Interfacial Design of Dendrite‐Free Zinc Anodes for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries have rapidly developed recently as promising energy storage devices in large‐scale energy storage systems owing to their low cost and high safety. Research on suppressing zinc dendrite growth has meanwhile attracted widespread attention to improve the lifespan and reversibility of batteries. Herein, design methods for dendrite‐free zinc anodes and their internal mechanisms are reviewed from the perspective of optimizing the host–zinc interface and the zinc–electrolyte interface. Furthermore, a design strategy is proposed to homogenize zinc deposition by regulating the interfacial electric field and ion distribution during zinc nucleation and growth. This Minireview can offer potential directions for the rational design of dendrite‐free zinc anodes employed in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.     

Electrochemical Oxidation of Carbon‐Containing Fuels and Their Dynamics in Low‐Temperature Fuel Cells

Fuel cells can convert the energy that is chemically stored in a compound into electrical energy with high efficiency. Hydrogen could be the first choice for chemical energy storage, but its utilization is limited due to storage and transport difficulties. Carbon‐containing fuels store chemical energy with significantly higher energy density, which makes them excellent energy carriers. The electro‐oxidation of carbon‐containing fuels without prior reforming is a more challenging and complex process than anodic hydrogen oxidation. The current understanding of the direct electro‐oxidation of carbon‐containing fuels in low‐temperature fuel cells is reviewed. Furthermore, this review covers various aspects of electro‐oxidation for carbon‐containing fuels in non‐steady‐state reaction conditions. Such dynamic investigations open possibilities to elucidate detailed reaction kinetics, to sense fuel concentration, or to diagnose the fuel‐cell state during operation. Motivated by the challenge to decrease the consumption of fossil fuel, the production routes of the fuels from renewable resources also are reviewed.     

Electrochemical Properties and Application of Mixed Silver‐Bismuth Electrodes

Electrochemical properties of silver electrodes with 2, 4, 6, 10 and 15% bismuth have systematically been investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Increased overpotential towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was found as a result of increasing amount of added bismuth. This was also demonstrated in acid solution where zinc was successfully detected on mixed electrodes, but failed on pure silver electrodes. Formation and decomposition of oxide products formed on the different electrode surfaces were studied by cyclic voltammetry, and in addition to known species found on sliver, also peaks attributed to bismuth were achieved and examined. Zinc, cadmium, and lead were measured in the low μg/L range on the mixed electrodes, and good linearity (r²=0.998) was found for 2 to 10 μg/L. Lead was measured down to 0.1 μg/L. Further it was found in DPASV that the zinc peak significantly shifted towards a more negative value with increasing amount of bismuth in the silver electrodes. The same was also observed for cadmium and lead, but in a less extent. Finally a silver electrode containing 15% bismuth was used for continuous analyses in a polluted river for 6 weeks.     

Substituents Effects to the Electrochemical,and In Situ Spectroelectrochemical Behavior of Metallophthalocyanines: Electrocatalytic Application for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

This study describes the effects of the number of fluoro substituents to the electrochemical, in situ spectroelectrochemical, and electrocatalytic activities of metallophthalocyanines for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Tuning of the number of fluoro groups shifts the redox processes and affects the aggregation tendencies of the complexes. An in situ electrocolorimetric method was applied to investigate the color of the electrogenerated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes. Cobalt phthalocyanines incorporated into Nafion film on a glassy carbon electrode decreases the overpotential of the working electrode for H⁺ reduction. The number and position of the electron withdrawing substituents and nature of the metal center change the electrocatalytic activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction in aqueous solutions.     

Integrating NiCo Alloys with Their Oxides as Efficient Bifunctional Cathode Catalysts for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries

The lack of high‐efficient, low‐cost, and durable bifunctional electrocatalysts that act simultaneously for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is currently one of the major obstacles to commercializing the electrical rechargeability of zinc–air batteries. A nanocomposite CoO‐NiO‐NiCo bifunctional electrocatalyst supported by nitrogen‐doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (NCNT/CoO‐NiO‐NiCo) exhibits excellent activity and stability for the ORR/OER in alkaline media. More importantly, real air cathodes made from the bifunctional NCNT/CoO‐NiO‐NiCo catalysts further demonstrated superior performance to state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C or Pt/C+IrO₂ catalysts in primary and rechargeable zinc–air batteries.     

Anchoring Iron‐EDTA Complex on Graphene toward the Synthesis of Highly Efficient Fe‐N‐C Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst for Fuel Cells

Developing nonprecious carbon electrocatalysts as alternatives to platinum for cathodic oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells is of significance. Herein, an efficient precursor‐controlled synthesis strategy based on extremely rapid nucleation and deposition process assisted by the liquid nitrogen freeze drying method is explored to anchor cheap iron‐EDTA complex evenly dispersed on graphene to realize microstructural homogeneity of the derived Fe‐N‐C oxygen reduction electrocatalyst. The prepared electrocatalyst possesses excellent performance including high activity with more positive onset and half‐wave potential, such long‐term stability, and anti‐poisoning effect compared to commercial Pt/C. The activity correlates well with the unique sheet‐shaped morphology, high surface area, hierarchical porous structure, and the introduction of Fe‐Nx/C species. Especially, both the assembled practical alkaline and acid fuel cells based on the synthesized cathode catalysts reveal excellent performance with high open‐circuit voltage and power density.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Dental Ni‐Cr Wirolloy Coated with Eco‐friendly Films in Artificial Saliva

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the non‐precious Ni‐Cr Wirolloy, being used in dentistry, was investigated before and after applying of two types of eco‐friendly coatings, polyvinyl silsesquioxane (PVS) and nano‐hydroxyapatite (nHAP) separately in artificial saliva solution at 37 °C for 14 d of immersion. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the introduced coating films in enhancing the corrosion resistance of the alloy, and in decreasing the leaching of the toxic Ni ions from the alloy into the environment. The electrochemical corrosion investigation methods used are; open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The evaluated results revealed that the electrochemically coated alloy with PVS. prepared at cathodic potential showed higher corrosion resistance and more stable film compared to that prepared by conventional dip‐coating method. At the same time, the nHAP electrochemically coated film provided the best anti‐corrosion properties over all examined time intervals. The obtained results were confirmed via surface analysis, which assured the formation of the prepared coatings on the alloy surface. Chemical analysis of the corrosion product/solutions showed that the effect of electrochemically deposited nHAP and PVS. polymer films in suppression of Ni ions leaching is similar and slightly higher than that of the chemically coated PVS. one; however, all of them are efficient in decreasing the leaching of the risky Ni ions into the solution.     

缓蚀剂对船用钢在潮湿大气中的防蚀研究

模拟 90 7A钢在海水的潮湿大气环境和表面覆有薄层缓蚀剂液膜状态下其腐蚀受抑制的情况 ,利用恒电量仪连接ACM控头 ,监测其腐蚀状态 ,结合电化学阻抗谱 (EIS)的测量 ,探讨 90 7A钢在薄层缓蚀剂液膜下的腐蚀受到抑制机理 .结果表明 :此时大气腐蚀反应已转变为阳极过程控制占优势 ,在浸润后期的EIS呈现出由腐蚀介质扩散和电化学放电混合控制特征 ,如果利用恒电量激励下的等效电路模型解析 ,则可以更清楚地获知薄层缓蚀剂液膜下金属表面膜层的信息     

电流密度对锌电积用Pb-Ag平板阳极电化学行为的影响(英文)

研究了在不同电流密度下进行长时间极化后Pb-Ag(0.8%(质量分数,w))平板阳极的阳极电位、腐蚀率及阳极钝化膜.同时,也研究了该阳极在ZnSO4-MnSO4-H2SO4电解液中的阴极电流效率和阴极锌品质.阳极钝化膜的表面形貌用扫描电镜(SEM)进行观测.实验结果表明,不管电解液中是否存在Mn2+,电流密度对阳极和阴极的电化学行为都产生了显著的影响.随着电流密度的升高,阳极电位、腐蚀率、阴极电流效率和阳极泥生成量也增加,而阴极锌中的Pb含量则减少.当电流密度从500A·m-2降到200A·m-2时,阳极在ZnSO4-MnSO4-H2SO4电解液中的稳定电位和腐蚀率分别减少64mV和40%.此外,在比较低的电流密度下,阳极电位更容易稳定,阳极表面生成的钝化膜更加致密并与基体结合牢固,这些都有利于降低阳极腐蚀率.为了降低阳极电位、减小阳极腐蚀率及阳极泥生成量并提高阴极电流效率和阳极锌品质,锌电积的理想工作条件是较低的阳极电流密度和较高的阴极电流密度.     

Electrochemical Behavior of MCF‐7 Cells on Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrode and Application in Evaluating the Effect of 5‐Fluorouracil

The electrochemical behavior of human breast cancer cells (MCF‐7) suspension on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified graphite electrode was studied by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA). Compared with bare graphite electrode, the MWCNTs‐modified electrode showed electrocatalytic property to the oxidation of electroactive species in the cell suspension. One oxidative peak at about +0.74 V was observed in the cyclic voltammogram. PSA was proved to be more sensitive than CV for investigation of the electrochemical behavior of cells. And it was found that ultrasonication treatment of the cell suspension can significantly enhance the PSA signal. Factors influencing the PSA signal of cells, including deposition time, deposition potential and stripping current, were investigated in detail and the optimum conditions were obtained. The baseline corrected PSA signal was found to be related to the viability of cells and the technique was used for monitoring the growth of MCF‐7 cells. The effect of anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) on the growth of MCF‐7 cells was also investigated by PSA.     

High‐Resolution Electrochemical Mapping of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets

High‐resolution scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) is used to image and quantitatively analyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytically active sites of 1H‐MoS₂ nanosheets, MoS₂, and WS₂ heteronanosheets. Using a 20 nm radius nanopipette and hopping mode scanning, the resolution of SECCM was beyond the optical microscopy limit and visualized a small triangular MoS₂ nanosheet with a side length of ca. 130 nm. The electrochemical cell provides local cyclic voltammograms with a nanoscale spatial resolution for visualizing HER active sites as electrochemical images. The HER activity difference of edge, terrace, and heterojunction of MoS₂ and WS₂ were revealed. The SECCM imaging directly visualized the relationship of HER activity and number of MoS₂ nanosheet layers and unveiled the heterogeneous aging state of MoS₂ nanosheets. SECCM can be used for improving local HER activities by producing sulfur vacancies using electrochemical reaction at the selected region.     

Triphenylamine Groups Improve Blocking Behavior of Phenoxazine Dyes in Cobalt‐Electrolyte‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Novel phenoxazine dyes are successfully introduced as sensitizers into dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with cobalt‐based electrolyte. In sensitizers with triphenylamine (TPA) groups recombination from electrons in the TiO₂ conduction band to the cobalt(III) species is suppressed. The effect of the steric properties of the phenoxazine sensitizers on the overall device performance and on recombination and regeneration processes is compared. Optimized DSCs sensitized with IB2 having two TPA groups in combination with tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl) cobalt(II/III) yield efficiencies of 6.3 %, similar to that of IB3 , which is equipped with mutiple alkoxy groups. TH310 with only one TPA group gives lower efficiency and open circuit voltage, while IB1 without TPA groups performs even worse. These results demonstrate that both TPA groups on the IB2 are needed for an efficient blocking effect. These results reveal a possible new role for TPA units in DSC sensitizer design.     

Dual‐Template Pore Engineering of Whey Powder‐Derived Carbon as an Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst for Primary Zinc‐Air Battery

Cost‐effective and high‐performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) are needed for many energy storage and conversion devices. Here, we demonstrate that whey powder, a major by‐product in the dairy industry, can be used as a sustainable precursor to produce heteroatom doped carbon electrocatalysts for ORR. Rich N and S compounds in whey powders can generate abundant catalytic active sites. However, these sites are not easily accessible by reactants of ORR. A dual‐template method was used to create a hierarchically and interconnected porous structure with micropores created by ZnCl₂ and large mesopores generated by fumed SiO₂ particles. At the optimum mass ratio of whey power: ZnCl₂ : SiO₂ at 1 : 3 : 0.8, the resulting carbon material has a large specific surface area close to 2000 m² g^?1, containing 4.6 at.% of N with 39.7% as pyridinic N. This carbon material shows superior electrocatalytic activity for ORR, with an electron transfer number of 3.88 and a large kinetic limiting current density of 45.40 mA cm^?2. They were employed as ORR catalysts to assemble primary zinc‐air batteries, which deliver a power density of 84.1 mW cm^?2 and a specific capacity of 779.5 mAh g^?1, outperforming batteries constructed using a commercial Pt/C catalyst. Our findings open new opportunities to use an abundant biomaterial, whey powder, to create high‐value‐added carbon electrocatalysts for emerging energy applications.     

Surface Reorganization on Electrochemically‐Induced Zn–Ni–Co Spinel Oxides for Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Herein, we highlight redox‐inert Zn²⁺ in spinel‐type oxide (Zn_XNi_1?XCo₂O₄) to synergistically optimize physical pore structure and increase the formation of active species on the catalyst surface. The presence of Zn²⁺ segregation has been identified experimentally and theoretically under oxygen‐evolving condition, the newly formed V_Zn?O?Co allows more suitable binding interaction between the active center Co and the oxygenated species, resulting in superior ORR performance. Moreover, a liquid flow Zn–air battery is constituted employing the structurally optimized Zn_0.4Ni_0.6Co₂O₄ nanoparticles supported on N‐doped carbon nanotube (ZNCO/NCNTs) as an efficient air cathode, which presents remarkable power density (109.1 mW cm^?2), high open circuit potential (1.48 V vs. Zn), excellent durability, and high‐rate performance. This finding could elucidate the experimentally observed enhancement in the ORR activity of Zn_XNi_1?XCo₂O₄ oxides after the OER test.     

Determination of Silver‐Modified Titanium Phosphate Nanoparticles by Voltammetric and Electrocatalytic Methods

The electrochemical determination of silver‐modified titanium phosphate nanoparticles (Ag‐TiPNPs) was performed using two electrochemical features of this novel kind of nanoparticles. First, a determination using the voltammetric activity of the silver from the Ag‐TiPNPs was carried out. Secondly, the electrocatalytic effect of Ag‐TiPNPs was shown for the first time to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the determination of these nanoparticles was performed by chronoamperometry using this electrocatalysis. Moreover, it was verified that the catalytic effect was due to the electroreduced silver since the unmodified titanium phosphate nanoparticles (TiPNPs) did not exhibit this effect. Detection limits as low as 0.1 and 0.75 ng µL^?1 of Ag‐TiPNPs were obtained with the voltammetric and chronoamperometric methods, respectively. 8‐channel screen‐printed electrochemical arrays (8xSPCEs) were employed as transducers to carry out these electrochemical studies, due to its low cost and time saving.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p‐tert‐Butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene and Its Selective Complexation with Metal Ions at Water‐Air Interface

The electrochemical behavior of p‐tert‐butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene (SCA) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results show that there is an irreversible electrochemical oxidative wave when the potential ranges from 0.9 to 1.9 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in CH₂Cl₂ at a glassy carbon electrode. The kinetic parameters of the andic wave, such as α,n, k_s, D and the diffusion activation energy (E_d), were discussed. In addition, the interaction of SCA with metal ions at the water‐air interface was also discussed by Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) techniques. The results confirm that the selectivity of SCA as ligand for Pb²⁺ in monomolecular film is very high by complexation action, which provide the foundation that LB film of SCA modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as voltammetric sensor to detect trace amounts of Pb²⁺.     

The Proportion of Fe‐NX,N Doping Species and Fe3C to Oxygen Catalytic Activity in Core‐Shell Fe‐N/C Electrocatalyst

A bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst composed of iron carbide (Fe₃C) nanoparticles encapsulated by nitrogen doped carbon sheets is reported. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption near edge structure revealed the presence of several kinds of active sites (Fe?N_x sites, N doping sites) and the modulated electron structure of nitrogen doped carbon sheets. Fe₃C@N‐CSs shows excellent oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction catalytic activity owing to the modulated electron structure by encapsulated Fe₃C core via biphasic interfaces electron interaction, which can lower the free energy of intermediate, strengthen the bonding strength and enhance conductivity. Meanwhile, the contribution of the Fe?N_x sites, N doping sites and the effect of Fe₃C core for the electrocatalytic oxygen reaction is originally revealed. The Fe₃C@N‐CSs air electrode‐based zinc‐air battery demonstrates a high open circuit potential of 1.47 V, superior charge‐discharge performance and long lifetime, which outperforms the noble metal‐based zinc‐air battery.     

Measuring Sheet Resistances of Dielectrics Using Co‐Planar Hydrogel Electrochemical Cells with Practical Applications to Characterize the Protective Quality of Paints on Sculptures

Electrical properties of thin dielectric films at the solid‐liquid phase boundary are an important performance characteristic of many devices, coatings and sensors. In this paper, co‐polymeric hydrogels of polyacrylic acid co‐sulfonic acid, swollen with a salt solution to act as the solid electrolyte, were used to assess interfaces using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a co‐planar geometry. Silane‐modified glasses were characterized by the co‐planar hydrogel EIS cell and found to be distinguishable based on their surface monolayer chemistry. EIS measurements were also made on primed and painted metal substrates, using both test panels and an outdoor sculpture, Tony Smith's Stinger . The panels were then exposed to accelerated and outdoor weathering and showed degradation on the surface paint layers, which was observable electrochemically using EIS and confirmed visually by SEM. Electrochemical spectral features were compared between data from a standard paint‐test cell versus this co‐planar hydrogel cell; both cell types were able to measure coating capacitance, providing useful information about the condition of the bulk coating. Yet, sheet resistance (R_s) was a spectral feature seen only by the co‐planar hydrogel cell. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of such co‐planar hydrogel cells can provide an earlier warning sign to coating degradation and such cells provide a new type of spectral information that is not assessable by the standard geometry.     

Electrochemical formation of conducting polymer coating on porous p‐ and n‐silicon substrates

Electrochemical synthesis of polyaniline was carried out in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions of aniline on porous p‐ and n‐silicon under galvanostatic, potentiostatic and potential pulse regimes. It is shown that the introduction of catalytic quantities of oxidants, potassium hexachloroiridate, potassium dichromate, potassium permanganate and chloranilic acid, in electrolytes accelerates the formation of polymer films and lowers the overvoltage of electrosynthesis. The resulting polymer coatings are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and IR spectroscopy. It is shown that polyaniline coatings on porous p‐ and n‐silicon electrodes are electroactive and conducting in anodic and cathodic ranges. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.