Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Xiaobin Zhao, Wenbo Wang, Chenghao Huang, Lei Luo, Zhongmin Deng, Wei Guo, Jie Xu, Zhenghua Meng
Summary: A novel cellulose separator for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) named TOCF was successfully fabricated from cattail fibers, showing good tensile strength, thermal dimensional stability, sufficient porosity, outstanding liquid electrolyte uptake, and large ionic conductivity. The Li/LiFePO4 cell assembled using the TOCF separator demonstrated better discharge capacity and cycling stability compared to a cell with a commercial Celgard separator, making TOCF a promising and low-cost candidate for high-performance LIBs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhaoyi Wang, Xiaogang Li, Nanxi Dong, Bingxue Liu, Guofeng Tian, Shengli Qi, Dezhen Wu
Summary: In this study, a high-temperature stable and wettability-enhanced polyethylene composite separator was designed by coating it with zirconia@polyimide core-shell nano-microspheres. The (ZrO2@PI)/PE separator exhibited lower density, improved thermal stability, and enhanced electrolyte wettability compared to commercial separators. It demonstrated enhanced cycle performance and thermal safety, making it a promising candidate for high-energy density and high-security lithium-ion batteries.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
C. Martinez-Cisneros, C. Antonelli, B. Levenfeld, A. Varez, J. C. Perez-Flores, A. Santos-Mendez, A. Kuhn, J-Y Sanchez
Summary: This study systematically investigates non-woven separators based on polyacrylonitrile blended with cellulose and para-aramid fibers, providing a potential alternative for more stable and safer lithium-ion batteries. Although the conductivity values are modest, the electrochemical performance developed when used in Li4Ti5O12/LiCoO2 cells is satisfactory.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Di Zhang, Hongfei Lu, Chenxu Duan, Yi Qin, Zhenjie Zhu, Zili Zhang, Nawei Lyu, Yang Jin
Summary: An inorganic oxide-based hydrophobic-hydrophilic-hydrophobic self-assembled separator system is proposed to improve the cycling life and stability of zinc-ion batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Sun, Q. M. Li, Ping Xiao, Paola Carbone
Summary: This study investigates the impact of compressed separators on the electrochemical performance of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and its underlying mechanisms. Two commercial separators, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), with different compressive behaviors were examined. The tortuosity values of compressed PP and PE separators were determined using Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum (EIS) tests. LIBs with compressed PP and PE separators were tested for their capacity performance, revealing that the critical compressive strain for significant reduction in LIB's capacity is the onset strain of densifications. The experimental observations are supported by COMSOL modeling results.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yonggui Deng, Arshad Hussain, Waseem Raza, Lihong Ao, Kai Zong, Jie Zhao, Wei Liu, Pengfei Ye, Aymeric Ramiere, Xingke Cai, Dongqing Liu, Jun Shen
Summary: PBI membranes with tunable porous structure were prepared by adjusting the proportions of non-solvent. The resulting membranes showed better performance than traditional PP separators.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pui Lap Jacob Lee, Vigneshwaran Thangavel, Claude Guery, Christina Trautmann, Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares, Mathieu Morcrette
Summary: This study explores the use of polymer etched ion-track membranes as separators in Li-S batteries to mitigate the redox shuttle effect. Compared to commercial separators, these membranes offer unique advantages in adjusting and optimizing the density, geometry, and diameter of nanopores, effectively reducing the self-discharge issue of the battery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Di Yang, Xiaoyu Wu, Li He, Zhihui Sun, Hainan Zhao, Meiling Wang, Yizhan Wang, Yingjin Wei
Summary: Li and Zn metal batteries show great potential to replace Li-ion batteries, but issues such as dendrite growth caused by uneven cation deposition during charge-discharge cycles hinder their practical application. In this study, we propose a simple method of separator modification that combines physical and chemical forces to regulate uniform and rapid deposition of Li+ and Zn2+. This modified separator allows for stable cycling of Li and Zn metal anodes for over 1000 h under a large current density of 10 mA cm(-2).
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jianwei Li, Xuanning Zhang, Yuyan Lu, Keliang Linghu, Chen Wang, Zhonglei Ma, Xinhai He
Summary: In this study, composite nanofibrous membranes (CNMs) with enhanced mechanical strength and thermal stability were successfully fabricated by synthesizing fluorinated polyimide (FPI) and blending it with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The CNMs showed improved tensile strength and almost no dimensional shrinkage after heat treatment. In addition, the CNMs exhibited enhanced electrochemical performances compared to neat PVDF and commercial Celgard membranes, with higher electrolyte uptake and ionic conductivity. The prepared CNMs offer a promising approach for high-performance separator design.
ADVANCED FIBER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dana Jin, Hyeonsoo Kang, Hyung Wan Do, Gwangmook Kim, Taehoon Kim, Sungsoon Kim, Sangjin Choi, Jongbum Won, Inchul Park, Keeyoung Jung, Wooyoung Shim
Summary: The study introduces a mechanical approach using resonant vibration to enhance the wettability of electrolytes on separators, thus improving the performance of LIBs. The mechanical resonance, activated at a specific frequency, allows the electrolyte to infiltrate the porous separator through capillary waves and inertia force. This mechanical method, rather than electrochemistry, contributes to the higher specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability of LIBs, providing a promising strategy for developing safer LIBs with liquid electrolytes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ao Li, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Wei Wang, Ivan Miguel De Cachinho Cordeiro, Cheng Wang, Timothy Bo Yuan Chen, Jin Zhang, Qing Nian Chan, Guan Heng Yeoh
Summary: With the widespread applications of lithium-ion batteries in portable electronics and electric vehicles, the properties of separators have become crucial in ensuring battery safety and performance. Recent advancements in applied materials have led to research progress in enhancing the electrical, fire, and explosion prevention performances of battery separators. Future directions in battery separator research are also being explored to further improve battery safety and performance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ronald Gordon, Anna Smith
Summary: Here, a new test procedure for lithium ion cells is developed to induce cell internal defects under more realistic conditions. Lithium plating, a common phenomenon in aging graphite-based lithium-ion battery cells, is chosen as the trigger and is induced systematically and reproducibly through electrochemical cycling. The behavior of cells differed based on the outcome of the test, allowing for classification into categories. It is the consequences of the lithium plating, such as degradation reactions and increased inner resistance, that cause safety critical behavior of the cells, rather than the plating and dendrite growth itself.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuebo Yuan, Hewu Wang, Languang Lu, Yukun Sun, Xiangdong Kong, Xuebing Han, Minggao Ouyang
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics, models, and detection methods of defects in lithium-ion batteries. The effect of a blocking defect on battery performance is examined through experiments and simulations. The study reveals the mechanism behind abnormal voltage variation in defective batteries and proposes an in-situ detection method based on abnormal voltage variations.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiahui Chen, Tianxing Kang, Yan Cui, Jianjun Xue, Hanliang Xu, Junmin Nan
Summary: The study demonstrates that the glass fiber/polyacrylate (GFP) separator has better thermal stability, electrolyte wettability, and electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries compared to traditional polyolefin separators. The GFP separator can effectively inhibit overheating reactions in batteries and enhance cycling performance.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Siyan Chen, Zhenhai Gao, Tianjun Sun
Summary: This review discusses the general working mechanism of Lithium-ion batteries, the thermal runaway process, trigger conditions, material factors, and advancements in battery safety. It aims to provide a general picture of thermal runaway risks and solutions for safer battery designs.
ENERGY SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lee Seul Oh, Minseon Park, Yoo Sei Park, Youngmin Kim, Wongeun Yoon, Jeemin Hwang, Eunho Lim, Jong Hyeok Park, Sung Mook Choi, Min Ho Seo, Won Bae Kim, Hyung Ju Kim
Summary: Both experimental and computational methods are used in this work to investigate the effect of electrochemically-synthesized CuCo-oxide, Cu-oxide, and Co-oxide catalysts on the glycerol oxidation reaction. The Cu-based oxides show enhanced ability in cleaving C-C bonds, leading to high selectivity for glycolic acid and formic acid production, compared to the conventional Au and Pt catalysts.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
You-Jin Kim, Jeong-Bin Moon, Hyerim Hwang, Youn Soo Kim, Gi-Ra Yi
Summary: Significant progress has been made in the synthesis and assembly of patchy colloidal clusters in recent years. These clusters, through a DNA-mediated interlocking process, can form directional bonding with specific rotation angles, and have potential applications in photonic crystals, metamaterials, topological photonic insulators, and separation membranes.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daero Lee, Chanui Park, Young Gyun Choi, Seunghyok Rho, Won Bo Lee, Jong Hyeok Park
Summary: A selective Li+ conductive solid-state electrolyte (SLCSE) composed of a highly conductive CMA polymer matrix and branched polyamine is reported. The incorporation of rigid benzene-ring constituents in the matrix enhances both mechanical strength and Li+ transportation. The SLCSE exhibits high ionic conductivity, high Li+ transference number, and exceptional stability, making it a promising candidate for solid-state Li-metal batteries.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xuan Minh Chau Ta, Thi Kim Anh Nguyen, Anh Dinh Bui, Hieu T. T. Nguyen, Rahman Daiyan, Rose Amal, Thanh Tran-Phu, Antonio Tricoli
Summary: Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising approach to produce green hydrogen using solar energy. However, the lack of efficient photoanodes to catalyze the water photooxidation reaction remains a challenge. In this study, nanostructured FeWO4 photoanodes were synthesized on a fluorine doped tin oxide glass substrate via a scalable and ultra-fast flame synthesis route. The optimized FeWO4 photoanode with a bandgap of 1.82 eV and a FeOOH/NiOOH co-catalyst coating showed improved water photooxidation performance and good photostability, providing insights for the engineering of small band-gap catalysts for various photoelectrochemical applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jung Hwan Lee, SunJe Lee, Taehee Kim, Hyungju Ahn, Gyu Yong Jang, Kwang Hee Kim, Yoon Jun Cho, Kan Zhang, Ji-Sang Park, Jong Hyeok Park
Summary: Controlling oxygen vacancies in SnO2_x is crucial for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, most research only focuses on the results without analyzing the underlying phenomenological part of the strategy. This study reveals a new beneficial effect of controlling oxygen vacancies in SnO2_x by examining its role in suppressing unfavorable perovskite phase transitions and facilitating formamidinium cation retention at the interface. The findings emphasize the genuine necessity of reducing oxygen vacancies in SnO2_x.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minje Ryu, Young-Kuk Hong, Sang-Young Lee, Jong Hyeok Park
Summary: In this study, a feasible and sustainable dry press-coating process is proposed to fabricate electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. This process improves the mechanical strength and performance of the electrodes compared to traditional wet coating, allowing for high loading and impressive specific energy and volumetric energy density.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Han Gyo Jeong, Gwanghyun Lee, Jong Hyeok Park
Summary: Silicon is a promising active material for lithium-ion batteries with a high theoretical capacity. However, its fabrication requires complicated and high-cost processes to improve cyclic performance. Herein, we report a one-step wet ball-milling process to fabricate submicron silicon particles coated with a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) layer, which enhances electrolyte wettability and increases lithium-ion pathways on the silicon surface. These improvements result in a stable solid electrolyte interphase layer and reduced internal resistance of the electrodes. The silicon anodes with optimal particle size and PAN layer exhibit superior performance even at ultra-fast current density, and when combined with an NCM712 cathode, a full-cell demonstrates excellent performance.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuan Minh Chau Ta, Thanh Tran-Phu, Jodie A. Yuwono, Thi Kim Anh Nguyen, Anh Dinh Bui, Thien N. Truong, Li-chun Chang, Elena Magnano, Rahman Daiyan, Alexandr N. Simonov, Antonio Tricoli
Summary: In this study, the authors improved the stability and catalytic activity of low-cost Co3O4 anodes by depositing dielectric nanoscale-thin oxide layers, including Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, SnO2, and HfO2, through atomic layer deposition. The results demonstrated that the HfO2 layer had the best performance, increasing the durability of the Co3O4 anode over threefold.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiwon Kim, Jae Hyung Kim, Cheoulwoo Oh, Hyewon Yun, Eunchong Lee, Hyung-Suk Oh, Jong Hyeok Park, Yun Jeong Hwang
Summary: An electro-assisted approach using acid-treated carbon electrocatalyst and in-situ cathodically generated reactive oxygen species is proposed for the partial oxidation of methane at ambient temperature and pressure. Reactive oxygen species activate methane and methanol, leading to selective methane partial oxidation. This study presents a method for the electrochemically assisted partial oxidation of methane to produce liquid oxygenate, HCOOH, selectively.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Tae-Kyung Liu, Gyu Yong Jang, Sungsoon Kim, Kan Zhang, Xiaolin Zheng, Jong Hyeok Park
Summary: Aqueous photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells are a promising technology for converting solar energy into hydrogen, but their efficiency and cost-effectiveness are limited by sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics and the low economic value of the produced oxygen gas. Organic upgrading PEC reactions, especially alternative OERs, have gained considerable attention for improving efficiency and economic effectiveness. This review provides an overview of PEC reaction fundamentals, cost analysis, recent advances in organic upgrading reactions using different substrates, and discusses the current status, future prospects, and challenges towards industrial applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Thi Kim Anh Nguyen, Thanh Tran-Phu, Xuan Minh Chau Ta, Thien N. Truong, Josh Leverett, Rahman Daiyan, Rose Amal, Antonio Tricoli
Summary: A study on the structure-activity relationship of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) derived from earth-abundant precursors for simultaneous PET photoreforming and green hydrogen production is reported. Melamine-derived g-C3N4 with 3 wt.% Pt shows the highest photocatalytic activity and stability due to its higher crystallinity and chemical stability. This study provides important insights for the further development of photocatalytic processes for combined green hydrogen production and plastic waste reforming.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongkyu Kim, Won-Gwang Lim, Youngmin Kim, Lee Seul Oh, Seongseop Kim, Jong Hyeok Park, Changshin Jo, Hyung Ju Kim, Joonhee Kang, Seonggyu Lee, Eunho Lim
Summary: The reaction pathway of electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation can be controlled by incorporating amorphous antimony oxide on the surface of a Pt nanoparticle electrocatalyst, resulting in highly selective glycerol oxidation to dihydroxyacetone. This strategy not only improves the selectivity, stability, and electro-catalytic activity of the Pt electrocatalyst, but also promotes the glycerol conversion in the reaction.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sang Won Lee, Tae Heon Nam, Minkyu Kim, Seokhee Lee, Kyu Hyung Lee, Jong Hyeok Park, Tae Ho Shin
Summary: This study investigated the catalytic activity and reaction kinetics of CO2 reduction for metal catalysts (Co, Fe, Ni, and Ru) on a La(Sr)Fe(Mn)O-3 (LSFM) fuel electrode. The distribution of relaxation times analysis was conducted to study the adsorption and dissociation processes of CO2 molecules for each catalyst. The Fe catalyst showed the best electrolysis performance of 2.201 A cm(-2) at 1.5 V in CO2 electrolysis at 1123 K.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zain Ul Abideen, Jun-Gyu Choi, Jodie A. Yuwono, Won-June Lee, Krishnan Murugappan, Priyank Vijaya Kumar, David R. Nisbet, Thanh Tran-Phu, Myung-Han Yoon, Antonio Tricoli
Summary: Nanoscale heterojunction networks are promising functional materials for optoelectronic and photocatalytic devices. Optimizing their surface properties, especially surface defects, is a major challenge. This study reports on the effective engineering of the photocatalytic properties of nanoscale heterojunction networks through deep ultraviolet photoactivation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ryan Rhee, Tae G. Kim, Gyu Y. Jang, Gwangmin Bae, Jung H. Lee, Sunje Lee, Sungsoon Kim, Seokwoo Jeon, Jong H. Park
Summary: Research has shown that combining photo-absorbing LHP with water-splitting catalysts can achieve efficient unbiased water splitting. By integrating the two monolithic LHP-based photoelectrodes, high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency and photocurrent density are achieved.
