Growth and formation of hybrid structures on InP by alternated anodizations in aqueous media and liquid ammonia

Results about electrochemical anodic passivation of indium phosphide formed sequentially in two electrolytes with contrasted properties are reported for the first time. Using a galvanostatic method, oxidation of the InP surface has been formed initially at pH 9 with a current density of 0.2 mA cm⁻², while the anodization was achieved under illumination in liquid ammonia by cyclic voltammetry. Capacitance–voltage measurements in aqueous media coupled with cyclic voltammetry in liquid ammonia indicate the covering level of the two kinds of anodic layers, whereas XPS analysis gives access to chemical composition of hybrid structures. As a first result, the different measurements reveal the great stability of anodic oxide in liquid ammonia, at each step of oxide coverage. As a second result, the formation of a mixed layer with both oxide and “P–N” terminations has been evidenced by XPS. A new route of InP passivation was clearly established by this alternated anodization process.     

Si-doped Fe2O3 nanotubular/nanoporous layers for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

The present work reports the enhancement of the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of in-situ silicon (Si)-doped nanotubular/nanoporous (NT/NP) layers. These layers were grown by self-organizing anodization on Fe-Si alloys of various Si content. The incorporation of Si is found to retard the layer growth rates, leads to a more pronounced nanotubular morphology, and most importantly, an improved photoelectrochemical behavior. By increasing Si content from 1, 2 to 5 at.% in the iron oxide NT/NP photoanodes, the photocurrent onset potential shifts favorably to lower values. At 1.3 V vs. RHE, hematite layer with 5 at.% Si shows a 5-fold increase of the photocurrent, i.e. 0.5 mA cm^− 2 in comparison to 0.1 mA cm^− 2 for the undoped samples. The study also reveals that a suitable layer thickness is essential to achieve a beneficial effect of the Si doping.     

Aliphatic thioether polymers as novel cathode active materials for rechargeable lithium battery

Two aliphatic thioether polymers, poly[methanetetryl-tetra(thiomethylene)] (PMTTM) and poly(2,4-dithiopentanylene) (PDTP) were designed, synthesized, characterized and tested as cathode active materials. The chemical structure of polymers was confirmed by FT-IR, FT-Raman, and XPS spectral analysis. Both polymers were found to have electrochemical activity as cathode materials for rechargeable lithium battery by the electrochemical tests. The specific capacity of PMTTM was 504 mA h g⁻¹ at the third cycle and faded to 200 mA h g⁻¹ after 10 cycles; PDTP showed low and stable specific capacity around 100 mA h g⁻¹ even after 50 cycles. The specific capacity of fully saturated aliphatic thioether polymers demonstrated that thioether bonds offered energy storage. It was proposed that thioether bond was oxidized to form thioether cations with the help of ether solvents.     

Fast fabrication of Ta2O5 nanotube arrays and their conversion to Ta3N5 for efficient solar driven water splitting

This work shows that highly ordered and mechanically stable micrometer-long Ta₂O₅ nanotube arrays can be fabricated by galvanostatic anodization in a few seconds. Typically, ~ 7.7 μm long nanotubes can be grown at 1.2 A cm^− 2 in only 2 s. Such nanotubes can be converted to Ta₃N₅ nanotube arrays by nitridation. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting using AM 1.5G illumination yields for the Ta₃N₅ nanotube photoanode modified with cobalt phosphate (Co–Pi) remarkable photocurrents of 5.9 mA cm ⁻² at 1.23 V_RHE and 12.9 mA cm ⁻² at 1.59 V_RHE and after Ba-doping a value of 7.5 mA cm ⁻² at 1.23 V_RHE is obtained.     

Investigation of immiscible alloy system of Al–Sn thin films as anodes for lithium ion batteries

The Al–Sn, which is immiscible alloy, film was prepared by e-beam deposition to explore the possibility as anode material for lithium ion batteries for the first time. The film has a complex structure with tiny Sn particles dispersed homogeneously in the Al active matrix. The diffusion coefficients of Li⁺ in these Al–Sn alloy films were determined to be 2.1–3.2 × 10⁻⁸ cm²/s by linear sweep voltammetry. The film electrode with high Al content (Al–33wt%Sn) delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 972.8 mA h g⁻¹, while the film electrode with high Sn content (Al–64wt%Sn) with an initial discharge capacity of 552 mA h g⁻¹ showed good cycle performance indicated by retaining a capacity of about 381 mA h g⁻¹ after 60 cycles. Our preliminary results demonstrate that Al–Sn immiscible alloy is a potential candidate for anodic material of lithium ion batteries.     

Electrochemical properties of liquid electrolyte added quasi-solid state TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells

In this study a process has been introduced to replace traditional liquid or solid electrolyte coatings on dye-sensitized photoelectrode in solar cells. This process has more efficient diffusion of electrolyte, hence higher sensitivity. Better interfacial contact between polymer electrolyte and TiO₂ photoelectrode had improved electrochemical response and ionic conductivity of cell. Conductivity of this electrode was 9.33 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ (at room temperature), which is much higher than the using traditional process for addition of electrolytes. It has 0.68 V open-circuit voltage and 3.19 mA cm⁻² short-circuit current density. Energy conversion efficiency of this cell was about 37% higher than the cell developed with traditional processes under constant light intensity (45 mW cm⁻²).     

Formation of mesoporous germanium double layers by electrochemical etching for layer transfer processes

We produce uniform mesoporous single- and multilayers on 4 in. p-type Ge wafers by means of electrochemical etching in highly concentrated HF-based electrolytes. Pore formation by anodic etching in germanium leads to a constant dissolution of the already formed porous layer plus substrate. Alternating the etching bias from anodic to cathodic bias enhances the passivation of the pore walls and substrate. The formation of porous multilayers is possible, since the starting layer is not dissolved during the formation of the separation layer. We report on the production of mesoporous double layers in Ge with different porosities. The change in the porosity of the porous layers is achieved by varying the anodic etching current and the HF concentration of the electrolyte. Porosities in the range of 25–65% are obtained for etching current densities of 1–15 mA cm^?2 with the specific resistivity of the Ge substrates lying in the (0.020–0.032) Ω cm range and electrolyte HF concentrations in the range of 35–50 wt.%.     

Ni infiltrated Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 electrode for methane assisted steam electrolysis process

It is an effective way to substitute air to methane in the anode of solid oxide electrolysis cells to reduce the electrical consumption for simultaneously producing H₂ and high-quality syngas. In the methane assisted mode, the thermodynamic properties and Nernst potential exhibit one order of magnitude reduction of applied voltage to produce comparable electrolysis current. Ni catalysts are infiltrated to the SFM-SDC anode to improve the catalytic properties for methane assisted steam electrolysis. After Ni infiltration, surface oxygen exchange coefficient is effectively accelerated from 3.03 × 10^− 5 to 2.20 × 10^− 4 cm s^− 1, and the current density is significantly enhanced from − 487 to − 1022 mA cm^− 2 at 850 °C and 0.5 V.     

Electrochemical characterization of vertical arrays of tin nanowires grown on silicon substrates as anode materials for lithium rechargeable microbatteries

Vertical arrays of one-dimensional tin nanowires on silicon dioxide (SiO₂)/silicon (Si) substrates have been developed as anode materials for lithium rechargeable microbatteries. The process is complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatible for fabricating on-chip microbatteries. Nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates integrated on SiO₂/Si substrates were employed for fabrication of tin nanowires resulting in high surface area of anodes. The microstructure of these nanowire arrays was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical tests showed that the discharge capacity of about 400 mA h g⁻¹ could be maintained after 15 cycles at the high discharge/charge rate of 4200 mA g⁻¹.     

A direct borohydride–peroxide fuel cell using a Pd/Ir alloy coated microfibrous carbon cathode

A direct borohydride fuel cell with a Pd/Ir catalysed microfibrous carbon cathode and a gold-catalysed microporous carbon cloth anode is reported. The fuel and oxidant were NaBH₄ and H₂O₂, at concentrations within the range of 0.1–2.0 mol dm⁻³ and 0.05–0.45 mol dm⁻³, respectively. Different combinations of these reactants were examined at 10, 25 and 42 °C. At constant current density between 0 and 113 mA cm⁻², the Pd/Ir coated microfibrous carbon electrode proved more active for the reduction of peroxide ion than a platinised-carbon one. The maximum power density achieved was 78 mW cm⁻² at a current density of 71 mA cm⁻² and a cell voltage of 1.09 V.     

Electrically rechargeable zinc-oxygen flow battery with high power density

The development of a powerful, cyclically stable and electrically rechargeable zinc-oxygen battery with a three-electrode configuration is reported. A copper foam was used as stable substrate for zinc deposition in flowing potassium hydroxide electrolyte, while oxygen reduction and evolution were accomplished by a commercial silver electrode and a nickel foam, respectively. The cell could be charged and discharged with up to 600 mA cm^− 2, delivered a peak power density of 270 mW cm^− 2, and performed for more than 600 cycles, although short circuits by dendrite formation could not yet be completely avoided. At a current density of 50 mA cm^− 2 and a temperature of 30 °C, a promising energy efficiency of 54% was achieved.     

Fabrication of the catalytic electrodes for methanol oxidation on electrospinning-derived carbon fibrous mats

The carbon fibrous mats with high conductivity (50 S cm⁻¹) formed by carbon nanofibers with an average diameter of ∼150 nm have been fabricated by thermally treating the electrospun polyacrylonitrile fibers. The platinum clusters are electrodeposited on the carbon nanofibrous mats (CFMs) by multi-cycle CV method. In contrast to the catalytic peak current of methanol oxidation on commercial catalyst (185 mA mg⁻¹ Pt), the catalytic peak current on optimum Pt/CFM electrode reaches to ∼420 mA mg⁻¹ Pt despite of the large size (50–200 nm) of the Pt clusters, revealing that the special structure of carbon fibrous mats is favorable to improve the performance of catalyst.     

Pd/Pt core–shell nanowire arrays as highly effective electrocatalysts for methanol electrooxidation in direct methanol fuel cells

Highly ordered Pd/Pt–core–shell nanowire arrays (Pd/Pt NWAs) have been prepared by anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template-electrodeposition and magnetron sputtering methods. Pd/Pt NWA electrode shows a very high electrochemical active surface area and high electrocatalytic activity for the methanol electrooxidation in acid medium for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The mass specific anodic peak current density is 756.7 mA mg⁻¹ Pt for the methanol oxidation on the Pd/Pt NWA electrode, an increase by a factor of four as compared to conventional E-TEK PtRu/C electrocatalysts. The mechanism of the significant enhancement of the Pd/Pt core/shell NWA nanostructure in the efficiency and electrocatalytic activity of Pt for the methanol electrooxidation in acid medium is discussed.     

Nano-wire networks of sulfur–polypyrrole composite cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanowire was synthesized through a surfactant mediated approach. The sulfur–polypyrrole (S–PPy) composite materials were prepared by heating the mixture of element sulfur and polypyrrole nanowire. The materials were characterized by FTIR, SEM. PPy with special morphology serves as conductive additive, distribution agent and absorbing agents, which effectively enhanced the electrochemical performance of sulfur. The initial discharge capacity of the active materials was 1222 mA h g⁻¹ the remaining capacity is 570 mA h g⁻¹ after 20th cycles.     

Fabrication and electrochemical performance of nickel ferrite nanoparticles as anode material in lithium ion batteries

Nano-sized nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) was prepared by hydrothermal method at low temperature. The crystalline phase, morphology and specific surface area (BET) of the resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and nitrogen physical adsorption, respectively. The particle sizes of the resulting NiFe₂O₄ samples were in the range of 5–15 nm. The electrochemical performance of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles as the anodic material in lithium ion batteries was tested. It was found that the first discharge capacity of the anode made from NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles could reach a very high value of 1314 mAh g⁻¹, while the discharge capacity decreased to 790.8 mAh g⁻¹ and 709.0 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.2 mA cm⁻² after 2 and 3 cycles, respectively. The BET surface area is up to 111.4 m² g⁻¹. The reaction mechanism between lithium and nickel ferrite was also discussed based on the results of cycle voltammetry (CV) experiments.     

Mesoporous Fe2O3 nanoparticles as high performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

This work introduces an effective, inexpensive, and large-scale production approach to the synthesis of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with a favorable configuration that 5 nm iron oxide domains in diameter assembled into a mesoporous network. The phase structure, morphology, and pore nature were characterized systematically. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the mesoporous Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit excellent cycling performance (1009 mA h g^− 1 at 100 mA g^− 1 up to 230 cycles) and rate capability (reversible charging capacity of 420 mA h g^− 1 at 1000 mA g^− 1 during 230 cycles). This research suggests that the mesoporous Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles could be suitable as a high rate performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.     

Oxygen permeation through (Bi2O3)0.74(SrO)0.26–Ag (40% v/o) composite

The dense dual phase composite membrane made from strontium-stabilized bismuth oxide and silver, (Bi₂O₃)_0.74(SrO)_0.26–Ag (40% v/o), was investigated. The composite was found to exhibit very high electrical conductivity at the room temperature, revealing that the silver phase has formed electron-conducting networks in the oxide matrix. The composite shows much improved oxygen permeability compared with the bismuth oxide alone. An oxygen flux of 5×10⁻⁸ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹ was observed for a 1.00 mm thick composite at 700°C with oxygen partial pressures of the feed and permeate side at 0.209, 0.0024 atm, respectively. Combination of electrical conductivity and oxygen permeation measurements reveals that oxygen-ion conduction through the oxide phase of the composite is the rate-limiting step for oxygen permeation.     

Room temperature Na/S batteries with sulfur composite cathode materials

Sodium/sulfur (Na/S) batteries were assembled with a sodium metal anode, liquid electrolyte and a sulfur composite cathode. Their electrochemical characteristics have been investigated at room temperature. Their charge/discharge curves indicate that sodium can reversibly react with sulfur at room temperature. The specific capacity of the sulfur composite cathode material in the first cycle was initially about 655 mA h g⁻¹ and stayed at about 500 mA h g⁻¹ up to the 18th cycle with about 100% charge/discharge efficiency.     

The effect of activation on the electrochemical behaviour of graphite felt towards the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox electrode reaction

This paper is dedicated to the study of the effect of graphite felt activation by thermal oxidation in air on its electrocatalytic activity towards Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox electrode reaction. For the first time, the exchange current densities and electron transfer coefficients determined from the Tafel equation were obtained within the wide range of burn-off levels (0–50%). The maximal catalytic activity was obtained at the burn-off of 17%. The cathode having this burn-off level expressed almost three-fold enhancement in the galvanic cell performance (criterion for the performance evaluation in our case was a cell voltage at the current density of 300 mA cm⁻²) as compared to that with the non-activated graphite felt, and allowed to obtain current densities up to 670 mA cm⁻² at the cathode polarization as low as 150 mV. The correlation between electrocatalytic activity and a surface oxide chemistry of graphite felt was established. The cell performance was found to be the best when the pH at a point of zero charge and the amount of surface quinoid groups per unit area were minimal. The results obtained are of significant importance for practical applications, including the development of electrodes in redox flow batteries.     

Highly active Co-doped LaMnO3 perovskite oxide and N-doped carbon nanotube hybrid bi-functional catalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries

Herein, non-precious cobalt doped lanthanum manganese perovskite oxide nanoparticles are used as a growth substrate for nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes to form efficient and durable hybrid bi-functional catalyst (LMCO/NCNT). LMCO/NCNT demonstrates significantly enhanced onset and half-wave oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) potentials (− 0.11 and − 0.24 V vs. SCE, respectively), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) current density (27 mA cm^− 2 at 0.9 V vs. SCE). Likewise, practical rechargeable zinc–air battery testing using atmospheric air reveals superior discharge voltages obtained with LMCO/NCNT, particularly at current densities higher than 30 mA cm^− 2, and significantly lower charge voltages at all current densities tested, compared to state-of-art commercial platinum on carbon catalyst. In addition, very stable charge and discharge voltages of 2.2 and 1.0 V, respectively, are obtained over 60 cycles. The excellent performance and durability of the hybrid catalyst are attributed to very uniformly distributed LMCO nanoparticles on the surface of NCNT resulting in enhanced surface area and material utilization.