Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) with Cu1-ZnO single atom catalysts on graphene-coated flexible substrates

Defects can predominantly dictate properties of oxide materials, in particular, the photocatalytic and electrical properties. By implanting the defects of metallic element, Cu atom doped ZnO (Cu1-ZnO) supported by graphene-coated...

Hetero-Element-Doped Molybdenum Oxide Materials for Energy Storage Systems

In order to meet the growing demand for the electronics market, many new materials have been studied to replace traditional electrode materials for energy storage systems. Molybdenum oxide materials are electrode materials with higher theoretical capacity than graphene, which was originally used as anode electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. In subsequent studies, they have a wider application in the field of energy storage, such as being used as cathodes or anodes for other ion batteries (sodium-ion batteries, potassium-ion batteries, etc.), and electrode materials for supercapacitors. However, molybdenum oxide materials have serious volume expansion concerns and irreversible capacity dropping during the cycles. To solve these problems, doping with different elements has become a suitable option, being an effective method that can change the crystal structure of the materials and improve the performances. Therefore, there are many research studies on metal element doping or non-metal doping molybdenum oxides. This paper summarizes the recent research on the application of hetero-element-doped molybdenum oxides in the field of energy storage, and it also provides some brief analysis and insights.

Copper(II) Perfluorinated Carboxylate Complexes with Small Aliphatic Amines as Universal Precursors for Nanomaterial Fabrication

Copper(II) carboxylate compounds with ethylamine and isopropylamine of the general formula [Cu2(RNH2)2(µ-O2CRf)4], where R = Et, iPr, and Rf = CnF2n+1, n = 1–6, were characterised in the condensed and gas phases by electron impact mass spectrometry (EI MS), IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. A mass spectra analysis confirmed the presence of metallated species in the gas phase. Among the observed fragments, the pseudomolecular ions [Cu2(RNH2)2(µ-O2CRf)3]+ were found, which suggests the dimeric structure of the studied complexes with axially N-coordinated ethyl- or isopropylamine molecules and bridging perfluorinated carboxylates. TGA studies demonstrated that copper transfer to the gas phase occurs even under atmospheric pressure. The temperature range of the [Cu2(RNH2)2(µ-O2CRf)4] and other copper carriers detection, observed in variable temperature infrared spectra, depends on the type of amine. The possible mechanisms of the decomposition of the tested compounds are proposed. The copper films were produced without additional reducing agents despite using Cu(II) CVD precursors in the chemical vapor deposition experiments. The layers of the gel-like complexes were fabricated in both spin- and dip-coating experiments, resulting in copper or copper oxide materials when heated. Dinuclear copper(II) carboxylate complexes with ethyl- and isopropylamine [Cu2(RNH2)2(µ-O2CRf)4] can be applied for the formation of metal or metal oxide materials, also in the nanoscale, by vapour and ‘wet’ deposition methods.

FEATURES OF PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE SYNTHESIS OF COMPLEX LITHIUM-CONDUCTING OXIDE MATERIALS

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB`s) are widely used in consumer electronics, mobile phones, personal computers, as well as in hybrid and electric vehicles. Liquid electrolytes, which mainly consist of aprotic organic solvents and lithium-conductive salts, are used for the transfer of lithium ions in LIB`s. However, the application of liquid electrolytes in LIB`s leads to a number of problems, the most significant of which are the risk of battery ignition during operation due to the presence of flammable organic solvents and loss of capacity due to the interaction of liquid electrolyte with electrode materials during cycling. An alternative that can ensure the safety and reliability of lithium batteries is the development of completely so­lid state batteries (SSB`s). SSB`s are not only inherently safer due to the absence of flammable organic components, but also have the potential to increase significantly the energy density. Instead of a porous separator based on polypropylene saturated with a liquid electrolyte, the SSB`s use a solid electrolyte that acts as an electrical insulator and an ionic conductor at the same time. The use of a compact solid electrolyte, which acts as a physical barrier that prevents the growth of lithium dendrites, also allows using lithium metal as the anode material. It is desirable to use oxide systems as the so­lid electrolytes for SSB`s, as they are resistant to moisture and atmospheric air. Among the lithi­um-conducting oxide materials, which exhibit relatively high lithium conductivity at a room temperature and can be used as a solid electrolyte in the completely solid-state batteries, lithium-air batteries and other electrochemical devices, the most promising materials are ones with NASICON, perovskite and garnet-type structures. The phase transformations that occur during the synthesis of complex lithium-conductive oxides, namely Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 with the NASICON-type structure, Li0.34La0.56TiO3 with the perovskite-type structure and Li6.5La3Zr1.5Nb0.5O12 with the garnet-type structure by the solid-state reactions method in an air were investigated. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of each of the above-mentioned compounds were determined.