Amorphous silicon thin films as a high capacity anodes for Li-ion batteries in ionic liquid electrolytes

High lithiation capacity at low red-ox potentials in combination with good safety characteristics makes amorphous Si as a very promising anode material for rechargeable Li batteries.Thin film silicon electrodes were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering of silicon on stainless steel substrates. Their behavior as Li insertion/extraction electrodes was studied by voltammetry and chronopotentiometry at room temperature in the ionic liquid (IL) 1-methyl-1-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsuphonil)imide containing 1 M Li bis(trifluoromethylsuphonil)imide. Li/Si cells containing this electrolyte showed good performance with a stable Si electrodes capacity of about 3000 mA h g⁻¹ and a relatively low irreversible capacity. Preliminary results on cycling Si–LiCoO₂ cells using this IL electrolyte are also presented.     

Oxygen transport through laccase biocathodes for a membrane-less glucose/O2 biofuel cell

The present study reports the development of operational membrane-less glucose/O₂ biofuel cell based on oxygen contactor. Glucose oxidation was performed by glucose oxidase (GOx) co-immobilized with the mediator 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid hydrate (HQS) at the anode, whereas oxygen was reduced by laccase co-immobilized with 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS²⁻) at the cathode. Both enzymes and mediators were immobilized within electropolymerized polypyrrole polymers.Nevertheless, this system is limited by the secondary reaction of O₂ electro-reduction at the anode that reduces the electron flow through the anode and thus the output voltage. In order to avoid the loss of current at the anode in glucose/O₂ biofuel cell, we developed a strategy to supply dissolved oxygen separate from the electrolyte. Porous carbon tubes were used as electrodes and modified on the external surface by the couple enzyme/mediator. The inside of the cathode tube was continuously supplied with saturated dioxygen solution diffusing from the inner to the external surface of the porous tube. The assembled biofuel cell was studied under nitrogen at 37 °C in phosphate buffer at pH 5.0 and 7.0. The maximum power density reached 27 μW cm⁻² at a cell voltage of 0.25 V at pH 5.0 with 10 mM glucose. The power density was twice as high as compared to the same system with oxygen bubbling directly in the cell.     

A novel single phase cathode material for a proton-conducting SOFC

A novel single phase BaCe_0.5Bi_0.5O_3 ? δ (BCB) was employed as a cathode material for a proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The single cell, consisting of a BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3 ? δ (BZCY7)-NiO anode substrate, a BZCY7 anode functional layer, a BZCY7 electrolyte membrane and a BCB cathode layer, was assembled and tested from 600 to 700 °C with humidified hydrogen (～3% H₂O) as the fuel and the static air as the oxidant. An open-circuit potential of 0.96 V and a maximum power density of 321 mW cm^?2 were obtained for the single cell. A relatively low interfacial polarization resistance of 0.28Ω cm² at 700 °C indicated that the BCB was a promising cathode material for proton-conducting SOFCs.     

Fabrication of highly conductive Ru/a-CNx:H composite films by anode deposit

Ruthenium(0) composite hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (Ru/a-CN_x:H) films were deposition on single crystal silicon (1 0 0) substrate by electrochemical deposition technique with acetonitrile as carbon source, and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ as dopant. In the deposited progress, the Si (1 0 0) acted as anode. The relative atomic ratio of Ru/N/C was about 0.28/0.33/1, and Ru nanocrystalline particles about 8 nm were homogeneously dispersed into the amorphous carbon matrix. After doping Ru into a-CN_x:H films, the conductivity of the films were evidently improved and the resistivity drastically decrease from 10⁸ Ω cm to about 100 Ω cm.     

Preparation of an extremely dense BaCe0.8Sm0.2O3−δ thin membrane based on an in situ reaction

The thin membrane of BaCe_0.8Sm_0.2O_3−δ (BCS) with high quality was successfully fabricated on porous NiO–BCS anode substrate through a novel in situ reaction method. The key part of this method is to directly spray well-mixed suspension of BaCO₃, CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃ instead of pre-synthesized BCS ceramic powder on the anode substrate. After sintering at 1400 °C for 5 h, the extremely dense electrolyte membrane in the thickness of 10 μm is obtained. A single cell was assembled with La_0.7Sr_0.3FeO_3−σ as cathode and tested with humidified hydrogen as fuel at 650 °C. The open circuit voltage (OCV) and maximum power density respectively reach 1.04 V and 535 mW/cm². Interface resistance of cell under open circuit condition was also investigated.     

A microfluidic glucose biofuel cell to generate micropower from enzymes at ambient temperature

A Y-shaped microfluidic channel is applied for the first time to the construction of a glucose/O₂ biofuel cell, based on both laminar flow and biological enzyme strategies. During operation, the fuel and oxidant streams flow parallel at gold electrode surfaces without convective mixing. At the anode, the glucose oxidation is performed by the enzyme glucose oxidase whereas at the cathode, the oxygen is reduced by the enzyme laccase, in the presence of specific redox mediators. Such cell design protects the anode from an interfering parasite reaction of O₂ at the anode and offers the advantage of using different streams of oxidant and fuel for optimal performance of the enzymes. Electrochemical characterizations of the device show the influence of the flow rate on the output potential and current density. The maximum power density delivered by the assembled biofuel cell reached 110 μW cm^?2 at 0.3 V with 10 mM glucose at 23 °C. The microfluidic approach reported here demonstrates the feasibility of advanced microfabrication techniques to build an efficient microfluidic glucose/O₂ biofuel cell device.     

Electrochemical deposition of PbTe onto n-Si(1 0 0) wafers

Electrochemical deposition of PbTe from 50 mM Pb(NO₃)₂ + 1 mM TeO₂ + 0.1 M HNO₃ solution onto n-Si(1 0 0) wafers was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, ex situ SEM, XRD and EDX. Electrochemical behavior of n-Si(1 0 0) electrode in electrolytes 50 mM Pb(NO₃)₂ + 0.1 M HNO₃ and 1 mM TeO₂ + 0.1 M HNO₃ was also studied. No underpotential deposition (UPD) of Pb and Te onto n-Si was observed in the investigated systems indicating weak Pb–Si and Te–Si interactions. Deposition of Pb and Te on n-Si occurred with overvoltage via 3D island growth. Electrosynthesis of PbTe (NaCl-like structure, a = 0.650 nm) takes place due to codeposition of Pb and Te at potentials E > E_{Pb²⁺/Pb⁰} (lead UPD onto tellurium). Cathodic deposition of PbTe onto n-Si(1 0 0) is irreversible – there is no anodic current in the CV curve. Oxidation of PbTe on n-Si is observed only under illumination, when photoelectrons and photoholes are generated in silicon substrate.     

Effects of CuO addition to anode on the electrochemical performances of cathode-supported solid oxide fuel cells

A cathode-supported electrolyte film was fabricated by tape casting and co-sintering techniques. (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.95MnO₃ (LSM95), LSM95/Zr_0.89Sc_0.1Ce_0.01O_2?x (SSZ), and SSZ were used as materials of cathode substrate, cathode active layer, and electrolyte, respectively. CuO–NiO–SSZ composite anode was deposited on SSZ surface by screen-printing and sintered at 1250 °C for 2 h. The effects of CuO addition to NiO–SSZ anode on the performance of cathode-supported SOFCs were investigated. CuO can effectively improve the sintering activity of NiO–SSZ. The assembled cells were electrochemically characterized with humidified H₂ as fuel and O₂ as oxidant. With 4 wt.% CuO addition, the ohmic resistance decreased from 3 to 0.46 Ω cm², and at the same time the polarization resistance decreased from 3.4 to 0.74 Ω cm². In comparison with the cell without CuO, the maximum power density at 850 °C increased from 0.054 to 0.446 W cm^?2 with 4 wt.% CuO addition.     

Activity of Pt anode catalyst modified by underpotential deposited Pb in a direct formic acid fuel cell

We characterized the electrocatalytic activity of platinum electrode modified by underpotential deposited lead (PtPb_upd) for a formic acid (HCOOH) oxidation and investigated the influence on the power performance of direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC). Based on the electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, PtPb_upd electrode modified by underpotential deposition (UPD) exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity for HCOOH oxidation below anodic overpotential of 0.4 V (vs. SCE). Multi-layered PtPb_upd electrode structure of Pt/Pb_upd/Pt resulted in more stable and enhanced performance using 50% reduced loading of anode catalyst. The performance of multi-layered PtPb_upd anode is about 120 mW/cm² at 0.4 V and it also showed a sustainable cell activity of 0.52 V at an application of constant current loading of 110 mA/cm².     

Impedance study on the correlation between phase transition and electrochemical degradation of Si-based materials

In order to explain the relationship between physical change and electrochemical degradation of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si, impedance spectroscopy on Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si was conducted at various states during charge or discharge. Nyquist plots during Li⁺ insertion (charge) showed a unique behavior that below 70 mV vs. Li/Li⁺, the more Li⁺’s were inserted into the electrode, the larger its comprehensive resistance was getting. During Li⁺ extraction (discharge), electrode resistance was decreased after going through 0.43 V vs Li/Li⁺. When these data were fitted with the ordinary equivalent circuit which is composed of electrolyte resistance, charge transfer resistance and contact resistance, there was an abrupt augmentation of charge transfer resistance below 70 mV vs. Li/Li⁺ during charge, whereas there was its drastic diminishment between 0.2 and 0.5 V vs. Li/Li⁺ during discharge. Because these potential regions are each related to amorphous Li_xSi-to-Li₁₅Si₄ transition and vice versa, it could be shown that the formation and decomposition of Li₁₅Si₄ is responsible for the electrochemical degradation of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si.     

Mesoporous Fe2O3 nanoparticles as high performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

This work introduces an effective, inexpensive, and large-scale production approach to the synthesis of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with a favorable configuration that 5 nm iron oxide domains in diameter assembled into a mesoporous network. The phase structure, morphology, and pore nature were characterized systematically. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the mesoporous Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit excellent cycling performance (1009 mA h g^− 1 at 100 mA g^− 1 up to 230 cycles) and rate capability (reversible charging capacity of 420 mA h g^− 1 at 1000 mA g^− 1 during 230 cycles). This research suggests that the mesoporous Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles could be suitable as a high rate performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.     

Structural and electrochemical investigation of Li2MgSnO4 anode for lithium batteries

Hexagonal Li₂MgSnO₄ compound was synthesized at 800 °C using Urea Assisted Combustion (UAC) method and the same has been exploited as an anode material for lithium battery applications. Structural investigations through X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy and ⁷Li NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy) studies demonstrated the existence of hexagonal crystallite structure with a = 6.10 and c = 9.75. An average crystallite size of ∼400 nm has been calculated from PXRD pattern, which was further evidenced by SEM images. An initial discharge capacity of ∼794 mA h/g has been delivered by Li₂MgSnO₄ anode with an excellent capacity retention (85%) and an enhanced coulombic efficiency (97–99%). Further, the Li₂MgSnO₄ anode material has exhibited a steady state reversible capacity of ∼590 mA h/g even after 30 cycles, thus qualifying the same for use in futuristic lithium battery applications.     

Methane-fueled SOFC with traditional nickel-based anode by applying Ni/Al2O3 as a dual-functional layer

Novel γ-Al₂O₃ supported nickel (Ni/Al₂O₃) catalyst was developed as a functional layer for Ni–ScSZ cermet anode operating on methane fuel. Catalytic tests demonstrated Ni/Al₂O₃ had high and comparable activity to Ru–CeO₂ and much higher activity than the Ni–ScSZ cermet anode for partial oxidation, steam and CO₂ reforming of methane to syngas between 750 and 850 °C. By adopting Ni/Al₂O₃ as a catalyst layer, the fuel cell demonstrated a peak power density of 382 mW cm^?2 at 850 °C, more than two times that without the catalyst layer. The Ni/Al₂O₃ also functioned as a diffusion barrier layer to reduce the methane concentration within the anode; consequently, the operation stability was also greatly improved without coke deposition.     

A highly efficient and BH4−-tolerant Eu2O3-catalyzed cathode for direct borohydride fuel cells

Eu₂O₃ as a cathodic electrocatalyst was for the first time investigated and found to exhibit not only a high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction, but also a strong tolerance to the attack of BH₄^?. Based on these experimental findings, a simple membraneless direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) is assembled and exhibits a peak power density of 66.4 mW cm^? 2 at 0.495 V under ambient condition by using the Eu₂O₃-catalyzed cathode and hydrogen storage alloy anode. Since this new configuration of DBFCs can operate very well without the help of expensive cation-exchange membranes, it may provide a simple way to construct cost-effective and high efficient DBFCs for a number of portable applications.     

Si–AB5 composites as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

The Si–AB₅ (MmNi_3.6Co_0.7Al_0.3Mn_0.4 alloy) composites with a high tap density as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were synthesized by ball-milling. Si nanoparticles are distributed homogeneously on the surface of the AB₅ matrix. The electrochemical performance of the Si–AB₅ composites as a function of Si content was investigated. It is demonstrated that the Si–AB₅ composite delivers a larger reversible capacity and better cycle ability because the inactive AB₅ alloy can accommodate the large volume changes of Si nanoparticles distributed on the surface of the Si–AB₅ composite during cycling. In particular, the Si–AB₅ composite containing 20 wt% Si with the high tap density of 2.8 g/cm³ obtained after ball-milling for 11 h exhibits an initial and maximum reversible (charge) capacity of 370 and 385 mAh/g. The high capacity retention can be achieved after 50 cycles in the potential range from 0.02 to 1.5 V.     

Impact of reforming catalyst on the anodic polarisation resistance in single-chamber SOFC fed by methane

This paper emphasises the electrochemical and catalytic properties of a Ni–10% GDC (10% gadolinium-doped ceria) cermet anode of a single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SC-SOFC). Innovative coupling of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with gas chromatography measurements was carried out to characterise the anode material using an operando approach. The experiments were conducted in a symmetric anode/electrolyte/anode cell prepared by slurry coating resulting in 100 μm-thick anode layers. The electrochemical performance was assessed using a two-electrode arrangement between 400 °C and 650 °C, in a methane-rich atmosphere containing CH₄, O₂ and H₂O in a 14:2:6 volumetric ratio. The insertion of a Pt–CeO₂ based catalyst with high specific surface area inside the cermet layer was found to promote hydrogen production from the Water Gas Shift reaction and consequently to improve the electrochemical performances. Indeed, a promising polarisation resistance value of 12 Ω cm² was achieved at 600 °C with a catalytic loading of only 15 wt.%.     

A completely spray-coated membrane electrode assembly

We present a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) manufacturing route, in which a thin layer of polymer electrolyte solution is spray-coated on top of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) to work as a proton exchange membrane. Without the need for a pre-made membrane foil, this allows inexpensive, fast, large-scale fabrication of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), with a spray-coater comprising the sole manufacturing device. In this work, a catalyst layer and a membrane layer are consecutively sprayed onto a fibrous gas diffusion layer with applied microporous layer as substrate. A fuel cell is then assembled by stacking anode and cathode half-cells with the membrane layers facing each other. The resultant fuel cell with a low catalyst loading of 0.1 mg Pt/cm² on each anode and cathode side is tested with pure H₂ and O₂ supply at 80 °C cell temperature and 92% relative humidity at atmospheric pressure. The obtained peak power density is 1.29 W/cm² at a current density of 3.25 A/cm². By comparison, a lower peak power density of 0.93 W/cm² at 2.2 A/cm² is found for a Nafion NR211 catalyst coated membrane (CCM) reference, although equally thick membrane layers (approx. 25 μm), and identical catalyst layers and gas diffusion media were used. The superior performance of the fuel cell with spray-coated membrane can be explained by a decreased low frequency (mass transport) resistance, especially at high current densities, as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Fabrication and characterization of large-size electrolyte/anode bilayer structures for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell stack based on gadolinia-doped ceria electrolyte

Preliminary progress is reported in this communication in building a planar anode-supported low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack based on gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte, i.e. fabrication and characterization of a Ø80 planar bilayer structure composed of GDC electrolyte film and Ni–GDC anode substrate. The anode substrates were prepared from mixtures of NiO, GDC, and carbon black by die-pressing. After pre-firing to remove the carbon black, the anode substrates were deposited with a GDC layer using a spray coating technique. The green bilayers of anode substrate and electrolyte film were then co-sintered at 1500 °C for 3 h. Through proper control of the sintering process, bilayer structures with excellent flatness were achieved after co-sintering. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation indicated that the electrolyte film was about 22 μm in thickness, highly dense, crack-free, and well-bonded to the anode substrate. Small disks which were cut out from the Ø80 bilayer structure were electrochemically examined in a single button-cell mode incorporating a (LaSr)(CoFe)O₃–GDC composite cathode. With humidified hydrogen as the fuel and air as the oxidant, the cell demonstrated an open-circuit voltage of 0.884 V and a maximum power density of 562 mW/cm² at 600 °C. The results imply that high-quality anode-supported electrolyte/anode bilayer structures were successfully fabricated. Based on them, planar anode-supported SOFC stacks will be assembled in the future.     

Electrochemical characterization of vertical arrays of tin nanowires grown on silicon substrates as anode materials for lithium rechargeable microbatteries

Vertical arrays of one-dimensional tin nanowires on silicon dioxide (SiO₂)/silicon (Si) substrates have been developed as anode materials for lithium rechargeable microbatteries. The process is complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible for fabricating on-chip microbatteries. Nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates integrated on SiO₂/Si substrates were employed for fabrication of tin nanowires resulting in high surface area of anodes. The microstructure of these nanowire arrays was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical tests showed that the discharge capacity of about 400 mA h g⁻¹ could be maintained after 15 cycles at the high discharge/charge rate of 4200 mA g⁻¹.     

Operando soft x-ray emission spectroscopy of LiMn2O4 thin film involving Li–ion extraction/insertion reaction

We developed an electrochemical in situ cell for soft x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) to accurately investigate the redox reaction and electronic structure of transition metals in the cathode materials for Li–ion battery. The in situ cell consists of a Li–metal counter electrode, an organic electrolyte solution, and a cathode on a membrane window which separates the liquid electrolyte from high vacuum and can pass the incoming and emitted photons. In this study, the Mn 3d electronic structure of LiMn₂O₄ thin-film electrode was clarified by the operando XES. At the charged state, the XES spectrum changed significantly from the open-circuit-voltage (OCV) state, suggesting oxidation of the Mn^3 + component through Li–ion extraction. Upon discharge up to 3.0 V vs. Li/Li⁺, the XES spectrum almost returned to its profile at the OCV state with small difference, indicating the valence change of Mn: Mn^3.6 + → Mn^4 + → Mn^3.3 + corresponding to the OCV, charged, and discharged states.