Magnesium ion-conducting gel polymer electrolytes dispersed with fumed silica for rechargeable magnesium battery application

Effect of fumed silica dispersion on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-based magnesium ion-conducting gel polymer electrolyte has been studied using various physical and electrochemical techniques. The composite gel electrolytes are free-standing and flexible films with enough mechanical strength. The optimized composition with 3 wt.% filler offers a maximum ionic conductivity of ∼1.1 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at ∼25 °C with good thermal and electrochemical stabilities. The Mg²⁺ ion conduction in the gel nanocomposite film is confirmed from the cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and transport number measurements. The space-charge layers formed between filler particles and gel electrolyte are responsible for the enhancement in ionic conductivity. The applicability of the gel nanocomposite to a rechargeable battery is examined by fabricating a prototype cell consisting of Mg [or Mg-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite] and MoO₃ as negative and positive electrodes, respectively. The discharge capacity and the rechargeability of the cell have been improved when Mg metal is substituted by Mg-MWCNT composite. The discharge capacity of the optimized cell has found to be ∼175 mAh g⁻¹ of MoO₃ for an initial ten charge–discharge cycles.     

The Isolation of a Large Cyclopentadienylcobaltsulfide Cluster. The Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Octahedral closo-(η5-C5H5Co)5S

The title cluster, which was obtained serendipitously when (η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(PPh₃)₂ was added to a (η⁵-C₅H₅)Co metallacyclobutene containing a sulfone group, is the largest cluster known, formed primarily with (η⁵-C₅H₅)Co vertices. The closo-(η⁵-C₅H₅Co)₅S is a closed-shell, octahedral cluster which forms black, monoclinic crystals from methanol.     

Novel composite polymer electrolytes based on poly(ether-urethane) network polymer and fumed silicas

Novel composite solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) and composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPEs) have been prepared. CSPE consists of poly(ether-urethane) network polymer (PUN), fumed silicas and LiClO₄. The ionic conductivity of CSPEs can be enhanced nearly 20 times in comparison with the plain system without the addition of fumed silicas and can be above 1×10⁻⁵ S/cm at room temperature. The effects of both kinds of fumed silicas, viz. uSiO₂ with hydrophilic groups at the surface and mSiO₂ with hydrophobic groups at the surface on ionic conductivity were investigated. CGPE comprising of the CSPE and LiClO₄–PC solution with good mechanical strength exhibits ionic conductivity in the order of 10⁻³ S/cm at room temperature and above 3×10⁻⁴ S/cm at low temperature −40 °C.     

Preparation of a novel polymer gel electrolyte based on N-methyl-quinoline iodide and its application in quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell

Using poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) as polymer host, 1,2-propanediol carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate as mixture solvent, N-methyl-quinoline iodide and iodine as the source of I⁻/I₃ ⁻, a novel polymer gel electrolyte with ionic conductivity of 5.12 × 10⁻³ S· cm⁻¹ at 25°C was prepared by sol-gel and hydrothermal methods. Based on the polymer gel electrolyte, a quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated. The solar cell possess better long-term stability and light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency of 4.04% under irradiation of 100 mW· cm⁻². The influences of polymer host, solvent, N-methyl-quinoline iodide and temperature on ionic conductivity of the polymer gel electrolyte and the performance of the dye-sensitized solar cell was discussed.     

Laser Raman and conductivity studies of plasticized polymer electrolyte P(ECH-EO):propylenecarbonate:<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-butyrolactone:LiClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The plasticized polymer electrolytes composed of poly(epichlorohydrin-ethyleneoxide) (P(ECH-EO)) as host polymer, lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as salt, γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL), and propylene carbonate (PC) as plasticizer have been prepared by simple solution casting technique. The effect of mixture of plasticizers γ-BL and PC on conductivity of the polymer electrolyte P(ECH-EO):LiClO₄ has been studied. The band at 457 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectra of plasticized polymer electrolyte is attributed to both the ring twisting mode of PC and the perchlorate ν ₂(ClO₄⁻) bending. The maximum conductivity value is observed to be 4.5 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 303 K for 60P(ECH-EO):15PC:10γ-BL:15LiClO₄ electrolyte system. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to correlate the Raman and conductivity data.     

Self-assembled lamellar nanochannels in polyoxometalate-polymer nanocomposites for proton conduction

The construction of nanostructured ion-transport channels is highly desirable in the design of advanced electrolyte materials,as it can enhance ion conductivity by offering short ion-transport pathways.In this work,we present a supramolecular strategy to fabricate a nanocomposite electrolyte containing highly ordered lamellar proton-conducting nanochannels,by the electrostatic self-assembly of a polyoxometalate H_3 PW_(12)O_(4 O)(PW) and a comb copolymer poly(4-methlstyrene)-graft-poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone).PW can effectively regulate the self-assembling order of polymer moieties to form a large-ra nge lamellar structure,meanwhile,introducing protons into the nanoscale lamellar domains to build proton transport channels.Moreover,the rigid PW clusters contribute a remarkable mechanical reinforcement to the nanocomposites.The lamellar nanocomposite exhibits a conductivity of 4.3 × 10~(-4) S/cm and a storage modulus of 1.1 × 10~7 Pa at room temperature.This study provides a new strategy to construct nanostructured ion-conductive pathways in electrolyte materials.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of organic–inorganic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/RuO2·xH2O nanocomposite for supercapacitor

An organic–inorganic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/RuO₂·xH₂O nanocomposite (approximately 1 wt.% RuO₂) has been successfully prepared for the first time under microwave irradiation within 5 min with power 900 W via in situ chemical polymerization. The morphology and structure of the resultant material is characterized by transmission electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of the synthesized nanocomposite can be controlled by adjusting the annealing temperature, which is definitely illustrated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectra. Electrochemical data have shown that the PEDOT/RuO₂·xH₂O nanocomposite annealed at 150 °C possesses the most favorable charge/discharge ability with a specific capacitance of 153.3 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 150 mA g⁻¹ and the high efficient utilization of PEDOT at various current densities. Furthermore, such composite has a less capacitance degradation of 23.8% after 1,000 continuous cycles. The improved electrochemical performance are mainly attributed to the large electroactive surface of nanocomposite and the existence of amorphous RuO₂·xH₂O particles as well as a synergistic effect of the polymer PEDOT and annealed RuO₂·xH₂O. Thus, the PEDOT/RuO₂·xH₂O nanocomposite annealed at 150 °C can act as a promising electroactive material for supercapacitor application.     

Electrochemical behaviour of cobalta-dicarbollide sandwich complexes with different capping units

The redox aptitude of a series of cobalt(III) or cobalt(I) sandwich complexes bearing a charge compensated dicarbollide ligand ([9-L-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻) as a constant unit and different counterparts (varying from classical [7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁]²⁻ to charge-compensated [9-L-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ dicarbollides, from cyclopentadienyl [C₅R₅]⁻ (R = Me, H) to cyclobutadiene [C₄Me₄]⁰ ligands) has been studied. All the Co(III) complexes display the reversible sequence Co(III)/Co(II)/Co(I). In contrast, the Co(I) complexes (namely, those capped by tetramethylcyclobutadiene) accede reversibly only to the Co(II) oxidation state, the passage to Co(III) being irreversible. When possible, the Co(II) intermediates have been characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the monocation [Co(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]⁺ in its DD/LL and meso diastereomeric forms as well as that of heteroleptic (η-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁)Co(η-9-SMe₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀) have been obtained by single-crystal diffraction. Presented at the 3rd Chianti Electrochemistry Meetings July 3−9, 2004, Certosa di Pontignano, Italy     

Coordination of gold(III) in the chemisorption by cadmium diisobutyldithiocarbamate: Structure and thermal properties of the polynuclear gold-cadmium complex [Au“S2CN(iso-C4H9)2”2]2n[CdCl4]n

Gold(III) is coordinated by binuclear cadmium diisobutyldithiocarbamate (Dtc) via chemisorption to give a heteropolynuclear Au(III)-Cd complex of the formula [Au“S₂CN(iso-C₄H₉)₂”₂]_2n [CdCl₄] _n (I). According to X-ray diffraction data, structure I contains three structurally nonequivalent complex cations [Au“S₂CN(iso-C₄H₉)₂”₂]⁺. These cations are conformers. Relatively weak nonvalence interactions produce zigzag polymer chains of the type (...C...A...B...A...) _n with alternating nonequivalent cations A, B, and C in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. The anions [CdCl₄]²⁻ are localized at the side. The calculated theoretical chemisorption capacity of cadmium Dtc with respect to [AuCl₄]⁻ is 378.0 mg of Au³⁺ per gram of the sorbent. To optimize the conditions for isolation of sorbed gold, the thermal properties of complex I were studied by simultaneous thermal analysis. The two-step thermolysis of complex I involves (1) thermal decomposition of the dithiocarbamate part and [CdCl₄]²⁻ with liberation of metallic gold and cadmium dichloride and (2) evaporation of CdCl₂. The final thermolysis product of complex I is reduced metallic gold.     

Network polymer electrolytes based on poly(ester diacrylate), ethylene carbonate,and LiClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Network polymer electrolytes based on poly(ester diacrylate), LiClO₄, and ethylene carbonate are synthesized and investigated via the methods of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, DSC, and thermal analysis. It is found that, for the polymer-LiClO₄ system, the conductivity is 4.2 × 10⁻⁷ S/cm at 20°C. With a gradual increase in the amount of ethylene carbonate, the conductivity first decreases and then increases. It is shown that, when poly(ester diacrylate) is crosslinked in ethylene carbonate, up to 45.5% of the latter compound is retained in the polymer and not lost during heating to 100°C. The conductivity of the electrolyte containing 45.6 wt % poly(ester diacrylate), 45.5 wt % ethylene carbonate, 7.5 wt % LiClO₄, and 1.4 wt % benzoyl peroxide achieves 1.9 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 20°C.     

Polymer-nanoparticle composites composed of PEDOT:PSS and nanoparticles of Ag synthesised by laser ablation

Laser ablation of a solid target material in a liquid environment provides with an easy, straightforward and environmentally friendly method for nanoparticles synthesis as well as with the unique possibility of directly controlling the type of the nanoparticles surface ligands through the liquid choice. In this paper, laser ablation (10.4 ps, 1064 nm and 50 kHz) of a bulk silver target in deionized water, was carried out for nanoparticles synthesis. The synthesised nanoparticles are either pure Ag or A₂O₃ or a mixture of the two materials. Their size distribution follows log-normal function with a statistical median diameter of ≈5 nm. The nanoparticles colloidal solutions were directly mixed after synthesis, with the polymer solution poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) for the formation of polymer-nanoparticles nanocomposite. The nanoparticles readily form bonds with the sulphur atom of PEDOT which results in their uniform distribution within the polymer matrix as well as in a replacement by the nanoparticles of the PSS⁻ as the counteranions to the PEDOT⁺. These effects result in the reduction of the effective insulation of the polymer blend particles by the insulating PSS and furthermore in the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite becoming higher (by ∼1.5 times) as compared with that of the pure polymer.     

Reactions of nucleophilic addition of primary amines to the nitrilium derivative of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">closo</Emphasis>-decaborate anion [2-B<Subscript>10</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>(N≡CCH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)]<Superscript>−</Superscript>

Compounds (Bu₄N)[2-B₁₀H₉{NH=C(NHR)CH₃}]⁻ are obtained by reactions of the tetrabutylammonium salt of the [2-B₁₀H₉(N≡CCH₃)]⁻ anion with aliphatic and aromatic primary amines RNH₂ (R = n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, cyclo-C₅H₉, C₆H₅, cyclo-C₆H₁₁, n-C₆H₁₃, C₇H₇, C₈H₈NH₂, C₆H₄NO₂, and C₁₈H₃₇) and identified by IR, ESI/MS, and NMR (¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹³C) spectroscopy. The structures of the amidine-type derivatives [2-B₁₀H₉{Z-NH=C(NH-cyclo-C₅H₉)CH₃}]⁻ and [2-B₁₀H₉{Z-NH=C(NH-C₇H₇)CH₃}]⁻ are determined by X-ray diffraction.     

High Ionic Conductivity of Transparent Film of Hydroxyapatite and Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposite

Summary: Hydroxyapatite (HAp)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite film containing Li⁺ was designed as a solid polymer electrolyte. A composite was prepared by reacting Ca(OH)₂ with H₃PO₄ in the presence of PVA which is denatured in order to have the carboxyl group, and a LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂ was added. HAp particles were commonly formed in the shape of spindles (long axis ca. 80 nm and short axis ca. 25 nm). The obtained nanocomposite film, in which HAp particles were dispersed uniformly, is transparent, flexible and drawable. Its ionic conductivity is about 10⁻³ S/m at room temperature. This value is very large. This high ionic conductivity is considerable on the basis of the dynamic percolation theory.     

Nonsymmetrical iron bis(carborane) complexes (η-1-ButNH-1,7,9-C3B8H10)Fe(η-9-L-7,8-C2B9H10) (L = SMe2, NMe3)

Visible light irradiation of the benzene complex [(η-1-Bu^tNH-1,7,9-C₃B₈H₁₀)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ in the presence of the charge-compensated carborane anions [9-L-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ (L = SMe₂, NMe₃) affords ferracarboranes (η-1-Bu^tNH-1,7,9-C₃B₈H₁₀)Fe(η-9-L-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀). Their structures were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Enhanced electrochemical properties of polyethylene oxide-based composite solid polymer electrolytes with porous inorganic–organic hybrid polyphosphazene nanotubes as fillers

Solid composite polymer electrolytes consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO), LiClO₄, and porous inorganic–organic hybrid poly (cyclotriphosphazene-co-4, 4′-sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) nanotubes were prepared using the solvent casting method. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the characteristics of the composite polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity, lithium ion transference number, and electrochemical stability window can be enhanced after the addition of PZS nanotubes. The electrochemical impedance showed that the conductivity was improved significantly. Maximum ionic conductivity values of 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature and 7.8 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 80 °C were obtained with 10 wt.% content of PZS nanotubes, and the lithium ion transference number was 0.35. The good electrochemical properties of the solid-state composite polymer electrolytes suggested that the porous inorganic–organic hybrid polyphosphazene nanotubes had a promising use as fillers in SPEs and the PEO₁₀–LiClO₄–PZS nanotube solid composite polymer electrolyte might be used as a candidate material for lithium polymer batteries.     

Structure of mechanically activated high-energy Al + polytetrafluoroethylene nanocomposites

The structure of high-energy Al/polytetrafluoroethylene nanocomposites prepared by mechanochemical synthesis is studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and chemical analysis. It is revealed that the composite consists of aluminum particles with sizes of 100–150 nm separated by the polymer layers. The formation of nanocomposite is accompanied by the accumulation of dislocations with the density ρ = (4 ± 1.5) × 10¹⁰ cm⁻². Upon the shock-wave initiation of activated samples, Al + (-C₂ F₄-) → AlF₃ + C reaction propagates in detonation-similar regime at supersonic speed. The velocity of detonation is the highest at the stoichiometric component ratio.     

Remarkable Anticancer Activity of Triruthenium-Arene Clusters Compared to Tetraruthenium-Arene Clusters

Abstract The in vitro activity of a series of ruthenium clusters, [(η⁶-C₆H₆)(η⁶-C₆Me₆)₂Ru₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-O)][BF₄], [(η⁶-C₆H₆)(η⁶-1,4-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-O)][BF₄], [(η⁶-C₆H₆)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₄][BF₄]₂, [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₄][BF₄]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆H₆)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₃(μ-OH)][Cl]₂, has been evaluated against A2780 and A2780cisR ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Both triruthenium clusters are very active compared to ruthenium compounds in general, whereas the tetraruthenium clusters do not display significant cytotoxicities. Since the triruthenium clusters are known to form supramolecular interactions with arenes and other functions, it is possible that such interactions are also important with respect to their mode of biological activity. The X-ray structure analysis of [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)₄Ru₄(μ-H)₄][PF₆]₂ is also reported. Graphical Abstract The in vitro activity of a series of ruthenium clusters has been evaluated against A2780 and A2780cisR ovarian carcinoma cell lines and their activity compared to cisplatin. The triruthenium clusters are very active, while the tetraruthenium clusters do not display significant cytotoxicities. Dedicated to Professor Dieter Fenske on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary     

Optical and dielectric properties of PVP based composite polymer electrolyte films

Solid polymer electrolyte films were prepared by adding Al₂O₃ particles to poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-MgCl₂ ? 6H₂O salt using solution cast technique. Various analytical techniques have been applied to characterize the prepared polymer films such as XRD, SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy and AC conductivity. The structural analysis of pure poly(vinylpyrrolidone) complexed with MgCl₂ ? 6H₂O salt showed orthorhombic lattice structure indicating its semi-crystalline nature. SEM analysis reveals the heterogeneous phase of nanocomposite polymer electrolyte systems. The conductivity of Al2O3 doped poly(vinylpyrrolidone) based solid polymer electrolyte was found to be 1.22 × 10^–6 S/cm at room temperature for 85: 15 weight composition. Electrochemical cell has been fabricated with the configuration Mg⁺/(PVP + MgCl₂ ? 6H₂O + Al₂O₃)/(I₂ + C + electrolyte) and its discharge characteristics were studied for a constant load of 100 kΩ. Various cell parameters such as open-circuit voltage, short circuit current, energy density and power density were calculated for the prepared samples.     

Effect of nanoscale CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on PVDF-HFP-based nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

New poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF-HFP)/CeO₂-based microcomposite porous polymer membranes (MCPPM) and nanocomposite porous polymer membranes (NCPPM) were prepared by phase inversion technique using N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and deionized water as a nonsolvent. Phase inversion occurred on the MCPPM/NCPPM when it is treated by deionized water (nonsolvent). Microcomposite porous polymer electrolytes (MCPPE) and nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes (NCPPE) were obtained from their composite porous polymer membranes when immersed in 1.0 M LiClO₄ in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) (v/v = 1:1) electrolyte solution. The structure and porous morphology of both composite porous polymer membranes was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Thermal behavior of both MCPPM/NCPPM was investigated from DSC analysis. Optimized filler (8 wt% CeO₂) added to the NCPPM increases the porosity (72%) than MCPPM (59%). The results showed that the NCPPE has high electrolyte solution uptake (150%) and maximum ionic conductivity value of 2.47 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The NCPPE (8 wt% CeO₂) between the lithium metal electrodes were found to have low interfacial resistance (760 Ω cm²) and wide electrochemical stability up to 4.7 V (vs Li/Li⁺) investigated by impedance spectra and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), respectively. A prototype battery, which consists of NCPPE between the graphite anode and LiCoO₂ cathode, proves good cycling performance at a discharge rate of C/2 for Li-ion polymer batteries.     

An EXAFS study of the molecular structure of heterometallic chalcogenide clusters

Applicability of EXAFS spectroscopy for determination of the molecular structure of heterometallic chalcogenide clusters in the crystalline state and in solution was examined. The spatial structure of the metal core of the FeMoW(μ₃-Se)(CO)₇(η⁵-C₅H₅) cluster was determined using EXAFS data obtained at the K absorption edge for Fe, Mo, and Se and at the L_III-edge for W. The geometric parameters (the bond lengths and bond angles) obtained from EXAFS data are close to those determined by X-ray analysis. The Mo K-edge EXAFS study of the structurally similar FeMo₂Te(CO)₇(η⁵-C₅H₅) cluster both in the crystalline state and ino-xylene solution confirmed that the geometry of the metal core of the cluster is retained in solution. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1395–1398, August, 2000.