Submicronic particles of manganese carbonate prepared in reverse micelles: A new electrode material for lithium-ion batteries

A new preparation procedure based on the use of reverse micelles is used in the synthesis of manganese carbonate. A novel monodispersed form of MnCO₃ is obtained, in which particles with a regular shape and ca. 200 nm edges are observed by electron microscopy. The thermal decomposition at 400 °C of this solid under argon leads to the formation of MnO submicron particles. As-prepared MnCO₃ and the product of calcination, MnO, were tested in lithium cells. The electrochemical reaction with lithium of the new MnCO₃ material takes place by a different conversion reaction than the corresponding oxide. The low molecular-weight of MnCO₃ does not penalize the capacity while giving extra stability due to the formation of lithium carbonate as the main side product, which yields better capacity retention. In contrast to other anodes in recent commercial Li-ion product, the use of MnCO₃ submicron particles avoids the presence of the more toxic and expensive cobalt in the stoichiometry of the active electrode material.     

The effect of electrolyte on the micellar charge and hydration of a polyoxyethylene sulphate type of detergent in aqueous solution

Summary Measurements of the electrophoretic mobilities of the micelles of the anionic detergent C₁₆H₃₃(OCH₂ · CH₂)₇OSO₃Na have been made in aqueous sodium chloride solutions over the concentration range 0-0.01 M and used to calculate the magnitude of the electroviscous effect and the micellar charge in these solutions. The micellar hydration, as assessed from viscosity data, is shown to decrease as the salt concentration is increased and this is thought to be a consequence of the lower micellar charge in the more concentrated salt solutions which allows a greater contraction of the ethylene oxide chains resulting in a loss of water mechanically trapped by the micelles.     

Construction of a biointerface for glucose oxidase through diazonium chemistry and electrostatic self-assembly technique

In this study, a new procedure for the fabrication of biosensors was developed. The method is based on the covalent attachment of nitrophenyl groups to the electrode surface via diazonium salt reaction followed by their conversion to amine moieties through electrochemical reduction and electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. In this procedure, highly stable iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (IONPs), chitosan (CHIt), GOx, and Nile blue (NB) were assembled on the surface of aminophenyl modified glassy carbon electrode (AP/GCE) by LbL assembly technique. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the interfaces. The surface coverage of the active GOx and Michaelis–Menten constant (K _M) of the immobilized GOx were Γ?=?3.38?×?10^?11 mol cm^?2 and 2.54 mM, respectively. The developed biosensor displayed a well-defined amperometric response for glucose determination with high sensitivity (8.07 μA mM^?1) and low limit of detection (LOD) of 19.0 μM. The proposed approach allows simple biointerface regeneration by increasing pH which causes disruption of the ionic interactions and release of the electrostatic attached layers. The biosensor can then be reconstructed again using fresh enzyme. Simple preparation, good chemical and mechanical stabilities, and easy surface renewal are remarkable advantages of the proposed biosensor fabrication procedure.     

Improved performance of Bi2O3-doped MnO2 cathode on rechargeability in LiOH aqueous cell

Many attempts have been made to make the zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO₂) alkaline cell rechargeable, but all investigations are pertained to the proton insertion mechanism into MnO₂. In this paper, a new class of rechargeable bismuth oxide-doped MnO₂ electrode in lithium hydroxide (LiOH) electrolyte is described. The doping and the appropriate pH selection of the aqueous electrolyte improved the electrochemical performance of the aqueous cell. Hence, with an aim to understand the role of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) during the discharge process, doped MnO₂ cathodes are characterized by various techniques like secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The results suggest that the influence of the large radius of the cation (Bi₂O₃; Bi (III) ion (0.96 Å)) cannot be integrated into the spinel structure, thereby, improving the rechargeability. The electrode reaction of doped MnO₂ in LiOH electrolyte is shown to be lithium insertion while preventing the formation of a spinel structure that leads to a major formation of manganese oxy hydroxides.     

A Core–Shell Fe/Fe2O3 Nanowire as a High‐Performance Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The preparation of novel one‐dimensional core–shell Fe/Fe₂O₃ nanowires as anodes for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is reported. The nanowires are prepared in a facile synthetic process in aqueous solution under ambient conditions with subsequent annealing treatment that could tune the capacity for lithium storage. When this hybrid is used as an anode material for LIBs, the outer Fe₂O₃ shell can act as an electrochemically active material to store and release lithium ions, whereas the highly conductive and inactive Fe core functions as nothing more than an efficient electrical conducting pathway and a remarkable buffer to tolerate volume changes of the electrode materials during the insertion and extraction of lithium ions. The core–shell Fe/Fe₂O₃ nanowire maintains an excellent reversible capacity of over 767 mA h g^?1 at 500 mA g^?1 after 200 cycles with a high average Coulombic efficiency of 98.6 %. Even at 2000 mA g^?1, a stable capacity as high as 538 mA h g^?1 could be obtained. The unique composition and nanostructure of this electrode material contribute to this enhanced electrochemical performance. Due to the ease of large‐scale fabrication and superior electrochemical performance, these hybrid nanowires are promising anode materials for the next generation of high‐performance LIBs.     

Investigation on the basic hydrolysis of crystal violet in mixed reverse micelles formed with AOT and nonionic surfactants

 The kinetics and thermodynamics of the basic hydrolysis of crystal violet (CV) in mixed reverse micelles formed with anionic surfactant AOT and nonionic surfactants have been investigated. It was found that the mixed reverse micelles had inhibitory effects on CV hydrolysis compared with the normal aqueous solution, and the equilibrium constant K of the reaction in mixed reverse micellar systems is smaller than that in pure water. The influence of water content and surfactant composition in reverse micelles on the second-order rate constant k ₁ of the positive reaction, on the first-order rate constant k _-1 of the reverse reaction, as well as on the equilibrium constant K of the reaction has been studied, and the results obtained were interpreted in terms of the nature of surfactants and the properties of microenvironment where the reaction took place. Received: 24 October 1997 Accepted: 18 March 1998     

Interaction between hydrogen peroxide and cobalt(II) acetylacetonate in the system of reverse micelles of triton X-100 nonionic surfactant in cyclohexane

The yield of free radicals upon the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by cobalt acetylacetonate (Co(acac)₂) in the systems of reverse micelles of TX-100/n-hexanol and AOT in cyclohexane at 37°C was studied with the inhibitor method using a stable nitroxyl radical as a spin trap. It is shown that, in micellar AOT solutions in cyclohexane as well as in n-decane, H₂O₂ and Co(acac)₂ in practice do not react, because H₂O₂ is localized in a micelle water pool and Co(acac)₂, in the organic phase. Therefore, the generation of radicals is not observed in AOT solutions in cyclohexane, whereas, in aqueous solution, Co(acac)₂ catalyzes the radical decomposition of H₂O₂. In the system of mixed reverse micelles of TX-100 and n-hexanol in cyclohexane, at equal overall concentrations of H₂O₂ and Co(acac)₂, the rate of radical formation is much higher than in aqueous solution; i.e., the micellar catalysis of the radical decomposition of H₂O₂ takes place. It follows from measurements of UV and ESR spectra and the kinetics of changes in the content of peroxides in the reaction mixture that TX-100 and n-hexanol react with free radicals formed upon H₂O₂ decomposition and with atmospheric oxygen.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Anthraquinone in Reverse Micelles and Microemulsions of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide

The electrochemical behavior of an anthraquinone (AQ) was studied in aqueous solutions at a glassy carbon electrode, using the sodium salt of anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid (AQS), by employing cyclic voltammetry. AQ undergoes a two-electron reduction in aqueous media. The electrochemical behavior of AQ was also investigated in micelles, reverse micelles (CTAB/1-butanol/water), and microemulsions (CTAB/1-butanol/water/cyclohexane) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The electrode reactions of AQ in reverse micelles and microemulsions are nearly reversible at low oil (cyclohexane) content. However, at higher oil content, the reversibility is gradually lost. In the case of reverse micelles, the reduction current, as well as the reduction potential, of AQ depend on the transition from a micellar solution to a stable solution of reverse micelles that occurs with added 1-butanol. In microemulsions, the change in cyclohexane content was found to cause a linear increase in the peak current for AQ reduction as well as a linear decrease in the corresponding reduction potential. As the cyclohexane content is increased, the o/w microemulsions dominated by micelles undergo a transition to a w/o microemulsion dominated by reverse micelles, which causes changes in the electrochemical behavior.     

Role of environment on the activity and stability of α-amylase incorporated in reverse micelles

α-amylase (3.2.1.1) was solubilized in reverse micelles formed by Triton X-100 in xylene. Although the enzyme shows decrease in specific activity in reverse micellar medium, it possesses significantly high stability in comparison to bulk aqueous medium. Water/Surfactant ratio (Wo) was found to play a crucial role in both activity and stability of the enzyme. The optimum water/surfactant ratio for the catalytic function of an enzyme in reverse micelles is 36, while the enzyme is stable at Wo 12 for a considerably long period, and at Wo above 20 the enzyme gets inactivated within a day. Glycerol and CaCl₂ improve the stability in both aqueous and reverse micellar medium. Thus the interior of the reverse micelles acts as a microreactor and provides favorable environment for the enzyme activity and stability.     

Nucleotide Coupling in Reverse Micelles

Nucleotide coupling was investigated in reverse micelles formed by (cetyl)trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), in hexane/pentan-1-o1. In particular, the coupling of 2′ -deoxy-5′-O-methylcytidine 3′ O-phosphate, prepared by phosphoramidite chemistry, with 5′-amino-5-deoxythymidine was studied in the presence of a H₂O-soluble carbodiimide at (w_o) = 11 and 22 (w_o=[H₂O]/[CTAB]). The effect of w_o on the reaction rate was investigated. A solid-phase strategy was developed for the synthesis of 2′-deoxy-5′O-methyl-cytidyl-(3′-5′)-5′-amino-5′deoxythymidine. The nucleotide coupling yieldig the expected product occurred readily in reverse micelles. Nucleotide coupling is thus possible in reverse micelles, and this is discussed in connection with the micellar self-replication program.     

An aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion battery based on LiCoO2 nanoparticles cathode and LiV3O8 nanosheets anode

Nanoparticles of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) and nanosheets of lithium vanadium oxide (LiV₃O₈) were synthesized by a citrate sol–gel combustion route. The physical characterizations of the electrodic materials were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and also X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Near spherical nanoparticles of ≈100 nm and compact nanosheets with a few nanometers thick were observed by SEM and TEM for LiCoO₂ and LiV₃O₈, respectively. XRD data indicated that the as-prepared active materials presented pure phase of rhombohedral LiCoO₂ with R-3m symmetry and monoclinic LiV₃O₈ with p2₁/m symmetry. The kinetics of electrochemical intercalation of lithium ion into the nanoparticles of LiCoO₂ and nanosheets of LiV₃O₈ from 1.0 mol l⁻¹ LiNO₃ aqueous solution were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. An aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion battery consisting of LiCoO₂ nanoparticles as positive and LiV₃O₈ nanosheets as negative electrode was assembled. This battery represented a discharge voltage of about 1 V with good cycling performance.     

Isotopic Labeling Reveals Active Reaction Interfaces for Electrochemical Oxidation of Lithium Peroxide

The unresolved debate on the active reaction interface of electrochemical oxidation of lithium peroxide (Li₂O₂) prevents rational electrode and catalyst design for lithium‐oxygen (Li‐O₂) batteries. The reaction interface is studied by using isotope‐labeling techniques combined with time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) and on‐line electrochemical mass spectroscopy (OEMS) under practical cell operation conditions. Isotopically labelled microsized Li₂O₂ particles with an Li₂¹⁶O₂/electrode interface and an Li₂¹⁸O₂/electrolyte interface were fabricated. Upon oxidation, ¹⁸O₂ was evolved for the first quarter of the charge capacity followed by ¹⁶O₂. These observations unambiguously demonstrate that oxygen loss starts from the Li₂O₂/electrolyte interface instead of the Li₂O₂/electrode interface. The Li₂O₂ particles are in continuous contact with the catalyst/electrode, explaining why the solid catalyst is effective in oxidizing solid Li₂O₂ without losing contact.     

Carbon paste electrode modified by cobalt ions dispersed into poly (N-methylaniline) preparing in the presence of SDS: application in electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide

Conducting and stable poly (N-methylaniline) film was prepared by using the repeated potential cycling technique in aqueous solution containing N-methylaniline, sulfuric acid, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE). The transition metal ions of Co(ІІ) were incorporated to the polymer by immersion of the modified electrode in 0.1 M cobalt chloride solution for 10 min. The electrochemical characterization of this modified electrode exhibits stable redox behavior of Co(ІІ)→Co(ІІІ) and formation of insoluble oxide/hydroxide cobalt species on the CPE surface. The modified electrode showed well-defined and stable redox couples in alkaline aqueous solution. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. The response of modified electrode toward the H₂O₂ oxidation was examined using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. This modified electrode has many advantages such as simple preparation procedure, good reproducibility, and high catalytic activity toward the hydrogen peroxide oxidation. Such characteristics were explored for the specific determination of hydrogen peroxide in cosmetics product sample, giving results in excellent agreement with those obtained by standard method.     

Comparative Study of Special Features of the Oxygen Reaction (Molecular Oxygen Ionization and Evolution) in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Electrolyte Solutions (a Review)

Studies of the oxygen reaction, including the oxygen ionization and evolution processes occurring at typical electrode materials in aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes, are analyzed. A connection between the problematics of the oxygen electrode reaction in nonaqueous media and the developing of novel batteries, in the first place, Li–O₂ batteries, is emphasized. Unlike aqueous solutions, the oxygen reduction in aprotic electrolytes was shown to occur without breaking of the O–O bond; it is accompanied by formation of poorly soluble product of two-electron reaction (Li₂O₂) in the pores of positive electrode. The effect of the solvent donor number and the anion composition on the oxygen reduction mechanism and the lithium peroxide deposit structure is described. A marked reduction of the Li₂O₂ oxidation overvoltage when passing from carbonaceous materials to platinum-containing catalysts in the positive electrode is elucidated; in the latter case, the effect of electrocatalyst type upon the Li₂O₂ formation reaction is somewhat reduced. The elucidation of the contribution of processes occurring at the free and lithium-peroxide-covered electrode surface during the oxygen reaction for wide variety of active materials is formulated as the main basic problem of the future research.     

Self‐Templated Formation of Uniform NiCo2O4 Hollow Spheres with Complex Interior Structures for Lithium‐Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors

Despite the significant advancement in preparing metal oxide hollow structures, most approaches rely on template‐based multistep procedures for tailoring the interior structure. In this work, we develop a new generally applicable strategy toward the synthesis of mixed‐metal‐oxide complex hollow spheres. Starting with metal glycerate solid spheres, we show that subsequent thermal annealing in air leads to the formation of complex hollow spheres of the resulting metal oxide. We demonstrate the concept by synthesizing highly uniform NiCo₂O₄ hollow spheres with a complex interior structure. With the small primary building nanoparticles, high structural integrity, complex interior architectures, and enlarged surface area, these unique NiCo₂O₄ hollow spheres exhibit superior electrochemical performances as advanced electrode materials for both lithium‐ion batteries and supercapacitors. This approach can be an efficient self‐templated strategy for the preparation of mixed‐metal‐oxide hollow spheres with complex interior structures and functionalities.     

Effect of mesoporosity of vanadium oxide prepared by sol–gel process as cathodic material evaluated by cyclability during Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> insertion/deinsertion

The effect of pore structure on the behavior of lithium intercalation into an electrode containing porous V₂O₅ film has been investigated and compared with the electrode containing a non-porous V₂O₅ film. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate a lamellar structure for both materials. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms, t-plot method, and Scanning Electronic Microscopy show that the route employed for the preparation of mesoporous V₂O₅ was successful. The electrochemical performance of these matrices as lithium intercalation cathode materials was evaluated. The porous material reaches stability after several cycles more easily compared with the V₂O₅ xerogel. Lithium intercalation into the porous V₂O₅ film electrode is crucially influenced by pore surface and film surface irregularity, in contrast with the non-porous surface of the V₂O₅ xerogel.     

Aqueous rechargeable lithium battery (ARLB) based on LiV3O8 and LiMn2O4 with good cycling performance

Crystalline LiV₃O₈ and LiMn₂O₄ were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Cyclic voltammetry technique was employed to evaluate the electrochemical behaviors of LiV₃O₈ and LiMn₂O₄ in 2 mol/l Li₂SO₄ aqueous solution, and the results show that both LiV₃O₈ and LiMn₂O₄ are very stable in this aqueous electrolyte and can be used as the negative and positive electrode material without evident hydrogen or oxygen evolution. An aqueous rechargeable lithium battery (ARLB) was fabricated by using the above two intercalation compounds as the negative and positive electrodes. This battery exhibits good cycling behavior and the average discharge voltage is about 1.04 V.     

Thin films of vanadium oxide grown on vanadium metal: oxidation conditions to produce V2O5 films for Li‐intercalation applications and characterisation by XPS,AFM, RBS/NRA

Thin films of vanadium oxide were grown on vanadium metal surfaces (i) in air at ambient conditions, (ii) in 5 mM H₂SO₄ (aq), pH 3, (iii) by thermal oxidation at low oxygen pressure (10^?5 mbar) at temperatures between 350 and 550 °C and (iv) at near‐atmospheric oxygen pressure (750 mbar) at 500 °C. The oxide films were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA). The lithium intercalation properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results show that the oxide films formed in air at room temperature (RT), in acidic aqueous solution, and at low oxygen pressure at elevated temperatures are composed of V₂O₃. In air and in aqueous solution at RT, the oxide films are ultra‐thin and hydroxylated. At 500 °C, nearly atmospheric oxygen pressure is required to form crystalline V₂O₅ films. The oxide films grown at pO₂ = 750 mbar for 5 min are about 260‐nm thick, and consist of a 115‐nm outer layer of crystalline V₂O₅. The inner oxide is mainly composed of VO₂. For all high temperature oxidations, the oxygen diffusion from the oxide film into the metal matrix was considerable. The oxygen saturation of the metal at 450 °C was found, by XPS, to be 27 at.% at the oxide/metal interface. The well‐crystallized V₂O₅ film, formed by oxidation for 5 min at 500 °C and 750 mbar O₂, was shown to have good lithium intercalation properties and is a promising candidate as electrode material in lithium batteries. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

钴基双金属氧化物的制备及其在电化学储能领域的应

钴基双金属氧化物MCo₂O₄（M=Ni、Zn、Mn等）既继承了单一钴金属氧化物（Co₃O₄、CoO等）高比容量的优点,又引入了新的改性金属元素用于改善其导电性差、倍率性能不佳等缺点,是一种潜在的新型电化学储能材料。本文分类介绍了NiCo₂O₄、ZnCo₂O₄、MnCo₂O₄等钴基双金属氧化物及其复合物的现有研究（包括制备方法、形貌结构、颗粒尺寸及其电化学性能）,阐述了改性手段的可能性机理,并对钴基双金属氧化物后续研究提出了一些看法。     

钴基双金属氧化物的制备及其在电化学储能领域的应用

钴基双金属氧化物MCo₂O₄（M=Ni、Zn、Mn等）既继承了单一钴金属氧化物（Co₃O₄、CoO等）高比容量的优点,又引入了新的改性金属元素用于改善其导电性差、倍率性能不佳等缺点,是一种潜在的新型电化学储能材料。本文分类介绍了NiCo₂O₄、ZnCo₂O₄、MnCo₂O₄等钴基双金属氧化物及其复合物的现有研究（包括制备方法、形貌结构、颗粒尺寸及其电化学性能）,阐述了改性手段的可能性机理,并对钴基双金属氧化物后续研究提出了一些看法。