Nanocrystalline FeWO4 as a pseudocapacitive electrode material for high volumetric energy density supercapacitors operated in an aqueous electrolyte

Iron tungstate (FeWO₄) has been synthesized using two low-temperature synthetic routes and investigated as a new pseudocapacitive electrode material for supercapacitors operating in a neutral aqueous electrolyte. Its electrochemical properties are clearly related to the specific surface area and seem to originate from Fe^3 +/Fe^2 + fast surface reactions. For FeWO₄ obtained by polyol-mediated synthesis, a high volumetric capacitance of 210 F·cm^− 3 (i.e. more than two times higher than that of activated carbon) was measured at 20 mV·s^− 1 with less than 5% fade over 10,000 cycles. Furthermore, unlike most of the previously investigated iron based electrodes, a unique pseudocapacitive behavior is observed, thus emphasizing the role of the crystallographic structure on the electrochemical signature.     

Electrochemical and XPS studies of a Nb-containing Ti-based glass-forming alloy system in H2SO4 solution

The corrosion behaviors of Ti₄₀Zr₂₅Ni_12 -xNb_xCu₃Be₂₀ (x = 0, 4, 8, and 12 at.%) alloys in 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ solution were studied, aiming to establish the relationship between Nb content and corrosion resistance. The addition of Nb element gives rise to a clear microstructural evolution, from a completely amorphous structure for the alloys without Nb and with 4% Nb alloys to an amorphous/crystalline composite structure for the alloys with 8% and 12% Nb. The alloy with higher Nb content exhibits better corrosion resistance, which can be attributed to the formation of Ti^4 +-, Zr^4 +-, and Nb^5 +-enriched highly protective surface film in corrosive solutions.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin entrapped in composite matrix based on chitosan and CaCO3 nanoparticles

The direct electron transfer between hemoglobin (Hb) and the underlying glassy carbon electrode (GCE) can be readily achieved via a high biocompatible composite system based on biopolymer chitosan (CHT) and inorganic CaCO₃ nanoparticles (nano-CaCO₃). Cyclic voltammetry of Hb-CHT/nano-CaCO₃/GCE showed a pair of stable and quasi-reversible peaks for HbFe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple in pH 7.0 buffer. The electrochemical reaction of Hb immobilized in CHT/nano-CaCO₃ composite matrix exhibited a surface-controlled process accompanied by electron and proton transfer. The electron transfer rate constant was estimated to be 1.8 s⁻¹. This modified electrode showed a high thermal stability up to 60 °C. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant was calculated to be 7.5 × 10⁻⁴ M, indicating a high catalytic activity of the immobilized Hb toward H₂O₂. The interaction between Hb and this nano-hybrid material was also investigated using FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopy, indicating that Hb retained its native structure in this hybrid matrix.     

Carbon-coated Li3VO4 with optimized structure as high capacity anode material for lithium-ion capacitors

Due to the high capacity, moderate voltage platform, and stable structure, Li₃VO₄ (LVO) has attracted close attention as feasible anode material for lithium-ion capacitor. However, the intrinsic low electronic conductivity and sluggish kinetics of the Li⁺ insertion process severely impede its practical application in lithium-ion capacitors (LICs). Herein, a carbon-coated Li₃VO₄ (LVO/C) hierarchical structure was prepared by a facial one-step solid-state method. The synthesized LVO/C composite delivers an impressive capacity of 435 mAh/g at 0.07 A/g, remarkable rate capability, and nearly 100% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 0.5 A/g. The superior electrochemical properties of LVO/C composite materials are attributed to the improved conductivity of electron and stable carbon/LVO composite structures. Besides, the LIC device based on activated carbon (AC) cathode and optimal LVO/C as anode reveals a maximum energy density of 110 Wh/kg and long-term cycle life. These results provide a potential way for assembling the advanced hybrid lithium-ion capacitors.     

Synthesis of efficient Vulcan–LaMnO3 perovskite nanocomposite for the oxygen reduction reaction

In situ autocombustion has been developed as a novel and efficient route for the synthesis of perovskite–carbon nanocomposites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. We demonstrate the synthesis of crystalline LaMnO_3 + δ perovskite–Vulcan composite with a high accessibility of active sites and high electronic conductivity required for efficient electrocatalysis. The rotating disc electrode measurements evidenced an excellent activity of the composite for the ORR.     

Amorphous sodium vanadate Na1.5 + yVO3, a promising matrix for reversible sodium intercalation

Sodium insertion into the vanadate NaVO₃ shows the formation of an amorphous phase with the composition Na_1.5 + yVO₃. The latter phase exhibits reversible electrochemical sodium intercalation/de-intercalation properties through a solid solution-like process, for 0 < y < 0.7, with redox cycling at 1.8 V vs. Na⁺/Na and a capacity of 150 mAh/g. This result opens the route to the investigation of amorphous matrices involving transition metal oxides for sodium ion battery applications.     

Pseudocapacitive polypyrrole–nanocellulose composite for sugar-air enzymatic fuel cells

Efficient, new combination of a bioelectrocatalytic and a pseudocapacitive cellulose-based composite material is reported. The anode comprising Gluconobacter sp. fructose dehydrogenase physically adsorbed on Cladophora sp. Algae nanocellulose/polypyrrole composite provides large catalytic oxidation currents due to large effective surface area of the composite material, and enables storing of the charge. Supercapacitor properties are useful for larger current demands e.g. during switching on–off the devices. Mediatorless catalytic oxidation current densities as high as 14 mA cm^− 2 at potentials as negative as − 0.17 V vs. Ag/AgCl constitute the best anode performance without using mediators reported to date. The fuel cell with GCE cathode covered with laccase adsorbed on naphthylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes, exhibits improved parameters: open circuit voltage of 0.76 V, and maximum power density 1.6 mW cm^− 2.     

Electrochemical performance of a novel CoTETA/C catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

In this communication, we report a novel CoTETA/C catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) which was prepared from a carbon-supported cobalt triethylenetetramine chelate, followed by heat treatment in an inert atmosphere. Electrochemical performances were measured using rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique and a PEM fuel cell test station. For a H₂–O₂ fuel cell system, the maximum output power density reached 162 mW cm^?2 at 25 °C with non-humidified reaction gases. We found a nanometallic face-centered cubic (fcc) α-Co phase embedded in the graphitic carbon after pyrolysis, based on X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. These results indicated that CoTETA/C is a promising catalyst for the ORR.     

Co1-xS embedded in porous carbon derived from metal organic framework as a highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Here, we report a two-step conversion method to fabricate a composite of Co_1-xS embedded in porous carbon framework (Co_1-xS@C) derived from metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The as-prepared porous dodecahedron Co_1-xS@C composite catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER).     

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.     

Author index

The triplet potential energy surface for the reaction of ethylene with molecular oxygen in the ground state has been calculated at the QCISD(T, full)/6-311++G(3df,2p)//MP2(full)/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Four intermediates and 17 transition states are located along the minimum energy reaction path. Six major radical product channels are revealed, namely, C₂H₃ + HO₂, O(³P) + C₂H₄O, H + C₂H₃O₂, OH + C₂H₃O, OH + CH₃CO, and O(³P) + CH₃CHO. In view of reaction barrier heights, the dominant channels are predicted to be C₂H₃ + HO₂, O(³P) + C₂H₄O, H + C₂H₃O₂, and C₂H₄O₂(³A″). The calculated rate constants for the abstraction reaction path are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The implication of the current results in the initiation of the combustion of ethylene is discussed.     

Formation of carbon nanotubes from a silicon carbide/carbon composite

The reaction of a SiC/C composite powder in an arcing plasma forms carbon nanotubes in good yield. Besides carbon nanotubes, a Si/C composite composed of β SiC covered with a shell of graphite is formed. The graphitic carbon surface layers of the carbon shell of this composite reacts further to form carbon nanotubes when heated to 600 °C. This process seems highly effective since only a small overall low weight loss, indicative for a complete carbon shell oxidation is observed by thermal analysis. The formation of the carbon nanotubes from SiC is unlikely since no SiO₂ has been found when heating the SiC/C core shell composite to its reaction temperature of 600 °C under O₂. The CNTs formed are of good quality with 3 to 6 concentric walls and high aspect ratio. Occasionally even single walled carbon naotubes have been observed.     

Tube-covering-tube nanostructured polyaniline/carbon nanotube array composite electrode with high capacitance and superior rate performance as well as good cycling stability

The combination of a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array (CNTA) framework and electrodeposition technique leads to a tube-covering-tube nanostructured polyaniline (PANI)/CNTA composite electrode with hierarchical porous structure, large surface area, and superior conductivity. PANI/CNTA composite electrode has high specific capacitance (1030 F g⁻¹), superior rate capability (95% capacity retention at 118 A g⁻¹), and high stability (5.5% capacity loss after 5000 cycles). Energy storage characteristics of the PANI/CNTA composite are presented in this paper.     

Nano-structured Li3V2(PO4)3/carbon composite for high-rate lithium-ion batteries

Nano-structured Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon composite (Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C) has been successfully prepared by incorporating the precursor solution into a highly mesoporous carbon with an expanded pore structure. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the structure of the composites. Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ had particle sizes of < 50 nm and was well dispersed in the carbon matrix. When cycled within a voltage range of 3 to 4.3 V, a Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite delivered a reversible capacity of 122 mA h g^? 1 at a 1C rate and maintained a specific discharge capacity of 83 mA h g^? 1 at a 32C rate. These results demonstrate that cathodes made from a nano-structured Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ and mesoporous carbon composite material have great potential for use in high-power Li-ion batteries.     

Vertical crosslinking MoS2/three-dimensional graphene composite towards high performance supercapacitor

The vertical crosslinking MoS₂/three-dimensional graphene composite has been prepared by hydrothermal method, which delivered a superior and stable electrochemical capacitive performance.     

Radiotracer and analytical evidences proving the reduction of ClO4− ions at the cobalt/electrolyte solution interface

The occurrence of the reduction of ClO₄⁻ ions in the course of the dissolution (corrosion) of Co was indicated through the study of the adsorption of radio labelled (³⁶Cl) Cl⁻ ions. A detailed analytical study determining the Co²⁺ and Cl⁻ content of the solution phase furnished firm evidences that under suitable chosen experimental conditions the 4Co + ClO₄⁻ + 8H⁺=4Co²⁺ + Cl⁻ + 4H₂O reaction could be as important as the Co + 2H⁺=Co²⁺ + H₂ reaction considered in the literature as the only reaction path.     

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.     

Partially graphitic micro- and mesoporous carbon microspheres for supercapacitors

Partially graphitic micro-and mesoporous carbon microspheres(GMMCMs)were synthesized using hydrothermal emulsion polymerization followed by KOH activation and catalytic graphitization.The resulting GMMCMs show micro-and mesopores with a specifc surface area of 1113 m2/g,regular spherical shape with diameters of 0.5–1.0 mm and a partially graphitic structure with a low internal resistance of 0.34 V.The graphitic carbons as electrode for supercapacitor exhibit a fast ion-transport and rapid charge–discharge feature,and a high-rate electrochemical performance.The typical GMMCM electrode shows a specifc capacitance of 220 F/g at 1.0 A/g,and 185 F/g under a high current density of20.0 A/g in a 6 mol/L KOH electrolyte.     

Net-structured NiO–C nanocomposite as Li-intercalation electrode material

Net-structured NiO was prepared by urea-mediated homogeneous hydrolysis of Ni(CH₃COO)₂ under microwave radiation followed by a calcination at 500 °C. NiO–C nanocomposite was prepared by dispersing the as-prepared net-structured NiO in glucose solution and subsequent carbonization under hydrothermal conditions at 180 °C. The carbon in the composite was amorphous by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and its content was 15.05 wt% calculated according to the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) result. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of the NiO–C nanocomposite showed that the NiO network was homogeneously filled by amorphous carbon. The reversible capacity of NiO–C nanocomposite after 40 cycles is 429 mAh g⁻¹, much higher than that of NiO (178 mAh g⁻¹). These improvements are attributed to the carbon, which can enhance the conductivity of NiO, suppress the aggregation of active particles, and increase their structure stability during cycling.     

Novel method for the preparation of carbon supported nano-sized amorphous ruthenium oxides for supercapacitors

Nanostructured amorphous RuO₂ · xH₂O/C composite materials are prepared via a modified sol–gel process using glycolic acid. The glycolate anion, which dissociates from glycolic acid at pH 7, behaves as a stabilizer by adsorbing onto the RuO₂ · xH₂O surface, thus resulting in particles with a size of about 2 nm. As evidenced by zeta potential measurements, the surface charge of RuO₂ · xH₂O becomes more electronegative as the amount of glycolic acid increases. After heat treatment at 160 ^oC to remove the stabilizer, RuO₂ · xH₂O/C is found to exhibit an amorphous structure. The specific capacitance of RuO₂ · xH₂O/C particles (40 wt% Ru) prepared in the presence of glycolic acid (0.3 g L⁻¹) is 462 F g⁻¹, which is 30% higher than that of the material prepared in the absence of glycolic acid. Both the nanosized particles and the amorphous structure mainly contribute to this increase in the specific capacitance.