Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. Abbasi, Y. Xu, R. Khezri, M. Etesami, C. Lin, S. Kheawhom, Y. Lu
Summary: Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are gaining popularity due to their high energy density, safety, and environmental friendliness. This review discusses recent advances and strategies for improving the performance of polymeric membrane/separator in ZABs.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Grzegorz Gawlik, Pawel Ciepielewski, Ewa Dumiszewska, Anna Piatkowska, Pawel Dabrowski, Jacek M. Baranowski
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of CVD graphene adhesion to a SiO2 substrate under 100 keV He+ ion bombardment. It is found that the process not only creates defects in the graphene lattice, but also induces dangling bonds in the glass substrate, leading to a strong increase in the adhesion of graphene to the substrate. The results show that the formation of covalent bonds between graphene and the substrate is responsible for this increased adhesion. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) measurements confirm the formation of covalent C-O bonds, indicated by the presence of a carbonate CO3 complex line at 1078 cm(-1). Furthermore, there is a significant enhancement in the scratch resistance of ion implanted graphene on the SiO2 substrate when there is overlapping of defect areas.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhuang Rao, Airong Zhang, Xiaoling Liu, Deyu Zhu, Guoqing Wang, Minqiu Lan, Zhengyun Wang, Lipei Jiang, Beibei Tang, Hongfang Liu
Summary: Surface -SO3H and -NH2 acid-base pair modified graphene oxide (BAGO) was constructed by polydopamine (PDA) coating onto GO and reaction with 2,2'-benzidinedisulfonic acid (BA). The composite proton exchange membrane (PEM) with increased selectivity and enhanced proton conductivity and methanol barrier effect was prepared by incorporating BAGO into the Nafion matrix. The results showed improved performance of the composite PEM in terms of proton conductivity and power density in a direct methanol fuel cell.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenxiang Liu, Yang Hong, Jingchao Zhang, Yanan Yue
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the anisotropic thermal conductivity of twisted bilayer graphene (TBLG), revealing a strong non-monotonic correlation between thermal conductivity and twisting angles. The physical mechanism behind the decreasing thermal conductivity with increasing twisting angles is explained. The reported anisotropic thermal conductivity is important for thermal modulation and provides a valuable complement to phonon studies of TBLG.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinyu Li, Gaoyuan Yang, R. Mark Bradley, Ying Liu, Frank Frost, Yilin Hong
Summary: This study investigates the improvement of ion bombardment-induced nanoripples by bombarding a PR/ARC bilayer at an incidence angle of 50 degrees, demonstrating superior nanoripple quality compared to single PR or ARC layers. The growth mechanism involves the formation of IB-induced nanoripple prepattern on the PR, transfer of nanoripples to the ARC, and conversion of nonuniform ARC nanoripples into uniform nanoripples. This unique method enables nanoripple improvement and has potential applications in academic research and IB-induced nanoripples field.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, Junya Yagyu, Md. Saidul Islam, Masahiro Fukuda, Sora Wakamatsu, Ryuta Tagawa, Zhiqing Feng, Yoshihiro Sekine, Junya Ohyama, Shinya Hayami
Summary: Graphene oxide (GO)-based materials have been extensively studied as low-cost efficient solid electrolytes for fuel-cell application. However, the limited proton conductivity of GO in the out-of-plane directions and associated lower fuel-cell performance restrict their practical application. In this study, a sulfate ion-intercalated three-dimensional graphene oxide (3DSGO) with exceptionally high out-of-plane proton conductivity and improved fuel-cell performance was demonstrated.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hongli Yang, Jesper Edberg, Viktor Gueskine, Mikhail Vagin, Mehmet Girayhan Say, Johan Erlandsson, Lars Wagberg, Isak Engquist, Magnus Berggren
Summary: This study presents a low-cost cation-selective membrane prepared from renewable nanocellulose and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid. By controlling the degree of crosslinking, the nanochannel structure and surface charge concentration can be simultaneously adjusted to achieve desired ion transport properties.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Md Abdul Aziz, Sangaraju Shanmugam
Summary: In this study, a Nafion/TiZrO4NT composite membrane was proposed for H-6[CoW12O40] RFB, achieving higher proton conductivity and ion selectivity, as well as higher discharge capacity, voltage efficiency, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the composite membrane improved battery cycling efficiency and open-circuit voltage.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin Goo Lee, Aaron B. Naden, Cristian D. Savaniu, Paul A. Connor, Julia L. Payne, Jonathan M. Skelton, Alexandra S. Gibbs, Jianing Hui, Stephen C. Parker, John T. S. Irvine
Summary: This study shows an enhanced proton conductivity of defective calcium titanate Ca0.92TiO2.84(OH)(0.16) prepared by replacing lattice oxygens with hydroxyl groups via a solvothermal route, exhibiting a bulk conductivity one order of magnitude higher than hydrated stoichiometric CaTiO3. Additionally, replacement of Ca2+ by Ni2+ in the Ca1-xTi1O3-2x(OH)(2)(x) is demonstrated, leading to the exsolution of metallic Ni nanoparticles along orthorhombic crystal planes upon reduction. These results suggest a new strategy for targeted energy applications by tailoring defect chemistry through hydration or cation doping followed by exsolution.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pablo Manuel Martinez-Rubio, Maria Dolores Aviles, Joaquin Arias-Pardilla, Francisco Jose Carrion-Vilches, Jose Sanes, Maria Dolores Bermudez, Ramon Pamies
Summary: A new series of nanofluids based on graphene dispersed in 2-hydroxyethylammonium lactate (ML) ionic liquid was developed. The concentration of graphene and temperature showed significant effects on the viscoelastic behavior and conductivity of the nanofluids. The viscosity unexpectedly decreased with a low concentration of graphene, while shear thinning effects appeared with higher concentrations. The complex Burgers model was used to describe the creep-recovery behavior of the nanofluid with 1 wt% of graphene.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lei Liu, Chao Wang, Zhenfeng He, Rajib Das, Binbin Dong, Xiaofeng Xie, Zhanhu Guo
Summary: Vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) is a promising large-scale electrical energy storage unit, with its core part being the amphoteric ion exchange membrane (AIEM) that separates electrolytes and conducts H+. AIEM, with cation and anion groups, has excellent performances but its quality depends on the chemical structure of polymers. It is important for AIEM to have ion selectivity to prevent vanadium ion crossover and reduce battery capacity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Sung Kwan Ryu, Ae Rhan Kim, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Kyu Ha Lee, Ji Young Chu, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: The integration of phosphotungstic acid and graphene oxide into sulfonated poly(arylene ether) resulted in a composite membrane with high thermal stability and proton conductivity, showing promising potential for PEM fuel cell applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laszlo Kook, Piroska Lajtai-Szabo, Peter Bakonyi, Katalin Belafi-Bako, Nandor Nemestothy
Summary: The study found that hydrophobic ionic liquids (IL) in the form of supported ionic liquid membranes (SILM) have superior proton and ion transfer properties in microbial fuel cells (MFC), with IL containing [PF6](-) anion potentially reducing ion transfer losses in MFCs and demonstrating comparable conductivity at low electrolyte concentrations.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina A. Stenina, Andrey B. Yaroslavtsev
Summary: Membrane technologies, specifically ion-exchange membranes, are highly demanded in modern industries. This review discusses the mechanisms of transfer processes in various ion-exchange membranes and the techniques used to study ionic and molecular mobility. The importance of proton transfer in membranes used in fuel cells and electrolyzers is highlighted, along with the features of ion transfer in membranes with inorganic nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingying Li, Xingyi Yue, Gen Huang, Mei Wang, Qingwen Zhang, Chunchang Wang, Haibo Yi, Shuangyin Wang
Summary: The ion selectivity of carboxyl functionalized graphene nanopores under an electric field of 1.0 V nm(-1) is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. Results show that ion association inspired by the electric field may be a key factor affecting ion selectivity in nanopores smaller than 2 nm. The association of Mg2+ and Cl- near the nanopores is significantly promoted under the electric field, slowing down the migration of Mg2+ ions.
Correction
Chemistry, Physical
Fang Luo, Aaron Roy, Luca Silvioli, David A. Cullen, Andrea Zitolo, Moulay Tahar Sougrati, Ismail Can Oguz, Tzonka Mineva, Detre Teschner, Stephan Wagner, Ju Wen, Fabio Dionigi, Ulrike I. Kramm, Jan Rossmeisl, Frederic Jaouen, Peter Strasser
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiang Lyu, Tim Van Cleve, Erica Young, Jianlin Li, Haoran Yu, David A. Cullen, K. C. Neyerlin, Alexey Serov
Summary: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) powered by green hydrogen (H2) are a promising alternative to traditional hydrocarbon-fueled power generators. However, further improvements are needed in efficiency, durability, and low-cost production for widespread adoption. Most strategies to improve PEMFC electrodes utilize single material sets, but anisotropic electrode structures with locally tunable properties may offer enhanced performance due to improved transport.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Leiming Hu, Tim Van Cleve, Haoran Yu, Jae Hyung Park, Nancy Kariuki, A. Jeremy Kropf, Rangachary Mukundan, David A. Cullen, Deborah J. Myers, K. C. Neyerlin
Summary: The degradation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) catalyst layers for heavy-duty vehicles was studied using a catalyst-specific accelerated stress test (AST). The PtCo/HSC catalyst showed better initial mass activity, larger initial mass transport loss, and faster degradation compared to a-Pt/HSC and Pt/HSC catalysts. Pt dissolution resulted in ECSA losses, either by catalyst particle growth or redeposition in the membrane.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
ChulOong Kim, Ivy Wu, Mei-Chen Kuo, Dominic J. Carmosino, Ethan W. Bloom, Soenke Seifert, David A. Cullen, Phuc Ha, Matthew J. Lindell, Ruichun Jiang, Craig S. Gittleman, Michael A. Yandrasits, Andrew M. Herring
Summary: Commercial proton exchange membrane heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles require a more durable composite membrane that can potentially conduct protons. We developed a composite membrane incorporating silicotungstic heteropoly acid (HPA) and other materials, which showed less swelling, more hydrophobic properties, and higher crystallinity than conventional membranes. This composite membrane demonstrated a proton conductivity of 0.130 +/- 0.03 S cm(-1) at 80 degrees C and 95% RH, and survived more than 800 hours under accelerated stress test conditions.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Krysta Waldrop, John J. Slack, Cenk Gumeci, Javier Parrondo, Nilesh Dale, Kimberly Shawn Reeves, David A. Cullen, Karren L. More, Peter N. Pintauro
Summary: MEA with nanofiber mat electrodes containing Pt/C catalyst and Nafion binder were fabricated and evaluated. The electrodes were prepared by electrospinning a solution of catalyst powder, salt-form Nafion, and a carrier polymer. MEAs with anode/cathode catalyst loadings of 0.1 mg(Pt) cm(-2) each and a Nafion 211 membrane demonstrated high power at both high and low RH conditions in H-2/air fuel cell tests. The presence of nm-size pores within the fibers trapped water via capillary condensation, maintaining high proton conductivity of the Nafion binder.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jeonghoon Lim, Yu Chen, David A. Cullen, Seung Woo Lee, Thomas P. Senftle, Marta C. Hatzell
Summary: By controlling the copper surface coverage, palladium nanocubes as electrocatalysts can effectively reduce nitrate (NO3-) and increase the selectivity for the reduction of nitrite (NO2-) to N2 or NH4+. Partial copper-coated Pd nanocubes can reduce 95% of NO3- and have 89% selectivity for NO2- reduction over 20 cycles (80 h). Complete copper-covered Pd nanocubes can reduce about 99% of NO3- and selectively reduce NO2- to NH4+ with a 70% selectivity over 20 cycles (80 h).
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Deng-Bing Li, Sabin Neupane, Sandip S. Bista, Chuanxiao Xiao, Abasi Abudulimu, Manoj K. Jamarkattel, Adam B. Phillips, Michael J. Heben, Jonathan D. Poplawsky, David A. Cullen, Chun-Sheng Jiang, Randall J. Ellingson, Yanfa Yan
Summary: Our previous work has shown that the formation of a penternary cadmium chalcogenide Cd(O,S,Se,Te) region can reduce front interface recombination in Cd(Se,Te)-based thin-film solar cells. In this work, we demonstrate that managing oxygen during device fabrication is crucial for forming this region. Improper oxygen management leads to low device performance due to the formation of a photoinactive Cd(S,Se) region and reduced absorber quality. Additionally, we investigate carrier transport and collection properties to understand the mechanisms resulting in improved efficiencies approaching 20%.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Sunilkumar Khandavalli, Yingying Chen, Nisha Sharma-Nene, Kashyap Sundara Rajan, Samrat Sur, Jonathan P. Rothstein, Kimberley S. S. Reeves, David A. A. Cullen, K. C. Neyerlin, Scott A. A. Mauger, Michael Ulsh
Summary: We investigated the effect of alcohol fraction in a binary water-alcohol solvent mixture on the rheological properties and fiber formation of poly(acrylic acid) in electrospinning. We found that the addition of alcohol induces association/aggregation of the polymer, which affects its viscosity and elasticity. The presence of alcohol also stabilizes the jets/filaments during electrospinning, resulting in improved fiber formation.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
X. Lyu, T. Zhang, Z. Li, C. J. Jafta, A. Serov, I. -H. Hwang, C. Sun, D. A. Cullen, J. Li, J. Wu
Summary: This study investigates the effect of trace Cu loading on metal-free catalysts for CO/CO2 reduction reactions (CORR). It is found that increasing Cu loading switches the selectivity from C1 (CH4) to C2 products in CORR. At a Cu loading of 2.5 mu g/cm2, the Faradaic efficiency of CH4 in CORR decreased from 62% to 52% for C2 products. Further increasing the atomic Cu loading to 3.8 mu g/cm2 promotes the Faradaic efficiency of C2 products to 78%. CO2RR requires higher Cu loading than CORR to switch the selectivity from C1 to C2 products. This study clarifies the distinct impact of trace Cu on the activity/selectivity between CORR and CO2RR.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emmanuel Bourret, Xiaoyang Liu, Cora A. Noble, Kevin Cover, Tanisha P. Davidson, Rong Huang, Ryan M. Koenig, K. Shawn Reeves, Ivan V. Vlassiouk, Michel Cote, Jefferey S. Baxter, Andrew R. Lupini, David B. Geohegan, Harry C. Dorn, Steven Stevenson
Summary: This study reports the experimental isolation and characterization of the largest soluble carbon molecule in its pristine form. The [5,5] C-130-D-5h(1) fullertube has a higher aspect ratio compared to previous fullertubes and contains more nanotubular carbons than end-cap fullerenyl atoms. Through analysis of various data, a single candidate isomer and fullertube structure, [5,5] C-130-D-5h(1), were identified. The isolation of this new fullertube opens up possibilities for further studies on electron confinement, fluorescence, and metallic character.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivan Vlassiouk, Sergei Smirnov, Alexander Puretzky, Olugbenga Olunloyo, David B. Geohegan, Ondrej Dyck, Andrew R. Lupini, Raymond R. Unocic, Harry M. Meyer III, Kai Xiao, Dayrl Briggs, Nickolay Lavrik, Jong Keum, Ercan Cakmak, Sumner B. Harris, Marti Checa, Liam Collins, John Lasseter, Reece Emery, John Rayle, Philip D. Rack, Yijing Stehle, Pavan Chaturvedi, Piran R. Kidambi, Gong Gu, Ilia Ivanov
Summary: This article reports a chemical vapor deposition process for the conformal growth of hBN on large surfaces of various alloys and steels. It demonstrates the protection of steels against corrosion and oxidation, as well as a reduction in friction coefficient. The growth mechanism is revealed and a new method using N2 gas is proposed for large-scale hBN synthesis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pavan Chaturvedi, Nicole K. Moehring, Thomas Knight, Rahul Shah, Ivan Vlassiouk, Piran R. Kidambi
Summary: Selective proton permeation through atomically thin graphene can be achieved by hot-pressing it with proton conducting polymer (such as Nafion). The quality and defects of graphene transfer are influenced by hot-press time, temperature, and pressure. Sandwich membranes of Nafion|graphene|Nafion, prepared under optimal transfer conditions, show reduced hydrogen crossover and comparable proton area specific resistance, making them suitable for practical PEM applications.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qing Gong, Hong Zhang, Haoran Yu, Sungho Jeon, Yang Ren, Zhenzhen Yang, Cheng-Jun Sun, Eric A. Stach, Alexandre C. Foucher, Yikang Yu, Matthew Smart, Gabriel M. Filippelli, David A. Cullen, Ping Liu, Jian Xie
Summary: Researchers have developed a simple method to deposit sub-3-nm L10-PtM nanoparticles onto carbon supports, resulting in improved Pt utilization and mass transport in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This approach achieved excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity, high power density, and durability, meeting the targets set by the Department of Energy.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
X. Wen, J. Pierce, N. Lavrik, S. J. Randolph, W. Guo, M. R. Fitzsimmons
Summary: The flow of the normal fluid component of He II around a cylinder and flat plate in a channel with a square crosssection was observed using He*2 excimer clouds tracking. The flow was generated by a lithographically patterned heater, and even after the heater was turned off, the direction and speed of the flow exhibited significant changes over time. High-speed movies were recorded to capture the fast movement of excimers. Velocity vector field maps indicated the formation of structures downstream of the cylinder that resembled eddies. This paper establishes a foundation for the observation of normal component flow in a quantum fluid over centimeters.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kui Li, Lei Ding, Zhiqiang Xie, Gaoqiang Yang, Shule Yu, Weitian Wang, David A. Cullen, Harry M. Meyer III, Guoxiang Hu, Panchapakesan Ganesh, Thomas R. Watkins, Feng-Yuan Zhang
Summary: Electrochemical conversion of nitrogen to green ammonia is hindered by the lack of efficient electrocatalysts. In this study, a cost-effective bimetallic Ru-Cu mixture catalyst in a nanosponge architecture was designed. The optimized Ru0.15Cu0.85 NS catalyst exhibited impressive N2RR performance and superior stability, surpassing monometallic Ru and Cu nanostructures. This work contributes to the design of efficient electrocatalysts for ambient electrochemical ammonia production.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
