Lithium-Ion Desolvation Induced by Nitrate Additives Reveals New Insights into High Performance Lithium Batteries

Electrolyte additives have been widely used to address critical issues in current metal (ion) battery technologies. While their functions as solid electrolyte interface forming agents are reasonably well-understood, their interactions in the liquid electrolyte environment remain rather elusive. This lack of knowledge represents a significant bottleneck that hinders the development of improved electrolyte systems. Here, the key role of additives in promoting cation (e.g., Li⁺) desolvation is unraveled. In particular, nitrate anions (NO₃⁻) are found to incorporate into the solvation shells, change the local environment of cations (e.g., Li⁺) as well as their coordination in the electrolytes. The combination of these effects leads to effective Li⁺ desolvation and enhanced battery performance. Remarkably, the inexpensive NaNO₃ can successfully substitute the widely used LiNO₃ offering superior long-term stability of Li⁺ (de-)intercalation at the graphite anode and suppressed polysulfide shuttle effect at the sulfur cathode, while enhancing the performance of lithium–sulfur full batteries (initial capacity of 1153 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.25C) with Coulombic efficiency of ≈100% over 300 cycles. This work provides important new insights into the unexplored effects of additives and paves the way to developing improved electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage applications.     

Complexation of poly(ethylene glycol) with some salts of alkali-earth metals

The interaction of poly(ethylene glycol) with some salts of alkali-earth metals (Mg(ClO₄)₂, BaCl₂, SrCl₂, SrBr₂ and CaCl₂) in methanolic solutions was investigated by electroconductivity, viscometry, X-ray diffractometry and NMR. It was established that the conformation of macromolecules is strongly changed in the presence of Mg(ClO₄)₂. Chlorides and bromides of alkali-earth metals have a weak influence on macromolecule size. The formation of amorphous complexes in the PEG–Mg(ClO₄)₂ system and crystalline complexes in PEG–chloride systems of alkali-earth metals was shown.     

Thermal decomposition of β-cyclodextrin and its inclusion complex with vitamin E

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p‐Doping of Copper(I) Thiocyanate (CuSCN) Hole‐Transport Layers for High‐Performance Transistors and Organic Solar Cells

The ability to tune the electronic properties of soluble wide bandgap semiconductors is crucial for their successful implementation as carrier‐selective interlayers in large area opto/electronics. Herein the simple, economical, and effective p‐doping of one of the most promising transparent semiconductors, copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN), using C₆₀F₄₈ is reported. Theoretical calculations combined with experimental measurements are used to elucidate the electronic band structure and density of states of the constituent materials and their blends. Obtained results reveal that although the bandgap (3.85 eV) and valence band maximum (?5.4 eV) of CuSCN remain unaffected, its Fermi energy shifts toward the valence band edge upon C₆₀F₄₈ addition—an observation consistent with p‐type doping. Transistor measurements confirm the p‐doping effect while revealing a tenfold increase in the channel's hole mobility (up to 0.18 cm² V^?1 s^?1), accompanied by a dramatic improvement in the transistor's bias‐stress stability. Application of CuSCN:C₆₀F₄₈ as the hole‐transport layer (HTL) in organic photovoltaics yields devices with higher power conversion efficiency, improved fill factor, higher shunt resistance, and lower series resistance and dark current, as compared to control devices based on pristine CuSCN or commercially available HTLs.     

Additive‐Morphology Interplay and Loss Channels in “All‐Small‐Molecule” Bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) Solar Cells with the Nonfullerene Acceptor IDTTBM

Achieving efficient bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells from blends of solution‐processable small‐molecule (SM) donors and acceptors is proved particularly challenging due to the complexity in obtaining a favorable donor–acceptor morphology. In this report, the BHJ device performance pattern of a set of analogous, well‐defined SM donors— DR3TBDTT ( DR3 ), SMPV1 , and BTR —used in conjunction with the SM acceptor IDTTBM is examined. Examinations show that the nonfullerene “All‐SM” BHJ solar cells made with DR3 and IDTTBM can achieve power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to ≈4.5% (avg. 4.0%) when the solution‐processing additive 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO, 0.8% v/v) is used in the blend solutions. The figures of merit of optimized DR3:IDTTBM solar cells contrast with those of “as‐cast” BHJ devices from which only modest PCEs <1% can be achieved. Combining electron energy loss spectrum analyses in scanning transmission electron microscopy mode, carrier transport measurements via “metal‐insulator‐semiconductor carrier extraction” methods, and systematic recombination examinations by light‐dependence and transient photocurrent analyses, it is shown that DIO plays a determining role—establishing a favorable lengthscale for the phase‐separated SM donor–acceptor network and, in turn, improving the balance in hole/electron mobilities and the carrier collection efficiencies overall.     

Use of the Phen‐NaDPO:Sn(SCN)2 Blend as Electron Transport Layer Results to Consistent Efficiency Improvements in Organic and Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells

A simple approach that enables a consistent enhancement of the electron extracting properties of the widely used small‐molecule Phen‐NaDPO and its application in organic solar cells (OSCs) is reported. It is shown that addition of minute amounts of the inorganic molecule Sn(SCN)₂ into Phen‐NaDPO improves both the electron transport and its film‐forming properties. Use of Phen‐NaDPO:Sn(SCN)₂ blend as the electron transport layer (ETL) in binary PM6:IT‐4F OSCs leads to a remarkable increase in the cells' power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 12.6% (Phen‐NaDPO) to 13.5% (Phen‐NaDPO:Sn(SCN)₂). Combining the hybrid ETL with the best‐in‐class organic ternary PM6:Y6:PC₇₀BM systems results to a similarly remarkable PCE increase from 14.2% (Phen‐NaDPO) to 15.6% (Phen‐NaDPO:Sn(SCN)₂). The consistent PCE enhancement is attributed to reduced trap‐assisted carrier recombination at the bulk‐heterojunction/ETL interface due to the presence of new energy states formed upon chemical interaction of Phen‐NaDPO with Sn(SCN)₂. The versatility of this hybrid ETL is further demonstrated with its application in perovskite solar cells for which an increase in the PCE from 16.6% to 18.2% is also demonstrated.     

Nanostructured TiO2 as anode material for magnesium-ion batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The nanotubular structure of titanium dioxide (TiO2) is most suitable for creating high-performance energy storage and conversion devices. This paper...