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.     

Ultrathin free-standing electrospun carbon nanofibers web as the electrode of the vanadium flow batteries

Ultrathin free-standing electrospun carbon nanofiber web(ECNFW) used for the electrodes of the vanadium flow battery(VFB) has been fabricated by the electrospinning technique followed by the carbonization process in this study to reduce the ohmic polarization of the VFB. The microstructure, surface chemistry and electrochemical performance of ECNFW carbonized at various temperatures from 800 to 1400 °C have been investigated. The results show that ECNFW carbonized at 1100 °C exhibits the highest electrocatalytic activity toward the V~(2+)/V~(3+)redox reaction, and its electrocatalytic activity decreases along with the increase of carbonization temperature due to the drooping of the surface functional groups.While for the VO~(2+)/VO_2~+redox couple, the electrocatalytic activity of ECNFW carbonized above 1100 °C barely changes as the carbonization temperature rises. It indicates that the surface functional groups could function as the reaction sites for the V~(2+)/V~(3+)redox couple, but have not any catalytic effect for the VO~(2+)/VO_2~+redox couple. And the single cell test result suggests that ECNFW carbonized at 1100 °C is a promising material as the VFB electrode and the VFB with ECNFW electrodes obtains a super low internal resistance of 250 mΩ cm~2.     

Direct measurement of electrochemical reaction kinetics in flow-through porous electrodes

This work demonstrates the feasibility of measuring electrochemical reaction rates on common flow-through porous electrodes by traditional Tafel analysis. A customized microfluidic channel electrode was designed and demonstrated by measuring the intrinsic kinetics of the V^2 +/V^3 + and VO^2 +/VO₂⁺ redox reactions in carbon paper electrodes under forced electrolyte flow. The exchange current density of the V^2 +/V^3 + reaction was found to be nearly two orders of magnitude slower than the VO^2 +/VO₂⁺ reaction, indicating that this may be the limiting reaction in vanadium redox flow batteries. The forced convection in this technique is found to generate reproducible exchange current densities which are consistently higher than for conventional electrochemical methods due to improved mass transport.     

Facile synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotube–V2O5 nanocomposites as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanocomposites have been fabricated using a facile and environmental friendly hydrothermal method without any pretreatment, surfactants, or chelate agents added. The as-annealed nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the results indicate that V₂O₅ nanoparticles grew on MWCNTs. As a cathode material for lithium batteries, it exhibits superior electrochemical performance compare to the pure V₂O₅ powders. A high specific discharge capacity of 253 mA h g^?1 can be obtained for the 15 % MWCNT–V₂O₅ nanocomposite electrodes, which retains 209 mA h g^?1 after 50 cycles. However, the pure V₂O₅ powder electrodes only possess a specific discharge capacity of 157 mA h g^?1 with a capacity retention of 127 mA h g^?1 after 50 cycles. Moreover, the MWCNT–V₂O₅ nanocomposite electrodes show an excellent rate capability with a specific discharge capacity of 180 mA h g^?1 at the current rate of 4 C. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the nanocomposites is attributed to the formation of conductive networks by MWCNTs, and large surface areas of V₂O₅ nanoparticles grew on MWCNTs which stabilizes these nanoparticles against agglomeration.     

Determination of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Based on Immobilization of Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl) Ruthenium(II) in Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes/Nafion Composite Membrane

Abstract

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was proposed by immobilizing tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺) in multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Nafion composite membrane that was formed on glassy carbon electrode surface. The electrochemical and ECL behaviors of the immobilized Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ were investigated. The cyclic votammogram of the modified electrode in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution showed a couple of redox peaks at +1190 and +1060 mV at 100 mV/s. The composite film had a more open structure and a large surface area allowing faster diffusion of Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺. The presence of MWCNTs resulted in the improved ECL sensitivity and longer‐term stability of the modified electrode. The modified electrode showed a linear response to NADH in the concentration range of 1.0×10^?6 to 1.6×10^?5 M with a detection limit of 8.2×10^?7 M.     

High electro-catalytic graphite felt/MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries

A mild and simple synthesis process for large-scale vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) energy storage systems is desirable. A graphite felt/MnO₂ (GF-MNO) composite electrode with excellent electrocatalytic activity towards VO²⁺/VO₂⁺ redox couples in a VRFB was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal process. The resulting GF-MNO electrodes possess improved electrochemical kinetic reversibility of the vanadium redox reactions compared to pristine GF electrodes, and the corresponding energy efficiency and discharge capacity at 150 mA cm^?2 are increased by 12.5% and 40%, respectively. The discharge capacity is maintained at 4.8 A h L^?1 at the ultrahigh current density of 250 mA cm^?2. Above all, 80% of the energy efficiency of the GFMNO composite electrodes is retained after 120 charge-discharge cycles at 150 mA cm^?2. Furthermore, these electrodes demonstrated that more evenly distributed catalytic active sites were obtained from the MnO₂ particles under acidic conditions. The proposed synthetic route is facile, and the raw materials are low cost and environmentally friendly. Therefore, these novel GFMNO electrodes hold great promise in large-scale vanadium redox flow battery energy storage systems.     

Physicochemical properties of V5+ doped LiCoPO4 as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Phase pure olivine type V⁵⁺ doped and un-doped LiCoPO₄ (LiCo_1?xV_xPO₄ & LiCoP_1?xV_xO₄; x = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) were synthesized by combustion method. Compound formation temperature and thermal stability of the materials were studied through thermal analysis. X-ray diffraction pattern shows the prepared material possesses an orthorhombic structure with Pnmb space group. Further the functional group and vibrational analysis were carried out by Fourier Transform Infra-red and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The Scanning Electron Micrographs depicts the irregular shaped morphology with particle agglomeration of the pristine and doped LiCoPO₄ materials. The structural variation on addition of dopant on both sites Co²⁺ & P⁵⁺ were revealed from XPS spectra. The electrochemical aspects of these materials were investigated by cyclic voltammetry studies in conjunction with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperommetry measurements to understand the redox reactions and their capacity contribution at higher voltages. The EIS analysis shows that the conductance value was decreased for the vanadium doped samples for both the Co site and P site, which infers that the V⁵⁺ addition doesn’t make any significant enhancement in the electrochemical performance of the LiCoPO₄.     

Nanofibers of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/C@MWCNTs as the cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanofibers (NFs) with a thin carbon layer of 3–5 nm, which wrapped on V₂O₅ nanoparticles, and integrated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been fabricated via simple electrospinning followed by carbonization process and post-sintering treatment. The obtained composite displays a NF structure with V₂O₅ nanoparticles connected to each other, and good electrochemical performance: delivering initial capacity of 320 mAh g^?1 (between 2.0 and 4.0 V vs. Li/Li⁺), good cycling stability (223 mAh g^?1 after 50 cycles), and good rate performance (~?150 mAh g^?1 at 2 A g^?1). This can attribute to the carbon wrapped on the V₂O₅ nanoparticles which can not only enhance the electric conductivity to decrease the impendence of the cathode materials but also maintain the structural stability to protect the nanostructure from the corruption of electrolyte and the strain stress due to the Li-ion intercalation/deintercalation during the charge/discharge process. And, the added MWCNTs play the role of framework of the unique V₂O₅ coated by carbon layer and composited with MWCNT NFs (V₂O₅/C@MWCNT NFs) to ensure the material is more stable.     

Carbon‐Nanotube‐Mediated Electrochemical Transition in a Redox‐Active Supramolecular Hydrogel Derived from Viologen and an l‐Alanine‐Based Amphiphile

A two‐component hydrogelator (16‐A)₂‐V²⁺ , comprising an l ‐alanine‐based amphiphile ( 16‐A ) and a redox‐active viologen based partner ( V²⁺ ), is reported. The formation the hydrogel depended, not only on the acid‐to‐amine stoichiometric ratio, but on the choice of the l ‐amino acid group and also on the hydrocarbon chain length of the amphiphilic component. The redox responsive property and the electrochemical behavior of this two‐component system were further examined by step‐wise chemical and electrochemical reduction of the viologen nucleus (V²⁺/V⁺ and V⁺/V⁰). The half‐wave reduction potentials (E_1/2) associated with the viologen ring shifted to more negative values with increasing amine component. This indicates that higher extent of salt formation hinders reduction of the viologen moiety. Interestingly, the incorporation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes in the electrochemically irreversible hydrogel (16‐A)₂‐V²⁺ transformed it into a quasi‐reversible electrochemical system.     

The First Neutral Dinuclear Vanadium Complex Comprising VO and VO2 Cores: Synthesis,Structure, Electrochemical Properties,and Catalytic Activity

A neutral dinuclear vanadium complex containing both oxido and dioxidovanadium cores with hydrazone based ligand, [VO(OCH₃)(CH₃OH)(HL)VO₂] ( 1 ) {H₄L = bis[(E)‐N′‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)]‐carbohydrazide}, was synthesized and fully characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods (IR, UV/Vis, NMR). The ligand acts as a trinegative hexadentate N₃O₃ donor ligand to form a dinuclear complex and during the reaction V⁴⁺ is oxidized to V⁵⁺. The coordination polyhedra are a VO₅N distorted octahedron for the mono‐oxidovanadium core and a VO₃N₂ trigonal bipyramid for the dioxidovanadium core. The results of catalytic reactions indicate that 1 is a highly active catalyst in the clean epoxidation reaction of cis‐cyclooctene using aqueous hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile. Cyclic voltammetric experiments of 1 in DMSO reveal two quasi‐reversible peaks due to the VO³⁺–VO²⁺ and VO₂⁺–VO₂ couples.     

Characterization and application of an electrode modified by mechanically immobilized copper hexacyanoferrate

A newly modified electrode was prepared by mechanical immobilization of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) on a graphite electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetric experiments. The effect of different background electrolytes, pHs and scan rates on the electrochemical behaviour of the electrode has been evaluated. In NH₄Cl two reversible redox peaks were observed. The first redox peak corresponding to Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ is observed only in this medium. The second redox peak corresponds to the Fe(CN)₆ ^4–/Fe(CN)₆ ^3– couple. Both anodic peaks were used for catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid. As the anodic current for catalytic oxidation was proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid, an analytical method was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in commercial samples.     

Three‐dimensional Nitrogen‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Composite Catalysts for Vanadium Flow Batteries

The development of vanadium redox flow battery is limited by the sluggish kinetics of the reaction, especially the cathodic VO₂⁺/VO²⁺ redox couples. Therefore, it is vital to develop new electrocatalysts with enhanced activity to improve the battery performance. Herein, we synthesized the hydrogel precursor by a facile hydrothermal method. After the following carbonization, nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanotube composite was obtained. By virtue of the large surface area and good conductivity, which are ensured by the unique hybrid structure, as well as the proper nitrogen doping, the as‐prepared composite presents enhanced catalytic performance toward the VO₂⁺/VO²⁺ redox reaction. We also demonstrated the composite with carbon nanotube loading of 2 mg/mL exhibits the highest activity and remarkable stability in aqueous solution due to the strong synergy between reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes, indicating that this composite might show promising applications in vanadium redox flow battery.     

Study on the capacitance performance of Sn4+-doped V2O5

Sn⁴⁺-doped V₂O₅ cathode materials were prepared by a sol–gel method. The results showed that the modified cathode material was a mixture of V⁴⁺ and V⁵⁺. It was a kind of typical mesopore material with pores of 2–4 nm diameter. Symmetrical curves were obtained by cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests performed at different scanning rates and voltage ranges. In particular, the CV curve showed more obvious rectangle property and better redox properties when the scanning rate was 5 mV s^?1. At the current density of 200 mA g^?1, the maximum specific energy, specific power, and coulomb efficiency of the material were 27.25 mA h?g^?1, 494.87 W?kg^?1, and 97%, respectively. It was indicated that small amounts of Sn⁴⁺ doping would improve the surface morphology and electronic conductivity of V₂O₅. The Sn⁴⁺-doped V₂O₅ showed good capacitance characteristics.     

Hybrid materials utilizing polyelectrolyte-derivatized carbon nanotubes and vanadium-mixed addenda heteropolytungstate for efficient electrochemical charging and electrocatalysis

Preparation and electrochemical behavior of new hybrid materials composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that were derivatized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride and modified with vanadium-mixed addenda Dawson-type heteropolytungstate, [P₂W₁₇VO₆₂]^8?, is described here. These nanostructured composite systems exhibited fast dynamics of charge propagation. They were characterized by the transport (effectively diffusional) kinetic parameter of approximately 8?×?10^?8 cm^?2 s^?1/2 and the specific capacitance parameter of 82 F g^?1 (at the charging/discharging current of 200 mA g^?1). The latter parameter for bare CNTs was found to be only 50 F g^?1 under analogous conditions. These observations were based on the results of galvanostatic charging–discharging, cyclic voltammetric, and AC impedance spectroscopic measurements. The improved capacitance properties were attributed to the systems’ pseudocapacitive features originating from the fast redox transitions of the [P₂W₁₇VO₆₂]^8? polyanions. In addition to the fast redox conduction, the proposed organic–inorganic hybrid materials exhibited interesting electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of bromate in the broad concentration range (sensitivity, 0.24 mA cm^?2 mmol^?1 dm³).     

Charge storage mechanism of copper hexacyanoferrate nanocubes for supercapacitors

The widely accepted theory concerning the electrochemical energy storage mechanism of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) for supercapacitors is that CuHCF stores charge by the reversible redox processes of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ couple and Cu cations are electrochemically inactive. In this work, CuHCF nanocubes (CuHCF-NC) were synthesized in the presence of potassium citrate and its electrochemical properties were tentatively studied in 1 mol/L Na₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte. Good supercapacitive performance was exhibited. The combined analyses of cyclic voltammogram (CV) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) disclosed that the CuHCF nanocubes underwent the redox reactions of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couples to store charges. The Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ redox couple was activated due to the strong coordination interaction between the carboxylate groups of citrate ions and surface Cu cations.     

pH-Metrische Studien an den binären Komplexen von Oxovanadium(IV) mit Hippur- und Anthranilsäure und Pyridin-2-aldoxim

pH-metric studies on the interaction of oxovanadium(IV) with hippuric and anthranilic acids and pyridine-2-aldoxime indicate the formation of monohydroxo derivatives of 1:1 chelates. The equilibrium constants for the reaction, VO²⁺+HA+H₂O?VO(OH)A+2H⁺ have been calculated as 4.47±0.07 and 6.32±0.05 in the 1:1 VO²⁺-hippuric or anthranilic acid systems resp. and for the reaction, VO²⁺+H₂ A ⁺+H₂O?VO(OH)A+3H⁺ as 8.40±0.09 in the 1:1 VO²⁺-pyridine-2-aldoxime hydrochloride system at 30±0.5°C (μ=0.1-KNO₃).     

Characterization and application of an electrode modified by mechanically immobilized copper hexacyanoferrate

A newly modified electrode was prepared by mechanical immobilization of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) on a graphite electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetric experiments. The effect of different background electrolytes, pHs and scan rates on the electrochemical behaviour of the electrode has been evaluated. In NH₄Cl two reversible redox peaks were observed. The first redox peak corresponding to Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ is observed only in this medium. The second redox peak corresponds to the Fe(CN)₆ ^4–/Fe(CN)₆ ^3– couple. Both anodic peaks were used for catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid. As the anodic current for catalytic oxidation was proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid, an analytical method was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in commercial samples. Received: 26 May 1998 / Revised: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 20 March 1999     

Transport properties of vanadium ions in cation exchange membranes:: Determination of diffusion coefficients using a dialysis cell

Diffusion coefficients of vanadium ions in cation exchange membranes are of interest because they allow to calculate the ion exchange across the membrane in an all vanadium redox flow battery which leads to undesired cross contamination and energy losses in the battery system. Diffusion coefficients of V²⁺, V³⁺, VO²⁺ and VO⁺₂ ions in CMS, CMV and CMX cation exchange membranes have been determined by measuring the ion exchange fluxes of these ions with H₃O⁺ ions using a dialysis cell. The experimental data are evaluated on the basis of integrated flux equations which require also ion exchange sorption equilibria obtained already in previous work. The lowest diffusion coefficients are observed in the CMS membrane for all vanadium ions. This membrane turns out to be the most suitable one for being applied in a vanadium battery since it is expected to prevent most effectively cross contamination of vanadium ions.     

Characterization of a Layered Methylene Blue/Vanadium Oxide Nanocomposite and its Application in a Reagentless H2O2 Biosensor

Layered nanocomposite of methylene blue (MB)-intercalated vanadium oxide was obtained through a simple hydrothermal synthesis method using MB, V₂O₅, and NaI as starting materials. The intercalation reaction was proven to be successful using X-ray diffraction pattern. The MB-V₂O₅ nanocomposite was characterized using a scanning electron micrograph, infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, UV spectra, and electrochemical measurements. The intercalated MB cations showed a fine diffusion-controlled electrochemical redox process and facilitated the immobilized horseradish peroxidase’s (HRP) good catalytic reduction upon H₂O₂. The as-prepared MB-V₂O₅/HRP biosensor showed a linear response to H₂O₂ over a range from 2.0?×?10^?6 to 9.5?×?10^?5 M with a detection limit of 9.7?×?10^?7 M (S/N ratio?=?3).