Strategies on regulating Zn2+ solvation structure for dendrites-free and side reactions-suppressed zinc-ion batteries

High‐safety and low‐cost aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are an exceptionally compelling technology for grid‐scale energy storage, whereas the corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction and dendrites growth of Zn anodes plague their...

Multi-Scale Characterization by Neutronography and Electron Diffraction of Ni Coating on Cu-Ni-Al or Cast-Iron Glass Molds after Laser Cladding

Laser cladding of a Ni based powder on Cu-Ni-Al or cast iron was performed with a 4kW continuous Nd: YAG laser. The Cu-Ni-Al and cast-iron substrates are used for their thermal properties in glass mold industry. But the issue of these materials is their lack of resistance on corrosion and abrasion. The role of the Ni based alloy is to protect the mold without affecting its thermal properties (Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)). The purpose of this research is to produce a well bonded Ni based melted powder without pores or cracks on a non-planar surface (curvilinear section). An investigation of the impact of the processing parameters, power (1500-3200 W), scanning speed (2.5-10 mm/s) and powder feeding rate (24.5-32.5 g/min) on the bonding quality, the porosity propagation and HAZ appearance is performed. The used methods are neutronography, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD). These multi-scale techniques are obviously complementary. Neutronography is a well-adapted non-destructive method to observe the porosity in the volume thanks to the contrast between materials. EBSD analysis allows us to analyze the microstructural evolution of the coating notably by observing the dendrites growth. This same method also permits to observe the HAZ nature according to the laser cladding parameters. Those methods allowed to optimize the processing parameters in a way to obtain perfect bonding, to avoid porosity propagation and to limit the HAZ emergence.

Metal-organic framework derived electrical insulating-conductive double-layer configuration for stable lithium metal anode

Controlling lithium dendrites growth and alleviating volume expansion of lithium metal anode are two key factors to develop high energy density lithium metal batteries. In this work, the planar Cu...

Amidinothiourea as a new deposition-regulating additive for dendrite-free lithium metal anode

Lithium(Li) dendrites growth seriously hinders the practical application of Li metal batteries. Here, we report an amidinothiourea (ATU) molecular as a new electrolyte additive to regulate Li stripping/plating behaviors for...

Microstructure Refinement for Fe-34Mn-10Al-0.76C Alloy Using Variable Pulsing Magnetic Field (PMF) Solidification

Background: The effect of the pulsed electromagnetic fields with different fluxes (voltages) on the microstructure of an alloy during all stages of solidification under specified thermal conditions will be discussed in this project. Experiments were carried out in the university laboratory for this purpose. The optical scanning, electron microscopy scanning, and dispersed X-ray analysis methods were used to analyze the results of the micro-solidification formulations of the alloy with different fluxes. To perform the required evaluation, a control sample was tested without any treatment, then the results of every flux were compared with the results of this control sample. The applied magnetics flux and Lorentz forces were considered as the main reasons for the achieved grain refining and diffusion of the improved solubility in the sample. The fully equiaxed dendritic structure has been realized for the aluminum alloys at 180 Volts flux. Lorentz's strong force, induced by the magnetic field, deactivates the developing direction of the bifurcation (dendrites), as well as spoils the directions of growing the intermetallic alloy, as a result of the formation of solid microstructures. Further refinements were achieved, by increasing the voltages. Therefore, it can be concluded that the pulsed electromagnetic field is a promising technique that can be utilized in the metallurgy evolution. The effect of PMF with different fluxes on the microstructure of the Fe-34Mn-10Al-0.76C alloy samples will be examined experimentally using optical scanning, EDX and SEM and by applying various analysis techniques. Then, compared with the control sample that don’t treated with any PMF. The initial dendrites growth direction and size were changed according to the PMF flux. Also, the lengths of the initial dendrites were reduced by increasing the voltage, which led to the formation of different dendrite equiaxed grains. The PMF flux affects the initial dendrites growth direction and size. While, increasing the PMF voltage reduces the lengths of the initial dendrites. Moreover, the PMF has a great impact on diffusion of solute through solidification that then influences the formation of eutectic microstructural.

Ionic Liquid-Based Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Application in Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Depleting fossil fuels has put pressing need for the search of alternative energy resources. Solar and wind energy resources are being considered one of the viable solutions. However, these intermittent sources require efficient energy storage systems in terms of rechargeable Li batteries. In Li batteries, electrolyte is one of the most important components to determine the performance, as it conducts the ions between the electrodes. In battery, mostly liquid electrolyte is used as it shows high ionic conductivity and electrode/electrolyte contact which help to reduce the internal resistance. But these are not electrochemically very stable and raised some major problems such as reactivity with electrode, dissolution of electrode ions, leakage, volatility, fast Li dendrite growth, etc. Therefore, in order to improve its electrochemical performance, selection of electrolyte is an important issue. In the present study, ionic liquid (IL)-based polymer electrolyte is used over liquid electrolyte in which IL acts as a plasticizer and improves ionic conductivity and amorphicity. These electrolytes have high thermal and electrochemical stability, therefore, can be used in high voltage Li battery. Also, their mechanical stability helps to suppress Li dendrites growth. Therefore, polymer electrolytes can open a new way in the progression of battery application.