Facile preparation and electrochemical properties of large-scale Li<Subscript>1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> nanobelts

Large-scale Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were successfully fabricated using filter paper as deposition substrate through a simple surface sol–gel method. The nanobelts were as long as tens of micrometers with widths of 0.4–1.0 μm and thickness of 50–100 nm. The nanobelts were characterized by X-ray diffration (XRD), Fourier infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation mechanism of the nanobelts was investigated, showing that the morphology of the nanobelts is mainly determined by the calcination temperature. Electrochemical properties of the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were characterized by charge–discharge experiments, and the results demonstrate that the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts exhibit a high discharge capacity (278 mAh g⁻¹) and excellent cycling stability.     

Synergistic Catalysis of SnO2/Reduced Graphene Oxide for VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+ Redox Reactions

In spite of their low cost, high activity, and diversity, metal oxide catalysts have not been widely applied in vanadium redox reactions due to their poor conductivity and low surface area. Herein, SnO₂/reduced graphene oxide (SnO₂/rGO) composite was prepared by a sol–gel method followed by high-temperature carbonization. SnO₂/rGO shows better electrochemical catalysis for both redox reactions of VO²⁺/VO₂⁺ and V²⁺/V³⁺ couples as compared to SnO₂ and graphene oxide. This is attributed to the fact that reduced graphene oxide is employed as carbon support featuring excellent conductivity and a large surface area, which offers fast electron transfer and a large reaction place towards vanadium redox reaction. Moreover, SnO₂ has excellent electrochemical activity and wettability, which also boost the electrochemical kinetics of redox reaction. In brief, the electrochemical properties for vanadium redox reactions are boosted in terms of diffusion, charge transfer, and electron transport processes systematically. Next, SnO₂/rGO can increase the energy storage performance of cells, including higher discharge electrolyte utilization and lower electrochemical polarization. At 150 mA cm⁻², the energy efficiency of a modified cell is 69.8%, which is increased by 5.7% compared with a pristine one. This work provides a promising method to develop composite catalysts of carbon materials and metal oxide for vanadium redox reactions.     

Fabrication of Phosphorus-Doped Cobalt Silicate with Improved Electrochemical Properties

The development of electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) is greatly desired, and this still poses an immense challenge for researchers. Cobalt silicate (Co₂SiO₄, denoted as CoSi) with a high theoretical capacity is deemed to be one of the sustainable electrode materials for SCs. However, its achieved electrochemical properties are still not satisfying. Herein, the phosphorus (P)-doped cobalt silicate, denoted as PCoSi, is synthesized by a calcining strategy. The PCoSi exhibits 1D nanobelts with a specific surface area of 46 m²∙g⁻¹, and it can significantly improve the electrochemical properties of CoSi. As a supercapacitor’s (SC’s) electrode, the specific capacitance of PCoSi attains 434 F∙g⁻¹ at 0.5 A∙g⁻¹, which is much higher than the value of CoSi (244 F∙g⁻¹ at 0.5 A∙g⁻¹). The synergy between the composition and structure endows PCoSi with attractive electrochemical properties. This work provides a novel strategy to improve the electrochemical performances of transition metal silicates.     

Preparation of spherical spinel LiMn2O4 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A novel process is proposed for synthesis of spinel LiMn₂O₄ with spherical particles from the inexpensive materials MnSO₄, NH₄HCO₃, and NH₃H₂O. The successful preparation started with carefully controlled crystallization of MnCO₃, leading to particles of spherical shape and high tap density. Thermal decomposition of MnCO₃ was investigated by both DTA and TG analysis and XRD analysis of products. A precursor of product, spherical Mn₂O₃, was then obtained by heating MnCO₃. A mixture of Mn₂O₃ and Li₂CO₃ was then sintered to produce LiMn₂O₄ with retention of spherical particle shape. It was found that if lithium was in stoichiometric excess of 5% in the calcination of spinel LiMn₂O₄, the product had the largest initial specific capacity. In this way spherical particles of spinel LiMn₂O₄ were of excellent fluidity and dispersivity, and had a tap density as high as 1.9 g cm^–3 and an initial discharge capacity reaching 125 mAh g^–1. When surface-doped with cobalt in a 0.01 Co/Mn mole ratio, although the initial discharge capacity decreased to 118 mAh g^–1, the 100th cycle capacity retention reached 92.4% at 25°C. Even at 55°C the initial discharge capacity reached 113 mAh g^–1 and the 50th cycle capacity retention was in excess of 83.8%.     

网格结构SnO2纤维的制备及其储锂性能

采用静电纺丝技术由不同浓度纺丝液制备了SnO_2-PVP纤维,并分别在氩气和空气中煅烧后获得SnO_2纤维和SnO_2-C纤维。物化性能表征表明所合成的SnO_2纤维及SnO_2-C纤维具有特殊的网格结构,存在较多空隙能有效缓冲SnO_2充放电过程中剧烈的体积变化,因而样品具有比SnO_2纳米颗粒更好的储锂性能。SnO_2-C纤维中含有较多的C具有较好的倍率性能,但放电容量较低。SnO_2纤维具有较高的放电容量,同时具有较好的循环稳定性。在电流密度为0.4、0.8、1.6、2.4和4 A·g-1,10次循环后放电容量分别达到1 372、832、685、642和599 mAh·g~(-1),且当电流密度回落至0.4 A·g-1时放电容量可恢复到1 113 mAh·g-1;另外在电流密度1.6 A·g-1下充放电200次后纤维的放电容量仍可达到613 mAh·g~(-1)、库伦效率接近100%,表现出极好的倍率性能和循环稳定性。     

In situ chemical synthesis of SnO2–graphene nanocomposite as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

An in situ chemical synthesis approach has been developed to prepare SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observation revealed the homogeneous distribution of SnO₂ nanoparticles (4–6 nm in size) on graphene matrix. The electrochemical reactivities of the SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite as anode material were measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The as-synthesized SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite exhibited a reversible lithium storage capacity of 765 mAh/g in the first cycle and an enhanced cyclability, which can be ascribed to 3D architecture of the SnO₂–graphene nanocomposite.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> submicron-belts synthesized by a sol–gel H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> route

One-dimensional (1D) submicron-belts of V₂O₅ have been prepared by a sol–gel route using V₂O_5, H₂O₂ and aniline as starting materials. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the samples. Electrochemical behaviors as cathode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement and cyclic voltammeter. The results showed that the synthesized V₂O₅ appeared to be submicron-belts and orthorhombic structure. The V₂O₅ submicron-belts exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 346 mAh/g and stayed 240 mAh/g after 20 cycles at 0.1 C discharge rate in the potential region 1.8–4.0 V.     

Electrochromism in Materials Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process

Electrochromism is defined as the persistent but reversible optical change (usually transmission) produced electrochemically. The preparation by the sol-gel process of thin films made of amorphous or crystalline nanoparticles of WO₃, V₂O₅, Nb₂O₅, TiO₂, CeO₂, Fe₂O₃ and mixed compounds such as WO₃−TiO₂, CeO₂−TiO₂, CeO₂−SnO₂, have opened remarkable new opportunities for obtaining electrochromic layers exhibiting large optical transmission variation in the UV, visible or infrared range and acceptable kinetics under H⁺ or Li⁺ insertion. In this paper we give an overview of what has been recently achieved in this field, with emphasis for cathodic electrochromic coatings of Nb₂O₅ and TiO₂ composition. Finally we stress the future developments in this fast growing field.     

CoMnO2-Decorated Polyimide-Based Carbon Fiber Electrodes for Wire-Type Asymmetric Supercapacitor Applications

In this work, we report the carbon fiber-based wire-type asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). The highly conductive carbon fibers were prepared by the carbonized and graphitized process using the polyimide (PI) as a carbon fiber precursor. To assemble the ASC device, the CoMnO₂-coated and Fe₂O₃-coated carbon fibers were used as the cathode and the anode materials, respectively. Herein, the nanostructured CoMnO₂ were directly deposited onto carbon fibers by a chemical oxidation route without high temperature treatment in presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidizing agent. FE-SEM analysis confirmed that the CoMnO₂-coated carbon fiber electrode exhibited the porous hierarchical interconnected nanosheet structures, depending on the added amount of APS, and Fe₂O₃-coated carbon fiber electrode showed a uniform distribution of porous Fe₂O₃ nanorods over the surface of carbon fibers. The electrochemical properties of the CoMnO₂-coated carbon fiber with the concentration of 6 mmol APS presented the enhanced electrochemical activity, probably due to its porous morphologies and good conductivity. Further, to reduce the interfacial contact resistance as well as improve the adhesion between transition metal nanostructures and carbon fibers, the carbon fibers were pre-coated with the Ni layer as a seed layer using an electrochemical deposition method. The fabricated ASC device delivered a specific capacitance of 221 F g⁻¹ at 0.7 A g⁻¹ and good rate capability of 34.8% at 4.9 A g⁻¹. Moreover, the wire-type device displayed the superior energy density of 60.2 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 490 W kg⁻¹ and excellent capacitance retention of 95% up to 3000 charge/discharge cycles.     

Au Modified F-TiO2 for Efficient Photocatalytic Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide

In this work, Au-modified F-TiO₂ is developed as a simple and efficient photocatalyst for H₂O₂ production under ultraviolet light. The Au/F-TiO₂ photocatalyst avoids the necessity of adding fluoride into the reaction medium for enhancing H₂O₂ synthesis, as in a pure TiO₂ reaction system. The F⁻ modification inhibits the H₂O₂ decomposition through the formation of the ≡Ti–F complex. Au is an active cocatalyst for photocatalytic H₂O₂ production. We compared the activity of TiO₂ with F⁻ modification and without F⁻ modification in the presence of Au, and found that the H₂O₂ production rate over Au/F-TiO₂ reaches four times that of Au/TiO₂. In situ electron spin resonance studies have shown that H₂O₂ is produced by stepwise single-electron oxygen reduction on the Au/F-TiO₂ photocatalyst.     

Flower-like SnO2 nanoparticles grown on graphene as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Tin oxide (SnO₂)/graphene composite was synthesized from SnCl₂?·?2H₂O and graphene oxide (GO) by a wet chemical-hydrothermal route. The GO was reduced to graphene nanosheet (GNS) and flower-like SnO₂ nano-crystals with size about 40 nm were homogeneously distributed on the surface of GNS. The SnO₂/graphene composites delivered a superior first discharge capacity of 1941.9 mAhg^?1 with a reversible capacity of 901.7 mAhg^?1 at the current density of 100 mAg^?1. Moreover, even at higher densities of 200 and 500 mAg^?1, the SnO₂/graphene composite still maintained enhanced cycling stability. After 40 cycles, the discharge capacity was still maintained at 691.1 mAhg^?1 at the current density of 100 mAg^?1. The SnO₂/graphene composite displayed an outstanding Li-battery performance with large reversible capacity and enhanced rate performance, which can be attributed to the highly uniform distribution of SnO₂ nanoparticles and high reduction degree of graphene. This result strongly indicates that the SnO₂/graphene composite was a promising anode material in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.     

Preparation and characterization of spherical V2O3 nanopowder

V₂O₃ nanopowder with spherical particles was prepared by reducing pyrolysis of the precursor, (NH₄)₅[(VO)₆(CO₃)₄(OH)₉]·10H₂O, in H₂ atmosphere. The thermolysis process of the precursor in a H₂ flow was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The results indicate that pure V₂O₃ forms at 620°C and crystallizes at 730°C. The effects of various reductive pyrolysis conditions on compositions of V₂O₃ products were studied. Scanning electron micrographs show that the particles of the V₂O₃ powder obtained at 650°C for 1 h are spherical about 30 nm in size with more homogeneous distribution. Experiments show that nanopowder has larger adsorption capacity to gases and is more easily reoxidized by air at room temperature than micropowder. Differential scanning calorimetry experiment indicates that the temperature of phase transition of nano-V₂O₃ powder is −119.5°C on cooling or −99.2°C on heating. The transition heats are −12.55 J g⁻¹ on cooling and 11.42 J g⁻¹ on heating, respectively.     

Synthesis of Fe2+ Substituted High-Performance LiMn1−xFexPO4/C (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries via Sol-Gel Processes

A series of carbon-coated LiMn_1−xFe_xPO₄ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) materials are successfully constructed using glucose as carbon sources via sol-gel processes. The morphology of the synthesized material particles are more regular and particle sizes are more homogeneous. The carbon-coated LiMn_0.8Fe_0.2PO₄ material obtains the discharge specific capacity of 152.5 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C rate and its discharge specific capacity reaches 95.7 mAh·g⁻¹ at 5 C rate. Iron doping offers a viable way to improve the electronic conductivity and lattice defects of materials, as well as improving transmission kinetics, thereby improving the rate performance and cycle performance of materials, which is an effective method to promote the electrical properties.     

Thermal behaviour of high surface area V2O5/TiO2 catalysts

Thermal analysis (TG and DTA) was employed for the characterization of V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts supported on high surface area TiO₂. The results obtained are consistent with a uniform spreading of vanadium oxide on TiO₂ surface for V₂O₅ content less than 15% by weight.The presence of V₂O₅ on the surface of TiO₂ affects the anatase-rutile phase transition lowering the temperature at which it occurs.DTA measurements, performed on catalysts after many months from the preparation, show the appearance of an exothermic peak in the range 280°–340°C. This signal has been related to the oxidation of V(IV) to V(V) on the catalyst surface.Catalysts characterization, performed by chemical analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, has confirmed this interpretation.It has been suggested that a slow modification of the catalyst occurs, leading to an increase of the V(IV) content during the time.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Charakterisierung von V₂O₅/TiO₂-Katalysatoren auf hochoberflächigem TiO₂ Trägermaterial wurde die Thermoanalyse (TG und DTA) angewendet. Für einen V₂O₅-Gehalt von weniger als 15 Gew.% entsprechen die erhaltenen Ergebnisse einer gleichmäßigen Verteilung des Vanadiumoxides an der TiO₂-Oberfläche.Die Gegenwart von V₂O₅ an der Oberfläche von TiO₂ beeinflußt die Anatas-Rutil-Phasenumwandlung, indem sie die zugehörige Temperatur verringert.DTA-Messungen an Katalysatoren mehrere Monate nach ihrer Herstellung zeigten das Auftreten eines exothermen Peaks im Bereich 280°–340°C. Dieses Signal wurde der Oxidation von V(IV) zu V(V) an der Katalysatoroberfläche zugeschrieben.Diese Interpretation konnte durch eine Charakterisierung des Katalysatoren durch chemische Analyse und FT-IR-Spektroskopie bestätigt werden.Es wurde angedeutet, daß der Katalysator mit der Zeit einer langsamen Modifikation unterliegt, die zu einem Ansteigen des V(IV)-Gehaltes führt.

     

Effects of oxygen vacancy on the magnetic properties of Cr-doped SnO2: Density functional investigation

Magnetic properties of Cr-doped SnO₂ and the effects of oxygen vacancy (V_O) on the magnetic properties are examined to understand the origin of ferromagnetism in Cr-doped SnO₂ and explain the observed discrepant phenomena. Cr-doped SnO₂ shows a p-d hopping ferromagnetic interaction that decreases gradually with the increase in Cr-Cr distance. In Cr-doped SnO₂ with V_O, ferromagnetic interaction is obviously weakened. Exchange constants indicate that the ferromagnetic exchange interaction in Cr-doped SnO₂ is similar to that in Co-doped SnO₂, while it is similar to that in Fe-doped SnO₂ and/or undoped SnO₂ with tin vacancy (V_Sn) in the presence of V_O.     

Preparation of ZrO2-TiO2-CeO2 and Its Application in the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3

TiO₂,ZrO₂-TiO₂,andZrO₂-TiO₂-CeO₂ were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area measurements (BET), temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), oxygen storage capacity (OSC), and temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). The results showed that ZrO₂-TiO₂-CeO₂ exhibited large number of surface strong acid, possessed some oxygen storage capacity, and strong redox property. The three materials were used as supports and the monolith catalysts were prepared with 1% (w) V₂O₅ and 9% (w)WO₃ for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with ammonia in the presence of excessive O₂, and the results of catalytic activity showed that the catalyst used ZrO₂-TiO₂-CeO₂ as support yielded nearly 100% NO conversion at 275 °C at a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 10000 h⁻¹, and it had the best catalytic activity and showed great potential for practical application.     

Electrochemical behaviour of V2O5 xerogel in aqueous LiNO3 solution

By dissolving crystalline V₂O₅ in hydrogen peroxide and drying at elevated temperature, the V₂O₅ xerogel was obtained. Its electrochemical behaviour was examined in aqueous solution of LiNO₃ by both cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charging/discharging cycling. Peak-to-peak potential separation observed at the cyclovoltammograms indicated fast Li⁺ intercalation/deintercalation reactions. Initial discharge capacity amounted to 69 mAhg^?1, and after 100 charging/discharging cycles, capacity fade amounted to 11% only. This presents a remarkable improvement in comparison with the behaviour of crystalline, vanadium oxide based, lithium intercalates in aqueous electrolytes.     

Photoelectrochemical behavior of coupled SnO2|CdSe nanocrystalline semiconductor films

A photoelectrochemical cell with a coupled SnO₂|CdSe nanocrystalline semiconductor electrode has been prepared by sequential deposition of SnO₂ and CdSe films onto an optically transparent electrode (OTE), and its photoelectrochemical behavior has been studied. The results show that the coupling of CdSe with SnO₂ leads to an improvement in the performance of OTE|SnO₂|CdSe over OTE|CdSe cells in terms of increased incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, increased stability and smaller reversal of current. The favorable positioning of the energy bands of SnO₂ and CdSe is responsible for the above observations. Various photoelectrochemical parameters of the OTE|SnO₂|CdSe cell obtained for an incident light power of 0.31 mW cm⁻² at 470nm, are as follows: I_sc ≈ 25–30 μA cm⁻², V_oc ≈ 0.5–0.6 V, ƒƒ = 0.47 and a power conversion efficiency of about 2.25%.     

Co3V2O8/石墨烯复合负极材料的合成及其储锂性能

以石墨烯为基底,CoCl2·2H2O和NH4VO3为原料,采用水热结合热处理方法合成了Co3V2O8/石墨烯复合电极材料;采用XRD、Raman、XPS、SEM、(HR-)TEM和恒电流充放电等对材料进行了结构表征与电化学性能测试。结果表明:Co3V2O8/rGO复合材料表现出优异的放电比容量、优秀的倍率性能和稳定的循环性能(当电流密度为200 mA·g^-1,经过100次循环后,可逆放电比容量为1208 mAh·g^-1);Co3V2O8/rGO电极材料表现出优异的倍率和循环性能可以归因于:独特的石墨烯包覆结构可以有效地提高材料的导电性和增强结构的稳定性、缓解Co3V2O8粒子在循环过程中的聚结和膨胀现象;此外,Co3V2O8纳米颗粒均匀地嵌在石墨烯层间防止了石墨烯片层间的堆叠。     

Phase stability and ionic conductivity in substituted La2W2O9

Different substitutions, i.e. Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, K⁺, Nb⁵⁺ and V⁵⁺, have been performed in the triclinic α-La₂W₂O₉ structure in order to stabilise the high temperature and better ionic conductor cubic β-phase. This approach has been used to try to obtain a new series of ionic conductors with LAMOX-type structure without molybdenum and presumably better redox stability compared to β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Nanocrystalline materials obtained by a freeze-drying precursor method at 600 °C exhibit mainly the β-La₂W₂O₉ structure, however, the triclinic α-form is stabilised as the firing temperature increases and the crystallite size grows. Only high levels of Ba²⁺ and V⁵⁺ substitutions retained the cubic form at room temperature after firing above 1100 °C. However, these phases are metastable above 700 °C, exhibiting an irreversible transformation to the low temperature triclinic α-phase. The synthesis, structure, phase stability, kinetic of phase transformation and electrical conductivity of these materials have been studied in the present report.