scholarly journals Surface enrichment and diffusion enabling gradient-doping and coating of Ni-rich cathode toward Li-ion batteries

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifeng Yu ◽  
Yueqiang Cao ◽  
Long Chen ◽  
Yanjie Hu ◽  
Xuezhi Duan ◽  
...  

AbstractCritical barriers to layered Ni-rich cathode commercialisation include their rapid capacity fading and thermal runaway from crystal disintegration and their interfacial instability. Structure combines surface modification is the ultimate choice to overcome these. Here, a synchronous gradient Al-doped and LiAlO2-coated LiNi0.9Co0.1O2 cathode is designed and prepared by using an oxalate-assisted deposition and subsequent thermally driven diffusion method. Theoretical calculations, in situ X-ray diffraction results and finite-element simulation verify that Al3+ moves to the tetrahedral interstices prior to Ni2+ that eliminates the Li/Ni disorder and internal structure stress. The Li+-conductive LiAlO2 skin prevents electrolyte penetration of the boundaries and reduces side reactions. These help the Ni-rich cathode maintain a 97.4% cycle performance after 100 cycles, and a rapid charging ability of 127.7 mAh g−1 at 20 C. A 3.5-Ah pouch cell with the cathode and graphite anode showed more than a 500-long cycle life with only a 5.6% capacity loss.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 4949-4954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Won Park ◽  
Hyean-Yeol Park ◽  
Jukyoung Kang ◽  
Seok Kim ◽  
Yongju Jung

The use of carbon nanotube (CNT) films as a sulfur host is a promising approach to improve the sulfur loading and energy density of Li–S batteries. However, the inability to durably incorporate polysulfides within the cathode structure results in a limited cycle life. Herein, we propose a CNTbased sulfur cathode with carbon-coated ordered mesoporous silica (c-OMS) to overcome the cycle performance issue. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies on the c-OMS prepared in this work revealed that the wall surface of OMS was evenly coated with an extremely thin carbon layer. The sulfur-CNT cathode with c-OMS retained a remarkably improved capacity (942 mAh g−1) with excellent cycling stability (91%) after 100 cycles as well as significantly high sulfur utilization in the first cycle compared with the sulfur-CNT cathode with OMS. This result may stem from the surface property of c-OMS with high chemical affinity towards electrolyte solvents.


Author(s):  
Koji INAKA ◽  
Saori ICHIMIZU ◽  
Izumi YOSHIZAKI ◽  
Kiyohito KIHIRA ◽  
Elena G. LAVRENKO ◽  
...  

A series of space experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) associated with high-quality Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) in microgravity conditions can be considered as a unique and one of the best examples of fruitful collaboration between Japanese and Russian scientists and engineers in space, which includes also other ISS International Partners. X-ray diffraction is still the most powerful tool to determine the protein three dimensional structure necessary for Structure based drug design (SBDD). The major purpose of the experiment is to grow high quality protein crystals in microgravity for X-ray diffraction on Earth. Within one and a half decade, Japan and Russia have established an efficient process over PCG in space to support latest developments over drug design and structural biology. One of the keys for success of the experiment lies in how precisely pre-launch preparations are made. Japanese party provides flight equipment for crystallization and ensures the required environment to support the experiment aboard of the ISS’s Kibo module, and also mainly takes part of the experiment ground support such as protein sample characterization, purification, crystallization screening, and solution optimization for microgravity experiment. Russian party is responsible for integration of the flight items equipped with proteins and precipitants on board Russian transportation space vehicles (Soyuz or Progress), for delivery them at the ISS, transfer to Kibo module, and returning the experiments’ results back on Earth aboard Soyuz manned capsule. Due to close cooperation of the parties and solid organizational structure, samples can be launched at the ISS every half a year if the ground preparation goes smoothly. The samples are crystallized using counter diffusion method at 20 degree C for 1–2.5 months. After samples return, the crystals are carefully taken out from the capillary, and frozen for X-ray diffraction at SPring8 facility in Japan. Extensive support of researchers from both countries is also a part of this process. The paper analyses details of the PCG experiment scheme, unique and reliable technology of its execution, and contains examples of the application. Key words: International Space Station, Protein crystals, Microgravity, International collaboration.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Krylova ◽  
Mindaugas Andrulevičius

Copper sulfide layers were formed on polyamide PA 6 surface using the sorption-diffusion method. Polymer samples were immersed for 4 and 5 h in 0.15 mol⋅  solutions and acidified with HCl (0.1 mol⋅) at . After washing and drying, the samples were treated with Cu(I) salt solution. The samples were studied by UV/VIS, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. All methods confirmed that on the surface of the polyamide film a layer of copper sulfide was formed. The copper sulfide layers are indirect band-gap semiconductors. The values of are 1.25 and 1.3 eV for 4 h and 5 h sulfured PA 6 respectively. Copper XPS spectra analyses showed Cu(I) bonds only in deeper layers of the formed film, while in sulfur XPS S 2p spectra dominating sulfide bonds were found after cleaning the surface with ions. It has been established by the XRD method that, beside , the layer contains as well. For PA 6 initially sulfured 4 h, grain size forchalcocite, , was  nm and fordjurleite, , it was 54.17 nm. The sheet resistance of the obtained layer varies from 6300 to 102 .


Author(s):  
Natalia Pakharukova ◽  
Minna Tuittila ◽  
Sari Paavilainen ◽  
Anton Zavialov

The attachment of many Gram-negative pathogens to biotic and abiotic surfaces is mediated by fimbrial adhesins, which are assembledviathe classical, alternative and archaic chaperone–usher (CU) pathways. The archaic CU fimbrial adhesins have the widest phylogenetic distribution, yet very little is known about their structure and mechanism of assembly. To elucidate the biogenesis of archaic CU systems, structural analysis of the Csu fimbriae, which are used byAcinetobacter baumanniito form stable biofilms and cause nosocomial infection, was focused on. The major fimbriae subunit CsuA/B complexed with the CsuC chaperone was purified from the periplasm ofEscherichia colicells co-expressing CsuA/B and CsuC, and the complex was crystallized in PEG 3350 solution using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Selenomethionine-labelled CsuC–CsuA/B complex was purified and crystallized under the same conditions. The crystals diffracted to 2.40 Å resolution and belonged to the hexagonal space groupP6422, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 94.71,c = 187.05 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°. Initial phases were derived from a single anomalous diffraction (SAD) experiment using the selenomethionine derivative.


1994 ◽  
Vol 368 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Malaty ◽  
D. Singh ◽  
R. Schaeffer ◽  
S. Jansen ◽  
S. Lawrence

ABSTRACTStudies of the mixed-metal interface in metal impregnated alumina have indicated the possibility of much metal-metal and metal-substrate interaction. Studies were carried out on NiCu/Al2O3 system which was evaluated to develop a better understanding of the forces that drive modification of the catalytic selectivity of Ni in the presence of Cu. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Powder X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and theoretical calculations were carried out on this bimetallic system, using Ni,Ag/Al2O3 as a reference as Ni shows negligible electron perturbation on co-adsorbance with Ag onto alumina. XRD results indicate that gross modification of the electronic fields of Ni and Cu are due to direct coupling and intercalation into the alumina matrix. As a result of this phenomena, these materials may form a good base for the development of novel ceramics based on mixed-metal interactions where the intermetallic perturbations are driven by the substrate effects.


Author(s):  
Lei Han ◽  
Zheng Liu ◽  
Xinqi Liu ◽  
Dewen Qiu

The effector protein PevD1 from the pathogenic fungusVerticillium dahliaewas purified and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Native crystals appeared in a solution consisting of 4.0 Msodium formate. A native data set was collected at 1.9 Å resolution at 100 K using an in-house X-ray source. Because of the absence of useful methinione in the protein sequence, derivative crystals that contained iodine were obtained by soaking in 1.25 Mpotassium iodide, and a data set that contained anomalous signal was collected using the same X-ray facility at a wavelength of 1.54 Å. The single-wavelength anomalous dispersion method was used to successfully solve the structure based on the anomalous signal generated from iodine.


Author(s):  
Mateusz Gołdyn ◽  
Anna Komasa ◽  
Mateusz Pawlaczyk ◽  
Aneta Lewandowska ◽  
Elżbieta Bartoszak-Adamska

The study of various forms of pharmaceutical substances with specific physicochemical properties suitable for putting them on the market is one of the elements of research in the pharmaceutical industry. A large proportion of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) occur in the salt form. The use of an acidic coformer with a given structure and a suitable pK a value towards purine alkaloids containing a basic imidazole N atom can lead to salt formation. In this work, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid (26DHBA) was used for cocrystallization of theobromine (TBR) and caffeine (CAF). Two novel salts, namely, theobrominium 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate, C7H9N4O2 +·C7H5O4 − (I), and caffeinium 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate, C8H11N4O2 +·C7H5O4 − (II), were synthesized. Both salts were obtained independently by slow evaporation from solution, by neat grinding and also by microwave-assisted slurry cocrystallization. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements proved the formation of the new substances. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirmed proton transfer between the given alkaloid and 26DHBA, and the formation of N—H...O hydrogen bonds in both I and II. Unlike the caffeine cations in II, the theobromine cations in I are paired by noncovalent N—H...O=C interactions and a cyclic array is observed. As expected, the two hydroxy groups in the 26DHBA anion in both salts are involved in two intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds. C—H...O and π–π interactions further stabilize the crystal structures of both compounds. Steady-state UV–Vis spectroscopy showed changes in the water solubility of xanthines after ionizable complex formation. The obtained salts I and II were also characterized by theoretical calculations, Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy (FT–IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and elemental analysis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Hardouin Duparc ◽  
Clémentine Dimeck ◽  
Frank Schaper

Copper(II) complexes carrying pyridylmethyleneaminobenzoate or –propanoate ligands, LCuX, were prepared in one-pot reactions from pyridinecarboxaldehyde, aminobenzoic acid or β-alanine, and CuX2 (X = Cl, NO3, OAc, or OTf). All complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and formed either dimers, tetramers, or coordination polymers. Attempted preparation of the respective alkoxide complexes, LCu(OR), was unsuccessful, but use of LCuX/NaOMe mixtures in rac-lactide polymerization indicated under some conditions coordination–insertion polymerization via a copper alkoxide as the mechanism. The complexes performed poorly in rac-lactide polymerization, showing low activities (12 h to completion at 140 °C), low to moderate heterotacticity (Pr = 0.6–0.8), and poor polymer molecular weight control (intramolecular transesterification). They were competent catalysts for Chan–Evans–Lam couplings with phenylboronic acid, without any indication of side reactions such as deboration or aryl homocoupling. The complexes were active in undried methanol, without addition of base, ligand, or molecular sieves. Aniline, n-octylamine, and cyclohexylamine were coupled quantitatively under identical reaction conditions. There is only little influence of the anion on activities (less than a factor of 2) but a strong influence on induction periods. The complexes were not active in CEL coupling with alcohols, phenols, or alkylboronic acids.


Author(s):  
Fang Lu ◽  
Bei Zhang ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Ying Song ◽  
Gangxing Guo ◽  
...  

Phytases are phosphatases that hydrolyze phytates to less phosphorylatedmyo-inositol derivatives and inorganic phosphate. β-Propeller phytases, which are very diverse phytases with improved thermostability that are active at neutral and alkaline pH and have absolute substrate specificity, are ideal substitutes for other commercial phytases. PhyH-DI, a β-propeller phytase fromBacillussp. HJB17, was found to act synergistically with other single-domain phytases and can increase their efficiency in the hydrolysis of phytate. Crystals of native and selenomethionine-substituted PhyH-DI were obtained using the vapour-diffusion method in a condition consisting of 0.2 Msodium chloride, 0.1 MTris pH 8.5, 25%(w/v) PEG 3350 at 289 K. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 3.00 and 2.70 Å resolution, respectively, at 100 K. Native PhyH-DI crystals belonged to space groupC121, with unit-cell parametersa = 156.84,b = 45.54,c = 97.64 Å, α = 90.00, β = 125.86, γ = 90.00°. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules of PhyH-DI, with a corresponding Matthews coefficient of 2.17 Å3 Da−1and a solvent content of 43.26%. Crystals of selenomethionine-substituted PhyH-DI belonged to space groupC2221, with unit-cell parametersa = 94.71,b= 97.03,c= 69.16 Å, α = β = γ = 90.00°. The asymmetric unit contained one molecule of the protein, with a corresponding Matthews coefficient of 2.44 Å3 Da−1and a solvent content of 49.64%. Initial phases for PhyH-DI were obtained from SeMet SAD data sets. These data will be useful for further studies of the structure–function relationship of PhyH-DI.


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