scholarly journals From Allergens to Battery Anodes: Nature-Inspired, Pollen Derived Carbon Architectures for Room- and Elevated- Temperature Li-ion Storage

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialiang Tang ◽  
Vinodkumar Etacheri ◽  
Vilas G. Pol

Abstract The conversion of allergic pollen grains into carbon microstructures was carried out through a facile, one-step, solid-state pyrolysis process in an inert atmosphere. The as-prepared carbonaceous particles were further air activated at 300 °C and then evaluated as lithium ion battery anodes at room (25 °C) and elevated (50 °C) temperatures. The distinct morphologies of bee pollens and cattail pollens are resembled on the final architecture of produced carbons. Scanning Electron Microscopy images shows that activated bee pollen carbon (ABP) is comprised of spiky, brain-like and tiny spheres; while activated cattail pollen carbon (ACP) resembles deflated spheres. Structural analysis through X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed their amorphous nature. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of ABP and ACP confirmed that both samples contain high levels of oxygen and small amount of nitrogen contents. At C/10 rate, ACP electrode delivered high specific lithium storage reversible capacities (590 mAh/g at 50 °C and 382 mAh/g at 25 °C) and also exhibited excellent high rate capabilities. Through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies, improved performance of ACP is attributed to its lower charge transfer resistance than ABP. Current studies demonstrate that morphologically distinct renewable pollens could produce carbon architectures for anode applications in energy storage devices.

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Daraz ◽  
Tariq Mahmood Ansari ◽  
Shafique Ahmad Arain ◽  
Muhammad Adil Mansoor ◽  
Muhammad Mazhar

Abstract In the present work ternary composite InBiS3-In2S3-Bi2S3 (IBS) thin films are developed using a homogeneous mixture of precursors [Bi(S2CN(C2H5)2)3]2 (1) and [In(S2CNCy2)3]‧2py (2), separately in toluene and chloroform solutions at 500°C under an inert atmosphere of argon gas via aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) technique. The phase purity, chemical composition and morphological study of both the films deposited from toluene and chloroform solutions are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The surface morphology showed rod like structure of the films developed from toluene while the films grown from chloroform solution give flake like shapes. The UV-visible spectroscopy explicated that the thin films developed from toluene and chloroform solutions show wide range absorption in whole visible region. Linear Scan voltammetry results show that both the films give negligible dark current, however, the films fabricated from toluene solution give a sharp steep curve with maximum photocurrent density of 2.3 mA‧cm-2 at 0.75 V vs Ag/AgCl/3M KCl using 0.05 M sodium sulphide solution under AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW‧cm-2), while the film grown from chloroform generates a photocurrent density of 2.1 mA‧cm-2 under similar conditions. The LSV outcomes are further supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) that gives charge transfer resistance (Rct) value of 8,571 Ω for the films developed from toluene as compared to films fabricated from chloroform with Rct value of 12,476 Ω.


Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1280
Author(s):  
Tzu-Ho Wu ◽  
Yan-Cheng Lin ◽  
Bo-Wei Hou ◽  
Wei-Yuan Liang

Urea oxidation reaction (UOR) has received a high level of recent interest since electrochemical oxidation of urea can remediate harmful nitrogen compounds in wastewater and accomplish hydrogen fuel production simultaneously. Thus, urea is considered to be potential hydrogen energy source that is inherently safe for fuel cell applications. However, the catalytic reaction suffers from slow kinetics due to six electron transfer in UOR. In this work, β phase NiS is successfully prepared through facile hydrothermal reaction, in which diethanolamine (DEA) was added as chelating agent leading to 3D nanoflower morphology. The crystal structure, surface morphology, and chemical bonding of the β−NiS were characterized by X–ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X−ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The UOR performance of NiS was evaluated by means of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry in 1 M KOH electrolyte containing 0.33 M urea. Compared to the Ni(OH)2 counterpart, NiS exhibits lower onset potential, increased current responses, faster kinetics of urea oxidation, lower charge transfer resistance, and higher urea diffusion coefficient, leading to the enhanced catalytic performance toward UOR. Moreover, the developed NiS catalyst exhibits superior stability and tolerance towards urea electro−oxidation in 10,000 s test.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
Umar Daraz ◽  
Tariq Mahmood Ansari ◽  
Shafique Ahmad Arain ◽  
Muhammad Adil Mansoor ◽  
Muhammad Mazhar ◽  
...  

Abstract Dithiocarbamate complexes [Cd(S2CNCy2)2(py)] (1), [In(S2CNCy2)3]·2py (2) and [Zn(S2CNCy2)2(py)] (3) were synthesized and toluene solution of (1) and (2) was used as dual source precursor for the synthesis of CdIn2S4 (CIS), while that of (1) and (3) was applied for the deposition of Cd7.23Zn2.77S10–ZnS composite (CZS-ZS) thin film photoan-odes by employing single step aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) technique. Deposition experiments were performed at 500°C under an inert ambient of argon gas. The structural properties of deposited films were evaluated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) exposed surface morphologies while UV-Visible spectrophotometry revealed that CIS is low band gap photoanode in comparison to CZS-ZS. The comparison of photoelectrochemical (PEC) responses measured in identical conditions in terms of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) depicts photocurrent density of 4.4 mA /cm2 and 2.9 mA/cm2 at applied potential of 0.7 V under solar light intensity of 100 mW/cm2 for CIS and CZS-ZS respectively. Further, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirms that PEC properties of CIS are superior to CZS-ZS photoanode as the former offer less charge transfer resistance (Rct) 0.03 MΩ in comparison to CZS-ZS having Rct value of 0.06 MΩ.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-376
Author(s):  
Xuelu Xu ◽  
Jiao Zhao ◽  
Subei Bai ◽  
Rongrong Mo ◽  
Yan Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract At different calcination conditions, titanium-based manganese oxides (MnOx) electrodes were fabricated by spraying method without adhesive. The MnOx/Ti electrodes were applied in electrochemical oxidation of wastewater treatment for the first time. The surface morphologies of electrodes were tested by scanning electron microscopy. The formation of different manganese oxidation states on electrodes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the electrodes have been performed by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The characterizations revealed that the MnOx/Ti-350(20) electrode, prepared at calcination temperature of 350 °C for 20 min, exhibited fewer cracks on the electrode surface, larger electrochemically effective surface area and lower charge transfer resistance than electrodes prepared at other calcination conditions. Moreover, Acid Red B was used as target pollutant to test the electrode activity via monitoring the concentration changes by UV spectrophotometer. The results showed that the MnOx/Ti-350(20) electrode presented the best performance on decolorization of Acid Red B with the lowest cell potential during the process of electrochemical oxidation, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) conversion was 50.7%. Furthermore, the changes of Acid Red B during the electrochemical oxidation process were proposed by the UV–vis spectra.


Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Réka Barabás ◽  
Carmen Ioana Fort ◽  
Graziella Liana Turdean ◽  
Liliana Bizo

In the present work, ZrO2-based composites were prepared by adding different amounts of antibacterial magnesium oxide and bioactive and biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAP) to the inert zirconia. The composites were synthesized by the conventional ceramic processing route and morpho-structurally analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Two metallic dental alloys (i.e., Ni–Cr and Co–Cr) coated with a chitosan (Chit) membrane containing the prepared composites were exposed to aerated artificial saliva solutions of different pHs (i.e., 4.3, 5, 6) and the corrosion resistances were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The obtained results using the two investigated metallic dental alloys shown quasi-similar anticorrosive properties, having quasi-similar charge transfer resistance, when coated with different ZrO2-based composites. This behavior could be explained by the synergetic effect between the diffusion process through the Chit-composite layer and the roughness of the metallic electrode surface.


Author(s):  
Syed Abbas Raza ◽  
Muhammad Imran Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ramzan Abdul karim ◽  
Rashid Ali ◽  
Muhammad Umair Naseer ◽  
...  

Abstract Equiatomic TiNi alloy composites, reinforced with 0, 5, 10 and 15 vol. % ZrO2, were synthesized using conventional sintering approach. Equiatomic TiNi pre-alloyed powder and ZrO2 powder were mixed in planetary ball mill for 6 hours followed by cold compaction and pressure-less sintering, respectively. The sintered density was found to vary inversely with the addition of ZrO2 content. The X-Ray diffraction spectra have shown the formation of multiple-phases which were resulted from the decomposition of the B19'and B2 phases of the equiatomic TiNi alloy due to the addition of ZrO2 and higher diffusion rate of Ni than that of Ti in the alloy composite. An increase in hardness was noted due to the addition of ZrO2, measured by micro and nanoindentation techniques. Potentiodynamic polarization scan revealed a 10% decrease in the corrosion rate of the composite containing 10 vol. % ZrO2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated an increase in passive layer resistance (Rcoat) due to the increase in charge transfer resistance (Rct) caused by the reduced leaching of ions from the surface.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 4507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Abe ◽  
Natsuki Hori ◽  
Seiji Kumagai

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using a LiFePO4 cathode and graphite anode were assembled in coin cell form and subjected to 1000 charge-discharge cycles at 1, 2, and 5 C at 25 °C. The performance degradation of the LIB cells under different C-rates was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy. The most severe degradation occurred at 2 C while degradation was mitigated at the highest C-rate of 5 C. EIS data of the equivalent circuit model provided information on the changes in the internal resistance. The charge-transfer resistance within all the cells increased after the cycle test, with the cell cycled at 2 C presenting the greatest increment in the charge-transfer resistance. Agglomerates were observed on the graphite anodes of the cells cycled at 2 and 5 C; these were more abundantly produced in the former cell. The lower degradation of the cell cycled at 5 C was attributed to the lowered capacity utilization of the anode. The larger cell voltage drop caused by the increased C-rate reduced the electrode potential variation allocated to the net electrochemical reactions, contributing to the charge-discharge specific capacity of the cells.


2017 ◽  
Vol 893 ◽  
pp. 127-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Ji Kim ◽  
Chang Hee Lee ◽  
Mun Hui Jo ◽  
Soon Ki Jeong

To clarify the electrochemical decomposition of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) used as a binder for lithium-ion batteries while simultaneously verifying the correlation between electrode resistance and the PVdF content in graphite negative electrodes, in this study, we applied lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide, which suppresses graphite exfoliation, as a salt. As a result, the electrochemical decomposition of PVdF was observed at a higher potential than that at which the electrolyte was decomposed during the reduction process. Additionally, this study demonstrated (through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis) that electrode resistances such as solid electrolyte interface and charge transfer resistance proportionally increased with the PVdF content.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 7417
Author(s):  
Carlos Cevallos-Morillo ◽  
Pablo Cisneros-Pérez ◽  
Roxana Llive ◽  
Marvin Ricaurte ◽  
Carlos Reinoso ◽  
...  

Croton lechleri, commonly known as Dragon’s blood, is a tree cultivated in the northwest Amazon rainforest of Ecuador and Peru. This tree produces a deep red latex which is composed of different natural products such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and others. The chemical structures of these natural products found in C. lechleri latex are promising corrosion inhibitors of admiralty brass (AB), due to the number of heteroatoms and π structures. In this work, three different extracts of C. lechleri latex were obtained, characterized phytochemically, and employed as novel green corrosion inhibitors of AB. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) was determined in an aqueous 0.5 M HCl solution by potentiodynamic polarization (Tafel plots) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, measuring current density and charge transfer resistance, respectively. In addition, surface characterization of AB was performed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Chloroform alkaloid-rich extracts resulted in IE% of 57% at 50 ppm, attributed to the formation of a layer of organic compounds on the AB surface that hindered the dezincification process. The formulation of corrosion inhibitors from C. lechleri latex allows for the valorization of non-edible natural sources and the diversification of the offer of green corrosion inhibitors for the chemical treatment of heat exchangers.


Author(s):  
T. V. S. L. Satyavani ◽  
Mathiyazhagan Senthilkumar ◽  
G. Dharma Prasad Rao ◽  
Navneet Kumar ◽  
Adapaka Srinivas Kumar

Abstract Experimental study was carried out to quantify the influence of temperature and different C-rate of discharge on in-house fabricated Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell. 30Ah Li-ion cell is made of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cathode and Meso Carbon Micro Beads (MCMB) anode in prismatic configuration. Capability of Li-ion cell is defined by discharge capacity, voltage & power at different C-rate of discharge. Influence of 4 different current rates (C/5, C/2, 1C & 2C) at 5 different temperatures (−20, 0, 20, 40 and 60 °C) were studied. High discharge rate increases current density of cell which affect mass transport at electrode surface and electrolyte. Increased ohmic and concentration polarization at high rate of discharge decrease the original capacity. Average discharge voltage of cell is reduced gradually as operating temperature drop to below 20 °C. Electrochemical Impedance (EI) were measured on Li-ion cell in different frequency domain at different temperatures (−20, 0, 20 and 60 °C). The obtained impedance spectra were examined with an equivalent circuit using Zman software. The ohmic and charge transfer resistance displayed a solid dependence with respect to temperature.


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