Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Haitao Zhao, Yan Zhang, Zehua Zhao, Zhuangzhuang Xue, Lei Li
Summary: The mechanical properties of solid-state composite electrolytes play an important role in the electrochemical performance of all-solid-state batteries. By designing a specific structure of the solid-state composite electrolyte, the Young's modulus and flexibility can be united, leading to improved battery performance and cycling stability.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anthony Engler, Habin Park, Nian Liu, Paul A. Kohl
Summary: A series of carbonate-based single-ion conducting, solid polymer electrolytes were synthesized and exhibited high conductivity and stability. The copolymers contained carbonate groups, which provided complexation sites and crosslinking sites to aid Li+ dissociation and improve mechanical properties. The polymer electrolyte with dicarbonate acrylate (DCA) and trifluoromethane sulfonimide methacrylate (MTFSI), UV-cured with a polyethylene oxide crosslinker and plasticized with vinylene carbonate (VC), showed excellent compatibility and stability with lithium, and a lithium metal/lithium iron phosphate full cell with VC demonstrated higher capacity and cycling stability compared to a cell with conventional plasticizers.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sudipta Mondal, Farhan Papiya, Saumendra Nath Ash, Patit Paban Kundu
Summary: In this study, composite membranes consisting of SPBI and SGO were synthesized, showing that membranes with higher SGO content exhibit enhanced proton conductivity and ion exchange capacity, especially the 3% and 5% SGO content membranes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shilun Gao, Yiyang Pan, Bingrui Li, Md Anisur Rahman, Ming Tian, Huabin Yang, Peng-Fei Cao
Summary: An ultra-stretchable and ionic conducting chemically crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive (cPSA) has been developed as both artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer and solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) for stable Li-metal battery. It shows excellent electrochemical performance in half cells and symmetric cells, and demonstrates stable cycling performance in full cells with different cathodes. As a solid electrolyte, it exhibits excellent cycling stability over 500 cycles.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wonsung Choi, Kyoung H. Choi, Tae Y. Kim, Toshinori Sugimoto, Youngeal Kim, Shintaro Kitajima, Mokwon Kim, Hyunjin Kim, Hyunpyo Lee, Hyuk Jae Kwon, Heung C. Lee, Dongjoon Lee, Jung O. Park, Jung-Hwa Kim, Seong Y. Park, Dongmin Im
Summary: This paper reports the scalable production of a thin membrane comprising single-crystal SE particles that are bicontinuously embedded in a polymer matrix to form ion-conducting channels. The membrane exhibits high ionic conductivity and enables stable lithium metal stripping and plating, resulting in a high specific energy.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Maral Fouladvand, Leila Naji, Mehran Javanbakht, Alireza Rahmanian
Summary: In this study, Li-ion conducting poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (PE) were prepared and the effects of SGO content on the properties of PE composites were investigated. Results showed that the physicochemical and electrochemical characteristics of the prepared PE composites were significantly improved by adding an appropriate amount of SGO, with excellent ionic conductivity achieved at room temperature.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shilun Gao, Zhenxi Li, Zhen Zhang, Bingrui Li, Xi Chelsea Chen, Guang Yang, Tomonori Saito, Ming Tian, Huabin Yang, Peng-Fei Cao
Summary: A polymer network called PPS is synthesized and utilized as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer to stabilize lithium metal electrodes. It shows excellent electrochemical performance and cycling stability in various cell configurations.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yifang Liang, Liwei Dong, Shijie Zhong, Botao Yuan, Yuanpeng Ji, Chunhui Yang, Dongyan Tang, Weidong He
Summary: In this study, an asbestos (ASB) functionalized solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is introduced to facilitate even lithium deposition and suppress lithium dendrite growth. The ASB functionalized SPE enhances the ionic conductivity and Li+ transference number, resulting in improved cycling stability and discharge capacity of LiFePO4 batteries. The even and smooth surface morphology of Li metal after cycling using the ASB functionalized SPE demonstrates the successful inhibition of dendrite growth. Therefore, the ASB functionalized SPE proposes a prospective strategy for restraining lithium dendrite.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Daria Voropaeva, Svetlana Novikova, Irina Stenina, Andrey Yaroslavtsev
Summary: The use of cation-exchange membranes as electrolytes in lithium metal batteries is a promising approach to prevent lithium dendrite formation and ensure safe battery operation. In this study, a Nafion-212 membrane solvated with a mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate was used as the electrolyte for a lithium metal battery with a LiFePO4 cathode. The Nafion-212-EC-PC electrolyte exhibited electrochemical stability up to 6 V and high ionic conductivity, making it suitable for high-energy density batteries.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yunfeng Zhang, Jiaying Wang, Chang Tan, Yang He, Yazhou Chen, Shikang Huo, Danli Zeng, Chen Li, Hansong Cheng
Summary: This study developed a fully aromatic sp(3) boron-based single lithium ion conducting polymer electrolyte with high lithium ion transference number, high ionic conductivity, excellent thermal stability, and flame-retardant properties. By providing a porous structure, excellent lithium ion transport channels, and effectively suppressing lithium dendrite growth in lithium metal batteries, the material demonstrated superior cycling performance.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Meifang Jiang, Zengqi Zhang, Ben Tang, Tiantian Dong, Hantao Xu, Huanri Zhang, Xiaolan Lu, Guanglei Cui
Summary: Lithium-sulfur batteries are promising candidates compared to traditional lithium ion batteries due to their low cost, high theoretical specific capacity, and energy density of sulfur. Polymer electrolytes are increasingly preferred for their safety and compatibility. However, there are still challenges to be addressed before commercial applications.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Vitor L. Martins
Summary: Battery materials have been extensively studied in the past decades to enhance their capacity, energy density, and power density. This review focuses on liquid electrolyte materials, including organic ones like ionic liquids and aqueous-based ones. The progress in strategies such as fluorinated organic solvents and low-solvating organic solvents is highlighted, along with their impact on Li plating/stripping and battery performance. The discussion also explores aqueous electrolyte with molecular crowding, where Li+ solvation is primarily controlled by anions, leading to changes in the solid electrolyte interphase. This opinion review aims to summarize important research reports on electrolytes for Li-ion and Li metal batteries in the past two years.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yifei Yang, Roger Tocchetto, Kevin Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of sulfonated pentablock terpolymer (NEXAR(R)) membranes with different ion exchange capacities in PEM electrolytic dehumidification. The results showed that NEXAR(R) membranes had higher water removal energy efficiency and water vapor transmission rate compared to the benchmark Nafion membrane, but the higher ion exchange capacity resulted in higher water sorption and lower energy efficiency. Concurrently applied potential resulted in higher water removal energy efficiency. Overall, this study suggests that NEXAR(R) membranes are a promising alternative to Nafion in PEM electrolytic dehumidification.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun Xia, Runhua Gao, Yang Yang, Zheng Tao, Zhiyuan Han, Shichao Zhang, Yalan Xing, Puheng Yang, Xia Lu, Guangmin Zhou
Summary: In this study, a metallic 1T MoS2 and rich oxygen vacancies TinO2n-1/MXene hierarchical bifunctional catalyst (Mo-Ti/Mx) anchored on a reduced graphene oxide-cellulose nanofiber host (Mo-Ti/Mx-GN) was proposed to address the poor cycling stability and flexibility of lithium-sulfur batteries. The electrode demonstrated improved electrochemical properties and reversible energy storage and output over a wide temperature range.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaoxia Jiao, Jin Wang, Guixia Gao, Xuezhi Zhang, Cuimei Fu, Lina Wang, Yonggang Wang, Tianxi Liu
Summary: This study introduces a stable quasi-solid lithium-metal battery with a specially designed material for a dense solid electrolyte interface, effectively inhibiting dendritic lithium growth, and improving the reversibility and safety of the battery.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(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
Electrochemistry
Cataldo Simari, Ernestino Lufrano, Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman, Avital Zhegur-Khais, Saja Haj-Bsoul, Dario R. Dekel, Isabella Nicotera
Summary: In this study, nanocomposite Anion Exchange Membranes (AEMs) based on tetramethylammonium Polysulfone ionomer and Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) were extensively investigated. The effect of LDH filler on the performance of the membranes and the carbonation kinetics were studied. The results revealed that the presence of LDH filler improved the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of the membranes, while reducing the rate of alkaline degradation.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alfonso Policicchio, Giuseppe Conte, Raffaele Giuseppe Agostino, Paolino Caputo, Cesare Oliviero Rossi, Nicolas Godbert, Isabella Nicotera, Cataldo Simari
Summary: Global warming and environmental concerns have led to global efforts to reduce anthropogenic carbon emissions, leading to a focus on mesoporous silica materials for their carbon capture properties. A recent study investigated the internal arrangement and diffusion properties of CO2 in silica mesopores, revealing multiple physisorbed species coexisting. Through C-13 NMR and C-13 PFG NMR analysis, it was found that CO2 in mesopores exhibited anisotropic long-range mobility with different diffusion coefficients depending on direction.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2022)
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
Ernestino Lufrano, Isabella Nicotera, Apostolos Enotiadis, Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman, Cataldo Simari
Summary: This study involves the synthesis and characterization of a new polymer electrolyte membrane for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The nanocomposite membrane exhibits good dimensional stability and proton conductivity, making it a potential candidate for DMFCs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isabella Nicotera, Alfonso Policicchio, Giuseppe Conte, Raffaele Giuseppe Agostino, Ernestino Lufrano, Cataldo Simari
Summary: A novel polymeric sorbent has been synthesized by modifying polysulfone with quaternary ammonium groups. It exhibits high CO2 adsorption capacity, good stability, and fast capture kinetics, making it suitable for low-temperature and low-pressure CO2 sorption.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isabella Nicotera, Alfonso Policicchio, Giuseppe Conte, Raffaele Giuseppe Agostino, Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman, Ernestino Lufrano, Cataldo Simari
Summary: In this study, a polymeric membrane functionalized with trimethylammonium groups was synthesized and evaluated as a CO2 sorbent. The membrane exhibited satisfactory performance in terms of stability, rapid adsorption, high selectivity, and working capacity. The quaternary ammonium groups enable superior amine efficiency and reversible trap-release of CO2. The low cost, versatility, and ease of preparation make this membrane a promising candidate for scalable and cost-effective CO2 capture.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
S. Davino, D. Callegari, D. Pasini, M. Thomas, I. Nicotera, S. Bonizzoni, P. Mustarelli, E. Quartarone
Summary: Next-generation Li-ion batteries need to have improved durability, quality, reliability, and safety to meet the stringent technical requirements of crucial sectors like e-mobility. One approach to overcome degradation is the use of advanced materials with self-healing properties, such as the gel electrolyte proposed in this study.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Eliana Quartarone, Stefania Davino, Ernestino Lufrano, Luigi Coppola, Cataldo Simari, Isabella Nicotera
Summary: A successful strategy to enhance the safety of new-generation lithium-ion batteries is to use solid or quasi-solid membranes instead of liquid electrolytes, which ensures sufficient ionic conduction and mechanical strength.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Daniele Meggiolaro, Marco Agostini, Sergio Brutti
Summary: Metal-sulfur batteries offer a wide scope for research, ranging from fundamental science to applied technologies. However, the lack of understanding in metal-sulfur systems other than Li-S hinders progress and performance. Extensive research is needed for each formulation due to the inconsistencies and differences.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
C. Simari, M. H. Ur Rehman, A. Capri, I. Gatto, V. Baglio, I. Nicotera
Summary: 'Green' hydrogen production using anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis is a promising approach to address the energy crisis. In order to achieve commercially viable hydrogen generation, improvements in AEM technology, including membrane stability, operating temperature, ion conductivity, power performance, and cost reduction, are essential.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(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)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristine D'Agostino, Claudia Chillocci, Francesca Polli, Luca Surace, Federica Simonetti, Marco Agostini, Sergio Brutti, Franco Mazzei, Gabriele Favero, Rosaceleste Zumpano
Summary: This study aimed to develop a user-friendly smartphone-based electrochemical biosensor for the rapid assessment of total polyphenols content in coffee blends. The biosensor, based on modified carbon-based screen-printed electrode, demonstrated high sensitivity and a wide linear range, and was validated for quantifying polyphenols in coffee blends.
Article
Electrochemistry
Juan Pinuela-Noval, Daniel Fernandez-Gonzalez, Sergio Brutti, Marta Suarez, Franco Mazzei, Maria Assunta Navarra, Luis Felipe Verdeja, Adolfo Fernandez, Marco Agostini
Summary: This study proposes for the first time the use of molybdenum and chromium carbides as additives to stabilize graphite/silicon composites. Spark plasma sintering technology is utilized to sinter the electrode powders. It is demonstrated that the presence of molybdenum or chromium carbides enhances the performance of C/Si electrodes, improving the cycling stability in lithium cells.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tamar Zelovich, Cataldo Simari, Isabella Nicotera, Dario R. Dekel, Mark E. Tuckerman
Summary: This study investigates the effect of CO2 on the efficiency of anion exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells and the reactions between CO2 and hydroxide ions. The results show that increasing hydration can delay the reaction between CO2 and hydroxide ions, but once reacted, HCO3- ions significantly reduce the diffusion of hydroxide ions.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
