Sample records for composite electrolyte modified

  1. Solid polymer electrolyte compositions

    DOEpatents

    Garbe, James E.; Atanasoski, Radoslav; Hamrock, Steven J.; Le, Dinh Ba

    2001-01-01

    An electrolyte composition is featured that includes a solid, ionically conductive polymer, organically modified oxide particles that include organic groups covalently bonded to the oxide particles, and an alkali metal salt. The electrolyte composition is free of lithiated zeolite. The invention also features cells that incorporate the electrolyte composition.

  2. Vertically Aligned and Continuous Nanoscale Ceramic-Polymer Interfaces in Composite Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Enhanced Ionic Conductivity.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaokun; Xie, Jin; Shi, Feifei; Lin, Dingchang; Liu, Yayuan; Liu, Wei; Pei, Allen; Gong, Yongji; Wang, Hongxia; Liu, Kai; Xiang, Yong; Cui, Yi

    2018-06-13

    Among all solid electrolytes, composite solid polymer electrolytes, comprised of polymer matrix and ceramic fillers, garner great interest due to the enhancement of ionic conductivity and mechanical properties derived from ceramic-polymer interactions. Here, we report a composite electrolyte with densely packed, vertically aligned, and continuous nanoscale ceramic-polymer interfaces, using surface-modified anodized aluminum oxide as the ceramic scaffold and poly(ethylene oxide) as the polymer matrix. The fast Li + transport along the ceramic-polymer interfaces was proven experimentally for the first time, and an interfacial ionic conductivity higher than 10 -3 S/cm at 0 °C was predicted. The presented composite solid electrolyte achieved an ionic conductivity as high as 5.82 × 10 -4 S/cm at the electrode level. The vertically aligned interfacial structure in the composite electrolytes enables the viable application of the composite solid electrolyte with superior ionic conductivity and high hardness, allowing Li-Li cells to be cycled at a small polarization without Li dendrite penetration.

  3. Study of ceria-carbonate nanocomposite electrolytes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

    PubMed

    Fan, L; Wang, C; Di, J; Chen, M; Zheng, J; Zhu, B

    2012-06-01

    Composite and nanocomposite samarium doped ceria-carbonates powders were prepared by solid-state reaction, citric acid-nitrate combustion and modified nanocomposite approaches and used as electrolytes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, low-temperature Nitrogen Adsorption/desorption Experiments, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and fuel cell performance test were employed in characterization of these materials. All powders are nano-size particles with slight aggregation and carbonates are amorphous in composites. Nanocomposite electrolyte exhibits much lower impedance resistance and higher ionic conductivity than those of the other electrolytes at lower temperature. Fuel cell using the electrolyte prepared by modified nanocomposite approach exhibits the best performance in the whole operation temperature range and achieves a maximum power density of 839 mW cm(-2) at 600 degrees C with H2 as fuel. The excellent physical and electrochemical performances of nanocomposite electrolyte make it a promising candidate for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

  4. Ni modified ceramic anodes for direct-methane solid oxide fuel cells

    DOEpatents

    Xiao, Guoliang; Chen, Fanglin

    2016-01-19

    In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for fabricating a solid oxide fuel cell is described. The method includes synthesizing a composition having a perovskite present therein. The method further includes applying the composition on an electrolyte support to form an anode and applying Ni to the composition on the anode.

  5. Mechanical properties of PEO-coatings on the surface of magnesium alloy MA8 modified by TiN nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Imshinetsky, Igor M.; Mashtalyar, Dmitriy V.; Sunebryukhov, Sergey L.; Gnedenkov, Sergey V.

    2017-09-01

    The methods to form protective coatings by the plasma electrolytic oxidation method (PEO) in the electrolytic system containing nanosized particles of titanium nitride has been develoted. Tribological and morfological studies of the composite coatings have been carried out. It has been established that the microhardness of the coating with nanoparticles concentration of 3 g/l increases by 2 folds, while the wear resistance - by 2.2 fold, as compared to respective values for the PEO-coating formed in the electrolyte without nanoparticles.

  6. Supercapacitors based on modified graphene electrodes with poly(ionic liquid)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trigueiro, João Paulo C.; Lavall, Rodrigo L.; Silva, Glaura G.

    2014-06-01

    The improved accessibility of the electrolyte to the surface of carbon nanomaterials is a challenge to be overcome in supercapacitors based on ionic liquid electrolytes. In this study, we report the preparation of supercapacitors based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) electrodes and ionic liquid as the electrolyte (specifically, 1-methyl-1-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide or [MPPy][TFSI]). Two types of electrodes were compared: the RGO-based electrode and a poly(ionic liquid)-modified RGO electrode (PIL:RGO). The supercapacitor produced with the PIL:RGO electrode and [MPPy][TFSI] showed an electrochemical stability of 3 V and provided a capacitance of 71.5 F g-1 at room temperature; this capacitance is 130% higher with respect to the RGO-based supercapacitor. The decrease of the specific capacitance after 2000 cycles is only 10% for the PIL:RGO-based device. The results revealed the potential of the PIL:RGO material as an electrode for supercapacitors. This composite electrode increases the compatibility with the ionic liquid electrolyte compared to an RGO electrode, promoting an increase in the effective surface area of the electrode accessible to the electrolyte ions.

  7. Modeling of fixed-bed column studies for the adsorption of cadmium onto novel polymer-clay composite adsorbent.

    PubMed

    Unuabonah, Emmanuel I; Olu-Owolabi, Bamidele I; Fasuyi, Esther I; Adebowale, Kayode O

    2010-07-15

    Kaolinite clay was treated with polyvinyl alcohol to produce a novel water-stable composite called polymer-clay composite adsorbent. The modified adsorbent was found to have a maximum adsorption capacity of 20,400+/-13 mg/L (1236 mg/g) and a maximum adsorption rate constant of approximately = 7.45x10(-3)+/-0.0002 L/(min mg) at 50% breakthrough. Increase in bed height increased both the breakpoint and exhaustion point of the polymer-clay composite adsorbent. The time for the movement of the Mass Transfer Zone (delta) down the column was found to increase with increasing bed height. The presence of preadsorbed electrolyte and regeneration were found to reduce this time. Increased initial Cd(2+) concentration, presence of preadsorbed electrolyte, and regeneration of polymer-clay composite adsorbent reduced the volume of effluent treated. Premodification of polymer-clay composite adsorbent with Ca- and Na-electrolytes reduced the rate of adsorption of Cd(2+) onto polymer-clay composite and lowered the breakthrough time of the adsorbent. Regeneration and re-adsorption studies on the polymer-clay composite adsorbent presented a decrease in the bed volume treated at both the breakpoint and exhaustion points of the regenerated bed. Experimental data were observed to show stronger fits to the Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model than the Thomas model. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Gex-Model Using Local Area Fraction for Binary Electrolyte Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haghtalab, Ali; Joda, Marzieh

    2007-06-01

    The correlation and prediction of phase equilibria of electrolyte systems are essential in the design and operation of many industrial processes such as downstream processing in biotechnology, desalination, hydrometallurgy, etc. In this research, the local composition non-random two liquid-nonrandom factor (NRTL-NRF) model of Haghtalab and Vera was extended for uni-univalent aqueous electrolyte solutions. Based on the assumptions of the NRTL-NRF model, excess Gibbs free energy ( g E) functions were derived for binary electrolyte systems. In this work, the local area fraction was applied and the modified model of NRTL-NRF was developed with either an equal or unequal surface area of an anion to the surface area of a cation. The modified NRTL-NRF models consist of two contributions, one due to long-range forces represented by the Debye-Hückel theory, and the other due to short-range forces, represented by local area fractions of species through nonrandom factors. Each model contains only two adjustable parameters per electrolyte. In addition, the model with unequal surface area of ionic species gives better results in comparison with the second new model with equal surface area of ions. The results for the mean activity coefficients for aqueous solutions of uni-univalent electrolytes at 298.15 K showed that the present model is more accurate than the original NRTL-NRF model.

  9. Alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell performance using alkali-impregnated polyvinyl alcohol/functionalized carbon nano-tube solid electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Chien-Yi; Lin, Jia-Shiun; Pan, Wen-Han; Shih, Chao-Ming; Liu, Ying-Ling; Lue, Shingjiang Jessie

    2016-01-01

    This study investigates the application of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/functionalized carbon nano-tubes (m-CNTs) composite in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells (ADEFC). The m-CNTs are functionalized with PVA using the ozone mediation method, and the PVA composite containing the modified CNTs is prepared. Adding m-CNT into the PVA matrix enhances the alkaline uptake and the ionic conductivity of the KOH-doped electrolyte. Meanwhile, the m-CNT-containing membrane exhibited a lower swelling ratio and suppressed ethanol permeability compared to the pristine PVA film. The optimal condition for the ADEFC is determined to be under operation at an anode feed of 3 M ethanol in a 5 M KOH solution (at a flow rate of 5 cm3 min-1) with a cathode feed of moisturized oxygen (with a flow rate of 100 cm3 min-1) and the KOH-doped PVA/m-CNT electrolyte. We achieved a peak power density value of 65 mW cm-2 at 60 °C, which is the highest among the ADEFC literature data and several times higher than the proton-exchange direct ethanol fuel cells using sulfonated membrane electrolytes. Therefore, the KOH-doped PVA/m-CNT electrolyte is a suitable solid electrolyte for ADEFCs and has potential for commercialization in alkaline fuel cell applications.

  10. Multifunctional structural energy storage composite supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Shirshova, Natasha; Qian, Hui; Houllé, Matthieu; Steinke, Joachim H G; Kucernak, Anthony R J; Fontana, Quentin P V; Greenhalgh, Emile S; Bismarck, Alexander; Shaffer, Milo S P

    2014-01-01

    This paper addresses the challenge of producing multifunctional composites that can simultaneously carry mechanical loads whilst storing (and delivering) electrical energy. The embodiment is a structural supercapacitor built around laminated structural carbon fibre (CF) fabrics. Each cell consists of two modified structural CF fabric electrodes, separated by a structural glass fibre fabric or polymer membrane, infused with a multifunctional polymeric electrolyte. Rather than using conventional activated carbon fibres, structural carbon fibres were treated to produce a mechanically robust, high surface area material, using a variety of methods, including direct etching, carbon nanotube sizing, and carbon nanotube in situ growth. One of the most promising approaches is to integrate a porous bicontinuous monolithic carbon aerogel (CAG) throughout the matrix. This nanostructured matrix both provides a dramatic increase in active surface area of the electrodes, and has the potential to address mechanical issues associated with matrix-dominated failures. The effect of the initial reaction mixture composition is assessed for both the CAG modified carbon fibre electrodes and resulting devices. A low temperature CAG modification of carbon fibres was evaluated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to enhance the electrochemical performance. For the multifunctional structural electrolyte, simple crosslinked gels have been replaced with bicontinuous structural epoxy-ionic liquid hybrids that offer a much better balance between the conflicting demands of rigidity and molecular motion. The formation of both aerogel precursors and the multifunctional electrolyte are described, including the influence of key components, and the defining characteristics of the products. Working structural supercapacitor composite prototypes have been produced and characterised electrochemically. The effect of introducing the necessary multifunctional resin on the mechanical properties has also been assessed. Larger scale demonstrators have been produced including a full size car boot/trunk lid.

  11. Strength and Fracture Toughness of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrolyte Material Improved

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bansal, Narottam P.; Choi, Sung R.

    2002-01-01

    Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are being developed for various applications in the automobile, power-generation, and aeronautics industries. Recently, the NASA Glenn Research Center has been exploring the possibility of using SOFC's for aeropropulsion under its Zero Carbon Dioxide Emission Technology (ZCET) Program. 10-mol% yttriastabilized zirconia (10YSZ) is a very good anionic conductor at high temperatures and is, therefore, used as an oxygen solid electrolyte in SOFC. However, it has a high thermal expansion coefficient, low thermal shock resistance, low fracture toughness, and poor mechanical strength. For aeronautic applications, the thin ceramic electrolyte membrane of the SOFC needs to be strong and tough. Therefore, we have been investigating the possibility of enhancing the strength and fracture toughness of the 10YSZ electrolyte without degrading its electrical conductivity to an appreciable extent. We recently demonstrated that the addition of alumina to zirconia electrolyte increases its strength as well as its fracture toughness. Zirconia-alumina composites containing 0 to 30 mol% of alumina were fabricated by hot pressing. The hot pressing procedure was developed and various hot pressing parameters were optimized, resulting in dense, crackfree panels of composite materials. Cubic zirconia and a-alumina were the only phases detected, indicating that there was no chemical reaction between the constituents during hot pressing at elevated temperatures. Flexure strength sf and fracture toughness K(sub IC) of the various zirconia-alumina composites were measured at room temperature as well as at 1000 C in air. Both properties showed systematic improvement with increased alumina addition at room temperature and at 1000 C. Use of these modified electrolytes with improved strength and fracture toughness should prolong the life and enhance the performance of SOFC in aeronautics and other applications.

  12. Insight into capacitive performance of polyaniline/graphene oxide composites with ecofriendly binder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bilal, Salma; Fahim, Muhammad; Firdous, Irum; Ali Shah, Anwar-ul-Haq

    2018-03-01

    The behaviour of gold electrode modified with polyaniline/graphene oxide composites (PGO) was studied for electrochemical and charge storage properties in aqueous acidic media. The surface of gold electrode was modified with aqueous slurry of PGO by using Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as binder. The intercalation of polyaniline in the GO layers, synthesized by in situ polymerization was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical behaviour and charge storing properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A high specific capacitance of 1721 F g-1 was obtained for PGO with 69.8% retention of capacitance even after 1000 voltammetric cycles in the potential range of 0-0.9 V at 20 mV s-1. EIS indicated low charge transfer resistance (Rct) and solution resistance (Rs) values of 0.51 Ω and 0.07 Ω, respectively. This good performance of PGO coated electrode is attributed to the use of CMC binder which generate a high electrode/ electrolyte contact area and short path lengths for electronic transport and electrolyte ion.

  13. Continuous process to produce lithium-polymer batteries

    DOEpatents

    Chern, Terry Song-Hsing; Keller, David Gerard; MacFadden, Kenneth Orville

    1998-01-01

    Solid polymer electrolytes are extruded with active electrode material in a continuous, one-step process to form composite electrolyte-electrodes ready for assembly into battery cells. The composite electrolyte-electrode sheets are extruded onto current collectors to form electrodes. The composite electrodes, as extruded, are electronically and ionically conductive. The composite electrodes can be overcoated with a solid polymer electrolyte, which acts as a separator upon battery assembly. The interface between the solid polymer electrolyte composite electrodes and the solid polymer electrolyte separator has low resistance.

  14. Investigations on composition and morphology of electrochemical alumina and alumina yttria stabilised zirconia deposits

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    El Hajjaji, S.; Manov, S.; Roy, J.; Aigouy, T.; Ben Bachir, A.; Aries, L.

    2001-08-01

    Conversion coatings modified by deposits of electrolytic alumina added or not with yttria and/or zirconia, have been studied which are well known for their resistance to chemical attack and high temperature. Conversion coating, characterised by a particular morphology and strong interfacial adhesion with the substrate, facilitate the electrochemical deposition of ceramic layers and enhance their adhesion to the substrate. Zirconia-alumina coating behaviour at 1000°C is similar to that of alumina coating; from 800°C, the chromium diffuses from the stainless steel through the electrolytic refractory coating up to the external interface, provokes discontinuities and can modify its protective character. Yttrium stabilises the cubic and the tetragonal form of the zirconia; so, during cooling, the phase transformation near 1000°C of tetragonal zirconia to monoclinic form cannot take place.

  15. Composite Solid Electrolyte For Lithium Cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peled, Emmanuel; Nagasubramanian, Ganesan; Halpert, Gerald; Attia, Alan I.

    1994-01-01

    Composite solid electrolyte material consists of very small particles, each coated with thin layer of Lil, bonded together with polymer electrolyte or other organic binder. Material offers significant advantages over other solid electrolytes in lithium cells and batteries. Features include high ionic conductivity and strength. Composite solid electrolyte expected to exhibit flexibility of polymeric electrolytes. Polymer in composite solid electrolyte serves two purposes: used as binder alone, conduction taking place only in AI2O3 particles coated with solid Lil; or used as both binder and polymeric electrolyte, providing ionic conductivity between solid particles that it binds together.

  16. Modified Ion-Conducting Ceramics Based on Lanthanum Gallate: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaleva, G. M.; Politova, E. D.; Mosunov, A. V.; Sadovskaya, N. V.

    2018-06-01

    A review is presented of the synthesis and complex investigation of modified ion-conducting ceramics based on heterosubstituted lanthanum gallate as a promising electrolyte material for solid oxide fuel cells. The effect the composition of multicomponent complex oxides has on the structure, microstructure, and electrophysical properties of ceramics is examined. Samples of ceramics with new compositions are produced via solid-state synthesis and modified with lithium fluoride. A drop is observed in the sintering temperature of the ceramics, caused by the liquid phase mechanism of sintering as a result of the low-melting superstoichiometric quantities of the additive. The effect lithium fluoride has on the process of phase formation, microstructure, and conductivity of the ceramics is investigated. It is found that samples modified with lithium fluoride display high density, dense grain packing, and high values of electrical conductivity at high temperatures.

  17. Continuous process to produce lithium-polymer batteries

    DOEpatents

    Chern, T.S.H.; Keller, D.G.; MacFadden, K.O.

    1998-05-12

    Solid polymer electrolytes are extruded with active electrode material in a continuous, one-step process to form composite electrolyte-electrodes ready for assembly into battery cells. The composite electrolyte electrode sheets are extruded onto current collectors to form electrodes. The composite electrodes, as extruded, are electronically and ionically conductive. The composite electrodes can be over coated with a solid polymer electrolyte, which acts as a separator upon battery assembly. The interface between the solid polymer electrolyte composite electrodes and the solid polymer electrolyte separator has low resistance. 1 fig.

  18. Composite gel polymer electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Naderi, Roya

    Composite gel polymer electrolyte (CGPE) films, consisting of poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) as the membrane, DMF and PC as solvent and plasticizing agent, mixture of charge modified TiO2 and SiO 2 nano particles as ionic conductors, and LiClO4+LiPF 6 as lithium salts were fabricated. Following the work done by Li et al., CGPE was coated on an O2-plasma treated trilayer polypropylene-polyethylene-polypropylene membrane separator using solution casting technique in order to improve the adhesive properties of gel polymer electrolyte to the separator membrane and its respective ionic conductivity due to decreasing the bulk resistance. In acidic CGPE with, the mixture of acid treated TiO2 and neutral SiO2 nano particles played the role of the charge modified nano fillers with enhanced hydroxyl groups. Likely, the mixture of neutral TiO 2 nano particles with basic SiO2 prepared through the hydrolization of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) provided a more basic environment due to the residues of NH4OH (Ammonium hydroxide) catalyst. The O2 plasma treated separator was coated with the solution of PVDF-HFP: modified nano fillers: Organic solvents with the mixture ratio of 0.1:0.01:1. After the evaporation of the organic solvents, the dried coated separator was soaked in PC-LiClO4+LiPF6 in EC: DMC:DEC (4:2:4 in volume) solution (300% wt. of PVDF-HFP) to form the final CGPE. Lim et al. has reported the enhanced ionic conductivity of 9.78*10-5 Scm-1 in an acidic composite polystyrene-Al2O3 solid electrolyte system with compared to that of basic and neutral in which the ionic conductivity undergoes an ion hopping process in solid interface rather than a segmental movement of ions through the plasticized polymer chain . Half-cells with graphite anode and Li metal as reference electrode were then assembled and the electrochemical measurements and morphology examinations were successfully carried out. Half cells demonstrated a considerable change in their electrochemical performance upon the enhancement of acidic properties of the CGPE, gaining the reversible specific capacity of 314 mAh.g-1 in acidic CGPE vs. 247 mAh.g-1 in basic CGPE C/20 after 33 cycles. The CGPE exhibited submicron pore size while the ionic conductivities were in order of 10-3 and 10-5 Scm-1 with and without modified nano-fillers respectively.

  19. Process to produce lithium-polymer batteries

    DOEpatents

    MacFadden, Kenneth Orville

    1998-01-01

    A polymer bonded sheet product suitable for use as an electrode in a non-aqueous battery system. A porous electrode sheet is impregnated with a solid polymer electrolyte, so as to diffuse into the pores of the electrode. The composite is allowed to cool, and the electrolyte is entrapped in the porous electrode. The sheet products composed have the solid polymer electrolyte composition diffused into the active electrode material by melt-application of the solid polymer electrolyte composition into the porous electrode material sheet. The solid polymer electrolyte is maintained at a temperature that allows for rapid diffusion into the pores of the electrode. The composite electrolyte-electrode sheets are formed on current collectors and can be coated with solid polymer electrolyte prior to battery assembly. The interface between the solid polymer electrolyte composite electrodes and the solid polymer electrolyte coating has low resistance.

  20. Electrolyte for batteries with regenerative solid electrolyte interface

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xiao, Jie; Lu, Dongping; Shao, Yuyan

    2017-08-01

    An energy storage device comprising: an anode; and a solute-containing electrolyte composition wherein the solute concentration in the electrolyte composition is sufficiently high to form a regenerative solid electrolyte interface layer on a surface of the anode only during charging of the energy storage device, wherein the regenerative layer comprises at least one solute or solvated solute from the electrolyte composition.

  1. Facile and scalable fabrication of polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte with high ceramic loadings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandian, Amaresh Samuthira; Chen, X. Chelsea; Chen, Jihua; Lokitz, Bradley S.; Ruther, Rose E.; Yang, Guang; Lou, Kun; Nanda, Jagjit; Delnick, Frank M.; Dudney, Nancy J.

    2018-06-01

    Solid state electrolytes are a promising alternative to flammable liquid electrolytes for high-energy lithium battery applications. In this work polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte membrane with high ceramic loading (greater than 60 vol%) is fabricated using a model polymer electrolyte poly(ethylene oxide) + lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate and a lithium-conducting ceramic powder. The effects of processing methods, choice of plasticizer and varying composition on ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte are thoroughly investigated. The physical, structural and thermal properties of the composites are exhaustively characterized. We demonstrate that aqueous spray coating followed by hot pressing is a scalable and inexpensive technique to obtain composite membranes that are amazingly dense and uniform. The ionic conductivity of composites fabricated using this protocol is at least one order of magnitude higher than those made by dry milling and solution casting. The introduction of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether further increases the ionic conductivity. The composite electrolyte's interfacial compatibility with metallic lithium and good cyclability is verified by constructing lithium symmetrical cells. A remarkable Li+ transference number of 0.79 is discovered for the composite electrolyte.

  2. Process to produce lithium-polymer batteries

    DOEpatents

    MacFadden, K.O.

    1998-06-30

    A polymer bonded sheet product is described suitable for use as an electrode in a non-aqueous battery system. A porous electrode sheet is impregnated with a solid polymer electrolyte, so as to diffuse into the pores of the electrode. The composite is allowed to cool, and the electrolyte is entrapped in the porous electrode. The sheet products composed have the solid polymer electrolyte composition diffused into the active electrode material by melt-application of the solid polymer electrolyte composition into the porous electrode material sheet. The solid polymer electrolyte is maintained at a temperature that allows for rapid diffusion into the pores of the electrode. The composite electrolyte-electrode sheets are formed on current collectors and can be coated with solid polymer electrolyte prior to battery assembly. The interface between the solid polymer electrolyte composite electrodes and the solid polymer electrolyte coating has low resistance. 1 fig.

  3. Separation of 1,3-substituted imidazoles for quality control of a Lewis acidic ionic liquid for aluminum electroplating.

    PubMed

    Kosmus, Patrick; Steiner, Oliver; Goessler, Walter; Gollas, Bernhard

    2014-05-01

    Ionic liquids (ILs) are already used or have great potential in many industrial applications. Knowledge about their unique physicochemical characteristics makes ILs suitable for the electrodeposition of metals with very low negative potentials. Aluminum with its good corrosion protection behavior has great capability to be electroplated from IL electrolytes on steel substrates. The stability of the chosen electrolyte is very important to ensure industrial applicability. In this study, temperature and electrochemical long-term stability from electrolytes based on a Lewis acidic mixture of AlCl3 and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride are investigated. A published method was modified to identify possible degradation products using mass spectrometric detection. The optimized method used an Agilent Zorbax SB-Phenyl column (2.0 × 150 mm, 5 μm particles) with a 20 mmol TFA and 5% ACN mobile phase. This method allowed the quantification of several imidazoles from 0.1 to 100 mg/L. When analyzing the long-term stressed electrolytes, no significant changes in electrolyte composition could be observed. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Facile and scalable fabrication of polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte with high ceramic loadings

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pandian, Amaresh Samuthira; Chen, Xi Chelsea; Chen, Jihua

    Solid state electrolytes are a promising alternative to flammable liquid electrolytes for high-energy lithium battery applications. In this work polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte membrane with high ceramic loading (greater than 60 vol%) is fabricated using a model polymer electrolyte poly(ethylene oxide) + lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate and a lithium-conducting ceramic powder. The effects of processing methods, choice of plasticizer and varying composition on ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte are thoroughly investigated. The physical, structural and thermal properties of the composites are exhaustively characterized. We demonstrate that aqueous spray coating followed by hot pressing is a scalable and inexpensive technique to obtainmore » composite membranes that are amazingly dense and uniform. The ionic conductivity of composites fabricated using this protocol is at least one order of magnitude higher than those made by dry milling and solution casting. The introduction of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether further increases the ionic conductivity. The composite electrolyte's interfacial compatibility with metallic lithium and good cyclability is verified by constructing lithium symmetrical cells. As a result, a remarkable Li + transference number of 0.79 is discovered for the composite electrolyte.« less

  5. Facile and scalable fabrication of polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte with high ceramic loadings

    DOE PAGES

    Pandian, Amaresh Samuthira; Chen, Xi Chelsea; Chen, Jihua; ...

    2018-04-24

    Solid state electrolytes are a promising alternative to flammable liquid electrolytes for high-energy lithium battery applications. In this work polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte membrane with high ceramic loading (greater than 60 vol%) is fabricated using a model polymer electrolyte poly(ethylene oxide) + lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate and a lithium-conducting ceramic powder. The effects of processing methods, choice of plasticizer and varying composition on ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte are thoroughly investigated. The physical, structural and thermal properties of the composites are exhaustively characterized. We demonstrate that aqueous spray coating followed by hot pressing is a scalable and inexpensive technique to obtainmore » composite membranes that are amazingly dense and uniform. The ionic conductivity of composites fabricated using this protocol is at least one order of magnitude higher than those made by dry milling and solution casting. The introduction of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether further increases the ionic conductivity. The composite electrolyte's interfacial compatibility with metallic lithium and good cyclability is verified by constructing lithium symmetrical cells. As a result, a remarkable Li + transference number of 0.79 is discovered for the composite electrolyte.« less

  6. Methods of enhancing conductivity of a polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte

    DOEpatents

    Kumar, Binod

    2003-12-02

    Methods for enhancing conductivity of polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes are provided which include forming a polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte film by a melt casting technique and uniaxially stretching the film from about 5 to 15% in length. The polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte is also preferably annealed after stretching such that it has a room temperature conductivity of from 10.sup.-4 S cm.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-3 S cm.sup.-1. The polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte formed by the methods of the present invention may be used in lithium rechargeable batteries.

  7. Zinc halogen battery electrolyte composition with lead additive

    DOEpatents

    Henriksen, Gary L.

    1981-01-01

    This disclosure relates to a zinc halogen battery electrolyte composition containing an additive providing improved zinc-on-zinc recyclability. The improved electrolyte composition involves the use of a lead additive to inhibit undesirable irregular plating and reduce nodular or dendritic growth on the electrode surface. The lead-containing electrolyte composition of the present invention appears to influence not only the morphology of the base plate zinc, but also the morphology of the zinc-on-zinc replate. In addition, such lead-containing electrolyte compositions appear to reduce hydrogen formation.

  8. New Insights into the Compositional Dependence of Li-Ion Transport in Polymer-Ceramic Composite Electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Jin; Hu, Yan-Yan

    2018-01-31

    Composite electrolytes are widely studied for their potential in realizing improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. Understanding the complex mechanisms of ion transport within composites is critical for effectively designing high-performance solid electrolytes. This study examines the compositional dependence of the three determining factors for ionic conductivity, including ion mobility, ion transport pathways, and active ion concentration. The results show that with increase in the fraction of ceramic Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) phase in the LLZO-poly(ethylene oxide) composites, ion mobility decreases, ion transport pathways transit from polymer to ceramic routes, and the active ion concentration increases. These changes in ion mobility, transport pathways, and concentration collectively explain the observed trend of ionic conductivity in composite electrolytes. Liquid additives alter ion transport pathways and increase ion mobility, thus enhancing ionic conductivity significantly. It is also found that a higher content of LLZO leads to improved electrochemical stability of composite electrolytes. This study provides insight into the recurring observations of compositional dependence of ionic conductivity in current composite electrolytes and pinpoints the intrinsic limitations of composite electrolytes in achieving fast ion conduction.

  9. Enhancing Specific Energy and Power in Asymmetric Supercapacitors - A Synergetic Strategy based on the Use of Redox Additive Electrolytes

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Arvinder; Chandra, Amreesh

    2016-01-01

    The strategy of using redox additive electrolyte in combination with multiwall carbon nanotubes/metal oxide composites leads to a substantial improvements in the specific energy and power of asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). When the pure electrolyte is optimally modified with a redox additive viz., KI, ~105% increase in the specific energy is obtained with good cyclic stability over 3,000 charge-discharge cycles and ~14.7% capacitance fade. This increase is a direct consequence of the iodine/iodide redox pairs that strongly modifies the faradaic and non-faradaic type reactions occurring on the surface of the electrodes. Contrary to what is shown in few earlier reports, it is established that indiscriminate increase in the concentration of redox additives will leads to performance loss. Suitable explanations are given based on theoretical laws. The specific energy or power values being reported in the fabricated ASCs are comparable or higher than those reported in ASCs based on toxic acetonitrile or expensive ionic liquids. The paper shows that the use of redox additive is economically favorable strategy for obtaining cost effective and environmentally friendly ASCs. PMID:27184260

  10. 3D Fiber-Network-Reinforced Bicontinuous Composite Solid Electrolyte for Dendrite-free Lithium Metal Batteries.

    PubMed

    Li, Dan; Chen, Long; Wang, Tianshi; Fan, Li-Zhen

    2018-02-28

    Replacement of flammable organic liquid electrolytes with solid Li + conductors is a promising approach to realize excellent performance of Li metal batteries. However, ceramic electrolytes are either easily reduced by Li metal or penetrated by Li dendrites through their grain boundaries, and polymer electrolytes are also faced with instability on the electrode/electrolyte interface and weak mechanical property. Here, we report a three-dimensional fiber-network-reinforced bicontinuous solid composite electrolyte with flexible Li + -conductive network (lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP)/polyacrylonitrile), which helps to enhance electrochemical stability on the electrode/electrolyte interface by isolating Li and LATP and suppress Li dendrites growth by mechanical reinforcement of fiber network for the composite solid electrolyte. The composite electrolyte shows an excellent electrochemical stability after 15 days of contact with Li metal and has an enlarged tensile strength (10.72 MPa) compared to the pure poly(ethylene oxide)-bistrifluoromethanesulfonimide lithium salt electrolyte, leading to a long-term stability and safety of the Li symmetric battery with a current density of 0.3 mA cm -2 for 400 h. In addition, the composite electrolyte also shows good electrochemical and thermal stability. These results provide such fiber-reinforced membranes that present stable electrode/electrolyte interface and suppress lithium dendrite growth for high-safety all-solid-state Li metal batteries.

  11. Is electrolyte transfer across the urothelium important?: ICI-RS 2015.

    PubMed

    McCloskey, Karen D; Vahabi, Bahareh; Fry, Christopher H

    2017-04-01

    This article summarizes discussion at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) 2015 meeting of urine modification in the urinary tract by the urothelium. It considers the literature and proposes pertinent questions that need to be addressed to understand this phenomenon within a physiological context. Following the ICI-RS meeting, publications in PubMed relating to urine modification in the renal pelvis, ureter, and bladder were reviewed. Historically, the urothelium has been simply considered as a passive, impermeable barrier, preventing contact between urine and the underlying cells. In addition to the ability of the umbrella cells to modify the surface area of the urothelium during bladder filling, the urothelium may also be involved in modifying urine composition. Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that electrolytes and water can be reabsorbed by the urothelium and that this may have physiological relevance. Firstly, urothelial cells express several types of aquaporins and ion channels; the membrane expression of which is modulated by the extracellular concentration of ions including Na + . Secondly, studies of urine composition in the renal pelvis and bladder demonstrate urine modification, indicating that water and/or electrolyte transport has occurred. Thirdly, hibernating mammals, with urothelial and bladder wall histology similar to non-hibernating mammals are known to produce and reabsorb urine daily, during long periods of hibernation. The phenomenon of urine modification by the urothelium may be physiologically important during normal bladder filling. Research should be focused on investigating how this may change in conditions of urinary dysfunction. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  12. Promoting Effect of Layered Titanium Phosphate on the Electrochemical and Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    We reported a composite electrolyte prepared by incorporating layered α-titanium phosphate (α-TiP) into an iodide-based electrolyte using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate(EmimBF4) ionic liquid as solvent. The obtained composite electrolyte exhibited excellent electrochemical and photovoltaic properties compared to pure ionic liquid electrolyte. Both the diffusion coefficient of triiodide (I3−) in the electrolyte and the charge-transfer reaction at the electrode/electrolyte interface were improved markedly. The mechanism for the enhanced electrochemical properties of the composite electrolyte was discussed. The highest conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was obtained for the composite electrolyte containing 1wt% α-TiP, with an improvement of 58% in the conversion efficiency than the blank one, which offered a broad prospect for the fabrication of stable DSSCs with a high conversion efficiency. PMID:20676195

  13. High efficiency solid state dye sensitized solar cells with graphene-polyethylene oxide composite electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Akhtar, M Shaheer; Kwon, Soonji; Stadler, Florian J; Yang, O Bong

    2013-06-21

    Novel and highly effective composite electrolytes were prepared by combining the two dimensional graphene (Gra) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) for the solid electrolyte of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Gra sheets were uniformly coated by the polymer layer through the ester carboxylate bonding between oxygenated species on Gra sheets and PEO. The Gra-PEO composite electrolyte showed the large scale generation of iodide ions in a redox couple. From rheological analysis, the decrease in viscosity after the addition of LiI and I2 in the Gra-PEO electrolyte might be explained by the dipolar interactions being severely disrupted by the ionic interactions of Li(+), I(-), and I3(-) ions. A composite electrolyte with 0.5 wt% Gra presented a higher ionic conductivity (3.32 mS cm(-1)) than those of PEO and other composite electrolytes at room temperature. A high overall conversion efficiency (∼5.23%) with a very high short circuit current (JSC) of 18.32 mA cm(-2), open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.592 V and fill factor (FF) of 0.48 was achieved in DSSCs fabricated with the 0.5 wt% Gra-PEO composite electrolyte. This enhanced photovoltaic performance might be attributed to the large scale formation of iodide ions in the redox electrolyte and the relatively high ionic conductivity.

  14. Zinc-based electrolyte compositions, and related electrochemical processes and articles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kniajanski, Sergei; Soloveichik, Grigorii Lev

    An aqueous electrolyte composition is described, including a zinc salt based on zinc acetate or zinc glocolate. The saturation concentration of zinc in the electrolyte composition is in the range of about 2.5M to about 3.5M. The composition also contains at least one salt of a monovalent cation. The molar ratio of zinc to the monovalent cation is about 1:2. An aqueous zinc electroplating bath, containing the aqueous electrolyte composition, is also disclosed, along with a method for the electrochemical deposition of zinc onto a substrate surface, using the electroplating bath. Related flow batteries are also described, including a catholyte,more » as well as an anolyte based on the aqueous electrolyte composition, with a membrane between the catholyte and the anolyte.« less

  15. The use of carbon black-TiO2 composite prepared using solid state method as counter electrode and E. conferta as sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jaafar, Hidayani; Ahmad, Zainal Arifin; Ain, Mohd Fadzil

    2018-05-01

    In this paper, counter electrodes based on carbon black (CB)-TiO2 composite are proposed as a cost-effective alternative to conventional Pt counter electrodes used in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. CB-TiO2 composite counter electrodes with different weight percentages of CB were prepared using the solid state method and coated onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass using doctor blade method while Eleiodoxa conferta (E. conferta) and Nb-doped TiO2 were used as sensitizer and photoanode, respectively, with electrolyte containing I-/I-3 redox couple. The experimental results revealed that the CB-TiO2 composite influenced the photovoltaic performance by enhancing the electrocatalytic activity. As the amount of CB increased, the catalytic activity improved due to the increase in surface area which then led to low charge-transfer resistance (RCT) at the electrolyte/CB electrode interface. Due to the use of the modified photoanode together with natural dye sensitizers, the counter electrode based on 15 wt% CB-TiO2 composite was able to produce the highest energy conversion efficiency (2.5%) making it a viable alternative counter electrode.

  16. Solid composite electrolytes for lithium batteries

    DOEpatents

    Kumar, Binod; Scanlon, Jr., Lawrence G.

    2000-01-01

    Solid composite electrolytes are provided for use in lithium batteries which exhibit moderate to high ionic conductivity at ambient temperatures and low activation energies. In one embodiment, a ceramic-ceramic composite electrolyte is provided containing lithium nitride and lithium phosphate. The ceramic-ceramic composite is also preferably annealed and exhibits an activation energy of about 0.1 eV.

  17. Honeycomb-alumina supported garnet membrane: Composite electrolyte with low resistance and high strength for lithium metal batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Kai; Wang, Chang-An

    2015-05-01

    Li-ion ceramic electrolyte material is considered the key for advanced lithium metal batteries, and garnet-type oxides are promising ceramic electrolyte materials. To disentangle the thinness-strength dilemma in garnet-type Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) electrolyte, we designed and successfully synthesized a ceramic-ceramic composite electrolyte, i.e. a honeycomb-Al2O3 pellet supported LLZTO membrane. The honeycomb-Al2O3 pellet acts as a supporter to the thin LLZTO membrane and makes the whole composite electrolyte strong enough, while the straight holes in the Al2O3 supporter can be filled with liquid electrolyte and acts as channels for Li+ transportation. Such a composite design eliminates the concern over the LLZTO membrane's fragility, and keeps its good electrical property.

  18. Application of ionic liquids in electrochemical sensing systems.

    PubMed

    Shiddiky, Muhammad J A; Torriero, Angel A J

    2011-01-15

    Since 1992, when the room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) based on the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation were reported to provide an attractive combination of an electrochemical solvent and electrolyte, ILs have been widely used in electrodeposition, electrosynthesis, electrocatalysis, electrochemical capacitor, and lithium batteries. However, it has only been in the last few years that electrochemical biosensors based on carbon ionic liquid electrodes (CILEs) and IL-modified macrodisk electrodes have been reported. However, there are still a lot of challenges in achieving IL-based sensitive, selective, and reproducible biosensors for high speed analysis of biological and environmental compounds of interest. This review discusses the principles of operation of electrochemical biosensors based on CILEs and IL/composite-modified macrodisk electrodes. Subsequently, recent developments and major strategies for enhancing sensing performance are discussed. Key challenges and opportunities of IL-based biosensors to further development and use are considered. Emphasis is given to direct electron-transfer reaction and electrocatalysis of hemeproteins and enzyme-modified composite electrodes. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. A self-forming composite electrolyte for solid-state sodium battery with ultra-long cycle life

    DOE PAGES

    Zhang, Zhizhen; Yang, Xiao -Qing; Zhang, Qinghua; ...

    2016-10-31

    Replacing organic liquid electrolyte with inorganic solid electrolytes (SE) can potentially address the inherent safety problems in conventional rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, all-solid-state batteries have been plagues by the relatively low ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes and large charge-transfer resistance resulted from solid-solid interfaces between electrode materials and solid electrolytes. Here we report a new design strategy for improving the ionic conductivity of solid electrolyte by self-forming a composite material. An optimized Na + ion conducting composite electrolyte derived from the NASICON structure was successfully synthesized, yielding ultra-high ionic conductivity of 3.4 mS cm –1 at 25°C and 14 ms cmmore » –1 at 80°C.« less

  20. Electrolyte composition for electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Vissers, Donald R.; Tomczuk, Zygmunt; Anderson, Karl E.; Roche, Michael F.

    1979-01-01

    A high-temperature, secondary electrochemical cell that employs FeS as the positive electrode reactant and lithium or lithium alloy as the negative electrode reactant includes an improved electrolyte composition. The electrolyte comprises about 60-70 mole percent LiCl and 30-40 percent mole percent KCl which includes LiCl in excess of the eutectic composition. The use of this electrolyte suppresses formation of the J phase and thereby improves the utilization of positive electrode active material during cell cycling.

  1. Impact resistant electrolytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Veith, Gabriel M.; Armstrong, Beth L.; Tenhaeff, Wyatt E.

    A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte solvent, up to 2M of an electrolyte salt, and shear thickening ceramic particles having a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size of in a range of 50 nm to 1 .mu.m, and an absolute zeta potential of greater than .+-.40 mV.

  2. A Newly Designed Composite Gel Polymer Electrolyte Based on Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) for Enhanced Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

    PubMed

    Xia, Yan; Wang, Xiuli; Xia, Xinhui; Xu, Ruochen; Zhang, Shengzhao; Wu, Jianbo; Liang, Yanfei; Gu, Changdong; Tu, Jiangping

    2017-10-26

    Developing high-performance solid-state electrolytes is crucial for the innovation of next-generation lithium-sulfur batteries. Herein, a facile method for preparation of a novel gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is reported. Furthermore, Li 1.5 Al 0.5 Ti 1.5 (PO 4 ) 3 (LATP) nanoparticles as the active fillers are uniformly embedded into the GPE to form the final PVDF-HFP/LATP composite gel polymer electrolyte (CPE). Impressively, the obtained CPE demonstrates a high lithium ion transference number of 0.51 and improved electrochemical stability as compared to commercial liquid electrolyte. In addition, the assembled solid-sate Li-S battery with the composite gel polymer electrolyte membrane presents a high initial capacity of 918 mAh g -1 at 0.05 C, and better cycle performance than the counterparts with liquid electrolyte. Our designed PVDF-HFP/LATP composite can be a promising electrolyte for next-generation solid-state batteries with high cycling stability. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Engineering rheology of electrolytes using agar for improving the performance of bioelectrochemical systems.

    PubMed

    Rathinam, Navanietha Krishnaraj; Tripathi, Abhilash K; Smirnova, Alevtina; Beyenal, Haluk; Sani, Rajesh K

    2018-04-24

    The present study is focused on enhancing the rheological properties of the electrolyte and eliminating sedimentation of microorganisms/flocs without affecting the electron transfer kinetics for improved bioelectricity generation. Agar derived from polysaccharide agarose (0.05-0.2%, w/v) was chosen as a rheology modifying agent. Electroanalytical investigations showed that electrolytes modified with 0.15% agar display a nine-fold increase in current density (1.2 mA/cm 2 ) by a thermophilic strain (Geobacillus sp. 44C, 60 °C) when compared with the control. Sodium phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7) electrolyte with riboflavin (0.1 mM) was used as the control. Electrolytes modified with 0.15% agar significantly improved chemical oxygen demand removal rates. This developed electrolyte will aid in improving bioelectricity generation in Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES). The developed strategy avoids the use of peristaltic pumps and magnetic stirrers, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the process. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Impedance spectroscopy of water soluble resin modified by zirconium sulphate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Joseph, Anandraj; Joshi, Girish M.

    2018-04-01

    We successfully modified water soluble resin polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by loading zirconium sulphate (ZrSO4). We demonstrated the measurement of electrical properties by using impedance analyser across frequency range (10 Hz-1 MHz) and the temperature range of (30°C to 150°C). The impedance spectroscopy demonstrates decrease in bulk resistance as a function of temperature loading of zirconia 2.5 wt. %. Increase in AC (10-5 S/cm and DC conductivity (10- 2 S/m) observed due to ionic contribution of zirconia. However, the electrical properties of PVA/ZrSO4 composite useful to develop battery electrolyte applications.

  5. Graphene nanosheets and polyacrylic acid grafted silicon composite anode for lithium ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Assresahegn, Birhanu Desalegn; Ossonon, Benjamin Diby; Bélanger, Daniel

    2018-07-01

    A silicon/graphene composite anode for lithium-ion batteries was fabricated with a high loading of Si by combining surface-modified silicon with graphene. The Si nanopowder was modified by a binder-like organic moeity (1-(bromoethyl) benzene and polyacrylic acid) grafted on the surface of hydrogenated silicon by diazonium chemistry and surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The graphene was produced by electrochemical exfoliation of natural graphite. The optimum composite electrode prepared without a binder, with silicon loading as high as 85 wt% and a mass loading of 1.1 ± 0.1 mg cm-2 yielded a discharge capacity of 1020 mAh per gram of electrode mass (or 1200 mAh per gram of Si) after 586 charge/discharge cycles at a rate of 3.4 A g-1. It showed first cycle Coulombic efficiency of more than 90% in the absence of electrolyte additives at a current rate of 0.05 A g-1.

  6. Pulsed Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry for Operando Tracking of Interfacial Processes in Small-Time-Constant Electrochemical Devices such as Supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Batisse, Nicolas; Raymundo-Piñero, Encarnación

    2017-11-29

    A more detailed understanding of the electrode/electrolyte interface degradation during the charging cycle in supercapacitors is of great interest for exploring the voltage stability range and therefore the extractable energy. The evaluation of the gas evolution during the charging, discharging, and aging processes is a powerful tool toward determining the stability and energy capacity of supercapacitors. Here, we attempt to fit the gas analysis resolution to the time response of a low-gas-generation power device by adopting a modified pulsed electrochemical mass spectrometry (PEMS) method. The pertinence of the method is shown using a symmetric carbon/carbon supercapacitor operating in different aqueous electrolytes. The differences observed in the gas levels and compositions as a function of the cell voltage correlate to the evolution of the physicochemical characteristics of the carbon electrodes and to the electrochemical performance, giving a complete picture of the processes taking place at the electrode/electrolyte interface.

  7. Solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane comprising a porous support and a solid polymer electrolyte including a dispersed reduced noble metal or noble metal oxide

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Han; Mittelsteadt, Cortney K; Norman, Timothy J; Griffith, Arthur E; LaConti, Anthony B

    2015-02-24

    A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin, rigid, dimensionally-stable, non-electrically-conducting support, the support having a plurality of cylindrical, straight-through pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores are unevenly distributed, with some or no pores located along the periphery and more pores located centrally. The pores are completely filled with a solid polymer electrolyte, the solid polymer electrolyte including a dispersed reduced noble metal or noble metal oxide. The solid polymer electrolyte may also be deposited over the top and/or bottom surfaces of the support.

  8. Cured composite materials for reactive metal battery electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Harrup, Mason K.; Stewart, Frederick F.; Peterson, Eric S.

    2006-03-07

    A solid molecular composite polymer-based electrolyte is made for batteries, wherein silicate compositing produces a electrolytic polymer with a semi-rigid silicate condensate framework, and then mechanical-stabilization by radiation of the outer surface of the composited material is done to form a durable and non-tacky texture on the electrolyte. The preferred ultraviolet radiation produces this desirable outer surface by creating a thin, shallow skin of crosslinked polymer on the composite material. Preferably, a short-duration of low-medium range ultraviolet radiation is used to crosslink the polymers only a short distance into the polymer, so that the properties of the bulk of the polymer and the bulk of the molecular composite material remain unchanged, but the tough and stable skin formed on the outer surface lends durability and processability to the entire composite material product.

  9. Characterization of poly methyl methaacrylate and reduced graphene oxide composite for application as electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shrivatsav, Roshan; Mahalingam, Vignesh; Lakshmi Narayanan, E. R.; Naveen Balaji, N.; Balu, Murali; Krishna Prasad, R.; Kumaresan, Duraisamy

    2018-04-01

    Quasi-solid state iodide/triiodide redox electrolyte containing reduced graphene oxide and poly (methyl methaacrylate) (RGO-PMMA) composites for the fabrication of more durable, high performance dye sensitized solar cells are prepared. The morphological analysis of prepared RGO-PMMA composites showed formation of spherical like morphologies of RGO dispersed PMMA particles with their macroscopic inter-particle networks having voids. The x ray diffraction and electrical conductivity studies showed the addition of 1 wt% of filler RGO into amorphous PMMA matrix increased the electrical conductivity of the polymer composite about three orders of magnitude from 10‑7 and 10‑4 S cm‑1. Further, the photovoltaic current-voltage analysis of DSSCs with different RGO-PMMA composite based iodide/triiodide redox electrolytes showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 5.38% and the fill factor 0.63 for 2% RGO-PMMA electrolyte. The EIS analysis showed an increased recombination resistance (Rct2) at TiO2 electrode/dye/electrolyte interface due to the better electrical conductivity of RGO with good ionic conductivity in 2% RGO-PMMA composite based redox electrolyte boosted the generation of a high current density and fill factor in their DSSCs.

  10. Cross-linked Composite Gel Polymer Electrolyte using Mesoporous Methacrylate-Functionalized SiO2 Nanoparticles for Lithium-Ion Polymer Batteries

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Won-Kyung; Cho, Jinhyun; Kannan, Aravindaraj G.; Lee, Yoon-Sung; Kim, Dong-Won

    2016-01-01

    Liquid electrolytes composed of lithium salt in a mixture of organic solvents have been widely used for lithium-ion batteries. However, the high flammability of the organic solvents can lead to thermal runaway and explosions if the system is accidentally subjected to a short circuit or experiences local overheating. In this work, a cross-linked composite gel polymer electrolyte was prepared and applied to lithium-ion polymer cells as a safer and more reliable electrolyte. Mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles containing reactive methacrylate groups as cross-linking sites were synthesized and dispersed into the fibrous polyacrylonitrile membrane. They directly reacted with gel electrolyte precursors containing tri(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, resulting in the formation of a cross-linked composite gel polymer electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and favorable interfacial characteristics. The mesoporous SiO2 particles also served as HF scavengers to reduce the HF content in the electrolyte at high temperature. As a result, the cycling performance of the lithium-ion polymer cells with cross-linked composite gel polymer electrolytes employing methacrylate-functionalized mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles was remarkably improved at elevated temperatures. PMID:27189842

  11. Calcium phosphate coatings modified with zinc- or copper- incorporation on Ti-40Nb alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Komarova, E. G.; Sedelnikova, M. B.; Sharkeev, Yu P.; Kazakbaeva, A. A.; Glukhov, I. A.; Khimich, M. A.

    2017-05-01

    The influence of the microarc oxidation parameters and electrolyte composition on the structure, properties and composition of CaP coatings modified with Zn- or Cu- incorporation on the Ti-40mas.%Nb (Ti-40Nb) alloy was investigated. The linear growth of thickness, roughness, and size of structural elements with process voltage increasing has been revealed. It was shown that the CaP coatings have the low contact angles with liquids and, consequently, high free surface energy. This indicates a high hydrophilicity of the coatings. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the coatings have X-ray amorphous structure. The increase of the process voltage leads to the formation of such crystalline phases as CaHPO4 and β-Ca2P2O7 in the coatings. The maximum Ca/P atomic ratio was equal to 0.4, and Zn or Cu contents was equal to 0.3 or 0.2 at.%, respectively.

  12. Preparation and electrochemical characterization of polymer electrolytes based on electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride- co-hexafluoropropylene)/polyacrylonitrile blend/composite membranes for lithium batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raghavan, Prasanth; Zhao, Xiaohui; Shin, Chorong; Baek, Dong-Ho; Choi, Jae-Won; Manuel, James; Heo, Min-Yeong; Ahn, Jou-Hyeon; Nah, Changwoon

    Apart from PEO based solid polymer electrolytes, tailor-made gel polymer electrolytes based on blend/composite membranes of poly(vinylidene fluoride- co-hexafluoropropylene) and polyacrylonitrile are prepared by electrospinning using 14 wt% polymer solution in dimethylformamide. The membranes show uniform morphology with an average fiber diameter of 320-490 nm, high porosity and electrolyte uptake. Polymer electrolytes are prepared by soaking the electrospun membranes in 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate. Temperature dependent ionic conductivity and their electrochemical performance are studied. The blend/composite polymer electrolytes show good ionic conductivity in the range of 10 -3 S cm -1 at ambient temperature and good electrochemical performance. All the Polymer electrolytes show an anodic stability >4.6 V with stable interfacial resistance with storage time. The prototype cell shows good charge-discharge properties and stable cycle performance with comparable capacity fade compared to liquid electrolyte under the test conditions.

  13. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Padmaraj, O.; Satyanarayana, N., E-mail: nallanis2011@gmail.com; Venkateswarlu, M.

    A novel fibrous polymer blend [(100-x) % P(VdF-co-HFP)/x % PMMA, x = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50] electrolyte membranes were prepared by electrospinning technique. Structural, thermal and surface morphology of all the compositions of electrospun polymer blend membranes were studied by using XRD, DSC & SEM. The newly developed five different compositions of polymer blend fibrous electrolyte membranes were obtained by soaking in an electrolyte solution contains 1M LiPF{sub 6} in EC: DEC (1:1,v/v). The wet-ability and conductivity of all the compositions of polymer blend electrolyte membranes are evaluated through electrolyte uptake and impedance measurements. The polymer blend [90% P(VdF-co-HFP)/10%more » PMMA] electrolyte membrane showed good wet-ability and high conductivity (1.788 × 10{sup −3} Scm{sup −1}) at room temperature.« less

  14. Cycling performance of lithium metal polymer cells assembled with ionic liquid and poly(3-methyl thiophene)/carbon nanotube composite cathode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Dong-Won; Sivakkumar, S. R.; MacFarlane, Douglas R.; Forsyth, Maria; Sun, Yang-Kook

    A poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMT)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) composite is synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization. The PMT/CNT composite is used as an active cathode material in lithium metal polymer cells assembled with ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. The IL electrolyte consists of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF 4) and LiBF 4. A small amount of vinylene carbonate is added to the IL electrolyte to prevent the reductive decomposition of the imidazolium cation in EMIBF 4. A porous poly(vinylidene fluoride- co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF- co-HFP)) film is used as a polymer membrane for assembling the cells. Electrochemical properties of the PMT/CNT composite electrode in the IL electrolyte are evaluated and the effect of vinylene carbonate on the cycling performance of the lithium metal polymer cells is investigated. The cells assembled with a non-flammable IL electrolyte and a PMT/CNT composite cathode are promising candidates for high-voltage-power sources with enhanced safety.

  15. Electrochemical performance and thermal stability analysis of LiNixCoyMnzO2 cathode based on a composite safety electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Lihua; Wang, Qingsong; Sun, Jinhua

    2018-06-05

    LiNi x Co y Mn z O 2 (NCM) cathode material with high energy density is one of the best choices for power batteries. But the safety issue also becomes more prominent with higher nickel content. The improvement of thermal stability by material modification is often complex and limited. In this study, a composite safety electrolyte additive consisting of perfluoro-2-methyl-3-pentanone, N, N-Dimethylacetamide (and fluorocarbon surfactant is proved to be effective and simple in improving the thermal stability of NCM materials. Electrochemical compatibility of composite safety electrolyte with various NCM materials is investigated. Uniform interface film, lower impedance and polarization for NCM (622) cycled in composite safety electrolyte are proved to be the main reasons to ensure good cycle performance. Homemade pouch cells (NCM (622)/C) are used to verify the effectiveness for practical application, accelerating rate calorimeter and nail penetration test shows a slower temperature rise and delay of thermal runaway. For heating experiment, no fire appears for pouch cell with composite safety electrolyte. Thus, this composite safety electrolyte is effective to improve the safety of lithium ion batteries with NCM materials.(. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. In Situ Analysis of Gas Generation in Lithium-Ion Batteries with Different Carbonate-Based Electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Teng, Xin; Zhan, Chun; Bai, Ying; Ma, Lu; Liu, Qi; Wu, Chuan; Wu, Feng; Yang, Yusheng; Lu, Jun; Amine, Khalil

    2015-10-21

    Gas generation in lithium-ion batteries is one of the critical issues limiting their safety performance and lifetime. In this work, a set of 900 mAh pouch cells were applied to systematically compare the composition of gases generated from a serial of carbonate-based composite electrolytes, using a self-designed gas analyzing system. Among electrolytes used in this work, the composite γ-butyrolactone/ethyl methyl carbonate (GBL/EMC) exhibited remarkably less gassing because of the electrochemical stability of the GBL, which makes it a promising electrolyte for battery with advanced safety and lifetime.

  17. Self-doped molecular composite battery electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Harrup, Mason K.; Wertsching, Alan K.; Stewart, Frederick F.

    2003-04-08

    This invention is in solid polymer-based electrolytes for battery applications. It uses molecular composite technology, coupled with unique preparation techniques to render a self-doped, stabilized electrolyte material suitable for inclusion in both primary and secondary batteries. In particular, a salt is incorporated in a nano-composite material formed by the in situ catalyzed condensation of a ceramic precursor in the presence of a solvated polymer material, utilizing a condensation agent comprised of at least one cation amenable to SPE applications. As such, the counterion in the condensation agent used in the formation of the molecular composite is already present as the electrolyte matrix develops. This procedure effectively decouples the cation loading levels required for maximum ionic conductivity from electrolyte physical properties associated with condensation agent loading levels by utilizing the inverse relationship discovered between condensation agent loading and the time domain of the aging step.

  18. Improved ionic conductivity of lithium-zinc-tellurite glass-ceramic electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Widanarto, W.; Ramdhan, A. M.; Ghoshal, S. K.; Effendi, M.; Cahyanto, W. T.; Warsito

    An enhancement in the secondary battery safety demands the optimum synthesis of glass-ceramics electrolytes with modified ionic conductivity. To achieve improved ionic conductivity and safer operation of the battery, we synthesized Li2O included zinc-tellurite glass-ceramics based electrolytes of chemical composition (85-x)TeO2·xLi2O·15ZnO, where x = 0, 5, 10, 15 mol%. Samples were prepared using the melt quenching method at 800 °C followed by thermal annealing at 320 °C for 3 h and characterized. The effects of varying temperature, alternating current (AC) frequency and Li2O concentration on the structure and ionic conductivity of such glass-ceramics were determined. The SEM images of the annealed glass-ceramic electrolytes displayed rough surface with a uniform distribution of nucleated crystal flakes with sizes less than 1 μm. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the well crystalline nature of achieved electrolytes. Incorporation of Li2O in the electrolytes was found to generate some new crystalline phases including hexagonal Li6(TeO6), monoclinic Zn2Te3O8 and monoclinic Li2Te2O5. The estimated crystallite size of the electrolyte was ranged from ≈40 to 80 nm. AC impedance measurement revealed that the variation in the temperatures, Li2O contents, and high AC frequencies have a significant influence on the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes. Furthermore, electrolyte doped with 15 mol% of Li2O exhibited the optimum performance with an ionic conductivity ≈2.4 × 10-7 S cm-1 at the frequency of 54 Hz and in the temperature range of 323-473 K. This enhancement in the conductivity was attributed to the sizable alteration in the ions vibration and ruptures of covalent bonds in the electrolytes network structures.

  19. Flexible poly(ethylene carbonate)/garnet composite solid electrolyte reinforced by poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) for lithium metal batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Zijian; Chen, Long; Zhang, Bochen; Liu, Yongchang; Fan, Li-Zhen

    2018-07-01

    Solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivities, great flexibility, and easy processability are needed for high-performance solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries. In this work, we synthesize nanosized cubic Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) by solution combustion method and develop a flexible garnet-based composite solid electrolyte composed of LLZO, poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC), poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-HFP) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI)). In the flexible composite solid electrolytes, LLZO nanoparticles, as ceramic matrix, have a positive effect on ionic conductivities and lithium ion transference number (tLi+). PEC, as a fast ion-conducting polymer, possesses high tLi+ inherently. P(VdF-HFP), as a binder, can strengthen mechanical properties. Consequently, the as-prepared composite solid electrolyte demonstrates high tLi+ (0.82) and superb thermal stability (remaining LLZO matrix after burning). All-solid-state LiFePO4|Li cells assembled with the flexible composite solid electrolyte deliver a high initial discharge specific capacity of 121.4 mAh g-1 and good cycling stability at 55 °C.

  20. Ion conducting polymers and polymer blends for alkali metal ion batteries

    DOEpatents

    DeSimone, Joseph M.; Pandya, Ashish; Wong, Dominica; Vitale, Alessandra

    2017-08-29

    Electrolyte compositions for batteries such as lithium ion and lithium air batteries are described. In some embodiments the compositions are liquid compositions comprising (a) a homogeneous solvent system, said solvent system comprising a perfluropolyether (PFPE) and polyethylene oxide (PEO); and (b) an alkali metal salt dissolved in said solvent system. In other embodiments the compositions are solid electrolyte compositions comprising: (a) a solid polymer, said polymer comprising a crosslinked product of a crosslinkable perfluropolyether (PFPE) and a crosslinkable polyethylene oxide (PEO); and (b) an alkali metal ion salt dissolved in said polymer. Batteries containing such compositions as electrolytes are also described.

  1. Development of wide temperature electrolyte for graphite/ LiNiMnCoO2 Li-ion cells: High throughput screening

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kafle, Janak; Harris, Joshua; Chang, Jeremy; Koshina, Joe; Boone, David; Qu, Deyang

    2018-07-01

    In this report, we demonstrate that the low temperature power capability of a Li-ion battery can be substantially improved not by adding commercially unavailable additives into the electrolyte, but by rational design of the composition of the most commonly used solvents. Through the detail analysis with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the formation of a homogenous solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on the carbon anode surface is found to be critical to ensure the performance of a Li-ion battery in a wide temperature range. The post mortem analysis of the negative electrode by XPS revealed that all the electrolyte compositions form similar compounds in the solid electrolyte interphase. However, the electrolytes which give higher capacities at low temperature showed higher percentage of LiF and lower percentage of carbon containing species such as lithium carbonate and lithium ethylene di-carbonate. The electrolyte compositions where cyclic carbonates make up less than 25% of the total solvent showed increased low temperature performance. The solvent composition with higher percentage of linear short chain carbonates showed an improved low temperature performance. The high temperature performances were similar in almost all the combinations.

  2. Alkaline battery, separator therefore

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schmidt, George F. (Inventor)

    1980-01-01

    An improved battery separator for alkaline battery cells has low resistance to electrolyte ion transfer and high resistance to electrode ion transfer. The separator is formed by applying an improved coating to an electrolyte absorber. The absorber, preferably, is a flexible, fibrous, and porous substrate that is resistant to strong alkali and oxidation. The coating composition includes an admixture of a polymeric binder, a hydrolyzable polymeric ester and inert fillers. The coating composition is substantially free of reactive fillers and plasticizers commonly employed as porosity promoting agents in separator coatings. When the separator is immersed in electrolyte, the polymeric ester of the film coating reacts with the electrolyte forming a salt and an alcohol. The alcohol goes into solution with the electrolyte while the salt imbibes electrolyte into the coating composition. When the salt is formed, it expands the polymeric chains of the binder to provide a film coating substantially permeable to electrolyte ion transfer but relatively impermeable to electrode ion transfer during use.

  3. Forming a structure of the CoNiFe alloys by X-ray irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valko, Natalia; Kasperovich, Andrey; Koltunowicz, Tomasz N.

    The experimental data of electrodeposition kinetics researches and structure formation of ternary CoNiFe alloys deposited onto low-carbon steel 08kp in the presence of X-rays are presented. Relations of deposit rate, current efficiencies, element and phase compositions of CoNiFe coatings formed from sulfate baths with respect to cathode current densities (0.5-3A/dm2), electrolyte composition and irradiation were obtained. It is shown that, the CoNiFe coatings deposited by the electrochemical method involving exposure of the X-rays are characterized by more perfect morphology surfaces with less developed surface geometry than reference coatings. The effect of the X-ray irradiation on the electrodeposition of CoNiFe coatings promotes formatting of alloys with increased electropositive component and modified phase composition.

  4. Chemical compositions, methods of making the chemical compositions, and structures made from the chemical compositions

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Lei; Cheng, Zhe; Liu, Ze; Liu, Meilin

    2015-01-13

    Embodiments of the present disclosure include chemical compositions, structures, anodes, cathodes, electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, fuel cells, fuel cell membranes, separation membranes, catalytic membranes, sensors, coatings for electrolytes, electrodes, membranes, and catalysts, and the like, are disclosed.

  5. The influence of TiO2 composition in LiBOB electrolyte polymer composite membrane characteristics for lithium ion batteries applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lestariningsih, T.; Sabrina, Q.; Wigayati, E. M.

    2018-03-01

    Characterization of the composite membrane of LiBOB electrolyte polymers made from poly (vinylidene fluoride co-hexafluororopylene) (PVdF-HFP) as the polymer, LiBOB or LiB(C2O4)2 as electrolyte salt and titanium dioxide (TiO2) as ceramic filler of three different concentrations have been done. Sample of membrane was prepared using solution casting technique. Microstructural study by SEM shows non-uniform distribution of pore over the surface of the sample. X-ray structural analysis, impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies were carried out. Membrane composite polymer of LiBOB electrolyte without additional ceramic filler with composition of 70% polymer, 30% LiBOB, and 0% TiO2 has the greatest conductivity for forming amorphous phase and is compatible with material membrane composite. Meanwhile, sample with 70% polymer composition, 28% LiBOB and 2% TiO2 shows oxidation reaction at the most perfect discharge despite very slow current speed.

  6. Deliberate modification of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) during lithiation of magnetite, Fe 3O 4: impact on electrochemistry

    DOE PAGES

    Bock, David C.; Marschilok, Amy C.; Takeuchi, Kenneth J.; ...

    2017-11-20

    Here, magnetite is a conversion anode material displaying multi-electron transfer during lithiation and delithiation. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on magnetite, Fe 3O 4, electrodes for lithium ion batteries was deliberately modified through the use of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) electrolyte additive, improving both capacity retention and rate capability. Analysis showed reduction of FEC at higher voltage compared to non-fluorinated solvents with formation of a modified lithium flouride containing electrode surface.

  7. Multilayered composite proton exchange membrane and a process for manufacturing the same

    DOEpatents

    Santurri, Pasco R; Duvall, James H; Katona, Denise M; Mausar, Joseph T; Decker, Berryinne

    2015-05-05

    A multilayered membrane for use with fuel cells and related applications. The multilayered membrane includes a carrier film, at least one layer of an undoped conductive polymer electrolyte material applied onto the carrier film, and at least one layer of a conductive polymer electrolyte material applied onto the adjacent layer of polymer electrolyte material. Each layer of conductive polymer electrolyte material is doped with a plurality of nanoparticles. Each layer of undoped electrolyte material and doped electrolyte material may be applied in an alternating configuration, or alternatively, adjacent layers of doped conductive polymer electrolyte material is employed. The process for producing a multilayered composite membrane includes providing a carrier substrate and solution casting a layer of undoped conductive polymer electrolyte material and a layer of conductive polymer electrolyte material doped with nanoparticles in an alternating arrangement or in an arrangement where doped layers are adjacent to one another.

  8. Influence of process parameters on plasma electrolytic surface treatment of tantalum for biomedical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sowa, Maciej; Woszczak, Maja; Kazek-Kęsik, Alicja; Dercz, Grzegorz; Korotin, Danila M.; Zhidkov, Ivan S.; Kurmaev, Ernst Z.; Cholakh, Seif O.; Basiaga, Marcin; Simka, Wojciech

    2017-06-01

    This work aims to quantify the effect of anodization voltage and electrolyte composition used during DC plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), operated as a 2-step process, on the surface properties of the resulting oxide coatings on tantalum. The first step consisted of galvanostatic anodization (150 mA cm-2) of the tantalum workpiece up to several limiting voltages (200, 300, 400 and 500 V). After attaining the limiting voltage, the process was switched to voltage control, which resulted in a gradual decrease of the anodic current density. The anodic treatment was realized in a 0.5 M Ca(H2PO2)2 solution, which was then modified by the addition of 1.15 M Ca(HCOO)2 as well as 1.15 M and 1.5 M Mg(CH3COO)2. The increasing voltage of anodization led to the formation of thicker coatings, with larger pores and enriched with electrolytes species to a higher extent. The solutions containing HCOO- and CH3COO- ions caused the formation of coatings which were slightly hydrophobic (high contact angle). In the case of the samples anodized up to 500 V, scattered crystalline deposits were observed. Bioactive phases, such as hydroxyapatite, were detected in the treated oxide coatings by XRD and XPS.

  9. Microstructure and corrosion behavior of coated AZ91 alloy by microarc oxidation for biomedical application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Y. M.; Wang, F. H.; Xu, M. J.; Zhao, B.; Guo, L. X.; Ouyang, J. H.

    2009-08-01

    Magnesium and its alloy currently are considered as the potential biodegradable implant materials, while the accelerated corrosion rate in intro environment leads to implant failure by losing the mechanical integrity before complete restoration. Dense oxide coatings formed in alkaline silicate electrolyte with and without titania sol addition were fabricated on magnesium alloy using microarc oxidation process. The microstructure, composition and degradation behavior in simulated body fluid (SBF) of the coated specimens were evaluated. It reveals that a small amount of TiO 2 is introduced into the as-deposited coating mainly composed of MgO and Mg 2SiO 4 by the addition of titania sol into based alkaline silicate electrolytic bath. With increasing concentration of titania sol from 0 to 10 vol.%, the coating thickness decreases from 22 to 18 μm. Electrochemical tests show that the Ecorr of Mg substrate positively shifted about 300˜500 mV and icorr lowers more than 100 times after microarc oxidation. However, the TiO 2 modified coatings formed in electrolyte containing 5 and 10 vol.% titania sol indicate an increasing worse corrosion resistance compared with that of the unmodified coating, which is possibly attributed to the increasing amorphous components caused by TiO 2 involvement. The long term immersing test in SBF is consistent with the electrochemical test, with the coated Mg alloy obviously slowing down the biodegradation rate, meanwhile accompanied by the increasing damage trends in the coatings modified by 5 and 10 vol.% titania sol.

  10. Method for hydrogen production and metal winning, and a catalyst/cocatalyst composition useful therefor

    DOEpatents

    Dhooge, Patrick M.

    1987-10-13

    A catalyst/cocatalyst/organics composition of matter is useful in electrolytically producing hydrogen or electrowinning metals. Use of the catalyst/cocatalyst/organics composition causes the anode potential and the energy required for the reaction to decrease. An electrolyte, including the catalyst/cocatalyst composition, and a reaction medium composition further including organic material are also described.

  11. Composition and particle size of electrolytic copper powders prepared in water-containing dimethyl sulfoxide electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mamyrbekova, Aigul'; Abzhalov, B. S.; Mamyrbekova, Aizhan

    2017-07-01

    The possibility of the electroprecipitation of copper powder via the cathodic reduction of an electrolyte solution containing copper(II) nitrate trihydrate and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is shown. The effect electrolysis conditions (current density, concentration and temperature of electrolyte) have on the dimensional characteristics of copper powder is studied. The size and shape of the particles of the powders were determined by means of electron microscopy; the qualitative composition of the powders, with X-ray diffraction.

  12. Solid composite electrolytes for lithium batteries

    DOEpatents

    Kumar, Binod; Scanlon, Jr., Lawrence G.

    2001-01-01

    Solid composite electrolytes are provided for use in lithium batteries which exhibit moderate to high ionic conductivity at ambient temperatures and low activation energies. In one embodiment, a polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte containing poly(ethylene oxide), lithium tetrafluoroborate and titanium dioxide is provided in the form of an annealed film having a room temperature conductivity of from 10.sup.-5 S cm.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-3 S cm.sup.-1 and an activation energy of about 0.5 eV.

  13. Nanoporous carbon actuator and methods of use thereof

    DOEpatents

    Biener, Juergen [San Leandro, CA; Baumann, Theodore F [Discovery Bay, CA; Shao, Lihua [Karlsruhe, DE; Weissmueller, Joerg [Stutensee, DE

    2012-07-31

    An electrochemically driveable actuator according to one embodiment includes a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition capable of exhibiting charge-induced reversible strain when wetted by an electrolyte and a voltage is applied thereto. An electrochemically driven actuator according to another embodiment includes a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition wetted by an electrolyte; and a mechanism for causing charge-induced reversible strain of the composition. A method for electrochemically actuating an object according to one embodiment includes causing charge-induced reversible strain of a nanoporous carbon aerogel composition wetted with an electrolyte to actuate the object by the strain.

  14. Integrated Interface Strategy toward Room Temperature Solid-State Lithium Batteries.

    PubMed

    Ju, Jiangwei; Wang, Yantao; Chen, Bingbing; Ma, Jun; Dong, Shanmu; Chai, Jingchao; Qu, Hongtao; Cui, Longfei; Wu, Xiuxiu; Cui, Guanglei

    2018-04-25

    Solid-state lithium batteries have drawn wide attention to address the safety issues of power batteries. However, the development of solid-state lithium batteries is substantially limited by the poor electrochemical performances originating from the rigid interface between solid electrodes and solid-state electrolytes. In this work, a composite of poly(vinyl carbonate) and Li 10 SnP 2 S 12 solid-state electrolyte is fabricated successfully via in situ polymerization to improve the rigid interface issues. The composite electrolyte presents a considerable room temperature conductivity of 0.2 mS cm -1 , an electrochemical window exceeding 4.5 V, and a Li + transport number of 0.6. It is demonstrated that solid-state lithium metal battery of LiFe 0.2 Mn 0.8 PO 4 (LFMP)/composite electrolyte/Li can deliver a high capacity of 130 mA h g -1 with considerable capacity retention of 88% and Coulombic efficiency of exceeding 99% after 140 cycles at the rate of 0.5 C at room temperature. The superior electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the good compatibility of the composite electrolyte with Li metal and the integrated compatible interface between solid electrodes and the composite electrolyte engineered by in situ polymerization, which leads to a significant interfacial impedance decrease from 1292 to 213 Ω cm 2 in solid-state Li-Li symmetrical cells. This work provides vital reference for improving the interface compatibility for room temperature solid-state lithium batteries.

  15. Covalently functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene composite electrodes for pseudocapacitor application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Le Barny, Pierre; Servet, Bernard; Campidelli, Stéphane; Bondavalli, Paolo; Galindo, Christophe

    2013-09-01

    The use of carbon-based materials in electrochemical double-layer supercapacitors (EDLC) is currently being the focus of much research. Even though activated carbon (AC) is the state of the art electrode material, AC suffers from some drawbacks including its limited electrical conductivity, the need for a binder to ensure the expected electrode cohesion and its limited accessibility of its pores to solvated ions of the electrolyte. Owing to their unique physical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene could overcome these drawbacks. It has been demonstrated that high specific capacitance could be obtained when the carbon accessible surface area of the electrode was finely tailored by using graphene combined with other carbonaceous nanoparticles such as CNTs12.In this work, to further increase the specific capacitance of the electrode, we have covalently grafted onto the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), exfoliated graphite or graphene oxide (GO), anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives which are electrochemically active materials. The modified SWCNTs and graphene-like materials have been characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission and cyclic voltammetry . Then suspensions based on mixtures of modified SWCNTs and modified graphene-like materials have been prepared and transformed into electrodes either by spray coating or by filtration. These electrodes have been characterized by SEM and by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1M H2S04 electrolyte.

  16. A high performance lithium–sulfur battery enabled by a fish-scale porous carbon/sulfur composite and symmetric fluorinated diethoxyethane electrolyte

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gao, Mengyao; Su, ChiCheung; He, Meinan

    A high performance lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery comprising a symmetric fluorinated diethoxyethane electrolyte coupled with a fish-scale porous carbon/S composite electrode was demonstrated. 1,2-Bis(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)ethane (TFEE) was first studied as a new electrolyte solvent for Li–S chemistry. When co-mixed with 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), the DOL/TFEE electrolyte suppressed the polysulfide dissolution and shuttling reaction. Lastly, when coupled with a fish-scale porous carbon/S composite electrode, the Li–S cell exhibited a significantly high capacity retention of 99.5% per cycle for 100 cycles, which is far superior to the reported numerous systems.

  17. A high performance lithium–sulfur battery enabled by a fish-scale porous carbon/sulfur composite and symmetric fluorinated diethoxyethane electrolyte

    DOE PAGES

    Gao, Mengyao; Su, ChiCheung; He, Meinan; ...

    2017-03-07

    A high performance lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery comprising a symmetric fluorinated diethoxyethane electrolyte coupled with a fish-scale porous carbon/S composite electrode was demonstrated. 1,2-Bis(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)ethane (TFEE) was first studied as a new electrolyte solvent for Li–S chemistry. When co-mixed with 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), the DOL/TFEE electrolyte suppressed the polysulfide dissolution and shuttling reaction. Lastly, when coupled with a fish-scale porous carbon/S composite electrode, the Li–S cell exhibited a significantly high capacity retention of 99.5% per cycle for 100 cycles, which is far superior to the reported numerous systems.

  18. Solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane comprising laser micromachined porous support

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Han [Waltham, MA; LaConti, Anthony B [Lynnfield, MA; Mittelsteadt, Cortney K [Natick, MA; McCallum, Thomas J [Ashland, MA

    2011-01-11

    A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 5 microns, are made by laser micromachining and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

  19. Solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane comprising plasma etched porous support

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Han; LaConti, Anthony B.

    2010-10-05

    A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns, are made by plasma etching and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

  20. Lithium secondary batteries: Role of polymer cathode morphology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Naoi, Katsuhiko; Osaka, Tetsuya; Owens, Boone B.

    1988-06-01

    Electrically conducting polymers have been utilized both as the cathode and as the electrolyte element of Li secondary cells. Polymer cathodes were limited in their suitability for batteries because of the low energy content associated with low levels of doping and the inclusion of complex ionic species in the cathode. Recent studies have indicated that doping levels up to 100 percent can be achieved in polyanilene. High doping levels in combination with controlled morphologies have been found to improve the energy and rate capabilities of polymer cathodes. A morphology-modifying technique was utilized to enhance the charge/discharge characteristics of Li/liquid electrolyte polypyrrole cells. The polymer is electropolymerized in a preferred orientation morphology when the substrate is first precoated with an insulating film of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). Modification of the kinetic behavior of the electrode results from variations in the chemical composition of the NBR.

  1. Effects of Silica Nanostructures in Poly(ethylene oxide)-Based Composite Polymer Electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Mohanta, Jagdeep; Anwar, Shahid; Si, Satyabrata

    2016-06-01

    The present work describes the synthesis of some poly(ethylene oxide)-based nanocomposite polymer electrolyte films using various silica nanostructures as the inorganic filler by simple solution mixing technique, in which the nature of the silica nanostructures play a vital role in modulating their electrochemical performances at room temperature. The silica nanostructures are prepared by ammonical hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate following the modified St6ber method. The resulting films are characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter to study their crystallinity. Room temperature AC impedance spectroscopy is utilized to determine the Li+ ion conductivity of the resulting films. The observed conductivity values of various NCPE films depend on the nature of silica filling as well as on their surface characteristics and also on the varying PEO-Li+ ratio, which is observed to be in the order of 10(-7)-10(-6) S cm(-1).

  2. Surface modification of amine-functionalised graphite for preparation of cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF)-modified electrode: an amperometric sensor for determination of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA).

    PubMed

    Prabakar, S J Richard; Narayanan, S Sriman

    2006-12-01

    A cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF)-modified graphite paraffin wax composite electrode was prepared by a new approach. An amine-functionalised graphite powder was used for the fabrication of the electrode. A functionalised graphite paraffin wax composite electrode was prepared and the surface of the electrode was modified with a thin film of CoHCF. Various parameters that influence the electrochemical behaviour of the modified electrode were studied by varying the background electrolytes, scan rates and pH. The modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) under optimal conditions and showed a linear response over the range from 7.9 x 10(-7) to 1.9 x 10(-4) M of BHA with a correlation coefficient of 0.9988. The limit of detection was 1.9 x 10(-7) M. Electrocatalytic oxidation of BHA was effective at the modified electrode at a significantly reduced potential and at a broader pH range. The utility of the modified electrode as an amperometric sensor for the determination of BHA in flow systems was evaluated by carrying out hydrodynamic and chronoamperometric experiments. The modified electrode showed very good stability and a longer shelf life. The modified electrode was applied for the determination of BHA in spiked samples of chewing gum and edible sunflower oil. The advantage of this method is the ease of electrode fabrication, good stability, longer shelf life, low cost and its diverse application for BHA determination.

  3. Anti-fouling response of gold-carbon nanotubes composite for enhanced ethanol electrooxidation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sai Siddhardha, R. S.; Anupam Kumar, Manne; Lakshminarayanan, V.; Ramamurthy, Sai Sathish

    2014-12-01

    We report the synthesis of gold carbon nanotubes composite through a one-pot surfactant free approach and its utility for ethanol electrooxidation reaction (EOR). The method involves the application of laser ablation for nanoparticle synthesis and simultaneous assembly of these on carbon nanotubes. The catalyst has been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and UV-vis spectroscopic techniques. A systematic study of gold carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode for EOR has been pursued. The kinetic study revealed the excellent stability of the modified electrode even after 200 cycles of EOR and with an Arrhenius energy as low as ∼28 kJ mol-1. Tafel slopes that are the measure of electrode activity have been monitored as a function of temperature of the electrolyte. The results indicate that despite an increase in the reaction rate with temperature, the electrode surface has not been significantly passivated by carbonaceous species produced at high temperatures.

  4. Composite Solid Electrolyte Containing Li+- Conducting Fibers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Appleby, A. John; Wang, Chunsheng; Zhang, Xiangwu

    2006-01-01

    Improved composite solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) are being developed for use in lithium-ion power cells. The matrix components of these composites, like those of some prior CSPEs, are high-molecular-weight dielectric polymers [generally based on polyethylene oxide (PEO)]. The filler components of these composites are continuous, highly-Li(+)-conductive, inorganic fibers. PEO-based polymers alone would be suitable for use as solid electrolytes, were it not for the fact that their room-temperature Li(+)-ion conductivities lie in the range between 10(exp -6) and 10(exp -8) S/cm, too low for practical applications. In a prior approach to formulating a CSPE, one utilizes nonconductive nanoscale inorganic filler particles to increase the interfacial stability of the conductive phase. The filler particles also trap some electrolyte impurities. The achievable increase in conductivity is limited by the nonconductive nature of the filler particles.

  5. Low Crossover Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Prakash, G. K. Surya; Smart, Marshall; Atti, Anthony R.; Olah, George A.; Narayanan, S. R.; Valdez, T.; Surampudi, S.

    1996-01-01

    Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC's) using polymer electrolyte membranes are promising power sources for portable and vehicular applications. State of the art technology using Nafion(R) 117 membranes (Dupont) are limited by high methanol permeability and cost, resulting in reduced fuel cell efficiencies and impractical commercialization. Therefore, much research in the fuel cell field is focused on the preparation and testing of low crossover and cost efficient polymer electrolyte membranes. The University of Southern California in cooperation with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is focused on development of such materials. Interpenetrating polymer networks are an effective method used to blend polymer systems without forming chemical links. They provide the ability to modify physical and chemical properties of polymers by optimizing blend compositions. We have developed a novel interpenetrating polymer network based on poly (vinyl - difluoride)/cross-linked polystyrenesulfonic acid polymer composites (PVDF PSSA). Sulfonation of polystyrene accounts for protonic conductivity while the non-polar, PVDF backbone provides structural integrity in addition to methanol rejection. Precursor materials were prepared and analyzed to characterize membrane crystallinity, stability and degree of interpenetration. USC JPL PVDF-PSSA membranes were also characterized to determine methanol permeability, protonic conductivity and sulfur distribution. Membranes were fabricated into membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) and tested for single cell performance. Tests include cell performance over a wide range of temperatures (20 C - 90 C) and cathode conditions (ambient Air/O2). Methanol crossover values are measured in situ using an in-line CO2 analyzer.

  6. Effect of lithium and sodium salt on the performance of Nb2O5/rGO nanocomposite based supercapacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Sultan; Rafat, M.

    2018-03-01

    The present work reports the synthesis of Nb2O5/rGO composite using hydrothermal method and thermal annealing process. The prepared composite was found to have suitable characteristics necessary to be used as electrode material in supercapacitors. These characteristics were ascertained employing the techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm. Further, the electrochemical performance of the prepared composite was compared in two different organic electrolytes, of lithium and sodium salt using the techniques of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge measurements. The organic electrolyte solutions were prepared by dispersing 1 M LiClO4/NaClO4 in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate (1:1 by volume). The observed results indicate that the composite of Nb2O5/rGO offers higher value of specific capacitance in sodium salt electrolyte and higher cyclic stability in lithium salt electrolyte. This is probably due to ion properties of electrolyte. Specific capacitance is observed according to efficient ion/charge diffusion/exchange and relaxation time (Li+ < Na+), while the cyclic stability is observed according to cation size (Na+ > Li+). Thus, the present study reveals the significant effect of electrolyte ions on electrochemical performance of Nb2O5/rGO composite.

  7. Composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes

    DOEpatents

    Formato, Richard M.; Kovar, Robert F.; Osenar, Paul; Landrau, Nelson; Rubin, Leslie S.

    2001-06-19

    The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

  8. Composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes

    DOEpatents

    Formato, Richard M.; Kovar, Robert F.; Osenar, Paul; Landrau, Nelson; Rubin, Leslie S.

    2006-05-30

    The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

  9. Non-consumable anode and lining for aluminum electrolytic reduction cell

    DOEpatents

    Beck, Theodore R.; Brooks, Richard J.

    1994-01-01

    An oxidation resistant, non-consumable anode, for use in the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum, has a composition comprising copper, nickel and iron. The anode is part of an electrolytic reduction cell comprising a vessel having an interior lined with metal which has the same composition as the anode. The electrolyte is preferably composed of a eutectic of AlF.sub.3 and either (a) NaF or (b) primarily NaF with some of the NaF replaced by an equivalent molar amount of KF or KF and LiF.

  10. Composition of highly concentrated silicate electrolytes and ultrasound influencing the plasma electrolytic oxidation of magnesium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Simchen, F.; Rymer, L.-M.; Sieber, M.; Lampke, T.

    2017-03-01

    Magnesium and its alloys are increasingly in use as lightweight construction materials. However, their inappropriate corrosion and wear resistance often prevent their direct practical use. The plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a promising, environmentally friendly method to improve the surface characteristics of magnesium materials by the formation of oxide coatings. These PEO layers contain components of the applied electrolyte and can be shifted in their composition by increasing the concentration of the electrolyte constituents. Therefore, in contrast to the use of conventional low concentrated electrolytes, the process results in more stable protective coatings, in which electrolyte species are the dominating constitutes. In the present work, the influence of the composition of highly concentrated alkaline silicate electrolytes with additives of phosphate and glycerol on the quality of PEO layers on the magnesium alloy AZ31 was examined. The effect of ultrasound coupled into the electrolyte bath was also considered. The process was monitored by recording the electrical process variables with a transient recorder and by observation of the discharge phenomena on the sample surface with a camera. The study was conducted on the basis of a design of experiments. The effects of the process parameter variation are considered with regard to the coatings thickness, hardness and corrosion resistance. Information about the statistical significance of the effects of the parameters on the considered properties is obtained by an analysis of variance (ANOVA).

  11. Well-defined flake-like polypyrrole grafted graphene nanosheets composites as electrode materials for supercapacitors with enhanced cycling stability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xue; Wang, Tingmei; Yang, Chao; Li, Haidong; Liu, Peng

    2013-12-01

    Well-defined flake-like polypyrrole grafted graphene nanosheets composites (PPy-g-GNS) were fabricated by the in-situ chemical oxidative grafting polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of the 4-aminophenyl modified graphene nanosheets (AP-GNS), which were prepared via the coupling reaction of the graphene nanosheets (GNS) with diazonium salt. The flake-like PPy-g-GNS composite showed the high conductivity at room temperature. A maximum discharge capacitance of 191.2 F/g at the scan rate of 10 mV/s could be achieved in the three-electrode cell electrochemical testing in 1.0 mol/L NaNO3 electrolyte solution. It is higher than those of the AP-GNS, pure PPy, and the GNS/PPy composite prepared with the unmodified graphene nanosheets (GNS). The flake-like PPy-g-GNS composites also exhibited the excellent electrochemical stability even after 1000 cycles. It revealed the synergistic effect between the conducting polymer and the carbon-based support.

  12. Porous cellulose diacetate-SiO2 composite coating on polyethylene separator for high-performance lithium-ion battery.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wenju; Shi, Liyi; Wang, Zhuyi; Zhu, Jiefang; Yang, Haijun; Mao, Xufeng; Chi, Mingming; Sun, Lining; Yuan, Shuai

    2016-08-20

    The developments of high-performance lithium ion battery are eager to the separators with high ionic conductivity and thermal stability. In this work, a new way to adjust the comprehensive properties of inorganic-organic composite separator was investigated. The cellulose diacetate (CDA)-SiO2 composite coating is beneficial for improving the electrolyte wettability and the thermal stability of separators. Interestingly, the pore structure of composite coating can be regulated by the weight ratio of SiO2 precursor tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the coating solution. The electronic performance of lithium ion batteries assembled with modified separators are improved compared with the pristine PE separator. When weight ratio of TEOS in the coating solution was 9.4%, the composite separator shows the best comprehensive performance. Compared with the pristine PE separator, its meltdown temperature and the break-elongation at elevated temperature increased. More importantly, the discharge capacity and the capacity retention improved significantly. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Study of the mechanism for electrodeposition of dendrite-free zinc in an alkaline electrolyte modified with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, M.; Ivey, D. G.; Qu, W.; Xie, Z.

    2015-01-01

    Electrodeposition of Zn was conducted in a new electrolyte system composed of an alkaline solution (9 M KOH + 5 wt% ZnO) modified with a small amount (0.5 wt%) of room temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMI-DCA). At a high deposition current density of 80 mA cm-2, a porous, dendrite-free Zn film characterized by clusters of small Zn particles was obtained. The mechanism for the modified Zn morphology in the EMI-DCA containing electrolyte was studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the addition of EMI-DCA changed the Zn nucleation process and reduced the potential variation during electrodeposition, which suppressed the uneven growth of Zn deposits and the formation of Zn dendrites. EIS results indicated that there was adsorption of EMI+ cations at the Zn film/electrolyte interface, which may have contributed to suppressed dendritic Zn growth.

  14. Functional interface of polymer modified graphite anode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Komaba, S.; Ozeki, T.; Okushi, K.

    Graphite electrodes were modified by polyacrylic acid (PAA), polymethacrylic acid (PMA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Their electrochemical properties were examined in 1 mol dm -3 LiClO 4 ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate (EC:DMC) and propylene carbonate (PC) solutions as an anode of lithium ion batteries. Generally, lithium ions hardly intercalate into graphite in the PC electrolyte due to a decomposition of the PC electrolyte at ca. 0.8 V vs. Li/Li +, and it results in the exfoliation of the graphene layers. However, the modified graphite electrodes with PAA, PMA, and PVA demonstrated the stable charge-discharge performance due to the reversible lithium intercalation not only in the EC:DMC but also in the PC electrolytes since the electrolyte decomposition and co-intercalation of solvent were successfully suppressed by the polymer modification. It is thought that these improvements were attributed to the interfacial function of the polymer layer on the graphite which interacted with the solvated lithium ions at the electrode interface.

  15. The role of cathodic current in PEO of aluminum: Influence of cationic electrolyte composition on the transient current-voltage curves and the discharges optical emission spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rogov, A. B.; Shayapov, V. R.

    2017-02-01

    In this paper, the influence of cationic electrolytes composition on electrical and optical responses of plasma electrolytic oxidation process of A1050 aluminum alloy under alternating polarization is considered. The electrolytes consist of 0.1 M boric acid with addition of one of the following hydroxides: LiOH, NaOH, KOH, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2 up to pH value 9.2. Coatings microstructure, elemental and phase compositions were studied by SEM, EDS and XRD. It was shown that the hysteresis of anodic current-voltage curve (specific feature of "Soft sparking" PEO) was clear observed in the presence of sodium and potassium cations. It was found that composition of microdischarges plasma is also affected by the nature of the cations. It was shown that there are a number of reciprocal processes, which take place under anodic and cathodic polarization.

  16. Na3.4Zr1.8Mg0.2Si2PO12 filled poly(ethylene oxide)/Na(CF3SO2)2N as flexible composite polymer electrolyte for solid-state sodium batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Zhizhen; Xu, Kaiqi; Rong, Xiaohui; Hu, Yong-Sheng; Li, Hong; Huang, Xuejie; Chen, Liquan

    2017-12-01

    Solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and excellent electrochemical stability are of prime significance to enable the application of solid-state batteries in energy storage and conversion. In this study, solid composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) based on sodium bis(trifluorosulfonyl) imide (NaTFSI) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) incorporated with active ceramic filler (NASICON) are reported for the first time. With the addition of NASICON fillers, the thermal stability and electrochemical stability of the CPEs are improved. A high conductivity of 2.8 mS/cm (at 80 °C) is readily achieved when the content of the NASICON filler in the composite polymer reaches 50 wt%. Furthermore, Na3V2(PO4)3/CPE/Na solid-state batteries using this composite electrolyte display good rate and excellent cycle performance.

  17. Tailor-Made Electrospun Multilayer Composite Polymer Electrolytes for High-Performance Lithium Polymer Batteries.

    PubMed

    Lim, Du-Hyun; Haridas, Anupriya K; Figerez, Stelbin Peter; Raghavan, Prasanth; Matic, Aleksandar; Ahn, Jou-Hyeon

    2018-09-01

    A novel tailor-made multilayer composite polymer electrolyte, consisting of two outer layers of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and one inner layer of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) fibrous membrane, was prepared using continuous electrospinning. These membranes, which are made up of fibers with diameters in the nanometer range, were stacked in layers to produce interconnected pores that result in a high porosity. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) were prepared by entrapping a liquid electrolyte (1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate) in the membranes. The composite membranes exhibited a high electrolyte uptake of 450-510%, coupled with an improved room temperature ionic conductivity of up to 4.72 mS cm-1 and a high electrochemical stability of 4.6 V versus Li/Li+. Electrochemical investigations of a composite membrane of PAN-PVAc-PAN, with a LiFePO4 cathode synthesized in-house, showed a high initial discharge capacity of 145 mAh g-1, which corresponds to 85% utilization of the active material, and displayed stable cycle performance.

  18. Formation of anodic layers on InAs (111)III. Study of the chemical composition

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Valisheva, N. A., E-mail: valisheva@thermo.isp.nsc.ru; Tereshchenko, O. E.; Prosvirin, I. P.

    2012-04-15

    The chemical composition of {approx}20-nm-thick anodic layers grown on InAs (111)III in alkaline and acid electrolytes containing or not containing NH{sub 4}F is studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that the composition of fluorinated layers is controlled by the relation between the concentrations of fluorine and hydroxide ions in the electrolyte and by diffusion processes in the growing layer. Fluorine accumulates at the (anodic layer)/InAs interface. Oxidation of InAs in an acid electrolyte with a low oxygen content and a high NH{sub 4}F content brings about the formation of anodic layers with a high content of fluorine andmore » elemental arsenic and the formation of an oxygen-free InF{sub x}/InAs interface. Fluorinated layers grown in an alkaline electrolyte with a high content of O{sup 2-} and/or OH{sup -} groups contain approximately three times less fluorine and consist of indium and arsenic oxyfluorides. No distinction between the compositions of the layers grown in both types of fluorine-free electrolytes is established.« less

  19. A novel design of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with Y 2O 3-doped Bi 2O 3, LaGaO 3 and La-doped CeO 2 trilayer electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Weimin; Liu, Jiang

    Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with a trilayered yttria-doped bismuth oxide (YDB), strontium- and magnesium-doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM) and lanthanum-doped ceria (LDC) composite electrolyte film are developed. The cell with a YDB (18 μm)/LSGM (19 μm)/LDC (13 μm) composite electrolyte film (designated as cell-A) shows the open-circuit voltages (OCVs) slightly higher than that of a cell with an LSGM (31 μm)/LDC (17 μm) electrolyte film (designated as cell-B) in the operating temperature range of 500-700 °C. The cell-A using Ag-YDB composition as cathode exhibits lower polarization resistance and ohmic resistance than those of a cell-B at 700 °C. The results show that the introduction of YDB to an anode-supported SOFC with a LSGM/LDC composite electrolyte film can effectively block electronic transport through the cell and thus increased the OCVs, and can help the cell to achieve higher power output.

  20. Molecular simulations of electrolyte structure and dynamics in lithium-sulfur battery solvents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Chanbum; Kanduč, Matej; Chudoba, Richard; Ronneburg, Arne; Risse, Sebastian; Ballauff, Matthias; Dzubiella, Joachim

    2018-01-01

    The performance of modern lithium-sulfur (Li/S) battery systems critically depends on the electrolyte and solvent compositions. For fundamental molecular insights and rational guidance of experimental developments, efficient and sufficiently accurate molecular simulations are thus in urgent need. Here, we construct a molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulation model of representative state-of-the art electrolyte-solvent systems for Li/S batteries constituted by lithium-bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) and LiNO3 electrolytes in mixtures of the organic solvents 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL). We benchmark and verify our simulations by comparing structural and dynamic features with various available experimental reference systems and demonstrate their applicability for a wide range of electrolyte-solvent compositions. For the state-of-the-art battery solvent, we finally calculate and discuss the detailed composition of the first lithium solvation shell, the temperature dependence of lithium diffusion, as well as the electrolyte conductivities and lithium transference numbers. Our model will serve as a basis for efficient future predictions of electrolyte structure and transport in complex electrode confinements for the optimization of modern Li/S batteries (and related devices).

  1. Optimization of calcium phosphate fine ceramic powders preparation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sezanova, K.; Tepavitcharova, S.; Rabadjieva, D.; Gergulova, R.; Ilieva, R.

    2013-12-01

    The effect of biomimetic synthesis method, reaction medium and further precursor treatments on the chemical and phase composition, crystal size and morphology of calcium phosphates was examined. Nanosized calcium phosphate precursors were biomimetically precipitated by the method of continuous precipitation in three types of reaction media at pH 8: (i) SBF as an inorganic electrolyte system; (ii) organic (glycerine) modified SBF (volume ratio of 1:1); (iii) polymer (10 g/l xanthan gum or 10 g/l guar gum) modified SBF (volume ratio of 1:1). After maturation (24 h) the samples were lyophilized, calcinated at 300°C for 3 hours, and washed with water, followed by new gelation, lyophilization and step-wise (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000°C, each for 3 hours) sintering. The reaction medium influenced the chemical composition and particle size but not the morphology of the calcium phosphate powders. In all studied cases bi-phase calcium phosphate fine powders with well-shaped spherical grains, consisting of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) with a Ca/P ratio of 1.3 - 1.6 were obtained. The SBF modifiers decreased the particle size of the product in the sequence guar gum ˜ xanthan gum < glycerin < SBF medium.

  2. Understanding interaction of curcumin and metal ions on electrode surfaces using EDXRF

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Joseph, Daisy; Kumar, K. Krishna; Narayanan, S. Sriman

    2018-04-01

    A chemically modified electrode was developed for determination of metal ions (Cd, Pb, Zn, Co, Hg). The modifier used for the study was Curcumin. Curcumin acts as a complexing agent at the surface of the electrode for preconcentration of metal ions from electrolyte to electrode surface and stripped back to electrolyte during analysis. EDXRF was used to analyze these electrodes and it was concluded that the PCR modified electrode favored effective chelation for lead and mercury.

  3. High-Performance Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells with Thin-Film Yttrium-Doped Barium Cerate-Zirconate Electrolytes on Compositionally Gradient Anodes.

    PubMed

    Bae, Kiho; Lee, Sewook; Jang, Dong Young; Kim, Hyun Joong; Lee, Hunhyeong; Shin, Dongwook; Son, Ji-Won; Shim, Joon Hyung

    2016-04-13

    In this study, we used a compositionally gradient anode functional layer (AFL) consisting of Ni-BaCe(0.5)Zr(0.35)Y(0.15)O(3-δ) (BCZY) with increasing BCZY contents toward the electrolyte-anode interface for high-performance protonic ceramic fuel cells. It is identified that conventional homogeneous AFLs fail to stably accommodate a thin film of BCZY electrolyte. In contrast, a dense 2 μm thick BCZY electrolyte was successfully deposited onto the proposed gradient AFL with improved adhesion. A fuel cell containing this thin electrolyte showed a promising maximum peak power density of 635 mW cm(-2) at 600 °C, with an open-circuit voltage of over 1 V. Impedance analysis confirmed that minimizing the electrolyte thickness is essential for achieving a high power output, suggesting that the anode structure is important in stably accommodating thin electrolytes.

  4. Manganese oxide electrochemical capacitor with potassium poly(acrylate) hydrogel electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Kuang-Tsin; Wu, Nae-Lih

    An aqueous gel electrolyte has for the first time been successfully applied to the MnO 2· nH 2O-based pseudocapacitive electrochemical capacitors (ECs). The gel electrolyte is made of potassium poly(acrylate) (PAAK) polymer and aqueous solution of KCl. With the selected composition, PAAK:KCl:H 2O = 9.0%:6.7%:84.3% by weight, the gel shows no fluidity, possessing an ionic conductivity in the order of 10 -1 S cm -1. The gel electrolyte has been found to give substantially higher specific capacitances than those in the liquid electrolyte with the same salt (KCl) composition (1 M) and high power capability (>10 kW/kg).

  5. Optimization of neural network for ionic conductivity of nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte system (PEO-LiPF 6-EC-CNT)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johan, Mohd Rafie; Ibrahim, Suriani

    2012-01-01

    In this study, the ionic conductivity of a nanocomposite polymer electrolyte system (PEO-LiPF 6-EC-CNT), which has been produced using solution cast technique, is obtained using artificial neural networks approach. Several results have been recorded from experiments in preparation for the training and testing of the network. In the experiments, polyethylene oxide (PEO), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6), ethylene carbonate (EC) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) are mixed at various ratios to obtain the highest ionic conductivity. The effects of chemical composition and temperature on the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte system are investigated. Electrical tests reveal that the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte system varies with different chemical compositions and temperatures. In neural networks training, different chemical compositions and temperatures are used as inputs and the ionic conductivities of the resultant polymer electrolytes are used as outputs. The experimental data is used to check the system's accuracy following the training process. The neural network is found to be successful for the prediction of ionic conductivity of nanocomposite polymer electrolyte system.

  6. Ionic liquids in lithium battery electrolytes: Composition versus safety and physical properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilken, Susanne; Xiong, Shizhao; Scheers, Johan; Jacobsson, Per; Johansson, Patrik

    2015-02-01

    Ionic liquids have been highlighted as non-flammable, environmentally friendly, and suggested as possible solvents in lithium ion battery electrolytes. Here, the application of two ionic liquids from the EMIm-family in a state-of-the-art carbonate solvent based electrolyte is studied with a focus on safety improvement. The impact of the composition on physical and safety related properties is investigated for IL concentrations of additive (∼5 wt%) up to co-solvent concentrations (∼60 wt%). Furthermore, the role of the lithium salt concentration is separately addressed by studying a set of electrolytes at 0.5 M, 1 M, and 2 M LiPF6 concentrations. A large impact on the electrolyte properties is found for the electrolytes containing EMImTFSI and high salt concentrations. The composition 2 M LiPF6 EC:DEC:IL (1:1:3 wt%) is found non-flammable for both choices of ILs added. The macroscopic observations are complemented by a Raman spectroscopy analysis whereby a change in the Li+ solvation is detected for IL concentrations >4.5 mol%.

  7. Insight into the Capacity Fading Mechanism of Amorphous Se 2 S 5 Confined in Micro/Mesoporous Carbon Matrix in Ether-Based Electrolytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xu, Gui-Liang; Ma, Tianyuan; Sun, Cheng-Jun

    2016-04-13

    In contrast to the stable cycle performance of space confined Se-based cathodes for lithium batteries in carbonate-based electrolytes, their common capacity fading in ether-based electrolytes has been paid less attention and not yet well-addressed so far. In this work, the lithiation/delithiation of amorphous Se2S5 confined in micro/mesoporous carbon (Se2S5/MPC) cathode was investigated by in situ X-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES) and theoretical calculations. The Se2S5/MPC composite was synthesized by a modified vaporization-condensation method to ensure a good encapsulation of Se2S5 into the pores of MPC host. In situ XANES results illustrated that the lithiation/delithiation reversibility of Se component wasmore » gradually decreased in ether-based electrolytes, leading to an aggravated formation of long-chain polyselenides during cycling and further capacity decay. Moreover, ab initio calculations revealed that the binding energy of polyselenides (Li2Sen) with carbon host is in an order of Li2Se6 > Li2Se4 > Li2Se. The insights into the failure mechanism of Se-based cathode gain in this work are expected to serve as a guide for future design on high performance Se-based cathodes.« less

  8. Equilibrium lithium-ion transport between nanocrystalline lithium-inserted anatase TiO2 and the electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Ganapathy, Swapna; van Eck, Ernst R H; Kentgens, Arno P M; Mulder, Fokko M; Wagemaker, Marnix

    2011-12-23

    The power density of lithium-ion batteries requires the fast transfer of ions between the electrode and electrolyte. The achievable power density is directly related to the spontaneous equilibrium exchange of charged lithium ions across the electrolyte/electrode interface. Direct and unique characterization of this charge-transfer process is very difficult if not impossible, and consequently little is known about the solid/liquid ion transfer in lithium-ion-battery materials. Herein we report the direct observation by solid-state NMR spectroscopy of continuous lithium-ion exchange between the promising nanosized anatase TiO(2) electrode material and the electrolyte. Our results reveal that the energy barrier to charge transfer across the electrode/electrolyte interface is equal to or greater than the barrier to lithium-ion diffusion through the solid anatase matrix. The composition of the electrolyte and in turn the solid/electrolyte interface (SEI) has a significant effect on the electrolyte/electrode lithium-ion exchange; this suggests potential improvements in the power of batteries by optimizing the electrolyte composition. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. Robust High-performance Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Based on Ionic Liquid-sulfolane Composite Electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Lau, Genevieve P S; Décoppet, Jean-David; Moehl, Thomas; Zakeeruddin, Shaik M; Grätzel, Michael; Dyson, Paul J

    2015-12-16

    Novel ionic liquid-sulfolane composite electrolytes based on the 1,2,3-triazolium family of ionic liquids were developed for dye-sensitized solar cells. The best performing device exhibited a short-circuit current density of 13.4 mA cm(-2), an open-circuit voltage of 713 mV and a fill factor of 0.65, corresponding to an overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.3%. In addition, these devices are highly stable, retaining more than 95% of the initial device PCE after 1000 hours of light- and heat-stress. These composite electrolytes show great promise for industrial application as they allow for a 14.5% improvement in PCE, compared to the solvent-free eutectic ionic liquid electrolyte system, without compromising device stability.

  10. Extrusion of electrode material by liquid injection into extruder barrel

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Keller, David Gerard; Giovannoni, Richard Thomas; MacFadden, Kenneth Orville

    An electrode sheet product is formed using an extruder having a feed throat and a downstream section by separately mixing an active electrode material and a solid polymer electrolyte composition that contains lithium salt. The active electrode material is fed into the feed throat of the extruder, while a portion of at least one fluid component of the solid polymer electrolyte composition is introduced to the downstream section. The active electrode material and the solid polymer electrolyte composition are compounded in a downstream end of the extruder. The extruded sheets, adhered to current collectors, can be formed into battery cells.

  11. High-performance supercapacitors based on poly(ionic liquid)-modified graphene electrodes.

    PubMed

    Kim, Tae Young; Lee, Hyun Wook; Stoller, Meryl; Dreyer, Daniel R; Bielawski, Christopher W; Ruoff, Rodney S; Suh, Kwang S

    2011-01-25

    We report a high-performance supercapacitor incorporating a poly(ionic liquid)-modified reduced graphene oxide (PIL:RG-O) electrode and an ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte (specifically, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide or EMIM-NTf(2)). PIL:RG-O provides enhanced compatibility with the IL electrolyte, thereby increasing the effective electrode surface area accessible to electrolyte ions. The supercapacitor assembled with PIL:RG-O electrode and EMIM-NTf(2) electrolyte showed a stable electrochemical response up to 3.5 V operating voltage and was capable of yielding a maximum energy density of 6.5 W·h/kg with a power density of 2.4 kW/kg. These results demonstrate the potential of the PIL:RG-O material as an electrode in high-performance supercapacitors.

  12. Electrode effects on temporal changes in electrolyte pH and redox potential for water treatment

    PubMed Central

    Ciblak, Ali; Mao, Xuhui; Padilla, Ingrid; Vesper, Dorothy; Alshawabkeh, Iyad; Alshawabkeh, Akram N.

    2012-01-01

    The performance of electrochemical remediation methods could be optimized by controlling the physicochemical conditions of the electrochemical redox system. The effects of anode type (reactive or inert), current density and electrolyte composition on the temporal changes in pH and redox potential of the electrolyte were evaluated in divided and mixed electrolytes. Two types of electrodes were used: iron as a reactive electrode and mixed metal oxide coated titanium (MMO) as an inert electrode. Electric currents of 15, 30, 45 and 60 mA (37.5 mA L−1, 75 mA L−1, 112.5 mA L−1 and 150 mA L−1) were applied. Solutions of NaCl, Na2SO4 and NaHCO3 were selected to mimic different wastewater or groundwater composition. Iron anodes resulted in highly reducing electrolyte conditions compared to inert anodes. Electrolyte pH was dependent on electrode type, electrolyte composition and current density. The pH of mixed-electrolyte was stable when MMO electrodes were used. When iron electrodes were used, the pH of electrolyte with relatively low current density (37.5 mA L−1) did not show significant changes but the pH increased sharply for relatively high current density (150 mA L−1). Sulfate solution showed more basic and relatively more reducing electrolyte condition compared to bicarbonate and chloride solution. The study shows that a highly reducing environment could be achieved using iron anodes in divided or mixed electrolytes and the pH and redox potential could be optimized by using appropriate current and polarity reversal. PMID:22416866

  13. Oxide-Based Composite Electrolytes Using Na3Zr2Si2PO12/Na3PS4 Interfacial Ion Transfer.

    PubMed

    Noi, Kousuke; Nagata, Yuka; Hakari, Takashi; Suzuki, Kenji; Yubuchi, So; Ito, Yusuke; Sakuda, Atsushi; Hayashi, Akitoshi; Tatsumisago, Masahiro

    2018-05-31

    All-solid-state sodium batteries using Na 3 Zr 2 Si 2 PO 12 (NASICON) solid electrolytes are promising candidates for safe and low-cost advanced rechargeable battery systems. Although NASICON electrolytes have intrinsically high sodium-ion conductivities, their high sintering temperatures interfere with the immediate development of high-performance batteries. In this work, sintering-free NASICON-based composites with Na 3 PS 4 (NPS) glass ceramics were prepared to combine the high grain-bulk conductivity of NASICON and the interfacial formation ability of NPS. Before the composite preparation, the NASICON/NPS interfacial resistance was investigated by modeling the interface between the NASICON sintered ceramic and the NPS glass thin film. The interfacial ion-transfer resistance was very small above room temperature; the area-specific resistances at 25 and 100 °C were 15.8 and 0.40 Ω cm 2 , respectively. On the basis of this smooth ion transfer, NASICON-rich (70-90 wt %) NASICON-NPS composite powders were prepared by ball-milling fine powders of each component. The composite powders were well-densified by pressing at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed highly dispersed sub-micrometer NASICON grains in a dense NPS matrix to form closed interfaces between the oxide and sulfide solid electrolytes. The composite green (unfired) compacts with 70 and 80 wt % NASICON exhibited high total conductivities at 100 °C of 1.1 × 10 -3 and 6.8 × 10 -4 S cm -1 , respectively. An all-solid-state Na 15 Sn 4 /TiS 2 cell was constructed using the 70 wt % NASICON composite electrolyte by the uniaxial pressing of the powder materials, and its discharge properties were evaluated at 100 °C. The cell showed the reversible capacities of about 120 mAh g -1 under the current density of 640 μA cm -2 . The prepared oxide-based composite electrolytes were thus successfully applied in all-solid-state sodium rechargeable batteries without sintering.

  14. Molten salt electrolyte separator

    DOEpatents

    Kaun, Thomas D.

    1996-01-01

    A molten salt electrolyte/separator for battery and related electrochemical systems including a molten electrolyte composition and an electrically insulating solid salt dispersed therein, to provide improved performance at higher current densities and alternate designs through ease of fabrication.

  15. Conductivity and Thermal Studies on Plasticized Nano-Composite Solid Polymer Electrolyte, Peo: Ec: LiTf: Al2O3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pitawala, H. M. J. C.; Dissanayake, M. A. K. L.; Seneviratne, V. A.

    2006-06-01

    Poly (ethylene oxide)-(PEO)-based composite polymer electrolytes are of great interest for solid-state-electrochemical devices. This paper presents the results of a preliminary study on electrical conductivity and thermal behavior (DSC) of composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) containing PEO: LiCF3SO3 complexed with plasticizer (EC) and incorporating nano-sized particles of the ceramic filler Al2O3. Ionic conductivity enhancement in these electrolytes has been obtained by optimizing the combined effect of the plasticizer and the ceramic filler. Nano-composite, plasticized polymer electrolyte films (400-600μm) were prepared by common solvent casting method. It was revealed that the presence of the Al2O3 filler in PEO: LiTf polymer electrolyte significantly enhanced the ionic conductivity in the temperature range of interest, giving the maximum conductivity for (PEO)9LiTf+15 wt.% Al2O3 CPE [σRT (max)=2×10-5 S cm-1]. It was also observed that the addition of plasticizer (EC) to this electrolyte up to a concentration of 50 wt. % EC, showed a further conductivity enhancement [σRT (max) = 1.5×10-4 S cm-1]. It is suggested that the conductivity is enhanced mainly by two mechanisms. The plasticizer (EC) would directly contribute by reducing the crystallinity and increasing the amorphous phase content of the polymer electrolytes. The ceramic filler (Al2O3) would contribute to conductivity enhancement by creating additional sites to migrating ionic species through transient bonding with O/OH groups in the filler surface. The decrease of Tg values of plasticized CPE systems seen in the DSC thermograms points towards the improved segmental flexibility of polymer chains, increasing the mobility of conducting ions.

  16. Composite electrolyte with proton conductivity for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Raza, Rizwan, E-mail: razahussaini786@gmail.com; Department of Energy Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Stockholm 10044; Ahmed, Akhlaq

    In the present work, cost-effective nanocomposite electrolyte (Ba-SDC) oxide is developed for efficient low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LTSOFCs). Analysis has shown that dual phase conduction of O{sup −2} (oxygen ions) and H{sup +} (protons) plays a significant role in the development of advanced LTSOFCs. Comparatively high proton ion conductivity (0.19 s/cm) for LTSOFCs was achieved at low temperature (460 °C). In this article, the ionic conduction behaviour of LTSOFCs is explained by carrying out electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Further, the phase and structure analysis are investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Finally, we achieved an ionic transport numbermore » of the composite electrolyte for LTSOFCs as high as 0.95 and energy and power density of 90% and 550 mW/cm{sup 2}, respectively, after sintering the composite electrolyte at 800 °C for 4 h, which is promising. Our current effort toward the development of an efficient, green, low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell with the incorporation of high proton conductivity composite electrolyte may open frontiers in the fields of energy and fuel cell technology.« less

  17. High conducting oxide--sulfide composite lithium superionic conductor

    DOEpatents

    Liang, Chengdu; Rangasamy, Ezhiylmurugan; Dudney, Nancy J.; Keum, Jong Kahk; Rondinone, Adam Justin

    2017-01-17

    A solid electrolyte for a lithium-sulfur battery includes particles of a lithium ion conducting oxide composition embedded within a lithium ion conducting sulfide composition. The lithium ion conducting oxide composition can be Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12 (LLZO). The lithium ion conducting sulfide composition can be .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 (LPS). A lithium ion battery and a method of making a solid electrolyte for a lithium ion battery are also disclosed.

  18. Low-cost shape-control synthesis of porous carbon film on β″-alumina ceramics for Na-based battery application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Yingying; Wen, Zhaoyin; Wu, Xiangwei; Jin, Jun

    2012-12-01

    Porous carbon films with tunable pore structure to modify the β″-alumina electrolyte surface are fabricated through a low-cost and direct wet chemistry method with glucose and poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) as precursors. FTIR analysis confirms the effective connection between the carbohydrate and the pore-forming agent PMMA through hydrogen bonds. The experimental results indicate that the structural parameters of the porous carbon films, including mean pore size and film thickness, can be tuned simply by adjusting the amount of PMMA in the glucose/PMMA composite. This soft-template-assisted method could be readily extended to modify any other ceramic surfaces. The porous carbon films are demonstrated to greatly improve the wettability of the β″-alumina ceramics by molten sodium. Na/β″-alumina/Na cells are used to investigate the interfacial properties between sodium and the β″-alumina electrolyte. The results obtained at 350 °C reveal that the polarization behavior of the cell is alleviated by the porous coating. This work represents a successful method to coat ceramics with porous carbon and offers a promising solution to overcome the polarization problems of the sodium/β″-alumina interface in Na-based batteries.

  19. Investigation on the interface between Li10GeP2S12 electrolyte and carbon conductive agents in all-solid-state lithium battery.

    PubMed

    Yoon, Kyungho; Kim, Jung-Joon; Seong, Won Mo; Lee, Myeong Hwan; Kang, Kisuk

    2018-05-23

    All-solid-state batteries are considered as one of the attractive alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, due to their intrinsic safe properties benefiting from the use of non-flammable solid electrolytes in ASSBs. However, one of the issues in employing the solid-state electrolyte is the sluggish ion transport kinetics arising from the chemical and physical instability of the interfaces among solid components including electrode material, electrolyte and additive agents. In this work, we investigate the stability of the interface between carbon conductive agents and Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 in a composite cathode and its effect on the electrochemical performance of ASSBs. It is found that the inclusion of various carbon conductive agents in composite cathode leads to inferior kinetic performance of the cathode despite expectedly enhanced electrical conductivity of the composite. We observe that the poor kinetic performance is attributed to a large interfacial impedance which is gradually developed upon the inclusions of the various carbon conductive agents regardless of their physical differences. The analysis through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy suggests that the carbon additives in the composite cathode stimulate the electrochemical decomposition of LGPS electrolyte degrading its surface during cycling, indicating the large interfacial resistance stems from the undesirable decomposition of the electrolyte at the interface.

  20. Chemical modification of electrolytes for lithium batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Afanas'ev, Vladimir N.; Grechin, Aleksandr G.

    2002-09-01

    Modern approaches to modifying chemically electrolytes for lithium batteries are analysed with the aim of optimising the charge-transfer processes in liquid-phase and solid (polymeric) media. The main regularities of transport properties of lithium electrolyte solutions containing complex (encapsulated) ions in aprotic solvents and polymers are discussed. The prospects for the development of electrolytic solvosystems with the chain (ionotropic) mechanism of conduction with respect to lithium ions are outlined. The bibliography includes 126 references.

  1. Usage of Neural Network to Predict Aluminium Oxide Layer Thickness

    PubMed Central

    Michal, Peter; Vagaská, Alena; Gombár, Miroslav; Kmec, Ján; Spišák, Emil; Kučerka, Daniel

    2015-01-01

    This paper shows an influence of chemical composition of used electrolyte, such as amount of sulphuric acid in electrolyte, amount of aluminium cations in electrolyte and amount of oxalic acid in electrolyte, and operating parameters of process of anodic oxidation of aluminium such as the temperature of electrolyte, anodizing time, and voltage applied during anodizing process. The paper shows the influence of those parameters on the resulting thickness of aluminium oxide layer. The impact of these variables is shown by using central composite design of experiment for six factors (amount of sulphuric acid, amount of oxalic acid, amount of aluminium cations, electrolyte temperature, anodizing time, and applied voltage) and by usage of the cubic neural unit with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm during the results evaluation. The paper also deals with current densities of 1 A·dm−2 and 3 A·dm−2 for creating aluminium oxide layer. PMID:25922850

  2. Usage of neural network to predict aluminium oxide layer thickness.

    PubMed

    Michal, Peter; Vagaská, Alena; Gombár, Miroslav; Kmec, Ján; Spišák, Emil; Kučerka, Daniel

    2015-01-01

    This paper shows an influence of chemical composition of used electrolyte, such as amount of sulphuric acid in electrolyte, amount of aluminium cations in electrolyte and amount of oxalic acid in electrolyte, and operating parameters of process of anodic oxidation of aluminium such as the temperature of electrolyte, anodizing time, and voltage applied during anodizing process. The paper shows the influence of those parameters on the resulting thickness of aluminium oxide layer. The impact of these variables is shown by using central composite design of experiment for six factors (amount of sulphuric acid, amount of oxalic acid, amount of aluminium cations, electrolyte temperature, anodizing time, and applied voltage) and by usage of the cubic neural unit with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm during the results evaluation. The paper also deals with current densities of 1 A · dm(-2) and 3 A · dm(-2) for creating aluminium oxide layer.

  3. Effect of long-term hypokinesia on the electrolytic composition of the blood in patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zakutaeva, V. P.

    1980-01-01

    Seventy-six patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis were divided into two groups, one of which was required to maintain strict bed rest and the other of which was allowed unrestricted motor activity. A study of blood electrolyte composition in the two groups revealed that bed rest for these patients results in decreased plasma potassium calcium, and magnesium content, but that these indices improved after the patients were allowed to move freely. The study suggests that patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis who are on bed rest be carefully observed for alterations in blood electrolytes and that proper electrolyte balance be maintained.

  4. Extrusion of electrode material by liquid injection into extruder barrel

    DOEpatents

    Keller, D.G.; Giovannoni, R.T.; MacFadden, K.O.

    1998-03-10

    An electrode sheet product is formed using an extruder having a feed throat and a downstream section by separately mixing an active electrode material and a solid polymer electrolyte composition that contains lithium salt. The active electrode material is fed into the feed throat of the extruder, while a portion of at least one fluid component of the solid polymer electrolyte composition is introduced to the downstream section. The active electrode material and the solid polymer electrolyte composition are compounded in a downstream end of the extruder. The extruded sheets, adhered to current collectors, can be formed into battery cells. 1 fig.

  5. Extrusion of electrode material by liquid injection into extruder barrel

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Keller, D.G.; Giovannoni, R.T.; MacFadden, K.O.

    An electrode sheet product is formed using an extruder having a feed throat and a downstream section by separately mixing an active electrode material and a solid polymer electrolyte composition that contains lithium salt. The active electrode material is fed into the feed throat of the extruder, while a portion of at least one fluid component of the solid polymer electrolyte composition is introduced to the downstream section. The active electrode material and the solid polymer electrolyte composition are compounded in a downstream end of the extruder. The extruded sheets, adhered to current collectors, can be formed into battery cells.more » 1 fig.« less

  6. Energy balance and the composition of weight loss during prolonged space flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leonard, J. I.

    1982-01-01

    Integrated metabolic balance analysis, Skylab integrated metabolic balance analysis and computer simulation of fluid-electrolyte responses to zero-g, overall mission weight and tissue losses, energy balance, diet and exercise, continuous changes, electrolyte losses, caloric and exercise requirements, and body composition are discussed.

  7. Novel thixotropic gel electrolytes based on dicationic bis-imidazolium salts for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Jun Young; Kim, Tae Ho; Kim, Dong Young; Park, Nam-Gyu; Ahn, Kwang-Duk

    Novel thixotropic gel electrolytes have been successfully prepared by utilizing oligomeric poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based bis-imidazolium diiodide salts and hydrophilic silica nanoparticles for application in quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The thixotropic gel-state of the ionic liquid-based composite electrolytes is confirmed by observing the typical hysteresis loop and temporary hydrogen bonding. On using the PEO-based composite electrolyte, a quasi-solid-state DSSC exhibited highly improved properties such as easy penetration of the electrolyte into the cell without leakage, long-term stability, high open-circuit voltage without the use of 4- tert-butylpyridine, and a high energy-conversion efficiency of 5.25% under AM 1.5 illumination (100 mW cm -2).

  8. Effects of electrode distance and nature of electrolyte on the diameter of titanium dioxide nanotube

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Abbasi, S., E-mail: sum.abbasi@gmail.com; Mohamed, N. M., E-mail: noranimuti-mohamed@petronas.com.my; Singh, B. S. M., E-mail: balbir@petronas.com.my

    2015-07-22

    The titanium nanotubes were synthesized using viscous electrolytes consisting of ethylene glycol and non-viscous electrolytes consisting of aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid. Sodium fluoride and ammonium fluoride were utilized as the source of fluorine ions. The samples were then characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Their morphologies were investigated under different anodic potentials and various electrolyte compositions. It was found out that nanotubes can be obtained in fluoride ions and morphology is dependent on various parameters like anodic potential, time, electrolyte composition and the effects by varying the distance between the electrodes on the morphology was also investigated.more » It was found that by altering the distance between the electrodes, change in the diameter and the porosity was observed.« less

  9. Influence of chemical composition of zirconium alloy E110 on embrittlement under LOCA conditions - Part 1: Oxidation kinetics and macrocharacteristics of structure and fracture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nikulin, S. A.; Rozhnov, A. B.; Belov, V. A.; Li, E. V.; Glazkina, V. S.

    2011-11-01

    Exploratory investigations of the influence of alloying and impurity content in the E110 alloy cladding tubes on the behavior under conditions of Loss of Coolant Accidents (LOCA) has been performed. Three alloys of E110 type have been tested: E110 alloy of nominal composition Zr-1%Nb (E110), E110 alloy of modified composition Zr-1%Nb-0.12%Fe-0.13%O (E110M), E110 alloy of nominal composition Zr-1%Nb with reduced impurity content (E110G). Alloys E110 and E110M were manufactured on the electrolytic basis and alloy E110G was manufactured on the basis of zirconium sponge. The high temperature oxidation tests in steam ( T = 1100 °C, 18% of equivalent cladding reacted (ECR)) have been conducted, kinetics of oxidation was investigated. Quantitative research of structure and fracture macrocharacteristics was performed by means of optical and electron microscopy. The results received were compared with the residual ductility of specimens. The results of the investigation showed the existence of "breakaway oxidation" kinetics and white spalling oxide in E110 and E110M alloys while the specimen oxidation kinetics in E110G alloy was characterized by a parabolic law and specimens had a dense black oxide. Oxygen and iron alloying in the E110 alloy positively changed the macrocharacteristics of structure and fracture. However, in general, it did not improve the resistance to embrittlement in LOCA conditions apparently because of a strong impurity influence caused by electrolytic process of zirconium production.

  10. Present status of solid state photoelectrochemical solar cells and dye sensitized solar cells using PEO-based polymer electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Pramod Kumar; Nagarale, R. K.; Pandey, S. P.; Rhee, H. W.; Bhattacharya, Bhaskar

    2011-06-01

    Due to energy crises in the future, much effort is being directed towards alternate sources. Solar energy is accepted as a novel substitute for conventional sources of energy. Out of the long list of various types of solar cells available on the market, solid state photoelectrochemical solar cells (SSPECs) and dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are proposed as an alternative to costly crystalline solar cell. This review provides a common platform for SSPECs and DSSCs using polymer electrolyte, particularly on polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based polymer electrolytes. Due to numerous advantageous properties of PEO, it is frequently used as an electrolyte in both SSPECs as well as DSSCs. In DSSCs, so far high efficiency (more than 11%) has been obtained only by using volatile liquid electrolyte, which suffers many disadvantages, such as corrosion, leakage and evaporation. The PEO-based solid polymer proves its importance and could be used to solve the problems stated above. The recent developments in SSPECs and DSSCs using modified PEO electrolytes by adding nano size inorganic fillers, blending with low molecular weight polymers and ionic liquid (IL) are discussed in detail. The role of ionic liquid in modifying the electrical, structural and photoelectrochemical properties of PEO polymer electrolytes is also described.

  11. Ion conducting fluoropolymer carbonates for alkali metal ion batteries

    DOEpatents

    DeSimone, Joseph M.; Pandya, Ashish; Wong, Dominica; Balsara, Nitash P.; Thelen, Jacob; Devaux, Didier

    2017-09-05

    Liquid or solid electrolyte compositions are described that comprise a homogeneous solvent system and an alkali metal salt dissolved in said solvent system. The solvent system may comprise a fluoropolymer, having one or two terminal carbonate groups covalently coupled thereto. Batteries containing such electrolyte compositions are also described.

  12. Electrolytes for Wide Operating Temperature Lithium-Ion Cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smart, Marshall C. (Inventor); Bugga, Ratnakumar V. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.

  13. Molten salt electrolyte separator

    DOEpatents

    Kaun, T.D.

    1996-07-09

    The patent describes a molten salt electrolyte/separator for battery and related electrochemical systems including a molten electrolyte composition and an electrically insulating solid salt dispersed therein, to provide improved performance at higher current densities and alternate designs through ease of fabrication. 5 figs.

  14. Unique battery with a multi-functional, physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode monolith and a method making the same

    DOEpatents

    Gerald, II, Rex E; Ruscic, Katarina J; Sears, Devin N; Smith, Luis J; Klinger, Robert J; Rathke, Jerome W

    2013-11-26

    The invention relates to a unique battery having a physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode monolith and method of making the same. The Applicant's invented battery employs a physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode that acts as a separator, electrolyte, and electrode, within the same monolithic structure. The chemical composition, physical arrangement of molecules, and physical geometry of the pores play a role in the sequestration and conduction of ions. In one preferred embodiment, ions are transported via the ion-hoping mechanism where the oxygens of the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 wall are available for positive ion coordination (i.e. Li.sup.+). This active membrane-electrode composite can be adjusted to a desired level of ion conductivity by manipulating the chemical composition and structure of the pore wall to either increase or decrease ion conduction.

  15. Unique battery with a multi-functional, physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode monolith and a method making the same

    DOEpatents

    Gerald II, Rex E.; Ruscic, Katarina J.; Sears, Devin N.; Smith, Luis J.; Klingler, Robert J.; Rathke, Jerome W.

    2012-07-24

    The invention relates to a unique battery having a physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode monolith and method of making the same. The Applicant's invented battery employs a physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode that acts as a separator, electrolyte, and electrode, within the same monolithic structure. The chemical composition, physical arrangement of molecules, and physical geometry of the pores play a role in the sequestration and conduction of ions. In one preferred embodiment, ions are transported via the ion-hoping mechanism where the oxygens of the Al2O3 wall are available for positive ion coordination (i.e. Li+). This active membrane-electrode composite can be adjusted to a desired level of ion conductivity by manipulating the chemical composition and structure of the pore wall to either increase or decrease ion conduction.

  16. Model forecasting of phase composition of electrolytic alloys Co-Ni-Mn (part 1)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmidt, V. V.; Zhikhareva, I. G.

    2018-03-01

    With the help of four criteria for phase formation, a model forecasting of the phase composition of electrolytic alloy Co-Ni-Mn was carried out; the expected phases were calculated. The boundaries of the chemical content of the metal-solvent (Co) in these phases are determined, depending on the ratio of metal ions in the electrolyte of deposition. Model forecasting of the phase composition of Co-Ni-Mn alloys makes it possible to predict the type and number of Co phases (hexagonal close-packed - HCP-α-Co, face-centered cubic - FCC-β-Co) depending on the mole fraction of the solvent metal (Co). In the first approximation, the forecast allows one to determine the phase and chemical composition of the coating, which corresponds to the specified operational properties.

  17. Frequency-dependent learning achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, W. S.; Zeng, F.; Lu, S. H.; Liu, A.; Li, X. J.; Pan, F.

    2015-10-01

    Frequency-dependent learning has been achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells. The cells composed of polymer/electrolyte double layers realized the conventional spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) learning model. These cells responded to depression upon low-frequency stimulation and to potentiation upon high-frequency stimulation and presented long-term memory. The transition threshold θm from depression to potentiation varied depending on the previous stimulations. A nanostructure resembling a bio-synapse in its transport passages was demonstrated and a random channel model was proposed to describe the ionic kinetics at the polymer/electrolyte interface during and after stimulations with various frequencies, accounting for the observed SRDP.Frequency-dependent learning has been achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells. The cells composed of polymer/electrolyte double layers realized the conventional spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) learning model. These cells responded to depression upon low-frequency stimulation and to potentiation upon high-frequency stimulation and presented long-term memory. The transition threshold θm from depression to potentiation varied depending on the previous stimulations. A nanostructure resembling a bio-synapse in its transport passages was demonstrated and a random channel model was proposed to describe the ionic kinetics at the polymer/electrolyte interface during and after stimulations with various frequencies, accounting for the observed SRDP. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02891d

  18. In situ engineering of the electrode-electrolyte interface for stabilized overlithiated cathodes

    DOE PAGES

    Evans, Tyler; Piper, Daniela Molina; Sun, Huaxing; ...

    2017-01-05

    Here, the first-ever demonstration of stabilized Si/lithium-manganese-rich full cells, capable of retaining >90% energy over early cycling and >90% capacity over more than 750 cycles at the 1C rate (100% depth-of-discharge), is made through the utilization of a modified ionic liquid electrolyte capable of forming a favorable cathode-electrolyte interface.

  19. Monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells based on graphene-modified mesoscopic carbon-counter electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rong, Yaoguang; Han, Hongwei

    2013-01-01

    A monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on graphene-modified mesoscopic carbon-counter electrode is developed. A TiO2-working electrode layer, ZrO2 spacer layer, and carbon counter electrode layer were constructed on a single conducting glass substrate by screen printing. The quasi-solid-state polymer gel electrolyte employed a polymer composite as the gelator, and effectively infiltrated the porous layers. Fabricated with normal carbon-counter electrode (NC-CE) containing graphite and carbon black, the DSSC had a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.09% with the fill factor of 0.63 at 100 mW cm-2 AM1.5 illumination. When the NC-CE was modified with graphene sheets, the PCE and fill factor were enhanced to 6.27% and 0.71, respectively. This improvement indicates excellent conductivity and high electrocatalytic activity of the graphene sheets, which have been considered as a promising platinum-free electrode material for DSSCs.

  20. Composite Electrolyte Membranes from Partially Fluorinated Polymer and Hyperbranched, Sulfonated Polysulfone

    PubMed Central

    Subianto, Surya; Roy Choudhury, Namita; Dutta, Naba

    2013-01-01

    Macromolecular modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF) was done with various proportions of sulfonic acid terminated, hyperbranched polysulfone (HPSU) with a view to prepare ion conducting membranes. The PVDF-co-HFP was first chemically modified by dehydrofluorination and chlorosulfonation in order to make the membrane more hydrophilic as well as to introduce unsaturation, which would allow crosslinking of the PVDF-co-HFP matrix to improve the stability of the membrane. The modified samples were characterized for ion exchange capacity, morphology, and performance. The HPSU modified S-PVDF membrane shows good stability and ionic conductivity of 5.1 mS cm−1 at 80 °C and 100% RH for blends containing 20% HPSU, which is higher than the literature values for equivalent blend membranes using Nafion. SEM analysis of the blend membranes containing 15% or more HPSU shows the presence of spherical domains with a size range of 300–800 nm within the membranes, which are believed to be the HPSU-rich area. PMID:28348282

  1. Low temperature sulfur and sodium metal battery for grid-scale energy storage application

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu, Gao; Wang, Dongdong

    A re-chargeable battery comprising a non-dendrite forming sodium (Na)/potassium (K) liquid metal alloy anode, a sulfur and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) conductive polymer composite cathode, a polyethyleneoxide (PEO) solid electrolyte, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formed on the PEO solid electrolyte; and a cell housing, wherein the anode, cathode, and electrolyte are assembled into the cell housing with the PEO solid electrolyte disposed between the cathode and anode.

  2. Optimization of Pore Structure of Cathodic Carbon Supports for Solvate Ionic Liquid Electrolytes Based Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shiguo; Ikoma, Ai; Li, Zhe; Ueno, Kazuhide; Ma, Xiaofeng; Dokko, Kaoru; Watanabe, Masayoshi

    2016-10-04

    Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are a promising energy-storage technology owing to their high theoretical capacity and energy density. However, their practical application remains a challenge because of the serve shuttle effect caused by the dissolution of polysulfides in common organic electrolytes. Polysulfide-insoluble electrolytes, such as solvate ionic liquids (ILs), have recently emerged as alternative candidates and shown great potential in suppressing the shuttle effect and improving the cycle stability of Li-S batteries. Redox electrochemical reactions in polysulfide-insoluble electrolytes occur via a solid-state process at the interphase between the electrolyte and the composite cathode; therefore, creating an appropriate interface between sulfur and a carbon support is of great importance. Nevertheless, the porous carbon supports established for conventional organic electrolytes may not be suitable for polysulfide-insoluble electrolytes. In this work, we investigated the effect of the porous structure of carbon materials on the Li-S battery performance in polysulfide-insoluble electrolytes using solvate ILs as a model electrolyte. We determined that the pore volume (rather than the surface area) exerts a major influence on the discharge capacity of S composite cathodes. In particular, inverse opal carbons with three-dimensionally ordered interconnected macropores and a large pore volume deliver the highest discharge capacity. The battery performance in both polysulfide-soluble electrolytes and solvate ILs was used to study the effect of electrolytes. We propose a plausible mechanism to explain the different porous structure requirements in polysulfide-soluble and polysulfide-insoluble electrolytes.

  3. Highly conductive electrolyte composites containing glass and ceramic, and method of manufacture

    DOEpatents

    Hash, M.C.; Bloom, I.D.

    1992-10-13

    An electrolyte composite is manufactured by pressurizing a mixture of sodium ion conductive glass and an ionically conductive compound at between 12,000 and 24,000 pounds per square inch to produce a pellet. The resulting pellet is then sintered at relatively lower temperatures (800--1200 C), for example 1000 C, than are typically required (1400 C) when fabricating single constituent ceramic electrolytes. The resultant composite is 100 percent conductive at 250 C with conductivity values of 2.5 to 4[times]10[sup [minus]2](ohm-cm)[sup [minus]1]. The matrix exhibits chemical stability against sodium for 100 hours at 250 to 300 C. 1 figure.

  4. Highly conductive electrolyte composites containing glass and ceramic, and method of manufacture

    DOEpatents

    Hash, Mark C.; Bloom, Ira D.

    1992-01-01

    An electrolyte composite is manufactured by pressurizing a mixture of sodium ion conductive glass and an ionically conductive compound at between 12,000 and 24,000 pounds per square inch to produce a pellet. The resulting pellet is then sintered at relatively lower temperatures (800.degree. C.-1200.degree. C.), for example 1000.degree. C., than are typically required (1400.degree. C.) when fabricating single constituent ceramic electrolytes. The resultant composite is 100 percent conductive at 250.degree. C. with conductivity values of 2.5 to 4.times.10.sup.-2 (ohm-cm).sup.-1. The matrix exhibits chemical stability against sodium for 100 hours at 250.degree. to 300.degree. C.

  5. Apatite grown in niobium by two-step plasma electrolytic oxidation.

    PubMed

    Pereira, Bruno Leandro; Lepienski, Carlos Maurício; Mazzaro, Irineu; Kuromoto, Neide Kazue

    2017-08-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of niobium plates were done electrochemically in two steps with electrolytes containing phosphorous and calcium being observed the formation of crystalline apatite. All samples were submitted to a first step of PEO using an electrolyte containing phosphate ions. The second oxidization step was made using three different electrolytes. Some samples were oxidized by PEO in electrolyte containing calcium, while in other samples it was used two mixtures of phosphoric acid and calcium acetate monohydrate solutions. Three different surface layers were obtained. The morphology and chemical composition of the films were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) respectively. It was observed that all samples submitted to two-step oxidation shown porous surface and a calcium and phosphorus rich layer. Average surface roughness (Ra) was measured by a profilometer remaining in the sub-micrometric range. The contact angle by sessile drop technique, using 1μL of distilled water was performed with an optical goniometer. It was verified a higher hydrophilicity in all surfaces compared to the polished niobium. Orthorhombic Nb 2 O 5 was identified by XRD in the oxide layer. Crystalline apatite was identified by XRD in surfaces after the second oxidation made with the Ca-rich electrolyte and a mixture of an electrolyte richer in Ca compared to P. These results indicate that a two-step oxidized niobium surface present great features for applications in the osseointegration processes: favorable chemical composition that increase the biocompatibility, the formation of crystalline niobium pentoxide (orthorhombic), high hydrophilicity and formation of crystalline calcium phosphate (apatite) under adequate electrolyte composition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on organic dopant incorporated PVDF-HFP/PEO polymer blend electrolyte with g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} photoanode

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Senthil, R.A.; Theerthagiri, J.; Madhavan, J., E-mail: jagan.madhavan@gmail.com

    This work describes the effect of 2-aminopyrimidine (2-APY) on poly(vinylidinefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend polymer electrolyte along with binary iodide salts (tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) and potassium iodide (KI)) and iodine (I{sub 2}) were studied for enhancing the efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) consisting of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composite as photoanode. The g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} was synthesized from low cost urea by thermal condensation method. It was used as a precursor to synthesize the various weight percentage ratios (5%, 10% and 15%) of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composites by wet-impregnation method. The pure and 2-APY incorporated PVDF-HFP/PEO polymermore » blend electrolytes were arranged by wet chemical process (casting method) using DMF as a solvent. The synthesized g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composites and polymer blend electrolytes were studied and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ionic conductivity values of the pure and 2-APY incorporated PVDF-HFP/PEO blend electrolytes were estimated to be 4.53×10{sup −5} and 1.87×10{sup −4} Scm{sup −1} respectively. The UV–vis absorption spectroscopy was carried out for the pure and different wt% of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composites coated FTO films after N3 dye-sensitization. The 10 wt% g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composite film showed a maximum absorption compared to the others. The DSSC assembled with 10 wt% g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} as photoanode using the pure polymer blend electrolyte exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.17% , which was superior than that of DSSC based pure TiO{sub 2} (2.46%). However, the PCE was increased to 4.73% for the DSSC assembled using 10 wt% g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} as photoanode with 2-APY incorporated polymer blend electrolyte. Hence, the present study is a successful attempt to provide a new pathway to enhance the performance of DSSCs. - Graphical abstract: In this study, the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} was synthesized from low cost urea and it was used as a precursor to synthesize of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composite. The pure and 2-APY incorporated PVDF-HFP/PEO electrolytes were fabricated by solution casting method. A remarkably enhanced PCE of 4.73% was observed for 2-APY incorporated PVDF-HFP/PEO electrolyte with g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composite photoanode based DSSC. - Highlights: • 2-APY added PVDF-HFP/PEO electrolyte was prepared by solution casting method. • The g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} composites were synthesized by wet-impregnation method. • DSSC with g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/TiO{sub 2} and 2-APY added electrolyte showed the efficiency of 4.73 %. • The g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} and 2-APY can be a useful dopant to enhance the performance of DSSCs.« less

  7. Quantitative MAS NMR characterization of the LiMn(1/2)Ni(1/2)O(2) electrode/electrolyte interphase.

    PubMed

    Cuisinier, M; Martin, J F; Moreau, P; Epicier, T; Kanno, R; Guyomard, D; Dupré, N

    2012-04-01

    The conditions in which degradation processes at the positive electrode/electrolyte interface occur are still incompletely understood and traditional surface analytical techniques struggle to characterize and depict accurately interfacial films. In the present work, information on the growth and evolution of the interphases upon storage and cycling as well as their electrochemical consequences are gathered in the case of LiNi(1/2)Mn(1/2)O(2) with commonly used LiPF(6) (1M in EC/DMC) electrolyte. The use of (7)Li, (19)F and (31)P MAS NMR, made quantitative through the implementation of empirical calibration, is combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to probe the elements involved in surface species and to unravel the inhomogenous architecture of the interphase. At room temperature, contact with the electrolyte leads to a covering of the oxide surface first by LiF and lithiated organic species are found on the outer part of the interphase. At 55°C, not only the interphase proceeds in further covering of the surface but also thickens resulting in an increase of 240% of lithiated species and the presence of -POF(2) fluorophosphates. The composition gradient within the interphase depth is also strongly affected by the temperature. In agreement with the electrochemical performance, quantitative NMR surface analyses show that the use of LiBOB-modified electrolyte results in a Li-enriched interphase, intrinsically less resistive than the standard LiPF(6)-based interphase, comprised of a mixture of resistive LiF with non lithiated species. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Improved sensitivity by post-column chemical environment modification of CE-ESI-MS using a flow-through microvial interface.

    PubMed

    Risley, Jessica May; Chen, David Da Yong

    2017-06-01

    Post-column chemical environment modification can affect detection sensitivity and signal appearance when capillary electrophoresis is coupled through electrospray ionization to mass spectrometry (CE-ESI-MS). In this study, changes in the signal intensity and peak shape of N-Acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) were examined when the modifier solution used in a flow-through microvial interface for CE-ESI-MS was prepared using an acidic or basic background electrolyte (BGE) composition. The use of a basic modifier resulted in improved detection compared to the results obtained when an acidic modifier was used in negative ion mode. Increased sensitivity and more symmetrical peak shape were obtained. Using an acidic modifier, the LOD of Neu5Ac was 47.7 nM, whereas for a basic modifier, the LOD of Neu5Ac was 5.20 nM. The calculated asymmetry factor at 100 nM of Neu5Ac ranged from 0.71 to 1.5 when an acidic modifier was used, while the factor ranged from 1.0 to 1.1 when a basic modifier was used. Properly chosen post-column chemical modification can have a significant effect on the performance of the CE-MS system. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. Oxygen solubility and transport in Li–air battery electrolytes: Establishing criteria and strategies for electrolyte design

    DOE PAGES

    Gittleson, Forrest S.; Jones, Reese E.; Ward, Donald K.; ...

    2017-02-15

    Li–air or Li–oxygen batteries promise significantly higher energies than existing commercial battery technologies, yet their development has been hindered by a lack of suitable electrolytes. In this article, we evaluate the physical properties of varied electrolyte compositions to form generalized criteria for electrolyte design. We show that oxygen transport through non-aqueous electrolytes has a critical impact on the discharge rate and capacity of Li–air batteries. Through experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, we highlight that the choice of salt species and concentration have an outsized influence on oxygen solubility, while solvent choice is the major influence on oxygen diffusivity. The stabilitymore » of superoxide reaction intermediates, key to the oxygen reduction mechanism, is also affected by variations in salt concentration and the choice of solvent. The importance of reactant transport is confirmed through Li–air cell discharge, which demonstrates good agreement between the observed and calculated mass transport-limited currents. Furthermore, these results showcase the impact of electrolyte composition on transport in metal–air batteries and provide guiding principles and simulation-based tools for future electrolyte design.« less

  10. Materials system for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells based on doped lanthanum-gallate electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Wenquan

    2005-07-01

    The objective of this work was to identify a materials system for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Towards this goal, alternating current complex impedance spectroscopy was employed as a tool to study electrode polarization effects in symmetrical cells employing strontium and magnesium doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM) electrolyte. Several cathode materials were investigated including strontium doped lanthanum manganite (LSM), Strontium and iron doped lanthanum cobaltate (LSCF), LSM-LSGM, and LSCF-LSGM composites. Investigated Anode materials included nickel-gadolinium or lanthanum doped cerium oxide (Ni-GDC, or Ni-LDC) composites. The ohmic and the polarization resistances of the symmetrical cells were obtained as a function of temperature, time, thickness, and the composition of the electrodes. Based on these studies, the single phase LSM electrode had the highest polarization resistance among the cathode materials. The mixed-conducting LSCF electrode had polarization resistance orders of magnitude lower than that of the LSM-LSGM composite electrodes. Although incorporating LSGM in the LSCF electrode did not reduce the cell polarization resistance significantly, it could reduce the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the LSCF electrodes and LSGM electrolyte. Moreover, the polarization resistance of the LSCF electrode decreased asymptotically as the electrode thickness was increased thus suggesting that the electrode thickness needed not be thicker than this asymptotic limit. On the anode side of the IT-SOFC, Ni reacted with LSGM electrolyte, and lanthanum diffusion occurred from the LSGM electrolyte to the GDC barrier layer, which was between the LSGM electrolyte and the Ni-composite anode. However, LDC served as an effective barrier layer. Ni-LDC (70 v% Ni) anode had the largest polarization resistance, while all other anode materials, i.e. Ni-LDC (50 v% Ni), Ni-GDC (70 v% NO, and Ni-GDC (50 v% Ni), had similar polarization resistances. Ni-LDC (50 v% NO was selected to be the anode for the LSGM electrolyte with a thin LDC barrier layer. Finally, the performance of complete LSGM electrolyte-supported IT-SOFCs with the selected cathode (LSCF-LSGM) and anode (Ni-LDC) materials coupled with the LDC barrier layer was evaluated at 600--800°C. The simulated cell performance of the anode-supported cell based on LSGM electrolyte was promising.

  11. Zinc composite anode for batteries with solid electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tedjar, F.; Melki, T.; Zerroual, L.

    A new negative composite anode for batteries with a solid electrolyte is studied. Using a complex of zinc ammonium chloride mixed with zinc metal powder, the advantage of the Zn/Zn 2+ electrode ( e = -760 mV) is kept while the energy density and the shelf-life of the battery are increased.

  12. Facile synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/peroxomolybdate(VI)-citrate composite and its potential energy storage application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ciszewski, Mateusz; Benke, Grzegorz; Leszczyńska-Sejda, Katarzyna; Kopyto, Dorota

    2017-11-01

    A new energy storage material based on molybdate active species has been presented. Molybdenum seems to be a perspective material in supercapacitors because of numerous possible metal oxidation states, electrolyte storage by means of various chemical reactions and availability in comparison to other refractory metals. Material synthesized within this research was composed of reduced graphene oxide matrix and peroxomolybdate(VI)-citrate active dimers. It was showed that peroxomolybdate(VI)-citrate structure enhanced electrochemical activity of symmetric supercapacitor. Simple methodology was used to synthesize a composite with pH adjustment as the key step. The specific capacity calculated from galvanostatic charge/discharge curves was as high as 250 F/g. Material was distinguished by good cyclability with 5% capacity loss after 1000 cycles. The increase in charge transfer resistance, induced by metal-oxygen compound within the carbon matrix was relatively low, compared to parent reduced graphene oxide. Amorphous structure of peroxomolybdate(VI)-modified material was observed with slight increase in the interlayer distance in comparison to parent reduced graphene oxide. The height and lateral size of crystallites were also determined. Significant decrease in the specific surface area of peroxomolybdate(VI)-modified composite was observed, in comparison to the parent reduced graphene oxide.

  13. Low temperature solid oxide electrolytes (LT-SOE): A review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, B.; Ghosh, S.; Aich, S.; Roy, B.

    2017-01-01

    Low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC) can be a source of power for vehicles, online grid, and at the same time reduce system cost, offer high reliability, and fast start-up. A huge amount of research work, as evident from the literature has been conducted for the enhancement of the ionic conductivity of LT electrolytes in the last few years. The basic conduction mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages of different LT oxide ion conducting electrolytes {BIMEVOX systems, bilayer systems including doped cerium oxide/stabilised bismuth oxide and YSZ/DCO}, mixed ion conducting electrolytes {doped cerium oxides/alkali metal carbonate composites}, and proton conducting electrolytes {doped and undoped BaCeO3, BaZrO3, etc.} are discussed here based on the recent research articles. Effect of various material aspects (composition, doping, layer thickness, etc.), fabrication methods (to achieve different microstructures and particle size), design related strategies (interlayer, sintering aid etc.), characterization temperature & environment on the conductivity of the electrolytes and performance of the fuel cells made from these electrolytes are shown in tabular form and discussed. The conductivity of the electrolytes and performance of the corresponding fuel cells are compared. Other applications of the electrolytes are mentioned. A few considerations regarding the future prospects are pointed.

  14. Layer by Layer Ex-Situ Deposited Cobalt-Manganese Oxide as Composite Electrode Material for Electrochemical Capacitor

    PubMed Central

    Rusi; Chan, P. Y.; Majid, S. R.

    2015-01-01

    The composite metal oxide electrode films were fabricated using ex situ electrodeposition method with further heating treatment at 300°C. The obtained composite metal oxide film had a spherical structure with mass loading from 0.13 to 0.21 mg cm-2. The structure and elements of the composite was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The electrochemical performance of different composite metal oxides was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (CD). As an active electrode material for a supercapacitor, the Co-Mn composite electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 285 Fg-1 at current density of 1.85 Ag-1 in 0.5M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The best composite electrode, Co-Mn electrode was then further studied in various electrolytes (i.e., 0.5M KOH and 0.5M KOH/0.04M K3Fe(CN) 6 electrolytes). The pseudocapacitive nature of the material of Co-Mn lead to a high specific capacitance of 2.2 x 103 Fg-1 and an energy density of 309 Whkg-1 in a 0.5MKOH/0.04MK3Fe(CN) 6 electrolyte at a current density of 10 Ag-1. The specific capacitance retention obtained 67% of its initial value after 750 cycles. The results indicate that the ex situ deposited composite metal oxide nanoparticles have promising potential in future practical applications. PMID:26158447

  15. Layer by Layer Ex-Situ Deposited Cobalt-Manganese Oxide as Composite Electrode Material for Electrochemical Capacitor.

    PubMed

    Rusi; Chan, P Y; Majid, S R

    2015-01-01

    The composite metal oxide electrode films were fabricated using ex situ electrodeposition method with further heating treatment at 300°C. The obtained composite metal oxide film had a spherical structure with mass loading from 0.13 to 0.21 mg cm(-2). The structure and elements of the composite was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The electrochemical performance of different composite metal oxides was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (CD). As an active electrode material for a supercapacitor, the Co-Mn composite electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 285 Fg(-1) at current density of 1.85 Ag(-1) in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The best composite electrode, Co-Mn electrode was then further studied in various electrolytes (i.e., 0.5 M KOH and 0.5 M KOH/0.04 M K3Fe(CN) 6 electrolytes). The pseudocapacitive nature of the material of Co-Mn lead to a high specific capacitance of 2.2 x 10(3) Fg(-1) and an energy density of 309 Whkg(-1) in a 0.5 M KOH/0.04 M K3Fe(CN) 6 electrolyte at a current density of 10 Ag(-1). The specific capacitance retention obtained 67% of its initial value after 750 cycles. The results indicate that the ex situ deposited composite metal oxide nanoparticles have promising potential in future practical applications.

  16. Alkoxide-based magnesium electrolyte compositions for magnesium batteries

    DOEpatents

    Dai, Sheng; Sun, Xiao-Guang; Liao, Chen; Guo, Bingkun

    2018-01-30

    Alkoxide magnesium halide compounds having the formula: RO--Mg--X (1) wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group that is unsubstituted, or alternatively, substituted with one or more heteroatom linkers and/or one or more heteroatom-containing groups comprising at least one heteroatom selected from fluorine, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and silicon; and X is a halide atom. Also described are electrolyte compositions containing a compound of Formula (1) in a suitable polar aprotic or ionic solvent, as well as magnesium batteries in which such electrolytes are incorporated.

  17. Device for measuring oxygen activity in liquid sodium

    DOEpatents

    Roy, P.; Young, R.S.

    1973-12-01

    A composite ceramic electrolyte in a configuration (such as a closed end tube or a plate) suitable to separate liquid sodium from a reference electrode with a high impedance voltmeter connected to measure EMF between the sodium and the reference electrode as a measure of oxygen activity in the sodium is described. The composite electrolyte consists of zirconiacalcia with a bonded layer of thoria-yttria. The device is used with a gaseous reference electrode on the zirconia-calcia side and liquid sodium on the thoria-yttria side of the electrolyte. (Official Gazette)

  18. Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack

    DOEpatents

    Smith, J.L.

    1985-12-23

    A device for equalizing the molten electrolyte content throughout the height of a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The device includes a passageway for electrolyte return with electrolyte wettable wicking material in the opposite end portions of the passageway. One end portion is disposed near the upper, negative end of the stack where electrolyte flooding occurs. The second end portion is placed near the lower, positive end of the stack where electrolyte is depleted. Heating means are provided at the upper portion of the passageway to increase electrolyte vapor pressure in the upper wicking material. The vapor is condensed in the lower passageway portion and conducted as molten electrolyte in the lower wick to the positive end face of the stack. An inlet is provided to inject a modifying gas into the passageway and thereby control the rate of electrolyte return.

  19. Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack

    DOEpatents

    Smith, James L.

    1987-01-01

    A device for equalizing the molten electrolyte content throughout the height of a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The device includes a passageway for electrolyte return with electrolyte wettable wicking material in the opposite end portions of the passageway. One end portion is disposed near the upper, negative end of the stack where electrolyte flooding occurs. The second end portion is placed near the lower, positive end of the stack where electrolyte is depleted. Heating means are provided at the upper portion of the passageway to increase electrolyte vapor pressure in the upper wicking material. The vapor is condensed in the lower passageway portion and conducted as molten electrolyte in the lower wick to the positive end face of the stack. An inlet is provided to inject a modifying gas into the passageway and thereby control the rate of electrolyte return.

  20. Oxide modified air electrode surface for high temperature electrochemical cells

    DOEpatents

    Singh, Prabhakar; Ruka, Roswell J.

    1992-01-01

    An electrochemical cell is made having a porous cermet electrode (16) and a porous lanthanum manganite electrode (14), with solid oxide electrolyte (15) between them, where the lanthanum manganite surface next to the electrolyte contains a thin discontinuous layer of high surface area cerium oxide and/or praseodymium oxide, preferably as discrete particles (30) in contact with the air electrode and electrolyte.

  1. Thin film polymeric gel electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Derzon, Dora K.; Arnold, Jr., Charles; Delnick, Frank M.

    1996-01-01

    Novel hybrid thin film electrolyte, based on an organonitrile solvent system, which are compositionally stable, environmentally safe, can be produced efficiently in large quantity and which, because of their high conductivities .apprxeq.10.sup.-3 .OMEGA..sup.-1 cm.sup.-1 are useful as electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries.

  2. Effect of Al2O3 in poly(methyl methacrylate) composite polymer electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, C. C.; You, A. H.; Teo, L. L.; Thong, L. W.

    2018-05-01

    In this work, the effect of inert fillers on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) are investigated. The PMMA-LiCF3SO3-EC-Al2O3 composite polymer electrolytes were prepared using solution casting method at room temperature. Lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) is used as the electrolyte salt which plays an important role in Li ion transfer. In order to soften the polymer matrix, ethylene carbonate (EC) is introduced into the CPEs to help in the disassociation of lithium salt ion pairs. Nano sized aluminium oxide (Al2O3) is then incorporated to enhance mechanical strength and ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. The optimum of 2 wt.% 50 nm Al2O3 was added into the PMMA polymer electrolyte sample. Through Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, the highest ionic conductivity at room temperature is determined as 1.52×10-4 S/cm. FTIR spectra analysis showed CH2 twisting mode at 1383.43 cm-1, C=O stretching mode at 1721.56 cm-1 which proven the interaction between host polymer and lithium salt and CH3 stretching mode at 2981.34 cm-1. XRD analysis had also been performed to study the structural behaviour of the PMMA polymer electrolyte. The intense peak at position 2θ angle of 15.04°, 30.92° and 45.58° occur upon interaction with Al2O3. Lastly, the surface morphology is studied through SEM+EDX analysis.

  3. Comparative Study of Ether-Based Electrolytes for Application in Lithium-Sulfur Battery.

    PubMed

    Carbone, Lorenzo; Gobet, Mallory; Peng, Jing; Devany, Matthew; Scrosati, Bruno; Greenbaum, Steve; Hassoun, Jusef

    2015-07-01

    Herein, we report the characteristics of electrolytes using various ether-solvents with molecular composition CH3O[CH2CH2O]nCH3, differing by chain length, and LiCF3SO3 as the lithium salt. The electrolytes, considered as suitable media for lithium-sulfur batteries, are characterized in terms of thermal properties (TGA, DSC), lithium ion conductivity, lithium interface stability, cyclic voltammetry, self-diffusion properties of the various components, and lithium transference number measured by NMR. Furthermore, the electrolytes are characterized in lithium cells using a sulfur-carbon composite cathode by galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The results clearly evidence the influence of the solvent chain length on the species mobility within the electrolytes that directly affects the behavior in lithium sulfur cell. The results may effectively contribute to the progress of an efficient, high-energy lithium-sulfur battery.

  4. Novel Stable Gel Polymer Electrolyte: Toward a High Safety and Long Life Li-Air Battery.

    PubMed

    Yi, Jin; Liu, Xizheng; Guo, Shaohua; Zhu, Kai; Xue, Hailong; Zhou, Haoshen

    2015-10-28

    Nonaqueous Li-air battery, as a promising electrochemical energy storage device, has attracted substantial interest, while the safety issues derived from the intrinsic instability of organic liquid electrolytes may become a possible bottleneck for the future application of Li-air battery. Herein, through elaborate design, a novel stable composite gel polymer electrolyte is first proposed and explored for Li-air battery. By use of the composite gel polymer electrolyte, the Li-air polymer batteries composed of a lithium foil anode and Super P cathode are assembled and operated in ambient air and their cycling performance is evaluated. The batteries exhibit enhanced cycling stability and safety, where 100 cycles are achieved in ambient air at room temperature. The feasibility study demonstrates that the gel polymer electrolyte-based polymer Li-air battery is highly advantageous and could be used as a useful alternative strategy for the development of Li-air battery upon further application.

  5. Electrolyte matrix in a molten carbonate fuel cell stack

    DOEpatents

    Reiser, C.A.; Maricle, D.L.

    1987-04-21

    A fuel cell stack is disclosed with modified electrolyte matrices for limiting the electrolytic pumping and electrolyte migration along the stack external surfaces. Each of the matrices includes marginal portions at the stack face of substantially greater pore size than that of the central body of the matrix. Consequently, these marginal portions have insufficient electrolyte fill to support pumping or wicking of electrolyte from the center of the stack of the face surfaces in contact with the vertical seals. Various configurations of the marginal portions include a complete perimeter, opposite edge portions corresponding to the air plenums and tab size portions corresponding to the manifold seal locations. These margins will substantially limit the migration of electrolyte to and along the porous manifold seals during operation of the electrochemical cell stack. 6 figs.

  6. Electrolyte matrix in a molten carbonate fuel cell stack

    DOEpatents

    Reiser, Carl A.; Maricle, Donald L.

    1987-04-21

    A fuel cell stack is disclosed with modified electrolyte matrices for limiting the electrolytic pumping and electrolyte migration along the stack external surfaces. Each of the matrices includes marginal portions at the stack face of substantially greater pore size than that of the central body of the matrix. Consequently, these marginal portions have insufficient electrolyte fill to support pumping or wicking of electrolyte from the center of the stack of the face surfaces in contact with the vertical seals. Various configurations of the marginal portions include a complete perimeter, opposite edge portions corresponding to the air plenums and tab size portions corresponding to the manifold seal locations. These margins will substantially limit the migration of electrolyte to and along the porous manifold seals during operation of the electrochemical cell stack.

  7. Symmetric supercapacitors using urea-modified lignin derived N-doped porous carbon as electrode materials in liquid and solid electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Keliang; Xu, Ming; Gu, Yan; Gu, Zhengrong; Fan, Qi Hua

    2016-11-01

    N-doped porous carbon materials derived from urea-modified lignin were prepared via efficient KOH activation under carbonization. The synthesized N-doped carbon materials, which displayed a well-developed porous morphology with high specific surface area of 3130 m2 g-1, were used as electrode materials in symmetric supercapacitors with aqueous and solid electrolytes. In consistent with the observed physical structures and properties, the supercapacitors exhibited specific capacitances of 273 and 306 F g-1, small resistances of 2.6 and 7.7 Ω, stable charge/discharge at different current densities for over 5000 cycles and comparable energy and power density in 6 mol L-1 KOH liquid and KOH-PVA solid electrolytes, respectively.

  8. Extraction of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen from Seawater By an Electrolytic Cation Exchange Module (E-CEM) Part 5: E-CEM Effluent Discharge Composition as a Function of Electrode Water Composition

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-08-01

    Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 20375-5320 NRL/MR/6360--17-9743 Extraction of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen from Seawater by an Electrolytic...Cation Exchange Module (E-CEM) Part V: E-CEM Effluent Discharge Composition as a Function of Electrode Water Composition August 1, 2017 Approved for...Office of Naval Research Arlington, Virginia Dennis r. HarDy Nova Research Inc. Alexandria, Virginia i REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form

  9. Evaluation of Electrochemical Methods for Electrolyte Characterization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Heidersbach, Robert H.

    2001-01-01

    This report documents summer research efforts in an attempt to develop an electrochemical method of characterizing electrolytes. The ultimate objective of the characterization would be to determine the composition and corrosivity of Martian soil. Results are presented using potentiodynamic scans, Tafel extrapolations, and resistivity tests in a variety of water-based electrolytes.

  10. Method of preparing thin film polymeric gel electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Derzon, Dora K.; Arnold, Jr., Charles

    1997-01-01

    Novel hybrid thin film electrolyte, based on an organonitrile solvent system, which are compositionally stable, environmentally safe, can be produced efficiently in large quantity and which, because of their high conductivities .apprxeq.10.sup.-3 .OMEGA..sup.-1 cm.sup.-1 are useful as electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries.

  11. A Silica-Aerogel-Reinforced Composite Polymer Electrolyte with High Ionic Conductivity and High Modulus.

    PubMed

    Lin, Dingchang; Yuen, Pak Yan; Liu, Yayuan; Liu, Wei; Liu, Nian; Dauskardt, Reinhold H; Cui, Yi

    2018-06-25

    High-energy all-solid-state lithium (Li) batteries have great potential as next-generation energy-storage devices. Among all choices of electrolytes, polymer-based systems have attracted widespread attention due to their low density, low cost, and excellent processability. However, they are generally mechanically too weak to effectively suppress Li dendrites and have lower ionic conductivity for reasonable kinetics at ambient temperature. Herein, an ultrastrong reinforced composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) is successfully designed and fabricated by introducing a stiff mesoporous SiO 2 aerogel as the backbone for a polymer-based electrolyte. The interconnected SiO 2 aerogel not only performs as a strong backbone strengthening the whole composite, but also offers large and continuous surfaces for strong anion adsorption, which produces a highly conductive pathway across the composite. As a consequence, a high modulus of ≈0.43 GPa and high ionic conductivity of ≈0.6 mS cm -1 at 30 °C are simultaneously achieved. Furthermore, LiFePO 4 -Li full cells with good cyclability and rate capability at ambient temperature are obtained. Full cells with cathode capacity up to 2.1 mAh cm -2 are also demonstrated. The aerogel-reinforced CPE represents a new design principle for solid-state electrolytes and offers opportunities for future all-solid-state Li batteries. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Electrochemical cell utilizing molten alkali metal electrode-reactant

    DOEpatents

    Virkar, Anil V.; Miller, Gerald R.

    1983-11-04

    An improved electrochemical cell comprising an additive-modified molten alkali metal electrode-reactant and/or electrolyte is disclosed. Various electrochemical cells employing a molten alkali metal, e.g., sodium, electrode in contact with a cationically conductive ceramic membrane experience a lower resistance and a lower temperature coefficient of resistance whenever small amounts of selenium are present at the interface of the electrolyte and the molten alkali metal. Further, cells having small amounts of selenium present at the electrolyte-molten metal interface exhibit less degradation of the electrolyte under long term cycling conditions.

  13. Electrochemical Detection of p-Aminophenol by Flexible Devices Based on Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Dispersed in Electrochemically Modified Nafion

    PubMed Central

    Scandurra, Graziella; Antonella, Arena; Ciofi, Carmine; Saitta, Gaetano; Lanza, Maurizio

    2014-01-01

    A conducting composite prepared by dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into a host matrix consisting of Nafion, electrochemically doped with copper, has been prepared, characterized and used to modify one of the gold electrodes of simply designed electrochemical cells having copier grade transparency sheets as substrates. Electrical measurements performed in deionized water show that the Au/Nafion/Au-MWCNTs–Nafion:Cu cells can be successfully used in order to detect the presence of p-aminophenol (PAP) in water, without the need for any supporting electrolyte. The intensity of the redox peaks arising when PAP is added to deionized water is found to be linearly related to the analyte in the range from 0.2 to 1.6 μM, with a detection limit of 90 nM and a sensitivity of 7 μA·(μM−1)·cm−2. PMID:24854357

  14. The electrical conductivities of polyimide and polyimide/Li triflate composites: An a.c. impedance study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aziz, Nor Diyana Abdul; Kamarulzaman, Norlida; Subban, Ri Hanum Yahaya; Hamzah, Ahmad Sazali; Ahmed, Azni Zain; Osman, Zurina; Rusdi, Roshidah; Kamarudin, Norashikin; Mohalid, Norhanim; Romli, Ahmad Zafir; Shaameri, Zurina

    2017-09-01

    Polymer electrolytes have been an essential area of research for many decades. One of the reasons was the need to find new electrolyte materials suitable for device applications like solid-state batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, etc. with enhanced characteristics. For more than 40 years, polyimide has been known as a super-engineering plastic due to its excellent thermal stability (Tg > 250 °C) and mechanical properties. Therefore, in an effort to develop new polymer electrolytes, polyimide as a polymer matrix was chosen. Composite films of the polymer doped with lithium salt, LiCF3SO3 was prepared. These PI based polymer electrolyte films were investigated by the alternating current (a.c.) impedance spectroscopy method in the temperature range from 300 K to 373 K. It was observed that conductivity increased with the increase of temperature and amount of doping salt. Alternatively, the activation energy (Ea) of the composite films decreased with the increase of the doping salt, LiCF3SO3.

  15. Improved electrolyte for zinc-bromine flow batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, M. C.; Zhao, T. S.; Wei, L.; Jiang, H. R.; Zhang, R. H.

    2018-04-01

    Conventional zinc bromide electrolytes offer low ionic conductivity and often trigger severe zinc dendrite growth in zinc-bromine flow batteries. Here we report an improved electrolyte modified with methanesulfonic acid, which not only improves the electrolyte conductivity but also ameliorates zinc dendrite. Experimental results also reveal that the kinetics and reversibility of Zn2+/Zn and Br2/Br- are improved in this modified electrolyte. Moreover, the battery's internal resistance is significantly reduced from 4.9 to 2.0 Ω cm2 after adding 1 M methanesulfonic acid, thus leading to an improved energy efficiency from 64% to 75% at a current density of 40 mA cm-2. More impressively, the battery is capable of delivering an energy efficiency of about 78% at a current density of as high as 80 mA cm-2 when the electrode is replaced by a thermally treated one. Additionally, zinc dendrite growth is found to be effectively suppressed in methanesulfonic acid supported media, which, as a result, enables the battery to be operated for 50 cycles without degradation, whereas the one without methanesulfonic acid suffers from significant decay after only 40 cycles, primarily due to severe zinc dendrite growth. These superior results indicate methanesulfonic acid is a promising supporting electrolyte for zinc-bromine flow batteries.

  16. Composite polymer electrolytes based on MG49 and carboxymethyl cellulose from kenaf

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jafirin, Serawati; Ahmad, Ishak; Ahmad, Azizan

    2013-11-01

    The development of 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49) and carboxymethyl cellulose as a composite polymer electrolyte film incorporating LiCF3SO3 were explored. Carboxymethyl cellulose was synthesized from kenaf bast fibres via carboxymethylation process by alkali catalyzed reaction of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. Reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed the presence of carboxyl peak after modification of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity of cellulose was decrease after synthesis. High performance composite polymer electrolytes were prepared with various composition of carboxymethyl cellulose (2-10 wt%) via solution-casting method. The conductivity was increased with carboxymethyl cellulose loading. The highest conductivity value achieved was 3.3 × 10-7 Scm-1 upon addition of 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose. 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose composition showed the highest tensile strength value of 7.9 MPa and 273 MPa of modulus value which demonstrated high mechanical performance with accepatable level of ionic conductivity.

  17. In Situ Potentiodynamic Analysis of the Electrolyte/Silicon Electrodes Interface Reactions - A Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy Study

    DOE PAGES

    Horowitz, Yonatan; Han, Hui-Ling; Ross, Philip N.; ...

    2015-12-11

    The key factor in long-term use of batteries is the formation of an electrically insulating solid layer that allows lithium ion transport but stops further electrolyte redox reactions on the electrode surface, hence solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). In this paper, we have studied a common electrolyte, 1.0 M LiPF 6/ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC), reduction products on crystalline silicon (Si) electrodes in a lithium (Li) half-cell system under reaction conditions. We employed in situ sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) with interface sensitivity in order to probe the molecular composition of the SEI surface species under various applied potentials wheremore » electrolyte reduction is expected. We found that, with a Si(100)-hydrogen terminated wafer, a Si-ethoxy (Si-OC 2H 5) surface intermediate forms due to DEC decomposition. Our results suggest that the SEI surface composition varies depending on the termination of Si surface, i.e., the acidity of the Si surface. We provide the evidence of specific chemical composition of the SEI on the anode surface under reaction conditions. This supports an electrochemical electrolyte reduction mechanism in which the reduction of the DEC molecule to an ethoxy moiety plays a key role. Finally, these findings shed new light on the formation mechanism of SEI on Si anodes in particular and on SEI formation in general.« less

  18. High efficiency and stability of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized ZnO solar cells using graphene incorporated soluble polystyrene gel electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bi, Shi-Qing; Meng, Fan-Li; Zheng, Yan-Zhen; Han, Xue; Tao, Xia; Chen, Jian-Feng

    2014-12-01

    We report on the preparation of highly effective composite electrolytes by combining the two-dimensional graphene (Gra) and soluble polystyrene (PS) nanobeads on Pt counter electrode for the quasi-solid-state electrolytes of ZnO based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Under an optimized Gra/electrolyte ratio of 12 mg mL-1, the ionic conductivity (σ) of Gra-PS electrolyte was significantly improved from 32.8 mS cm-1 to 39.8 mS cm-1. And the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis proved that the ZnO-DSC with the optimized composite electrolyte possessed the lowest impedance value. As a result, the overall power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of quasi-solid-state ZnO-DSCs significantly enhanced to 5.08% from initial 4.09%. Moreover, the results of long-term stability assays showed that the gel-state Gra-PS ZnO-DSC could retain over 90% of its initial PCE after radiation of 1000 h under full sunlight outdoors. It is anticipated that this work may provide an effective way to increase the cell efficiency by the introduction of Gra into gel electrolyte as well as a great potential for practical application.

  19. MoSe2 modified TiO2 nanotube arrays with superior photoelectrochemical performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yaping; Zhu, Haifeng; Yu, Lianqing; He, Jiandong; Huang, Chengxing

    2018-04-01

    TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTs) are first prepared by anodization Ti foils in ethylene glycol electrolyte. Then, MoSe2 deposites electrochemically on TNTs. The as-synthesized MoSe2/TiO2 composite has a much higher photocurrent density of 1.07 mA cm‑2 at 0 V than pure TNTs of 0.38 mA cm‑2, which suggests that the MoSe2/TiO2 composite film has optimum photoelectrocatalysis properties. The electron transport resistances of the MoSe2/TiO2 decreases to half of pure TiO2, at 295.6 ohm/cm2. Both photocurrent-time and Mott-Schottky plots indicate MoSe2 a p-type semiconductor characteristics. MoSe2/TiO2 composite can achieve a maximum 5 orders of magnitude enhancement in carrier density (4.650 × 1027 cm‑3) than that of pure TiO2 arrays. It can be attributed to p-n heterojunction formed between MoSe2 and TiO2, and the composite can be potentially applied in photoelectrochemical, photocatalysis fields.

  20. Supercapacitor Operating At 200 Degrees Celsius

    PubMed Central

    Borges, Raquel S.; Reddy, Arava Leela Mohana; Rodrigues, Marco-Tulio F.; Gullapalli, Hemtej; Balakrishnan, Kaushik; Silva, Glaura G.; Ajayan, Pulickel M.

    2013-01-01

    The operating temperatures of current electrochemical energy storage devices are limited due to electrolyte degradation and separator instability at higher temperatures. Here we demonstrate that a tailored mixture of materials can facilitate operation of supercapacitors at record temperatures, as high as 200°C. Composite electrolyte/separator structures made from naturally occurring clay and room temperature ionic liquids, with graphitic carbon electrodes, show stable supercapacitor performance at 200°C with good cyclic stability. Free standing films of such high temperature composite electrolyte systems can become versatile functional membranes in several high temperature energy conversion and storage applications. PMID:23999206

  1. Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-CFx Cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smart, Marshall C.; Whitacre, Jay F.; Bugga, Ratnakumar V.; Prakash, G. K. Surya; Bhalla, Pooja; Smith, Kiah

    2009-01-01

    A report describes a study of electrolyte compositions selected as candidates for improving the low-temperature performances of primary electrochemical cells that contain lithium anodes and fluorinated carbonaceous (CFx) cathodes. This study complements the developments reported in Additive for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-(CF)n Cells (NPO- 43579) and Li/CFx Cells Optimized for Low-Temperature Operation (NPO- 43585), which appear elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. Similar to lithium-based electrolytes described in several previous NASA Tech Briefs articles, each of these electrolytes consisted of a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture. Each such mixture consisted of two or more of the following ingredients: propylene carbonate (PC); 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME); trifluoropropylene carbonate; bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether; diethyl carbonate; dimethyl carbonate; and ethyl methyl carbonate. The report describes the physical and chemical principles underlying the selection of the compositions (which were not optimized) and presents results of preliminary tests made to determine effects of the compositions upon the low-temperature capabilities of Li-CFx cells, relative to a baseline composition of LiBF4 at a concentration of 1.0 M in a solvent comprising equal volume parts of PC and DME.

  2. Time-Dependent Changes in Morphology and Composition of Solid Particles Collected From Heavy Water Electrolyte after Electrolysis with a Palladium Cathode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dash, John; Wang, Q.

    2009-03-01

    Recently, we have observed particles floating on the surfaces of electrolytes after electrolysis, in four cells, each of which contained a heavy water electrolyte and a Pd cathode. Solid particles were unexpected from electrolysis, so it seemed important to characterize these particles. Cu grids were used to collect particles from the electrolyte surface. Then, a scanning electron microscope ( SEM ) and an energy dispersive spectrometer ( EDS ) were used to study the surfaces of these particles and to record time-dependent changes which were occurring. The morphology and composition of the particles were determined . After storage at ambient for 11 days, there were large changes in the morphology and composition of the particles. For example, one portion of the particles contained a large number of microspheres. A typical microsphere contained mostly carbon and palladium, whereas the matrix near the microsphere contained mostly palladium with less carbon and a significant amount of silver. One day later the same microsphere had increased carbon and reduced palladium, but there was no significant change in the composition of the matrix. Results for other particles from other cells will also be presented.

  3. Effects of Solvent Composition on Liquid Range, Glass Transition, and Conductivity of Electrolytes of a (Li, Cs)PF 6 Salt in EC-PC-EMC Solvents

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ding, Michael S.; Li, Qiuyan; Li, Xing

    Electrolytes of 1 M LiPF 6 (lithium hexafluorophosphate) and 0.05 M CsPF 6 (cesium hexafluorophosphate) in EC-PC-EMC (ethylene carbonate-propylene carbonate-ethyl methyl carbonate) solvents of varying solvent compositions were studied for the effects of solvent composition on the lower limit of liquid range, viscosity (as reflected by the glass transition temperature), and electrolytic conductivity. In addition, a ternary phase diagram of EC-PC-EMC was constructed and crystallization temperatures of EC and EMC were calculated to assist the interpretation and understanding of the change of liquid range with solvent composition. A function based on Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation was fitted to the conductivity data inmore » their entirety and plotted as conductivity surfaces in solvent composition space for more direct and clear comparisons and discussions. Changes of viscosity and dielectric constant of the solvents with their composition, in relation to those of the solvent components, were found to be underlying many of the processes studied.« less

  4. Molecular modification of highly degenerate semiconductor as an active electrode to enhance the performance of supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mundinamani, S. P.; Rabinal, M. K.

    2014-12-01

    Highly conducting antimony doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb) films are electrografted with suitable organic molecules to study their electrolytic behavior. A series of organic molecules, such as heptanethiol, dodecanethiol and octadecanethiol are bonded to electrode surfaces. Electrolytic capacitors were formed on both unmodified and chemically modified electrodes using KCl and H2SO4 as electrolytes. This molecular modification significantly enhances the current levels in cyclic voltammograms, and there is a clear shift in oxidation/reduction peaks of these capacitors with scan rate. The results obey Randles-Sevcik relation, which indicates that there is enhancement of ionic diffusion at the electrode-electrolyte interface. There is a large enhancement in the values of specific capacitance (almost by 104 times) after the chemical modification. These measurements show that Faradaic reactions are responsible for charge storage/discharge process in these capacitors. Hence, the molecularly modified electrodes can be a good choice to increase the specific capacitance.

  5. Solid electrolyte-electrode system for an electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Tuller, Harry L.; Kramer, Steve A.; Spears, Marlene A.

    1995-01-01

    An electrochemical device including a solid electrolyte and solid electrode composed of materials having different chemical compositions and characterized by different electrical properties but having the same crystalline phase is provided. A method for fabricating an electrochemical device having a solid electrode and solid electrolyte characterized by the same crystalline phase is also provided.

  6. Thin film polymeric gel electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Derzon, D.K.; Arnold, C. Jr.; Delnick, F.M.

    1996-12-31

    Novel hybrid thin film electrolytes, based on an organonitrile solvent system, which are compositionally stable, environmentally safe, can be produced efficiently in large quantity and which, because of their high conductivities {approx_equal}10{sup {minus}3}{Omega}{sup {minus}1} cm{sup {minus}1} are useful as electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries. 1 fig.

  7. Electrospun-sodiumtetrafluoroborate-polyethylene oxide membranes for solvent-free sodium ion transport in solid state sodium ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Freitag, K. M.; Walke, P.; Nilges, T.; Kirchhain, H.; Spranger, R. J.; van Wüllen, L.

    2018-02-01

    Electrospinning is used to fabricate sodium ion conducting fiber membranes composed of polyethylene oxide (PEO), sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4), and succinonitrile (SN) as plasticizer. As compared to conventionally prepared lithium electrolyte membranes with identical composition (PEO:SN:LiBF4), those membranes exhibit conductivities up to 10-4 S cm-1 at 328 K (activation energy ∼36 kJ mol-1, 36:8:1 membrane), which favors such systems as a solid-state electrolyte alternative for batteries. The conduction mechanism is evaluated and the ion mobility are examined. We identified the segment mobility of the polyethylene oxide as the main driving force for the enhanced ion mobility in the membranes. The introduction of SN has only a minor influence on the conductivity and segment mobility at room temperature, but extents the anion and cation mobility to temperatures below ambient. For the 36:8:1 (PEO:SN:NaBF4) membrane we found the highest ion mobility of all membranes under investigation. A comparison of the present sodium membranes with lithium systems of the same composition shows that the overall performance of the sodium systems is comparable. Taking plasticizer-free sodium membranes into account they perform even better than the lithium containing counterparts, and plasticizer-modified membranes show only half an order of magnitude lower conductivities than comparable lithium ones.

  8. Studies of metals electroprocessing in molten salts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sadoway, D. R.

    1982-01-01

    Fluid flow patterns in molten salt electrolytes were observed in order to determine how mass transport affects the morphology of the metal deposit. Studies conducted on the same metal, both in aqueous electrolytes in which coherent solid electrodeposits are produced, as well as in transparent molten salt electrolytes are described. Process variables such as current density and composition of the electrolyte are adjusted to change the morphology of the electrodeposit and, thus, to permit the study of the nature of electrolyte flow in relation to the quality of the electrodeposit.

  9. Highly stable porous silicon-carbon composites as label-free optical biosensors.

    PubMed

    Tsang, Chun Kwan; Kelly, Timothy L; Sailor, Michael J; Li, Yang Yang

    2012-12-21

    A stable, label-free optical biosensor based on a porous silicon-carbon (pSi-C) composite is demonstrated. The material is prepared by electrochemical anodization of crystalline Si in an HF-containing electrolyte to generate a porous Si template, followed by infiltration of poly(furfuryl) alcohol (PFA) and subsequent carbonization to generate the pSi-C composite as an optically smooth thin film. The pSi-C sensor is significantly more stable toward aqueous buffer solutions (pH 7.4 or 12) compared to thermally oxidized (in air, 800 °C), hydrosilylated (with undecylenic acid), or hydrocarbonized (with acetylene, 700 °C) porous Si samples prepared and tested under similar conditions. Aqueous stability of the pSi-C sensor is comparable to related optical biosensors based on porous TiO(2) or porous Al(2)O(3). Label-free optical interferometric biosensing with the pSi-C composite is demonstrated by detection of rabbit IgG on a protein-A-modified chip and confirmed with control experiments using chicken IgG (which shows no affinity for protein A). The pSi-C sensor binds significantly more of the protein A capture probe than porous TiO(2) or porous Al(2)O(3), and the sensitivity of the protein-A-modified pSi-C sensor to rabbit IgG is found to be ~2× greater than label-free optical biosensors constructed from these other two materials.

  10. Advanced double layer capacitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sarangapani, S.; Lessner, P.; Forchione, J.; Griffith, A.; Laconti, A. B.

    1989-01-01

    Work was conducted that could lead to a high energy density electrochemical capacitor, completely free of liquid electrolyte. A three-dimensional RuO sub x-ionomer composite structure has been successfully formed and appears to provide an ionomer ionic linkage throughout the composite structure. Capacitance values of approximately 0.6 F/sq cm were obtained compared with 1 F/sq cm when a liquid electrolyte is used with the same configuration.

  11. Electrochemical sensor for ranitidine determination based on carbon paste electrode modified with oxovanadium (IV) salen complex.

    PubMed

    Raymundo-Pereira, Paulo A; Teixeira, Marcos F S; Fatibello-Filho, Orlando; Dockal, Edward R; Bonifácio, Viviane Gomes; Marcolino, Luiz H

    2013-10-01

    The preparation and electrochemical characterization of a carbon paste electrode modified with the N,N-ethylene-bis(salicyllideneiminato)oxovanadium (IV) complex ([VO(salen)]) as well as its application for ranitidine determination are described. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode for the electroreduction of ranitidine was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, and analytical curves were obtained for ranitidine using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under optimized conditions. The best voltammetric response was obtained for an electrode composition of 20% (m/m) [VO(salen)] in the paste, 0.10 mol L(-1) of KCl solution (pH 5.5 adjusted with HCl) as supporting electrolyte and scan rate of 25 mV s(-1). A sensitive linear voltammetric response for ranitidine was obtained in the concentration range from 9.9×10(-5) to 1.0×10(-3) mol L(-1), with a detection limit of 6.6×10(-5) mol L(-1) using linear sweep voltammetry. These results demonstrated the viability of this modified electrode as a sensor for determination, quality control and routine analysis of ranitidine in pharmaceutical formulations. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  12. Ethylene carbonate-free fluoroethylene carbonate-based electrolyte works better for freestanding Si-based composite paper anodes for Li-ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yao, K.; Zheng, J. P.; Liang, R.

    2018-03-01

    Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC)-based electrolytes using FEC as the co-solvent (50 wt%) are investigated and compared with the electrolyte using FEC as the additive (10 wt%) for freestanding Si-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite paper anodes for Li-ion batteries. The ethylene carbonate (EC)-free FEC-based electrolyte is found to achieve higher specific capacity and better capacity retention in terms of long-term cycling. After 500 cycles, the capacity retention of the cell using diethyl carbonate (DEC)-FEC (1:1 w/w) is increased by 88% and 60% compared to the cells using EC-DEC-FEC (45:45:10 w/w/w) and EC-FEC (1:1 w/w), respectively. Through SEM-EDX and XPS analyses, a possible reaction route of formation of fluorinated semicarbonates and polyolefins from FEC is proposed. The inferior cell performance related to the EC-containing electrolytes is likely due to the formation of more polyolefins, which do not favor Li ion migration.

  13. Method of preparing thin film polymeric gel electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Derzon, D.K.; Arnold, C. Jr.

    1997-11-25

    Novel hybrid thin film electrolyte is described, based on an organonitrile solvent system, which are compositionally stable, environmentally safe, can be produced efficiently in large quantity and which, because of their high conductivities {approx_equal}10{sup {minus}3}{Omega}{sup {minus}1}cm{sup {minus}1} are useful as electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries. 1 fig.

  14. Solid electrolyte-electrode system for an electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Tuller, H.L.; Kramer, S.A.; Spears, M.A.

    1995-04-04

    An electrochemical device including a solid electrolyte and solid electrode composed of materials having different chemical compositions and characterized by different electrical properties but having the same crystalline phase is provided. A method for fabricating an electrochemical device having a solid electrode and solid electrolyte characterized by the same crystalline phase is also provided. 17 figures.

  15. Relaxation and transport properties of Li+ ion conducting biocompatible material for battery application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hegde, Shreedatta; Ravindrachary, V.; Praveena, S. D.; Guruswamy, B.; Sagar, Rohan N.; Sanjeev, Ganesh

    2018-04-01

    Solid polymer electrolyte based on lithium chloride doped Poly (vinyl) alcohol composites are prepared by solution casting method. XRD results show that the crystallinity of the polymer interrupted upon LiCl doping and amorphous nature increases with dopant concentration. Impedance analysis revealed that conductivity of PVA increases with doping level and maximum ionic conductivity is observed to be 6.69 × 10-3 S/cm for 15 wt% LiCl doped PVA composite at 353K. Wagner's polarization technique has been followed to calculate ion transport number for high conducting electrolyte and transient study confirmed the presence of single charge species within the polymer electrolyte.

  16. High temperature electrolytic recovery of oxygen from gaseous effluents from the carbo-chlorination of lunar anorthite and the hydrogenation of ilmenite: A theoretical study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Erstfield, T. E.; Williams, R. J.

    1979-01-01

    A thermodynamic analysis discusses the compositions of gaseous effluents from the reaction of carbon and chlorine and of hydrogen with lunar anorthite and ilmenite, respectively. The computations consider the effects of the indigenous volatiles on the solid/gas reactions and on the composition of the effluent gases. A theoretical parameterization of the high temperature electrolysis of such gases is given for several types of solid ceramic electrolytes, and the effect of oxygen removal on the effluents is computed. Potential chemical interactions between the gases and the ceramic electrolytes are analyzed and discussed.

  17. Electrolyte compositions for lithium ion batteries

    DOEpatents

    Sun, Xiao-Guang; Dai, Sheng; Liao, Chen

    2016-03-29

    The invention is directed in a first aspect to an ionic liquid of the general formula Y.sup.+Z.sup.-, wherein Y.sup.+ is a positively-charged component of the ionic liquid and Z.sup.- is a negatively-charged component of the ionic liquid, wherein Z.sup.- is a boron-containing anion of the following formula: ##STR00001## The invention is also directed to electrolyte compositions in which the boron-containing ionic liquid Y.sup.+Z.sup.- is incorporated into a lithium ion battery electrolyte, with or without admixture with another ionic liquid Y.sup.+X.sup.- and/or non-ionic solvent and/or non-ionic solvent additive.

  18. Monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells based on graphene modified mesoscopic carbon counter electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rong, Yaoguang; Li, Xiong; Liu, Guanghui; Wang, Heng; Ku, Zhiliang; Xu, Mi; Liu, Linfeng; Hu, Min; Yang, Ying; Han, Hongwei

    2013-03-01

    We have developed a monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on graphene modified mesoscopic carbon counter electrode (GC-CE), which offers a promising prospect for commercial applications. Based on the design of a triple layer structure, the TiO2 working electrode layer, ZrO2 spacer layer and carbon counter electrode (CE) layer are constructed on a single conducting glass substrate by screen-printing. The quasi-solid-state polymer gel electrolyte employs a polymer composite as the gelator and could effectively infiltrate into the porous layers. Fabricated with normal carbon counter electrode (NC-CE) containing graphite and carbon black, the device shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.09% with the fill factor (FF) of 0.63 at 100 mW cm-2 AM1.5 illumination. When the NC-CE is modified with graphene sheets, the PCE and FF could be enhanced to 6.27% and 0.71, respectively. This improvement indicates excellent conductivity and high electrocatalytic activity of the graphene sheets, which have been considered as a promising platinum-free electrode material for DSSCs.

  19. On-line pH modification of carbonate eluents using an electrolytic potassium hydroxide generator for ion chromatography.

    PubMed

    Novic, Milko; Liu, Yan; Avdalovic, Nebojsa; Pihlar, Boris

    2002-05-31

    Classical gradient elution, based on the application of a gradient pump used for mixing two or more prepared eluent components in pre-determined concentrations, was replaced by a chromatography system equipped with an isocratic pump and an electrolytic KOH generator. The isocratic pump delivered a constant concentration eluent composed of pure hydrogencarbonate solution. Carbonate ions, the main component of carbonate/hydrogencarbonate-based eluents, were formed by titration of hydrogencarbonate with KOH formed on-line in the electrolytic KOH generator. By changing the concentration of electrolytically-generated KOH, the eluent composition could be changed from pure hydrogencarbonate to a carbonate/hydrogencarbonate buffer, and finally to a carbonate/hydroxide-based eluent. The described system was tested to achieve pH-based changes of retention behavior of phosphate under constant inflow eluent composition conditions.

  20. SiC nanoparticles-modified glassy carbon electrodes for simultaneous determination of purine and pyrimidine DNA bases.

    PubMed

    Ghavami, Raouf; Salimi, Abdollah; Navaee, Aso

    2011-05-15

    For the first time a novel and simple electrochemical method was used for simultaneous detection of DNA bases (guanine, adenine, thymine and cytosine) without any pretreatment or separation process. Glassy carbon electrode modified with silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiCNP/GC), have been used for electrocatalytic oxidation of purine (guanine and adenine) and pyrimidine bases (thymine and cytosine) nucleotides. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were used to examine the structure of the SiCNP/GC modified electrode. The modified electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward guanine, adenine, thymine and cytosine. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was proposed for simultaneous determination of four DNA bases. The effects of different parameters such as the thickness of SiC layer, pulse amplitude, scan rate, supporting electrolyte composition and pH were optimized to obtain the best peak potential separation and higher sensitivity. Detection limit, sensitivity and linear concentration range of the modified electrode toward proposed analytes were calculated for, guanine, adenine, thymine and cytosine, respectively. As shown this sensor can be used for nanomolar or micromolar detection of different DNA bases simultaneously or individually. This sensor also exhibits good stability, reproducibility and long lifetime. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. The natural diatomite from caldiran-van (Turkey): electroanalytical application to antimigraine compound naratriptan at modified carbon paste electrode.

    PubMed

    Calışkan, Necla; Sögüt, Eda; Saka, Cafer; Yardım, Yavuz; Sentürk, Zuhre

    2010-09-01

    This paper is the first report describing the characterization of local diatomite of Caldiran-Van region (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). Special attention was paid to the ability of its electroanalytical performance at modified electrodes and to the potential application of diatomite-modified electrode. For this purpose, the determination of Naratriptan which is a novel oral triptan (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist) in migraine treatment, by means of a carbon paste electrode modified with 10% (w/w) of diatomite was studied using cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. The experimental conditions that affect the electrode reaction process were studied in terms of pH of the supporting electrolyte, scan rate, accumulation variables, modifier composition and square-wave parameters. Using square-wave stripping mode, the drug yielded a well-defined voltammetric response in Britton-Robinson buffer, pH 4.0 at 0.84 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) (a pre-concentration step being carried out with an open circuit at 120 s). The process could be used to determine Naratriptan concentrations in the range 5x10(-7)-9x10(-7) M, with a detection limit of 1.25x10(-7) M (46.5 mug L(-1)). The applicability of the method to spiked human urine samples was illustrated.

  2. Self-Assembled Polymeric Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Cellulose Nano-crystals: Constructing 3D Ion-conducting Channels Within Ionic Liquid-based Composite Polymer Electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Shi, Qing Xuan; Xia, Qing; Xiang, Xiao; Ye, Yun Sheng; Peng, Hai Yan; Xue, Zhi Gang; Xie, Xiao Lin; Mai, Yiu-Wing

    2017-09-04

    Composite polymeric and ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes are some of the most promising electrolyte systems for safer battery technology. Although much effort has been directed towards enhancing the transport properties of polymer electrolytes (PEs) through nanoscopic modification by incorporating nano-fillers, it is still difficult to construct ideal ion conducting networks. Here, a novel class of three-dimensional self-assembled polymeric ionic liquid (PIL)-functionalized cellulose nano-crystals (CNC) confining ILs in surface-grafted PIL polymer chains, able to form colloidal crystal polymer electrolytes (CCPE), is reported. The high-strength CNC nano-fibers, decorated with PIL polymer chains, can spontaneously form three-dimensional interpenetrating nano-network scaffolds capable of supporting electrolytes with continuously connected ion conducting networks with IL being concentrated in conducting domains. These new CCPE have exceptional ionic conductivities, low activation energies (close to bulk IL electrolyte with dissolved Li salt), high Li + transport numbers, low interface resistances and improved interface compatibilities. Furthermore, the CCPE displays good electrochemical properties and a good battery performance. This approach offers a route to leak-free, non-flammable and high ionic conductivity solid-state PE in energy conversion devices. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Electric-Field-Directed Parallel Alignment Architecting 3D Lithium-Ion Pathways within Solid Composite Electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xueqing; Peng, Sha; Gao, Shuyu; Cao, Yuancheng; You, Qingliang; Zhou, Liyong; Jin, Yongcheng; Liu, Zhihong; Liu, Jiyan

    2018-05-09

    It is of great significance to seek high-performance solid electrolytes via a facile chemistry and simple process for meeting the requirements of solid batteries. Previous reports revealed that ion conducting pathways within ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes mainly occur at ceramic particles and the ceramic-polymer interface. Herein, one facile strategy toward ceramic particles' alignment and assembly induced by an external alternating-current (AC) electric field is presented. It was manifested by an in situ optical microscope that Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4 ) 3 particles and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (LATP@PEGDA@PDMS) assembled into three-dimensional connected networks on applying an external AC electric field. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the ceramic LATP particles aligned into a necklacelike assembly. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed that the ionic conductivity of this necklacelike alignment was significantly enhanced compared to that of the random one. It was demonstrated that this facile strategy of applying an AC electric field can be a very effective approach for architecting three-dimensional lithium-ion conductive networks within solid composite electrolyte.

  4. New Polymer Electrolyte Cell Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smyrl, William H.; Owens, Boone B.; Mann, Kent; Pappenfus, T.; Henderson, W.

    2004-01-01

    PAPERS PUBLISHED: 1. Pappenfus, Ted M.; Henderson, Wesley A.; Owens, Boone B.; Mann, Kent R.; Smyrl, William H. Complexes of Lithium Imide Salts with Tetraglyme and Their Polyelectrolyte Composite Materials. Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2004), 15 1 (2), A209-A2 15. 2. Pappenfus, Ted M.; Henderson, Wesley A.; Owens, Boone B.; Mann, Kent R.; Smyrl, William H. Ionic-liquidlpolymer electrolyte composite materials for electrochemical device applications. Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering (2003), 88 302. 3. Pappenfus, Ted R.; Henderson, Wesley A.; Owens, Boone B.; Mann, Kent R.; and Smyrl, William H. Ionic Conductivity of a poly(vinylpyridinium)/Silver Iodide Solid Polymer Electrolyte System. Solid State Ionics (in press 2004). 4. Pappenfus Ted M.; Mann, Kent R; Smyrl, William H. Polyelectrolyte Composite Materials with LiPFs and Tetraglyme. Electrochemical and Solid State Letters, (2004), 7(8), A254.

  5. Tuning filler shape, surface chemistry and ion content in nanofilled polymer electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ganapatibhotla, Lalitha V. N. R.

    We investigate how nanofiller surface chemistry and aspect ratio affect the performance of nanofilled solid polymer electrolytes. Polymer-based electrolytes are an attractive alternative to the organic electrolytes currently used in lithium ion batteries. We characterize acidic nanoparticle filled electrolytes and compare them to neutral particle-filled electrolytes previously measured in our lab. Dielectric spectroscopy measurements indicate that the highest increase in conductivity occurs at the eutectic composition (EO/Li=10) and is independent of filler surface chemistry. We measure PEO dynamics using quasi-elastic neutron scattering and do not observe any change in polymer dynamics with particle surface chemistry. When we examine the elastic incoherent structure factor associated with the rotational process, fillers are found to restrict the rotation of the highly conducting PEO6:LiClO4 tunnels. At the eutectic composition, these tunnels are stabilized at the filler surface even above PEO melting temperature. Marginal stability theory predicts formation of alternating layers of coexisting phases at the eutectic composition. We propose a new mechanism, via stabilization of alternating layers of PEO and highly conducting PEO 6:LiClO4 tunnels at the filler surface. When compared to spherical particles, more such structures would be stabilized at a filler surface with high aspect ratio. Consistent with this hypothesis, neutral gamma-Al2O3 nanowhiskers (2-4 nm in diameter and 200-400 nm in length) intensify the effect of neutral gamma-Al 2O3 nanoparticles. The diameters of the two fillers are similar, but the change in aspect ratio (1 to 100) improves conductivity by a factor of 5. This enhancement occurs at battery operation temperatures! Although the change in aspect ratio does not affect thermal transitions and segmental dynamics at optimal whisker loading, the rotation of PEO6 remnants is distinct at the eutectic composition. Because the mechanism by which nanofillers enhance conductivity is related to stabilization of conducting structures at the filler-electrolyte interface, we determine the interface morphology using neutron reflectometry. For this, we spin-coat the unfilled electrolytes EO/Li = 8, 10 on sapphire substrate, which has the same surface chemistry as alpha-Al2O3. When freshly-spin coated on sapphire substrate, the non-eutectic sample does not exhibit any segregation of layers. The freshly spin-coated eutectic sample forms layers with alternating high and low salt concentrations, very similar to the eutectic lamellae predicted by the marginal stability theory for eutectic solidification. Such lamellae do not develop further when the sample is annealed at eutectic temperature and the salt concentration in the polymer decreases gradually away from the surface of sapphire. To take fullest advantage of the surface mechanism and obtain larger increases in conductivity we tailor the aspect ratio of high aspect ratio fillers. Commercial availability of alumina nanowhiskers is limited to neutral surface chemistry and aspect ratio of 100, cellulose nanowhiskers provide a model system where a wide range of surface chemistries may be accessed with variable aspect ratio. We synthesized cellulose whiskers of two different aspect ratios [cotton whiskers: aspect ratio ˜ 10, acetobacter whiskers: aspect ratio ˜ 200] and tested their influence on conductivity and morphology of polymer electrolytes. Similar to all fillers studied in this work, both types of cellulose whiskers provide highest increase in conductivity at the eutectic composition, with the longer acetobacter whiskers providing a marginally higher increase than the cotton whiskers. Although both cellulose whiskers do not alter the crystallinity or glass transition temperature at the optimal 1 wt% loading, they amplify the faint cold crystallization behavior observed in the unfilled eutectic electrolyte without changing the overall crystallinity. At the non-eutectic compositions, cellulose whiskers behave similar to the acidic nanoparticles. To determine the function of nanofillers in entire composition range of the phase diagram, we extend the range of measurements on the nanofilled PEO+LiClO4 electrolyte to EO/Li = 4 to 100. Because PEO+LiAsF 6 electrolytes have similar phase diagram as the PEO+LiClO4 electrolytes, we augment the study of nanofilled PEO+LiAsF6 complexes to the PEO+LiClO4 electrolytes. At compositions near the high and low ends of the phase diagram, the effect of nanofillers on conductivity is governed by reduction in crystallinity of PEO and PEO-salt complexes. In the absence of PEO6, fillers interact directly with PEO and suppress crystallization. This is consistent with the reflectometry experiment where sapphire surface prefers to interact with the salt-rich layers. Around the eutectic composition fillers restrict the highly conducting PEO6 complex at their surface and any increase in conductivity is due to stabilization of these conducting tunnels. For room temperature applications, lithium hexafluoroarsenate seems to be the better salt than lithium perchlorate. At temperatures higher than the eutectic temperature (50°C), conductivity levels off at the value set by the eutectic composition. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

  6. Cathode composition for electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Steunenberg, Robert K.; Martin, Allan E.; Tomczuk, Zygmunt

    1976-01-01

    A high-temperature, secondary electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode containing an alkali metal such as lithium, an electrolyte of molten salt containing ions of that alkali metal and a positive electrode containing a mixture of metallic sulfides. The positive electrode composition is contained within a porous structure that permits permeation of molten electrolyte and includes a mixture of about 5% to 30% by weight Cu.sub.2 S in FeS.

  7. Anti-perovskite solid electrolyte compositions

    DOEpatents

    Zhao, Yusheng; Daemen, Luc Louis

    2015-12-26

    Solid electrolyte antiperovskite compositions for batteries, capacitors, and other electrochemical devices have chemical formula Li.sub.3OA, Li.sub.(3-x)M.sub.x/2OA, Li.sub.(3-x)N.sub.x/3OA, or LiCOX.sub.zY.sub.(1-z), wherein M and N are divalent and trivalent metals respectively and wherein A is a halide or mixture of halides, and X and Y are halides.

  8. Electrochemical testing of industrially produced PEO-based polymer electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Appetecchi, G. B.; Alessandrini, F.; Duan, R. G.; Arzu, A.; Passerini, S.

    The present report describes the results of the electrochemical tests performed on polyethyleneoxide-based polymer electrolyte thin films industrially manufactured by blown-extrusion. The polymer electrolyte composition was PEO 20 LiCF 3SO 3: 16.7% γLiAlO 2. The polymer electrolyte film was tested to evaluate the ionic conductivity as well as the interfacial properties with lithium metal anodes. The work was developed within the advanced lithium polymer electrolyte (ALPE) project, an Italian project devoted to the realization of lithium polymer batteries for electric vehicle applications, in collaboration with Union Carbide.

  9. Role of additives in formation of solid-electrolyte interfaces on carbon electrodes and their effect on high-voltage stability.

    PubMed

    Qu, Weiguo; Dorjpalam, Enkhtuvshin; Rajagopalan, Ramakrishnan; Randall, Clive A

    2014-04-01

    The in situ modification of a lithium hexafluorophosphate-based electrolyte using a molybdenum oxide catalyst and small amount of water (1 vol %) yields hydrolysis products such as mono-, di-, and alkylfluorophosphates. The electrochemical stability of ultrahigh-purity, high-surface-area carbon electrodes derived from polyfurfuryl alcohol was tested using the modified electrolyte. Favorable modification of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on the activated carbon electrode increased the cyclable electrochemical voltage window (4.8-1.2 V vs. Li/Li(+)). The chemical modification of the SEI layer induced by electrolyte additives was characterized by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Ionic Liquid as an Effective Additive for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

    DOE PAGES

    Pan, Baofei; Lau, Ka -Cheong; Vaughey, John T.; ...

    2017-03-02

    Here, the effect of the addition of an ionic liquid DEME•TFSI to an electrolyte solution of Mg(HMDS) 2-MgCl 2 in THF was studied electrochemically and spectroscopically. Reversible magnesium deposition/dissolution was achieved with the DEME•TFSI-modified electrolyte. This electrolyte shows higher ionic conductivity, and a linear relationship was observed between the ionic conductivity and the concentration of DEME•TFSI in THF solution of Mg(HMDS) 2-MgCl 2. Mg-Mo 6S 8 coin cells have also been successfully cycled using Mg(HMDS) 2-MgCl 2 electrolyte with the addition of DEME•TFSI. Raman and NMR spectroscopy suggest that DEME•TFSI facilitates magnesium deposition/dissolution by improving ionic conductivity of the electrolyte.

  11. Composite Polymer-Garnet Solid State Electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Villa, Andres; Oduncu, Muhammed R.; Scofield, Gregory D.; Marinero, Ernesto E.; Forbey, Scott

    Solid-state electrolytes provide a potential solution to the safety and reliability issues of Li-ion batteries. We have synthesized cubic-phase Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12 compounds utilizing inexpensive, scalable Sol-gel synthesis and obtained ionic conductivities 1.2 x 10-4 S/cm at RT in not-fully densified pellets. In this work we report on the fabrication of composite polymer-garnet ceramic particle electrolytes to produce flexible membranes that can be integrated with standard battery electrodes without the need for a separator. As a first step we incorporated the ceramic particles into polyethylene oxide polymers (PEO) to form flexible membranes. Early results are encouraging yielding ionic conductivity values 1.0 x 10-5 S/cm at RT. To increment the conductivity in the membranes, we are optimizing amongst other: the ceramic particle size distribution and weight load, the polymer molecular weight and chemical composition and the solvated Li-salt composition and content. Unhindered ion transport across interfaces between the composites and the battery electrode materials is paramount for battery performance. To this end, we are investigating the effect of interface morphology, its atomic composition and exploring novel electrode structures that facilitate ionic transport.

  12. One-step hydrothermal preparation of (NH4)2V3O8/carbon composites and conversion to porous V2O5 nanoparticles as supercapacitor electrode with excellent pseudocapacitive capability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yifu; Zheng, Jiqi; Wang, Qiushi; Zhang, Shaoqing; Hu, Tao; Meng, Changgong

    2017-11-01

    (NH4)2V3O8/carbon composites were successfully achieved using NH4VO3 and glucose as the starting materials via a one-step hydrothermal route for the first time. The composites consisted a layer structured (NH4)2V3O8 and amorphous carbon with aromatic structures containing lots of active function groups. Then porous V2O5 nanoparticles were fabricated by the thermal treatment of (NH4)2V3O8/carbon composites in air atmospheres. The BET specific surface area of (NH4)2V3O8/carbon composites measured 1.68 m2 g-1, whereas BET surface area of porous V2O5 nanoparticles reached 10.6 m2 g-1 and the average pore size totaled 28.9 nm. The synthetic process of (NH4)2V3O8/carbon composites and porous V2O5 nanoparticles was briefly discussed. Electrochemical properties of porous V2O5 nanoparticles as supercapacitor electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) both in the aqueous and organic electrolytes. The influence of calcined temperature and time and the mole ratio of NH4VO3/glucose on specific capacitance, phase and morphology of samples were discussed in detail. Porous V2O5 nanoparticles respectively exhibited the specific capacitance of 433 and 545 F g-1 in the aqueous and organic electrolytes at the current density of 1 A g-1. After 100 cycles, the capacitance retention was 89.6% in organic electrolyte, whereas it was only 22.9% in aqueous electrolyte. It turned out that electrochemical properties of porous V2O5 nanoparticles were greatly improved by using organic electrolyte.

  13. Design of Hybrid Solid Polymer Electrolytes: Structure and Properties

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bronstein, Lyudmila M.; Karlinsey, Robert L.; Ritter, Kyle; Joo, Chan Gyu; Stein, Barry; Zwanziger, Josef W.

    2003-01-01

    This paper reports synthesis, structure, and properties of novel hybrid solid polymer electrolytes (SPE's) consisting of organically modified aluminosilica (OM-ALSi), formed within a poly(ethylene oxide)-in-salt (Li triflate) phase. To alter the structure and properties we fused functionalized silanes containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) tails or CN groups.

  14. Serially connected solid oxide fuel cells having monolithic cores

    DOEpatents

    Herceg, Joseph E.

    1987-01-01

    A solid oxide fuel cell for electrochemically combining fuel and oxidant for generating galvanic output, wherein the cell core has an array of cell segments electrically serially connected in the flow direction, each segment consisting of electrolyte walls and interconnect that are substantially devoid of any composite inert materials for support. Instead, the core is monolithic, where each electrolyte wall consists of thin layers of cathode and anode materials sandwiching a thin layer of electrolyte material therebetween. Means direct the fuel to the anode-exposed core passageways and means direct the oxidant to the cathode-exposed core passageways; and means also direct the galvanic output to an exterior circuit. Each layer of the electrolyte composite materials is of the order of 0.002-0.01 cm thick; and each layer of the cathode and anode materials is of the order of 0.002-0.05 cm thick. Between 2 and 50 cell segments may be connected in series.

  15. Tailoring the electrode-electrolyte interface of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) by laser micro-patterning to improve their electrochemical performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cebollero, J. A.; Lahoz, R.; Laguna-Bercero, M. A.; Larrea, A.

    2017-08-01

    Cathode activation polarisation is one of the main contributions to the losses of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. To reduce this loss we use a pulsed laser to modify the surface of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes to make a corrugated micro-patterning in the mesoscale. The beam of the laser source, 5 ns pulse width and emitting at λ = 532 nm (green region), is computer-controlled to engrave the selected micro-pattern on the electrolyte surface. Several laser scanning procedures and geometries have been tested. Finally, we engrave a square array with 28 μm of lattice parameter and 7 μm in depth on YSZ plates. With these plates we prepare LSM-YSZ/YSZ/LSM-YSZ symmetrical cells (LSM: La1-xSrxMnO3) and determine their activation polarisation by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). To get good electrode-electrolyte contact after sintering it is necessary to use pressure-assisted sintering with low loads (about 5 kPa), which do not modify the electrode microstructure. The decrease in polarisation with respect to an unprocessed cell is about 30%. EIS analysis confirms that the reason for this decrease is an improvement in the activation processes at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

  16. Theoretical analysis of aqueous solutions of mixed strong electrolytes by a smaller-ion shell electrostatic model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fraenkel, Dan, E-mail: dfraenkel@eltronresearch.com

    2014-02-07

    In spite of the great importance of mixed electrolytes in science and technology, no compelling theoretical explanation has been offered yet for the thermodynamic behavior of such systems, such as their deviation from ideality and the variation of their excess functions with ionic composition and concentration. Using the newly introduced Smaller-ion Shell treatment – an extension of the Debye–Hückel theory to ions of dissimilar size (hence DH–SiS) – simple analytic mathematical expressions can be derived for the mean and single-ion activity coefficients of binary electrolyte components of ternary ionic systems. Such expressions are based on modifying the parallel DH–SiS equationsmore » for pure binary ionic systems, by adding to the three ion-size parameters – a (of counterions), b{sub +} (of positive coions), and b{sub −} (of negative coions) – a fourth parameter. For the (+ + −) system, this is “b{sub ++},” the contact distance between non-coion cations. b{sub ++} is derived from fits with experiment and, like the other b’s, is constant at varying ion concentration and combination. Four case studies are presented: (1) HCl–NaCl–H{sub 2}O, (2) HCl–NH{sub 4}Cl–H{sub 2}O, (3) (0.01 M HX)–MX–H{sub 2}O with X = Cl, Br, and with M = Li, Na, K, Cs, and (4) HCl–MCl{sub n}–H{sub 2}O with n = 2, M = Sr, Ba; and n = 3, M = Al, Ce. In all cases, theory is fully consistent with experiment when using a of the measured binary electrolyte as the sole fitting parameter. DH–SiS is thus shown to explain known “mysteries” in the behavior of ternary electrolytes, including Harned rule, and to adequately predict the pH of acid solutions in which ionized salts are present at different concentrations.« less

  17. Carbon dioxide electrolysis with solid oxide electrolyte cells for oxygen recovery in life support systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Isenberg, Arnold O.; Cusick, Robert J.

    1988-01-01

    The direct electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is achieved without catalysts and at sufficiently high temperatures to avoid carbon formation. The tubular electrolysis cell consists of thin layers of anode, electrolyte, cathode and cell interconnection. The electrolyte is made from yttria-stabilized zirconia which is an oxygen ion conductor at elevated temperatures. Anode and cell interconnection materials are complex oxides and are electronic conductors. The cathode material is a composite metal-ceramic structure. Cell performance characteristics have been determined using varying feed gas compositions and degrees of electrochemical decomposition. Cell test data are used to project the performance of a three-person CO2-electrolysis breadboard system.

  18. Background electrolytes and pH effects on selenate adsorption using iron-impregnated granular activated carbon and surface binding mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Ning; Gang, Daniel Dianchen; McDonald, Louis; Lin, Lian-Shin

    2018-03-01

    Iron-impregnated granular activated carbon (Fe-GAC) has been shown effective for selenite adsorptive removal from aqueous solutions, but similar effectiveness was not observed with selenate. This study examined the effects of background electrolytes and pH on selenate adsorption on to Fe-GAC, and surface bindings to elucidate the selenate adsorption mechanisms. The decrease magnitude of selenate adsorption capacity under three background electrolytes followed the order: LiCl > NaCl > KCl, as ionic strength increased from 0.01 to 0.1 M. Larger adsorption capacity differences among the three electrolytes were observed under the higher ionic strengths (0.05 and 0.1 M) than those under 0.01 M. Multiplet peak fittings of high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectra for O1s and Fe2p 3/2 indicated the presence of iron (III) on adsorbent surface. pH variations during the adsorbent preparation within 3-8 in NaCl solutions did not cause appreciable changes in the iron redox state and composition. Raman spectra showed the formation of both monodentate and bidentate inner sphere complexes under pHs <7 and a mixture of outer sphere and inner sphere complexes at pH 8. These results explained the lower selenate adsorption under alkaline conditions. Mechanisms for monodentate and bidentate formations and a stable six-member ring structure were proposed. Two strategies were recommended for modifying Fe-GAC preparation procedure to enhance the selenate adsorption: (1) mixed-metal oxide coatings to increase the point of zero charge (pH zpc ); and (2) ferrous iron coating to initially reduce selenate followed by selenite adsorption. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Preparation of redox polymer cathodes for thin film rechargeable batteries

    DOEpatents

    Skotheim, T.A.; Lee, H.S.; Okamoto, Yoshiyuki.

    1994-11-08

    The present invention relates to the manufacture of thin film solid state electrochemical devices using composite cathodes comprising a redox polymer capable of undergoing oxidation and reduction, a polymer solid electrolyte and conducting carbon. The polymeric cathode material is formed as a composite of radiation crosslinked polymer electrolytes and radiation crosslinked redox polymers based on polysiloxane backbones with attached organosulfur side groups capable of forming sulfur-sulfur bonds during electrochemical oxidation.

  20. Method of preparing silicon carbide particles dispersed in an electrolytic bath for composite electroplating of metals

    DOEpatents

    Peng, Yu-Min; Wang, Jih-Wen; Liue, Chun-Ying; Yeh, Shinn-Horng

    1994-01-01

    A method for preparing silicon carbide particles dispersed in an electrolytic bath for composite electroplating of metals includes the steps of washing the silicon carbide particles with an organic solvent; washing the silicon carbide particles with an inorganic acid; grinding the silicon carbide particles; and heating the silicon carbide particles in a nickel-containing solution at a boiling temperature for a predetermined period of time.

  1. High performance electrolytes for MCFC

    DOEpatents

    Kaun, Thomas D.; Roche, Michael F.

    1999-01-01

    A carbonate electrolyte of the Li/Na or CaBaLiNa system. The Li/Na carbonate has a composition displaced from the eutectic composition to diminish segregation effects in a molten carbonate fuel cell. The CaBaLiNa system includes relatively small amounts of Ca.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and BaCO.sub.3, and preferably of equimolar amounts. The presence of both Ca and BaCO.sub.3 enables lower temperature fuel cell operation.

  2. Performance improvement of gel- and solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells by utilization the blending effect of poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluropropylene) and poly (acrylonitrile-co-vinyl acetate) co-polymers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Venkatesan, Shanmugam; Obadja, Nesia; Chang, Ting-Wei; Chen, Li-Tung; Lee, Yuh-Lang

    2014-12-01

    Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and poly (acrylonitrile-co-vinyl acetate) (PAN-VA) are used as gelator to prepare gel- and solid-state polymer electrolytes for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) applications. The electrolytes prepared using PVDF-HFP have higher conductivities than those prepared using PAN-VA. In blended polymers, the conductivities of the electrolytes increase with increasing composition of PVDF-HFP; at 75% PVDF-HFP, conductivity of the blended polymer surpassed that of pure polymers. It is also found that the viscosity of the electrolyte prepared by PAN-VA (1.2 kPaS) is much lower than that by PVDF-HFP (11 kPaS). Therefore, increasing PAN-VA composition can decrease the viscosity of the electrolyte, improving the penetration of electrolytes in the TiO2 matrix. By controlling the ratio of PVDF-HFP/PAN-VA, the conductivity and viscosity of the electrolyte can be regulated and an optimal ratio based on the conversion efficiency of the gel- and solid state DSSCs is obtained at the ratio of 3/1. The highest efficiency achieved by the gel- and solid-state cells using the blending polymers are 6.3% and 4.88%, respectively, which are higher than those prepared using pure polymers (5.53% and 4.56%, respectively). The introduction of TiO2 fillers to the solid electrolyte can further increase the cell efficiency to 5.34%.

  3. Electrolyte volume effects on electrochemical performance and solid electrolyte interphase in Si-graphite/NMC lithium-ion pouch cells

    DOE PAGES

    An, Seong Jin; Li, Jianlin; Daniel, Claus; ...

    2017-05-15

    This study aims to explore the correlations between electrolyte volume, electrochemical performance, and properties of the solid electrolyte interphase in pouch cells with Si-graphite composite anodes. The electrolyte is 1.2 M LiPF 6 in ethylene carbonate:ethylmethyl carbonate with 10 wt.% fluoroethylene carbonate. Single layer pouch cells (100 mAh) were constructed with 15 wt.% Si-graphite/LiNi 0.5Mn 0.3CO 0.2O 2 electrodes. It is found that a minimum electrolyte volume factor of 3.1 times the total pore volume of cell components (cathode, anode, and separator) is needed for better cycling stability. Less electrolyte causes increases in ohmic and charge transfer resistances. Lithium dendritesmore » are observed when the electrolyte volume factor is low. The resistances from the anodes become significant as the cells are discharged. As a result, solid electrolyte interphase thickness grows as the electrolyte volume factor increases and is non-uniform after cycling.« less

  4. The state of understanding of the lithium-ion-battery graphite solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and its relationship to formation cycling

    DOE PAGES

    An, Seong Jin; Li, Jianlin; Daniel, Claus; ...

    2016-04-09

    An in-depth review is presented on the science of lithium-ion battery (LIB) solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on the graphite anode, including structure, morphology, chemical composition, electrochemistry, formation mechanism, and LIB formation cycling. During initial operation of LIBs, the SEI layer forms on the graphite surfaces, the most commonly used anode material, due to side reactions with the electrolyte solvent/salt at low electro-reduction potentials. It is accepted that the SEI layer is essential to the long-term performance of LIBs, and it also has an impact on its initial capacity loss, self-discharge characteristics, cycle life, rate capability, and safety. While themore » presence of the anode SEI layer is vital, it is difficult to control its formation and growth, as the chemical composition, morphology, and stability depend on several factors. These factors include the type of graphite, electrolyte composition, electrochemical conditions, and cell temperature. Thus, SEI layer formation and electrochemical stability over long-term operation should be a primary topic of future investigation in the development of LIB technology. We review the progression of knowledge gained about the anode SEI, from its discovery in 1979 to the current state of understanding, and covers its formation process, differences in the chemical and structural makeup when cell materials and components are varied, methods of characterization, and associated reactions with the liquid electrolyte phase. It also discusses the relationship of the SEI layer to the LIB formation step, which involves both electrolyte wetting and subsequent slow charge-discharge cycles to grow the SEI.« less

  5. An anion-immobilized composite electrolyte for dendrite-free lithium metal anodes

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Chen-Zi; Zhang, Xue-Qiang; Cheng, Xin-Bing; Zhang, Rui; Xu, Rui; Chen, Peng-Yu; Peng, Hong-Jie; Huang, Jia-Qi

    2017-01-01

    Lithium metal is strongly regarded as a promising electrode material in next-generation rechargeable batteries due to its extremely high theoretical specific capacity and lowest reduction potential. However, the safety issue and short lifespan induced by uncontrolled dendrite growth have hindered the practical applications of lithium metal anodes. Hence, we propose a flexible anion-immobilized ceramic–polymer composite electrolyte to inhibit lithium dendrites and construct safe batteries. Anions in the composite electrolyte are tethered by a polymer matrix and ceramic fillers, inducing a uniform distribution of space charges and lithium ions that contributes to a dendrite-free lithium deposition. The dissociation of anions and lithium ions also helps to reduce the polymer crystallinity, rendering stable and fast transportation of lithium ions. Ceramic fillers in the electrolyte extend the electrochemically stable window to as wide as 5.5 V and provide a barrier to short circuiting for realizing safe batteries at elevated temperature. The anion-immobilized electrolyte can be applied in all–solid-state batteries and exhibits a small polarization of 15 mV. Cooperated with LiFePO4 and LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathodes, the all–solid-state lithium metal batteries render excellent specific capacities of above 150 mAh⋅g−1 and well withstand mechanical bending. These results reveal a promising opportunity for safe and flexible next-generation lithium metal batteries. PMID:28973945

  6. Electrochemical properties of composite cathodes using Sm doped layered perovskite for intermediate temperature-operating solid oxide fuel cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baek, Seung-Wook; Azad, Abul K.; Irvine, John T. S.; Choi, Won Seok; Kang, Hyunil; Kim, Jung Hyun

    2018-02-01

    SmBaCo2O5+d (SBCO) showed the lowest observed Area Specific Resistance (ASR) value in the LnBaCo2O5+d (Ln: Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd) oxide system for the overall temperature ranges tested. The ASR of a composite cathode (mixture of SBCO and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-d) on a Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-d (CGO91) electrolyte decreased with respect to the CGO91 content; the percolation limit was also achieved for a 50 wt% SBCO and 50 wt% CGO91 (SBCO50) composite cathode. The ASRs of SBCO50 on the dense CGO91 electrolyte in the overall temperature range of 500-750 °C were relatively lower than those of SBCO50 on the CGO91 coated dense 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) electrolyte for the same temperature range. From 750 °C and for all higher temperatures tested, however, the ASRs of SBCO50 on the CGO91 coated dense 8YSZ electrolyte were lower than those of the CGO91 electrolyte. The maximum power densities of SBCO50 on the Ni-8YSZ/8YSZ/CGO91 buffer layer were 1.034 W cm-2 and 0.611 W cm-2 at 800 °C and 700 °C.

  7. Electrolyte and composition effects on the performances of asymmetric supercapacitors constructed with Mn3O4 nanoparticles-graphene nanocomposites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiao, Yuanhua; Cao, Yongbo; Gong, Yuyin; Zhang, Aiqin; Zhao, Jihong; Fang, Shaoming; Jia, Dianzeng; Li, Feng

    2014-01-01

    Nanocomposites of Mn3O4 nanoparticles and graphene (GR) nanosheets - Mn3O4@GR can be made by growing Mn3O4 nanoparticles directly on the surfaces of GR in solvothermal reactions. The asymmetric supercapacitors constructed with Mn3O4@GR as positive and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrodes, respectively, show highly enhanced performances in energy storage. It was found that the electrolytes employed in constructing electrodes of the devices can influence the performances of Mn3O4@GR supercapacitors dramatically. Compared to their energy density in KOH electrolyte, the devices exhibit improved charge storage performances in Na2SO4 electrolyte. Furthermore, the charge storage abilities of the devices are closely related to the amount of Mn3O4 nanoparticles loaded onto the surface of GR nanosheets. The performances of Mn3O4@GR//AC asymmetric supercapacitors can be optimized by carefully tailoring the composition of electrode materials and adjusting the electrolytes for making the devices.

  8. Performance of intermediate temperature (600-800 °C) solid oxide fuel cell based on Sr and Mg doped lanthanum-gallate electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Wenquan; Gopalan, Srikanth; Pal, Uday B.

    The solid electrolyte chosen for this investigation was La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3 (LSGM). To select appropriate electrode materials from a group of possible candidate materials, AC complex impedance spectroscopy studies were conducted between 600 and 800 °C on symmetrical cells that employed the LSGM electrolyte. Based on the results of the investigation, LSGM electrolyte supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were fabricated with La 0.6Sr 0.4Co 0.8Fe 0.2O 3-La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3 (LSCF-LSGM) composite cathode and nickel-Ce 0.6La 0.4O 2 (Ni-LDC) composite anode having a barrier layer of Ce 0.6La 0.4O 2 (LDC) between the LSGM electrolyte and the Ni-LDC anode. Electrical performances of these cells were determined and the electrode polarization behavior as a function of cell current was modeled between 600 and 800 °C.

  9. Polyaniline/MWCNTs/starch modified carbon paste electrode for non-enzymatic detection of cholesterol: application to real sample (cow milk).

    PubMed

    Gautam, Vineeta; Singh, Karan P; Yadav, Vijay L

    2018-03-01

    Nanocomposite materials are potentially revolutionizing many technologies, including sensors. In this paper, we described the application of "PANI/MWCNTs/Starch" modified carbon paste electrode (PCS-CPE) as a simple and highly sensitive cholesterol sensor. This novel nano-composite material has integrated nano-morphology, where polyaniline could interact effectively with the additives; pi-pi stacking "MWCNTs," and covalently bonded with starch. Specific binding sites (sugar chains), better electro-catalytic properties and fast electron transfer facilitated the oxidation of cholesterol. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the interaction of cholesterol with the composite material. The sensing response of PCS was measured by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry (0.1 M PBS-5 used as supporting electrolyte). As the amount of cholesterol increased in the test solution, cyclic voltammograms showed a rise of peak current (cathodic and anodic). Under the normal experimental conditions, the developed sensor exhibited wide linear dynamic range (0.032 to 5 mM) (upper limit is due to lack of solubility of cholesterol), high sensitivity (800 μAmM -1  cm -2 ), low detection limit (0.01 mM) and shorter response time (within 4-6 s). Analytical specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity during cholesterol estimation were compared with the response of some other analytes (ascorbic acid, glucose, l-dopa, urea and lactic acid). This novel sensor was successfully applied to estimate cholesterol in cow milk (used as a model real sample). The sensing platform is highly sensitive and shows a linear response towards cholesterol without using any additional redox mediator or enzyme, thus this material is extremely promising for the realization of a low-cost integrated cholesterol sensor device. Graphical abstract Cyclic voltammetric response of cholesterol of composite modified carbon paste capillary electrode.

  10. Proton exchange membrane based on chitosan and solvent-free carbon nanotube fluids for fuel cells applications.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jie; Gong, Chunli; Wen, Sheng; Liu, Hai; Qin, Caiqin; Xiong, Chuanxi; Dong, Lijie

    2018-04-15

    Poor dispersion and inert ionic conduction are two major obstacles towards using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to modify polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) in energy conversion devices. In this work, solvent-free carbon nanotube fluids (CNT fluids) with liquid-like behavior are prepared through an ion exchange method and incorporated into a chitosan (CS) matrix to fabricate composite membranes. The electrostatic interactions between SO 3 - groups in the CNT fluids and NH 2 groups in the CS matrix, in addition to the unique flow properties of the CNT fluids, promote the uniform dispersion of CNT fluids in the CS matrix. Markedly, the CS/CNT fluid-3 composite membrane is simultaneously reinforced and toughened by 180% and 300% compared to pure CS membrane, respectively. Moreover, the SO 3 - groups in the CNT fluids facilitate the proton transfer such that the proton conductivity of CS/CNT fluid-3 composite membrane reaches a maximum value of 0.044 S cm -1 at 80 °C. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Formation of a Spinel Coating on AZ31 Magnesium Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sieber, Maximilian; Simchen, Frank; Scharf, Ingolf; Lampke, Thomas

    2016-03-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a common means for the surface modification of light metals. However, PEO of magnesium substrates in dilute electrolytes generally leads to the formation of coatings consisting of unfavorable MgO magnesium oxide. By incorporation of electrolyte components, the phase constitution of the oxide coatings can be modified. Coatings consisting exclusively of MgAl2O4 magnesium-aluminum spinel are produced by PEO in an electrolyte containing hydroxide, aluminate, and phosphate anions. The hardness of the coatings is 3.5 GPa on Martens scale on average. Compared to the bare substrate, the coatings reduce the corrosion current density in dilute sodium chloride solution by approx. one order of magnitude and slightly shift the corrosion potential toward more noble values.

  12. Solid-Liquid Lithium Electrolyte Nanocomposites Derived from Porous Molecular Cages.

    PubMed

    Petronico, Aaron; Moneypenny, Timothy P; Nicolau, Bruno G; Moore, Jeffrey S; Nuzzo, Ralph G; Gewirth, Andrew A

    2018-06-20

    We demonstrate that solid-liquid nanocomposites derived from porous organic cages are effective lithium ion electrolytes at room temperature. A solid-liquid electrolyte nanocomposite (SLEN) fabricated from a LiTFSI/DME electrolyte system and a porous organic cage exhibits ionic conductivity on the order of 1 × 10 -3 S cm -1 . With an experimentally measured activation barrier of 0.16 eV, this composite is characterized as a superionic conductor. Furthermore, the SLEN displays excellent oxidative stability up to 4.7 V vs Li/Li + . This simple three-component system enables the rational design of electrolytes from tunable discrete molecular architectures.

  13. Surface Charge at the Oxide/Electrolyte Interface: Toward Optimization of Electrolyte Composition for Treatment of Aluminum and Magnesium by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation.

    PubMed

    Nominé, Alexandre; Martin, Julien; Noël, Cédric; Henrion, Gérard; Belmonte, Thierry; Bardin, Ilya V; Lukeš, Petr

    2016-02-09

    Controlling microdischarges in plasma electrolytic oxidation is of great importance in order to optimize coating quality. The present study highlights the relationship between the polarity at which breakdown occurs and the electrolyte pH as compared with the isoelectric point (IEP). It is found that working at a pH higher than the IEP of the grown oxide prevents the buildup of detrimental cathodic discharges. The addition of phosphates results in a shift in the IEP to a lower value and therefore promotes anodic discharges at the expense of cathodic ones.

  14. TiO2 as conductivity enhancer in PVdF-HFP polymer electrolyte system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhattacharya, Shreya; Manojkumar Ubarhande, Radha; Usha Rani, M.; Shanker Babu, Ravi; Arunkumar, R.

    2017-11-01

    Composite polymer electrolytes were prepared by incorporating inorganic filler TiO2 into PVdF-HFP-PMMA-EC-LiClO4 system. The electrolyte films were prepared by solvent casting technique. The effect of inorganic filler on the conductivity of the blended polymer electrolyte was studied and it is found that there is a considerable increase in ionic conductivity 1.296 × 10-3 S/cm-1 on the addition of TiO2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study elucidate the increase in amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte. This tendency of the polymer electrolyte could be the reason behind the increase in ionic conductivity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra show the occurrence of complexation and interaction among the components.

  15. MultiLayer solid electrolyte for lithium thin film batteries

    DOEpatents

    Lee, Se -Hee; Tracy, C. Edwin; Pitts, John Roland; Liu, Ping

    2015-07-28

    A lithium metal thin-film battery composite structure is provided that includes a combination of a thin, stable, solid electrolyte layer [18] such as Lipon, designed in use to be in contact with a lithium metal anode layer; and a rapid-deposit solid electrolyte layer [16] such as LiAlF.sub.4 in contact with the thin, stable, solid electrolyte layer [18]. Batteries made up of or containing these structures are more efficient to produce than other lithium metal batteries that use only a single solid electrolyte. They are also more resistant to stress and strain than batteries made using layers of only the stable, solid electrolyte materials. Furthermore, lithium anode batteries as disclosed herein are useful as rechargeable batteries.

  16. Porous carbon nanotube/graphene composites for high-performance supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jing; Tang, Jie; Yuan, Jinshi; Zhang, Kun; Yu, Xiaoliang; Sun, Yige; Zhang, Han; Qin, Lu-Chang

    2018-02-01

    Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an effective spacer to prevent the re-stacking of graphene layers. However, the aggregation of CNTs always reduces the specific surface area of resulting CNT/graphene composites. Meanwhile, different pores always have different contributions to the specific capacitance. In this study, CNT/graphene composites with different porous structures are synthesized by co-reduction of oxidized CNTs and graphene oxide with different mixing ratios. With an optimized CNT content of 20%, the CNT/graphene composite shows 206 F g-1 in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate electrolyte. It is found that pores larger than twice the size of electrolyte ions can make greater contributions to the specific capacitance.

  17. Electrodeposition of magnesium and magnesium/aluminum alloys

    DOEpatents

    Mayer, Anton

    1988-01-01

    Electrolytes and plating solutions for use in processes for electroplating and electroforming pure magnesium and alloys of aluminum and magnesium and also electrodeposition processes. An electrolyte of this invention is comprised of an alkali metal fluoride or a quaternary ammonium halide, dimethyl magnesium and/or diethyl magnesium, and triethyl aluminum and/or triisobutyl aluminum. An electrolyte may be dissolved in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent to form a plating solution. The proportions of the component compounds in the electrolyte are varied to produce essentially pure magnesium or magnesium/aluminum alloys having varying selected compositions.

  18. Electrodeposition of magnesium and magnesium/aluminum alloys

    DOEpatents

    Mayer, A.

    1988-01-21

    Electrolytes and plating solutions for use in processes for electroplating and electroforming pure magnesium and alloys of aluminum and magnesium and also electrodeposition processes. An electrolyte of this invention is comprised of an alkali metal fluoride or a quaternary ammonium halide, dimethyl magnesium and/or diethyl magnesium, and triethyl aluminum and/or triisobutyl aluminum. An electrolyte may be dissolved in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent to form a plating solution. The proportions of the component compounds in the electrolyte are varied to produce essentially pure magnesium or magnesium/aluminum alloys having varying selected compositions.

  19. Mixed organic compound-ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium battery electrolyte systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Montanino, M.; Moreno, M.; Carewska, M.; Maresca, G.; Simonetti, E.; Lo Presti, R.; Alessandrini, F.; Appetecchi, G. B.

    2014-12-01

    The thermal, transport, rheological and flammability properties of electrolyte mixtures, proposed for safer lithium-ion battery systems, were investigated as a function of the mole composition. The blends were composed of a lithium salt (LiTFSI), organic solvents (namely EC, DEC) and an ionic liquid (PYR13TFSI). The main goal is to combine the fast ion transport properties of the organic compounds with the safe issues of the non-flammable and non-volatile ionic liquids. Preliminary tests in batteries have evidenced cycling performance approaching that observed in commercial organic electrolytes.

  20. Method of making sulfur tolerant composite cermet electrodes for solid oxide electrochemical cells

    DOEpatents

    Isenberg, Arnold O.

    1989-01-01

    An electrochemical apparatus is made containing an exterior electorde bonded to the exterior of a tubular, solid, oxygen ion conducting electrolyte where the electrolyte is also in contact with an interior electrode, said exterior electrode comprising particles of an electronic conductor contacting the electrolyte, where a ceramic metal oxide coating partially surrounds the particles and is bonded to the electrolyte, and where a coating of an ionic-electronic conductive material is attached to the ceramic metal oxide coating and to the exposed portions of the particles.

  1. Sulfur tolerant composite cermet electrodes for solid oxide electrochemical cells

    DOEpatents

    Isenberg, Arnold O.

    1987-01-01

    An electrochemical apparatus is made containing an exterior electrode bonded to the exterior of a tubular, solid, oxygen ion conducting electrolyte where the electrolyte is also in contact with an interior electrode, said exterior electrode comprising particles of an electronic conductor contacting the electrolyte, where a ceramic metal oxide coating partially surrounds the particles and is bonded to the electrolyte, and where a coating of an ionic-electronic conductive material is attached to the ceramic metal oxide coating and to the exposed portions of the particles.

  2. Synthesis and characterisation of Co-Co(OH)2 composite anode material on Cu current collector for energy storage devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yavuz, Abdulcabbar; Yakup Hacıibrahimoğlu, M.; Bedir, Metin

    2017-04-01

    A Co-Co(OH)2 modified electrode on inexpensive Cu substrate was synthesized at room temperature and demonstrated to be a promising anode material for energy storage devices. A modified Co film was obtained potentiostatically and was then potentiodynamically treated with KOH solution to form Co(OH)2. Co-Co(OH)2 coatings were obtained and were dominated by Co(OH)2 at the oxidized side, whereas Co dominant Co-Co(OH)2 occurred at the reduced side (-1.1 V). As OH- ions were able to diffuse into (out of) the film during oxidation (reduction) and did not react with the Cu current collector, the Co-Co(OH)2 electrode can be used as an anode material in energy storage devices. Although the specific capacitance of the electrodes varied depending on thickness, the redox reaction between the modified electrode and KOH electrolyte remained the same consisting of a surface-controlled and diffusion-controlled mechanism which had a desirable fast charge and discharge property. Capacity values remained constant after 250 cycles as the film evolved. Overall capacity retention was 84% for the film after 450 scans. A specific capacitance of 549 F g-1 was obtained for the Co-Co(OH)2 composite electrode in 6 M KOH at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1 and 73% of capacitance was retained when the scan rate was increased to 100 mV s-1.

  3. High performance electrolytes for MCFC

    DOEpatents

    Kaun, T.D.; Roche, M.F.

    1999-08-24

    A carbonate electrolyte of the Li/Na or CaBaLiNa system is described. The Li/Na carbonate has a composition displaced from the eutectic composition to diminish segregation effects in a molten carbonate fuel cell. The CaBaLiNa system includes relatively small amounts of Ca{sub 2}CO{sub 3} and BaCO{sub 3}, and preferably of equimolar amounts. The presence of both Ca and BaCO{sub 3} enables lower temperature fuel cell operation. 15 figs.

  4. High voltage stable liquid electrolytes for Li 1+ xMn 2O 4/carbon rocking-chair lithium batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guyomard, D.; Tarascon, J. M.

    A high voltage oxidation-resistant electrolyte is required for Li 1+ xMn 2O 4/carbon rocking-chair cells that need to be charged up to a voltage higher than 4.3 V. Many electrolyte compositions have been tested for their ability to resist to high voltages on Li 1+ xMn 2O 4 electrodes and their ability to maintain high ionic conductivity in a wide temperature range. This survey allowed us to select new electrolyte compositions in the system dimethyl carbonate (DMC) + ethylene carbonate (EC) + lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6) that are kinetically stable up to almost 5 V versus lithium at 55 °C on Li 1+ xMn 2O 4 electrodes. Low rate potentiostatic experiments, coupled with coulombmetric measurements in the 4.25-5.1 V range, allowed to select the following compositions: (DMC + EC) (1:2) + 1 M LiPF 6 and (DMC + EC) (2:1) + 1.5 M LiPF 6 as the best. These compositions have been used in practical Li 1+ xMn 2O 4/carbon rocking-chair batteries and show better performance in terms of cycle life and self-discharge over a wider temperature range. They are compatible with rocking-chair batteries based on LiCoO 2 and LiNiO 2 as well.

  5. High performance C/S composite cathodes with conventional carbonate-based electrolytes in Li-S battery.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Shiyou; Han, Pan; Han, Zhuo; Zhang, Huijuan; Tang, Zhihong; Yang, Junhe

    2014-04-29

    High stable C/S composites are fabricated by a novel high-temperature sulfur infusion into micro-mesoporous carbon method following with solvent cleaning treatment. The C/S composite cathodes show high Coulombic efficiency, long cycling stability and good rate capability in the electrolyte of 1.0 M LiPF6 + EC/DEC (1:1 v/v), for instance, the reversible capacity of the treated C/S-50 (50% S) cathode retains around 860 mAh/g even after 500 cycles and the Coulombic efficiency is close to 100%, which demonstrates the best electrochemical performance of carbon-sulfur composite cathodes using the carbonate-based electrolyte reported to date. It is believed that the chemical bond of C-S is responsible for the superior electrochemical properties in Li-S battery, that is, the strong interaction between S and carbon matrix significantly improves the conductivity of S, effectively buffers the structural strain/stress caused by the large volume change during lithiation/delithiation, completely eliminates the formation of high-order polysulfide intermediates, and substantially avoids the shuttle reaction and the side reaction between polysulfide anions and carbonate solvent, and thus enables the C/S cathode to use conventional carbonate-based electrolytes and achieve outstanding electrochemical properties in Li-S battery. The results may substantially contribute to the progress of the Li-S battery technology.

  6. A review of electrolyte materials and compositions for electrochemical supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Cheng; Deng, Yida; Hu, Wenbin; Qiao, Jinli; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Jiujun

    2015-11-07

    Electrolytes have been identified as some of the most influential components in the performance of electrochemical supercapacitors (ESs), which include: electrical double-layer capacitors, pseudocapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors. This paper reviews recent progress in the research and development of ES electrolytes. The electrolytes are classified into several categories, including: aqueous, organic, ionic liquids, solid-state or quasi-solid-state, as well as redox-active electrolytes. Effects of electrolyte properties on ES performance are discussed in detail. The principles and methods of designing and optimizing electrolytes for ES performance and application are highlighted through a comprehensive analysis of the literature. Interaction among the electrolytes, electro-active materials and inactive components (current collectors, binders, and separators) is discussed. The challenges in producing high-performing electrolytes are analyzed. Several possible research directions to overcome these challenges are proposed for future efforts, with the main aim of improving ESs' energy density without sacrificing existing advantages (e.g., a high power density and a long cycle-life) (507 references).

  7. Structure-Property Relationships of Organic Electrolytes and Their Effects on Li/S Battery Performance.

    PubMed

    Kaiser, Mohammad Rejaul; Chou, Shulei; Liu, Hua-Kun; Dou, Shi-Xue; Wang, Chunsheng; Wang, Jiazhao

    2017-12-01

    Electrolytes, which are a key component in electrochemical devices, transport ions between the sulfur/carbon composite cathode and the lithium anode in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). The performance of a LSB mostly depends on the electrolyte due to the dissolution of polysulfides into the electrolyte, along with the formation of a solid-electrolyte interphase. The selection of the electrolyte and its functionality during charging and discharging is intricate and involves multiple reactions and processes. The selection of the proper electrolyte, including solvents and salts, for LSBs strongly depends on its physical and chemical properties, which is heavily controlled by its molecular structure. In this review, the fundamental properties of organic electrolytes for LSBs are presented, and an attempt is made to determine the relationship between the molecular structure and the properties of common organic electrolytes, along with their effects on the LSB performance. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Characterization of gold nanoparticles with different hydrophilic coatings via capillary electrophoresis and Taylor dispersion analysis. Part I: determination of the zeta potential employing a modified analytic approximation.

    PubMed

    Pyell, Ute; Jalil, Alaa H; Pfeiffer, Christian; Pelaz, Beatriz; Parak, Wolfgang J

    2015-07-15

    Taking gold nanoparticles with different hydrophilic coatings as an example, it is investigated whether capillary electrophoresis in combination with Taylor dispersion analysis allows for the precise determination of mean electrophoretic mobilities, electrophoretic mobility distributions, and zeta potentials in a matrix of exactly known composition and the calibration-free determination of number-weighted mean hydrodynamic radii. Our experimental data confirm that the calculation of the zeta potential for colloidal nanoparticles with ζ>25 mV requires to take the relaxation effect into account. Because of the requirement to avoid particle-wall interactions, a solution of disodiumtetraborate decahydrate (borax) in deionized water had been selected as suitable electrolyte. Measurements of the electrophoretic mobility at different ionic strength and application of the analytic approximation developed by Ohshima show that in the present case of a buffered solution with a weak electrolyte co-ion and a strong electrolyte counterion, the effective ionic drag coefficient should be approximated with the ionic drag coefficient of the counterion. The obtained results are in good agreement with theoretical expectations regarding the dependence of the zeta potential and the electrokinetic surface charge density on the ionic strength. We also show that Taylor dispersion analysis (besides estimation of the number-weighted mean hydrodynamic radius) provides additional information on the type and width of the number-weighted particle distribution. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Sintering of (Ni,Mg)(Al,Fe)2O4 Materials and their Corrosion Process in Na3AlF6-AlF3-K3AlF6 Electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Yibiao; Li, Yawei; Yang, Jianhong; Sang, Shaobai; Wang, Qinghu

    2017-06-01

    The application of ledge-free sidewalls in the Hall-Héroult cells can potentially reduce the energy requirement of aluminum production by about 30 pct (Nightingale et al. in J Eur Ceram, 33:2761-2765, 2013). However, this approach poses great material challenges since such sidewalls are in direct contact with corrosive electrolyte. In the present paper, (Ni,Mg)(Al,Fe)2O4 materials were prepared using fused magnesia, reactive alumina, nickel oxide, and iron oxide powders as the starting materials. The sintering behaviors of specimens as well as their corrosion resistance to molten electrolyte have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The results show that after firing at temperature ranging from 1673 K (1400 °C) up to 1873 K (1600 °C), all the specimens prepared are composed of single-phase (Ni,Mg)(Al,Fe)2O4 composite spinel, the lattice parameter of which increases with increasing Fe3+ ion concentration. Increasing the iron oxide content enhances densification of the specimens, which is accompanied by the formation of homogeneously distributed smaller pores in the matrix. The corrosion tests show that corrosion layers consist of fluoride and Ni(Al,Fe)2O4 composite spinel grains are produced in specimens with Fe/Al mole ratio no more than 1, whereas dense Ni(Al,Fe)2O4 composite spinel layers are formed on the surface of the specimens with Fe/Al mole ratio more than 1. The dense Ni(Al,Fe)2O4 composite spinel layers formed improve the corrosion resistance of the specimens by inhibiting the infiltration of electrolyte and hindering the chemical reaction between the specimen and electrolyte.

  10. Formulations for Stronger Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell Electrolytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bansal, Narottam P.; Goldsby, John C.; Choi, Sung R.

    2004-01-01

    Tests have shown that modification of chemical compositions can increase the strengths and fracture toughnesses of solid oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) electrolytes. Heretofore, these solid electrolytes have been made of yttria-stabilized zirconia, which is highly conductive for oxygen ions at high temperatures, as needed for operation of fuel cells. Unfortunately yttria-stabilized zirconia has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, low resistance to thermal shock, low fracture toughness, and low mechanical strength. The lack of strength and toughness are especially problematic for fabrication of thin SOFC electrolyte membranes needed for contemplated aeronautical, automotive, and stationary power-generation applications. The modifications of chemical composition that lead to increased strength and fracture toughness consist in addition of alumina to the basic yttria-stabilized zirconia formulations. Techniques for processing of yttria-stabilized zirconia/alumina composites containing as much as 30 mole percent of alumina have been developed. The composite panels fabricated by these techniques have been found to be dense and free of cracks. The only material phases detected in these composites has been cubic zirconia and a alumina: this finding signifies that no undesired chemical reactions between the constituents occurred during processing at elevated temperatures. The flexural strengths and fracture toughnesses of the various zirconia-alumina composites were measured in air at room temperature as well as at a temperature of 1,000 C (a typical SOFC operating temperature). The measurements showed that both flexural strength and fracture toughness increased with increasing alumina content at both temperatures. In addition, the modulus of elasticity and the thermal conductivity were found to increase and the density to decrease with increasing alumina content. The oxygen-ion conductivity at 1,000 C was found to be unchanged by the addition of alumina.

  11. Reactive sintering of ceramic lithium ion electrolyte membranes

    DOEpatents

    Badding, Michael Edward; Dutta, Indrajit; Iyer, Sriram Rangarajan; Kent, Brian Alan; Lonnroth, Nadja Teresia

    2017-06-06

    Disclosed herein are methods for making a solid lithium ion electrolyte membrane, the methods comprising combining a first reactant chosen from amorphous, glassy, or low melting temperature solid reactants with a second reactant chosen from refractory oxides to form a mixture; heating the mixture to a first temperature to form a homogenized composite, wherein the first temperature is between a glass transition temperature of the first reactant and a crystallization onset temperature of the mixture; milling the homogenized composite to form homogenized particles; casting the homogenized particles to form a green body; and sintering the green body at a second temperature to form a solid membrane. Solid lithium ion electrolyte membranes manufactured according to these methods are also disclosed herein.

  12. Enhanced electrodes for solid state gas sensors

    DOEpatents

    Garzon, Fernando H.; Brosha, Eric L.

    2001-01-01

    A solid state gas sensor generates an electrical potential between an equilibrium electrode and a second electrode indicative of a gas to be sensed. A solid electrolyte substrate has the second electrode mounted on a first portion of the electrolyte substrate and a composite equilibrium electrode including conterminous transition metal oxide and Pt components mounted on a second portion of the electrolyte substrate. The composite equilibrium electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to generate an electrical potential indicative of the gas that is being sensed. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode is a reference electrode that is exposed to a reference oxygen gas mixture so that the electrical potential is indicative of the oxygen in a gas stream.

  13. A Li-Garnet composite ceramic electrolyte and its solid-state Li-S battery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Xiao; Liu, Cai; Lu, Yang; Xiu, Tongping; Jin, Jun; Badding, Michael E.; Wen, Zhaoyin

    2018-04-01

    A high strength Li-Garnet solid electrolyte composite ceramic is successfully prepared via conventional solid state method with Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 and nano MgO powders. Well sintered ceramic pellets and bars are obtained with 0-9 wt.% MgO. Fracture strength is approximately 135 MPa for composite ceramics with 5-9 wt.% MgO, which is ∼50% higher than that of pure Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (90 MPa). Lithium-ion conductivity of the composite is above 5 × 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature; comparable to the pure Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 material. SEM cross-sections of the composite ceramic shows a much more uniform microstructure comparing with pure ones, owing to the grain growth inhibition effect of the MgO second phase. A battery cell consisting of Li/composite ceramics/Sulfur-Carbon at 25 °C exhibits a capacity of 685 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C at the 200th cycle, while maintaining a coulombic efficiency of 100%. These results indicate that the composite ceramic Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12-MgO is promising for the production of electrolyte membrane and fabrication of Li-Sulfur batteries.

  14. Evaluation of different approaches for improving the cycle life of MgNi-based electrodes for Ni-MH batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rongeat, C.; Grosjean, M.-H.; Ruggeri, S.; Dehmas, M.; Bourlot, S.; Marcotte, S.; Roué, L.

    Several methods have been investigated to enhance the cycle life of amorphous MgNi used as the negative electrode for Ni-MH batteries. The first approach involves modifying its surface composition in different ways, including the electroless deposition of a chromate conversion coating, the addition of chromate salt or NaF into the electrolyte and the mechanical coating of the particles with various compounds (e.g. TiO 2). Another approach consists of developing (MgNi + AB 5) composite materials. However, the cycle life of these modified MgNi electrodes remains unsatisfactory. On the other hand, the modification of the bulk composition of the MgNi alloy with elements such as Ti and Al appears to be more effective. For instance, a Mg 0.9Ti 0.1NiAl 0.05 electrode retains 67% of its initial discharge capacity (404 mAh g -1) after 15 cycles compared to 29% for MgNi. The charging conditions also have a great influence on the electrode cycle life as demonstrated by the existence of a charge input threshold below which minor capacity decay occurs. In addition, the particle size has a major influence on the electrode performance. We have developed an optimized electrode constituted of Mg 0.9Ti 0.1NiAl 0.05 particles with the appropriate size (>150 μm) showing a capacity decay rate as low as ∼0.2% per cycle when charged at 300 mAh g -1.

  15. Calculating the thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of alkali metal carboxylates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rudakov, A. M.; Sergievskii, V. V.; Zhukova, T. V.

    2014-06-01

    A modified Robinson-Stokes equation with terms that consider the formation of ionic hydrates and associates is used to describe thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of electrolytes. The model is used to describe data on the osmotic coefficients of aqueous solutions of alkali metal carboxylates, and to calculate the mean ionic activity coefficients of salts and excess Gibbs energies. The key contributions from ionic hydration and association to the nonideality of solutions is determined by analyzing the contributions of various factors. Relations that connect the hydration numbers of electrolytes with the parameters of the Pitzer-Mayorga equation and a modified Hückel equation are developed.

  16. Radiation grafting of methyl methacrylate onto polyethylene separators for lithium secondary batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gwon, Sung-Jin; Choi, Jae-Hak; Sohn, Joon-Yong; An, Sung-Jun; Ihm, Young-Eon; Nho, Young-Chang

    2008-08-01

    Micro-porous polyethylene separator was modified by radiation grafting of methyl methacrylate in order to improve its affinity with a liquid electrolyte. The degree of grafting (DOG) increased with the monomer concentration and grafting time. The morphological change of the modified separator was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The degree of crystallinity upon grafting was reduced due to the formation of an amorphous PMMA layer. The electrolyte uptake and the ionic conductivity of the separator increased with an increase in the DOG. The ionic conductivity reached 2.0 mS/cm for the grafted polyethylene separator with 127 wt% DOG.

  17. Synthesis of monodisperse silica microspheres and modification with diazoresin for mixed-mode ultra high performance liquid chromatography separations.

    PubMed

    Cong, Hailin; Yu, Bing; Tian, Chao; Zhang, Shuai; Yuan, Hua

    2017-11-01

    Monodisperse silica particles with average diameters of 1.9-2.9 μm were synthesized by a modified Stöber method, in which tetraethyl orthosilicate was continuously supplied to the reaction mixture containing KCl electrolyte, water, ethanol, and ammonia. The obtained silica particles were modified by self-assembly with positively charged photosensitive diazoresin on the surface. After treatment with ultraviolet light, the ionic bonding between silica and diazoresin was converted into covalent bonding through a unique photochemistry reaction of diazoresin. Depending on the chemical structure of diazoresin and mobile phase composition, the diazoresin-modified silica stationary phase showed different separation mechanisms, including reversed phase and hydrophilic interactions. Therefore, a variety of baseline separation of benzene analogues and organic acids was achieved by using the diazoresin-modified silica particles as packing materials in ultra high performance liquid chromatography. According to the π-π interactional difference between carbon rings of fullerenes and benzene rings of diazoresin, C 60 and C 70 were also well separated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Because it has a small size, the ∼2.5 μm monodisperse diazoresin-modified silica stationary phase shows ultra-high efficiency compared with the commercial C 18 -silica high-performance liquid chromatography stationary phase with average diameters of ∼5 μm. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Cellulose nanocrystal-based composite electrolyte with superior dimensional stability for alkaline fuel cell membranes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lu, Yuan; Artmentrout, Aaron A.; Li, Juchuan

    2015-05-13

    Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based composite films were prepared as a solid electrolyte for alkaline fuel cells. Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica gel hybrid was used to bind the CNCs to form a robust composite film. The mass ratio (i.e., 1 : 1, 1 : 2) of PVA and silica gel was tuned to control the hydrophobicity of the resulting films. Composite films with a range of CNC content (i.e., 20 to 60%) were prepared to demonstrate the impact of CNC on the performance of these materials as a solid electrolyte for alkaline fuel cells. Different from previously reported cross-linked polymermore » films, CNC-based composite films with 40% hydrophobic binder (i.e., PVA : silica gel=1 : 2) exhibited simultaneous low water swelling (e.g., ~5%) and high water uptake (e.g., ~80%) due to the hydrophilicity and extraordinary dimensional stability of CNC. It also showed a conductivity of 0.044 and 0.065 S/cm at 20 and 60 oC, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the film with 60% CNC and 40% binder is characterized by the lowest hydroxide conductivity-normalized swelling ratio. Decreased CNC content (i.e., 40 and 20%) resulted in comparable hydroxide conductivity but a greater swelling ratio. Finally, these results demonstrate the advantage of CNC as a key component for a solid electrolyte for alkaline fuel cells over conventional polymers, suggesting the great potential of CNCs in improving the dimensional stability while maintaining the conductivity of existing anion exchange membranes.« less

  19. Influence of electrical double-layer interaction on coal flotation.

    PubMed

    Harvey, Paul A; Nguyen, Anh V; Evans, Geoffrey M

    2002-06-15

    In the early 1930s it was first reported that inorganic electrolytes enhance the floatability of coal and naturally hydrophobic minerals. To date, explanations of coal flotation in electrolytes have not been entirely clear. This research investigated the floatability of coal in NaCl and MgCl2 solutions using a modified Hallimond tube to examine the role of the electrical double-layer interaction between bubbles and particles. Flotation of coal was highly dependent on changes in solution pH, type of electrolyte, and electrolyte concentration. Floatability of coal in electrolyte solutions was seen not to be entirely controlled by the electrical double-layer interaction. Coal flotation in low electrolyte concentration solutions decreases with increase in concentration, not expected from the theory since the electrical double layer is compressed, resulting in diminishing the (electrical double layer) repulsion between the bubble and the coal particles. Unlike in low electrolyte concentration solutions, coal flotation in high electrolyte concentration solutions increases with increase in electrolyte concentration. Again, this behavior of coal flotation in high electrolyte concentration solutions cannot be quantitatively explained using the electrical double-layer interaction. Possible mechanisms are discussed in terms of the bubston (i.e., bubble stabilized by ions) phenomenon, which explains the existence of the submicron gas bubbles on the hydrophobic coal surface.

  20. Electrical behavior of aluminosilicate glass-ceramic sealants and their interaction with metallic solid oxide fuel cell interconnects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goel, Ashutosh; Tulyaganov, Dilshat U.; Kharton, Vladislav V.; Yaremchenko, Aleksey A.; Ferreira, José M. F.

    A series of alkaline-earth aluminosilicate glass-ceramics (GCs) were appraised with respect to their suitability as sealants for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The parent composition with general formula Ca 0.9MgAl 0.1La 0.1Si 1.9O 6 was modified with Cr 2O 3 and BaO. The addition of BaO led to a substantial decrease in the total electrical conductivity of the GCs, thus improving their insulating properties. BaO-containing GCs exhibited higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in comparison to BaO-free GCs. An extensive segregation of oxides of Ti and Mn, components of the Crofer22 APU interconnect alloy, along with negligible formation of BaCrO 4 was observed at the interface between GC/interconnects diffusion couples. Thermal shock resistance and gas-tightness of GC sealants in contact with yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte (8YSZ) was evaluated in air and water. Good matching of CTE and strong, but not reactive, adhesion to the solid electrolyte and interconnect, in conjunction with a high level of electrical resistivity, are all advantageous for potential SOFC applications.

  1. Influence of electrolyte composition and temperature on behaviour of AB5 hydrogen storage alloy used as negative electrode in Ni-MH batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karwowska, Malgorzata; Jaron, Tomasz; Fijalkowski, Karol J.; Leszczynski, Piotr J.; Rogulski, Zbigniew; Czerwinski, Andrzej

    2014-10-01

    The AB5-type metal alloy (Mm-Ni4.1Al0.2Mn0.4Co0.45) has been investigated in different electrolytes (LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH). All of the electrochemical measurements have been performed using limited volume electrode technique (LVE). Thickness of the working electrode is nearly equal to the diameter of the grain (ca. 50 μm). Hydrogen diffusion coefficient has been determined using chronoamperometry. Hydrogen diffusion coefficient calculated for 100% state of charge reaches maximum value in KOH (DH = 4.65·10-10 cm2 s-1). We have obtained the highest value of capacity for the electrode in KOH and the lowest - in CsOH. The temperature influence on alloy capacity has been also tested. The alloy has been also characterised with SEM coupled with EDS, TGA/DSC and powder XRD. The unit cell of MmNi4.1Al0.2Mn0.4Co0.45 have been refined in the Cu5.4Yb0.8 structure type (a modified LaNi5 structure); the structure is unaffected by the electrochemical treatment.

  2. Aluminum-carbon composite electrode

    DOEpatents

    Farahmandi, C. Joseph; Dispennette, John M.

    1998-07-07

    A high performance double layer capacitor having an electric double layer formed in the interface between activated carbon and an electrolyte is disclosed. The high performance double layer capacitor includes a pair of aluminum impregnated carbon composite electrodes having an evenly distributed and continuous path of aluminum impregnated within an activated carbon fiber preform saturated with a high performance electrolytic solution. The high performance double layer capacitor is capable of delivering at least 5 Wh/kg of useful energy at power ratings of at least 600 W/kg.

  3. Aluminum-carbon composite electrode

    DOEpatents

    Farahmandi, C.J.; Dispennette, J.M.

    1998-07-07

    A high performance double layer capacitor having an electric double layer formed in the interface between activated carbon and an electrolyte is disclosed. The high performance double layer capacitor includes a pair of aluminum impregnated carbon composite electrodes having an evenly distributed and continuous path of aluminum impregnated within an activated carbon fiber preform saturated with a high performance electrolytic solution. The high performance double layer capacitor is capable of delivering at least 5 Wh/kg of useful energy at power ratings of at least 600 W/kg. 3 figs.

  4. A Facile Synthesis of a Palladium-Doped Polyaniline-Modified Carbon Nanotube Composites for Supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Giri, Soumen; Ghosh, Debasis; Malas, Asish; Das, Chapal Kumar

    2013-08-01

    Supercapacitors have evolved as the premier choice of the era for storing huge amounts of charge in the field of energy storage devices, but it is still necessary to enhance their performance to meet the increasing requirements of future systems. This could be achieved either through advancing the interfaces of the material at the nanoscale or by using novel material compositions. We report a high-performance material composition prepared by combining a transition metal (palladium)-doped conductive polymer with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). MWCNTs/palladium-doped polyaniline (MWCNTs/Pd/PANI) composites and multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (MWCNTs/PANI) composites (for comparison) were prepared via in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline monomer. The reported composites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. FESEM and TEM studies indicated the narrow size distribution of the π-conjugated polymer-protected palladium nanoparticles on the surface of the carbon nanotubes. All the electrochemical characterizations were executed using a three-electrode system in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis was performed to observe the capacitive performance and redox behavior of the composites. The ion transfer behavior and cyclic stability of the composites were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis and cyclic charge-discharge (CCD) testing, respectively. The MWCNTs/Pd/PANI composite was found to exhibit an especially high specific capacitance value of 920 F/g at scan rate of 2 mV/s.

  5. Effects of different electrolytes for micro-arc oxidation on the bond strength between titanium and porcelain.

    PubMed

    Yuan, Xiaohui; Tan, Fei; Xu, Haitao; Zhang, Shaojun; Qu, Fuzhen; Liu, Jie

    2017-07-01

    The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different electrolytes on the titanium-porcelain bond strength after micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment. Three electrolytes at the same concentration were used as MAO reaction solutions: Na 2 SiO 3 , KF, and MgSiF 6 . Blasting treatment was chosen as a control. After MAO treatment in each electrolyte, the titanium-porcelain bond strengths were measured by the three-point bending test, as described in ISO 9693. The morphologies and elemental compositions of the MAO coating on the titanium substrate were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The interface between the titanium and porcelain was also observed by SEM and EDS. The MAO coatings created in different electrolytes exhibited completely different morphologies and compositions. The bond strengths of the Na 2 SiO 3 and MgSiF 6 groups were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p<0.05). Additionally, the titanium-porcelain interfaces were compact in the former two groups, whereas pores and cracks were visible at the interfaces in the other groups. These results indicate that MAO treatment with an appropriate electrolyte could be an effective method to increase the titanium-porcelain bonding strength. According to ISO 9693, titanium-porcelain restorations subjected to MAO treatment with an appropriate electrolyte could be appropriate for clinical use. Copyright © 2016 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Solid lithium-ion electrolyte

    DOEpatents

    Zhang, Ji-Guang; Benson, David K.; Tracy, C. Edwin

    1998-01-01

    The present invention relates to the composition of a solid lithium-ion electrolyte based on the Li.sub.2 O--CeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 system having good transparent characteristics and high ion conductivity suitable for uses in lithium batteries, electrochromic devices and other electrochemical applications.

  7. Enabling LiTFSI-based electrolytes for safer lithium-ion batteries by using linear fluorinated carbonates as (Co)solvent.

    PubMed

    Kalhoff, Julian; Bresser, Dominic; Bolloli, Marco; Alloin, Fannie; Sanchez, Jean-Yves; Passerini, Stefano

    2014-10-01

    In this Full Paper we show that the use of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) as conducting salt in commercial lithium-ion batteries is made possible by introducing fluorinated linear carbonates as electrolyte (co)solvents. Electrolyte compositions based on LiTFSI and fluorinated carbonates were characterized regarding their ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability towards oxidation and with respect to their ability to form a protective film of aluminum fluoride on the aluminum surface. Moreover, the investigation of the electrochemical performance of standard lithium-ion anodes (graphite) and cathodes (Li[Ni1/3 Mn1/3 Co1/3 ]O2 , NMC) in half-cell configuration showed stable cycle life and good rate capability. Finally, an NMC/graphite full-cell confirmed the suitability of such electrolyte compositions for practical lithium-ion cells, thus enabling the complete replacement of LiPF6 and allowing the realization of substantially safer lithium-ion batteries. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Polarization study on doped lanthanum gallate electrolyte using impedance spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Wenquan; Gopalan, Srikanth; Pal, Uday B.

    2004-06-01

    Alternating current complex impedance spectroscopy studies were conducted on symmetrical cells of the type [gas, electrode/La1-x Sr x Ga1-y Mg y O3 (LSGM) electrolyte/electrode, gas]. The electrode materials were slurry-coated on both sides of the LSGM electrolyte support. The electrodes selected for this investigation are candidate materials for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrodes. Cathode materials include La1-x Sr x MnO3 (LSM), La1-x Sr x Co y Fe1-y O3 (LSCF), a two-phase particulate composite consisting of LSM and doped-lanthanum gallate (LSGM), and LSCF + LSGM. Pt metal electrodes were also used for the purpose of comparison. Anode material investigated was the Ni + Ce0.85Gd0.15O2 composite. The study revealed important details pertaining to the charge-transfer reactions that occur in such electrodes. The information obtained can be used to design electrodes for intermediate temperature SOFCs based on LSGM electrolytes.

  9. Serially connected solid oxide fuel cells having monolithic cores

    DOEpatents

    Herceg, J.E.

    1985-05-20

    Disclosed is a solid oxide fuel cell for electrochemically combining fuel and oxidant for generating galvanic output. The cell core has an array of cell segments electrically serially connected in the flow direction, each segment consisting of electrolyte walls and interconnect that are substantially devoid of any composite inert materials for support. Instead, the core is monolithic, where each electrolyte wall consists of thin layers of cathode and anode materials sandwiching a thin layer of electrolyte material therebetween. Means direct the fuel to the anode-exposed core passageways and means direct the oxidant to the cathode-exposed core passageways; and means also direct the galvanic output to an exterior circuit. Each layer of the electrolyte composite materials is of the order of 0.002 to 0.01 cm thick; and each layer of the cathode and anode materials is of the order of 0.002 to 0.05 cm thick. Between 2 and 50 cell segments may be connected in series.

  10. Fabrication and Characterization of Functionally Graded Cathodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Simonet, J.; Kapelski, G.; Bouvard, D.

    2008-02-01

    Solid oxide fuel cells are multi-layered designed. The most prevalent structure is an anode supported cell with a thick porous layer of nickel oxide NiO and yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composite acting as an anode, a thin dense layer of YSZ as an electrolyte, a composite thin porous layer of lanthanum strontium manganate LSM and YSZ and a current collector layer of porous LSM. Regular operating temperature is 1000 °C. The industrial development requires designing cathodes with acceptable electrochemical and mechanical properties at a lower temperature, typically between 700 and 800 °C. A solution consists in designing composite bulk cathodes with more numerous electro-chemical reaction sites. This requirement could be met by grading the composition of the cathode in increasing the YSZ volume fraction near the electrolyte and the LSM volume fraction near the current collector layer so that the repartition of reaction sites and the interfacial adhesion between the cathode and electrolyte layers are optimal. The fabrication of graded composite cathode has been investigated using a sedimentation process that consists of preparing a suspension containing the powder mixture and allowing the particles to fall by gravity upon a substrate. Different composite cathodes with continuous composition gradient have been obtained by sedimentation of LSM and YSZ powder mixture upon a dense YSZ substrate and subsequent firing. Their compositions and microstructures have been analysed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Electron Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS).

  11. Low temperature electrolytes for lithium/silver vanadium oxide cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tuhovak, Denise R.; Takeuchi, Esther S.

    1991-01-01

    Combinations of methyl formate (MF) and propylene carbonate (PC) using salt concentrations of 0.6 to 2.4 M, with lithium hexafluoroarsenate and lithium tetrafluoroborate in a five to one molar ratio, were investigated as electrolytes in lithium/silver vanadium oxide batteries. The composition of the electrolyte affected cell performance at low temperature, self-discharge and abuse resistance as characterized by short circuit and crush testing. The electrolyte that provided the best combination of good low temperature performance, low cell self-discharge and abuse resistance was 0.6 M salt in 10:90 PC/MF.

  12. Electrochemical performance evaluations and safety investigations of pentafluoro(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene as a flame retardant electrolyte additive for application in lithium ion battery systems using a newly designed apparatus for improved self-extinguishing time measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dagger, Tim; Lürenbaum, Constantin; Schappacher, Falko M.; Winter, Martin

    2017-02-01

    A modified self-extinguishing time (SET) device which enhances the reproducibility of the results is presented. Pentafluoro(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (FPPN) is investigated as flame retardant electrolyte additive for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) in terms of thermal stability and electrochemical performance. SET measurements and adiabatic reaction calorimetry are applied to determine the flammability and the reactivity of a standard LIB electrolyte containing 5% FPPN. The results reveal that the additive-containing electrolyte is nonflammable for 10 s whereas the commercially available reference electrolyte inflames instantaneously after 1 s of ignition. The onset temperature of the safety enhanced electrolyte is delayed by ≈ 21 °C. Compatibility tests in half cells show that the electrolyte is reductively stable while the cyclic voltammogram indicates oxidative decomposition during the first cycle. Cycling experiments in full cells show improved cycling performance and rate capability, which can be attributed to cathode passivation during the first cycle. Post-mortem analysis of the electrolyte by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirms the presence of the additive in high amounts after 501 cycles which ensures enhanced safety of the electrolyte. The investigations present FPPN as stable electrolyte additive that improves the intrinsic safety of the electrolyte and its cycling performance at the same time.

  13. Innovative polymer nanocomposite electrolytes: nanoscale manipulation of ion channels by functionalized graphenes.

    PubMed

    Choi, Bong Gill; Hong, Jinkee; Park, Young Chul; Jung, Doo Hwan; Hong, Won Hi; Hammond, Paula T; Park, Hoseok

    2011-06-28

    The chemistry and structure of ion channels within the polymer electrolytes are of prime importance for studying the transport properties of electrolytes as well as for developing high-performance electrochemical devices. Despite intensive efforts on the synthesis of polymer electrolytes, few studies have demonstrated enhanced target ion conduction while suppressing unfavorable ion or mass transport because the undesirable transport occurs through an identical pathway. Herein, we report an innovative, chemical strategy for the synthesis of polymer electrolytes whose ion-conducting channels are physically and chemically modulated by the ionic (not electronic) conductive, functionalized graphenes and for a fundamental understanding of ion and mass transport occurring in nanoscale ionic clusters. The functionalized graphenes controlled the state of water by means of nanoscale manipulation of the physical geometry and chemical functionality of ionic channels. Furthermore, the confinement of bound water within the reorganized nanochannels of composite membranes was confirmed by the enhanced proton conductivity at high temperature and the low activation energy for ionic conduction through a Grotthus-type mechanism. The selectively facilitated transport behavior of composite membranes such as high proton conductivity and low methanol crossover was attributed to the confined bound water, resulting in high-performance fuel cells.

  14. 7Li NMR spectroscopy and ion conduction mechanism in mesoporous silica (SBA-15) composite poly(ethylene oxide) electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reddy, M. Jaipal; Chu, Peter P.

    A composite of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) with a polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer electrolyte is examined for use in various electrochemical devices. Incorporation of SBA-15 in a PEO:LiClO 4 polymer electrolyte facilitates salt dissociation, enhances ion conductivity, and improves miscibility between organic and inorganic moieties. Optimized conductivity is found at 10 wt.% SBA-15 composition, above this concentration the conductivity is reduced due to aggregation of a SBA-15:Li rich phase. Heating above melt temperature of PEO allows more of the polymer segments to interact with SBA-15. This results in a greater degree of disorder upon cooling, and the ion conductivity is enhanced. A 7Li MAS NMR study reveals three types of lithium-ion coordination. Two major types of conduction mechanism can be identified: one through conventional amorphous PEO; a second via hopping in a sequential manner by replacing the nearby vacancies ('holes') on the surface (both interior and exterior) of the SBA-15 channels.

  15. Performance study of magnesium-sulfur battery using a graphene based sulfur composite cathode electrode and a non-nucleophilic Mg electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Vinayan, B P; Zhao-Karger, Zhirong; Diemant, Thomas; Chakravadhanula, Venkata Sai Kiran; Schwarzburger, Nele I; Cambaz, Musa Ali; Behm, R Jürgen; Kübel, Christian; Fichtner, Maximilian

    2016-02-14

    Here we report for the first time the development of a Mg rechargeable battery using a graphene-sulfur nanocomposite as the cathode, a Mg-carbon composite as the anode and a non-nucleophilic Mg based complex in tetraglyme solvent as the electrolyte. The graphene-sulfur nanocomposites are prepared through a new pathway by the combination of thermal and chemical precipitation methods. The Mg/S cell delivers a higher reversible capacity (448 mA h g(-1)), a longer cyclability (236 mA h g(-1) at the end of the 50(th) cycle) and a better rate capability than previously described cells. The dissolution of Mg polysulfides to the anode side was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The use of a graphene-sulfur composite cathode electrode, with the properties of a high surface area, a porous morphology, a very good electronic conductivity and the presence of oxygen functional groups, along with a non-nucleophilic Mg electrolyte gives an improved battery performance.

  16. Highly atom-economic synthesis of graphene/Mn3O4 hybrid composites for electrochemical supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiangying, Qu; Feng, Gao; Quan, Zhou; Zhiyu, Wang; Han, Hu; Beibei, Li; Wubo, Wan; Xuzhen, Wang; Jieshan, Qiu

    2013-03-01

    A highly atom-economic procedure for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide/Mn3O4 (rGO/Mn3O4) composites is reported. Pristine graphene oxide/manganese sulfate (GO/MnSO4) suspension produced by modified Hummers method is utilized with high efficiency, which has been in situ converted into GO/Mn3O4 hybrid composite by air oxidation, then into rGO/Mn3O4 composite by means of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma-assisted deoxygenation. The Mn3O4 content of the rGO/Mn3O4 composites can be readily tailored. It is observed that Mn3O4 nanoparticles of 15-24 nm are well-dispersed on graphene sheets with Mn3O4 loading as high as 90%. The specific capacitance of the as-prepared rGO/Mn3O4 hybrids with 90% Mn3O4 reaches 193 F g-1 when employed as the electrode material in neutral Na2SO4 electrolyte solutions (76 F g-1 for pristine graphene and 95 F g-1 for pure Mn3O4), which indicates the positive synergetic effects from both graphene and attached Mn3O4. The method developed in this study should offer a new technique for the large scale and highly atom-economic production of graphene/MnOx composites for many applications.

  17. Electrolyte for EC-V profiling of InP and GaAs based structures

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Faur, M.; Faur, M.; Goradia, M.

    Electrochemical C-V (EC-V) profiling is the most often used and convenient method for accurate majority carrier concentration depth profiling of semiconductors. Although, according to the authors, FAP is the best electrolyte for accurate profiling of InP structures, it does not work well with other III-V compounds. To overcome this, recently, the authors have developed a new electrolyte, which they call UNIEL (UNIversal ELectrolyte), which works well with all the materials. However, as with the FAP electrolyte, the presence of HF makes the UNIEL incompatible with the electrochemical cell of Polaron EC-V profilers manufactured by BIO-RAD. By slightly modifying the electrochemicalmore » cell configuration the authors are able to use both the FAP and UNIEL electrolytes, without destroying the calomel electrode. Recently, they have, nevertheless, experimented with variations of the UNIEL with no HF content for EC-V profiling of structures based on InP and GaAs. Presently available results are presented here.« less

  18. Solid lithium-ion electrolyte

    DOEpatents

    Zhang, J.G.; Benson, D.K.; Tracy, C.E.

    1998-02-10

    The present invention relates to the composition of a solid lithium-ion electrolyte based on the Li{sub 2}O--CeO{sub 2}--SiO{sub 2} system having good transparent characteristics and high ion conductivity suitable for uses in lithium batteries, electrochromic devices and other electrochemical applications. 12 figs.

  19. High rate lithium-sulfur battery enabled by sandwiched single ion conducting polymer electrolyte

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Yubao; Li, Gai; Lai, Yuanchu; Zeng, Danli; Cheng, Hansong

    2016-01-01

    Lithium-sulfur batteries are highly promising for electric energy storage with high energy density, abundant resources and low cost. However, the battery technologies have often suffered from a short cycle life and poor rate stability arising from the well-known “polysulfide shuttle” effect. Here, we report a novel cell design by sandwiching a sp3 boron based single ion conducting polymer electrolyte film between two carbon films to fabricate a composite separator for lithium-sulfur batteries. The dense negative charges uniformly distributed in the electrolyte membrane inherently prohibit transport of polysulfide anions formed in the cathode inside the polymer matrix and effectively blocks polysulfide shuttling. A battery assembled with the composite separator exhibits a remarkably long cycle life at high charge/discharge rates. PMID:26898772

  20. Manufacturing and actuation characterization of ionic polymer metal composites with silver as electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandita, Surya D.; Lim, Hyoung Tae; Yoo, Youngtai; Park, Hoon Cheol

    2006-03-01

    Manufacturing and characterization of ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) with silver as electrodes have been investigated. Tollen's reagent that contains ion Ag(NH 3) II + was used as a raw material for silver deposition on the surfaces of the polymer membrane Nafion"R". Two types of inner solvents, namely common water based electrolyte solution (LiOH 1N) and ionic liquid were used and investigated. Compared to IPMCs with platinum electrodes, silver-plated IPMCs with water electrolyte showed higher conductivity. The actuation response of silver-plated IPMCs with the water based electrolyte was faster than that of platinum IPMCs. However, the silver electrode was too brittle and severely damaged during the solvent exchange process from water to ionic liquid, resulted in high resistance and hence very low actuation behavior.

  1. Thiourea incorporated poly(ethylene oxide) as transparent gel polymer electrolyte for dye sensitized solar cell applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavithra, Nagaraj; Velayutham, David; Sorrentino, Andrea; Anandan, Sambandam

    2017-06-01

    A new series of transparent gel polymer electrolytes are prepared by adding various weight percent of thiourea coupled with poly(ethylene oxide) for the application of dye-sensitized solar cells. Coupling of thiourea in the presence of iodine undergoes dimerization reaction to produce formamidine disulfide. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy shows that the interactions of thiourea and formamidine disulfide with electronegative ether linkage of poly(ethylene oxide) results in conformational changes of gel polymer electrolytes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry experiments reveal an increment in ionic conductivity and tri-iodide diffusion coefficient, for thiourea modified gel polymer electrolytes. Finally, the prepared electrolytes are used as a redox mediator in dye-sensitized solar cells and the photovoltaic properties were studied. Apart from transparency, the gel polymer electrolytes with thiorurea show higher photovoltaic properties compared to bare gel polymer electrolyte and a maximum photocurrent efficiency of 7.17% is achieved for gel polymer electrolyte containing 1 wt% of thiourea with a short circuit current of 11.79 mA cm-2 and open circuit voltage of 834 mV. Finally, under rear illumination, almost 90% efficiency is retained upon compared to front illumination.

  2. A comparative study of Ni-Mn layered double hydroxide/carbon composites with different morphologies for supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Li, M; Liu, F; Zhang, X B; Cheng, J P

    2016-11-02

    A variety of carbon materials varying from 0D to 2D, i.e. 0D nanoparticles, 1D carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are selected to in situ combine with Ni-Mn layered double hydroxide (LDH) to prepare electrode materials for supercapacitors. Through a simple solution method, hierarchical Ni-Mn LDH/carbon composites can be easily fabricated. A comparative study is carried out on the sandwich-like LDH/rGO, flower-like LDH/carbon black, turbostratic-structured LDH/CNTs and ternary LDH/CNTs/rGO for their structure, morphology, porous properties and electrochemical performances. The results show that the ternary Ni-Mn LDH/CNTs/rGO composite yields the highest specific capacitance of 1268 F g -1 in 2 M KOH electrolyte and a long lifespan, exhibiting great potential for supercapacitor applications. Meanwhile, investigation on the influence of the cation species of MOH (M = Li + , Na + or K + ) and the alkali concentration of the KOH electrolyte illustrates that increasing the concentration of the KOH electrolyte can benefit the capacitive performance of the electrode and that NaOH shows great advantages as an electrolyte for the Ni-Mn LDH/CNTs/rGO electrode due to its high capacitance and small resistance.

  3. Electrochemical Behavior of PEDOT/Lignin in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes: Suitable Cathode/Electrolyte System for Sodium Batteries.

    PubMed

    Casado, Nerea; Hilder, Matthias; Pozo-Gonzalo, Cristina; Forsyth, Maria; Mecerreyes, David

    2017-04-22

    Biomass-derived polymers, such as lignin, contain quinone/ hydroquinone redox moieties that can be used to store charge. Composites based on the biopolymer lignin and several conjugated polymers have shown good charge-storage properties. However, their performance has been only studied in acidic aqueous media limiting their applications mainly to supercapacitors. Here, we show that PEDOT/lignin (PEDOT: poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) biopolymers are electroactive in aprotic ionic liquids (ILs) and we move a step further by assembling sodium full cell batteries using PEDOT/lignin as electrode material and IL electrolytes. Thus, the electrochemical activity and cycling of PEDOT/lignin electrodes was investigated in 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyrTFSI), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (BMPyrFSI), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMImTFSI) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (EMImFSI) IL electrolytes. The effects of water and sodium salt addition to the ILs were investigated to obtain optimum electrolyte systems for sodium batteries. Finally, sodium batteries based on PEDOT/lignin cathode with imidazolium-based IL electrolyte showed higher capacity values than pyrrolidinium ones, reaching 70 mAhg -1 . Our results demonstrate that PEDOT/lignin composites can serve as low cost and sustainable cathode materials for sodium batteries. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Elastic Properties of the Solid Electrolyte Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO)

    DOE PAGES

    Yu, Seungho; Schmidt, Robert D.; Garcia-mendez, Regina; ...

    2015-12-16

    The oxide known as LLZO, with nominal composition Li 7La 3Zr 2O 12, is a promising solid electrolyte for Li-based batteries due to its high Li-ion conductivity and chemical stability with respect to lithium. Solid electrolytes may also enable the use of metallic Li anodes by serving as a physical barrier that suppresses dendrite initiation and propagation during cycling. Prior linear elasticity models of the Li electrode/solid electrolyte interface suggest that the stability of this interface is highly dependent on the elastic properties of the solid separator. For example, dendritic suppression is predicted to be enhanced as the electrolyte smore » shear modulus increases. In the present study a combination of first-principles calculations, acoustic impulse excitation measurements, and nanoindentation experiments are used to determine the elastic constants and moduli for highconductivity LLZO compositions based on Al and Ta doping. The calculated and measured isotropic shear moduli are in good agreement and fall within the range of 56-61 GPa. These values are an order of magnitude larger than that for Li metal and far exceed the minimum value ( 8.5 GPa) believed to be necessary to suppress dendrite initiation. These data suggest that LLZO exhibits sufficient stiffness to warrant additional development as a solid electrolyte for Li batteries.« less

  5. New Supercapacitors Based on the Synergetic Redox Effect between Electrode and Electrolyte

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, You; Cui, Xiuguo; Zu, Lei; Cai, Xiaomin; Liu, Yang; Wang, Xiaodong; Lian, Huiqin

    2016-01-01

    Redox electrolytes can provide significant enhancement of capacitance for supercapacitors. However, more important promotion comes from the synergetic effect and matching between the electrode and electrolyte. Herein, we report a novel electrochemical system consisted of a polyanilline/carbon nanotube composite redox electrode and a hydroquinone (HQ) redox electrolyte, which exhibits a specific capacitance of 7926 F/g in a three-electrode system when the concentration of HQ in H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte is 2 mol/L, and the maximum energy density of 114 Wh/kg in two-electrode symmetric configuration. Moreover, the specific capacitance retention of 96% after 1000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles proves an excellent cyclic stability. These ultrahigh performances of the supercapacitor are attributed to the synergistic effect both in redox polyanilline-based electrolyte and the redox hydroquinone electrode. PMID:28773855

  6. The Use of Spray-Dried Mn₃O₄/C Composites as Electrocatalysts for Li-O₂ Batteries.

    PubMed

    Yang, Hong-Kai; Chin, Chih-Chun; Chen, Jenn-Shing

    2016-11-07

    The electrocatalytic activities of Mn₃O₄/C composites are studied in lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries as cathode catalysts. The Mn₃O₄/C composites are fabricated using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) with organic surfactants as the carbon sources. The physical and electrochemical performance of the composites is characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements, elemental analysis, galvanostatic charge-discharge methods and rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) measurements. The electrochemical tests demonstrate that the Mn₃O₄/C composite that is prepared using Trition X-114 (TX114) surfactant has higher activity as a bi-functional catalyst and delivers better oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic performance in Li-O₂ batteries because there is a larger surface area and particles are homogeneous with a meso/macro porous structure. The rate constant ( k f ) for the production of superoxide radical (O₂ • - ) and the propylene carbonate (PC)-electrolyte decomposition rate constant ( k ) for M₃O₄/C and Super P electrodes are measured using RRDE experiments and analysis in the 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆)/PC electrolyte. The results show that TX114 has higher electrocatalytic activity for the first step of ORR to generate O₂ • - and produces a faster PC-electrolyte decomposition rate.

  7. Solid State Ionic Materials - Proceedings of the 4th Asian Conference on Solid State Ionics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chowdari, B. V. R.; Yahaya, M.; Talib, I. A.; Salleh, M. M.

    1994-07-01

    The Table of Contents for the full book PDF is as follows: * Preface * I. INVITED PAPERS * Diffusion of Cations and Anions in Solid Electrolytes * Silver Ion Conductors in the Crystalline State * NMR Studies of Superionic Conductors * Hall Effect and Thermoelectric Power in High Tc Hg-Ba-Ca-Cu-O Ceramics * Solid Electrolyte Materials Prepared by Sol-Gel Chemistry * Preparation of Proton-Conducting Gel Films and their Application to Electrochromic Devices * Thin Film Fuel Cells * Zirconia based Solid Oxide Ion Conductors in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells * The Influence of Anion Substitution on Some Phosphate-based Ion Conducting Glasses * Lithium Intercalation in Carbon Electrodes and its Relevance in Rocking Chair Batteries * Chemical Sensors using Proton Conducting Ceramics * NMR/NQR Studies of Y-Ba-Cu-O Superconductors * Silver Molybdate Glasses and Battery Systems * New Highly Conducting Polymer Ionics and their Application in Electrochemical Devices * Study of Li Electrokinetics on Oligomeric Electrolytes using Microelectrodes * Calculation of Conductivity for Mixed-Phase Electrolytes PEO-MX-Immiscible Additive by Means of Effective Medium Theory * II. CONTRIBUTED PAPERS * Phase Relationship and Electrical Conductivity of Sr-V-O System with Vanadium Suboxide * Amorphous Li+ Ionic Conductors in Li2SO4-Li2O-P2O5 System * Fast Ion Transport in KCl-Al2O3 Composites * The Effect of the Second Phase Precipitation on the Ionic Conductivity of Zr0.85Mg0.15O1.85 * Conductivity Measurements and Phase Relationships in CaCl2-CaHCl Solid Electrolyte * Relationships Between Crystal Structure and Sodium Ion Conductivity in Na7Fe4(AsO4)6 and Na3Al2(AsO4)3 * Electrical Conductivity and Solubility Limit of Ti4+ Ion in Na1+x TiyZr2-ySixP3-xO12 System * Study on Sodium Fast Ion Conductors of Na1+3xAlxTi2-xSi2xP3-2xO12 System * Influences of Zirconia on the Properties of β''-Alumina Ceramics * Decay of Luminescence from Cr3+ Ions in β-Alumina * Lithium Ion Conductivity in the Li4XO4-Li2SO4 (X=Si, Ge, Ti) Systems * A DSC and Conductivity Study of the Influence of Cesium Ion on the Beta-Alpha Transition in Silver Iodide * Phase Diagrams, Stoichiometries and Properties of Bi4V2O11:M2+ Solid Electrolytes * Physical Properties of Electrodeposited Silver Chromotungstate * Pseudopotential Study of Bonding in the Superionic Material AgI: The Effect of Statistical Distribution of Mobile Ions * Cubic Phase Dominant Region in Submicron BaTiO3 Particles * The Crystallization of CoZr Amorphous Alloys via Electrical Resistivity * Cation Ratio Related Properties of Synthetic Mg/Al Layered Double Hydroxide and it's Nanocomposite * DC Conductivity of Nano-Particles of Silver Iodide * Effect of Anomalous Diffusion on Quasielastic Scattering in Superionic Conductors * Computer Simulation Study of Conductivity Enhancement in Superionic-Insulator Composites * Dynamics of Superionic Silver and Copper Iodide Salt Melts * Influence of Dopant Salt AgI, Glass Modifier Ag2O and Glass Formers (SeO3 + MoO3) on Electrical Conductivity in Quaternary Glassy System * Fast Ion Conductivity in the Presence of Competitive Network Formers * Role of Alkali Ions in Borate Glasses * Inelastic Light Scattering in Cadmium Borate Glasses * Investigation on Transport Properties of Mixed Glass System 0.75 [0.75AgI:0.25AgCl]. 0.25[Ag2O:CrO3] * Conduction Mechanism in Lithium Tellurite Glasses * Optimized Silver Tungstoarsenate Glass Electrolyte * Stabilized Superfine Zirconia Powder Prepared by Sol-Gel Process * Study of New PAN-based Electrolytes * Electrical and Thermal Characterization of PVA based Polymer Electrolytes * Conductive Electroactive Polymers: Versatile Solid State Ionic Materials * The Role of Ag2O Addition on the Superconducting Properties of Y-124 Compound * Absorption Spectra Studies of the C60 Films on Transition Metal Film Substrates * Effect of Alumina Dispersal on the Conductivity and Crystallite Size of Polymer Electrolyte * New Mixed Galss-Polymer Solid Electrolytes * The Sputtered La0.5Sr0.5MnO3-Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Composite Electrode in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells * A Solid Electrochemical Ferro Sensor for Molten Matte * SnO2-based Sensor for H2S Monitoring-Electrical Conductivity Measurements and Device Testing * Humidity Sensor using Potassium Tungsten Bronze Synthesized from Peroxo-Polytungstic Acid * Study on Li/LiClO4/V6O13 Test Cells * Fabrication and Characterisation of Some Solid Electrolyte Cells Containing CuI and Silver Oxysalts * Solid State Battery of Proton Conducting Sodium Thiosulphate Pentahydrate * Low Temperature Synthesis of LiMn2O4 for Secondary Lithium Batteries * Effect of Different Cathode Active Materials on Battery Performance with Silver Molybdate Electrolyte Partially Substituted with Zinc Oxide * Fabrication and Characterization of Electrochemical Cells based on Silver Molybdoarsenate and Silver Tungstoarsenate Glass Electrolytes * Lorentz Force Dependence of Dissipation in a Granular Superconductor * Late Entry (Invited paper) * Simultaneous Voltammetry and Spectroscopy of Polyaniline in Propylene Carbonate * Author Index * Tentative List of Participants

  8. Improved Anode for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Valdez, Thomas; Narayanan, Sekharipuram

    2005-01-01

    A modified chemical composition has been devised to improve the performance of the anode of a direct methanol fuel cell. The main feature of the modified composition is the incorporation of hydrous ruthenium oxide into the anode structure. This modification can reduce the internal electrical resistance of the cell and increase the degree of utilization of the anode catalyst. As a result, a higher anode current density can be sustained with a smaller amount of anode catalyst. These improvements can translate into a smaller fuel-cell system and higher efficiency of conversion. Some background information is helpful for understanding the benefit afforded by the addition of hydrous ruthenium oxide. The anode of a direct methanol fuel cell sustains the electro-oxidation of methanol to carbon dioxide in the reaction CH3OH + H2O--->CO2 + 6H(+) + 6e(-). An electrocatalyst is needed to enable this reaction to occur. The catalyst that offers the highest activity is an alloy of approximately equal numbers of atoms of the noble metals platinum and ruthenium. The anode is made of a composite material that includes high-surface-area Pt/Ru alloy particles and a proton-conducting ionomeric material. This composite is usually deposited onto a polymer-electrolyte (proton-conducting) membrane and onto an anode gas-diffusion/current-collector sheet that is subsequently bonded to the proton-conducting membrane by hot pressing. Heretofore, the areal density of noble-metal catalyst typically needed for high performance has been about 8 mg/cm2. However, not all of the catalyst has been utilized in the catalyzed electro-oxidation reaction. Increasing the degree of utilization of the catalyst would make it possible to improve the performance of the cell for a given catalyst loading and/or reduce the catalyst loading (thereby reducing the cost of the cell). The use of carbon and possibly other electronic conductors in the catalyst layer has been proposed for increasing the utilization of the catalyst by increasing electrical connectivity between catalyst particles. However, the relatively low density of carbon results in thick catalyst layers that impede the mass transport of methanol to the catalytic sites. Also, the electrical conductivity of carbon is less than 1/300th of typical metals. Furthermore, the polymer-electrolyte membrane material is acidic and most metals are not chemically stable in contact with it. Finally, a material that conducts electrons (but not protons) does not contribute to the needed transport of protons produced in the electro-oxidation reaction.

  9. Method for making an electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Tuller, Harry L.; Kramer, Steve A.; Spears, Marlene A.; Pal, Uday B.

    1996-01-01

    An electrochemical device including a solid electrolyte and solid electrode composed of materials having different chemical compositions and characterized by different electrical properties but having the same crystalline phase is provided. A method for fabricating an electrochemical device having a solid electrode and solid electrolyte characterized by the same crystalline phase is provided.

  10. Solid electrolyte structure

    DOEpatents

    Fraioli, Anthony V.

    1984-01-01

    A solid electrolyte structure for fuel cells and other electrochemical devices providing oxygen ion transfer by a multiplicity of exposed internal surfaces made of a composition containing an oxide of a multivalent transition metal and forming small pore-like passages sized to permit oxygen ion transfer while limiting the transfer of oxygen gas.

  11. Surface characterization and corrosion behavior of calcium phosphate-base composite layer on titanium and its alloys via plasma electrolytic oxidation: A review paper.

    PubMed

    Rafieerad, A R; Ashra, M R; Mahmoodian, R; Bushroa, A R

    2015-12-01

    In recent years, calcium phosphate-base composites, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and carbonate apatite (CA) have been considered desirable and biocompatible coating layers in clinical and biomedical applications such as implants because of the high resistance of the composites. This review focuses on the effects of voltage, time and electrolytes on a calcium phosphate-base composite layer in case of pure titanium and other biomedical grade titanium alloys via the plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) method. Remarkably, these parameters changed the structure, morphology, pH, thickness and crystallinity of the obtained coating for various engineering and biomedical applications. Hence, the structured layer caused improvement of the biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and assignment of extra benefits for Osseo integration. The fabricated layer with a thickness range of 10 to 20 μm was evaluated for physical, chemical, mechanical and tribological characteristics via XRD, FESEM, EDS, EIS and corrosion analysis respectively, to determine the effects of the applied parameters and various electrolytes on morphology and phase transition. Moreover, it was observed that during PEO, the concentration of calcium, phosphor and titanium shifts upward, which leads to an enhanced bioactivity by altering the thickness. The results confirm that the crystallinity, thickness and contents of composite layer can be changed by applying thermal treatments. The corrosion behavior was investigated via the potentiodynamic polarization test in a body-simulated environment. Here, the optimum corrosion resistance was obtained for the coating process condition at 500 V for 15 min in Ringer solution. This review has been summarized, aiming at the further development of PEO by producing more adequate titanium-base implants along with desired mechanical and biomedical features. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Separator for alkaline electric batteries and method of making

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pfluger, H. L. (Inventor); Hoyt, H. E.

    1970-01-01

    Battery separator membranes of high electrolytic conductivity comprising a cellulose ether and a compatible metallic salt of water soluble aliphatic acids and their hydroxy derivatives are described. It was found that methyl cellulose can be modified by another class of materials, nonpolymeric in nature, to form battery separator membranes of low electrolytic resistance but which have the flexibility of membranes made of unmodified methyl cellulose, and which in many cases enhance flexibility over membranes made with unmodified methyl cellulose. Separator membranes for electrochemical cells comprising a cellulose ether and a modified selected from the group consisting of metallic salts of water soluble alphatic acids and their hydroxy derivatives and to electrochemical cells utilizing said membranes are described.

  13. Biochemical composition of fluids for amnioinfusion during fetoscopy.

    PubMed

    Adama van Scheltema, P N; In't Anker, P S; Vereecken, A; Vandenbussche, F P H A; Deprest, J A; Devlieger, R

    2008-01-01

    To evaluate which of the commercially available solutions is best suited for amnioinfusion during fetoscopy, based on resemblance with the biochemical properties of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid samples from 10 pregnancies were studied. Specimens were obtained from 5 pathologic pregnancies (of which 3 were complicated by polyhydramnios) and 5 uncomplicated pregnancies. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, glucose, osmolality, pH, total protein content and albumin were determined in each sample. A literature search (PubMed, Embase) was performed to identify commercially available fluids used for amnioinfusion in clinical practice. The composition of these infusion solutions was compared to the amniotic fluid samples mentioned above. We identified two different electrolyte solutions used in clinical practice for amnioinfusion. We identified four additional commercially available solutions that could potentially be used for amnioinfusion. Most of these infusion solutions differ considerably from midtrimester amniotic fluid samples both in electrolyte composition and pH, with the most striking difference in the latter. Lactated Ringer's solution approximates amniotic fluid the closest for both electrolyte composition and pH. This infusion solution seems to be the most suitable choice for amnioinfusion during fetoscopy. (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  14. Parasitic Currents Caused by Different Ionic and Electronic Conductivities in Fuel Cell Anodes.

    PubMed

    Schalenbach, Maximilian; Zillgitt, Marcel; Maier, Wiebke; Stolten, Detlef

    2015-07-29

    The electrodes in fuel cells simultaneously realize electric and ionic conductivity. In the case of acidic polymer electrolytes, the electrodes are typically made of composites of carbon-supported catalyst and Nafion polymer electrolyte binder. In this study, the interaction of the proton conduction, the electron conduction, and the electrochemical hydrogen conversion in such composite electrode materials was examined. Exposed to a hydrogen atmosphere, these composites displayed up to 10-fold smaller resistivities for the proton conduction than that of Nafion membranes. This effect was ascribed to the simultaneously occurring electrochemical hydrogen oxidation and evolution inside the composite samples, which are driven by different proton and electron resistivities. The parasitic electrochemical currents resulting were postulated to occur in the anode of fuel cells with polymer, solid oxide, or liquid alkaline electrolytes, when the ohmic drop of the ion conduction in the anode is higher with the anodic kinetic overvoltage (as illustrated in the graphical abstract). In this case, the parasitic electrochemical currents increase the anodic kinetic overpotential and the ohmic drop in the anode. Thinner fuel cell anodes with smaller ohmic drops for the ion conduction may reduce the parasitic electrochemical currents.

  15. Specific considerations for obtaining appropriate La1-xSrxGa1-yMgyO3-δ thin films using pulsed-laser deposition and its influence on the performance of solid-oxide fuel cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hwang, Jaeyeon; Lee, Heon; Lee, Jong-Ho; Yoon, Kyung Joong; Kim, Hyoungchul; Hong, Jongsup; Son, Ji-Won

    2015-01-01

    To obtain La1-xSrxGa1-yMgyO3-δ (LSGM) thin films with the appropriate properties, pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) is employed, and specific considerations regarding control of the deposition parameters is investigated. It is demonstrated that with a target of stoichiometric composition, appropriate LSGM thin films cannot be produced because of the deviation of the composition from the target to the thin film. Only after adjusting the target composition an LSGM thin film with an appropriate composition and phase can be obtained. The optimized LSGM thin film possesses an electrical conductivity close to that of the bulk LSGM. In contrast, non-optimized thin films do not yield any measurable electrical conductivity. The impact of the optimization of the LSGM thin-film electrolyte on the cell performance is quite significant, in that a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with an optimized LSGM thin-film electrolyte produces a maximum power density of 1.1 W cm-2 at 600 °C, whereas an SOFC with a non-optimal LSGM thin-film electrolyte is not operable.

  16. 3D-Printing Electrolytes for Solid-State Batteries.

    PubMed

    McOwen, Dennis W; Xu, Shaomao; Gong, Yunhui; Wen, Yang; Godbey, Griffin L; Gritton, Jack E; Hamann, Tanner R; Dai, Jiaqi; Hitz, Gregory T; Hu, Liangbing; Wachsman, Eric D

    2018-05-01

    Solid-state batteries have many enticing advantages in terms of safety and stability, but the solid electrolytes upon which these batteries are based typically lead to high cell resistance. Both components of the resistance (interfacial, due to poor contact with electrolytes, and bulk, due to a thick electrolyte) are a result of the rudimentary manufacturing capabilities that exist for solid-state electrolytes. In general, solid electrolytes are studied as flat pellets with planar interfaces, which minimizes interfacial contact area. Here, multiple ink formulations are developed that enable 3D printing of unique solid electrolyte microstructures with varying properties. These inks are used to 3D-print a variety of patterns, which are then sintered to reveal thin, nonplanar, intricate architectures composed only of Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 solid electrolyte. Using these 3D-printing ink formulations to further study and optimize electrolyte structure could lead to solid-state batteries with dramatically lower full cell resistance and higher energy and power density. In addition, the reported ink compositions could be used as a model recipe for other solid electrolyte or ceramic inks, perhaps enabling 3D printing in related fields. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  17. Positron annihilation lifetime study of Nafion/titanium dioxide nano-composite membranes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lei, M.; Wang, Y. J.; Liang, C.; Huang, K.; Ye, C. X.; Wang, W. J.; Jin, S. F.; Zhang, R.; Fan, D. Y.; Yang, H. J.; Wang, Y. G.

    2014-01-01

    Positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) technique is applied for investigation of size and number density of free volumes in Nafion/TiO2-nanoparticles composite membrane. The proton transporting ability is correlated with the properties of free volume inside the membrane. It is revealed that composite membrane with 5 wt% of TiO2 nano-fillers exhibits good electrochemical performance under reduced humidity and it can be saturated with water at relative humidity of 50%, under which ionic clusters and proton transporting channels are formed, indicating that composite membranes with 5 wt% of TiO2 nano-fillers are effective electrolyte for fuel cells operated at reduced humidification levels. The results suggest that PAL can be a powerful tool for elucidating the relationship between microstructure and ion transport in polymer electrolyte membranes.

  18. A new percolation model for composite solid electrolytes and dispersed ionic conductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Risyad Hasyim, Muhammad; Lanagan, Michael T.

    2018-02-01

    Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) including conductor/insulator composites known as dispersed ionic conductors (DICs) have motivated the development of novel percolation models that describe their conductivity. Despite the long history, existing models lack in one or more key areas: (1) rigorous foundation for their physical theory, (2) explanation for non-universal conductor-insulator transition, (3) classification of DICs, and (4) extension to frequency-domain. This work describes a frequency-domain effective medium approximation (EMA) of a bond percolation model for CSEs. The EMA is derived entirely from Maxwell’s equations and contains basic microstructure parameters. The model was applied successfully to several composite systems from literature. Simulations and fitting of literature data address these key areas and illustrate the interplay between space charge layer properties and bulk microstructure.

  19. Composite electrolytes of polyethylene oxides/garnets interfacially wetted by ionic liquid for room-temperature solid-state lithium battery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huo, Hanyu; Zhao, Ning; Sun, Jiyang; Du, Fuming; Li, Yiqiu; Guo, Xiangxin

    2017-12-01

    Paramount attention has been paid on solid polymer electrolytes due to their potential in enhancement of energy density as well as improvement of safety. Herein, the composite electrolytes consisting of Li-salt-free polyethylene oxides and 200 nm-sized Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 particles interfacially wetted by [BMIM]TF2N of 1.8 μL cm-2 have been prepared. Such wetted ionic liquid remains the solid state of membrane electrolytes and decreases the interface impedance between the electrodes and the electrolytes. There is no release of the liquid phase from the PEO matrix when the pressure of 5.0 × 104 Pa being applied for 24 h. The interfacially wetted membrane electrolytes show the conductivity of 2.2 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 20 °C, which is one order of magnitude greater than that of the membranes without the wetted ionic liquids. The conduction mechanism is related to a large number of lithium ions releasing from Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 particles and the improved conductive paths along the ion-liquid-wetted interfaces between the polymer matrix and ceramic grains. When the membranes being used in the solid-state LiFePO4/Li and LiFe0.15Mn0.85PO4/Li cells at 25 °C, the excellent rate capability and superior cycle stability has been shown. The results provide a new prospect for solid polymer electrolytes used for room-temperature solid-state lithium batteries.

  20. Solid State Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Investigation of Electrolyte Decomposition Products on Lithium Ion Electrodes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    DeSilva, J .H. S. R.; Udinwe, V.; Sideris, P. J.; Smart, M. C.; Krause, F. C.; Hwang, C.; Smith, K. A.; Greenbaum, S. G.

    2012-01-01

    Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation in lithium ion cells prepared with advanced electrolytes is investigated by solid state multinuclear (7Li, 19F, 31P) magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of electrode materials harvested from cycled cells subjected to an accelerated aging protocol. The electrolyte composition is varied to include the addition of fluorinated carbonates and triphenyl phosphate (TPP, a flame retardant). In addition to species associated with LiPF6 decomposition, cathode NMR spectra are characterized by the presence of compounds originating from the TPP additive. Substantial amounts of LiF are observed in the anodes as well as compounds originating from the fluorinated carbonates.

  1. Liquid-free rechargeable Li polymer battery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsui, S.; Muranaga, T.; Higobashi, H.; Inoue, S.; Sakai, T.

    Safety is a key concern for high-power energy storage systems such as will be required for electric vehicles. Present lithium ion batteries, which use a flammable organic liquid electrolyte, lack inherent safety. Our approach in solving this problem is to replace the liquid electrolyte with a liquid-free polymer electrolyte. Data of the composition of the positive electrode, charge-discharge and cycle-life capability are presented. The cell using metallic lithium anode and crosslinked polymer electrolyte P(EO/MEEGE/AGE)-LiTFSI showed a discharge capacity of 134 mAh g -1 of LiCoO 2 at 60°C and 140 mAh g -1 at 140°C.

  2. Switchable silver mirrors with long memory effects.

    PubMed

    Park, Chihyun; Seo, Seogjae; Shin, Haijin; Sarwade, Bhimrao D; Na, Jongbeom; Kim, Eunkyoung

    2015-01-01

    An electrochemically stable and bistable switchable mirror was achieved for the first time by introducing (1) a thiol-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode for the stabilization of the metallic film and (2) ionic liquids as an anion-blocking layer, to achieve a long memory effect. The growth of the metallic film was denser and faster at the thiol-modified ITO electrode than at a bare ITO electrode. The electrochemical stability of the metallic film on the thiol-modified ITO was enhanced, maintaining the metallic state without rupture. In the voltage-off state, the metal film maintained bistability for a long period (>2 h) when ionic liquids were introduced as electrolytes for the switchable mirror. The electrical double layer in the highly viscous ionic liquid electrolyte seemed to effectively form a barrier to the bromide ions, to protect the metal thin film from them when in the voltage-off state.

  3. Electrolyte for stable cycling of high-energy lithium sulfur redox flow batteries

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xiao, Jie; Liu, Jun; Pan, Huilin

    A device comprising: a lithium sulfur redox flow battery comprising an electrolyte composition comprising: (i) a dissolved Li 2S x electroactive salt, wherein x.gtoreq.4; (ii) a solvent selected from dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, or a mixture thereof; and (iii) a supporting salt at a concentration of at least 2 M, as measured by moles of supporting salt divided by the volume of the solvent without considering the volume change of the electrolyte after dissolving the supporting salt.

  4. Molten carbonate fuel cell reduction of nickel deposits

    DOEpatents

    Smith, James L.; Zwick, Stanley A.

    1987-01-01

    A molten carbonate fuel cell with anode and cathode electrodes and an eleolyte formed with two tile sections, one of the tile sections being adjacent the anode and limiting leakage of fuel gas into the electrolyte with the second tile section being adjacent the cathode and having pores sized to permit the presence of oxygen gas in the electrolyte thereby limiting the formation of metal deposits caused by the reduction of metal compositions migrating into the electrolyte from the cathode.

  5. Simulations of Cyclic Voltammetry for Electric Double Layers in Asymmetric Electrolytes: A Generalized Modified Poisson-Nernst-Planck Model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, Hainan; Thiele, Alexander; Pilon, Laurent

    2013-11-15

    This paper presents a generalized modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck (MPNP) model derived from first principles based on excess chemical potential and Langmuir activity coefficient to simulate electric double-layer dynamics in asymmetric electrolytes. The model accounts simultaneously for (1) asymmetric electrolytes with (2) multiple ion species, (3) finite ion sizes, and (4) Stern and diffuse layers along with Ohmic potential drop in the electrode. It was used to simulate cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements for binary asymmetric electrolytes. The results demonstrated that the current density increased significantly with decreasing ion diameter and/or increasing valency |z i| of either ion species. By contrast, the ionmore » diffusion coefficients affected the CV curves and capacitance only at large scan rates. Dimensional analysis was also performed, and 11 dimensionless numbers were identified to govern the CV measurements of the electric double layer in binary asymmetric electrolytes between two identical planar electrodes of finite thickness. A self-similar behavior was identified for the electric double-layer integral capacitance estimated from CV measurement simulations. Two regimes were identified by comparing the half cycle period τ CV and the “RC time scale” τ RC corresponding to the characteristic time of ions’ electrodiffusion. For τ RC ← τ CV, quasi-equilibrium conditions prevailed and the capacitance was diffusion-independent while for τ RC → τ CV, the capacitance was diffusion-limited. The effect of the electrode was captured by the dimensionless electrode electrical conductivity representing the ratio of characteristic times associated with charge transport in the electrolyte and that in the electrode. The model developed here will be useful for simulating and designing various practical electrochemical, colloidal, and biological systems for a wide range of applications.« less

  6. Mechanical Composite of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2/Carbon Nanotubes with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Liping; Fu, Ju; Zhang, Chuhong

    2017-12-01

    LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 /carbon nanotube (NCA/CNT) composite cathode materials are prepared by a facile mechanical grinding method, without damage to the crystal structure and morphology of the bulk. The NCA/CNT composite exhibits enhanced cycling and rate performance compared with pristine NCA. After 60 cycles at a current rate of 0.25 C, the reversible capacity of NCA/CNT composite cathode is 181 mAh/g with a discharge retention rate of 96%, considerably higher than the value of pristine NCA (153 mAh/g with a retention rate of 90%). At a high current rate of 5 C, it also can deliver a reversible capacity of 160 mAh/g, while only 140 mAh/g is maintained for the unmodified NCA. Highly electrical conductive CNTs rather than common inert insulating materials are for the first time employed as surface modifiers for NCA, which are dispersed homogenously on the surface of NCA particles, not only improving the electrical conductivity but also providing effective protection to the side reactions with liquid electrolyte of the battery.

  7. Mechanistic insights into lithium ion battery electrolyte degradation - a quantitative NMR study.

    PubMed

    Wiemers-Meyer, S; Winter, M; Nowak, S

    2016-09-29

    The changes in electrolyte composition on the molecular level and the reaction mechanisms of electrolyte degradation upon thermal aging are monitored by quantitative NMR spectroscopy, revealing similar rates of degradation for pristine and already aged electrolytes. The data analysis is not in favor of an autocatalytic reaction mechanism based on OPF 3 but rather indicates that the degradation of LiPF 6 in carbonate based solvents proceeds via a complex sequence of "linear" reactions rather than a cyclic reaction pattern which is determined by the amount of water present in the samples. All investigated electrolytes are reasonably stable at temperatures of up to 60 °C in the presence of minor amounts or absence of water hence indicating that chemical instability of electrolyte components against water is decisive for degradation and an increase in temperature ("thermal aging") just accelerates the degradation impact of water.

  8. Impacts of bridging complexation on the transport of surface-modified nanoparticles in saturated sand

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The transport of polyacrylic acid capped cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) and carboxylate-modified latex (CML) nanoparticles (NPs) was studied in packed columns at various electrolyte concentrations and cation types. The breakthrough curves (BTCs) of QDs and CML NPs in acid-treated Accus...

  9. Two-dimensional ion chromatography for the separation of ionic organophosphates generated in thermally decomposed lithium hexafluorophosphate-based lithium ion battery electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Kraft, Vadim; Grützke, Martin; Weber, Waldemar; Menzel, Jennifer; Wiemers-Meyer, Simon; Winter, Martin; Nowak, Sascha

    2015-08-28

    A two-dimensional ion chromatography (IC/IC) technique with heart-cutting mode for the separation of ionic organophosphates was developed. These analytes are generated during thermal degradation of three different commercially available Selectilyte™ lithium ion battery electrolytes. The composition of the investigated electrolytes is based on 1M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) dissolved in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (50:50wt%, LP30), ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate (50:50wt%, LP40) and ethylene carbonate/ethyl methyl carbonate (50:50wt%, LP50). The organophosphates were pre-separated from PF6(-) anion on the low capacity A Supp 4 column, which was eluted with a gradient step containing acetonitrile. The fraction containing analytes was retarded on a pre-concentration column and after that transferred to the high capacity columns, where the separation was performed isocratically. Different stationary phases and eluents were applied on the 2nd dimension for the investigation of retention times, whereas the highly promising results were obtained with a high capacitive A Supp 10 column. The organophosphates generated in LP30 and LP40 electrolytes could be separated by application of an aqueous NaOH eluent providing fast analysis time within 35min. For the separation of the organophosphates of LP50 electrolyte due to its complexity a NaOH eluent containing a mixture of methanol/H2O was necessary. In addition, the developed two dimensional IC method was hyphenated to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) using aqueous NaOH without organic modifiers. This proof of principle measurement was carried out for future quantitative investigation regarding the concentration of the ionic organophosphates. Furthermore, the chemical stability of several ionic organophosphates in water and acetonitrile at room temperature over a period of 10h was investigated. In both solvents no decomposition of the investigated analytes was observed and therefore water as solvent for dilution of samples was proved as suitable. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Method of making a layered composite electrode/electrolyte

    DOEpatents

    Visco, Steven J.; Jacobson, Craig P.; DeJonghe, Lutgard C.

    2005-01-25

    An electrode/electrolyte structure is prepared by a plurality of methods. An unsintered (possibly bisque fired) moderately catalytic electronically-conductive or homogeneous mixed ionic electronic conductive electrode material is deposited on a layer composed of a sintered or unsintered ionically-conductive electrolyte material prior to being sintered. A layer of particulate electrode material is deposited on an unsintered ("green") layer of electrolyte material and the electrode and electrolyte layers are sintered simultaneously, sometimes referred to as "co-firing," under conditions suitable to fully densify the electrolyte while the electrode retains porosity. Or, the layer of particulate electrode material is deposited on a previously sintered layer of electrolyte, and then sintered. Subsequently, a catalytic material is added to the electrode structure by infiltration of an electrolcatalyst precursor (e.g., a metal salt such as a transition metal nitrate). This may be followed by low temperature firing to convert the precursor to catalyst. The invention allows for an electrode with high electronic conductivity and sufficient catalytic activity to achieve high power density in an ionic (electrochemical) device such as fuel cells and electrolytic gas separation systems.

  11. Lithium sulfide compositions for battery electrolyte and battery electrode coatings

    DOEpatents

    Liang, Chengdu; Liu, Zengcai; Fu, Wujun; Lin, Zhan; Dudney, Nancy J; Howe, Jane Y; Rondinone, Adam J

    2014-10-28

    Method of forming lithium-containing electrolytes are provided using wet chemical synthesis. In some examples, the lithium containing electrolytes are composed of .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 or Li.sub.4P.sub.2S.sub.7. The solid electrolyte may be a core shell material. In one embodiment, the core shell material includes a core of lithium sulfide (Li.sub.2S), a first shell of .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 or Li.sub.4P.sub.2S.sub.7, and a second shell including one of .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 or Li.sub.4P.sub.2S.sub.7 and carbon. The lithium containing electrolytes may be incorporated into wet cell batteries or solid state batteries.

  12. Analysis of cell performance and thermal regeneration of a lithium-tin cell having an immobilized fused-salt electrolyte

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cairns, E. J.; Shimotake, H.

    1969-01-01

    Cell performance and thermal regeneration of a thermally regenerative cell uses lithium and tin and a fused-salt electrolyte. The emf of the Li-Sn cell, as a function of cathode-alloy composition, is shown to resemble that of the Na-Bi cell.

  13. Water free proton conducting membranes based on poly-4-vinylpyridinebisulfate for fuel cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Narayanan, Sekharipuram R. (Inventor); Yen, Shiao-Pin S. (Inventor)

    2007-01-01

    Disclosed are methods for forming a water-free electrolyte membrane useful in fuel cells. Also provided is a water-free electrolyte membrane comprising a quaternized amine salt including poly-4-vinylpyridinebisulfate, a poly-4-vinylpyridinebisulfate silica composite, and a combination thereof and a fuel cell comprising the membrane.

  14. Enhancing long-term photostability of BiVO4 photoanodes for solar water splitting by tuning electrolyte composition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Dong Ki; Choi, Kyoung-Shin

    2018-01-01

    As the performance of photoelectrodes used for solar water splitting continues to improve, enhancing the long-term stability of the photoelectrodes becomes an increasingly crucial issue. In this study, we report that tuning the composition of the electrolyte can be used as a strategy to suppress photocorrosion during solar water splitting. Anodic photocorrosion of BiVO4 photoanodes involves the loss of V5+ from the BiVO4 lattice by dissolution. We demonstrate that the use of a V5+-saturated electrolyte, which inhibits the photooxidation-coupled dissolution of BiVO4, can serve as a simple yet effective method to suppress anodic photocorrosion of BiVO4. The V5+ species in the solution can also incorporate into the FeOOH/NiOOH oxygen-evolution catalyst layer present on the BiVO4 surface during water oxidation, further enhancing water-oxidation kinetics. The effect of the V5+ species in the electrolyte on both the long-term photostability of BiVO4 and the performance of the FeOOH/NiOOH oxygen-evolution catalyst layer is systematically elucidated.

  15. Sulfonated polyphenylene polymers

    DOEpatents

    Cornelius, Christopher J.; Fujimoto, Cy H.; Hickner, Michael A.

    2007-11-27

    Improved sulfonated polyphenylene compositions, improved polymer electrolyte membranes and nanocomposites formed there from for use in fuel cells are described herein. The improved compositions, membranes and nanocomposites formed there from overcome limitations of Nafion.RTM. membranes.

  16. Substituted Quaternary Ammonium Salts Improve Low-Temperature Performance of Double-Layer Capacitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brandon, Erik J.; Smart, Marshall C.; West, William C.

    2011-01-01

    Double-layer capacitors are unique energy storage devices, capable of supporting large current pulses as well as a very high number of charging and discharging cycles. The performance of doublelayer capacitors is highly dependent on the nature of the electrolyte system used. Many applications, including for electric and fuel cell vehicles, back-up diesel generators, wind generator pitch control back-up power systems, environmental and structural distributed sensors, and spacecraft avionics, can potentially benefit from the use of double-layer capacitors with lower equivalent series resistances (ESRs) over wider temperature limits. Higher ESRs result in decreased power output, which is a particular problem at lower temperatures. Commercially available cells are typically rated for operation down to only 40 C. Previous briefs [for example, Low Temperature Supercapacitors (NPO-44386), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 7 (July 2008), p. 32, and Supercapacitor Electrolyte Solvents With Liquid Range Below 80 C (NPO-44855), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 34, No. 1 (January 2010), p. 44] discussed the use of electrolytes that employed low-melting-point co-solvents to depress the freezing point of traditional acetonitrile-based electrolytes. Using these modified electrolyte formulations can extend the low-temperature operational limit of double-layer capacitors beyond that of commercially available cells. This previous work has shown that although the measured capacitance is relatively insensitive to temperature, the ESR can rise rapidly at low temperatures, due to decreased electrolyte conductance within the pores of the high surface- area carbon electrodes. Most of these advanced electrolyte systems featured tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEATFB) as the salt. More recent work at JPL indicates the use of the asymmetric quaternary ammonium salt triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEMATFB) or spiro-(l,l')-bipyrrolidium tetrafluoroborate (SBPBF4) in a 1:1 by volume solvent mixture of acetonitrile (AN) and methyl formate (MF) enables double-layer capacitor cells to operate well below -40 C with a relatively low ESR. Typically, a less than twofold increase in ESR is observed at -65 C relative to room-temperature values, when these modified electrolyte blends are used in prototype cells. Double-layer capacitor coin cells filled with these electrolytes have displayed the lowest measured ESR for an organic electrolyte to date at low temperature (based on a wide range of electrolyte screening studies at JPL). The cells featured high-surface-area (approximately equal to 2,500 m/g) carbon electrodes that were 0.50 mm thick and 1.6 cm in diameter, and coated with a thin layer of platinum to reduce cell resistance. A polyethylene separator was used to electrically isolate the electrodes.

  17. A Modified Robinson-Stokes equation for describing the thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of 1-1 electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rudakov, A. M.; Sergievskii, V. V.

    2008-05-01

    Equations relating osmotic, mean ionic activity, and water activity coefficients to electrolyte concentrations in binary aqueous solutions were substantiated within the framework of cluster concepts. The model includes the contribution to solution nonideality of electrostatic interactions in terms of the Debye-Hückel theory along with hydration and association of salts via relations containing hydration and association numbers in the standard states. According to the description of data on 54 aqueous solutions of 1-1 electrolytes, this model should be given preference compared with the most extensively used NRTL, NRTL-NRF, Wilson, and Pitzer models.

  18. Effect of dysprosium and lutetium metal buffer layers on the resistive switching characteristics of Cu-Sn alloy-based conductive-bridge random access memory.

    PubMed

    Vishwanath, Sujaya Kumar; Woo, Hyunsuk; Jeon, Sanghun

    2018-06-18

    Conductive-bridge random access memory (CBRAM) has become one of the most suitable candidates for non-volatile memory in next-generation information and communication technology. The resistive switching mechanism of CBRAM depends on the formation/annihilation of the conductive filament (CF) between the active metal electrode and the inert electrode. However, excessive ion injection from the active electrode into the solid electrolyte is reduces the uniformity and reliability of the resistive switching devices. To solve this problem, we investigated the resistive switching characteristics of a modified active electrode with different compositions of Cu<sub>x</sub>-Sn<sub><sub>1-x </sub></sub>(0.13 < X < 0.55). The resistive switching characteristics were further improved by inserting a dysprosium (Dy) or lutetium (Lu) buffer layer at the interface of Cu<sub>x</sub>-Sn<sub>1-x</sub>/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. Electrical analysis of the optimal Cu<sub>0.27</sub>-Sn<sub>0.73</sub>/Lu-based CBRAM exhibited stable resistive switching behavior with low operation voltage (SET: 0.7 V and RESET: -0.3 V), a high on/off resistive ratio (10<sup>6</sup>), cyclic endurance (>10<sup>4</sup>), and long-term retention (85℃/10 years). To achieve these performance parameters, CFs were locally formed inside the electrolyte using a modified CuSn active electrode, and the amount of Cu-ion injection was reduced by inserting the Dy or Lu buffer layer between the CuSn active electrode and the electrolyte. In particular, conductive-atomic force microscopy results at the Dy/ or Lu/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> interface directly showed and defined the diameter of the CF. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

  19. Ultra-thin solid oxide fuel cells: Materials and devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kerman, Kian

    Solid oxide fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices utilizing solid electrolytes transporting O2- that typically operate in the 800 -- 1000 °C temperature range due to the large activation barrier for ionic transport. Reducing electrolyte thickness or increasing ionic conductivity can enable lower temperature operation for both stationary and portable applications. This thesis is focused on the fabrication of free standing ultrathin (<100 nm) oxide membranes of prototypical O 2- conducting electrolytes, namely Y2O3-doped ZrO2 and Gd2O3-doped CeO2. Fabrication of such membranes requires an understanding of thin plate mechanics coupled with controllable thin film deposition processes. Integration of free standing membranes into proof-of-concept fuel cell devices necessitates ideal electrode assemblies as well as creative processing schemes to experimentally test devices in a high temperature dual environment chamber. We present a simple elastic model to determine stable buckling configurations for free standing oxide membranes. This guides the experimental methodology for Y 2O3-doped ZrO2 film processing, which enables tunable internal stress in the films. Using these criteria, we fabricate robust Y2O3-doped ZrO2 membranes on Si and composite polymeric substrates by semiconductor and micro-machining processes, respectively. Fuel cell devices integrating these membranes with metallic electrodes are demonstrated to operate in the 300 -- 500 °C range, exhibiting record performance at such temperatures. A model combining physical transport of electronic carriers in an insulating film and electrochemical aspects of transport is developed to determine the limits of performance enhancement expected via electrolyte thickness reduction. Free standing oxide heterostructures, i.e. electrolyte membrane and oxide electrodes, are demonstrated. Lastly, using Y2O3-doped ZrO2 and Gd2O 3-doped CeO2, novel electrolyte fabrication schemes are explored to develop oxide alloys and nanoscale compositionally graded membranes that are thermomechanically robust and provide added interfacial functionality. The work in this thesis advances experimental state-of-the-art with respect to solid oxide fuel cell operation temperature, provides fundamental boundaries expected for ultrathin electrolytes, develops the ability to integrate highly dissimilar material (such as oxide-polymer) heterostructures, and introduces nanoscale compositionally graded electrolyte membranes that can lead to monolithic materials having multiple functionalities.

  20. Synthesis and ion transport characterization of hot-pressed Ag+ ion conducting glass-polymer electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chandra, A.

    2013-07-01

    Synthesis and ion transport characterization of a new Ag+ ion conducting glass-polymer electrolyte (GPE) films: (1- x) PEO: x [0.8(0.75AgI:0.25AgCl):0.2(Ag2O:V2O5)], where 0 < x < 50 wt%, are reported. The composition: 70PEO: 30[0.8(0.75AgI:0.25AgCl):0.2(Ag2O:V2O5)] with conductivity ( σ) 7.7 × 10-7 Ω-1 cm-1 is identified as highest conducting composition referred to as the optimum conducting composition (OCC). Approximately two and half orders of conductivity enhancement have been achieved in OCC from that of the pure polymer poly(ethylene oxide). The glass-polymer complexation is confirmed by the XRD, FTIR, DSC and TGA techniques. The ion transport behavior has been reported on the basis of experimental measurements on some basic ionic parameters. A solid state polymeric battery has been fabricated by using GPE OCC as an electrolyte and their important cell parameters have been also calculated from the discharge profiles.

  1. FY-16 Technology Gap Study Technical Report: Analysis of Undissolved Anode Materials of Mark-IV Electrorefiner

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yoo, Tae-Sic; Vaden, DeeEarl; Westphal, Brian Robert

    2016-01-01

    The Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) is a sodium cooled fast reactor developed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The used fuels from the EBR-II are currently being treated in the Fuel Conditioning Facility (FCF) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The Mark IV (Mk-IV) electrorefiner (ER) is a unit process in the FCF, which is primarily assigned to treating the used driver fuels. The stainless steel anode baskets hold the chopped spent driver fuel segments. During electrorefining, the anode baskets are immersed into the electrolyte and the used fuel is dissolved electrochemically. Perforated sides and bottoms allow the flow ofmore » the electrolyte into and out of the anode baskets. The steel cathode is also immersed into the electrolyte and collects the reduced products. The active metal contents in the used fuel (e.g., Cs, Sr, lanthanides, Pu, etc.) reacts with uranium cations in the electrolyte and progressively reports to the electrolyte. Noble metals are mostly retained in the cladding hulls. Varying quantities of zirconium are retained in the cladding hulls depending on the operational conditions of the Mk-IV ER. The undissolved anode materials are removed from the anode baskets and stored for subsequent metal waste form processing. These undissolved materials typically include undissolved fuels, stainless steel cladding, and adhering electrolyte. A couple of hulls are retrieved for chemical analysis and used for estimating the composition of the entire undissolved anode materials. The mass balance attempt based on this practice of estimating the undissolved anode materials has been a challenge due to inherently high sampling errors associated with heterogeneous undissolved material compositions. Responding to the prescribed challenge, this report investigates chemical analysis data as a whole and finds noticeable trends in the compositions of undissolved anode material samples with respect to the mass of the whole undissolved anode materials. Based upon this discovery, an empirical model is proposed.« less

  2. Development of PVA based micro-porous polymer electrolyte by a novel preferential polymer dissolution process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Subramania, A.; Kalyana Sundaram, N. T.; Sukumar, N.

    A micro-porous polymer electrolyte based on PVA was obtained from PVA-PVC based polymer blend film by a novel preferential polymer dissolution technique. The ionic conductivity of micro-porous polymer electrolyte increases with increase in the removal of PVC content. Finally, the effect of variation of lithium salt concentration is studied for micro-porous polymer electrolyte of high ionic conductivity composition. The ionic conductivity of the micro-porous polymer electrolyte is measured in the temperature range of 301-351 K. It is observed that a 2 M LiClO 4 solution of micro-porous polymer electrolyte has high ionic conductivity of 1.5055 × 10 -3 S cm -1 at ambient temperature. Complexation and surface morphology of the micro-porous polymer electrolytes are studied by X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis. TG/DTA analysis informs that the micro-porous polymer electrolyte is thermally stable upto 277.9 °C. Chronoamperommetry and linear sweep voltammetry studies were made to find out lithium transference number and stability of micro-porous polymer electrolyte membrane, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry study was performed for carbon/micro-porous polymer electrolyte/LiMn 2O 4 cell to reveal the compatibility and electrochemical stability between electrode materials.

  3. (abstract) Effect of Electrolyte Composition on Carbon Electrode Performance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Huang, C-K.; Surampudi, S.; Shen, D. H.; Halpert, G.

    1993-01-01

    Rechargeable lithium cells containing lithium foil anodes are reported to have limited cycle life (at 100% DOD) performance and safety problems. These limitations are understood to be due to the high reactivity of elemental Li with the electrolyte and the formation of high surface area Li during cycling. To mitigate these problems, several lithium alloys and lithium intercalation compounds are being investigated as alternate lithium anode materials. Li(sub x)C has been identified as a promising lithium anode material due to its low equivalent weight, low voltage vs. Li, and improved stability towards various electrolytes. In this paper, we report the results of our studies on the electrolyte evaluation for the Li(sub x)C anode.

  4. Role of solvents on the oxygen reduction and evolution of rechargeable Li-O2 battery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Christy, Maria; Arul, Anupriya; Zahoor, Awan; Moon, Kwang Uk; Oh, Mi Young; Stephan, A. Manuel; Nahm, Kee Suk

    2017-02-01

    The choice of electrolyte solvent is expected to play a key role in influencing the lithium-oxygen battery performance. The electrochemical performances of three electrolytes composed of lithium bis (trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt and different solvents namely, ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate (EC/PC), tetra ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are investigated by assembling lithium oxygen cells. The electrolyte composition significantly varied the specific capacity of the battery. The choice of electrolyte also influences the overpotential, cycle life, and rechargeability of the battery. Electrochemical impedance spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry were utilized to determine the reversible reactions associated with the air cathode.

  5. Utilization of aloe vera extract as electrolyte for an accumulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Azmi, F.; Sispriatna, D.; Ikhsan, K.; Masrura, M.; Azzahra, S. S.; Mahidin; Supardan, M. D.

    2018-03-01

    Aloe vera contains acid, which has the potential to generate electric current. The objective of this research is to study the potency of aloe vera extract as electrolyte for an accumulator. Experimental results showed that aloe vera extract has no a stable value of voltage and currency. The voltage and currency of aloe vera extract were reduced more than 50% for 60 minutes. Then, aloe vera extract was mixed with accu zuur to produce electrolyte solution. The mixture composition of aloe vera extract to accu zuur of 50:50 (v/v) generated stable voltage and currency. The experimental results showed the potential use of aloe vera extract to reduce the chemicals used in a conventional electrolyte solution.

  6. Modified carbon black materials for lithium-ion batteries

    DOEpatents

    Kostecki, Robert; Richardson, Thomas; Boesenberg, Ulrike; Pollak, Elad; Lux, Simon

    2016-06-14

    A lithium (Li) ion battery comprising a cathode, a separator, an organic electrolyte, an anode, and a carbon black conductive additive, wherein the carbon black has been heated treated in a CO.sub.2 gas environment at a temperature range of between 875-925 degrees Celsius for a time range of between 50 to 70 minutes to oxidize the carbon black and reduce an electrochemical reactivity of the carbon black towards the organic electrolyte.

  7. Method for forming thin composite solid electrolyte film for lithium batteries

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Attia, Alan I. (Inventor); Nagasubramanian, Ganesan (Inventor)

    1997-01-01

    A composite solid electrolyte film is formed by dissolving a lithium salt such as lithium iodide in a mixture of a first solvent which is a cosolvent for the lithium salt and a binder polymer such as polyethylene oxide and a second solvent which is a solvent for the binder polymer and has poor solubility for the lithium salt. Reinforcing filler such as alumina particles are then added to form a suspension followed by the slow addition of binder polymer. The binder polymer does not agglomerate the alumina particles. The suspension is cast into a uniform film.

  8. Method for forming thin composite solid electrolyte film for lithium batteries

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nagasubramanian, Ganesan (Inventor); Attia, Alan I. (Inventor)

    1994-01-01

    A composite solid electrolyte film is formed by dissolving a lithium salt such as lithium iodide in a mixture of a first solvent which is a co-solvent for the lithium salt and a binder polymer such as polyethylene oxide and a second solvent which is a solvent for the binder polymer and has poor solubility for the lithium salt. Reinforcing filler such as alumina particles are then added to form a suspension followed by the slow addition of binder polymer. The binder polymer does not agglomerate the alumina particles. The suspension is cast into a uniform film.

  9. Effect of electrolyte composition on initial cycling and impedance characteristics of lithium-ion cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abraham, D. P.; Furczon, M. M.; Kang, S.-H.; Dees, D. W.; Jansen, A. N.

    Hybrid-electric vehicles require lithium-battery electrolytes that form stable, low impedance passivation layers to protect the electrodes, while allowing rapid lithium-ion transport under high current charge/discharge pulses. In this article, we describe data acquired on cells containing LiNi 0.8Co 0.15Al 0.05O 2-based positive electrodes, graphite-based negative electrodes, and electrolytes with lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF 4), lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) and lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiF 2OB) salts. The impedance data were collected in cells containing a Li-Sn reference electrode to determine effect of electrolyte composition and testing temperature on individual electrode impedance. The full cell impedance data showed the following trend: LiBOB > LiBF 4 > LiF 2OB > LiPF 6. The negative electrode impedance showed a trend similar to that of the full cell; this electrode was the main contributor to impedance in the LiBOB and LiBF 4 cells. The positive electrode impedance values for the LiBF 4, LiF 2OB, and LiPF 6 cells were comparable; the values were somewhat higher for the LiBOB cell. Cycling and impedance data were also obtained for cells containing additions of LiBF 4, LiBOB, LiF 2OB, and vinylene carbonate (VC) to the EC:EMC (3:7 by wt.) + 1.2 M LiPF 6 electrolyte. Our data indicate that the composition and morphology of the graphite SEI formed during the first lithiation cycle is an important determinant of the negative electrode impedance, and hence full cell impedance.

  10. Materiais a base de oxidos com estrutura do tipo perovskite e compositos como anodos de PCES: Propriedades Funcionais e Comportamento Eletroquimico em Celulas com Eletrolitos Solidos a Base de Galatos e Silicatos

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kolotygin, Vladislav

    This work was focused on the analysis of transport, thermomechanical and electrochemical properties of a series of perovskite-like oxide materials and composites for potential applications as anodes of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with lanthanum gallate and silicate solid electrolytes. The primary attention was centered on A(Mn,Nb)O3-delta (A = Sr, Ca) and (La,Sr)(Mn,Ti)O3-based systems, lanthanum chromite substituted with acceptor-type and variable-valence cations, and various Ni-containing cermets. Emphasis was given to phase stability of the materials, their crystal structure, microstructure of porous electrode layers and dense ceramics, electronic conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, oxygen permeability, thermal and chemical induced expansion, and anodic overpotentials of the electrodes deposited onto (La,Sr)(Ga,Mg)O3- and La10(Si,Al)6O27-based electrolyte membranes. In selected cases, roles of oxygen diffusivity, states of the transition metal cations relevant for the electronic transport, catalytically active additives and doped ceria protective interlayers introduced in the model electrochemical cells were assessed. The correlations between transport properties of the electrode materials and electrochemical behavior of porous electrodes showed that the principal factors governing anode performance include, in particular, electronic conduction of the anode compositions and cation interdiffusion between the electrodes and solid electrolytes. The latter is critically important for the silicatebased electrolyte membranes, leading to substantially worse anode properties compared to the electrochemical cells with lanthanum gallate solid electrolyte. The results made it possible to select several anode compositions exhibiting lower area-specific electrode resistivity compared to known analogues, such as (La,Sr)(Cr,Mn)O3-delta.

  11. Fuel cell electrocatalyst using polybenzimidazole-modified carbon nanotubes as support materials.

    PubMed

    Fujigaya, Tsuyohiko; Nakashima, Naotoshi

    2013-03-25

    Toward the next generation fuel cell systems, the development of a novel electrocatalyst for the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is crucial to overcome the drawbacks of the present electrocatalyst. As a conductive supporting material for the catalyst, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a promising candidate, and many attempts have been carried out to introduce CNT, in place of carbon black. On the other hand, as a polymer electrolyte, polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) have been recognized as a powerful candidate due to the high proton conductivity above 100 °C under non-humid conditions. In 2008, we found that these two materials have a strong physical interaction and form a stable hybrid material, in which the PBIs uniformly wrap the surfaces of the CNTs. Furthermore, PBIs serve as effective binding sites for the formation of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles to fabricate a ternary composite (CNT/PBIs/Pt). In this review article, we summarize the fundamental properties of the CNT/PBIs/Pt and discuss their potential as a new electrocatalyst for the PEFC in comparison with the conventional ones. Furthermore, potential applications of CNT/PBIs including use of the materials for oxygen reduction catalysts and reinforcement of PBI films are summarized. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Ionic Liquid-Enhanced Solid State Electrolyte Interface (SEI) for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zheng, Jianming; Gu, Meng; Chen, Honghao

    2013-05-16

    Li-S battery is a complicated system with many challenges existing before its final market penetration. While most of the reported work for Li-S batteries is focused on the cathode design, we demonstrate in this work that the anode consumption accelerated by corrosive polysulfide solution also critically determines the Li-S cell performance. To validate this hypothesis, ionic liquid (IL) N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Py14TFSI) has been employed to modify the properties of SEI layer formed on Li metal surface in Li-S batteries. It is found that the IL-enhanced passivation film on the lithium anode surface exhibits much different morphology and chemical compositions, effectivelymore » protecting lithium metal from continuous attack by soluble polysulfides. Therefore, both cell impedance and the irreversible consumption of polysulfides on lithium metal are reduced. As a result, the Coulombic efficiency and the cycling stability of Li-S batteries have been greatly improved. After 120 cycles, Li-S battery cycled in the electrolyte containing IL demonstrates a high capacity retention of 94.3% at 0.1 C rate. These results unveil another important failure mechanism for Li-S batteries and shin the light on the new approaches to improve Li-S battery performances.« less

  13. 4D imaging of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell catalyst layers by soft X-ray spectro-tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Juan; Melo, Lis G. A.; Zhu, Xiaohui; West, Marcia M.; Berejnov, Viatcheslav; Susac, Darija; Stumper, Juergen; Hitchcock, Adam P.

    2018-03-01

    4D imaging - the three-dimensional distributions of chemical species determined using multi-energy X-ray tomography - of cathode catalyst layers of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FC) has been measured by scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) spectro-tomography at the C 1s and F 1s edges. In order to monitor the effects of radiation damage on the composition and 3D structure of the perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer, the same volume was measured 3 times sequentially, with spectral characterization of that same volume at several time points during the measurements. The changes in the average F 1s spectrum of the ionomer in the cathode as the measurements progressed gave insights into the degree of chemical modification, fluorine mass loss, and changes in the 3D distributions of ionomer that accompanied the spectro-tomographic measurement. The PFSA ionomer-in-cathode is modified both chemically and physically by radiation damage. The 3D volume decreases anisotropically. By reducing the incident flux, partial defocusing (50 nm spot size), limiting the number of tilt angles to 14, and using compressed sensing reconstruction, we show it is possible to reproducibly measure the 3D structure of ionomer in PEM-FC cathodes at ambient temperature while causing minimal radiation damage.

  14. Development of all-solid lithium-ion battery using Li-ion conducting glass-ceramics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Inda, Yasushi; Katoh, Takashi; Baba, Mamoru

    We have developed a high performance lithium-ion conducting glass-ceramics. This glass-ceramics has the crystalline form of Li 1+ x+ yAl xTi 2- xSi yP 3- yO 12 with a NASICON-type structure, and it exhibits a high lithium-ion conductivity of 10 -3 S cm -1 or above at room temperature. Moreover, since this material is stable in the open atmosphere and even to exposure to moist air, it is expected to be applied for various uses. One of applications of this material is as a solid electrolyte for a lithium-ion battery. Batteries were developed by combining a LiCoO 2 positive electrode, a Li 4Ti 5O 12 negative electrode, and a composite electrolyte. The battery using the composite electrolyte with a higher conductivity exhibited a good charge-discharge characteristic.

  15. Composite polymer electrolyte based on PEO/Pvdf-HFP with MWCNT for lithium battery applications

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pradeepa, P.; Edwinraj, S.; Sowmya, G.

    In the present study PEO and PVdF-HFP blend based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) has been prepared by using Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT), in order to examine the filler addition effect on the electrochemical properties. The complexed nanocomposite polymer electrolytes were obtained in the form of dimensionally stable and free standing films by using solution casting technique. The electrochemical properties of CPEs were measured by the AC impedance method. From the ionic conductivity results, the CPE containing MWCNT 2wt% showed the highest ionic conductivity with an excellent thermal stability at room temperature. The dielectric loss curve s for the samplemore » 6.25wt% PEO: 18.75 wt% PVdF-HFP: 2wt% MWCNT reveal the low frequency β relaxation peak pronounced at high temperature, and it may caused by side group dipoles.« less

  16. Stabilizing electrodeposition in elastic solid electrolytes containing immobilized anions

    PubMed Central

    Tikekar, Mukul D.; Archer, Lynden A.; Koch, Donald L.

    2016-01-01

    Ion transport–driven instabilities in electrodeposition of metals that lead to morphological instabilities and dendrites are receiving renewed attention because mitigation strategies are needed for improving rechargeability and safety of lithium batteries. The growth rate of these morphological instabilities can be slowed by immobilizing a fraction of anions within the electrolyte to reduce the electric field at the metal electrode. We analyze the role of elastic deformation of the solid electrolyte with immobilized anions and present theory combining the roles of separator elasticity and modified transport to evaluate the factors affecting the stability of planar deposition over a wide range of current densities. We find that stable electrodeposition can be easily achieved even at relatively high current densities in electrolytes/separators with moderate polymer-like mechanical moduli, provided a small fraction of anions are immobilized in the separator. PMID:27453943

  17. Room temperature rechargeable magnesium batteries with sulfur-containing composite cathodes prepared from elemental sulfur and bis(alkenyl) compound having a cyclic or linear ether unit

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Itaoka, Kanae; Kim, In-Tae; Yamabuki, Kazuhiro; Yoshimoto, Nobuko; Tsutsumi, Hiromori

    2015-11-01

    Room temperature rechargeable magnesium (Mg) batteries are constructed from Mg as a negative material, sulfur (S)-containing composite prepared from elemental sulfur and the bis(alkenyl) compound having a crown ether unit (BUMB18C6) or linear ether unit (UOEE) as a positive material and the simple electrolyte (0.7 mol dm-3 Mg[N(SO2CF3)2]2-triglyme (G3) solution). The reaction between molten S and the bis(alkenyl) compound (BUMB18C6 or UOEE) provides the sulfur-containing composite, S-BUMB18C6 or S-UOEE. Both of the sulfur-containing composites are electrochemically active in the Mg salt-based electrolyte, acetonitrile- or G3- Mg[N(SO2CF3)2]2 electrolyte. The first discharge capacity of the test cells with the sulfur-containing composite is 460 Ah kg-1 (per the weight of sulfur in the composite) with the S-BUMB18C6 electrode and 495 Ah kg-1 with the S-UOEE electrode. According to the continuous charge-discharge cycle tests (at 10th cycle), the discharge capacity of the test cell with the S-BUMB18C6 electrode (68.1 Ah kg-1) is higher than that with the S-UOEE electrode (0.18 Ah kg-1). The crown ether units in the S-BUMB18C6 composite may create ion-conducting paths in the cathode, prevent rise in the internal resistance of the cathode, and provide better cycle performance of the test cells with the S-BUMB18C6 composite electrode than that with the S-UOEE electrode.

  18. Electrolytic method for the production of lithium using a lithium-amalgam electrode

    DOEpatents

    Cooper, John F.; Krikorian, Oscar H.; Homsy, Robert V.

    1979-01-01

    A method for recovering lithium from its molten amalgam by electrolysis of the amalgam in an electrolytic cell containing as a molten electrolyte a fused-salt consisting essentially of a mixture of two or more alkali metal halides, preferably alkali metal halides selected from lithium iodide, lithium chloride, potassium iodide and potassium chloride. A particularly suitable molten electrolyte is a fused-salt consisting essentially of a mixture of at least three components obtained by modifying an eutectic mixture of LiI-KI by the addition of a minor amount of one or more alkali metal halides. The lithium-amalgam fused-salt cell may be used in an electrolytic system for recovering lithium from an aqueous solution of a lithium compound, wherein electrolysis of the aqueous solution in an aqueous cell in the presence of a mercury cathode produces a lithium amalgam. The present method is particularly useful for the regeneration of lithium from the aqueous reaction products of a lithium-water-air battery.

  19. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Fanglin; Liu, Qiang

    In accordance with the present disclosure, a method for fabricating a symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell is described. The method includes synthesizing a composition comprising perovskite and applying the composition on an electrolyte support to form both an anode and a cathode.

  20. A review of the consequences of fluid and electrolyte shifts in weightlessness

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leach, C. S.

    1979-01-01

    This review describes the renal-endocrine mechanisms related to the early losses of fluid-electrolytes from the body during weightlessness as well as their contribution to longer term adaptation of fluid-electrolyte balance. The hypotheses presented were generated by a systematic analysis of body fluid and renal dynamics observed under conditions of actual and simulated spaceflight. These have increased our understanding of the effects of acute headward fluid shifts on renal excretion, the factors promoting excess sodium excretion and the regulation of extracellular fluid composition.

  1. A review of the consequences of fluid and electrolyte shifts in weightlessness

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leach, C. S.

    1978-01-01

    This review describes the renal-endocrine mechanisms related to the early losses of fluid-electrolytes from the body during weightlessness as well as their contribution to longer term adaptation of fluid-electrolyte balance. The hypotheses presented were generated by a systematic analysis of body fluid and renal dynamics observed under conditions of actual and simulated spaceflight. These have increased our understanding of the effects of acute headward fluid shifts on renal excretion, the factors promoting excess sodium excretion and the regulation of extracellular fluid composition.

  2. Microporous ceramic coated separators with superior wettability for enhancing the electrochemical performance of sodium-ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suharto, Yustian; Lee, Yongho; Yu, Ji-Sang; Choi, Wonchang; Kim, Ki Jae

    2018-02-01

    Finding an alternative to glass fiber (GF) separators is a crucial factor for the fast commercialization of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), because GF separators are too thick for use in SIBs, thereby decreasing the volumetric and gravimetric energy density. Here we propose a microporous composite separator prepared by introducing a polymeric coating layer of polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP co-polymer) with ZrO2 nanoparticles to a polyethylene (PE) separator. The coated separator efficiently enhances the cell performance of SIBs. The ZrO2 nanoparticles, finely dispersed on the polymeric coating layer, induce the formation of many micropores on the polymeric coating layer, suggesting that micropore formation on the coating layer renders the composite separator more open in structure. An ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate liquid electrolyte for SIBs is not absorbed by PE separators even after 1 h of electrolyte droplet testing, while the proposed separator with many micropores is completely wetted by the electrolyte. Sodium ion migration across the composite separator is therefore effectively enhanced by the formation of ion transfer pathways, which improve ionic conductivity. As a result, the microporous composite separator affords stable cycle performances and excellent specific capacity retention (95.8%) after 50 cycles, comparable to those offered by a SIB with a GF separator.

  3. Characterization of Micro-arc Oxidation Coatings on 6N01 Aluminum Alloy Under Different Electrolyte Temperature Control Modes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xuefei; Zhu, Zongtao; Li, Yuanxing; Chen, Hui

    2018-03-01

    The micro-arc oxidation coatings of 6N01 aluminum alloy produced under different control modes of the electrolyte temperature are discussed in detail. Compared to those coated by a thermostatically controlled treatment, the coatings had different surface characterizations when they were coated without controlling the electrolyte temperature, particularly after treatment involving boiling electrolytes. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to observe the morphology of the coatings. Energy-dispersive spectrometry and x-ray diffractometer were used to characterize their elemental and crystalline phase compositions. The results indicate that the treatment without a controlled electrolyte temperature ultimately led to a thicker and rougher film with a respectably thick inner barrier film, a lower content of γ-Al2O3 and better corrosion resistance.

  4. Validation test of advanced technology for IPV nickel-hydrogen flight cells - Update

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smithrick, John J.; Hall, Stephen W.

    1992-01-01

    Individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen technology was advanced at NASA Lewis and under Lewis contracts with the intention of improving cycle life and performance. One advancement was to use 26 percent potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte to improve cycle life. Another advancement was to modify the state-of-the-art cell design to eliminate identified failure modes. The modified design is referred to as the advanced design. A breakthrough in the LEO cycle life of IPV nickel-hydrogen cells has been previously reported. The cycle life of boiler plate cells containing 26 percent KOH electrolyte was about 40,000 LEO cycles compared to 3,500 cycles for cells containing 31 percent KOH. The boiler plate test results are in the process of being validated using flight hardware and real time LEO testing. The primary function of the advanced cell is to store and deliver energy for long-term, LEO spacecraft missions. The new features of this design are: (1) use of 26 percent rather than 31 percent KOH electrolyte; (2) use of a patented catalyzed wall wick; (3) use of serrated-edge separators to facilitate gaseous oxygen and hydrogen flow within the cell, while still maintaining physical contact with the wall wick for electrolyte management; and (4) use of a floating rather than a fixed stack (state-of-the-art) to accommodate nickel electrode expansion due to charge/discharge cycling. The significant improvements resulting from these innovations are: extended cycle life; enhanced thermal, electrolyte, and oxygen management; and accommodation of nickel electrode expansion.

  5. New catalyst supports prepared by surface modification of graphene- and carbon nanotube structures with nitrogen containing carbon coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oh, Eun-Jin; Hempelmann, Rolf; Nica, Valentin; Radev, Ivan; Natter, Harald

    2017-02-01

    We present a new and facile method for preparation of nitrogen containing carbon coatings (NCC) on the surface of graphene- and carbon nanotubes (CNT), which has an increased electronic conductivity. The modified carbon system can be used as catalyst support for electrocatalytic applications, especially for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The surface modification is performed by impregnating carbon structures with a nitrogen containing ionic liquid (IL) with a defined C:N ratio, followed by a thermal treatment under ambient conditions. We investigate the influence of the main experimental parameters (IL amount, temperature, substrate morphology) on the formation of the NCC. Additionally, the structure and the chemical composition of the resulting products are analyzed by electron microscopic techniques (SEM, TEM), energy disperse X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and hot extraction analysis. The modified surface has a nitrogen content of 29 wt% which decreases strongly at temperatures above 600 °C. The new catalyst supports are used for the preparation of PEMFC anodes which are characterized by polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Compared to unmodified graphene and CNT samples the electronic conductivity of the modified systems is increased by a factor of 2 and shows improved mass transport properties.

  6. Optimization of La 2O 3-containing diopside based glass-ceramic sealants for fuel cell applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goel, Ashutosh; Tulyaganov, Dilshat U.; Kharton, Vladislav V.; Yaremchenko, Aleksey A.; Eriksson, Sten; Ferreira, José M. F.

    We report on the optimization of La 2O 3-containing diopside based glass-ceramics (GCs) for sealant applications in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Seven glass compositions were prepared by modifying the parent glass composition, Ca 0.8Ba 0.1MgAl 0.1La 0.1Si 1.9O 6. First five glasses were prepared by the addition of different amounts of B 2O 3 in a systematic manner (i.e. 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 wt.%) to the parent glass composition while the remaining two glasses were derived by substituting SrO for BaO in the glasses containing 2 wt.% and 5 wt.% B 2O 3. Structural and thermal behavior of the glasses was investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), density measurements, dilatometry and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Liquid-liquid amorphous phase separation was observed in B 2O 3-containing glasses. Sintering and crystallization behavior, microstructure, and properties of the GCs were investigated under different heat treatment conditions (800 and 850 °C; 1-300 h). The GCs with ≥5 wt.% B 2O 3 showed an abnormal thermal expansion behavior above 600 °C. The chemical interaction behavior of the glasses with SOFC electrolyte and metallic interconnects, has been investigated in air atmosphere at SOFC operating temperature. Thermal shock resistance and gas-tightness of GC sealants in contact with 8YSZ was evaluated in air and water. The total electrical resistance of a model cell comprising Crofer 22 APU and 8YSZ plates joined by a GC sealant has been examined by the impedance spectroscopy. Good matching of thermal expansion coefficients (CTE) and strong, but not reactive, adhesion to electrolyte and interconnect, in conjunction with a low level of electrical conductivity, indicate that the investigated GCs are suitable candidates for further experimentation as SOFC sealants.

  7. Selectivity and Sensitivity of Ultrathin Monolayer Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cheng, Quan

    The objective of this work is to build a molecular architecture on the electrode surface with a well-defined morphology and desirable electrochemical characteristics. The goal is accomplished by means of self-assembly of thioctic acid, a sulfur-terminated organic molecule with a short alkyl chain and a hydrophilic carboxylic headgroup, on a gold electrode. Characterization of the monolayer structure and the electrochemical response of the monolayer electrodes is performed by means of capacitance measurements and voltammetry. Investigation of the capacitance of the self-assembled monolayers provides insight into the macroscopic permeability of the films and reveals that penetration of solvent/ions into the thioctic acid monolayer film occurs extensively. Voltammetric results demonstrate that permselectivity of the monolayer electrode can be obtained as a result of the induced electrostatic interactions between the monolayer interface and the electroactive species. Measurement of the voltammetric response of the redox probes at the monolayers as a function of the electrolyte concentration and composition is used to qualitatively analyze the effect of electrolyte on response. A model describing the role of the interfacial charge in the electrochemical response of the monolayers as a function of the solution composition and surface smoothness is proposed. A strategy is developed to further explore the applications of the monolayer electrodes to control the electrochemical response of the biological molecules such as catecholamines. The ability to control the surface hydrophobicity of the monolayer electrodes through coadsorption of thioctic acid and hexanethiol, to display different electrochemical properties towards biological molecules is tested. The optimum conditions for detection of the biological molecules on the monolayer electrodes are discussed. In order to pursue selective analysis in microenvironments, the thioctic acid monolayer formed on the ultramicroelectrodes (UME) is investigated, demonstrating high permselectivity and high sensitivity of the monolayer modified UMEs. Because of the more effective mass transport to the UMEs, effects of electrolyte on the monolayer response can be characterized facilely. Amperometric pH sensing on the thioctic acid UMEs using a redox mediator is discussed. Finally, the thioctic acid monolayer microelectrode is applied to investigate direct electrochemistry of a redox protein, cytochrome c. A sketch for developing a biosensor via mediation effects using the monolayer assembly is proposed.

  8. Study on characteristics of PVDF/nano-clay composite polymer electrolyte using PVP as pore-forming agent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dyartanti, Endah R.; Purwanto, Agus; Widiasa, I. Nyoman; Susanto, Heru

    2016-02-01

    Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based polymer electrolytes have a high dielectric constant, which can assist in greater ionization of lithium salts. The main advantages of PVDF are its durability in long battery operation and its ability to be a good ion conductor. However, the limitation of this polymer is its crystalline molecular structure. Dispersing nano-particles in the polymer matrix may improve the characteristics of the PVDF polymer. This paper aims to investigate the impact of nano-clay addition on the characteristics of PVDF polymer to be used as a polymer electrolyte membrane. In addition, the effect of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) is also investigated. The membrane was prepared by phase separation method whereas the polymer electrolyte membranes was prepared by immersing into 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) electrolytes for 1 h. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), porosity and electrolyte uptake and performance in battery cell. The results showed that both nano-clay and PVP have significant impacts on the improvement of PVDF membranes to be used as polymer electrolyte.

  9. Hybrid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keller, Marlou; Varzi, Alberto; Passerini, Stefano

    2018-07-01

    This perspective article discusses the most recent developments in the field of hybrid electrolytes, here referred to electrolytes composed of two, well-defined ion-conducting phases, for high energy density lithium metal batteries. The two phases can be both solid, as e.g., two inorganic conductors or one inorganic and one polymer conductor, or, differently, one liquid and one inorganic conductor. In this latter case, they are referred as quasi-solid hybrid electrolytes. Techniques for the appropriate characterization of hybrid electrolytes are discussed emphasizing the importance of ionic conduction and interfacial properties. On this view, multilayer systems are also discussed in more detail. Investigations on Lewis acid-base interactions, activation energies for lithium-ion transfer between the phases, and the formation of an interphase between the components are reviewed and analyzed. The application of different hybrid electrolytes in lithium metal cells with various cathode compositions is also discussed. Fabrication methods for the feasibility of large-scale applications are briefly analyzed and different cell designs and configurations, which are most suitable for the integration of hybrid electrolytes, are determined. Finally, the specific energy of cells containing different hybrid electrolytes is estimated to predict possible enhancement in energy with respect to the current lithium-ion battery technology.

  10. Lithium thionyl chloride high rate discharge

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Klinedinst, K. A.

    1980-01-01

    Improvements in high rate lithium thionyl chloride power technology achieved by varying the electrolyte composition, operating temperature, cathode design, and cathode composition are discussed. Discharge capacities are plotted as a function of current density, cell voltage, and temperature.

  11. Ferroelectric Dispersed Composite Solid Electrolyte for CO2 Gas Sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, K.; Ambekar, P.; Bhoga, S. S.

    2002-12-01

    The Li2CO3:LiNbO3 composite system was investigated for the application in electrochemical gas sensor. The conductivity maximum is observed for 50Li2CO3+50LiNbO3. An enhancement in conductivity is understood to be due to the percolation threshold. The composite is also seen less sensitive to moisture. Potentiometric sensors are obtained using optimized composition. At the reference electrode, the activity of Li+ is fixed by using open reference electrode material. Good reversibility of cell emf was observed for PCO2 ranging from 200 ppm to 20% at 400°C. The cell response was Nernstian, following nearly two-electron reaction. The sensor showed negligible cross-sensitivity to moisture. Developed solid electrolyte not only exhibit shorter response time but also improves over all performance relative to the sensor based on pure carbonate.

  12. A transfer function type of simplified electrochemical model with modified boundary conditions and Padé approximation for Li-ion battery: Part 2. Modeling and parameter estimation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yuan, Shifei; Jiang, Lei; Yin, Chengliang; Wu, Hongjie; Zhang, Xi

    2017-06-01

    The electrochemistry-based battery model can provide physics-meaningful knowledge about the lithium-ion battery system with extensive computation burdens. To motivate the development of reduced order battery model, three major contributions have been made throughout this paper: (1) the transfer function type of simplified electrochemical model is proposed to address the current-voltage relationship with Padé approximation method and modified boundary conditions for electrolyte diffusion equations. The model performance has been verified under pulse charge/discharge and dynamic stress test (DST) profiles with the standard derivation less than 0.021 V and the runtime 50 times faster. (2) the parametric relationship between the equivalent circuit model and simplified electrochemical model has been established, which will enhance the comprehension level of two models with more in-depth physical significance and provide new methods for electrochemical model parameter estimation. (3) four simplified electrochemical model parameters: equivalent resistance Req, effective diffusion coefficient in electrolyte phase Deeff, electrolyte phase volume fraction ε and open circuit voltage (OCV), have been identified by the recursive least square (RLS) algorithm with the modified DST profiles under 45, 25 and 0 °C. The simulation results indicate that the proposed model coupled with RLS algorithm can achieve high accuracy for electrochemical parameter identification in dynamic scenarios.

  13. Effects of compatibility of polymer binders with solvate ionic liquid electrolytes on discharge and charge reactions of lithium-sulfur batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakazawa, Toshitada; Ikoma, Ai; Kido, Ryosuke; Ueno, Kazuhide; Dokko, Kaoru; Watanabe, Masayoshi

    2016-03-01

    Electrochemical reactions in Li-S cells with a solvate ionic liquid (SIL) electrolyte composed of tetraglyme (G4) and Li[TFSA] (TFSA: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide) are studied. The sulfur cathode (S cathode) comprises sulfur, carbon powder, and a polymer binder. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA-x) with different degrees of saponification (x%) are used as binders to prepare the composite cathodes. For the Li-S cell containing PEO binder, lithium polysulfides (Li2Sm, 2 ≤ m ≤ 8), reaction intermediates of the S cathode, dissolve into the electrolyte, and Li2Sm acts as a redox shuttle in the Li-S cell. In contrast, in the Li-S cell with PVA-x binder, the dissolution of Li2Sm is suppressed, leading to high columbic efficiencies during charge-discharge cycles. The compatibility of the PVA-x binder with the SIL electrolyte changes depending on the degree of saponification. Decreasing the degree of saponification leads to increased electrolyte uptake by the PVA-x binder, increasing the charge and discharge capacities of Li-S cell. The rate capability of Li-S cell is also enhanced by the partial swelling of the PVA-x binder. The enhanced performance of Li-S cell containing PVA-x is attributed to the lowering of resistance of Li+ ion transport in the composite cathode.

  14. Response surface method (RSM) for optimization of ionic conductivity of membranes polymer electrolyte poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as pore forming agent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dyartanti, E. R.; Susanto, H.; Widiasa, I. N.; Purwanto, A.

    2017-06-01

    The Membranes Polymer Gel Electrolyte (MPGEs) based poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was prepared by a phase inversion method using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a pore-forming agent and N, N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) as a solvent and water as non solvet. The membranes were then soaked in 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in ethylene carbonate (EC) / dimethyl carbonate (DMC) / Diethyl carbonate (DEC) (4:2:4 %vol) solution in order to prepare polymer electrolyte membranes. The MPEGs PVDF/PVP/Nanoclay was applied using central composite design (CCD) experimental design to obtain a quantitative relationship between selected membranes prepared parameters namely (PVDF, PVP as pore forming agent and nanoclay filler concentration) and Ionic conductivity MPEGs. The model was used to find the optimum ionic conductivity from polymer electrolyte membranes. The polymer electrolyte membranes show good ionic conductivity on the order of 6.3 - 8.7 x 10-3 S cm-1 at the ambient temperatures. The ionic conductivity tended to increase with PVP and nanoclay concentration and decrease with PVDF composition. The model predicted the maximum ionic conductivity of 8.47 x 10-3 S cm-1 when the PVDF, PVP and nanoclay concentration were set at 8.01 %, 8.04 % and 10.12%, respectively. The first section in your paper.

  15. Self-diffusion of electrolyte species in model battery electrodes using Magic Angle Spinning and Pulsed Field Gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tambio, Sacris Jeru; Deschamps, Michaël; Sarou-Kanian, Vincent; Etiemble, Aurélien; Douillard, Thierry; Maire, Eric; Lestriez, Bernard

    2017-09-01

    Lithium-ion batteries are electrochemical storage devices using the electrochemical activity of the lithium ion in relation to intercalation compounds owing to mass transport phenomena through diffusion. Diffusion of the lithium ion in the electrode pores has been poorly understood due to the lack of experimental techniques for measuring its self-diffusion coefficient in porous media. Magic-Angle Spinning, Pulsed Field Gradient, Stimulated-Echo Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-PFG-STE NMR) was used here for the first time to measure the self-diffusion coefficients of the electrolyte species in the LP30 battery electrolyte (i.e. a 1 M solution of LiPF6 dissolved in 1:1 Ethylene Carbonate - Dimethyl Carbonate) in model composites. These composite electrodes were made of alumina, carbon black and PVdF-HFP. Alumina's magnetic susceptibility is close to the measured magnetic susceptibility of the LP30 electrolyte thereby limiting undesirable internal field gradients. Interestingly, the self-diffusion coefficient of lithium ions decreases with increasing carbon content. FIB-SEM was used to describe the 3D geometry of the samples. The comparison between the reduction of self-diffusion coefficients as measured by PFG-NMR and as geometrically derived from FIB/SEM tortuosity values highlights the contribution of specific interactions at the material/electrolyte interface on the lithium transport properties.

  16. Metals Electroprocessing in Molten Salts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sadoway, D. R.

    1985-01-01

    The present study seeks to explain the poor quality of solid electrodeposits in molten salts through a consideration of the effects of fluid flow of the electrolyte. Transparent cells allow observation of electrolyte circulation by a laser schlieren optical technique during the electrodeposition of solid zinc from the molten salt electrolyte, ZnCl2 - LiCl-KCl. Experimental variables are current, density, electrolyte composition, and cell geometry. Based on the results of earlier electrodeposition studies as well as reports in the literature, these parameters are identified as having the primary influence on cell performance and deposit quality. Experiments are conducted to measure the fluid flow patterns and the electrochemical cell characteristics, and to correlate this information with the morphology of the solid electrodeposit produced. Specifically, cell voltage, cell current, characteristic time for dendrite evolution, and dendrite growth directions are noted. Their relationship to electrolyte flow patterns and the morphology of the resulting electrodeposit are derived. Results to date indicate that laser schlieren imaging is capable of revealing fluid flow patterns in a molten salt electrolyte.

  17. Vanadium Electrolyte Studies for the Vanadium Redox Battery-A Review.

    PubMed

    Skyllas-Kazacos, Maria; Cao, Liuyue; Kazacos, Michael; Kausar, Nadeem; Mousa, Asem

    2016-07-07

    The electrolyte is one of the most important components of the vanadium redox flow battery and its properties will affect cell performance and behavior in addition to the overall battery cost. Vanadium exists in several oxidation states with significantly different half-cell potentials that can produce practical cell voltages. It is thus possible to use the same element in both half-cells and thereby eliminate problems of cross-contamination inherent in all other flow battery chemistries. Electrolyte properties vary with supporting electrolyte composition, state-of-charge, and temperature and this will impact on the characteristics, behavior, and performance of the vanadium battery in practical applications. This Review provides a broad overview of the physical properties and characteristics of the vanadium battery electrolyte under different conditions, together with a description of some of the processing methods that have been developed to produce vanadium electrolytes for vanadium redox flow battery applications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Electrode and method of interconnection sintering on an electrode of an electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Ruka, R.J.; Kuo, L.J.H.

    1994-01-11

    An electrode structure is made by applying a base layer of doped LaCrO[sub 3] particles on a portion of an electrode and then coating the particles with a top layer composition such as CaO+Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], SrO+Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], or BaO+Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], and then heating the composition for a time effective to melt the composition and allow it to fill any open porosity in the base layer of doped LaCrO[sub 3] to form an interconnection, after which solid oxide electrolyte can be applied to the remaining portion of the electrode and the electrolyte can be covered with a cermet exterior electrode. 2 figures.

  19. Electrode and method of interconnection sintering on an electrode of an electrochemical cell

    DOEpatents

    Ruka, Roswell J.; Kuo, Lewis J. H.

    1994-01-01

    An electrode structure (10) is made by applying a base layer of doped LaCrO.sub.3 particles on a portion of an electrode (16) and then coating the particles with a top layer composition such as CaO+Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SrO+Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, or BaO+Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and then heating the composition for a time effective to melt the composition and allow it to fill any open porosity in the base layer of doped LaCrO.sub.3 to form an interconnection (26), after which solid oxide electrolyte (18) can be applied to the remaining portion of the electrode (16) and the electrolyte (18) can be covered with a cermet exterior electrode (20).

  20. Electrical conductivity studies on (1-x)[PVA/PVP]: x[MgCl2{6H2O}] blend polymer electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Basha, S. K. Shahenoor; Reddy, K. Veera Bhadra; Rao, M. C.

    2018-05-01

    Blend polymer electrolytes of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were prepared with different molecular wt% ratios of MgCl2.6H2O by solution cast technique. Electrical conductivity measurements for the prepared films were performed using Keithley electrometer model 6514 and the maximum ionic conductivity was found to be 1.01x10-3 S/cm at 373 K for the prepared composition of 35PVA/35PVP:30MgCl2.6H2O. The maximum ionic conductivity of polymer electrolyte has been used in fabrication of electrochemical cell with the configuration of Mg+/(PVA/PVP+MgCl2.6H2O)/(I2+C+electrolyte).

  1. Assessing Electrolyte Transport Properties with Molecular Dynamics

    DOE PAGES

    Jones, R. E.; Ward, D. K.; Gittleson, F. S.; ...

    2017-04-15

    Here in this work we use estimates of ionic transport properties obtained from molecular dynamics to rank lithium electrolytes of different compositions. We develop linear response methods to obtain the Onsager diffusivity matrix for all chemical species, its Fickian counterpart, and the mobilities of the ionic species. We apply these methods to the well-studied propylene carbonate/ethylene carbonate solvent with dissolved LiBF 4 and O 2. The results show that, over a range of lithium concentrations and carbonate mixtures, trends in the transport coefficients can be identified and optimal electrolytes can be selected for experimental focus; however, refinement of these estimationmore » techniques is necessary for a reliable ranking of a large set of electrolytes.« less

  2. Studies on the effect of acid treated TiO{sub 2} on the electrical and tensile properties of hexanoyl chitosan-polystyrene-LiCF{sub 3}SO{sub 3} composite polymer electrolytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hanif, Nur Shazlinda Muhammad; Shahril, Nur Syuhada Mohd; Azmar, Amisha

    2015-08-28

    Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) comprised of hexanoyl chitosan:polystyrene (90:10) blend, lithium triflouromethanesulfonate (LiCF{sub 3}SO{sub 3}) salt and titanium oxide (TiO{sub 2}) filler were prepared by solution casting technique. The TiO{sub 2} fillers were treated with 2% sulphuric acid (H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}) aqueous solution. The effect of acid treated TiO{sub 2} on the electrical and tensile properties of the electrolytes were investigated. Acid treated TiO{sub 2} decreased the electrolyte conductivity. Both the dielectric constant and dielectric loss decrease with increasing frequency and increases with increasing temperature. Relaxation times for ionic carriers were extracted from the loss tangent maximum peak at variousmore » temperatures. A distribution of relaxation time implied the non-Debye response. At all frequencies, ac conductivity increases with increasing temperature. An enhancement in the Young’s modulus was observed with the addition of TiO{sub 2}. The Young’s modulus increases with increasing TiO{sub 2} content. This is discussed using the percolation concept.« less

  3. Nickel electroplating on copper pre-activated Al alloy in the electrolyte containing PEG1000 as an additive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guan, Jie; Wang, Jinwei; Zhang, Dawei

    2018-06-01

    Ni coatings are prepared on Cu-pretreated anodic Al alloy by electroplating technique in environment-friendly electrolytes with PEG1000 as an additive. Some defects like pores, cracks and even uncovered areas are observed for the sample of the Cu-pretreated anodic Al alloy, and these defects seem to be remedied with the following Ni electroplating as observed from their SEM images; while the covering effect of Ni onto the Cu layer is rather limited as judged by their corrosion current data of polarization test. After adding PEG1000 in the Ni electroplating electrolyte, the obtained coating surfaces are seen smoother and thicker; and most of the tiny particles are seen closely packed together with some bigger particles on them. The diffusion of nickel particles into copper layer are confirmed by the line and mapping mode of EDS element analysis for the Ni-Cu composite coating. Their much lower corrosion current density ( I corr) and higher micro-hardness support the fact that the addition of PEG1000 in Ni plating electrolyte has a function of promoting the refinement of Ni particles and the formation of more compacter, thicker and smoother Ni-Cu composite coating.

  4. Assimilation of NH₄Br in Polyvinyl Alcohol/Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) Polymer Blend-Based Electrolyte and Its Effect on Ionic Conductivity.

    PubMed

    Parameswaran, V; Nallamuthu, N; Devendran, P; Manikandan, A; Nagarajan, E R

    2018-06-01

    Biodegradable polymer blend electrolyte based on ammonium based salt in variation composition consisting of PVA:PVP were prepared by using solution casting technique. The obtained films have been analyzed by various technical methods like as XRD, FT-IR, TG-DSC, SEM analysis and impedance spectroscopy. The XRD and FT-IR analysis exposed the amorphous nature and structural properties of the complex formation between PVA/PVP/NH4Br. Impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed the ionic conductivity and the dielectric properties of PVA/PVP/NH4Br polymer blend electrolyte films. The maximum ionic conductivity was determined to be 6.14 × 10-5 Scm-1 for the composition of 50%PVA: 50%PVP: 10% NH4Br with low activation energy 0.3457 eV at room temperature. Solid state battery is fabricated using highest ionic conducting polymer blend as electrolyte with the configuration Zn/ZnSO4 · 7H2O (anode) ∥ 50%PVA: 50%PVP: 10% NH4Br ∥ Mn2O3 (cathode). The observed open circuit voltage is 1.2 V and its performance has been studied.

  5. Electrodeposition and characterization of Ni-Mo-ZrO2 composite coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Laszczyńska, A.; Winiarski, J.; Szczygieł, B.; Szczygieł, I.

    2016-04-01

    Ni-Mo-ZrO2 composite coatings were produced by electrodeposition technique from citrate electrolytes containing dispersed ZrO2 nanopowder. The influence of deposition parameters i.e. concentration of molybdate and ZrO2 nanoparticles in the electrolyte, bath pH and deposition current density on the composition and surface morphology of the coating has been investigated. The structure, microhardness and corrosion properties of Ni-Mo-ZrO2 composites with different molybdenum and ZrO2 content have been also examined. It was found that ZrO2 content in the deposit is increased by rising the nanoparticles concentration in the plating solution up to 20 g dm-3. An increase in molybdate concentration in the electrolyte affects negatively the amount of codeposited ZrO2 nanoparticles. The correlation between the deposition current efficiency and ZrO2 content in the composite coating has been also observed. A decrease in deposition current efficiency leads to deposition of Ni-Mo-ZrO2 composite with low nanoparticles content. This may be explained by formation of higher amounts of gas bubbles on the cathode surface, which prevent the adsorption of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the growing deposit. The XRD analysis revealed that all the studied Ni-Mo-ZrO2 coatings were composed of a single, nanocrystalline phase with FCC structure. It was found that the incorporation of ZrO2 nanoparticles into Ni-Mo alloy matrix affects positively the microhardness and also slightly improves the corrosion properties of Ni-Mo alloy coating.

  6. 3 V omni-directionally stretchable one-body supercapacitors based on a single ion-gel matrix and carbon nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Kim, Wonbin; Kim, Woong

    2016-06-03

    Stretchable supercapacitors often have laminated structures consisting of electrode, electrolyte, and supporting layers. Since the layers are likely to be composed of different materials, delamination is a major cause of failure upon stretching. In this study, we demonstrate delamination-free stretchable supercapacitors where all the component layers are prepared with a single matrix, which is composed of a polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) and an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. Since the ionic liquid in the composite plays a role as both an electrolyte and a plasticizer, this composite can be used as an electrolyte and a supporting layer in the stretchable supercapacitor. The electrode layer can be fabricated by incorporating carbon nanotubes in the common matrix. Then, all the layers can be seamlessly fused into one body by dissolving the surface of the composite with acetone, which evaporates after the integration, leaving no borders between the layers. This one-body stretchable supercapacitor not only has high durability against repetitive stretches but also is stretchable in all directions. This feature clearly distinguishes them from conventional stretchable supercapacitors fabricated using buckled structures, which are stretchable only in one or two directions. Moreover, this supercapacitor has high cell voltage (∼3 V) owing to the ionic liquid-based gel electrolytes. Our demonstration of isotropically stretchable high-durability supercapacitors may have a great implication in the development of stretchable energy storage devices for real applications.

  7. Molecular Mechanism of Pancreatic and Salivary Glands Fluid and HCO3− Secretion

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Min Goo; Ohana, Ehud; Park, Hyun Woo; Yang, Dongki; Muallem, Shmuel

    2013-01-01

    Fluid and HCO3− secretion is a vital function of all epithelia and is required for the survival of the tissue. Aberrant fluid and HCO3− secretion is associated with many epithelial diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, Sjögren’s syndrome and other epithelial inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Significant progress has been made over the last 20 years in our understanding of epithelial fluid and HCO3− secretion, in particular by secretory glands. Fluid and HCO3− secretion by secretory glands is a two step process. Acinar cells secrete isotonic fluid in which the major salt is NaCl. Subsequently, the duct modifies the volume and electrolyte composition of the fluid to absorb the Cl− and secrete HCO3−. The relative volume secreted by acinar and duct cells and modification of electrolyte composition of the secreted fluids varies among secretory glands to meet their physiological functions. In the pancreas, acinar cells secrete small amount of NaCl-rich fluid, while the duct absorbs the Cl− and secretes HCO3− and the bulk of the fluid in the pancreatic juice. Fluid secretion appears to be driven by active HCO3− secretion. In the salivary glands, acinar cells secrete the bulk of the fluid in the saliva that contains high concentrations of Na+ and Cl− and fluid secretion is mediated by active Cl− secretion. The salivary glands duct absorbs both the Na+ and Cl− and secretes K+ and HCO3−. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanism of fluid and HCO3− secretion by the pancreas and salivary glands, to highlight the similarities of the fundamental mechanisms of acinar and duct cell functions, and point the differences to meet glands specific secretions. PMID:22298651

  8. Investigation of Novel Electrolytes for Use in Lithium-Ion Batteries and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pilar, Kartik

    Energy storage and conversion plays a critical role in the efficient use of available energy and is crucial for the utilization of renewable energy sources. To achieve maximum efficiency of renewable energy sources, improvements to energy storage materials must be developed. In this work, novel electrolytes for secondary batteries and fuel cells have been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance and high pressure x-ray scattering techniques to form a better understanding of dynamic and structural properties of these materials. Ionic liquids have been studied due to their potential as a safer alternative to organic solvent-based electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries and composite sulfonated polyetheretherketone (sPEEK) membranes have been investigated for their potential use as a proton exchange membrane electrolyte in direct methanol fuel cells. The characterization of these novel electrolytes is a step towards the development of the next generation of improved energy storage and energy conversion devices.

  9. Modulation of solid electrolyte interphase of lithium-ion batteries by LiDFOB and LiBOB electrolyte additives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Shiqiang; Wang, Shuwei; Hu, Guohong; Cheong, Ling-Zhi; Shen, Cai

    2018-05-01

    Solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is an organic-inorganic composite layer that allows Li+ transport across but blocks electron flow across and prevents solvent diffusing to electrode surface. Morphology, thickness, mechanical and chemical properties of SEI are important for safety and cycling performance of lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we employ a combination of in-situ AFM and XPS to investigate the effects of two electrolyte additives namely lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiDFOB) and lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) on SEI layer. LiDFOB is found to result in a thin but hard SEI layer containing more inorganic species (LiF and LiCO3); meanwhile LiBOB promotes formation of a thick but soft SEI layer containing more organic species such as ROCO2Li. Findings from present study will help development of electrolyte additives that promote formation of good SEI layer.

  10. Influence of electrolytes on growth, phototropism, nutation and surface potential in etiolated cucumber seedlings

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Spalding, E. P.; Cosgrove, D. J.

    1993-01-01

    A variety of electrolytes (10-30 mol m-3) increased the relative growth rate of etiolated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Burpee's Pickler) hypocotyls by 20-50% relative to water-only controls. The nonelectrolyte mannitol inhibited growth by 10%. All salts tested were effective, regardless of chemical composition or valence. Measurements of cell-sap osmolality ruled out an osmotic mechanism for the growth stimulation by electrolytes. This, and the nonspecificity of the response, indicate that an electrical property of the solutions was responsible for their growth-stimulating activity. Measurements of surface electrical potential supported this reasoning. Treatment with electrolytes also enhanced nutation and altered the pattern of phototropic curvature development. A novel analytical method for quantitating these effects on growth was developed. The evidence indicates that electrolytes influence an electrophysiological parameter that is involved in the control of cell expansion and the coordination of growth underlying tropisms and nutations.

  11. Optimized Carbonate and Ester-Based Li-Ion Electrolytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smart, Marshall; Bugga, Ratnakumar

    2008-01-01

    To maintain high conductivity in low temperatures, electrolyte co-solvents have been designed to have a high dielectric constant, low viscosity, adequate coordination behavior, and appropriate liquid ranges and salt solubilities. Electrolytes that contain ester-based co-solvents in large proportion (greater than 50 percent) and ethylene carbonate (EC) in small proportion (less than 20 percent) improve low-temperature performance in MCMB carbon-LiNiCoO2 lithium-ion cells. These co-solvents have been demonstrated to enhance performance, especially at temperatures down to 70 C. Low-viscosity, ester-based co-solvents were incorporated into multi-component electrolytes of the following composition: 1.0 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC) + ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) + X (1:1:8 volume percent) [where X = methyl butyrate (MB), ethyl butyrate EB, methyl propionate (MP), or ethyl valerate (EV)]. These electrolyte formulations result in improved low-temperature performance of lithium-ion cells, with dramatic results at temperatures below 40 C.

  12. Use of Thermodynamic Modeling for Selection of Electrolyte for Electrorefining of Magnesium from Aluminum Alloy Melts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gesing, Adam J.; Das, Subodh K.

    2017-02-01

    With United States Department of Energy Advanced Research Project Agency funding, experimental proof-of-concept was demonstrated for RE-12TM electrorefining process of extraction of desired amount of Mg from recycled scrap secondary Al molten alloys. The key enabling technology for this process was the selection of the suitable electrolyte composition and operating temperature. The selection was made using the FactSage thermodynamic modeling software and the light metal, molten salt, and oxide thermodynamic databases. Modeling allowed prediction of the chemical equilibria, impurity contents in both anode and cathode products, and in the electrolyte. FactSage also provided data on the physical properties of the electrolyte and the molten metal phases including electrical conductivity and density of the molten phases. Further modeling permitted selection of electrode and cell construction materials chemically compatible with the combination of molten metals and the electrolyte.

  13. Single- and double-ion type cross-linked polysiloxane solid electrolytes for lithium cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsutsumi, Hiromori; Yamamoto, Masahiro; Morita, Masayuki; Matsuda, Yoshiharu; Nakamura, Takashi; Asai, Hiroyuki

    Polymeric solid electrolytes, that have poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PMS) backbone and cross-linked network, were applied to a rechargeable lithium battery system. Single- (PMS-Li) and double-ion type (PMS-LiClO 4) electrolytes were prepared from the same prepolymers. Lithium electrode in the both electrolytes showed reversible stripping and deposition of lithium. Intercalation and deintercalation processes of lithium ion between lithium-manganese composite oxide (Li xMnO 2) electrode and the electrolytes were also confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, however, peak current decreased with several cycles in both cases. The model cell, Li/PMS-Li/Li xMnO 2 cell had 1.4 mA h g -1 (per 1 g of active material, current density: 3.77 μA cm -2), and the Li/PMS-LiClO 4/Li xMnO 2 cell had 1.6 mA h g -1 (current density: 75.3 μA cm -2).

  14. The Dilemma of Supporting Electrolytes for Electroorganic Synthesis: A Case Study on Kolbe Electrolysis.

    PubMed

    Stang, Carolin; Harnisch, Falk

    2016-01-08

    Remarkably, coulombic efficiency (CE, about 50 % at 1 Farad equivalent), and product composition resulting from aqueous Kolbe electrolysis are independent of reactor temperature and initial pH value. Although numerous studies on Kolbe electrolysis are available, the interrelations of different reaction parameters (e.g., acid concentration, pH, and especially electrolytic conductivity) are not addressed. A systematic analysis based on cyclic voltammetry reveals that solely the electrolytic conductivity impacts the current-voltage behavior. When using supporting electrolytes, not only their concentration, but also the type is decisive. We show that higher concentrations of KNO3 result in reduced CE and thus in significant increase in electric energy demand per converted molecule, whereas Na2 SO4 allows improved space-time yields. Pros and cons of adding supporting electrolytes are discussed in a final cost assessment. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xu, Wu; Xiao, Jie; Zhang, Jian

    The selection and optimization of non-aqueous electrolytes for ambient operations of lithium/air batteries has been studied. Organic solvents with low volatility and low moisture absorption are necessary to minimize the change of electrolyte compositions and the reaction between lithium anode and water during discharge process. It is critical to make the electrolytes with high polarity so that it can reduce wetting and flooding of carbon based air electrode and lead to improved battery performance. For ambient operations, the viscosity, ionic conductivity, and oxygen solubility of the electrolyte are less important than the polarity of organic solvents once the electrolyte hasmore » reasonable viscosity, conductivity, and oxygen solubility. It has been found that PC/EC mixture is the best solvent system and LiTFSI is the most feasible salt for ambient operations of Li/air batteries. Battery performance is not very sensitive to PC/EC ratio or salt concentration.« less

  16. Noncovalent Pi-Pi Stacking at the Carbon-Electrolyte Interface: Controlling the Voltage Window of Electrochemical Supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Li, Mengya; Westover, Andrew S; Carter, Rachel; Oakes, Landon; Muralidharan, Nitin; Boire, Timothy C; Sung, Hak-Joon; Pint, Cary L

    2016-08-03

    A key parameter in the operation of an electrochemical double-layer capacitor is the voltage window, which dictates the device energy density and power density. Here we demonstrate experimental evidence that π-π stacking at a carbon-ionic liquid interface can modify the operation voltage of a supercapacitor device by up to 30%, and this can be recovered by steric hindrance at the electrode-electrolyte interface introduced by poly(ethylene oxide) polymer electrolyte additives. This observation is supported by Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry that each independently elucidates the signature of π-π stacking between imidazole groups in the ionic liquid and the carbon surface and the role this plays to lower the energy barrier for charge transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface. This effect is further observed universally across two separate ionic liquid electrolyte systems and is validated by control experiments showing an invariant electrochemical window in the absence of a carbon-ionic liquid electrode-electrolyte interface. As interfacial or noncovalent interactions are usually neglected in the mechanistic picture of double-layer capacitors, this work highlights the importance of understanding chemical properties at supercapacitor interfaces to engineer voltage and energy capability.

  17. Two-cation competition in ionic-liquid-modified electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.

    PubMed

    Lee, Sang-Young; Yong, Hyun Hang; Lee, Young Joo; Kim, Seok Koo; Ahn, Soonho

    2005-07-21

    It is a common observation that when ionic liquids are added to electrolytes the performances of lithium ion cells become poor, while the thermal safeties of the electrolytes might be improved. In this study, this behavior is investigated based on the kinetics of ionic diffusion. As a model ionic liquid, we chose butyldimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BDMIPF(6)). The common solvent was propylene carbonate (PC), and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF(6)) was selected as the lithium conducting salt. Ionic diffusion coefficients are estimated by using a pulsed field gradient NMR technique. From a basic study on the model electrolytes (BDMIPF(6) in PC, LiPF(6) in PC, and BDMIPF(6) + LiPF(6) in PC), it was found that the BDMI(+) from BDMIPF(6) shows larger diffusion coefficients than the Li(+) from LiPF(6). However, the anionic (PF(6)(-)) diffusion coefficients present little difference between the model electrolytes. The higher diffusion coefficient of BDMI(+) than that of Li(+) suggests that the poor C-rate performance of lithium ion cells containing ionic liquids as an electrolyte component can be attributed to the two-cation competition between Li(+) and BDMI(+).

  18. In Situ Raman Spectroscopic Studies on Concentration of Electrolyte Salt in Lithium-Ion Batteries by Using Ultrafine Multifiber Probes.

    PubMed

    Yamanaka, Toshiro; Nakagawa, Hiroe; Tsubouchi, Shigetaka; Domi, Yasuhiro; Doi, Takayuki; Abe, Takeshi; Ogumi, Zempachi

    2017-03-09

    Lithium-ion batteries have attracted considerable attention due to their high power density. The change in concentration of salt in the electrolyte solution in lithium-ion batteries during operation causes serious degradation of battery performance. Herein, a new method of in situ Raman spectroscopy with ultrafine multifiber probes was developed to simultaneously study the concentrations of ions at several different positions in the electrolyte solution in deep narrow spaces between the electrodes in batteries. The total amount of ions in the electrolyte solution clearly changed during operation due to the low permeability of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) at the anode for Li + permeation. The permeability, which is a key factor to achieve high battery performance, was improved (enhanced) by adding film-forming additives to the electrolyte solution to modify the properties of the SEI. The results provide important information for understanding and predicting phenomena occurring in a battery and for designing a superior battery. The present method is useful for analysis in deep narrow spaces in other electrochemical devices, such as capacitors. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. Method of Electrolyte-Plasma Surface Hardening of 65G and 20GL Low-Alloy Steels Samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rakhadilov, Bauyrzhan; Zhurerova, Laila; Pavlov, Alexander

    2016-08-01

    This work is devoted to formation of modified surface layers in 65G and 20GL steels which using for the manufacture of railway transport parts, as well as the study of influence of the parametersof electrolyte-plasma surface hardening methodon the changes in structural-phase states, improving of wear-resistance. The process of electrolyte-plasma surface hardening of 65G and 20GL steels samples conducted in the electrolyte from water solution of 20% sodium carbonate, in the mode ~850°C - 2 seconds, ∼⃒1200°C - 3 seconds. It is established that in the initial state 20GL steel has ferrite-pearlite structure, and the 60G steel consists of pearlite and cement structure. After application of electrolyte-plasma surface hardening is observed the formation of carbides particles and martensite phase components in the structure of 20GL and 60G steels. It is determined that after electrolyte-plasma surface hardening with heating time - 2 seconds, the abrasive wear-resistance of 65G and 20GL steels increased to 1.3 times and 1.2 times, respectively, and the microhardness is increased to 1.6 times and 1.3 times, respectively.

  20. Computational modeling of the structure and the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte materials Li3AsS4 and its Ge substitutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Al-Qawasmeh, Ahmad; Holzwarth, N. A. W.

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory (G. Sahu et al.) reported that the substitution of Ge into Li3AsS4 leads to the composition Li3.334Ge0.334As0.666S4 with impressively high ionic conductivity . We use ab initio calculations to examine the structural relationships and the ionic conductivity mechanisms for pure Li3AsS4, Li3.334Ge0.334As0.666S4, and other compositions of these electrolytes. Supported by NSF Grant DMR-1105485 and 1507942 and WFU's DEAC cluster.

  1. Significant Performance Enhancement in Asymmetric Supercapacitors based on Metal Oxides, Carbon nanotubes and Neutral Aqueous Electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Singh, Arvinder; Chandra, Amreesh

    2015-10-23

    Amongst the materials being investigated for supercapacitor electrodes, carbon based materials are most investigated. However, pure carbon materials suffer from inherent physical processes which limit the maximum specific energy and power that can be achieved in an energy storage device. Therefore, use of carbon-based composites with suitable nano-materials is attaining prominence. The synergistic effect between the pseudocapacitive nanomaterials (high specific energy) and carbon (high specific power) is expected to deliver the desired improvements. We report the fabrication of high capacitance asymmetric supercapacitor based on electrodes of composites of SnO2 and V2O5 with multiwall carbon nanotubes and neutral 0.5 M Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The advantages of the fabricated asymmetric supercapacitors are compared with the results published in the literature. The widened operating voltage window is due to the higher over-potential of electrolyte decomposition and a large difference in the work functions of the used metal oxides. The charge balanced device returns the specific capacitance of ~198 F g(-1) with corresponding specific energy of ~89 Wh kg(-1) at 1 A g(-1). The proposed composite systems have shown great potential in fabricating high performance supercapacitors.

  2. Preparation and Characterization of Cu-Ga-Se Thin Films Synthesized by Electrodeposition: Effect of Complexing Agent and Supporting Electrolyte

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Turner, John A; Deutsch, Todd G; Fernandez, A. M.

    CuGaSe2 (CGS) is a semiconductor that has potential use as a photo electrode for solar water splitting. Its wide band gap and high absorption coefficient make it an ideal candidate for the top absorber in tandem structures. CGS can be synthesized by several techniques, being electrodeposition the most advantageous from a technical standpoint. Many reports show that electrodeposition of these films for producing the desired precursor atomic composition can be aided by using a complexing agent. However, the use of supporting electrolyte and the type of the electrolyte to improve the atomic composition in the films has never been reported.more » Using cyclic voltammetry, with complexing agents and deposition potentials between -0.5 and -0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode atomic ratios close to the ideal values ([Cu]/[Ga] = 1 and [Se]/[Cu + Ga] = 1), based on atomic composition and morphology analysis are reported in this work. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD), the as-deposited films exhibit poor crystallinity; however, the XRD patterns evidence the formation CuGaSe2 after annealing of the samples.« less

  3. Asymmetric supercapacitors based on functional electrospun carbon nanofiber/manganese oxide electrodes with high power density and energy density

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Sheng-Chi; Lu, Yi-Ting; Chien, Yu-An; Wang, Jeng-An; You, Ting-Hsuan; Wang, Yu-Sheng; Lin, Chih-Wen; Ma, Chen-Chi M.; Hu, Chi-Chang

    2017-09-01

    Carbon nanofibers modified with carboxyl groups (CNF-COOH) possessing good wettability and high porosity are homogeneously deposited with amorphous manganese dioxide (amorphous MnO2) by potentiodynamic deposition for asymmetric super-capacitors (ASCs). The potential-cycling in 1 M H2SO4 successfully enhances the hydrophilicity of carbonized polymer nanofibers and facilitates the access of electrolytes within the CNF-COOH matrix. This modification favors the deposition of amorphous MnO2 and improves its electrochemical utilization. In this composite, MnO2 homogeneously dispersed onto CNF-COOH provides desirable pseudocapacitance and the CNF-COOH network works as the electron conductor. The composite of CNF-COOH@MnO2-20 shows a high specific capacitance of 415 F g-1 at 5 mV s-1. The capacitance retention of this composite is 94% in a 10,000-cycle test. An ASC cell consisting of this composite and activated carbon as positive and negative electrodes can be reversibly charged/discharged to a cell voltage of 2.0 V in 1 M Na2SO4 and 4 mM NaHCO3 with specific energy and power of 36.7 Wh kg-1 and 354.9 W kg-1, respectively. This ASC also shows excellent cell capacitance retention (8% decay) in the 2V, 10,000-cycle stability test, revealing superior performance.

  4. Progress in lithium-sulfur batteries: the effective role of a polysulfide-added electrolyte as buffer to prevent cathode dissolution.

    PubMed

    Lee, Dong-Ju; Agostini, Marco; Park, Ju-Won; Sun, Yang-Kook; Hassoun, Jusef; Scrosati, Bruno

    2013-12-01

    Paving the road for sulfur: A unique electrolyte composition designed for the development of stable lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy. A battery with a high and stable capacity is prepared by using an electrolyte containing a dissolved catholyte-type compound, that is, Li2 S8 polysulfide. The cell is characterized by a capacity approaching the theoretical value at a working voltage of 2.1 V, which is remarkable compared to conventional lithium ion batteries. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Cell for making secondary batteries

    DOEpatents

    Visco, Steven J.; Liu, Meilin; DeJonghe, Lutgard C.

    1992-01-01

    The present invention provides all solid-state lithium and sodium batteries operating in the approximate temperature range of ambient to 145.degree. C. (limited by melting points of electrodes/electrolyte), with demonstrated energy and power densities far in excess of state-of-the-art high-temperature battery systems. The preferred battery comprises a solid lithium or sodium electrode, a polymeric electrolyte such as polyethylene oxide doped with lithium triflate (PEO.sub.8 LiCF.sub.3 SO.sub.3), and a solid-state composite positive electrode containing a polymeric organosulfur electrode, (SRS).sub.n, and carbon black, dispersed in a polymeric electrolyte.

  6. Cell for making secondary batteries

    DOEpatents

    Visco, S.J.; Liu, M.; DeJonghe, L.C.

    1992-11-10

    The present invention provides all solid-state lithium and sodium batteries operating in the approximate temperature range of ambient to 145 C (limited by melting points of electrodes/electrolyte), with demonstrated energy and power densities far in excess of state-of-the-art high-temperature battery systems. The preferred battery comprises a solid lithium or sodium electrode, a polymeric electrolyte such as polyethylene oxide doped with lithium trifluorate (PEO[sub 8]LiCF[sub 3]SO[sub 3]), and a solid-state composite positive electrode containing a polymeric organosulfur electrode, (SRS)[sub n], and carbon black, dispersed in a polymeric electrolyte. 2 figs.

  7. Hormonal regulation of fluid and electrolyte metabolism during periods of headward fluid shifts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keil, Lanny C.; Severs, W. B.; Thrasher, T.; Ramsay, D. J.

    1991-01-01

    In the broadest sense, this project evaluates how spaceflight induced shifts of blood and interstitial fluids into the thorax affect regulation by the central nervous system (CNS) of fluid-electrolyte hormone secretion. Specifically, it focuses on the role of hormones related to salt/water balance and their potential function in the control of intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition. Fluid-electrolyte status during spaceflight gradually equilibrates, with a reduction in all body fluid compartments. Related to this is the cardiovascular deconditioning of spaceflight which is manifested upon return to earth as orthostatic intolerance.

  8. Electrode-Modified Zeolites - Electrode Microstructures Contained in and on a Heterogeneous Catalyst

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-07-15

    zeolite Type Y and Pt supported on gamma-alumina. The electrolytic response of zeolite-supported Pt in the absence of added electrolyte salt for water or...character of metals at sizes where’ bulk metallic properties may not be exhibited. Furthermore, electrolyses are now allowed using loadings of catalysts which...in water until the filtrate tested negatively for Cl with AgNO 3; PtY was then dried a- 135 C. Equilibrium exchnge occurs at these low weight

  9. Composite cathode materials development for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Ya

    Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are of particular interest as electrochemical power systems that can operate on various hydrocarbon fuels with high fuel-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency. Within the SOFC stack, La0.8Sr 0.2Ga0.8Mg0.115Co0.085O3-delta (LSGMC) has been reported as an optimized composition of lanthanum gallate based electrolytes to achieve higher oxygen ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures, i.e., 500-700°C. The electrocatalytic properties of interfaces between LSGMC electrolytes and various candidate intermediate-temperature SOFC cathodes have been investigated. Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO 3-delta (SSC), and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe 0.8O3-delta (LSCF), in both pure and composite forms with LSGMC, were investigated with regards to both oxygen reduction and evolution, A range of composite cathode compositions, having ratios of SSC (in wt.%) with LSGMC (wt.%) spanning the compositions 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5, were investigated to determine the optimal cathode-electrolyte interface performance at intermediate temperatures. All LSGMC electrolyte and cathode powders were synthesized using the glycine-nitrate process (GNP). Symmetrical electrochemical cells were investigated with three-electrode linear dc polarization and ac impedance spectroscopy to characterize the kinetics of the interfacial reactions in detail. Composite cathodes were found to perform better than the single phase cathodes due to significantly reduced polarization resistances. Among those composite SSC-LSGMC cathodes, the 7:3 composition has demonstrated the highest current density at the equivalent overpotential values, indicating that 7:3 is an optimal mixing ratio of the composite cathode materials to achieve the best performance. For the composite SC-LSGMC cathode/LSGMC interface, the cathodic overpotential under 1 A/cm2 current density was as low as 0.085 V at 700°C, 0.062V at 750°C and 0.051V at 800°C in air. Composite LSCF-LSGMC cathode/LSGMC interfaces were found to have about twice the exchange current density of composite SSC-LSGMC/LSGMC interfaces at 700°C. In this research effort, it has been found that: (1) the glycine-nitrate combustion process is favorable to produce perovskite-type oxide powders with good phase purity and negligible intermediate or contaminant phases; (2) The electrochemical performance for both the SSC-LSGMC and LSCF-LSGMC composite electrode materials on LSGMC confirm their potential for use in intermediate temperature SOFC applications; (3) The composite LSCF-LSGMC electrode exhibited much higher current density than the composite SSC-LSGMC electrode in the current dc polarization measurements; and (4) Primary market study results showed promising commercialization feasibility of these new materials sets, provided production is scaled up (with dramatic cost reductions).

  10. Crystallization behavior of the Li2S-P2S5 glass electrolyte in the LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 positive electrode layer.

    PubMed

    Tsukasaki, Hirofumi; Mori, Yota; Otoyama, Misae; Yubuchi, So; Asano, Takamasa; Tanaka, Yoshinori; Ohno, Takahisa; Mori, Shigeo; Hayashi, Akitoshi; Tatsumisago, Masahiro

    2018-04-18

    Sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium batteries are a next-generation power source composed of the inorganic solid electrolytes which are incombustible and have high ionic conductivity. Positive electrode composites comprising LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 (NMC) and 75Li 2 S·25P 2 S 5 (LPS) glass electrolytes exhibit excellent charge-discharge cycle performance and are promising candidates for realizing all-solid-state batteries. The thermal stabilities of NMC-LPS composites have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which indicated that an exothermal reaction could be attributed to the crystallization of the LPS glass. To further understand the origin of the exothermic reaction, in this study, the precipitated crystalline phase of LPS glass in the NMC-LPS composite was examined. In situ TEM observations revealed that the β-Li 3 PS 4 precipitated at approximately 200 °C, and then Li 4 P 2 S 6 and Li 2 S precipitated at approximately 400 °C. Because the Li 4 P 2 S 6 and Li 2 S crystalline phases do not precipitate in the single LPS glass, the interfacial contact between LPS and NMC has a significant influence on both the LPS crystallization behavior and the exothermal reaction in the NMC-LPS composites.

  11. Polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyvinyl butyral composite as a stable binder for castable supercapacitor electrodes in aqueous electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aslan, M.; Weingarth, D.; Herbeck-Engel, P.; Grobelsek, I.; Presser, V.

    2015-04-01

    Mixtures of polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyvinyl butyral (PVP/PVB) are attractive binders for the preparation of carbon electrodes for aqueous electrolyte supercapacitors. The use of PVP/PVB offers several key advantages: They are soluble in ethanol and can be used to spray coat or drain cast activated carbon (AC) electrodes directly on a current collector. Infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements show that the PVP-to-PVB ratio determines the degree of binder hydrophilicity. Within our study, the most favorable performance was obtained for AC electrodes with a composition of AC + 1.5 mass% PVP + 6.0 mass% PVB; such electrodes were mechanically stabile and water resistant with a PVP release of less than 5% of total PVP while PVB itself is water insoluble. Compared to when using PVDF, the specific surface area (SSA) of the assembled electrodes was 10% higher, indicating a reduced pore blocking tendency. A good electrochemical performance was observed in different aqueous electrolytes for composite electrodes with the optimized binder composition: 160 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 for 1 M H2SO4 and 6 M KOH and 120 F g-1 for 1 M NaCl. The capacitance was slightly reduced by 2.5% after cycling to 1.2 V with 1.28 A g-1 in 1 M NaCl for 10,000 times.

  12. Controllable Self-Assembly of Micro-Nanostructured Si-Embedded Graphite/Graphene Composite Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries.

    PubMed

    Lin, Ning; Xu, Tianjun; Li, Tieqiang; Han, Ying; Qian, Yitai

    2017-11-15

    Si-containing graphite-based composites are considered as promising high-capacity anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, a controllable and scalable self-assembly strategy is developed to produce micro-nanostructured graphite/Si/reduced graphene oxides composite (SGG). The self-assembly procedure is realized by the hydrogen bond interaction between acylamino-modified graphite and graphene oxides (GO); Si nanoparticles are in situ embedded between graphite and GO sheets uniformly. This architecture is able to overcome the incompatibility between Si nanoparticles and microsized graphite. Accordingly, the as-prepared SGG anode (Si 8 wt %) delivers a reversible Li-storage capacity of 572 mAh g -1 at 0.2 C, 502.2 mAh g -1 after 600 cycles at 0.8 C with a retention of 92%, and a capacity retention of 64% even at 10 C. The impressive electrochemical properties are ascribed to the stable architecture and three-dimensional conductive network constructed by graphite and graphene sheets, which can accommodate the huge volume change of Si, keep the conductive contact and structural integrity, and suppress side reactions with electrolyte. Additionally, the full-cell (LiFePO 4 cathode/SGG anode) delivers a specific capacity of 550 mAh g -1 with a working potential beyond 3.0 V.

  13. Iron-Air Rechargeable Battery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Narayan, Sri R. (Inventor); Kindler, Andrew (Inventor); Prakash, G.K. Surya (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    Embodiments include an iron-air rechargeable battery having a composite electrode including an iron electrode and a hydrogen electrode integrated therewith. An air electrode is spaced from the iron electrode and an electrolyte is provided in contact with the air electrode and the iron electrodes. Various additives and catalysts are disclosed with respect to the iron electrode, air electrode, and electrolyte for increasing battery efficiency and cycle life.

  14. Highly Stable Sr-Free Cobaltite-Based Perovskite Cathodes Directly Assembled on a Barrier-Layer-Free Y2 O3 -ZrO2 Electrolyte of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

    PubMed

    Ai, Na; Li, Na; Rickard, William D A; Cheng, Yi; Chen, Kongfa; Jiang, San Ping

    2017-03-09

    Direct assembly is a newly developed technique in which a cobaltite-based perovskite (CBP) cathode can be directly applied to a barrier-layer-free Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 (YSZ) electrolyte with no high-temperature pre-sintering steps. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) based on directly assembled CBPs such as La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ show high performance initially but degrade rapidly under SOFC operation conditions at 750 °C owing to Sr segregation and accumulation at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Herein, the performance and interface of Sr-free CBPs such as LaCoO 3-δ (LC) and Sm 0.95 CoO 3-δ (SmC) and their composite cathodes directly assembled on YSZ electrolyte was studied systematically. The LC electrode underwent performance degradation, most likely owing to cation demixing and accumulation of La on the YSZ electrolyte under polarization at 500 mA cm -2 and 750 °C. However, the performance and stability of LC electrodes could be substantially enhanced by the formation of LC-gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) composite cathodes. Replacement of La by Sm increased the cell stability, and doping of 5 % Pd to form Sm 0.95 Co 0.95 Pd 0.05 O 3-δ (SmCPd) significantly improved the electrode activity. An anode-supported YSZ-electrolyte cell with a directly assembled SmCPd-GDC composite electrode exhibited a peak power density of 1.4 W cm -2 at 750 °C, and an excellent stability at 750 °C for over 240 h. The higher stability of SmC as compared to that of LC is most likely a result of the lower reactivity of SmC with YSZ. This study demonstrates the new opportunities in the design and development of intermediate-temperature SOFCs based on the directly assembled high-performance and durable Sr-free CBP cathodes. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. Selective determination of four arsenic species in rice and water samples by modified graphite electrode-based electrolytic hydride generation coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Yang, Xin-An; Lu, Xiao-Ping; Liu, Lin; Chi, Miao-Bin; Hu, Hui-Hui; Zhang, Wang-Bing

    2016-10-01

    This work describes a novel non-chromatographic approach for the accurate and selective determining As species by modified graphite electrode-based electrolytic hydride generation (EHG) for sample introduction coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) detection. Two kinds of sulfydryl-containing modifiers, l-cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH), are used to modify cathode. The EHG performance of As has been changed greatly at the modified cathode, which has never been reported. Arsenite [As(III)] on the GSH modified graphite electrode (GSH/GE)-based EHG can be selectively and quantitatively converted to AsH3 at applied current of 0.4A. As(III) and arsenate [As(V)] on the Cys modified graphite electrode (Cys/GE) EHG can be selectively and efficiently converted to arsine at applied current of 0.6A, whereas monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) do not form any or only less volatile hydrides under this condition. By changing the analytical conditions, we also have achieved the analysis of total As (tAs) and DMA. Under the optimal condition, the detection limits (3s) of As(III), iAs and tAs in aqueous solutions are 0.25μgL(-1), 0.22μgL(-1) and 0.10μgL(-1), respectively. The accuracy of the method is verified through the analysis of standard reference materials (SRM 1568a). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. A stable perovskite electrolyte in moist air for Li-ion batteries.

    PubMed

    Li, Yutao; Xu, Henghui; Chien, Po-Hsiu; Wu, Nan; Xin, Sen; Xue, Leigang; Park, Kyusung; Hu, Yan-Yan; Goodenough, John B

    2018-05-07

    Solid-oxide Li+ electrolytes of a rechargeable cell are generally sensitive to moisture in the air, H+ exchanges for the mobile Li+ of the electrolyte and forms insulating surface phases at the electrolyte interfaces and in the grain boundaries of a polycrystalline membrane. These surface phases dominate the total interfacial resistance of a conventional rechargeable cell having a solid-electrolyte separator. We report a new perovskite Li+ solid electrolyte, Li0.38Sr0.44Ta0.7Hf0.3O2.95F0.05, having a Li-ion conductivity σLi = 4.8×10-4 S cm-1 at 25 oC that does not react with water having 3≤pH≤14. The solid electrolyte with a thin Li+-conducting polymer on its surface to prevent reduction of Ta5+ is wet by metallic lithium and provides low-impedance dendrite-free plating/stripping of a lithium anode. It is also stable on contact with a composite polymer cathode. With this solid electrolyte, we demonstrate excellent cycling performance of an all-solid-state Li/LiFePO4 cell, a Li-S cell with a polymer-gel cathode, and a supercapacitor. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  17. Electrolyte with Low Polysulfide Solubility for Li-S Batteries

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sun, Ke; Wu, Qin; Tong, Xiao

    Here, Li-S battery is one of the most promising next generation rechargeable battery technologies due to its high theoretical energy density and low material cost. While its success is impeded by the low energy efficiency and fast capacity fade primarily caused by the discharge intermediates, Li-polysulfides (PS), dissolution in the electrolyte. Mitigation of PS dissolution in electrolyte involves the search of new electrolyte solvent system that exhibits poor solvation to the PS while still have good solvation ability to the electrolyte salt for high ionic conductivity. Applying co-solvents with reduced solvating power but compatible with the state of art Li-Smore » battery’s ether-based electrolyte is one of the most promising concepts. This route is also advantageous of having a low scale-up cost. With the aids of Quantum Chemical Calculation, we have identified high carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratio ethers as co-solvent in the new electrolytes that effectively impede PS dissolution while still maintaining high ionic conductivity. Significantly improved cycle life and cycling Coulombic efficiency are observed for Li-S cells using the new composite electrolytes. Anode analysis with different methods also demonstrate that reducing electrolyte’s PS solubility results in less sulfur total amount on the lithium anode surface and lower ratio of the longer-chain PS, which is probably a sign of suppressed side reactions between the anode and PS in the electrolyte.« less

  18. Electrolyte with Low Polysulfide Solubility for Li-S Batteries

    DOE PAGES

    Sun, Ke; Wu, Qin; Tong, Xiao; ...

    2018-05-23

    Here, Li-S battery is one of the most promising next generation rechargeable battery technologies due to its high theoretical energy density and low material cost. While its success is impeded by the low energy efficiency and fast capacity fade primarily caused by the discharge intermediates, Li-polysulfides (PS), dissolution in the electrolyte. Mitigation of PS dissolution in electrolyte involves the search of new electrolyte solvent system that exhibits poor solvation to the PS while still have good solvation ability to the electrolyte salt for high ionic conductivity. Applying co-solvents with reduced solvating power but compatible with the state of art Li-Smore » battery’s ether-based electrolyte is one of the most promising concepts. This route is also advantageous of having a low scale-up cost. With the aids of Quantum Chemical Calculation, we have identified high carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratio ethers as co-solvent in the new electrolytes that effectively impede PS dissolution while still maintaining high ionic conductivity. Significantly improved cycle life and cycling Coulombic efficiency are observed for Li-S cells using the new composite electrolytes. Anode analysis with different methods also demonstrate that reducing electrolyte’s PS solubility results in less sulfur total amount on the lithium anode surface and lower ratio of the longer-chain PS, which is probably a sign of suppressed side reactions between the anode and PS in the electrolyte.« less

  19. Electrodeposition of Polymer Nanostructures using Three Diffuse Double Layers: Polymerization beyond the Liquid/Liquid Interfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Divya, Velpula; Sangaranarayanan, M. V.

    2018-04-01

    Nanostructured conducting polymers have received immense attention during the past few decades on account of their phenomenal usefulness in diverse contexts, while the interface between two immiscible liquids is of great interest in chemical and biological applications. Here we propose a novel Electrode(solid)/Electrolyte(aqueous)/Electrolyte(organic) Interfacial assembly for the synthesis of polymeric nanostructures using a novel concept of three diffuse double layers. There exist remarkable differences between the morphologies of the polymers synthesized using the conventional electrode/electrolyte method and that of the new approach. In contrast to the commonly employed electrodeposition at liquid/liquid interfaces, these polymer modified electrodes can be directly employed in diverse applications such as sensors, supercapacitors etc.

  20. Polymer membranes as separators for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szubzda, Bronisław; Szmaja, Aleksandra; Ozimek, Mariusz; Mazurkiewicz, Sławomir

    2014-12-01

    The purpose of the studies described was to examine the influence of low-energy plasma modification of polyamide and polypropylene polymer nonwoven fabrics on the usable properties of supercapacitors when using these fabrics as the separator material. To achieve this goal the following investigations were carried out: testing the time required for electrolyte saturation of separators and the conductivity of the electrolyte contained in the separator, as well as electrochemical examinations of supercapacitor models in which the modified fabric separators were used. The tests conducted fully confirm the usability of this modification for cleaning the surface and improving the wettability of separators by the electrolyte, which in turn results in a significant decrease of the internal resistance of the supercapacitor, thus increasing the usable power of the device.

  1. Selection of new Kynar-based electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Christie, Alasdair M.; Christie, Lynn; Vincent, Colin A.

    New electrolyte solution compositions have been identified for use in lithium-ion batteries after gelling with an appropriate quantity of Kynar polymer. Since the Li + conducting medium is largely the liquid electrolyte component, the assessment of these solutions as suitable lithium-ion cell candidates were investigated before adding the polymer. Selected electrolyte solutions were then used in the preparation of polymer gels. The specific conductivities of Kynar-based gels were determined as a function of salt concentration and polymer concentration. Optimised self-supporting polymer films, based on mixtures of ethylene carbonate (EC), ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC) and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6) or lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF 4), showed good high current density cycling performance when used as separators in coke and Li 1- xMn 2O 4 (spinel) half-cells.

  2. Electrochemical performance and interfacial properties of Li-metal in lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide based electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Younesi, Reza; Bardé, Fanny

    2017-11-21

    Successful usage of lithium metal as the negative electrode or anode in rechargeable batteries can be an important step to increase the energy density of lithium batteries. Performance of lithium metal in a relatively promising electrolyte solution composed of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiN(SO 2 F) 2 ; LiFSI) salt dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) is here studied. The influence of the concentration of the electrolyte salt -1 M or 4 M LiFSI- is investigated by varying important electrochemical parameters such as applied current density and plating capacity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis as a surface sensitive technique is here used to analyze that how the composition of the solid electrolyte interphase varies with the salt concentration and with the number of cycles.

  3. Lithium sulfide compositions for battery electrolyte and battery electrode coatings

    DOEpatents

    Liang, Chengdu; Liu, Zengcai; Fu, Wunjun; Lin, Zhan; Dudney, Nancy J; Howe, Jane Y; Rondinone, Adam J

    2013-12-03

    Methods of forming lithium-containing electrolytes are provided using wet chemical synthesis. In some examples, the lithium containing electroytes are composed of .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 or Li.sub.4P.sub.2S.sub.7. The solid electrolyte may be a core shell material. In one embodiment, the core shell material includes a core of lithium sulfide (Li.sub.2S), a first shell of .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 or Li.sub.4P.sub.2S.sub.7, and a second shell including one or .beta.-Li.sub.3PS.sub.4 or Li.sub.4P.sub.2S.sub.7 and carbon. The lithium containing electrolytes may be incorporated into wet cell batteries or solid state batteries.

  4. Mathematical modeling of fluid-electrolyte alterations during weightlessness

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leonard, J. I.

    1984-01-01

    Fluid electrolyte metabolism and renal endocrine control as it pertains to adaptation to weightlessness were studied. The mathematical models that have been particularly useful are discussed. However, the focus of the report is on the physiological meaning of the computer studies. A discussion of the major ground based analogs of weightlessness are included; for example, head down tilt, water immersion, and bed rest, and a comparison of findings. Several important zero g phenomena are described, including acute fluid volume regulation, blood volume regulation, circulatory changes, longer term fluid electrolyte adaptations, hormonal regulation, and body composition changes. Hypotheses are offered to explain the major findings in each area and these are integrated into a larger hypothesis of space flight adaptation. A conceptual foundation for fluid electrolyte metabolism, blood volume regulation, and cardiovascular regulation is reported.

  5. Study on characteristics of PVDF/nano-clay composite polymer electrolyte using PVP as pore-forming agent

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dyartanti, Endah R., E-mail: heru.susanto@undip.ac.id, E-mail: endah-rd@uns.ac.id; Department of Chemical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang; Purwanto, Agus

    2016-02-08

    Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based polymer electrolytes have a high dielectric constant, which can assist in greater ionization of lithium salts. The main advantages of PVDF are its durability in long battery operation and its ability to be a good ion conductor. However, the limitation of this polymer is its crystalline molecular structure. Dispersing nano-particles in the polymer matrix may improve the characteristics of the PVDF polymer. This paper aims to investigate the impact of nano-clay addition on the characteristics of PVDF polymer to be used as a polymer electrolyte membrane. In addition, the effect of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) is alsomore » investigated. The membrane was prepared by phase separation method whereas the polymer electrolyte membranes was prepared by immersing into 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF{sub 6}) in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) electrolytes for 1 h. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), porosity and electrolyte uptake and performance in battery cell. The results showed that both nano-clay and PVP have significant impacts on the improvement of PVDF membranes to be used as polymer electrolyte.« less

  6. Tackling capacity fading in vanadium flow batteries with amphoteric membranes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oldenburg, Fabio J.; Schmidt, Thomas J.; Gubler, Lorenz

    2017-11-01

    Capacity fading and poor electrolyte utilization caused by electrolyte imbalance effects are major drawbacks for the commercialization of vanadium flow batteries (VFB). The influence of membrane type (cationic, anionic, amphoteric) on these effects is studied by determining the excess and net flux of each vanadium ion in an operating VFB assembled with a cation exchange membrane (CEM), Nafion® NR212, an anion exchange membrane (AEM), Fumatech FAP-450, and an amphoteric ion exchange membrane (AIEM) synthesized in-house. It is shown that the net vanadium flux, accompanied by water transport, is directed towards the positive side for the CEM and towards the negative side for the AEM. The content of cation and anion exchange groups in the AIEM is adjusted via radiation grafting to balance the vanadium flux between the two electrolyte sides. With the AIEM the net vanadium flux is significantly reduced and capacity fading due to electrolyte imbalances can be largely eliminated. The membrane's influence on electrolyte imbalance effects is characterized and quantified in one single charge-discharge cycle by analyzing the content of the four different vanadium species in the two electrolytes. The experimental data recorded herewith conclusively explains the electrolyte composition after 80 cycles.

  7. Plasma electrolytic oxidation of Titanium Aluminides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morgenstern, R.; Sieber, M.; Grund, T.; Lampke, T.; Wielage, B.

    2016-03-01

    Due to their outstanding specific mechanical and high-temperature properties, titanium aluminides exhibit a high potential for lightweight components exposed to high temperatures. However, their application is limited through their low wear resistance and the increasing high-temperature oxidation starting from about 750 °C. By the use of oxide ceramic coatings, these constraints can be set aside and the possible applications of titanium aluminides can be extended. The plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) represents a process for the generation of oxide ceramic conversion coatings with high thickness. The current work aims at the clarification of different electrolyte components’ influences on the oxide layer evolution on alloy TNM-B1 (Ti43.5Al4Nb1Mo0.1B) and the creation of compact and wear resistant coatings. Model experiments were applied using a ramp-wise increase of the anodic potential in order to show the influence of electrolyte components on the discharge initiation and the early stage of the oxide layer growth. The production of PEO layers with technically relevant thicknesses close to 100 μm was conducted in alkaline electrolytes with varying amounts of Na2SiO3·5H2O and K4P2O7 under symmetrically pulsed current conditions. Coating properties were evaluated with regard to morphology, chemical composition, hardness and wear resistance. The addition of phosphates and silicates leads to an increasing substrate passivation and the growth of compact oxide layers with higher thicknesses. Optimal electrolyte compositions for maximum coating hardness and thickness were identified by statistical analysis. Under these conditions, a homogeneous inner layer with low porosity can be achieved. The frictional wear behavior of the compact coating layer is superior to a hard anodized layer on aluminum.

  8. About the Compatibility between High Voltage Spinel Cathode Materials and Solid Oxide Electrolytes as a Function of Temperature.

    PubMed

    Miara, Lincoln; Windmüller, Anna; Tsai, Chih-Long; Richards, William D; Ma, Qianli; Uhlenbruck, Sven; Guillon, Olivier; Ceder, Gerbrand

    2016-10-12

    The reactivity of mixtures of high voltage spinel cathode materials Li 2 NiMn 3 O 8 , Li 2 FeMn 3 O 8 , and LiCoMnO 4 cosintered with Li 1.5 Al 0.5 Ti 1.5 (PO 4 ) 3 and Li 6.6 La 3 Zr 1.6 Ta 0.4 O 12 electrolytes is studied by thermal analysis using X-ray-diffraction and differential thermoanalysis and thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry. The results are compared with predicted decomposition reactions from first-principles calculations. Decomposition of the mixtures begins at 600 °C, significantly lower than the decomposition temperature of any component, especially the electrolytes. For the cathode + Li 6.6 La 3 Zr 1.6 Ta 0.4 O 12 mixtures, lithium and oxygen from the electrolyte react with the cathodes to form highly stable Li 2 MnO 3 and then decompose to form stable and often insulating phases such as La 2 Zr 2 O 7 , La 2 O 3 , La 3 TaO 7 , TiO 2 , and LaMnO 3 which are likely to increase the interfacial impedance of a cathode composite. The decomposition reactions are identified with high fidelity by first-principles calculations. For the cathode + Li 1.5 Al 0.5 Ti 1.5 (PO 4 ) 3 mixtures, the Mn tends to oxidize to MnO 2 or Mn 2 O 3 , supplying lithium to the electrolyte for the formation of Li 3 PO 4 and metal phosphates such as AlPO 4 and LiMPO 4 (M = Mn, Ni). The results indicate that high temperature cosintering to form dense cathode composites between spinel cathodes and oxide electrolytes will produce high impedance interfacial products, complicating solid state battery manufacturing.

  9. Effect of Dispersoid on Sulfonium Ionic Liquid Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Secondary Battery.

    PubMed

    Muthupradeepa, R; Sivakumar, M; Subadevi, R; Suryanarayanan, V; Liu, Wei-Ren

    2018-01-01

    The present study emphases on the effect of toting of TiO2 filler on the electrochemical enactment of polymer electrolyte containing PVdF-co-HFP(30) + SEt3TFSI(10) + EC/PC(60) + TiO2(x) wt% (Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene + Triethylsulfoniumbis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide + Ethylene carbonate/Propylene carbonate (1:1 ratio) + Titanium dioxide) for lithium battery applications. Composite electrolytes with different weight percentages of TiO2 were prepared and characterized by different surface analytical, thermal and electrochemical techniques. With gradual increase of the amount of TiO2 upto 6 wt%, broadening of the prominent peak has been noted, suggesting a decrease in the degree of crystallinity upon the addition of TiO2, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Raman and FT-IR studies confirm the presence of various functional groups, present in the matrix. The electrolyte with TiO2 (6 wt%) has maximum stability of 460 °C, as confirmed by thermal analysis. Conductivity of the composite polymer electrolytes increases upto 6 wt% of TiO2 (3.42 × 10-3 S/cm at 303 K) and further addition, causes a dip down in conductivity, indicating an improvement in the ionic conductivity and thermal stability with the incorporation of TiO2 filler. Surface morphologic images show the presence of surface and cavity in the polymer matrix, filled with the filler uniformly. Voltammetric studies confirm the electrochemical stability of films upto 4.62 V. Coin cell containing Li anode and LiFePO4 cathode along with polymer electrolyte/6 wt% TiO2 filler, delivers a first discharge capacity of 145 mAh/g with the working voltage of 3.4 V.

  10. Preparation and electrochemical characterization of ionic-conducting lithium lanthanum titanate oxide/polyacrylonitrile submicron composite fiber-based lithium-ion battery separators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Yinzheng; Ji, Liwen; Guo, Bingkun; Lin, Zhan; Yao, Yingfang; Li, Ying; Alcoutlabi, Mataz; Qiu, Yiping; Zhang, Xiangwu

    Lithium lanthanum titanate oxide (LLTO)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) submicron composite fiber-based membranes were prepared by electrospinning dispersions of LLTO ceramic particles in PAN solutions. These ionic-conducting LLTO/PAN composite fiber-based membranes can be directly used as lithium-ion battery separators due to their unique porous structure. Ionic conductivities were evaluated after soaking the electrospun LLTO/PAN composite fiber-based membranes in a liquid electrolyte, 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6) in ethylene carbonate (EC)/ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) (1:1 vol). It was found that, among membranes with various LLTO contents, 15 wt.% LLTO/PAN composite fiber-based membranes provided the highest ionic conductivity, 1.95 × 10 -3 S cm -1. Compared with pure PAN fiber membranes, LLTO/PAN composite fiber-based membranes had greater liquid electrolyte uptake, higher electrochemical stability window, and lower interfacial resistance with lithium. In addition, lithium//1 M LiPF 6/EC/EMC//lithium iron phosphate cells containing LLTO/PAN composite fiber-based membranes as the separator exhibited high discharge specific capacity of 162 mAh g -1 and good cycling performance at 0.2 C rate at room temperature.

  11. Carbon dioxide electrolysis using a ceramic electrolyte. [for space processing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Erstfeld, T. E.; Mullins, O., Jr.; Williams, R. J.

    1979-01-01

    This paper discusses the results of an experimental study of the electrical aspects of carbon dioxide electrolysis using a ceramic electrolyte. The electrolyte compositions used in this study are 8% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2, 7.5% CaO stabilized ZrO2, and 5% Y2O3 stabilized ThO2. Results indicate that the 8% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 is the best material to use for electrolysis, in terms of current as a function of voltage and temperature, and in terms of efficiency of oxide ion flow through it. The poorest results were obtained with the 5% Y2O3 stabilized ThO2 composition. An electrolysis system which might be employed to reclaim oxygen and carbon from effluents of space manufacturing, assuming that an industry would have to electrolyze 258,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, is predicted to require a total cell area of 110,000 sq m of 1 mm thickness and electrical capacity of 441 MW.

  12. All-solid-state lithium organic battery with composite polymer electrolyte and pillar[5]quinone cathode.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Zhiqiang; Hong, Meiling; Guo, Dongsheng; Shi, Jifu; Tao, Zhanliang; Chen, Jun

    2014-11-26

    The cathode capacity of common lithium ion batteries (LIBs) using inorganic electrodes and liquid electrolytes must be further improved. Alternatively, all-solid-state lithium batteries comprising the electrode of organic compounds can offer much higher capacity. Herein, we successfully fabricated an all-solid-state lithium battery based on organic pillar[5]quinone (C35H20O10) cathode and composite polymer electrolyte (CPE). The poly(methacrylate) (PMA)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-LiClO4-3 wt % SiO2 CPE has an optimum ionic conductivity of 0.26 mS cm(-1) at room temperature. Furthermore, pillar[5]quinine cathode in all-solid-state battery rendered an average operation voltage of ∼2.6 V and a high initial capacity of 418 mAh g(-1) with a stable cyclability (94.7% capacity retention after 50 cycles at 0.2C rate) through the reversible redox reactions of enolate/quinonid carbonyl groups, showing favorable prospect for the device application with high capacity.

  13. Rational coating of Li7P3S11 solid electrolyte on MoS2 electrode for all-solid-state lithium ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, R. C.; Wang, X. L.; Zhang, S. Z.; Xia, Y.; Xia, X. H.; Wu, J. B.; Tu, J. P.

    2018-01-01

    Large interfacial resistance between electrode and electrolyte limits the development of high-performance all-solid-state batteries. Herein we report a uniform coating of Li7P3S11 solid electrolyte on MoS2 to form a MoS2/Li7P3S11 composite electrode for all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. The as-synthesized Li7P3S11 processes a high ionic of 2.0 mS cm-1 at room temperature. Due to homogeneous union and reduced interfacial resistance, the assembled all-solid-state batteries with the MoS2/Li7P3S11 composite electrode exhibit higher reversible capacity of 547.1 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C and better cycling stability than the counterpart based on untreated MoS2. Our study provides a new reference for design/fabrication of advanced electrode materials for high-performance all-solid-state batteries.

  14. Nonstoichiometric fluorides—Solid electrolytes for electrochemical devices: A review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sorokin, N. I.; Sobolev, B. P.

    2007-09-01

    The solid electrolytes with fluorine-ion conductivity that were revealed during the analysis of the phase diagrams of the MF m - RF n systems within the program of search for new multicomponent fluoride crystalline materials carried out at the Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Russian Academy of Sciences, are described. The most widespread and promising materials are the nonstoichiometric phases with fluorite (CaF2) and tysonite (LaF3) structures, which are formed in the MF2- RF3 systems ( M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd, or Pb; R = Sc, Y, or La-Lu). These phases have superionic fluorine conductivity due to the anion sublattice disorder. The ionic conductivity of crystals of both structure types has been studied and the limits of its change with composition and temperature are determined. Nonstoichiometric fluorides are used as solid electrolytes in chemical sensors, fluorine sources, and batteries. The prospects of the use of fluorine-ion conductors in solid-state electrochemical devices, principles of their operation, and the problems of optimization of their composition are discussed.

  15. Formation of thin walled ceramic solid oxide fuel cells

    DOEpatents

    Claar, Terry D.; Busch, Donald E.; Picciolo, John J.

    1989-01-01

    To reduce thermal stress and improve bonding in a high temperature monolithic solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), intermediate layers are provided between the SOFC's electrodes and electrolyte which are of different compositions. The intermediate layers are comprised of a blend of some of the materials used in the electrode and electrolyte compositions. Particle size is controlled to reduce problems involving differential shrinkage rates of the various layers when the entire structure is fired at a single temperature, while pore formers are provided in the electrolyte layers to be removed during firing for the formation of desired pores in the electrode layers. Each layer includes a binder in the form of a thermosetting acrylic which during initial processing is cured to provide a self-supporting structure with the ceramic components in the green state. A self-supporting corrugated structure is thus formed prior to firing, which the organic components of the binder and plasticizer removed during firing to provide a high strength, high temperature resistant ceramic structure of low weight and density.

  16. Operando X-ray Investigation of Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces in Model Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    We employed operando anomalous surface X-ray diffraction to investigate the buried interface between the cathode and the electrolyte of a model solid oxide fuel cell with atomic resolution. The cell was studied under different oxygen pressures at elevated temperatures and polarizations by external potential control. Making use of anomalous X-ray diffraction effects at the Y and Zr K-edges allowed us to resolve the interfacial structure and chemical composition of a (100)-oriented, 9.5 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystal electrolyte below a La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ (LSC) electrode. We observe yttrium segregation toward the YSZ/LSC electrolyte/electrode interface under reducing conditions. Under oxidizing conditions, the interface becomes Y depleted. The yttrium segregation is corroborated by an enhanced outward relaxation of the YSZ interfacial metal ion layer. At the same time, an increase in point defect concentration in the electrolyte at the interface was observed, as evidenced by reduced YSZ crystallographic site occupancies for the cations as well as the oxygen ions. Such changes in composition are expected to strongly influence the oxygen ion transport through this interface which plays an important role for the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. The structure of the interface is compared to the bare YSZ(100) surface structure near the microelectrode under identical conditions and to the structure of the YSZ(100) surface prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. PMID:27346923

  17. The functional response of bioactive titania-modified three-dimensional Ti-6Al-4V mesh structure toward providing a favorable pathway for intercellular communication and osteoincorporation.

    PubMed

    Nune, K C; Misra, R D K; Li, S J; Hao, Y L; Zhang, W

    2016-10-01

    The objective of the study is to fundamentally elucidate the biological response of 3D printed mesh structures subjected to plasma electrolytic oxidation process through the study of osteoblast functions. The cellular activity of plasma electrolytic-oxidized mesh structure was explored in terms of cell-to-cell communication involving proliferation, synthesis of extracellular and intracellular proteins, and mineralization. Upon plasma electrolytic oxidation of the mesh structure, a thin layer of bioactive titania with pore size 1-3 µm was nucleated on the surface. The combination of microporous bioactive titania and interconnected porous architecture provided the desired pathway for supply of nutrients and oxygen to cells and tissue and a favorable osteogenic microenvironment for tissue on-growth and in-growth, in relation to the unmodified mesh structure. The formation of a confluent layer as envisaged via electron microscopy and quantitative assessment of the expression level of proteins (actin, vinculin, and fibronectin) point toward the determining role of surface-modified mesh structure in modulating osteoblasts functions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2488-2501, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Ultrathin Graphene-Protein Supercapacitors for Miniaturized Bioelectronics.

    PubMed

    Mosa, Islam M; Pattammattel, Ajith; Kadimisetty, Karteek; Pande, Paritosh; El-Kady, Maher F; Bishop, Gregory W; Novak, Marc; Kaner, Richard B; Basu, Ashis K; Kumar, Challa V; Rusling, James F

    2017-09-06

    Nearly all implantable bioelectronics are powered by bulky batteries which limit device miniaturization and lifespan. Moreover, batteries contain toxic materials and electrolytes that can be dangerous if leakage occurs. Herein, an approach to fabricate implantable protein-based bioelectrochemical capacitors (bECs) employing new nanocomposite heterostructures in which 2D reduced graphene oxide sheets are interlayered with chemically modified mammalian proteins, while utilizing biological fluids as electrolytes is described. This protein-modified reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite material shows no toxicity to mouse embryo fibroblasts and COS-7 cell cultures at a high concentration of 1600 μg mL -1 which is 160 times higher than those used in bECs, unlike the unmodified graphene oxide which caused toxic cell damage even at low doses of 10 μg mL -1 . The bEC devices are 1 μm thick, fully flexible, and have high energy density comparable to that of lithium thin film batteries. COS-7 cell culture is not affected by long-term exposure to encapsulated bECs over 4 d of continuous charge/discharge cycles. These bECs are unique, protein-based devices, use serum as electrolyte, and have the potential to power a new generation of long-life, miniaturized implantable devices.

  19. Influence of Silicate Concentration in Electrolyte on the Growth and Performance of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings Prepared on Low Carbon Steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Wenbin; Peng, Zhenjun; Liu, Baixing; Liu, Weimin; Liang, Jun

    2018-04-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings were prepared on low carbon steel from electrolytes with different silicate concentrations. The microstructure, elemental and phase compositions of the PEO coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive spectrometer, and x-ray diffraction, respectively. The adhesion of PEO coatings with low carbon steel substrate was qualitatively examined by thermal shock tests. The tribological properties were evaluated by a reciprocating tribometer sliding against a Si3N4 ceramic ball. The corrosion behaviors of PEO coatings were investigated in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution by electrochemical impedance spectra and potentiodynamic polarization. Results indicated that all the PEO coatings were comprised of amorphous SiO2 and Fe-containing oxides; however, the silicate concentration in electrolyte showed significant influence on the growth and the performance of PEO coatings. The PEO coating prepared from the electrolyte with silicate concentration of 30 g/L had the highest Fe content because the substrate was more readily oxidized and showed a dense structure, resulting in the best comprehensive performance of adhesion, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.

  20. Influence of Silicate Concentration in Electrolyte on the Growth and Performance of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings Prepared on Low Carbon Steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Wenbin; Peng, Zhenjun; Liu, Baixing; Liu, Weimin; Liang, Jun

    2018-05-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings were prepared on low carbon steel from electrolytes with different silicate concentrations. The microstructure, elemental and phase compositions of the PEO coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive spectrometer, and x-ray diffraction, respectively. The adhesion of PEO coatings with low carbon steel substrate was qualitatively examined by thermal shock tests. The tribological properties were evaluated by a reciprocating tribometer sliding against a Si3N4 ceramic ball. The corrosion behaviors of PEO coatings were investigated in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution by electrochemical impedance spectra and potentiodynamic polarization. Results indicated that all the PEO coatings were comprised of amorphous SiO2 and Fe-containing oxides; however, the silicate concentration in electrolyte showed significant influence on the growth and the performance of PEO coatings. The PEO coating prepared from the electrolyte with silicate concentration of 30 g/L had the highest Fe content because the substrate was more readily oxidized and showed a dense structure, resulting in the best comprehensive performance of adhesion, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.

  1. Ion-Conductive and Thermal Properties of a Synergistic Poly(ethylene carbonate)/Poly(trimethylene carbonate) Blend Electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Li, Zhenguang; Mogensen, Ronnie; Mindemark, Jonas; Bowden, Tim; Brandell, Daniel; Tominaga, Yoichi

    2018-05-11

    Electrolytes comprising poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC)/poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTM C) with lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) are prepared by a simple solvent casting method. Although PEC and PTMC have similar chemical structures, they are immiscible and two glass transitions are present in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Interestingly, these two polymers change to miscible blends with the addition of LiTFSI, and the ionic conductivity increases with increasing lithium salt concentration. The optimum composition of the blend electrolyte is achieved at PEC 6 PTMC 4 , with a conductivity as high as 10 -6 S cm -1 at 50 °C. This value is greater than that for single PEC- and PTMC-based electrolytes. Moreover, the thermal stability of the blend-based electrolytes is improved as compared to PEC-based electrolytes. It is clear that the interaction between CO groups and Li + gives rise to a compatible amorphous phase of PEC and PTMC. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. A high-conduction Ge substituted Li3AsS4 solid electrolyte with exceptional low activation energy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sahu, Gayatri; Rangasamy, Ezhiylmurugan; Li, Juchuan

    2014-04-16

    In lithium-ion conducting solid electrolytes the potential to enable high-energy-density secondary batteries and offer distinctive safety features as an advantage over traditional liquid electrolytes is shown. Achieving the combination of high ionic conductivity, low activation energy, and outstanding electrochemical stability in crystalline solid electrolytes is a challenge for the synthesis of novel solid electrolytes. We report an exceptionally low activation energy (Ea) and high room temperature superionic conductivity via facile aliovalent substitution of Li 3AsS 4 by Ge, which increased the conductivity by two orders of magnitude as compared to the parent compound. The composition Li 3.334Ge 0.334As 0.666S 4more » has a high ionic conductivity of 1.12 mScm -1 at 27°C. Local Li + hopping in this material is accompanied by distinctive low activation energy Ea of 0.17 eV being the lowest of Li + solid conductors. Finally, our study demonstrates the efficacy of surface passivation of solid electrolyte to achieve compatibility with metallic lithium electrodes.« less

  3. Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings on Pure Ti Substrate: Effects of Na3PO4 Concentration on Morphology and Corrosion Behavior of Coatings in Ringer's Physiological Solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roknian, Masoud; Fattah-alhosseini, Arash; Gashti, Seyed Omid

    2018-03-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation has been used as a relatively new method for applying ceramic coatings having different features. In the present study, commercially pure titanium is used as substrate, and effects of trisodium phosphate electrolyte concentration on the microstructure, as well as corrosion behavior of the coating in Ringer's physiological solution are investigated. The morphology and phase compositions of coatings were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction patterns. The study on the corrosion behavior of samples in a Ringer's physiological solution was carried out using open-circuit potential potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of electrochemical analysis proved that higher concentration of phosphate electrolyte leads to increase in the corrosion resistance of applied coatings. Accordingly, obtained results revealed that the optimum electrolyte concentration for the best corrosion behavior was 20 g L-1. Furthermore, SEM images and reduction in the dielectric breakdown potential indicated that increase in the electrolyte concentration leads to morphological improvement and smoothening of the surface.

  4. The Evaluation of Triphenyl Phosphate as a Flame Retardant Additive to Improve the Safety of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smart, M. C.; Krause, F. C.; Hwang, C.; West, W. C.; Soler, J.; Prakash, G. K. S.; Ratnakumar, B. V.

    2011-01-01

    With the intent of improving the safety characteristics of lithium ion cells, electrolytes containing flame retardant additives have been investigated. A number of triphenyl phosphate-containing electrolytes were evaluated in both coin cells and experimental three electrode lithium-ion cells (containing reference electrodes). A number of chemistries were investigated, including MCMB carbon/LiNi(0.8)Co(0.2)O2 (NCO), graphite/LiNi(0.8)Co(0.15)Al(0.05)O2 (NCA), Li/Li(Li(0.17)Ni(0.25)Mn(0.58))O2, Li/LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC) and graphite/LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC), to study the effect that different electrolyte compositions have upon performance. A wide range of TPP-containing electrolytes were demonstrated to have good compatibility with the C/NCO, C/NCA, and Li/NMC systems, however, poor performance was initially observed with the high voltage C/NMC system. This necessitated the development of improved electrolytes with stabilizing additives, leading to formulations containing lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) that displayed substantially improved performance.

  5. The Effect of Silane Addition on Chitosan-Fly Ash/CTAB as Electrolyte Membrane

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kusumastuti, E.; Isnaeni, D.; Sulistyaningsih, T.; Mahatmanti, F. W.; Jumaeri; Atmaja, L.; Widiastuti, N.

    2017-02-01

    Electrolyte membrane is an important component in fuel cell system, because it may influence fuel cell performance. Many efforts have been done to produce electrolyte membrane to replace comercial membrane. In this research, electrolyte membrane is composed of chitosan as an organic matrix and fly ash modified with CTAB and silane as inorganic filler. Fly ash is modified using silane as coupling agent to improve interfacial morphology between organic matrix and inorganic filler. This research aims to determine the best membrane performance based on its characteristics such as water uptake, mechanical properties, proton conductivity, and methanol permeability. The steps that have been done include silica preparation from fly ash, modification of silica surface with CTAB, silica coupling process with silane, synthesis of membranes with inversion phase method, and membrane characterization. The result shows that membrane C-FA/CTAB-Silane 10% (w/w) has the best performance with proton conductivity 8.00 x 10-4 S.cm-1, methanol permeability 3.37 x 10-7 cm.s-1, and selectivity 2.12 x 103 S.s.cm-3. The result of FTIR analysis on membrane C-FA/CTAB-Silane 10% shows that there is only physical interaction occured between chitosan, fly ash and silane, because there is no peak differences significantly at wave number 1000-1250 cm-1, while morphology analysis on membrane with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) shows good dispersion and there is no agglomeration on chitosan matrix.

  6. Enzyme-modified electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buth, Felix; Donner, Andreas; Stutzmann, Martin; Garrido, Jose A.

    2012-10-01

    Organic solution-gated field-effect transistors (SGFETs) can be operated at low voltages in aqueous environments, paving the way to the use of organic semiconductors in bio-sensing applications. However, it has been shown that these devices exhibit only a rather weak sensitivity to standard electrolyte parameters such as pH and ionic strength. In order to increase the sensitivity and to add specificity towards a given analyte, the covalent attachment of functional groups and enzymes to the device surface would be desirable. In this contribution we demonstrate that enzyme modified organic SGFETs can be used for the in-situ detection of penicillin in the low μM regime. In a first step, silane molecules with amine terminal groups are grafted to α-sexithiophene-based thin film transistors. Surface characterization techniques like X-ray photoemission confirm the modification of the surface with these functional groups, which are stable in standard aqueous electrolytes. We show that the presence of surface-bound amphoteric groups (e.g. amino or carboxylic moieties) increases the pH-sensitivity of the organic SGFETs. In addition, these groups serve as anchoring sites for the attachment of the enzyme penicillinase. The resulting enzyme-FETs are used for the detection of penicillin, enabling the study of the influence of the buffer strength and the pH of the electrolyte on the enzyme kinetics. The functionalization of the organic FETs shown here can be extended to a large variety of enzymes, allowing the specific detection of different chemical and biochemical analytes.

  7. Pulse electrodeposited nickel-indium tin oxide nanocomposite as an electrocatalyst for non-enzymatic glucose sensing.

    PubMed

    Sivasakthi, P; Ramesh Bapu, G N K; Chandrasekaran, Maruthai

    2016-01-01

    Nickel and nickel-ITO nanocomposite on mild steel substrate were prepared by pulse electrodeposition method from nickel sulphamate electrolyte and were examined as electrocatalysts for non-enzymatic glucose sensing. The surface morphology, chemical composition, preferred orientation and oxidation states of the nickel metal ion in the deposits were characterized by SEM, EDAX, XRD and XPS. Electrochemical sensing of glucose was studied by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The modified Ni-ITO nanocomposite electrode showed higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose in alkaline medium and exhibited a linear range from 0.02 to 3.00 mM with a limit of detection 3.74 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The higher selectivity, longer stability and better reproducibility of this electrode compared to nickel in the sensing of glucose are pointers for exploitation in practical clinical applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Comparative assessment of the microhardness and plastic degradation mechanism of deposited modulated coatings on mild steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fayomi, O. S. I.; Anawe, P. A. L.; Inegbenebor, A. O.; Udoye, N. E.

    2018-05-01

    Zinc based coatings modified with aluminium and tin inclusions were electrodeposited in chloride zinc sulfate electrolytes containing a metallic powder of titanium. It was found that presence of these particulates is suitable to obtain ZnAlSn-Ti composites coating that could help increase the microhardnesss characteristics and wear properties. The hardness and wear properties of the deposited coatings were examined with diamond base micro-hardness tester and CETR reciprocating sliding tester respectively. The structural properties were examined with the help of scanning electron microscope. It was observed that structural coating surface impact on the hardness propagation with increases from 33.4 to 299 kgf mm-2 (HVN40), and shows a considerably higher wear resistance from 2.351g/min to 0.002g/min. It is obvious that plastic deformation of the working steel structure is dependent on protective coating and the concentration of the individual particulate.

  9. Specific and selective electrochemical immunoassay for Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on pectin-gold nano composite.

    PubMed

    Krithiga, N; Viswanath, K Balaji; Vasantha, V S; Jayachitra, A

    2016-05-15

    In this report, we have successfully fabricated an immunosensor for detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water. The monoclonal antibody was immobilized on the surface modified with CCLP (Calcium Cross-Linked Pectin)-Au NPs (gold nanoparticles)/Glassy Carbon Electrode. The building of the immunosensor was evaluated in each step by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical detection was done based on the anti rabbit IgG HRP (Horseradish Peroxidase) which binds to the immune complex and the response was observed using Hydro Quininone (HQ) and Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in PB (Phosphate Buffer) electrolyte. From the results, the sensitivity range is from 10(1) to 10(7)CFU/ml and LOD is calculated as 9×10(2)CFU/ml. The developed immunosensor also have high selectivity, stability, reproducibility and reusability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Automatic dispersion, long-term stability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in high concentration electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Lan; He, Yi; Luo, Pingya; Zhang, Liyun; Yu, Yalu

    2018-02-01

    Nanoparticles have been known as the useful materials in working fluids for petroleum industry. But the stabilization of nano-scaled materials in water-based working fluids at high salinities is still a big challenge. In this study, we successfully prepared the anionic polymer/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) composites by covalently wrapping of MWNTs with poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) to improve the stability of MWNTs in high concentration electrolytes. The PSS/MWNTs composites can automatically disperse in salinity up to 15 wt% NaCl and API brines (8 wt% NaCl + 2 wt% CaCl2). Hydrodynamic diameters of composites were measured as a function of ionic strength and API brines by dynamic light scattering (DLS). By varying the concentration of brines, hydrodynamic diameter of PSS/MWNTs composites in brines fluctuated between 545 ± 110 nm for 14 days and 673 ± 171 nm for 30 days. Above results showed that PSS/MWNTs could be well stable in high salts solutions for a long period of time. After wrapped with PSS, the diameters of nanotubes changed from 30 40 to 430 nm, the thickness of wrapped polymer is about 400 nm by analysis of morphologies. The zeta potentials of PSS/MWNTs composites in various salinity of brines kept at approximately - 41 - 52 mV. Therefore, the well dispersion of PSS/MWNTs in high salinity is due to large negative charges of poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), which provide enough electrostatic repulsion and steric repulsion to hinder compression of electric double layer caused by high concentration electrolytes.

  11. ZrO2-Nanoparticle-Modified Graphite Felt: Bifunctional Effects on Vanadium Flow Batteries.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Haipeng; Shen, Yi; Xi, Jingyu; Qiu, Xinping; Chen, Liquan

    2016-06-22

    To improve the electrochemical performance of graphite felt (GF) electrodes in vanadium flow batteries (VFBs), we synthesize a series of ZrO2-modified GF (ZrO2/GF) electrodes with varying ZrO2 contents via a facile immersion-precipitation approach. It is found that the uniform immobilization of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the GF not only significantly promotes the accessibility of vanadium electrolyte, but also provides more active sites for the redox reactions, thereby resulting in better electrochemical activity and reversibility toward the VO(2+)/VO2(+) and V(2+)/V(3+) redox reactions as compared with those of GF. In particular, The ZrO2/GF composite with 0.3 wt % ZrO2 displays the best electrochemical performance with voltage and energy efficiencies of 71.9% and 67.4%, respectively, which are much higher than those of 57.3% and 53.8% as obtained from the GF electrode at 200 mA cm(-2). The cycle life tests demonstrate that the ZrO2/GF electrodes exhibit outstanding stability. The ZrO2/GF-based VFB battery shows negligible activity decay after 200 cycles.

  12. In Situ Determination of Bisphenol A in Beverage Using a Molybdenum Selenide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanoparticle Composite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode.

    PubMed

    Shi, Rongguang; Liang, Jing; Zhao, Zongshan; Liu, Yi; Liu, Aifeng

    2018-05-22

    Due to the endocrine disturbing effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on organisms, rapid detection has become one of the most important techniques for monitoring its levels in the aqueous solutions associated with plastics and human beings. In this paper, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with molybdenum selenide/reduced graphene oxide (MoSe₂/rGO) was fabricated for in situ determination of bisphenol A in several beverages. The surface area of the electrode dramatically increases due to the existence of ultra-thin nanosheets in a flower-like structure of MoSe₂. Adding phosphotungstic acid in the electrolyte can significantly enhance the repeatability (RSD = 0.4%) and reproducibility (RSD = 2.2%) of the electrode. Under the optimized condition (pH = 6.5), the linear range of BPA was from 0.1 μM⁻100 μM and the detection limit was 0.015 μM (S/ N = 3). When using the as-prepared electrode for analyzing BPA in beverage samples without any pretreatments, the recoveries ranged from 98⁻107%, and the concentrations were from below the detection limit to 1.7 μM, indicating its potential prospect for routine analysis of BPA.

  13. Advanced Double Layer Capacitor

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-07-01

    Membrane and Electrode Assemblies The Nafion electrolyte was introduced into the electrode by two different methods: 1) mixing of the Nafion solution with... electroosmotic transport of water, allows some liquid electrolyte to permeate into the structure, which causes partial flooding. On the basis of these...solution of Nafion 117) was mixed with the RuO x powder. The solvent was then allowed to evaporate and the resulting composite powder was crushed and

  14. Novel, Solvent-Free, Single Ion-Conducting Polymer Electrolytes

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-10-31

    the selected polymer electrolyte membrane and a LiFePO4 -based composite cathode film. The latter was prepared by blending the LiFePO4 active...following: charge Li+ + FePO4 + e LiFePO4 [1] discharge to which is associate a maximum...as separator in a Li/ LiFePO4 battery. . 1.Experimental. Calixpyrrole (CP, provided by the University of Warsaw), LiBOB (Libby) and PEO

  15. What Can We Learn from Solid State NMR on the Electrode-Electrolyte Interface?

    PubMed

    Haber, Shira; Leskes, Michal

    2018-06-11

    Rechargeable battery cells are composed of two electrodes separated by an ion-conducting electrolyte. While the energy density of the cell is mostly determined by the redox potential of the electrodes and amount of charge they can store, the processes at the electrode-electrolyte interface govern the battery's lifetime and performance. Viable battery cells rely on unimpeded ion transport across this interface, which depends on its composition and structure. These properties are challenging to determine as interfacial phases are thin, disordered, heterogeneous, and can be very reactive. The recent developments and applications of solid state NMR spectroscopy in the study of interfacial phenomena in rechargeable batteries based on lithium and sodium chemistries are reviewed. The different NMR interactions are surveyed and how these are used to shed light on the chemical composition and architecture of interfacial phases as well as directly probe ion transport across them is described. By combining new methods in solid state NMR spectroscopy with other analytical tools, a holistic description of the electrode-electrolyte interface can be obtained. This will enable the design of improved interfaces for developing battery cells with high energy, high power, and longer lifetime. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  16. Electrochemical studies on nanometal oxide-activated carbon composite electrodes for aqueous supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ho, Mui Yen; Khiew, Poi Sim; Isa, Dino; Chiu, Wee Siong

    2014-11-01

    In present study, the electrochemical performance of eco-friendly and cost-effective titanium oxide (TiO2)-based and zinc oxide-based nanocomposite electrodes were studied in neutral aqueous Na2SO3 electrolyte, respectively. The electrochemical properties of these composite electrodes were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The experimental results reveal that these two nanocomposite electrodes achieve the highest specific capacitance at fairly low oxide loading onto activated carbon (AC) electrodes, respectively. Considerable enhancement of the electrochemical properties of TiO2/AC and ZnO/AC nanocomposite electrodes is achieved via synergistic effects contributed from the nanostructured metal oxides and the high surface area mesoporous AC. Cations and anions from metal oxides and aqueous electrolyte such as Ti4+, Zn2+, Na+ and SO32- can occupy some pores within the high-surface-area AC electrodes, forming the electric double layer at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Additionally, both TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles can provide favourable surface adsorption sites for SO32- anions which subsequently facilitate the faradaic processes for pseudocapacitive effect. These two systems provide the low cost material electrodes and the low environmental impact electrolyte which offer the increased charge storage without compromising charge storage kinetics.

  17. Gel electrolytes with I-/I3- redox mediator based on methylcellulose for dye-sensitized solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yusof, S. Z.; Woo, H. J.; Careem, M. A.; Arof, A. K.

    2018-05-01

    A new gel electrolyte comprising methylcellulose (MC), LiBOB and succinonitrile (SN) has been prepared with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent. The electrolyte with composition 8.73 wt % MC-2.92 wt % LiBOB-1.01 wt % SN-87.34 wt % DMSO exhibits the highest conductivity of 1.18 mS cm-1 at 25 °C. On partially substituting LiBOB with TMAI, the sample designated as TMAI 95 has the highest conducting composition of 8.70 wt % MC-0.14 wt % LiBOB-1.01 wt % SN-2.77 wt % TMAI-0.35 wt % I2-87.03 wt % DMSO. The conductivity is 1.96 mS cm-1. This sample is used to fabricate a dye sensitized photovoltaic cell that converts photons to electricity at an efficiency of 3.46%. The conductivity of this sample has been enhanced to 3.08 mS cm-1 on addition of 1.0 wt % butyl-methyl immidazolium iodide (BMII) ionic liquid and the efficiency of the cell fabricated is 4.63%. Total replacement of LiBOB component in the electrolyte with the same amount of LiI results in a conductivity increase of ∼23.5% and the DSSC exhibits a 5.72% efficiency.

  18. Facile preparation and enhanced capacitance of the polyaniline/sodium alginate nanofiber network for supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Li, Yingzhi; Zhao, Xin; Xu, Qian; Zhang, Qinghua; Chen, Dajun

    2011-05-17

    A porous and mat-like polyaniline/sodium alginate (PANI/SA) composite with excellent electrochemical properties was polymerized in an aqueous solution with sodium sulfate as a template. Ultraviolet-visible spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern, and Fourier transform infrared spectra were employed to characterize the PANI/SA composite, indicating that the PANI/SA composite was successfully prepared. The PANI/SA nanofibers with uniform diameters from 50 to 100 nm can be observed on scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests were carried out to investigate the electrochemical properties. The PANI/SA nanostructure electrode exhibits an excellent specific capacitance as high as 2093 F g(-1), long cycle life, and fast reflect of oxidation/reduction on high current changes. The remarkable electrochemical characteristic is attributed to the nanostructured electrode materials, which generates a high electrode/electrolyte contact area and short path lengths for electronic transport and electrolyte ion. The approach is simple and can be easily extended to fabricate nanostructural composites for supercapacitor electrode materials.

  19. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jafirin, Serawati; Ahmad, Ishak; Ahmad, Azizan

    The development of 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49) and carboxymethyl cellulose as a composite polymer electrolyte film incorporating LiCF{sub 3}SO{sub 3} were explored. Carboxymethyl cellulose was synthesized from kenaf bast fibres via carboxymethylation process by alkali catalyzed reaction of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. Reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed the presence of carboxyl peak after modification of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity of cellulose was decrease after synthesis. High performance composite polymer electrolytes were prepared with various composition of carboxymethyl cellulose (2–10 wt%) via solution-casting method. The conductivity was increased withmore » carboxymethyl cellulose loading. The highest conductivity value achieved was 3.3 × 10{sup −7} Scm{sup −1} upon addition of 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose. 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose composition showed the highest tensile strength value of 7.9 MPa and 273 MPa of modulus value which demonstrated high mechanical performance with accepatable level of ionic conductivity.« less

  20. Nano ZnO-activated carbon composite electrodes for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Selvakumar, M.; Krishna Bhat, D.; Manish Aggarwal, A.; Prahladh Iyer, S.; Sravani, G.

    2010-05-01

    A symmetrical (p/p) supercapacitor has been fabricated by making use of nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO)-activated carbon (AC) composite electrodes for the first time. The composites have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Electrochemical properties of the prepared nanocomposite electrodes and the supercapacitor have been studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and AC impedance spectroscopy in 0.1 M Na 2SO 4 as electrolyte. The ZnO-AC nanocomposite electrode showed a specific capacitance of 160 F/g for 1:1 composition. The specific capacitance of the electrodes decreased with increase in zinc oxide content. Galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements have been done at various current densities, namely 2, 4, 6 and 7 mA/cm 2. It has been found that the cells have excellent electrochemical reversibility and capacitive characteristics in 0.1 M Na 2SO 4 electrolyte. It has also been observed that the specific capacitance is constant up to 500 cycles at all current densities.

  1. Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2−xSbxTe3 Nanowires Grown in Flexible Nanoporous Polycarbonate Templates

    PubMed Central

    Datta, Anuja; Sangle, Abhijeet; Hardingham, Nick; Cooper, Charles; Kraan, Max; Ritchie, David; Narayan, Vijay; Kar-Narayan, Sohini

    2017-01-01

    We report the room-temperature growth of vertically aligned ternary Bi2−xSbxTe3 nanowires of diameter ~200 nm and length ~12 µm, within flexible track-etched nanoporous polycarbonate (PC) templates via a one-step electrodeposition process. Bi2−xSbxTe3 nanowires with compositions spanning the entire range from pure Bi2Te3 (x = 0) to pure Sb2Te3 (x = 2) were systematically grown within the nanoporous channels of PC templates from a tartaric–nitric acid based electrolyte, at the end of which highly crystalline nanowires of uniform composition were obtained. Compositional analysis showed that the Sb concentration could be tuned by simply varying the electrolyte composition without any need for further annealing of the samples. Thermoelectric properties of the Bi2−xSbxTe3 nanowires were measured using a standardized bespoke setup while they were still embedded within the flexible PC templates. PMID:28772915

  2. In vivo performance of two different hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium prepared by discharging in electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Yamamoto, Hiroki; Shibata, Yo; Tachikawa, Tetsuhiko; Miyazaki, Takashi

    2006-07-01

    This study reports a discharging method for bone-like carbonated HA (cHA)-coating (Ca/P 1.71) and stoichiometric HA (sHA)-coating (Ca/P 1.67) with micrometer order thicknesses on titanium plates, using modified body fluid and acidic calcium phosphate solutions, respectively. In vivo histological performance of the HA coatings prepared by discharging in electrolytes was evaluated. Bone-contact indexes of HA coatings were measured microscopically. Additionally, bone-coating interface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the use of an electron probe microanalyzer. Results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in contact index between HA coatings. However, the cHA coating was practically replaced by immature bone, and the titanium metal substrate was directly connected to the bone structure whereas the sHA coating layer remained and was partially detached from the titanium metal substrate. Since detached coating particles are pathogens, and can cause peri-implantitis, the cHA coating was more favorable than the sHA coating even if contact index was equivalent to that of the sHA coating. It is thought that coating thickness and chemical composition of coatings are important for biological stability of implants. In conclusion, since bone-like thin cHA coating showed high osteoconductivity and bone replacement, bone-like HA is superior to sHA coating for use in dental implants.

  3. Reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography of homologs of Antimycin-A and related derivatives

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Abidi, Sharon L.

    1989-01-01

    Using a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique, a mixture of antimycins A was separated into eight hitherto unreported subcomponents, Ala, Alb, A2a, A2b, A3a, A3b, A4a, and A4b. Although a base-line resolution of the known four major antimycins Al, A2, A3, and A4 was readily achieved with mobile phases containing acetate buffers, the separation of the new antibiotic subcomponents was highly sensitive to variation in mobile phase conditions. The type and composition of organic modifiers, the nature of buffer salts, and the concentration of added electrolytes had profound effects on capacity factors, separation factors, and peak resolution values. Of the numerous chromatographic systems examined, a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water (70:30) and 0.005 M tetrabutylammonium phosphate at pH 3.0 yielded the most satisfactory results for the separation of the subcomponents. Reversed-phase gradient HPLC separation of the dansylated or methylated antibiotic compounds produced superior chromatographic characteristics and the presence of added electrolytes was not a critical factor for achieving separation. Differences in the chromatographic outcome between homologous and structural isomers were interpretated based on a differential solvophobic interaction rationale. Preparative reversed-phase HPLC under optimal conditions enabled isolation of pure samples of the methylated antimycin subcomponents for use in structural studies.

  4. High-performance liquid-chromatographic separation of subcomponents of antimycin-A

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Abidi, S.L.

    1988-01-01

    Using a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique, a mixture of antimycins A was separated into eight hitherto unreported subcomponents, Ala, Alb, A2a, A2b, A3a, A3b, A4a, and A4b. Although a base-line resolution of the known four major antimycins Al, A2, A3, and A4 was readily achieved with mobile phases containing acetate buffers, the separation of the new antibiotic subcomponents was highly sensitive to variation in mobile phase conditions. The type and composition of organic modifiers, the nature of buffer salts, and the concentration of added electrolytes had profound effects on capacity factors, separation factors, and peak resolution values. Of the numerous chromatographic systems examined, a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water (70:30) and 0.005 M tetrabutylammonium phosphate at pH 3.0 yielded the most satisfactory results for the separation of the subcomponents. Reversed-phase gradient HPLC separation of the dansylated or methylated antibiotic compounds produced superior chromatographic characteristics and the presence of added electrolytes was not a critical factor for achieving separation. Differences in the chromatographic outcome between homologous and structural isomers were interpretated based on a differential solvophobic interaction rationale. Preparative reversed-phase HPLC under optimal conditions enabled isolation of pure samples of the methylated antimycin subcomponents for use in structural studies.

  5. Nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers derived from polypyrrole coated bacterial cellulose as high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors and Li-ion batteries

    DOE PAGES

    Lei, Wen; Han, Lili; Xuan, Cuijuan; ...

    2016-05-24

    Here, nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber (NDCN) was synthesized via carbonization of polypyrrole (PPy) coated bacterial cellulose (BC) composites, where BC serves as templates as well as precursor, and PPy serves as the nitrogen source. The synthesized NDCN was employed as electrode for both supercapacitors and Li-ion batteries. The large surface area exposed to electrolyte resulting from the 3D carbon networks leads to sufficient electrode/electrolyte interface and creates shorter transport paths of electrolyte ions and Li + ion. Besides, the three types of N dopants in NDCN improve the electronic conductivity, as well as superior electrochemical performance.

  6. Thin film buried anode battery

    DOEpatents

    Lee, Se-Hee [Lakewood, CO; Tracy, C Edwin [Golden, CO; Liu, Ping [Denver, CO

    2009-12-15

    A reverse configuration, lithium thin film battery (300) having a buried lithium anode layer (305) and process for making the same. The present invention is formed from a precursor composite structure (200) made by depositing electrolyte layer (204) onto substrate (201), followed by sequential depositions of cathode layer (203) and current collector (202) on the electrolyte layer. The precursor is subjected to an activation step, wherein a buried lithium anode layer (305) is formed via electroplating a lithium anode layer at the interface of substrate (201) and electrolyte film (204). The electroplating is accomplished by applying a current between anode current collector (201) and cathode current collector (202).

  7. Inorganic-organic separators for alkaline batteries

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sheibley, D. W. (Inventor)

    1978-01-01

    A flexible separator is reported for use between the electrodes of Ni-Cd and Ni-Zn batteries using alkaline electrolytes. The separator was made by coating a porous substrate with a battery separator composition. The coating material included a rubber-based resin copolymer, a plasticizer and inorganic and organic fillers which comprised 55% by volume or less of the coating as finally dried. One or more of the filler materials, whether organic or inorganic, is preferably active with the alkaline electrolyte to produce pores in the separator coating. The plasticizer was an organic material which is hydrolyzed by the alkaline electrolyte to improve conductivity of the separator coating.

  8. Direct determination of solid-electrolyte interphase thickness and composition as a function of state of charge on a silicon anode

    DOE PAGES

    Veith, Gabriel M.; Doucet, Mathieu; Baldwin, J. K.; ...

    2015-08-17

    Using neutron reflectometry we have determined the thickness and chemistry of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer grown on a silicon anode as a function of state of charge and during cycling. We show the chemistry of this SEI layer becomes more LiF like with increasing lithiation and more Li-C-O-F like with delithiation. More importantly the SEI layer thickness appears to increase (about 250 ) as the electrode becomes less lithiated and thins to 180 with increasing Li content (Li 3.7Si). We attribute this breathing to the continual consumption of electrolyte with cycling.

  9. High temperature lithium cells with solid polymer electrolytes

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Jin; Eitouni, Hany Basam; Singh, Mohit

    2017-03-07

    Electrochemical cells that use electrolytes made from new polymer compositions based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and other high-softening-temperature polymers are disclosed. These materials have a microphase domain structure that has an ionically-conductive phase and a phase with good mechanical strength and a high softening temperature. In one arrangement, the structural block has a softening temperature of about 210.degree. C. These materials can be made with either homopolymers or with block copolymers. Such electrochemical cells can operate safely at higher temperatures than have been possible before, especially in lithium cells. The ionic conductivity of the electrolytes increases with increasing temperature.

  10. Performance evaluation of a non-woven lithium ion battery separator prepared through a paper-making process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Xiaosong

    2014-06-01

    Porous separator functions to electrically insulate the negative and positive electrodes yet communicate lithium ions between the two electrodes when infiltrated with a liquid electrolyte. The separator must fulfill numerous requirements (e.g. permeability, wettability, and thermal stability) in order to optimize the abuse tolerance and electrochemical performance of a battery. Non-woven mat separators have advantages such as high porosity and heat resistance. However, their applications in lithium ion batteries are very limited as their inadequate pore structures could cause accelerated battery performance degradation and even internal short. This work features the development of thermally stable non-woven composite separators using a low cost paper-making process. The composite separators offer significantly improved thermal dimensional stability and exhibit superior wettability by the liquid electrolyte compared to a conventional polypropylene separator. The open porous structures of the non-woven composite separators also resulted in high effective ionic conductivities. The electrochemical performance of the composite separators was tested in coin cells. Stable cycle performances and improved rate capabilities have been observed for the coin cells with these composite separators.

  11. Novel Slurry Electrolyte Containing Lithium Metasilicate for High Electrochemical Performance of a 5 V Cathode.

    PubMed

    Ren, Yonghuan; Mu, Daobin; Wu, Feng; Wu, Borong

    2015-10-21

    We report a novel slurry electrolyte with ultrahigh concentration of insoluble inorganic lithium metasilicate (Li2SiO3) that is exploited for lithium ion batteries to combine the merits of solid and liquid electrolytes. The safety, conductivity, and anodic and storage stabilities of the eletrolyte are examined, which are all enhanced compared to a base carbonate electrolyte. The compatibility of the elecrolyte with a LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode is evaluated under high voltage. A discharge capacity of 173.8 mAh g(-1) is still maintained after 120 cycles, whereas it is only 74.9 mAh g(-1) in the base electrolyte. Additionally, the rate capability of the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode is also improved with reduced electrode polarization. TEM measurements indicate that the electrode interface is modified by Li2SiO3 with a thinner solid electrolyte interphase film. Density functional theory computations demonstrate that LiPF6 is stabilized against its decomposition by Li2SiO3. A possible path for the reaction between PF5 and Li2SiO3 is also proposed by deducing the transition states involved in the process using the DFT method.

  12. Electrochemical Approach for Analyzing Electrolyte Transport Properties and Their Effect on Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell Performance.

    PubMed

    Danilov, Nikolay; Lyagaeva, Julia; Vdovin, Gennady; Medvedev, Dmitry; Demin, Anatoly; Tsiakaras, Panagiotis

    2017-08-16

    The design and development of highly conductive materials with wide electrolytic domain boundaries are among the most promising means of enabling solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) to demonstrate outstanding performance across low- and intermediate-temperature ranges. While reducing the thickness of the electrolyte is an extensively studied means for diminishing the total resistance of SOFCs, approaches involving an improvement in the transport behavior of the electrolyte membranes have been less-investigated. In the present work, a strategy for analyzing the electrolyte properties and their effect on SOFC output characteristics is proposed. To this purpose, a SOFC based on a recently developed BaCe 0.5 Zr 0.3 Dy 0.2 O 3-δ proton-conducting ceramic material was fabricated and tested. The basis of the strategy consists of the use of traditional SOFC testing techniques combined with the current interruption method and electromotive force measurements with a modified polarization-correction assessment. This allows one to determine simultaneously such important parameters as maximal power density; ohmic and polarization resistances; average ion transport numbers; and total, ionic, and electronic film conductivities and their activation energies. The proposed experimental procedure is expected to expand both fundamental and applied basics that could be further adopted to improve the technology of electrochemical devices based on proton-conducting electrolytes.

  13. Solvothermal synthesis of gallium-indium-zinc-oxide nanoparticles for electrolyte-gated transistors.

    PubMed

    Santos, Lídia; Nunes, Daniela; Calmeiro, Tomás; Branquinho, Rita; Salgueiro, Daniela; Barquinha, Pedro; Pereira, Luís; Martins, Rodrigo; Fortunato, Elvira

    2015-01-14

    Solution-processed field-effect transistors are strategic building blocks when considering low-cost sustainable flexible electronics. Nevertheless, some challenges (e.g., processing temperature, reliability, reproducibility in large areas, and cost effectiveness) are requirements that must be surpassed in order to achieve high-performance transistors. The present work reports electrolyte-gated transistors using as channel layer gallium-indium-zinc-oxide nanoparticles produced by solvothermal synthesis combined with a solid-state electrolyte based on aqueous dispersions of vinyl acetate stabilized with cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid ester in styrene and lithium perchlorate. The devices fabricated using this approach display a ION/IOFF up to 1 × 10(6), threshold voltage (VTh) of 0.3-1.9 V, and mobility up to 1 cm(2)/(V s), as a function of gallium-indium-zinc-oxide ink formulation and two different annealing temperatures. These results validates the usage of electrolyte-gated transistors as a viable and promising alternative for nanoparticle based semiconductor devices as the electrolyte improves the interface and promotes a more efficient step coverage of the channel layer, reducing the operating voltage when compared with conventional dielectrics gating. Moreover, it is shown that by controlling the applied gate potential, the operation mechanism of the electrolyte-gated transistors can be modified from electric double layer to electrochemical doping.

  14. Enabling electrolyte compositions for columnar silicon anodes in high energy secondary batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Piwko, Markus; Thieme, Sören; Weller, Christine; Althues, Holger; Kaskel, Stefan

    2017-09-01

    Columnar silicon structures are proven as high performance anodes for high energy batteries paired with low (sulfur) or high (nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide, NCA) voltage cathodes. The introduction of a fluorinated ether/sulfolane solvent mixture drastically improves the capacity retention for both battery types due to an improved solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the surface of the silicon electrode which reduces irreversible reactions normally causing lithium loss and rapid capacity fading. For the lithium silicide/sulfur battery cycling stability is significantly improved as compared to a frequently used reference electrolyte (DME/DOL) reaching a constant coulombic efficiency (CE) as high as 98%. For the silicon/NCA battery with higher voltage, the addition of only small amounts of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to the novel electrolyte leads to a stable capacity over at least 50 cycles and a CE as high as 99.9%. A high volumetric energy density close to 1000 Wh l-1 was achieved with the new electrolyte taking all inactive components of the stack into account for the estimation.

  15. Thermally-responsive, nonflammable phosphonium ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries: operating at 100 degrees celsius† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed ionic liquids synthesis, characterization, conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, battery cycling and those of other compositions; SEM images; energy density calculation. See DOI: 10.1039/c5sc01518a Click here for additional data file.

    PubMed Central

    Lin, X.; Kavian, R.; Lu, Y.; Hu, Q.; Shao-Horn, Y.

    2015-01-01

    Rechargeable batteries such as Li ion/Li metal batteries are widely used in the electronics market but the chemical instability of the electrolyte limits their use in more demanding environmental conditions such as in automotive, oil exploration, or mining applications. In this study, a series of alkyl phosphonium ionic liquid electrolyte are described with high thermal stability and solubility for LiTFSI. A lithium metal battery (LMB) containing a tailored phosphonium ionic liquid/LiTFSI electrolyte operates at 100 °C with good specific capacities and cycling stability. Substantial capacity is maintained during 70 cycles or 30 days. Instant on-off battery operation is realized via the significant temperature dependence of the electrolyte material, demonstrating the robustness and potential for use at high temperature. PMID:28757963

  16. Lithium-ion battery electrolyte mobility at nano-confined graphene interfaces

    PubMed Central

    Moeremans, Boaz; Cheng, Hsiu-Wei; Hu, Qingyun; Garces, Hector F.; Padture, Nitin P.; Renner, Frank Uwe; Valtiner, Markus

    2016-01-01

    Interfaces are essential in electrochemical processes, providing a critical nanoscopic design feature for composite electrodes used in Li-ion batteries. Understanding the structure, wetting and mobility at nano-confined interfaces is important for improving the efficiency and lifetime of electrochemical devices. Here we use a Surface Forces Apparatus to quantify the initial wetting of nanometre-confined graphene, gold and mica surfaces by Li-ion battery electrolytes. Our results indicate preferential wetting of confined graphene in comparison with gold or mica surfaces because of specific interactions of the electrolyte with the graphene surface. In addition, wetting of a confined pore proceeds via a profoundly different mechanism compared with wetting of a macroscopic surface. We further reveal the existence of molecularly layered structures of the confined electrolyte. Nanoscopic confinement of less than 4–5 nm and the presence of water decrease the mobility of the electrolyte. These results suggest a lower limit for the pore diameter in nanostructured electrodes. PMID:27562148

  17. Reciprocated suppression of polymer crystallization toward improved solid polymer electrolytes: Higher ion conductivity and tunable mechanical properties

    DOE PAGES

    Bi, Sheng; Sun, Che-Nan; Zawodzinski, Thomas A.; ...

    2015-08-06

    Solid polymer electrolytes based on lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide and polymer matrix were extensively studied in the past due to their excellent potential in a broad range of energy related applications. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) are among the most examined polymer candidates as solid polymer electrolyte matrix. In this paper, we study the effect of reciprocated suppression of polymer crystallization in PVDF/PEO binary matrix on ion transport and mechanical properties of the resultant solid polymer electrolytes. With electron and X-ray diffractions as well as energy filtered transmission electron microscopy, we identify and examine the appropriate blending composition thatmore » is responsible for the diminishment of both PVDF and PEO crystallites. Laslty, a three-fold conductivity enhancement is achieved along with a highly tunable elastic modulus ranging from 20 to 200 MPa, which is expected to contribute toward future designs of solid polymer electrolytes with high room-temperature ion conductivities and mechanical flexibility.« less

  18. Chemically modified graphite for electrochemical cells

    DOEpatents

    Greinke, R.A.; Lewis, I.C.

    1998-05-26

    This invention relates to chemically modified graphite particles: (a) that are useful in alkali metal-containing electrode of a electrochemical cell comprising: (1) the electrode, (2) a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising an organic aprotic solvent which solvent tends to decompose when the electrochemical cell is in use, and an electrically conductive salt of an alkali metal, and (3) a counter electrode; and (b) that are chemically modified with fluorine, chlorine, iodine or phosphorus to reduce such decomposition. This invention also relates to electrodes comprising such chemically modified graphite and a binder and to electrochemical cells containing such electrodes. 3 figs.

  19. Chemically modified graphite for electrochemical cells

    DOEpatents

    Greinke, Ronald Alfred; Lewis, Irwin Charles

    1998-01-01

    This invention relates to chemically modified graphite particles: (a) that are useful in alkali metal-containing electrode of a electrochemical cell comprising: (i) the electrode, (ii) a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising an organic aprotic solvent which solvent tends to decompose when the electrochemical cell is in use, and an electrically conductive salt of an alkali metal, and (iii) a counterelectrode; and (b) that are chemically modified with fluorine, chlorine, iodine or phosphorus to reduce such decomposition. This invention also relates to electrodes comprising such chemically modified graphite and a binder and to electrochemical cells containing such electrodes.

  20. Significant Performance Enhancement in Asymmetric Supercapacitors based on Metal Oxides, Carbon nanotubes and Neutral Aqueous Electrolyte

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Arvinder; Chandra, Amreesh

    2015-01-01

    Amongst the materials being investigated for supercapacitor electrodes, carbon based materials are most investigated. However, pure carbon materials suffer from inherent physical processes which limit the maximum specific energy and power that can be achieved in an energy storage device. Therefore, use of carbon-based composites with suitable nano-materials is attaining prominence. The synergistic effect between the pseudocapacitive nanomaterials (high specific energy) and carbon (high specific power) is expected to deliver the desired improvements. We report the fabrication of high capacitance asymmetric supercapacitor based on electrodes of composites of SnO2 and V2O5 with multiwall carbon nanotubes and neutral 0.5 M Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The advantages of the fabricated asymmetric supercapacitors are compared with the results published in the literature. The widened operating voltage window is due to the higher over-potential of electrolyte decomposition and a large difference in the work functions of the used metal oxides. The charge balanced device returns the specific capacitance of ~198 F g−1 with corresponding specific energy of ~89 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1. The proposed composite systems have shown great potential in fabricating high performance supercapacitors. PMID:26494197

  1. Significant Performance Enhancement in Asymmetric Supercapacitors based on Metal Oxides, Carbon nanotubes and Neutral Aqueous Electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Arvinder; Chandra, Amreesh

    2015-10-01

    Amongst the materials being investigated for supercapacitor electrodes, carbon based materials are most investigated. However, pure carbon materials suffer from inherent physical processes which limit the maximum specific energy and power that can be achieved in an energy storage device. Therefore, use of carbon-based composites with suitable nano-materials is attaining prominence. The synergistic effect between the pseudocapacitive nanomaterials (high specific energy) and carbon (high specific power) is expected to deliver the desired improvements. We report the fabrication of high capacitance asymmetric supercapacitor based on electrodes of composites of SnO2 and V2O5 with multiwall carbon nanotubes and neutral 0.5 M Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The advantages of the fabricated asymmetric supercapacitors are compared with the results published in the literature. The widened operating voltage window is due to the higher over-potential of electrolyte decomposition and a large difference in the work functions of the used metal oxides. The charge balanced device returns the specific capacitance of ~198 F g-1 with corresponding specific energy of ~89 Wh kg-1 at 1 A g-1. The proposed composite systems have shown great potential in fabricating high performance supercapacitors.

  2. Novel electrolyte chemistries for Mg-Ni rechargeable batteries.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Garcia-Diaz, Brenda; Kane, Marie; Au, Ming

    2010-10-01

    Commercial hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) serve as means to reduce the nation's dependence on oil. Current electric vehicles use relatively heavy nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable batteries. Li-ion rechargeable batteries have been developed extensively as the replacement; however, the high cost and safety concerns are still issues to be resolved before large-scale production. In this study, we propose a new highly conductive solid polymer electrolyte for Mg-Ni high electrochemical capacity batteries. The traditional corrosive alkaline aqueous electrolyte (KOH) is replaced with a dry polymer with conductivity on the order of 10{sup -2} S/cm, as measuredmore » by impedance spectroscopy. Several potential novel polymer and polymer composite candidates are presented with the best-performing electrolyte results for full cell testing and cycling.« less

  3. Micromold methods for fabricating perforated substrates and for preparing solid polymer electrolyte composite membranes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mittelsteadt, Cortney; Argun, Avni; Laicer, Castro

    In polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzes, attaining and maintaining high membrane conductivity and durability is crucial for performance and efficiency. The use of low equivalent weight (EW) perfluorinated ionomers is one of the few options available to improve membrane conductivity. However, excessive dimensional changes of low EW ionomers upon application of wet/dry or freeze/thaw cycles yield catastrophic losses in membrane integrity. Incorporation of ionomers within porous, dimensionally-stable perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates provides improved PEM performance and longevity. The present invention provides novel methods using micromolds to fabricate the perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates. These novel methodsmore » using micromolds create uniform and well-defined pore structures. In addition, these novel methods using micromolds described herein may be used in batch or continuous processing.« less

  4. Structures and fabrication techniques for solid state electrochemical devices

    DOEpatents

    Visco, Steven J.; Jacobson, Craig P.; DeJonghe, Lutgard C.

    2006-10-10

    Low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures provide solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one aspect the invention provides techniques for co-firing of device substrate (often an electrode) with an electrolyte or membrane layer to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another aspect, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe and Cu, or alloys thereof.

  5. Switchable silver mirrors with long memory effects† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4sc01912a Click here for additional data file. Click here for additional data file.

    PubMed Central

    Park, Chihyun; Seo, Seogjae; Shin, Haijin; Sarwade, Bhimrao D.; Na, Jongbeom

    2015-01-01

    An electrochemically stable and bistable switchable mirror was achieved for the first time by introducing (1) a thiol-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode for the stabilization of the metallic film and (2) ionic liquids as an anion-blocking layer, to achieve a long memory effect. The growth of the metallic film was denser and faster at the thiol-modified ITO electrode than at a bare ITO electrode. The electrochemical stability of the metallic film on the thiol-modified ITO was enhanced, maintaining the metallic state without rupture. In the voltage-off state, the metal film maintained bistability for a long period (>2 h) when ionic liquids were introduced as electrolytes for the switchable mirror. The electrical double layer in the highly viscous ionic liquid electrolyte seemed to effectively form a barrier to the bromide ions, to protect the metal thin film from them when in the voltage-off state. PMID:28936310

  6. Use of Repeated Fluoropolymer Suspensions to Obtain Composite Electrochemical Coating Based on Zinc

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Musikhina, T. A.; Zemtsova, E. A.; Fuks, C. L.

    2017-11-01

    This article deals with the issues of utilization of the waste products of fluoropolymers, namely, the suspensions of fluoroplasts that have lost their consumer properties. Such waste is recommended to be used as a filler of zinc coatings to provide increased corrosion resistance. Using the method of mathematical planning of the experiment, the authors establish the optimal compositions of galvanizing chloride-ammonium electrolytes to obtain the corrosion-resistant composite electrochemical coatings (CEC) of zinc-fluoropolymer. As a result, coatings with a finely crystalline structure were obtained differing in the distribution pattern on the surface of the samples and depending on the variation in the zinc concentration in the electrolytes. The samples of steel reinforcement with the zinc-fluoropolymer coating were tested on corrosion resistance. The increase of anticorrosive properties in CEC zinc-fluoropolymer and a slight decrease in microhardness were indicated.

  7. Determination of Thermodynamic Properties of Alkaline Earth-liquid Metal Alloys Using the Electromotive Force Technique

    PubMed Central

    Nigl, Thomas P.; Smith, Nathan D.; Lichtenstein, Timothy; Gesualdi, Jarrod; Kumar, Kuldeep; Kim, Hojong

    2017-01-01

    A novel electrochemical cell based on a CaF2 solid-state electrolyte has been developed to measure the electromotive force (emf) of binary alkaline earth-liquid metal alloys as functions of both composition and temperature in order to acquire thermodynamic data. The cell consists of a chemically stable solid-state CaF2-AF2 electrolyte (where A is the alkaline-earth element such as Ca, Sr, or Ba), with binary A-B alloy (where B is the liquid metal such as Bi or Sb) working electrodes, and a pure A metal reference electrode. Emf data are collected over a temperature range of 723 K to 1,123 K in 25 K increments for multiple alloy compositions per experiment and the results are analyzed to yield activity values, phase transition temperatures, and partial molar entropies/enthalpies for each composition. PMID:29155770

  8. The electrolyte challenge for a direct methanol-air polymer electrolyte fuel cell operating at temperatures up to 200 C

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Savinell, Robert; Yeager, Ernest; Tryk, Donald; Landau, Uziel; Wainright, Jesse; Gervasio, Dominic; Cahan, Boris; Litt, Morton; Rogers, Charles; Scherson, Daniel

    1993-01-01

    Novel polymer electrolytes are being evaluated for use in a direct methanol-air fuel cell operating at temperatures in excess of 100 C. The evaluation includes tests of thermal stability, ionic conductivity, and vapor transport characteristics. The preliminary results obtained to date indicate that a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell is feasible. For example, Nafion 117 when equilibrated with phosphoric acid has a conductivity of at least 0.4 Omega(exp -1)cm(exp -1) at temperatures up to 200 C in the presence of 400 torr of water vapor and methanol vapor cross over equivalent to 1 mA/cm(exp 2) under a one atmosphere methanol pressure differential at 135 C. Novel polymers are also showing similar encouraging results. The flexibility to modify and optimize the properties by custom synthesis of these novel polymers presents an exciting opportunity to develop an efficient and compact methanol fuel cell.

  9. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fauzi, Iqbal, E-mail: arcana@chem.itb.ac.id; Arcana, I Made, E-mail: arcana@chem.itb.ac.id

    Recently, the need of secondary battery application continues to increase. The secondary battery which using a liquid electrolyte was indicated had some weakness. A solid polymer electrolyte is an alternative electrolytes membrane which developed in order to replace the liquid electrolyte type. In the present study, the effect of phosphorylation on to polymer electrolyte membrane which synthesized from chitosan and lithium perchlorate salts was investigated. The effect of the component’s composition respectively on the properties of polymer electrolyte, was carried out by analyzed of it’s characterization such as functional groups, ion conductivity, and thermal properties. The mechanical properties i.e tensilemore » resistance and the morphology structure of membrane surface were determined. The phosphorylation processing of polymer electrolyte membrane of chitosan and lithium perchlorate was conducted by immersing with phosphoric acid for 2 hours, and then irradiated on a microwave for 60 seconds. The degree of deacetylation of chitosan derived from shrimp shells was obtained around 75.4%. Relative molecular mass of chitosan was obtained by viscometry method is 796,792 g/mol. The ionic conductivity of chitosan membrane was increase from 6.33 × 10{sup −6} S/cm up to 6.01 × 10{sup −4} S/cm after adding by 15 % solution of lithium perchlorate. After phosphorylation, the ionic conductivity of phosphorylated lithium chitosan membrane was observed 1.37 × 10{sup −3} S/cm, while the tensile resistance of 40.2 MPa with a better thermal resistance. On the strength of electrolyte membrane properties, this polymer electrolyte membrane was suggested had one potential used for polymer electrolyte in field of lithium battery applications.« less

  10. Electrochemical Preparation of Polyaniline Nanowires with the Used Electrolyte Solution Treated with the Extraction Process and Their Electrochemical Performance.

    PubMed

    Wu, Ying; Wang, Jixiao; Ou, Bin; Zhao, Song; Wang, Zhi; Wang, Shichang

    2018-02-12

    Electrochemical polymerization of aniline is one of the most promising methods to prepare polyaniline (PANI) materials. However, during this process, the electrolyte solution must be replaced after electropolymerization of a certain time because of the generation and the accumulation of the by-products, which have significant effects on the morphology, purity and properties of PANI products. Treatment and recycling of the used electrolyte solution are worthwhile to study to reduce the high treatment cost of the used electrolyte solution containing aniline and its polymerization by-products. Here, the composition of the used electrolyte solution was separated and determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) in the range of ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) light. The analysis results revealed that the used electrolyte solution consisted of aniline, p-hydroquinone (HQ), p-benzoquinone (BQ), co-oligomers of aniline and p-benzoquinone (CAB) and acid. Then, n-octanol and 2-octanone were selected as extracts to remove HQ, BQ and CAB from the used electrolyte solution. Following that, the recycled electrolyte solution was prepared by adjusting the concentration of aniline and acid of the aqueous phase, and the electrochemical polymerization process was conducted. Finally, the obtained PANI was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical methods. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that the morphology and specific capacitance of PANI produced from the recycled electrolyte solution can be recovered completely. This research paves the way for reusing the used electrolyte solution for aniline electrochemical polymerization.

  11. Electrochemical Preparation of Polyaniline Nanowires with the Used Electrolyte Solution Treated with the Extraction Process and Their Electrochemical Performance

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Ying; Wang, Jixiao; Ou, Bin; Zhao, Song; Wang, Zhi; Wang, Shichang

    2018-01-01

    Electrochemical polymerization of aniline is one of the most promising methods to prepare polyaniline (PANI) materials. However, during this process, the electrolyte solution must be replaced after electropolymerization of a certain time because of the generation and the accumulation of the by-products, which have significant effects on the morphology, purity and properties of PANI products. Treatment and recycling of the used electrolyte solution are worthwhile to study to reduce the high treatment cost of the used electrolyte solution containing aniline and its polymerization by-products. Here, the composition of the used electrolyte solution was separated and determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) in the range of ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) light. The analysis results revealed that the used electrolyte solution consisted of aniline, p-hydroquinone (HQ), p-benzoquinone (BQ), co-oligomers of aniline and p-benzoquinone (CAB) and acid. Then, n-octanol and 2-octanone were selected as extracts to remove HQ, BQ and CAB from the used electrolyte solution. Following that, the recycled electrolyte solution was prepared by adjusting the concentration of aniline and acid of the aqueous phase, and the electrochemical polymerization process was conducted. Finally, the obtained PANI was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical methods. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that the morphology and specific capacitance of PANI produced from the recycled electrolyte solution can be recovered completely. This research paves the way for reusing the used electrolyte solution for aniline electrochemical polymerization. PMID:29439514

  12. Cobalt doped lanthanum chromite material suitable for high temperature use

    DOEpatents

    Ruka, Roswell J.

    1986-01-01

    A high temperature, solid electrolyte electrochemical cell, subject to thermal cycling temperatures of between about 25.degree. C. and about 1200.degree. C., capable of electronic interconnection to at least one other electrochemical cell and capable of operating in an environment containing oxygen and a fuel, is made; where the cell has a first and second electrode with solid electrolyte between them, where an improved interconnect material is applied along a portion of a supporting electrode; where the interconnect is made of a chemically modified lanthanum chromite, containing cobalt as the important additive, which interconnect allows for adjustment of the thermal expansion of the interconnect material to more nearly match that of other cell components, such as zirconia electrolyte, and is stable in oxygen containing atmospheres such as air and in fuel environments.

  13. Atomic layer deposited lithium aluminum oxide: (In)dependency of film properties from pulsing sequence

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Miikkulainen, Ville, E-mail: ville.miikkulainen@helsinki.fi; Nilsen, Ola; Fjellvåg, Helmer

    Atomic layer deposition (ALD) holds markedly high potential of becoming the enabling method for achieving the three-dimensional all-solid-state thin-film lithium ion battery (LiB). One of the most crucial components in such a battery is the electrolyte that needs to hold both low electronic conductivity and at least fair lithium ion conductivity being at the same time pinhole free. To obtain these desired properties in an electrolyte film, one necessarily has to have a good control over the elemental composition of the deposited material. The present study reports on the properties of ALD lithium aluminum oxide (Li{sub x}Al{sub y}O{sub z}) thinmore » films. In addition to LiB electrolyte applications, Li{sub x}Al{sub y}O{sub z} is also a candidate low dielectric constant (low-k) etch stop and diffusion barrier material in nanoelectronics applications. The Li{sub x}Al{sub y}O{sub z} films were deposited employing trimethylaluminum-O{sub 3} and lithium tert-butoxide-H{sub 2}O for Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Li{sub 2}O/LiOH, respectively. The composition was aimed to be controlled by varying the pulsing ratio of those two binary oxide ALD cycles. The films were characterized by several methods for composition, crystallinity and phase, electrical properties, hardness, porosity, and chemical environment. Regardless of the applied pulsing ratio of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Li{sub 2}O/LiOH, all the studied ALD Li{sub x}Al{sub y}O{sub z} films of 200 and 400 nm in thickness were polycrystalline in the orthorhombic β-LiAlO{sub 2} phase and also very similar to each other with respect to composition and other studied properties. The results are discussed in the context of both fundamental ALD chemistry and applicability of the films as thin-film LiB electrolytes and low-k etch stop and diffusion barriers.« less

  14. Effects of CH3OH Addition on Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation of AZ31 Magnesium Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Yongyi; Chen, Li; Yan, Zongcheng; Zhang, Yalei

    2015-09-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) films on AZ31 magnesium alloys were prepared in alkaline silicate electrolytes (base electrolyte) with the addition of different volume concentrations of CH3OH, which was used to adjust the thickness of the vapor sheath. The compositions, morphologies, and thicknesses of ceramic layers formed with different CH3OH concentrations were determined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Corrosion behavior of the oxide films was evaluated in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization tests. PEO coatings mainly comprised Mg, MgO, and Mg2SiO4. The addition of CH3OH in base electrolytes affected the thickness, pores diameter, and Mg2SiO4 content in the films. The films formed in the electrolyte containing 12% CH3OH exhibited the highest thickness. The coatings formed in the electrolyte containing different concentrations of CH3OH exhibited similar corrosion resistance. The energy consumption of PEO markedly decreased upon the addition of CH3OH to the electrolytes. The result is helpful for energy saving in the PEO process. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21376088), the Project of Production, Education and Research, Guangdong Province and Ministry of Education (Nos. 2012B09100063, 2012A090300015), and Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan Projects of China (No. 2014Y2-00042)

  15. Organic-Silica Interactions in Saline: Elucidating the Structural Influence of Calcium in Low-Salinity Enhanced Oil Recovery.

    PubMed

    Desmond, J L; Juhl, K; Hassenkam, T; Stipp, S L S; Walsh, T R; Rodger, P M

    2017-09-08

    Enhanced oil recovery using low-salinity solutions to sweep sandstone reservoirs is a widely-practiced strategy. The mechanisms governing this remain unresolved. Here, we elucidate the role of Ca 2+ by combining chemical force microscopy (CFM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We probe the influence of electrolyte composition and concentration on the adsorption of a representative molecule, positively-charged alkylammonium, at the aqueous electrolyte/silica interface, for four electrolytes: NaCl, KCl, MgCl 2 , and CaCl 2 . CFM reveals stronger adhesion on silica in CaCl 2 compared with the other electrolytes, and shows a concentration-dependent adhesion not observed for the other electrolytes. Using MD simulations, we model the electrolytes at a negatively-charged amorphous silica substrate and predict the adsorption of methylammonium. Our simulations reveal four classes of surface adsorption site, where the prevalence of these sites depends only on CaCl 2 concentration. The sites relevant to strong adhesion feature the O - silica site and Ca 2+ in the presence of associated Cl - , which gain prevalence at higher CaCl 2 concentration. Our simulations also predict the adhesion force profile to be distinct for CaCl 2 compared with the other electrolytes. Together, these analyses explain our experimental data. Our findings indicate in general how silica wettability may be manipulated by electrolyte concentration.

  16. Solid lithium ion conducting electrolytes and methods of preparation

    DOEpatents

    Narula, Chaitanya K; Daniel, Claus

    2013-05-28

    A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.

  17. Solid lithium ion conducting electrolytes and methods of preparation

    DOEpatents

    Narula, Chaitanya K.; Daniel, Claus

    2015-11-19

    A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.

  18. Conductive polymeric compositions for lithium batteries

    DOEpatents

    Angell, Charles A [Mesa, AZ; Xu, Wu [Tempe, AZ

    2009-03-17

    Novel chain polymers comprising weakly basic anionic moieties chemically bound into a polyether backbone at controllable anionic separations are presented. Preferred polymers comprise orthoborate anions capped with dibasic acid residues, preferably oxalato or malonato acid residues. The conductivity of these polymers is found to be high relative to that of most conventional salt-in-polymer electrolytes. The conductivity at high temperatures and wide electrochemical window make these materials especially suitable as electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries.

  19. A Synopsis of Interfacial Phenomena in Lithium-Based Polymer Electrolyte Electrochemical Cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baldwin, Richard S.; Bennett, William R.

    2007-01-01

    The interfacial regions between electrode materials, electrolytes and other cell components play key roles in the overall performance of lithium-based batteries. For cell chemistries employing lithium metal, lithium alloy or carbonaceous materials (i.e., lithium-ion cells) as anode materials, a "solid electrolyte interphase" (SEI) layer forms at the anode/electrolyte interface, and the properties of this "passivating" layer significantly affect the practical cell/battery quality and performance. A thin, ionically-conducting SEI on the electrode surface can beneficially reduce or eliminate undesirable side reactions between the electrode and the electrolyte, which can result in a degradation in cell performance. The properties and phenomena attributable to the interfacial regions existing at both anode and cathode surfaces can be characterized to a large extent by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and related techniques. The intention of the review herewith is to support the future development of lithium-based polymer electrolytes by providing a synopsis of interfacial phenomena that is associated with cell chemistries employing either lithium metal or carbonaceous "composite" electrode structures which are interfaced with polymer electrolytes (i.e., "solvent-free" as well as "plasticized" polymer-binary salt complexes and single ion-conducting polyelectrolytes). Potential approaches to overcoming poor cell performance attributable to interfacial effects are discussed.

  20. Method of fabricating a monolithic core for a solid oxide fuela cell

    DOEpatents

    Zwick, S.A.; Ackerman, J.P.

    1983-10-12

    A method is disclosed for forming a core for use in a solid oxide fuel cell that electrochemically combines fuel and oxidant for generating galvanic output. The core has an array of electrolyte and interconnect walls that are substantially devoid of any composite inert materials for support consisting instead only of the active anode, cathode, electrolyte and interconnect materials. Each electrolyte wall consists of cathode and anode materials sandwiching electrolyte material therebetween, and each interconnect wall consists of the cathode and anode materials sandwiching interconnect material therebetween. The electrolyte and interconnect walls define a plurality of substantially parallel core passageways alternately having respectively the inside faces thereof with only the anode material or with only the cathode material exposed. In the wall structure, the electrolyte and interconnect materials are only 0.002 to 0.01 cm thick; and the cathode and anode materials are only 0.002 to 0.05 cm thick. The method consists of building up the electrolyte and interconnect walls by depositing each material on individually and endwise of the wall itself, where each material deposit is sequentially applied for one cycle; and where the depositing cycle is repeated many times until the material buildup is sufficient to formulate the core. The core is heat cured to become dimensionally and structurally stable.

  1. Method of fabricating a monolithic core for a solid oxide fuel cell

    DOEpatents

    Zwick, Stanley A.; Ackerman, John P.

    1985-01-01

    A method is disclosed for forming a core for use in a solid oxide fuel cell that electrochemically combines fuel and oxidant for generating galvanic output. The core has an array of electrolyte and interconnect walls that are substantially devoid of any composite inert materials for support consisting instead only of the active anode, cathode, electrolyte and interconnect materials. Each electrolyte wall consists of cathode and anode materials sandwiching electrolyte material therebetween, and each interconnect wall consists of the cathode and anode materials sandwiching interconnect material therebetween. The electrolyte and interconnect walls define a plurality of substantially parallel core passageways alternately having respectively the inside faces thereof with only the anode material or with only the cathode material exposed. In the wall structure, the electrolyte and interconnect materials are only 0.002-0.01 cm thick; and the cathode and anode materials are only 0.002-0.05 cm thick. The method consists of building up the electrolyte and interconnect walls by depositing each material on individually and endwise of the wall itself, where each material deposit is sequentially applied for one cycle; and where the depositing cycle is repeated many times until the material buildup is sufficient to formulate the core. The core is heat cured to become dimensionally and structurally stable.

  2. Heat transfer and thermal management studies of lithium polymer batteries for electric vehicle applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Li

    The thermal conductivities of the polymer electrolyte and composite cathode are important parameters characterizing heat transport in lithium polymer batteries. The thermal conductivities of lithium polymer electrolytes, including poly-ethylene oxide (PEO), PEO-LiClO4, PEO-LiCF3SO 3, PEO-LiN(CF3SO2)2, PEO-LiC(CF 3SO2)3, and the thermal conductivities of TiS 2 and V6O13 composite cathodes, were measured over the temperature range from 25°C to 150°C by a guarded heat flow meter. The thermal conductivities of the electrolytes were found to be relatively constant for the temperature and for electrolytes with various concentrations of the lithium salt. The thermal conductivities of the composite cathodes were found to increase with the temperature below the melting temperature of the polymer electrolyte and only slightly increase above the melting temperature. Three different lithium polymer cells, including Li/PEO-LiCF3 S O3/TiS2, Li/PEO-LiC(CF3 S O2)3/V6 O13, and Li/PEO-LiN(CF3 S O2)2/ Li1+x Mn2 O4 were prepared and their discharge curves, along with heat generation rates, were measured at various galvanostatic discharge current densities, and at different temperature (70°C, 80°C and 90°C), by a potentiostat/galvanostat and an isothermal microcalorimeter. The thermal stability of a lithium polymer battery was examined by a linear perturbation analysis. In contrast to the thermal conductivity, the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolytes for lithium-polymer cell increases greatly with increasing temperature, an instability could arise from this temperature dependence. The numerical calculations, using a two dimensional thermal model, were carried out for constant potential drop across the electrolyte, for constant mean current density and for constant mean cell output power. The numerical calculations were approximately in agreement with the linear perturbation analysis. A coupled mathematical model, including electrochemical and thermal components, was developed to study the heat transfer and thermal management of lithium polymer batteries. The results calculated from the model, including temperature distributions, and temperatures at different stages of discharge are significantly different from those calculated from the thermal model. The discharge curves and heat generation rates calculated by the electrochemical-thermal model were in agreement with the experimental results. Different thermal management approaches, including a variable conductance insulation enclosure were studied.

  3. Lipid Profile and Electrolyte Composition in Diabetic Rats Treated With Leaf Extract of Musa sapientum.

    PubMed

    Adewoye, E O; Ige, A O

    2016-01-01

    Diabetes mellitus affects lipid levels resulting in diabetic dyslipidemia as well as electrolyte loss from the body. Musa sapientum has been reported to possess antidiabetic properties. This study assessed the lipid profile and electrolyte composition in alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with methanol leaf extract of M. sapientum (cMEMSL). Diabetes was induced with alloxan (120 mg/kg i.p.). Seventy-five male albino rats were divided into 5 groups of 15 rats each. Group 1 was control; groups 2-5 were made diabetic and treated with 0.2 ml 0.9% NaCl, cMEMSL (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg), and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), respectively, for 14 days. Blood samples were obtained from the retro orbital sinus after light anesthesia from 5 animals in each group on days 2, 7, and 14 for lipids and electrolyte analysis. Lipid profile of diabetic treated (cMEMSL and glibenclamide) animals showed significant reduction (p < .05) in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) level in the treatment groups increased significantly (p < .05) compared with diabetic untreated. Sodium, potassium, and phosphate ions significantly increased in all diabetic treatment groups while chloride ion significantly decreased compared with diabetic untreated. There was no significant difference in calcium and bicarbonate ion concentration in all the groups. This study has showed additional properties of Musa sapientum to include its ability to restore electrolyte balance, reduce cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and increase the HDL levels in diabetic animals.

  4. Fabrication and photoelectrochemical properties of ZnS/Au/TiO2 nanotube array films.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Yan-Feng; Zhang, Juan; Xu, Lu; Guo, Ya; Wang, Xiao-Ping; Du, Rong-Gui; Lin, Chang-Jian

    2013-03-21

    A highly ordered TiO(2) nanotube array film was fabricated by an anodic oxidation method. The film was modified by Au nanoparticles (NPs) formed by a deposition-precipitation technique and was covered with a thin ZnS shell prepared by a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The photoelectrochemical properties of the prepared ZnS/Au/TiO(2) composite film were evaluated by incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), and photopotential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements under white light illumination. The results indicated that the Au NPs could expand the light sensitivity range of the film and suppress the electron-hole recombination, and the ZnS shell could inhibit the leakage of photogenerated electrons from the surface of Au NPs to the ZnS/electrolyte interface. When the 403 stainless steel in a 0.5 M NaCl solution was coupled to the ZnS/Au/TiO(2) nanotube film photoanode under illumination, its potential decreased by 400 mV, showing that the composite film had a better photocathodic protection effect on the steel than that of a pure TiO(2) nanotube film.

  5. Enhanced electrokinetic properties and antimicrobial activities of biodegradable chitosan/organo-bentonite composites.

    PubMed

    Cabuk, Mehmet; Alan, Yusuf; Unal, H Ibrahim

    2017-04-01

    In this study, chitosan (CS), Na + -bentonite (Na + -BNT) and chitosan/organo-bentonite (CS/O-BNT) biodegradable composites having three different compositions were investigated. Electrokinetic measurements were examined in aqueous medium by taking the effects pH, electrolytes (NaCl and BaCl 2 ), surfactants (CTAB and SDS), and temperature into account. It was noticed that the initial ζ-potential of Na + -BNT shifted from negative (ζ=-35mV) to positive region (ζ=+13mV) with increasing polycationic CS content in the composite structure as aimed. Divalent 2:1 electrolyte (BaCl 2 ) caused to shift the ζ-potentials of all the dispersions to more positive regions. While the most negative effect on ζ-potential of the composites was reached with SDS, which reduced the value of ζ-potential to -39mV for CS(1)/O-BNT composite, the most positive effect was monitored with CTAB (ζ=+40mV) for CS(3)/O-BNT composite. Further, the composites were tested against various bacterial (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) and fungal microorganisms at various concentrations and results obtained were compared with the reference antibiotics and fungicide. According to inhibition zone values accomplished, antibacterial and antifungal activities of the CS/O-BNT composites are increased with increasing CS content as proportional with their positive ζ-potential values. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Directing the Lithium-Sulfur Reaction Pathway via Sparingly Solvating Electrolytes for High Energy Density Batteries.

    PubMed

    Lee, Chang-Wook; Pang, Quan; Ha, Seungbum; Cheng, Lei; Han, Sang-Don; Zavadil, Kevin R; Gallagher, Kevin G; Nazar, Linda F; Balasubramanian, Mahalingam

    2017-06-28

    The lithium-sulfur battery has long been seen as a potential next generation battery chemistry for electric vehicles owing to the high theoretical specific energy and low cost of sulfur. However, even state-of-the-art lithium-sulfur batteries suffer from short lifetimes due to the migration of highly soluble polysulfide intermediates and exhibit less than desired energy density due to the required excess electrolyte. The use of sparingly solvating electrolytes in lithium-sulfur batteries is a promising approach to decouple electrolyte quantity from reaction mechanism, thus creating a pathway toward high energy density that deviates from the current catholyte approach. Herein, we demonstrate that sparingly solvating electrolytes based on compact, polar molecules with a 2:1 ratio of a functional group to lithium salt can fundamentally redirect the lithium-sulfur reaction pathway by inhibiting the traditional mechanism that is based on fully solvated intermediates. In contrast to the standard catholyte sulfur electrochemistry, sparingly solvating electrolytes promote intermediate- and short-chain polysulfide formation during the first third of discharge, before disproportionation results in crystalline lithium sulfide and a restricted fraction of soluble polysulfides which are further reduced during the remaining discharge. Moreover, operation at intermediate temperatures ca. 50 °C allows for minimal overpotentials and high utilization of sulfur at practical rates. This discovery opens the door to a new wave of scientific inquiry based on modifying the electrolyte local structure to tune and control the reaction pathway of many precipitation-dissolution chemistries, lithium-sulfur and beyond.

  7. Steric effects in the dynamics of electrolytes at large applied voltages. II. Modified Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations.

    PubMed

    Kilic, Mustafa Sabri; Bazant, Martin Z; Ajdari, Armand

    2007-02-01

    In situations involving large potentials or surface charges, the Poisson-Boltzman (PB) equation has shortcomings because it neglects ion-ion interactions and steric effects. This has been widely recognized by the electrochemistry community, leading to the development of various alternative models resulting in different sets "modified PB equations," which have had at least qualitative success in predicting equilibrium ion distributions. On the other hand, the literature is scarce in terms of descriptions of concentration dynamics in these regimes. Here, adapting strategies developed to modify the PB equation, we propose a simple modification of the widely used Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations for ionic transport, which at least qualitatively accounts for steric effects. We analyze numerical solutions of these modified PNP equations on the model problem of the charging of a simple electrolyte cell, and compare the outcome to that of the standard PNP equations. Finally, we repeat the asymptotic analysis of Bazant, Thornton, and Ajdari [Phys. Rev. E 70, 021506 (2004)] for this new system of equations to further document the interest and limits of validity of the simpler equivalent electrical circuit models introduced in Part I [Kilic, Bazant, and Ajdari, Phys. Rev. E 75, 021502 (2007)] for such problems.

  8. Investigations into the structure of PEO-layers for understanding of layer formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Friedemann, A. E. R.; Thiel, K.; Haßlinger, U.; Ritter, M.; Gesing, Th. M.; Plagemann, P.

    2018-06-01

    Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a type of high-voltage anodic oxidation process capable of producing a thick oxide layer with a wide variety of structural and chemical properties influenced by the electrolytic system. This process enables the combined adjustment of various characteristics, i.e. the morphology and chemical composition. The procedure facilitates the possibility of generating an individual structure as well as forming a crystalline surface in a single step. A highly porous surface with a high crystalline content consisting of titanium dioxide phases is ensured through the process of plasma electrolytic oxidizing pure titanium. In the present study plasma electrolytic oxidized TiO2-layers were investigated regarding their crystallinity through the layer thickness. The layers were prepared with a high applied voltage of 280 V to obtain a PEO-layer with highly crystalline anatase and rutile amounts. Raman spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were selected to clarify the structure of the oxide layer with regard to its crystallinity and phase composition. The composition of the TiO2-phases is more or less irregularly distributed as a result of the higher energy input on the uppermost side of the layer. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) provided a deeper understanding of the structure and the effects of plasma discharges on the layer. It was observed that the plasma discharges have a strong influence on crystallite formation on top of the oxide layer and also at the boundary layer to the titanium substrate. Therefore, small crystallites of TiO2 could be detected in these regions. In addition, it was shown that amorphous TiO2 phases are formed around the characteristic pore structures, which allows the conclusion to be drawn that a rapid cooling from the gas phase had to take place in these areas.

  9. Sweating Rate and Sweat Sodium Concentration in Athletes: A Review of Methodology and Intra/Interindividual Variability.

    PubMed

    Baker, Lindsay B

    2017-03-01

    Athletes lose water and electrolytes as a consequence of thermoregulatory sweating during exercise and it is well known that the rate and composition of sweat loss can vary considerably within and among individuals. Many scientists and practitioners conduct sweat tests to determine sweat water and electrolyte losses of athletes during practice and competition. The information gleaned from sweat testing is often used to guide personalized fluid and electrolyte replacement recommendations for athletes; however, unstandardized methodological practices and challenging field conditions can produce inconsistent/inaccurate results. The primary objective of this paper is to provide a review of the literature regarding the effect of laboratory and field sweat-testing methodological variations on sweating rate (SR) and sweat composition (primarily sodium concentration [Na + ]). The simplest and most accurate method to assess whole-body SR is via changes in body mass during exercise; however, potential confounding factors to consider are non-sweat sources of mass change and trapped sweat in clothing. In addition, variability in sweat [Na + ] can result from differences in the type of collection system used (whole body or localized), the timing/duration of sweat collection, skin cleaning procedure, sample storage/handling, and analytical technique. Another aim of this paper is to briefly review factors that may impact intra/interindividual variability in SR and sweat [Na + ] during exercise, including exercise intensity, environmental conditions, heat acclimation, aerobic capacity, body size/composition, wearing of protective equipment, sex, maturation, aging, diet, and/or hydration status. In summary, sweat testing can be a useful tool to estimate athletes' SR and sweat Na + loss to help guide fluid/electrolyte replacement strategies, provided that data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted appropriately.

  10. Mixtures of glyme and aprotic-protic ionic liquids as electrolytes for energy storage devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stettner, T.; Huang, P.; Goktas, M.; Adelhelm, P.; Balducci, A.

    2018-05-01

    Ionic liquids (ILs) have been proven to be promising electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries. In the last years, due to deficiency in storage of lithium on earth, innovative systems, such as sodium-based devices, attracted considerable attention. IL-based electrolytes have been proposed also as electrolytes for these devices. Nevertheless, in the case of these systems, the advantages and limits of IL-based electrolytes need to be further investigated. In this work we report an investigation about the chemical-physical properties of mixtures containing bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether diglyme (2G), which is presently considered as one of the most interesting solvents for sodium-based devices, and the ionic liquids 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Pyr14TFSI) and 1-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PyrH4TFSI). The conductivities, viscosities, and densities of several mixtures of 2G and these ILs have been investigated. Furthermore, their impact on the electrochemical behaviour of activated carbon composite electrodes has been considered. The results of this investigation indicate that these mixtures are promising electrolytes for the realization of advanced sodium-based devices.

  11. Stable, fast and high-energy-density LiCoO2 cathode at high operation voltage enabled by glassy B2O3 modification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Aijun; Wang, Weihang; Liu, Qin; Wang, Yi; Yao, Xu; Qing, Fangzhu; Li, Enzhu; Yang, Tingting; Zhang, Long; Li, Jingze

    2017-09-01

    In this work, commercial LiCoO2 is modified with a glassy B2O3 by solution mixing with H3BO3 followed by post-calcination in order to enhance its high-voltage electrochemical performance. The glassy B2O3 coating/additive is believed to serve as an effective physiochemical buffer and protection between LiCoO2 and liquid electrolyte, which can suppress the high-voltage induced electrolyte decomposition and active material dissolution. During the early cycling and due to the electrochemical force, the as-coated B2O3 glasses which have 3D open frameworks tend to accommodate some mobile Li+ and form a more chemically-resistant and ion-conductive lithium boron oxide (LBO) interphase as a major component of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which consequently enables much easier Li+ diffusion/transfer at the solid-liquid interfaces upon further cycling. Due to the synergetic effects of B2O3 coating/modification, the high-voltage capacity and energy density of the B2O3-modified LiCoO2 cathode are promisingly improved by 35% and 30% after 100 cycles at 1 C within 3.0-4.5 V vs. Li/Li+. Meanwhile, the high-rate performance of the B2O3-modified electrode is even more greatly improved, showing a capacity of 105 mAh g-1 at 10 C while the bare electrode has dropped to no more than 30 mAh g-1 under this rate condition.

  12. Composite electrode/electrolyte structure

    DOEpatents

    Visco, Steven J.; Jacobson, Craig P.; DeJonghe, Lutgard C.

    2004-01-27

    Provided is an electrode fabricated from highly electronically conductive materials such as metals, metal alloys, or electronically conductive ceramics. The electronic conductivity of the electrode substrate is maximized. Onto this electrode in the green state, a green ionic (e.g., electrolyte) film is deposited and the assembly is co-fired at a temperature suitable to fully densify the film while the substrate retains porosity. Subsequently, a catalytic material is added to the electrode structure by infiltration of a metal salt and subsequent low temperature firing. The invention allows for an electrode with high electronic conductivity and sufficient catalytic activity to achieve high power density in ionic (electrochemical) devices such as fuel cells and electrolytic gas separation systems.

  13. Buried anode lithium thin film battery and process for forming the same

    DOEpatents

    Lee, Se-Hee; Tracy, C. Edwin; Liu, Ping

    2004-10-19

    A reverse configuration, lithium thin film battery (300) having a buried lithium anode layer (305) and process for making the same. The present invention is formed from a precursor composite structure (200) made by depositing electrolyte layer (204) onto substrate (201), followed by sequential depositions of cathode layer (203) and current collector (202) on the electrolyte layer. The precursor is subjected to an activation step, wherein a buried lithium anode layer (305) is formed via electroplating a lithium anode layer at the interface of substrate (201) and electrolyte film (204). The electroplating is accomplished by applying a current between anode current collector (201) and cathode current collector (202).

  14. Fuel cells with doped lanthanum gallate electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Feng, Man; Goodenough, John B.; Huang, Keqin; Milliken, Christopher

    Single cells with doped lanthanum gallate electrolyte material were constructed and tested from 600 to 800°C. Both ceria and the electrolyte material were mixed with NiO powder respectively to form composite anodes. Doped lanthanum cobaltite was used exclusively as the cathode material. While high power density from the solid oxide fuel cells at 800°C was achieved. our results clearly indicate that anode overpotential is the dominant factor in the power loss of the cells. Better anode materials and anode processing methods need to be found to fully utilize the high ionic conductivity of the doped lanthanum galiate and achieve higher power density at 800°C from solid oxide fuel cells.

  15. Electrochemical behavior of platinum nanoparticles on a carbon xerogel support modified with a [(trifluoromethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]imide electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Liu, Bing; Mei, Hua; DesMarteau, Darryl; Creager, Stephen E

    2014-12-11

    A monoprotic [(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonyl]imide (SI) superacid electrolyte was used to covalently modify a mesoporous carbon xerogel (CX) support via reaction of the corresponding trifluoromethyl aryl sulfonimide diazonium zwitterion with the carbon surface. Electrolyte attachment was demonstrated by elemental analysis, acid-base titration, and thermogravimetric analysis. The ion-exchange capacity of the fluoroalkyl-aryl-sulfonimide-grafted carbon xerogel (SI-CX) was ∼0.18 mequiv g(-1), as indicated by acid-base titration. Platinum nanoparticles were deposited onto the SI-grafted carbon xerogel samples by the impregnation and reduction method, and these materials were employed to fabricate polyelectrolyte membrane fuel-cell (PEMFC) electrodes by the decal transfer method. The SI-grafted carbon-xerogel-supported platinum (Pt/SI-CX) was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to determine platinum nanoparticle size and distribution, and the findings are compared with CX-supported platinum catalyst without the grafted SI electrolyte (Pt/CX). Platinum nanoparticle sizes are consistently larger on Pt/SI-CX than on Pt/CX. The electrochemically active surface area (ESA) of platinum catalyst on the Pt/SI-CX and Pt/CX samples was measured with ex situ cyclic voltammetry (CV) using both hydrogen adsorption/desorption and carbon monoxide stripping methods and by in situ CV within membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The ESA values for Pt/SI-CX are consistently lower than those for Pt/CX. Some possible reasons for the behavior of samples with and without grafted SI layers and implications for the possible use of SI-grafted carbon layers in PEMFC devices are discussed.

  16. Hybrid Metal/Electrolyte Monolithic Low Temperature SOFCs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-10-15

    Glasses , and Composites VII Ceramic Transactions, 154,131-140, (2003). 9. R. Oh, K. M. Hurysz, and J. K. Cochran, “Effects of Die Geometry and...Paste Rheology on Extrusion Pressure”, Innovative Processes/Synthesis: Ceramics, Glasses , and Composites VII, Ceramic Transactions, 154,153-163, (2003...Processes/Synthesis: Ceramics, Glasses , and Composites VII, Ceramic Transactions, 154, pp.165-175, (2003). 11. Jason H. Nadler, Thomas H. Sanders, Jr

  17. High-energy MnO2 nanowire/graphene and graphene asymmetric electrochemical capacitors.

    PubMed

    Wu, Zhong-Shuai; Ren, Wencai; Wang, Da-Wei; Li, Feng; Liu, Bilu; Cheng, Hui-Ming

    2010-10-26

    In order to achieve high energy and power densities, we developed a high-voltage asymmetric electrochemical capacitor (EC) based on graphene as negative electrode and a MnO(2) nanowire/graphene composite (MGC) as positive electrode in a neutral aqueous Na(2)SO(4) solution as electrolyte. MGC was prepared by solution-phase assembly of graphene sheets and α-MnO(2) nanowires. Such aqueous electrolyte-based asymmetric ECs can be cycled reversibly in the high-voltage region of 0-2.0 V and exhibit a superior energy density of 30.4 Wh kg(-1), which is much higher than those of symmetric ECs based on graphene//graphene (2.8 Wh kg(-1)) and MGC//MGC (5.2 Wh kg(-1)). Moreover, they present a high power density (5000 W kg(-1) at 7.0 Wh kg(-1)) and acceptable cycling performance of ∼79% retention after 1000 cycles. These findings open up the possibility of graphene-based composites for applications in safe aqueous electrolyte-based high-voltage asymmetric ECs with high energy and power densities.

  18. Solid-State Lithium Conductors for Lithium Metal Batteries Based on Electrospun Nanofiber/Plastic Crystal Composites.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Yundong; Wang, Xiaoen; Zhu, Haijin; Yoshizawa-Fujita, Masahiro; Miyachi, Yukari; Armand, Michel; Forsyth, Maria; Greene, George W; Pringle, Jennifer M; Howlett, Patrick C

    2017-08-10

    Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are a class of solid-state electrolytes with good thermal stability, non-flammability, non-volatility, and good electrochemical stability. When prepared in a composite with electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) nanofibers, a 1:1 mixture of the OIPC N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([C 2 mpyr][FSI]) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) produced a free-standing, robust solid-state electrolyte. These high-concentration Li-containing electrolyte membranes had a transference number of 0.37(±0.02) and supported stable lithium symmetric-cell cycling at a current density of 0.13 mA cm -2 . The effect of incorporating PVdF in the Li-containing plastic crystal was investigated for different ratios of PVdF and [Li][FSI]/[C 2 mpyr][FSI]. In addition, Li|LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 cells were prepared and cycled at ambient temperature and displayed a good rate performance and stability. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. Composite Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries: Ionic Liquids in APTES Crosslinked Polymers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tigelaar, Dean M.; Meador, Mary Ann B.; Bennett, William R.

    2007-01-01

    Solvent free polymer electrolytes were made consisting of Li(+) and pyrrolidinium salts of trifluoromethanesulfonimide added to a series of hyperbranched poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEO). The polymers were connected by triazine linkages and crosslinked by a sol-gel process to provide mechanical strength. The connecting PEO groups were varied to help understand the effects of polymer structure on electrolyte conductivity in the presence of ionic liquids. Polymers were also made that contain poly(dimethylsiloxane) groups, which provide increased flexibility without interacting with lithium ions. When large amounts of ionic liquid are added, there is little dependence of conductivity on the polymer structure. However, when smaller amounts of ionic liquid are added, the inherent conductivity of the polymer becomes a factor. These electrolytes are more conductive than those made with high molecular weight PEO imbibed with ionic liquids at ambient temperatures, due to the amorphous nature of the polymer.

  20. Solid oxide fuel cell having monolithic cross flow core and manifolding

    DOEpatents

    Poeppel, Roger B.; Dusek, Joseph T.

    1984-01-01

    This invention discloses a monolithic core construction having the flow passageways for the fuel and for the oxidant gases extended transverse to one another, whereby full face core manifolding can be achieved for these gases and their reaction products. The core construction provides that only anode material surround each fuel passageway and only cathode material surround each oxidant passageway, each anode and each cathode further sandwiching at spaced opposing sides electrolyte and interconnect materials to define electrolyte and interconnect walls. Webs of the cathode and anode material hold the electrolyte and interconnect walls spaced apart to define the flow passages. The composite anode and cathode wall structures are further alternately stacked on one another (with the separating electrolyte or interconnect material typically being a single common layer) whereby the fuel passageway and the oxidant passageways are disposed transverse to one another.

Top