Transient natural convection induced by electrodeposition of Li+ ions onto a lithium metal vertical cathode in propylene carbonate

Transient natural convection caused by Li⁺ electrodeposition at constant current along a vertical Li metal cathode immersed in a 0.5 M LiClO₄–PC (propylene carbonate) electrolyte was compared with that by Cu²⁺ ion electrodeposition in aqueous CuSO₄ solution. The concentration profile of the Li⁺ ions was measured in situ by holographic interferometry. The interference fringes start to shift with time at a higher current density. The concentration boundary layer thickness for Li⁺ ions was successfully determined. With the progress of electrodeposition, the density difference between the electrolyte at the cathode surface and the bulk electrolyte increased to induce upward natural convection of the electrolyte. The electrolyte velocity was measured by monitoring the movement of tracer particles. The measured transient behavior of the ionic mass and momentum transfer rates normalized with respect to the steady-state value was numerically analyzed. Transient natural convection along a vertical cathode due to Li metal electrodeposition can be reasonably explained by boundary layer theory, similar to the case of Cu electrodeposition in aqueous CuSO₄ solution.     

A Plastic–Crystal Electrolyte Interphase for All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

The development of all‐solid‐state rechargeable batteries is plagued by a large interfacial resistance between a solid cathode and a solid electrolyte that increases with each charge–discharge cycle. The introduction of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and solid cathode particles reduces the interfacial resistance, increases the cycle life, and allows a high rate performance. Comparison of solid‐state sodium cells with 1) solid electrolyte Na₃Zr₂(Si₂PO₄) particles versus 2) plastic–crystal electrolyte in the cathode composites shows that the former suffers from a huge irreversible capacity loss on cycling whereas the latter exhibits a dramatically improved electrochemical performance with retention of capacity for over 100 cycles and cycling at 5 C rate. The application of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and a solid cathode may be extended to other all‐solid‐state battery cells.     

A Plastic–Crystal Electrolyte Interphase for All-Solid-State Sodium Batteries

The development of all-solid-state rechargeable batteries is plagued by a large interfacial resistance between a solid cathode and a solid electrolyte that increases with each charge–discharge cycle. The introduction of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and solid cathode particles reduces the interfacial resistance, increases the cycle life, and allows a high rate performance. Comparison of solid-state sodium cells with 1) solid electrolyte Na₃Zr₂(Si₂PO₄) particles versus 2) plastic–crystal electrolyte in the cathode composites shows that the former suffers from a huge irreversible capacity loss on cycling whereas the latter exhibits a dramatically improved electrochemical performance with retention of capacity for over 100 cycles and cycling at 5 C rate. The application of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and a solid cathode may be extended to other all-solid-state battery cells.     

Lithium AlPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite polymer battery with nanostructured LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode

The borate ester plasticized AlPO₄ composite solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) have been synthesized and studied as candidates for lithium polymer battery (LPB) application. The electrochemical and thermal properties of SPE were shown to be suitable for practical LPB. Nanostructured LiMn₂O₄ with spherical particles was synthesized via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique and has shown a superior performance to the one prepared via conventional methods as cathode for LPB. Furthermore, the AlPO₄ addition to the polymer electrolyte has improved the polymer battery performance. Based on the AC impedance spectroscopy data, the performance improvement was suggested as being due to the cathode/polymer electrolyte interface stabilization in the presence of AlPO₄. The Li/composite polymer electrolyte/nanostructured LiMn₂O₄ electrochemical cell showed stable cyclability during the various current density tests, and its performance was found to be quite acceptable for practical utilities at ambient temperature and showed remarkable improvements at 60 °C compared with the solid state reaction counterpart.     

Surface treatment of LiFePO4 cathode material with PPy/PEG conductive layer

In this work, we studied LiFePO₄ particles coated with thin films of highly conductive polypyrrole (PPy) and their electrochemical performance in cathode layers of lithium cells. Carbon-free LiFePO₄ particles were synthesized by a solvothermal method. Besides this, a part of the experiments were carried out on commercial carbon-coated LiFePO₄ for comparison. Polypyrrole coated LiFePO₄ particles (PPy-LiFePO₄) were obtained by a straightforward oxidative polymerization of dissolved pyrrole on LiFePO₄ particles dispersed in water. The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an additive during the polymerization was decisive to achieve high electronic conductivities in the final cathode layers. The carbon-free and carbon-coated LiFePO₄ particles were prepared with PPy and with PPy/PEG coating. The obtained PPy-LiFePO₄ and PPy/PEG-LiFePO₄ powders were characterized by SEM, EIS, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements in lithium-ion cells with lithium metal as counter and reference electrode. Carbon-free LiFePO₄ coated with PPy/PEG hybrid films exhibited very good electrode kinetics and a stable discharge capacity of 156 mAh/g at a rate of C/10. Impedance measurements showed that the PPy/PEG coating decreases the charge-transfer resistance of the corresponding LiFePO₄ cathode material very effectively, which was attributed to a favorable mixed ionic and electronic conductivity of the PPy/PEG coatings.     

Calculating a Characteristic Bulk Current Density in the Cathode of a Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cell with a Solid Polymer Electrolyte

The magnitude of currents of electrodes in hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells of all types is shown to be fully determined by values of the effective coefficient of gas diffusion, the effective coefficient of ionic conduction, and the characteristic bulk current density. The characteristic bulk current density is estimated in two versions for cathodes with Nafion: the catalyst is distributed in the bulk of substrate grains or at their external surface. The currents commensurate with those observed in experiments are given only by the second version. Means of computer-aided simulation are used to imitate the formation of fractal films composed of the catalyst particles on the surface substrate grains. The simulation means made it possible to link the magnitude of the specific surface area of platinum particles with its weight content in substrate grains. Electrochemical characteristics of the cathode with Nafion-the potential dependence of the optimum magnitude of the overall current and the thicknesses of the active layer and the weight of platinum in it, as well as the magnitudes of the optimum current generated by a unit weight of platinum—are calculated. A notion of “ norm” is introduced for the characteristic bulk current density of the cathode. 1 × 10^?3 A cm^?3 is the electrochemical-process intensity, which the technology of preparation of active layers of cathodes can provide at this stage in the development of fuel cells with a solid polymer electrolyte.     

Application of 7Li NMR to characterize the evolution of intercalated and non-intercalated lithium in LiFePO4-based materials for Li-ion batteries

Different synthesis batches of LiFePO₄/C materials were prepared, and their electrochemical properties as positive cathodes for lithium-ion batteries were evaluated. Using standard solid-state NMR conditions, such as a 7-mm magic-angle-spinning probe performing at low spinning rates, information on both intercalated and non-intercalated (stored on the grain boundaries) lithium was obtained. A sharp signal assigned to non-intercalated lithium could be observed by diluting the active material in silica. Correlations could be, thus, obtained between the amount of each type of lithium and the electrochemical history and state of the material, revealing that the relative amount of surface lithium in a pristine LiFePO₄/C material is rather constant and cannot be used as a criterion for its further specification. However, a drastic increase of this surface lithium was observed in the cathode materials of out-of-order batteries. As the cathode material recovered from the batteries after electrochemical testing was carefully washed before analysis, we can conclude that the non-intercalated lithium is strongly bound to the active material probably inside the so-called solid electrolyte interface layer at the surfaces of LiFePO₄ particles. This work illustrates that solid-state lithium NMR can allow rapid characterization and testing of LiFePO₄/C cathode materials.     

Depth profile analysis of surface modified SnO2 gas sensors in a hollow cathode discharge

Depth profile analysis of a SnO₂/SiO₂/Si structure, modified with hexamethildisilazane and processed with rapid thermal annealing (RTA) in the temperature range of 800–1200 °C, is investigated in a hollow cathode discharge for the purpose of characterizing gas sensing solid state devices. The depth behavior of the elements tin, nitrogen, carbon and silicon in this structure is deduced from their emission spectra in the hollow cathode plasma. The hollow cathode used is a liquid nitrogen - cooled Al cylinder having 4 mm inner diameter and 12 mm length. Spectrally pure Ne at a pressure of 130 Pa is used as working gas. The hollow cathode discharge is supplied by a pulse generator with 10 μs pulse width, 4 kHz pulse frequency and 0.5 A pulse amplitude. The results are interpreted by possible reconstruction of hexamethyldisilazane molecule.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 cathode with the addition of fluoroethylene carbonate in electrolyte

The effect of the fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) addition in electrolyte on LiFePO₄ cathode performance was investigated in low-temperature electrolyte LiPF₆/EC/PC/EMC (0.14/0.18/0.68). Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge tests were conducted in this work. In the presence of FEC, the polarization of LiFePO₄ electrode decreased both at room and low temperatures. Meanwhile, the exchange current density increased. The rate capability of LiFePO₄ electrode was greatly enhanced as well. The morphology of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on LiFePO₄ surface was modified with the addition of FEC as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy measurement. A compact film with small impedance was formed on LiFePO₄ surface compared to the case of FEC-free. The compositions of the film were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurement. The contents of Li _x PO _y F _z , LiF, and the carbonate species generated from solvents decomposition were reduced. The modified SEI promoted the migration of lithium ion through the electrode/electrolyte interphase and enhanced the electrochemical performance of the cathode.     

Effect of current density on poisoning rate of Co-containing fuel cell cathodes by chromium

Variation of electrochemical performance of a La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LSCF) cathode due to chromium gas-phase deposition has been studied at 800°C. The highest degradation rate is observed under open circuit conditions and is related to formation of a SrCrO₄ layer on the surface of an LSCF cathode. This results in an increase in both polarization and ohmic electrode resistance. The degradation rate is 3.7 and 0.5 Ohm cm²/1000 h, accordingly. When external polarization is applied, the degradation rate decreases considerably. It is found that the amount of chromium in the cathode bulk changes nonlinearly at an increase in current density. At 0.2 A/cm², the overall amount of chromium is twice as large as under open circuit conditions, but the degradation rate is three times lower. Herewith, a considerable amount of chromium was found both on the cathode surface and in its bulk. The results of model experiments show that exposure to external electric current leads to migration of chromium cations in the bulk of the porous cathode. It is shown that the growth of a SrCrO₄ layer on the surface of an LSCF cathode and penetration of chromium into the cathode bulk becomes slower at the current density of 0.5 A/cm². Under similar conditions (temperature, current density, and time), the amount of chromium in an LSCF cathode is 2.5–7.3 times larger as compared to that in La_0.65Sr_0.3MnO₃. However, the rate of degradation of electrochemical performance of an LSCF cathode is lower, which points to its higher tolerance towards the presence of chromium. This is due to higher oxygenionic conductivity of an LSCF cathode.     

In-situ construction of NiCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoarrays on La<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3-δ</Subscript> electrodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Novel NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays have been in-situ grown on a La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3-δ(LSM) cathode through a hydrothermal method, which presents the enhanced electrochemical performances of the LSM cathode for the intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. XRD and SEM have been used to characterize phase structure and morphology of NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays. The LSM cathode, modified by the NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays, exhibits excellent electrochemical performances compared with the bare LSM cathode. The maximum peak power density of single cell, based on the NiCo₂O₄ nanoarrays modified the LSM cathode, reaches 957 mW cm^?2 at 800 °C, which is almost two times higher than that for the cell based on the bare LSM cathode.     

Electrochemical oxidation of a synthetic dye using a BDD anode with a solid polymer electrolyte

In this study the performance of an electrochemical cell with a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) has been investigated using Safranin T, a synthetic dye, as a model compound. The cell consists of a Nafion membrane sandwiched between a BDD mesh anode and a Ti/RuO₂ mesh cathode operating at constant current. The effects of operating conditions such as applied current, stirring rate and electrolyte conductivity were studied. The experimental results showed that Safranin T was completely removed by reaction with OH radicals generated by water electrolysis and that the oxidation was under charge-transfer control. Furthermore, it was observed that addition of Na₂SO₄ to the solution decreased the removal rate but also decreased the specific energy required for the process.     

Enhancing the Electrochemical Performance of the LiMn2O4 Hollow Microsphere Cathode with a LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Coated Layer

Spinel cathode materials consisting of LiMn₂O₄@LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ hollow microspheres have been synthesized by a facile solution‐phase coating and subsequent solid‐phase lithiation route in an atmosphere of air. When used as the cathode of lithium‐ion batteries, the double‐shell LiMn₂O₄@LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ hollow microspheres thus obtained show a high specific capacity of 120 mA h g^?1 at 1 C rate, and excellent rate capability (90 mAhg^?1 at 10 C) over the range of 3.5–5 V versus Li/Li⁺ with a retention of 95 % over 500 cycles.     

Numerical simulation of a new water management for PEM fuel cell using magnet particles deposited in the cathode side catalyst layer

Cathode flooding caused by excessive liquid water is generally recognized as the primary reason for poor cell performance. Recently, when some magnet particles are deposited in the catalyst layer of a cathode and magnetized, the cell performance has been improved compared with that of non-magnetized case. Numerical simulation to explain this phenomenon shows (1) the repulsive Kelvin force caused by the magnet particles manages the liquid water flow in the porous electrode layer; (2) the saturation level of liquid water (s) near the catalyst interface decreases with increasing the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet particle (B_r); (3) the magnet particles improves the fuel cell performance by decreasing the value of s and making more pore space for oxygen gas, and the cell performance of a proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) fuel is improved in the current limited region.     

An improved polymer electrolyte-based amperometric hydrogen sensor

An improved polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell-based amperometric hydrogen sensor that operates at room temperature has been developed. The electrolyte used in the sensor is a PVA/H₃PO₄ blend, which is a proton-conducting solid polymer electrolyte. A thin film of palladium is used as the anode and platinum supported on carbon as the cathode. The sensor functions as a fuel cell, H₂/Pd//PVA-H₃PO₄//Pt/O₂, and the short-circuit current is found to be linearly related to the hydrogen concentration. The basic principle, details of assembly, response behaviour of the sensor and its application are discussed.     

Effect of the cathode structure on the electrochemical performance of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells

The study elementarily investigated the effect of the cathode structure on the electrochemical performance of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells. Four single cells were fabricated with different cathode structures, and the total cathode thickness was 15, 55, 85, and 85 μm for cell-A, cell-B, cell-C, and cell-D, respectively. The cell-A, cell-B, and cell-D included only one cathode layer, which was fabricated by ( \textLa_0.74 \textBi_0.10 \textSr_0.16 )\textMnO_{3 - d} \left( {{\text{La}}_{0.74} {\text{Bi}}_{0.10} {\text{Sr}}_{0.16} } \right){\text{MnO}}_{{3 - \delta }} (LBSM) electrode material. The cathode of the cell-C was composed of a ( \textLa_0.74 \textBi_0.10 \textSr_0.16 )\textMnO_{3 - d} - ( \textBi_0.7 \textEr_0.3 \textO_1.5 ) \left( {{\text{La}}_{0.74} {\text{Bi}}_{0.10} {\text{Sr}}_{0.16} } \right){\text{MnO}}_{{3 - \delta }} - \left( {{\text{Bi}}_{0.7} {\text{Er}}_{0.3} {\text{O}}_{1.5} } \right) (LBSM–ESB) cathode functional layer and a LBSM cathode layer. Different cathode structures leaded to dissimilar polarization character for the four cells. At 750°C, the total polarization resistance (R _p) of the cell-A was 1.11, 0.41 and 0.53 Ω cm² at the current of 0, 400, and 800 mA, respectively, and that of the cell-B was 1.10, 0.39, and 0.23 Ω cm² at the current of 0, 400, and 800 mA, respectively. For cell-C and cell-D, their polarization character was similar to that of the cell-B and R _p also decreased with the increase of the current. The maximum power density was 0.81, 1.01, 0.79, and 0.43 W cm⁻² at 750°C for cell-D, cell-C, cell-B, and cell-A, respectively. The results demonstrated that cathode structures evidently influenced the electrochemical performance of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells.     

Evaluation of novel ZnO–Ag cathode for CO2 electroreduction in solid oxide electrolyser

CO₂ and steam/CO₂ electroreduction to CO and methane in solid oxide electrolytic cells (SOEC) has gained major attention in the past few years. This work evaluates, for the very first time, the performance of two different ZnO–Ag cathodes: one where ZnO nanopowder was mixed with Ag powder for preparing the cathode ink (ZnO_mix–Ag cathode) and the other one where Ag cathode was infiltrated with a zinc nitrate solution (ZnO_inf –Ag cathode). ZnO_mix–Ag cathode had a better distribution of ZnO particles throughout the cathode, resulting in almost double CO generation while electrolysing both dry CO₂ and H₂/CO₂ (4:1 v/v). A maximum overall CO₂ conversion of 48% (in H₂/CO₂) at 1.7 V and 700 °C clearly indicated that as low as 5 wt% zinc loading is capable of CO₂ electroreduction. It was further revealed that for ZnO_inf –Ag cathode, most of CO generation took place through RWGS reaction, but for ZnO_mix–Ag cathode, it was the synergistic effect of both RWGS reaction and CO₂ electrolysis. Although ZnO_inf –Ag cathode produced trace amount of methane at higher voltages, with ZnO_mix–Ag cathode, there was absolutely no methane. This seems to be due to strong electronic interaction between Zn and Ag that might have suppressed the catalytic activity of the cathode towards methanation.

     

Ni/ZrO2复合电沉积机理的研究

研究了在Watts镀镍液中ZrO     

Operating mechanism of the electrolyte cathode atmospheric glow discharge

Cathode fall (U_cf), cathodic current density and atomic emission intensities originating from metal salts in the electrolyte cathode were measured as a function of different discharge parameters. Emission intensities in function of cathode fall indicate a potential barrier in the sputtered mass flux. This means that the primary particles of the cathode sputtering are of positive charge and the cathode fall including its internal variables is the most important factor. The measured current density and the U_cf as a function of pressure are in accordance with the low pressure data in the literature. The observed decrease of the U_cf with decreasing pH was explained by a model in that the secondary electron emission coefficient of the cathode () is controlled through a reaction net of competing reactions of different electron scavengers involving the hydroxonium ions of the cathode solution. The model revealed two different electron emission processes of the electrolyte cathode, an emission coupled with hydrated electrons is dominating below pH 2.5 while a proton-independent emission of poor efficiency is working above pH 3. Our model fits to the reported yields of the ultimate products both in the solution and in the gas phase and offers a calculation of and U_cf in the function of the cathode acidity. The model provides two other independent calculation methods based on product analysis data.     

Surface Lattice Modulation Enables Stable Cycling of High-Loading All-solid-state Batteries at High Voltages

Halide solid electrolytes, known for their high ionic conductivity at room temperature and good oxidative stability, face notable challenges in all–solid–state Li–ion batteries (ASSBs), especially with unstable cathode/solid electrolyte (SE) interface and increasing interfacial resistance during cycling. In this work, we have developed an Al³⁺–doped, cation–disordered epitaxial nanolayer on the LiCoO₂ surface by reacting it with an artificially constructed AlPO₄ nanoshell; this lithium–deficient layer featuring a rock–salt–like phase effectively suppresses oxidative decomposition of Li₃InCl₆ electrolyte and stabilizes the cathode/SE interface at 4.5 V. The ASSBs with the halide electrolyte Li₃InCl₆ and a high–loading LiCoO₂ cathode demonstrated high discharge capacity and long cycling life from 3 to 4.5 V. Our findings emphasize the importance of specialized cathode surface modification in preventing SE degradation and achieving stable cycling of halide–based ASSBs at high voltages.