The Role of Alkali Cation Intercalates on the Electrochemical Characteristics of Nb2CTX MXene for Energy Storage

The intercalation of cations into layered-structure electrode materials has long been studied in depth for energy storage applications. In particular, Li⁺-, Na⁺-, and K⁺-based cation transport in energy storage devices such as batteries and electrochemical capacitors is closely related to the capacitance behavior. We have exploited different sizes of cations from aqueous salt electrolytes intercalating into a layered Nb₂CT_x electrode in a supercapacitor for the first time. As a result, we have demonstrated that capacitive performance was dependent on cation intercalation behavior. The interlayer spacing expansion of the electrode material can be observed in Li₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄, and K₂SO₄ electrolytes with d-spacing. Additionally, our results showed that the Nb₂CT_x electrode exhibited higher electrochemical performance in the presence of Li₂SO₄ than in that of Na₂SO₄ and K₂SO₄. This is partly because the smaller-sized Li⁺ transports quickly and intercalates between the layers of Nb₂CT_x easily. Poor ion transport in the Na₂SO₄ electrolyte limited the electrode capacitance and presented the lowest electrochemical performance, although the cation radius follows Li⁺>Na⁺>K⁺. Our experimental studies provide direct evidence for the intercalation mechanism of Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ on the 2D layered Nb₂CT_x electrode, which provides a new path for exploring the relationship between intercalated cations and other MXene electrodes.     

Flexible Polyester Cellulose Paper Supercapacitor with a Gel Electrolyte

A low-cost polyester cellulose paper has been used as a substrate for a flexible supercapacitor device that contains aqueous carbon nanotube ink as the electrodes and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based gel as the electrolyte. Gel electrolytes have attracted much interest due to their solvent-holding capacity and good film-forming capability. The electrodes are characterized for their conductivity and morphology. Because of its high conductivity, the conductive paper is studied in supercapacitor applications as active electrodes and as separators after coating with polyvinylidene fluoride. Carbon nanotubes deposited on porous paper are more accessible to ions in the electrolyte than those on flat substrates, which results in higher power density. A simple fabrication process is achieved and paper supercapacitors are tested for their performance in both aqueous and PVA gel electrolytes by using galvanostatic and cyclic voltammetry methods. A high specific capacitance of 270 F g⁻¹ and an energy density value of 37 W h kg⁻¹ are achieved for devices with PVA gel electrolytes. Furthermore, this device can maintain excellent specific capacitance even under high currents. This is also confirmed by another counter experiment with aqueous sulfuric acid as the electrolyte. The cycle life, one of the most critical parameters in supercapacitor operations, is found to be excellent (6000 cycles) and less than 0.5 % capacitance loss is observed. Moreover, the supercapacitor device is flexible and even after twisting does not show any cracks or evidence of breakage, and shows almost the same specific capacitance of 267 F g⁻¹and energy density of 37 W h kg⁻¹. This work suggests that a paper substrate can be a highly scalable and low-cost solution for high-performance supercapacitors.     

Integrated Devices to Realize Energy Conversion and Storage Simultaneously

Other forms of energy are generally converted to electric energy and then transported to electrochemical devices, where the energy is stored, by external electric wires. To further improve total energy conversion and storage efficiency, interest in simultaneously realize the energy conversion and storage in a single device has increased. This Concept describes recent progress in developing such novel integrated energy devices. Both planar and wire architectures are carefully illustrated with an emphasis on the “energy wire” which has been the focus of past developments due to its unique and promising applications, such as being woven into clothes or other complex structures by conventional textile technology. The current challenges and future directions of the integrated devices, particularly in the wire architecture, are summarized.     

硼的添加对Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33贮氢合金结构和电化学性能的影响

Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33Bx(x=0~0.10)系列合金均有V基固溶体相和C14型Laves相两相组成。添加B可提高Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33合金的放电容量,Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33B0.1合金电极在60 mA·g-1电流放电时的放电容量达到476.7 mAh·g-1。B的添加不同程度地降低了合金的高倍率放电性能,使合金电极表面上电化学反应的电荷转移电阻(R ct)显著增加,交换电流密度(I0)显著降低。添加B可显著改善Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33合金电极的高温放电性能,Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33B0.025合金电极在343 K高温下其放电容量达到525.6 mAh·g-1。     

用量子力学研究膦化三氢化铝储氢材料在磷化氢催化作用下的释氢反应机理

利用量子力学第一原理研究了储氢材料膦化三氢化铝(AlH3PH3)在催化剂膦(PH3)作用下的释氢反应机理;首先在MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ水平上计算了反应物、过渡态和产物的几何构型和频率,进而利用内禀反应坐标理论确定了反应的最小能量路径,随后在CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ水平上对基于MP2优化的几何构型进行了能量校正.结果表明,AlH3PH3释氢的能垒高于Al―P键的离解能,而催化剂PH3不能降低AlH3PH3的释氢能垒.因此,需要寻找其他的催化剂以使AlH3PH3成为一种合用的储氢材料.     

基于绿色氢科学理念构筑从低碳制氢到高效储氢的氢能体系

本文从低碳制氢和高效储氢的角度思考及探讨氢能体系绿色化发展过程中的关键科学问题.提出＂绿色氢科学＂理念与＂低碳制氢,高效储氢＂技术发展路线图,以期通过相关科学问题的认识,来构建具有高度原子经济性及可持续性的绿色氢能体系.     

Improved Hydrogen‐Storage Thermodynamics and Kinetics for an RbF‐Doped Mg(NH2)2–2 LiH System

The introduction of RbF into the Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH system significantly decreased its (de‐)hydrogenation temperatures and enhanced its hydrogen‐storage kinetics. The Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH–0.08 RbF composite exhibits the optimal hydrogen‐storage properties as it could reversibly store approximately 4.76 wt % hydrogen through a two‐stage reaction with the onset temperatures of 80 °C for dehydrogenation and 55 °C for hydrogenation. At 130 °C, approximately 70 % of hydrogen was rapidly released from the 0.08 RbF‐doped sample within 180 min, and the fully dehydrogenated sample could absorb approximately 4.8 wt % of hydrogen at 120 °C. Structural analyses revealed that RbF reacted readily with LiH to convert to RbH and LiF owing to the favorable thermodynamics during ball‐milling. The newly generated RbH participated in the following dehydrogenation reaction, consequently resulting in a decrease in the reaction enthalpy change and activation energy.     

Porous V2O5-SnO2/CNTs composites as high performance cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) exhibits high theoretical capacities when used as a cathode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), but its application is limited by its structural instability as well as its low lithium and electronic conductivities. A porous composite of V₂O₅-SnO₂/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was prepared by a hydrothermal method and followed by thermal treatment. The small particles of V₂O₅, their porous structure and the coexistence of SnO₂ and CNTs can all facilitate the diffusion rates of the electrons and lithium ions. Electrochemical impedance spectra indicated higher ionic and electric conductivities, as compared to commercial V₂O₅. The V₂O₅-SnO₂/CNTs composite gave a reversible discharge capacity of 198 mAh·g^?1 at the voltage range of 2.05–4.0 V, measured at a current rate of 200 mA·g^?1, while that of the commercial V₂O₅ was only 88 mAh·g^?1, demonstrating that the porous V₂O₅-SnO₂/CNTs composite is a promising candidate for high-performance lithium secondary batteries.     

Investigation on the dissolution of Mn ions from LiMn2O4 cathode in the application of lithium ion batteries: First principle molecular orbital method

The dissolution phenomenon of Mn ions in LiMn₂O₄ (LMO) cathode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) was investigated by a first principle calculation using the discrete variational Xα molecular orbital method. It was found that the oxidation number of Mn ions easily increases at high temperatures due to the empty levels of Mn 3d orbitals located in the vicinity of the Fermi energy level of LMO crystal. The changes of density of states (DOS) and Mn‐O bonding properties with doping were examined. Analysis of DOS showed that the substitution of elements with a smaller oxidation number than Mn was found effective in keeping Mn ions at higher oxidation states. From the calculation of bonding properties, the dissolution of Mn was found to be strongly correlated with the covalent nature of Mn‐O bond. Based on the results, we concluded that increasing the covalent character of Mn‐O bond is effective to minimize the dissolution of Mn ions, along with suppressing the formation of Jahn‐Teller‐active Mn³⁺ by inducing Mn ions at high oxidation state with proper selection of doping elements. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

锂离子电池用α-Fe2O3-Ag复合纳米棒负极材料的制备及储锂性能

采用FeOOH纳米棒为前驱体,通过层层自组装法及随后的热处理过程制备出α-Fe2O3-Ag复合纳米棒.采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)和电化学性能测试对样品的形貌、结构及电化学性能进行了表征.结果表明,Ag纳米颗粒均匀地分布在α-Fe2O3纳米棒的表面.作为锂离子电池负极材料,α-Fe2O3-Ag复合纳米棒表现出了较好的循环性能和较高的比容量.180个循环后,其比容量高达549.8 mA.h/g.