Review
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Pengfei Wu, Shengan Wu, Dan Sun, Yougen Tang, Haiyan Wang
Summary: Aluminum-air batteries show promise for energy storage applications due to their high theoretical energy density and low cost, but face challenges such as activation and self-corrosion inhibition of the Al anode. Efforts have been made to overcome these obstacles, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms and exploring Al alloy anode technologies for future applications.
ACTA METALLURGICA SINICA-ENGLISH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Valentin Garcia-Caballero, Sebastian Lorca, Marta Villa-Moreno, Alvaro Caballero, Juan J. Giner-Casares, Antonio J. Fernandez-Romero, Manuel Cano
Summary: This study investigates the use of human hemoglobin (Hb) as a catalytic component in the air electrode of a primary zinc-air battery. Three different electrode modifications using Hb and Nafion were tested, and the Hb-Nafion modified electrode showed the best performance and long-term stability for oxygen electroreduction (ORR). The Hb-Nafion-based air electrode also provided higher specific capacity and discharge time compared to the Nafion-Hb modification.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Juergen-Martin Assafrei, Gulnara Yusibova, Kefeng Ping, Helle-Mai Piirsoo, Aile Tamm, Maike Kaarik, Jaan Leis, Jaan Aruvali, Vitali Grozovski, Enn Lust, Nadezda Kongi
Summary: This paper investigates the impact of adding KI to the electrolyte in zinc-air batteries (ZABs) on battery performance, and finds that adding KI can enhance the stability of the electrolyte and improve the roundtrip efficiency and charging efficiency of the battery.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yating Li, Zuhao Yu, Jianhang Huang, Yonggang Wang, Yongyao Xia
Summary: The problems of zinc anode, such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution, significantly impair the performance of zinc batteries. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), crucial for achieving high reversibility of lithium anode in non-aqueous organic solvents, also contributes to the improvement of zinc anode performance in aqueous electrolytes. However, current research on the interphase for zinc electrodes is fragmented, lacking a deep understanding of the underlying causes or general design rules for SEI construction. The high reactivity of water molecules poses a serious challenge for effective SEI formation.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Saul Said Montiel Guerrero, Yasin Emre Durmus, Krzysztof Dzieciol, Shibabrata Basak, Hermann Tempel, Stefan van Waasen, Hans Kungl, Rudiger-A. Eichel
Summary: The performance of Zn-air batteries can be enhanced by adding EDTA electrolyte additive, which results in higher discharge voltages and energies, lower overpotentials, and increased cycle life.
BATTERIES & SUPERCAPS
(2021)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Ze-hang Zhuang, Yan Feng, Chao-qun Peng, Liu-zhong Yang, Meng Wang
Summary: The addition of 0.01 wt.% Ga in Al-0.4Mg-0.05Sn-0.03Hg anode enhances its corrosion resistance and discharge activity by refining second phases and creating a homogenous microstructure, which restrains local crystallographic corrosion and chunk effect. The corrosion current density and mass loss rate of Al-Mg-Sn-Hg-Ga anode decrease by 57% and 93% respectively compared to Al-Mg-Sn-Hg anode. The discharge voltage, current efficiency, and specific capacity of the Al-air battery with Al-0.4Mg-0.05Sn-0.03Hg-0.01Ga anode are 1.46 V, 33.1%, and 1019.2 A.h.kg(-1) when discharging at a current density of 20 mA/cm(2). Activation mechanism of Ga on Al-Mg-Sn-Hg-Ga anode materials was also discussed.
TRANSACTIONS OF NONFERROUS METALS SOCIETY OF CHINA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yongyin Liang, Hang Lei, Songjie Wang, Zilong Wang, Wenjie Mai
Summary: Researchers designed a new Pt/Zn NPs heterostructure to enhance the catalytic properties and stability of neutral Zn-air batteries, achieving remarkable experimental results.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Chi-Yu Lai, Yi-Ting Lu, Wen-Yang Jao, Han-Yi Chen, Chi-Chang Hu
Summary: In this study, bifunctional catalyst and a high water content gel polymer electrolyte are used to fabricate flexible zinc-air batteries with improved performance. The optimal battery demonstrates excellent power density and prolonged cycle life. The decayed charge/discharge behavior of near-neutral FZABs is also explained.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yaqi Wu, Yongxin Zhu, Xiaohui Li, Daquan Zhang, Lixin Gao
Summary: In this study, an aluminum alloy doped with Mg, In, Sn, and Bi was prepared and its electrochemical performance as an anode for aluminum-air batteries was investigated. The results showed that the synergistic effect between the alloy elements significantly reduced the self-corrosion rate of the aluminum anode. The prepared alloy exhibited high capacity density and energy density at a high discharge rate, making it a desirable candidate for high-performance aluminum-air batteries.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiayue Fan, Haozhi Wang, Xiaorui Liu, Jie Liu, Naiqin Zhao, Cheng Zhong, Wenbin Hu, Jun Lu
Summary: Flexible aqueous zinc-air batteries (FAZABs) with quasi-solid-state gel polymer electrolytes (QSGPEs) containing sulfonate functionalized nanocomposites exhibit high ionic conductivity, alkali tolerance, and zinc anode stability. The FAZAB shows a long cycling life of 450 hours, making it suitable for powering wearable electronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanan Zhang, Jiangbo Wang, Mensah Alfred, Pengfei Lv, Fenglin Huang, Yibing Cai, Hui Qiao, Qufu Wei
Summary: This article provides a systematic summary of the recent advances in micro-nanofiber-derived functional materials for zinc-air batteries (ZABs), highlighting their roles in accelerating charge and discharge reactions, increasing service life, and enhancing flexibility.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhichun Yu, Liuyue Cao, Huabo Liu, Da-Wei Wang
Summary: The study shows that the aqueous Zn/LiCoO2 hybrid battery with mildly alkaline ammonia-containing electrolyte exhibits remarkable cycling stability and excellent rate capability, promising exciting prospects for advanced aqueous zinc-based batteries with high voltage and high energy density.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jasmin Smajic, Amira Alazmi, Nimer Wehbe, Pedro M. F. J. Costa
Summary: Aqueous electrolytes are attractive for next-generation electrochemical energy storage devices due to their environmental friendliness, safety, and ease of handling. When combined with aluminum as an electrode material, a green and economically sustainable battery system is promising. This study shows that mesoporous reduced graphene oxide powder is a better cathode material option than graphite flakes for optimal electrolyte performance.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Siyuan Zhao, Dawei Xia, Minghao Li, Diyi Cheng, Keliang Wang, Ying Shirley Meng, Zheng Chen, Jinhye Bae
Summary: A novel thermoreversible alkaline hydrogel electrolyte is reported to solve the problems of poor electrolyte/electrode contact, mechanical degradation, and CO2 corrosion encountered by flexible solid-state zinc-air batteries in practical applications. The hydrogel electrolyte can transform from solid to liquid state through a cooling process, restoring the electrolyte layer and enhancing electrode-electrolyte contact. The ZAB based on this hydrogel electrolyte shows an unprecedented anti-CO2 property and significantly improves discharge duration compared to ZABs with liquid electrolyte.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Fanglei Tong, Shanghai Wei, Xize Chen, Wei Gao
Summary: Magnesium is an abundant, green and low-cost element, making it a promising material for energy storage devices like magnesium-air batteries. However, practical application is hindered by challenges such as low anodic efficiency and passivation layer formation on magnesium metal anodes. Research on magnesium alloys as anode materials shows potential for addressing these challenges and improving the performance of magnesium-air batteries.
JOURNAL OF MAGNESIUM AND ALLOYS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minjin Son, Jaehyun Park, Eunmi Im, Jong Hun Ryu, Yasin Emre Durmus, Ruediger-A. Eichel, Seok Ju Kang
Summary: A sacrificial electrocatalyst of Pt-nanoparticle-decorated 1T-MoS2 layer is designed through carbothermal shock (CTS) treatment to enhance the energy efficiency and lifespan of seawater batteries. The phase transition of MoS2 crystals from 2H to metallic 1T phase induced by CTS treatment improves the oxygen-reduction-reaction (ORR) activity in seawater catholyte. Additionally, Pt nanoparticles are deposited onto CTS-MoS2 through an additional CTS treatment, resulting in a specimen with low charge/discharge potential gap, high power density, and remarkable cycling stability. This novel strategy could contribute to the development of efficient electrocatalysts for seawater batteries with long service life.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maximilian Quentmeier, Bernhard Schmid, Hermann Tempel, Hans Kungl, Ruediger-A. Eichel
Summary: A promising stack concept for aqueous CO2-to-CO electrolysis has been developed, utilizing gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) in continuous flowcells. The efficiency of CO2-to-CO conversion was enhanced by optimizing gas distribution and implementing an ionically conductive spacer. These modifications improved cell voltage, selectivity, and overall conversion, while also providing mechanical integrity and contact over the active cell area for stacking and upscaling. The performance was demonstrated by a two-cell short-stack.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yasin Emre Durmus, Marcel Kaltenberg, Krzysztof Dzieciol, Maximilian Schalenbach, Danny Gelman, Boris Shvartsev, Hermann Tempel, Hans Kungl, Ruediger-A. Eichel, Yair Ein-Eli
Summary: A new multivalent metal-air battery with Titanium as the active material and EMIm(HF)2.3F ionic liquid electrolyte is introduced. The electrochemical behavior of Titanium in EMIm(HF)2.3F is evaluated, and the Ti-air battery shows high discharge capacity and can operate at high current densities. It has the potential to be the only metal with 4 electrons transfer during discharge.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Osmane Camara, Qi Xu, Junbeom Park, Shicheng Yu, Xin Lu, Krzysztof Dzieciol, Roland Schierholz, Hermann Tempel, Hans Kungl, Chandramohan George, Joachim Mayer, Shibabrata Basak, Ruediger-A. Eichel
Summary: An in situ environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was used to monitor the sintering behavior of NASICON-type Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) at low environmental pressures. The results showed that no major morphological changes were observed at 10-2 Pa and only coarsening occurred at 10 Pa, while environmental pressures of 300 and 750 Pa led to the formation of typically sintered LATP electrolytes. Additionally, the use of pressure as an additional parameter in sintering allowed for control of the grain size and shape of the electrolyte particles.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Lu, Anna Windmueller, Dana Schmidt, Sandro Schoener, Roland Schierholz, Chih-Long Tsai, Hans Kungl, Xunfan Liao, Shicheng Yu, Hermann Tempel, Yiwang Chen, Rudiger-A. Eichel
Summary: The structural and morphological changes of Li10GeP2S12 were studied over a comprehensive heat treatment range (50 - 700 degrees C) using a ball milling-heating method. The formation process was divided into four zones based on phase composition: Educt, Intermediary, Formation, and Decomposition zones. Diversified intermediate phases and multi-phasic lithium phosphosulfides were found to be involved in the formation and decomposition of Li10GeP2S12. The phase composition exhibited deviations around the transition temperatures of different formation zones, with the sample decomposing into complex phases at 650 degrees C.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Henning Weinrich, Bastian Rutjens, Shibabrata Basak, Bernhard Schmid, Osmane Camara, Ansgar Kretzschmar, Hans Kungl, Hermann Tempel, Ruediger-A. Eichel
Summary: In this study, the material properties of different SnO2 nanoparticles were compared and correlated with their electrocatalytic performances. It was found that the nanoparticles prepared by hydrothermal synthesis had desirable small sizes and a high number of lattice defects, leading to the best electrocatalytic performance for the CO2 electroreduction to formate. However, the commercial reference also showed significant electrocatalytic performance, suggesting a high surface area-specific activity despite its lower defect density. Defects may not be the preferred reaction site for the CO2 electroreduction to formate on SnO2 in this case.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ifeanyichukwu D. Unachukwu, Vaibhav Vibhu, Jan Uecker, Izaak C. Vinke, Ruediger-A. Eichel, L. G. J. (Bert) de Haart
Summary: In this study, the performance and electrochemical behavior of the Ni-GDC fuel electrode under CO2 electrolysis were investigated. The long-term stability test results showed a low degradation rate under the operating conditions of 900 degrees C and 0.5 A/cm2. SEM analysis revealed the agglomeration of Ni particles, an increase in electrode porosity, and Ni migration away from the electrode/electrolyte interface.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yucheng Hao, Eike M. Langer, Bin Xiao, Philip Kegler, Xin Cao, Kunhong Hu, Ruediger-A. Eichel, Shuao Wang, Evgeny V. Alekseev
Summary: The study investigated the phase formation in the U-Te-O systems under high-temperature high-pressure conditions and discovered four new inorganic compounds. These compounds demonstrate the high chemical flexibility of the system with different oxidation states of Tellurium and Uranium. The crystal structures of these compounds were discussed, along with the synthetic conditions for preparing single crystalline samples.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Baolin Wu, Chunguang Chen, Luc H. J. Raijmakers, Jin Liu, Dmitri L. Danilov, Peter H. L. Notten
Summary: Li-metal battery systems are attractive for high-energy batteries due to their high theoretical specific capacity and low redox potential. Anode-free Li-metal batteries (AFLBs) have higher energy density and lower production costs. However, challenges in Li-metal reactivity and dendrite-growth prevent commercialization. Homogeneous Li-metal growth and stable SEI are crucial for addressing these issues. Approaches such as electrolyte optimization and artificial layers design have been developed to enhance Li-ion transport and suppress dendrite growth. This review provides an overview of these developments and insights into battery performance mechanisms.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Verena Theussl, Henning Weinrich, Christine Heume, Krzysztof Dzieciol, Bernhard Schmid, Hans Kungl, Hermann Tempel, Ruediger-A. Eichel
Summary: In order to improve the technical maturity of CO2 electrolysis to formic acid, various gas diffusion layers (GDLs) were investigated for their suitability as a carbon-based substrate for gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) and their effect on the electroreduction of CO2 to formate. The thickness, hydrophobic treatment, and presence of a microporous layer (MPL) in the GDL were examined for their impact on the Faradaic efficiency of the GDE. The results showed that the GDL thickness had no noticeable effect on the Faradaic efficiency, while a GDE with 10% PTFE hydrophobic treatment performed better than a GDE based on a GDL with 30% PTFE. Furthermore, the presence of an MPL was found to be significantly important in achieving relevant current densities through its effects on catalyst layer focus, wetting, and electrical conductivity on the GDE surface after spray coating.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Stephanie E. E. Wolf, Franziska E. E. Winterhalder, Vaibhav Vibhu, L. G. J. (Bert) de Haart, Olivier Guillon, Ruediger-A. Eichel, Norbert H. H. Menzler
Summary: Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) are highly efficient in producing chemicals and fuels from renewable electricity at high temperatures. However, the materials currently used for SOEC systems have been optimized for fuel cell operation, which slows down the technology development. This review discusses the state-of-the-art materials for SOECs, challenges in materials design and degradation, and recent advances in material compositions.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Correction
Chemistry, Physical
Elisabeth Robens, Burkhard Hecker, Hans Kungl, Hermann Tempel, Rudiger A. Eichel
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sven Jovanovic, Peter Jakes, Steffen Merz, Davis Thomas Daniel, Ruediger-A. Eichel, Josef Granwehr
Summary: The electrolytic reduction of CO2 in aqueous media is a promising method for converting greenhouse gas into base chemicals. Current research is focusing on the importance of the local environment and reactions at the electrodes. In this study, in operando NMR techniques were used to investigate changes in the electrolyte chemistry during CO2 electrolysis. It was found that the dynamic equilibrium of the electrolyte salt affects the resupply rate of CO2 to the reaction. Stable ion pairs in solution were proposed to catalyze the bicarbonate dehydration reaction, potentially providing a new pathway for improving educt resupply during CO2 electrolysis.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Shidong Zhang, Shangzhe Yu, Roland Peters, Steven B. Beale, Holger Marschall, Felix Kunz, Ruediger-A. Eichel
Summary: This paper presents a novel coupled region-to-region numerical procedure for electric field potential calculations. It compares the performance of the coupled method with a conventional segregated scheme for simulations of a solid oxide cell. The results show that the coupled method outperforms the segregated scheme, reducing convergence times and improving stability. It can also be applied to heat transfer problems between multiple phases and regions.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)