss but poor cell performance. The DSFF exhibits the best overall performance, followed by the PSFF, due to their higher power density, lower pressure loss, better CO2 gas removal, and superior thermal management.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Huichao Deng, Jiaxu Zhou, Yufeng Zhang
Summary: The design of the anode flow field is critical for the performance of micro direct methanol fuel cells, with a single-serpentine flow field showing better mass transfer efficiency and carbon dioxide emission efficiency compared to other flow fields. Additionally, the optimal parameters for the single-serpentine flow field were found to be an open ratio of 47.3% and a channel length of 63.5 mm, resulting in higher peak power density.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jegathishkumar Ramasamy, Karthikeyan Palaniswamy, Thanarajan Kumaresan, Mathan Chandran, Rui Chen
Summary: The study demonstrates that modifying flow channels can enhance the performance of direct methanol fuel cells. While the serpentine channel provides better methanol distribution, it lacks in water management. The results highlight the effectiveness of zigzag and pin channels in mitigating water accumulation and ensuring better oxygen supply at the cathode.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qidong Xu, Meng Ni
Summary: A 2D numerical model was developed to study a tubular direct methanol SOFC, with parameters such as temperature, thickness, and length having significant effects on performance. Increasing temperature enhances cell performance, while other parameters also play important roles in optimizing SOFC performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bo-Qiang Miao, Ya-Chong Liu, Yu Ding, Pu-Jun Jin, Pei Chen, Yu Chen
Summary: In this study, high-quality chlorine-free Rh nanodendrites (Rh-NDs) were successfully synthesized by a simple one-step chemical-reduction method. Rh-NDs exhibited high electroactivity for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells. Under optimal experimental conditions, Rh-NDs showed a significant enhancement in electroactivity and durability for MOR compared to irregular Rh nanocrystals, thanks to their dendritic morphology that provides a large specific surface area, rich corner/edge atoms, and efficient aggregation inhibition.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Luiz Felipe Placa, Pedro-Lucas S. Vital, Luiz Eduardo Gomes, Antonio Carlos Roveda Jr, Daniel Rodrigues Cardoso, Caue Alves Martins, Heberton Wender
Summary: This study investigates the performance of black TiO2 nanoparticles as photoanodes in photocatalytic fuel cells (PFCs). By controlling the illumination conditions and self-doping of the material, the black TiO2 photoanode exhibits superior methanol oxidation and O-2 reduction performance, with a higher power density compared to traditional TiO2. Additionally, the black TiO2 photoanode shows good stability under light irradiation and efficient energy conversion under flow conditions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Sameer Osman, Mahmoud Ahmed
Summary: This study investigates the design and optimization of degassing channels and anode channels in active direct-methanol fuel cells, resulting in improved control rate and collection efficiency of bubbles, leading to enhanced performance of the cells.
Review
Polymer Science
Gowthami Palanisamy, Tae Hwan Oh, Sadhasivam Thangarasu
Summary: A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an excellent energy device that converts methanol to energy with high efficiency. Commercial membranes for DMFCs are expensive and have high methanol permeability, but novel developments using cost-effective cellulose-based materials have improved performance. In this review, the advances and utilization of different cellulose materials as proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) for DMFCs are discussed, including cellulose derivatives and composites with inorganic additives.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Youngseung Na, Prashant Khadke, Andreas Gluesen, Nicola Kimiaie, Martin Mueller, Ulrike Krewer
Summary: The electrochemical behavior of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is influenced by the concentration of methanol. Monitoring the methanol concentration in the fuel circulation loop is crucial for the efficient operation of DMFC systems. This study presents a robust electrochemical methanol sensing technique that is not affected by temperature, cell degradation, and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) type. The proposed method achieves high accuracy and is expected to enhance the reliability and control logic of DMFC systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Yuzhi Ke, Baotong Zhang, Yafeng Bai, Wei Yuan, Jinguang Li, Ziang Liu, Xiaoqing Su, Shiwei Zhang, Xinrui Ding, Zhenping Wan, Yong Tang, Feikun Zhou
Summary: A bubble-derived concept for contour regeneration of flow channel is developed to address the issues of carbon dioxide (CO2) management and reactant homogeneity in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The simulation results indicate that this renewed channel shows a lower momentum loss and uniform reactant distribution. The cell based on the renewed design produces a peak power density of 37.07 mW cm-2 at a flow rate of 1 mL min-1 and a methanol concentration of 6 M.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Akaljot Kaur, Gagandeep Kaur, Prit Pal Singh, Sandeep Kaushal
Summary: This article reviews the advancements in the field of supported bimetallic nanoparticles in direct methanol fuel cells, discussing the performance of BMNPs with varied structures, compositions, and morphologies on different support materials, and evaluating the pros and cons of various support materials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jin-Cherng Shyu, Sheng-Huei Hung
Summary: The performance of air-breathing and air-feeding direct formic acid membraneless fuel cells with different flow fields was numerically investigated. Results showed that air-breathing DFAMFC with identical liquid flow field yielded the highest cell output, while the preferred design for air-feeding DFAMFC was found to have specific liquid and air flow field combinations for optimal performance under different conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yujie Wu, Jun Wang, Gen Huang, Shiqian Du, Jiaqi Lin, Bo Zhou, Yuxuan Lu, Dongdong Wang, Miaoyu Li, Li Tao, Shuangyin Wang
Summary: High-temperature direct methanol fuel cells (HT-DMFCs) have great potential for future applications, but the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and poor methanol tolerance at the cathode limit their performance. This study demonstrates that phosphotungstic acid (HPW) can enhance the methanol tolerance and ORR activity of the cathode catalyst, leading to improved performance of HT-DMFCs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abdullah Alrashidi, Hongtan Liu
Summary: Novel anode gas diffusion layers (AGDLs) with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic pathways were created by perforating PTFE-treated AGDLs with laser, enhancing both methanol and CO2 transfer. The main reason for the 32% cell performance improvement was reduction in mass transfer resistance and enhanced methanol transfer to the catalyst layer. However, excessive perforations may increase methanol crossover and decrease cell performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Jiayou Ren, Zhenyu Wang, Bin Liu, Qianli Yue, Xinzhuang Fan, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the effects of temperature on the performance of stack-scale vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). It is found that temperature has a greater impact on the discharge capacity than on the energy efficiency. The enhancement effect of temperature on energy efficiency decreases with increasing flow rate, while it increases with the operating current density. An optimum operating condition is identified at a critical flow rate (2.88 ml min(-1) cm(-2)) and 40 degrees C for high system efficiency.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenyu Wang, Zixiao Guo, Jiayou Ren, Yiju Li, Bin Liu, Xinzhuang Fan, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: Researchers have developed an efficient valence regulation strategy to suppress the capacity decay in vanadium redox flow batteries by adjusting the average valence of vanadium in the electrolyte. The accumulated discharge capacity after 400 cycles was improved by 52.33%. This method is easy to scale up and provides insights into the capacity decay mechanism of VRFBs.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qinping Jian, Tianshuai Wang, Jing Sun, Bin Liu, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: Low-cost and high-safety aqueous zinc batteries suffer from irreversibility of the anode. This study uses dimethylacetamide as a water dragger in low-concentration ZnSO4 electrolytes to reshape the solvation structure of Zn2+ ions. The use of dimethylacetamide-hybrid electrolyte improves the coulombic efficiency and cycle lifespan of the batteries, and shows superior rate performance and long-term cyclability in full cells.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zixiao Guo, Jiayou Ren, Jing Sun, Bin Liu, Xinzhuang Fan, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: This study proposes a bifurcate interdigitated flow field that can uniformly distribute electrolytes and reduce the pumping work in high-performance redox flow batteries. The application of this flow field to a vanadium redox flow battery increases the pump-based voltage efficiency and reduces pressure drop compared to conventional designs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Meisheng Han, Yongbiao Mu, Jincong Guo, Lei Wei, Lin Zeng, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: Co-doped monolayer MoS2 is prepared by in-situ construction of interlayer electrostatic repulsion caused by Co-2+ substituting Mo4+. This breaks the limitation of interlayer van der Waals forces and establishes isotropic ion transport paths, enhancing the ion transport capability of MoS2.
NANO-MICRO LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wei W. Xing, Akeel A. Shah, Nadir Shah, Yinpeng Wu, Qian Xu, Aphichart Rodchanarowan, Puiki Leung, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: The development of fast and accurate algorithms for monitoring the health status of batteries and aiding decision-making in maintenance and replacement is crucial for their application in electric vehicles. Data-driven approaches are preferred due to difficulties in defining valid models for system and parameter identification. This paper proposes a novel approach that predicts features for future cycles, enabling predictions of the state of health and end-of-life for an arbitrary number of cycles.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qiang Ma, Wenxuan Fu, Jinhua Xu, Zhiqiang Wang, Qian Xu
Summary: This paper proposes a multi-layer artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the relationship between the performance of a vanadium-iron redox flow battery (RFB) and the structural characteristics of a double-layer electrode. A training dataset of ANN is generated by numerical simulations, and a genetic algorithm (GA) is coupled to optimize the model parameters. The results show that the trained machine learning algorithm can estimate whether a double-layer electrode should be applied to a non-aqueous vanadium-iron RFB and determine an appropriate thickness ratio.
Review
Electrochemistry
Haotian Zhou, Ruiping Zhang, Qiang Ma, Zhuo Li, Huaneng Su, Ping Lu, Weiwei Yang, Qian Xu
Summary: Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are recognized for their simple structure, long lifetime, quick response, decoupling of capacity and power, and structural simplicity in large-scale energy storage. However, RFBs with aqueous electrolytes face challenges in achieving high energy densities due to limited open circuit voltage and low solubility of active species. Non-aqueous solvents are being explored to overcome these limitations, but they also have issues like high viscosity and poor safety.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Meisheng Han, Yongbiao Mu, Lei Wei, Lin Zeng, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: To address the issues of capacity decay and slow charging of silicon in lithium-ion batteries, researchers have proposed a multilevel carbon structure with vertical graphene sheets (VGSs) grown on subnanoscopic Si-C composite nanospheres and embedded into a carbon matrix. This structure enhances the conductivity and stability of silicon, improving the performance of the electrode.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenyu Wang, Jiayou Ren, Jing Sun, Yiju Li, Zixiao Guo, Bin Liu, Xinzhuang Fan, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: In this study, the researchers discovered that the acid-doped PBI membrane conducts both H+ and SO24- in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). They also found that the capacity decay features of VRFBs with the acid-doped PBI membrane exhibit the same trend as that of anion exchange membrane. By using a two-cell stack consisting of an acid-doped PBI membrane and an N212 membrane, they were able to mitigate capacity decay and significantly increase the accumulated discharge capacity.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haodong Huang, Cailin Xiao, Zijie Zhang, Tianshou Zhao, Lin Zeng Abc
Summary: This study develops a multi-physics model to investigate and optimize transport phenomena in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). The findings suggest that adjusting the anode inlet gas relative humidity and optimizing the microstructure of the anode gas diffusion layer can improve the maximal power density and alleviate anode flooding.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
L. Wei, L. Zeng, M. S. Han, W. J. Li, L. P. Chen, J. H. Xu, T. S. Zhao
Summary: Developing electrodes with high stability and activity is crucial for the application of redox flow batteries. In this study, a nano-sized TiC electro-catalyst embedded in a multiscale-pore-network structured graphite felt was fabricated by utilizing Ti and O atoms from TiO2 nano seeds. The resulting electrode showed improved battery performance with higher energy efficiency and electrolyte utilization compared to pristine and thermally treated electrodes. The study suggests that engineering structures of electrocatalysts in nanopores can advance flow battery electrode technology.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zixiao Guo, Jing Sun, Xinzhuang Fan, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: Designing flow fields with enhanced convection is crucial for improving battery performance. This study presents a numerically modeled convection-enhanced flow field, which is achieved by redesigning the flow path to enhance mass transport. Key geometric parameters and flowing patterns are investigated. The results show that adjusting the channel fraction and number can achieve a more uniform reactant distribution but increase pumping work. Additionally, seven novel flow path designs with enhanced convection are proposed by tailoring rotary methods. The optimized flow field demonstrates higher pump-based voltage efficiency in a vanadium redox flow battery.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xudong Peng, Bin Liu, Junjie Chen, Qinping Jian, Yiju Li, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: A new LiPF6-compatible ether electrolyte has been developed to improve the cycling performance of micrometer-sized silicon (mSi) anode. The electrolyte forms solvation complexes that facilitate passivation of the mSi anode surface, leading to the formation of a thin and stratified solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) rich in LiF. As a result, the mSi anode demonstrates high capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency in a medium-concentration EGDE-LiPF6-based electrolyte. This study provides an effective strategy for extending the cycling life of mSi anode.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiayou Ren, Zhenyu Wang, Jing Sun, Zixiao Guo, Bin Liu, Xinzhuang Fan, Tianshou Zhao
Summary: In this study, a new in-situ electrodeposition strategy of bismuth was developed to achieve uniform and dense deposition of bismuth nanoparticles onto graphite fibers of a scale-up anode. Compared with conventional methods, this strategy prevented the oxidation of bismuth nanoparticles by vanadium ions, resulting in higher energy efficiency and stable operation of vanadium redox flow batteries.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
