Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mengting Liu, Samik Jhulki, Zifei Sun, Alexandre Magasinski, Charles Hendrix, Gleb Yushin
Summary: A simple and economic method for synthesizing mesoporous Magneli phase Ti4O7 microspheres was reported, showing great promise as an inactive component in lithium-sulfur batteries to mitigate shuttle effect and exhibit excellent performance. The method provides milder synthesis conditions and environmental advantages, with important implications for the preparation of more economic and environmentally friendly Magneli phase metal oxides.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianpeng Liu, Chang Cheng, Tianle Wang, Juncheng Zhu, Zhong Li, Guang Ao, Wenliang Zhu, Giuseppe Pezzotti, Jiliang Zhu
Summary: This paper demonstrates the successful application of highly dispersed sulfur nanoparticles as the cathode material for lithium-sulfur batteries. The sulfur nanoparticles are efficiently prepared using an eco-friendly precipitation method and loaded on graphene oxide-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide through molecular grafting. The resulting cathodes exhibit superior electrochemical performance and have been used to power a four-axis propeller drone for a long flight at high altitudes, demonstrating the practical applicability as aviation batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Ying Lieu, Congjian Lin, Xue Liang Li, Shunqiong Jiang, Yuanjian Li, Hui Ying Yang, Zhi Wei Seh
Summary: A lithium-sulfur battery cathode was developed using sulfur spheres templated with MXene nanosheets decorated with CoSe2 nanoparticles. The presence of smaller nanoparticles was found to improve Li+ ion transport and enhance electrochemical performances.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Aoning Wang, Yixuan Chen, Li Liu, Xiang Liu, Zhoulu Wang, Yi Zhang
Summary: Titanium carbide MXene is proven to be an excellent host for the sulfur cathode in lithium-sulfur batteries, and the mass ratio of sulfur to MXene has a significant impact on the electrochemical performance of S/Ti3C2Tx MXene cathodes. The S/MXene composite with an optimum sulfur content demonstrates outstanding electrochemical performance.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Nhat Quang Minh Tran, Anh Tuan Thanh Pham, Cuong Chi Nguyen, Tien Thuy Nguyen Tran, Hoa Thi Lai, Thu Bao Nguyen Le, Chalicheemalapalli Kulala Jayasankar, Wisanu Pecharapa, Thang Bach Phan
Summary: This study introduces a novel strategy for improving the thermoelectric performance of oxide-based materials by synthesizing nanostructured phonon-glass multi-phase ceramic material. The addition of a secondary pentacolumn phase further reduces the lattice thermal conductivity and enhances the ZT value to twice the intrinsic value of the base materials.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuang Li, Zulipiya Shadike, Gihan Kwon, Xiao-Qing Yang, Ji Hoon Lee, Sooyeon Hwang
Summary: This study investigates the structural changes of metal oxides during both conversion and reconversion processes in lithium-ion batteries using synchrotron X-ray techniques and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the difference in diffusion rates of lithium and metal ions plays a critical role in determining the reaction pathway, and incomplete reconversion reaction limits the utilization of lithium ions over repeated cycling.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nianxiang Shi, Baojuan Xi, Jie Liu, Zhengchunyu Zhang, Ning Song, Weihua Chen, Jinkui Feng, Shenglin Xiong
Summary: In this study, NbN nanocrystals immobilized on N-doped carbon nanosheets were used to functionalize a polypropylene (PP) membrane with a thin coating of only 4 μm. The results showed that the functional modifier layer exhibited excellent cycling stability and rate capacity in sulfur cells, and also induced homogeneous lithium deposition in Li//Li symmetric cells. The strong chemical interactions between NbN and lithium polysulfides played a key role in the good electrochemical performance, and the introduction of NbN catalytically accelerated the reaction kinetics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuchi Tsao, Huaxin Gong, Shucheng Chen, Gan Chen, Yunzhi Liu, Theodore Z. Gao, Yi Cui, Zhenan Bao
Summary: By designing a flower-shaped porous carbon structure with nickel nanoparticles, the issues of large polarization, low sulfur utilization, and capacity fade in lithium-sulfur batteries have been addressed. The 3D flower-shaped carbon structure enables short ionic transport lengths, while the small pore diameters and sufficient pore volume are ideal for improving charging performance at low electrolyte to sulfur ratios. The use of Ni nanoparticles on the flower-shaped network improves reaction kinetics, leading to successful demonstration of batteries with high mass loading and good cycle retention.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ning Song, Baojuan Xi, Peng Wang, Xiaojian Ma, Weihua Chen, Jinkui Feng, Shenglin Xiong
Summary: By designing and fabricating VN@NCSs materials with ultrafine VN nanocrystals, the shuttle effect and sluggish kinetics conversion of lithium polysulfides within lithium-sulfur batteries have been successfully addressed, resulting in improved cycling stability and rate capability of the battery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Li, Peng Wang, Jia Yuan, Ning Song, Jinkui Feng, Shenglin Xiong, Baojuan Xi
Summary: The slow electrochemistry kinetics and dendrite growth are major obstacles for lithium-sulfur batteries. This study evaluates the effect of CoTe2 alloy with two polymorphs on the sulfur reduction reaction and lithium plating/stripping. The results show that the orthorhombic CoTe2 exhibits better catalysis and more uniform lithium deposition. This work provides new insight into the catalysts in Li-S batteries from a mechanistic perspective.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jian Liang Cheong, Chen Hu, Wenwen Liu, Man-Fai Ng, Michael B. Sullivan, Jackie Y. Ying
Summary: We report a simple method for synthesizing high surface area nanomaterials of transition metal nitride, carbonitride and carbide nanoparticles, which can be used as polysulfide regulators to improve the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Li, Hanxi Yang, Xinping Ai
Summary: Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been intensively investigated as a post-Li-ion technology, but their energy density and cycling performance are still not satisfactory for commercial development. The gap between laboratory research and industrial application is mainly due to the different requirements of sulfur cathodes and electrolytes in practical batteries. The quasi-solid-state reaction mechanism holds promise for achieving high-capacity and cycle-stable sulfur cathodes.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongying Wang, Yanli Song, Yanming Zhao, Yan Zhao, Zhifeng Wang
Summary: In this study, composites of bimetallic sulfide CuCo2S4 loaded on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared, and exhibited good electrochemical performance. The study offers a promising strategy for the design of bimetallic sulfide-based sulfur hosts in Li-S batteries.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Yizhou Wang, Tianchao Guo, Eman Alhajji, Zhengnan Tian, Zixiong Shi, Yi-Zhou Zhang, Husam N. Alshareef
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review of the research progress on using MXenes in sulfur-based batteries. The advantages of applying MXenes in sulfur-based batteries are discussed, and the roles of MXene in sulfur-based batteries are systematically summarized. Specific future research directions to advance the development of MXenes for sulfur-based batteries are outlined.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jia Li, Cao Wu, Jilong Huang, Juanjuan Xing, Yuchi Fan, Qingqiao Fu, Ying Jiang, Hui Gu
Summary: Correlated phase and microstructural evolution in Sr-deficient Sr(Ti, Nb)O-3 (STNO) thermoelectric ceramics with different fractions of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were systematically investigated using electron microscopies. It was found that RGO has a unique reducing effect on the microstructure of doped SrTiO3 with Sr deficiency, affecting the formation of precipitates and the variation of Sr deficiency.
JOURNAL OF MATERIOMICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Aleena Tahir, Tanveer ul-Haq, Usman Zubair, Faria Rafique, Akhtar Munir, Yousef Haik, Irshad Hussain, Habib Ur Rehman
Summary: Electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production has gained significant attention due to its potential in cost-effective solutions for energy crises. This study presents a scalable method for developing a thin film of Au@TiO2 on FTO, which efficiently catalyzes both oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. By sensitizing mesoporous TiO2 with a minimal amount of Au, the catalyst exhibits sustainable behavior for over 60 hours with low overpotential. This facile and scalable approach provides insights for designing more efficient electrode materials for electrochemical water splitting processes with minimal use of precious metals.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Usman Zubair, Nimra Nadeem, Hafiz Affan Abid, Rana Tariq Mehmood Ahmad, Amjed Javid, Munir Ashraf, Zulfiqar Ahmad Rehan
Summary: Textiles' outlook has shifted from ordinary clothing to smart fabrics due to their potential integration with wearable electronics. However, the integration into textiles, substantial sensing capability, and detection of biomotions in a self-powered mode are the main challenges in the development of wearable devices.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Umair Gulzar, Alex Lonergan, Vladimir Egorov, Yan Zhang, Alex Grant, Aoife Carroll, Colm O'Dwyer
Summary: Despite limited commercial success, lithium sulfur technology still lags behind existing Li-ion technology due to the complexity of lithium-sulfur chemistry and sulfur dissolution in the electrolyte solution. A comprehensive understanding of sulfur species and their kinetics is crucial for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. We proposed a new technique called Ampero-Coulometry, which mathematically transforms chronoamperometric charge-discharge curves to reveal the cation diffusional rate in carbon-sulfur porous electrodes at different states of charge/capacity. This technique allows tracking of Li+ ion diffusional rate and correlates with the mechanism of polysulfide dissolution and the kinetics of a sulfur electrode.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Yan Zhang, Alex Grant, Aoife Carroll, Umair Gulzar, Matthew Ferguson, Ahin Roy, Valeria Nicolosi, Colm O'Dwyer
Summary: Water-soluble binders have been found to enhance the performance of NASICON-type NaTi2(PO4)(3) Na-ion battery anodes, providing better capacity, cycle life stability, and rate response compared to traditional polyvinylidene difluoride-containing slurries. The role of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binders in improving the physical structure and chemical interfacial reactions has been revealed through electron microscopy and spectroscopy data. The use of CMC and a styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) additive in the binder resulted in significantly improved electrochemical response and higher durability, making it crucial for sustainable development of Na-ion technologies.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Physics, Applied
Alex Grant, Colm O'Dwyer
Summary: Predicting new sustainable materials, electrolytes, and complete cells is crucial for the development of Li-ion batteries and emerging alternative batteries. Understanding the interface, microstructure, and nature of electrolytes is key to new battery chemistries and materials. Recent progress in nondestructive methods, such as optical spectroscopies and atom probe tomography, has shown promise in unraveling the internal behavior of battery cells in real-time.
APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Daniele Versaci, Oana D. D. Apostu, Davide Dessantis, Julia Amici, Carlotta Francia, Marco Minella, Silvia Bodoardo
Summary: The improvements in future-generation lithium-ion batteries should consider not only performance, but also costs, processes, and environmental sustainability. Research and development of new active materials can increase power and energy density. However, improving electrochemical performance by using non-active materials with lower cost, lower environmental impact, and easier recycling procedure is a main challenge. This study evaluates tragacanth gum (TG) as a suitable aqueous binder for a cobalt-free, high-voltage lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) cathode, showing good thermal and mechanical properties, high cycling stability, and outstanding rate capability. Furthermore, TG also exhibits excellent recycling and recovery properties, making it a suitable and sustainable binder for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
Article
Electrochemistry
Davide Dessantis, Piera Di Prima, Daniele Versaci, Julia Amici, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo, Massimo Santarelli
Summary: Actual market requirements highlight the limitations of graphite as an anode for Li-ion batteries. Lithium metal, with its high specific capacity and low redox potential, could be a suitable alternative. However, there are several aging mechanisms that reduce the performance of Li-based batteries. The development of an electrochemical model that predicts the aging behavior could help in understanding and studying these mechanisms.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Alejandra Salas, Hanna Pazniak, Jesus Gonzalez-Julian, Stefano Bianco, Julia Amici, Thierry Ouisse, Ignazio Roppolo, Matteo Cocuzza
Summary: 3D printing technology is used for various applications, including electronics, but requires the development of novel 3D printable materials to produce complex structures. This study reports the synthesis of 3D printable photocurable resins embedding Ti3C2Tz-MXenes, a class of 2D layered materials with excellent electronic properties. Stable inks suitable for Digital Light Processing 3D printing technology were successfully synthesized and used to fabricate complex 3D composite structures. Annealing treatments were performed to enhance the electrical conductivity of the material, resulting in objects with improved conductivity and opening new possibilities for the development of complex 3D electronics.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Matteo Gandolfo, Daniele Versaci, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo, Julia Amici
Summary: Solid-state polymer electrolytes are a promising platform for safer lithium-metal batteries, but face limitations in terms of low ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance with electrodes. In this study, an ionogel composed of a crosslinked polymer matrix and an ionic liquid was investigated, with the addition of alumina nanoparticles to improve conductivity and cycling performances. The alumina composite ionogel showed enhanced ionic conductivity and stability, leading to improved capacity and cycling performance in LiFePO4/Li batteries at room temperature.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Usman Zubair, Khalil Jori, Jorge E. Thomas, Julia Amici, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo
Summary: An effective method to enhance the catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) is reported by using electrodeposited hybrid phase composite films of manganese oxide (MnOx) on carbonized cotton cloth. The porous carbon fabric with high interfacial MnOx composite film greatly contributes to high-loaded sulfur cathodes. Different MnOx phases are achieved through controlled annealing of MnOOH electrodeposited nanoflakes on carbon cloth, and oxygen-deficient phases are proposed to accelerate the LiPS oxidation.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alex Grant, Alex Lonergan, Colm O'Dwyer
Summary: Opals are used to investigate the effect of crystal thickness on the optical properties. The evaporation-induced self-assembly method is used to form opal photonic crystals with different volume fractions of polystyrene spheres. Microscopical structural characterization and angle-resolved transmission spectroscopy are employed to examine the quality of the crystals. The study reveals a direct correlation between sphere solution volume fraction and crystal thickness, and identifies the criteria for achieving thickness control in fast evaporation-induced self-assembly.
Article
Polymer Science
Julia Amici, Giorgio Banaudi, Mattia Longo, Matteo Gandolfo, Michael Zanon, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo, Marco Sangermano
Summary: In this study, an innovative lithium protective membrane based on chitosan was prepared and applied to lithium-oxygen batteries. The membrane effectively reduced the problems caused by the reactivity of lithium metal anode and the oxidative environment. The protected lithium cells showed higher discharge capacity and longer cycling performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Colombo, Daniele Versaci, Julia Amici, Federico Bella, Maria Laura Para, Nadia Garino, Marco Laurenti, Silvia Bodoardo, Carlotta Francia
Summary: In this study, a composite material based on doped reduced graphene oxide embedded with zinc sulfide nanoparticles was synthesized using a facile and solvent-free microwave method. The composite material showed improved battery performance, with a higher specific capacity at high rate and enhanced cycling stability. The heteroatomic doping process and the presence of zinc sulfide nanoparticles played a beneficial role in reducing polysulfide loss and improving redox kinetics.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daniele Versaci, Georgia Kastrinaki, George Ganas, Dimitrios Zarvalis, George Karagiannakis, Julia Amici, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo
Summary: Tin oxide has potential to replace graphite as anode material in lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity, low cost, and availability. However, its large-scale application is limited due to capacity loss and poor cyclability. Recent research has shown that optimizing the size of SnO2 particles can improve the reversibility of electrochemical reactions. In this study, SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method, resulting in specific capacity of 350 mAh g-1 and high cycling stability.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Umair Gulzar, Vladimir Egorov, Yan Zhang, Colm O'Dwyer
Summary: Additive manufacturing can be used to create new form factor small cells for energy storage devices, such as batteries, that are incorporated into the device's design. These 3D-printed batteries use sustainable materials and can be fully recycled. They have higher energy density and better electrical conductivity compared to metallic cells, while avoiding brittleness common in composite-printed electrodes.
ADVANCED ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
(2023)