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At least 415 records · Page 23

Effect of spacer grids on high-burnup fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal

Increasing the fuel burnup limit in light-water reactors to improve fuel cycle economics requires a strong technical foundation. Experimental observations from the Halden and Studsvik programs have revealed severe fuel fragmentation during loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions, highlighting the need for additional technical evaluation. Consequently, further LOCA test data are needed to complement existing findings and improve the understanding of fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD) behavior. Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Severe Accident Test Station has played a significant role in advancing the understanding of high-burnup fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal phenomena. One remaining gap in the available experimental database is the effect of fuel assembly structural features on cladding deformation behavior during a LOCA, and more specifically, their impact on the fuel’s ability to fragment, relocate, and disperse. Recent analyses using the BISON fuel performance code suggest that cladding deformation near grid spacers will remain below the 3% threshold that has been reported in the NRC Research Information Letter, indicating that the cladding could remain mechanically constrained during the LOCA event. This paper builds upon the BISON analyses to design and conduct a series of out-of-cell tests aimed at further evaluating cladding deformation in and around grid spacers. In addition, these tests were used to assess local cladding temperature conditions and compare them against analytical predictions in order to better replicate expected in-reactor behavior. Finally, an in-cell high-burnup LOCA test was designed and performed to evaluate the effects of a grid spacer, or cladding restraint, on fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal susceptibility. The high-burnup test results differed from those of historical LOCA experiments, with a recorded rupture temperature of 861°C. Two ballooned regions and corresponding rupture openings were observed, with rupture widths of approximately 0.64 mm for both ruptures and rupture lengths of 4.8 mm and 5.6 mm, respectively.

Capps, Nathan [ORNL]↗

Pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene: Degradation behaviors, kinetics, and product characteristics

Pyrolysis is a promising technology for converting plastic waste into valuable raw materials while offering a potential solution to the global plastic pollution crisis. In this study, the thermal pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is investigated in a drop tube reactor under nearly isothermal conditions. The impact of reaction temperature and gas/volatile residence time on carbon conversion and product distribution is examined across a range of 500–900°C and 3.6–32.2s, respectively. Non-condensable gas products detected by online mass spectrometry are H 2 , CH 4 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , C 3 H 6 , and C 3 H 8 . At elevated temperatures and prolonged residence time, H 2 yield reaches as high as 8.6 wt% of the initial HDPE mass due to intensified cracking reactions of C 2 –C 3 hydrocarbons and long-chain aliphatic compounds. Consequently, pyrolysis tars consist mainly of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with 5–7 rings, accompanied by visible coke deposition within the reactor. HDPE decomposition to volatiles is an endothermic process and it is complete at a temperature between 492°C and 525°C, depending on the heating rate employed, from non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC) measurements. The thermal degradation of HDPE pellets follows the two-dimensional nucleation growth model for conversion levels up to 0.8 with an apparent activation energy of 259–270 kJ/mol and a pre-exponential factor of 4.83 × 10 17 –1.37 × 10 19 min -1 , determined from various isoconversional methods such as Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), and Starink, along with Criado's master plots. Further, these findings provide valuable insights into optimizing process parameters and refining reactor design for pyrolysis, which can be integrated with gasification and reforming processes to enhance hydrogen production on a larger scale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solvation-guided inhibition of manganese dissolution of lithium- and manganese- rich cathode via cyclic carbonate molecular engineering

Lithium and manganese-rich (LMR) layered oxides represent a leading class of high-energy cathode materials, but their practical realization is fundamentally limited by severe manganese (Mn) dissolution, a process that triggers structural degradation and rapid capacity fade. While mitigation efforts have predominantly focused on interfacial engineering, the intrinsic contribution of bulk electrolyte solvation to this degradation pathway remains largely unexplored, primarily due to the difficulty of deconvolving its effects from concurrent cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) formation. Here, we report an experimental design to isolate the role of solvation. We systematically varied the electrolyte solvent solvation power by substituting the strongly coordinating ethylene carbonate (EC) with its weaker coordinating fluorinated derivatives, fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and trans-4,5-Difluoro-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (DFEC), while maintaining a consistent interfacial chemistry. Remarkably, the electrolyte formulated with the weakest solvent, DFEC, exhibits superior cycling stability, suppressing Mn dissolution by up to 63% relative to the conventional EC-based system. Post-mortem analysis unequivocally attributes this performance enhancement to the preservation of the LMR cathode's structural integrity, a direct consequence of mitigated Mn dissolution. This work provides conclusive evidence that modulating bulk electrolyte solvation is a potent and direct strategy for stabilizing LMR cathodes, establishing a vital design principle for next-generation battery systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

O'Hare Airport roadway traffic prediction via data fusion and Gaussian process regression

This study proposes an approach of leveraging information gathered from multiple traffic data sources at different resolutions to obtain approximate inference on the traffic distribution of Chicago's O'Hare Airport area. Specifically, it proposes the ingestion of traffic datasets at different resolutions to build spatiotemporal models for predicting the distribution of traffic volume on the road network. Due to its good adaptability and flexibility for spatiotemporal data, the Gaussian process (GP) regression was employed to provide short-term forecasts using data collected by loop detectors (sensors) and supplemented by telematics data. The GP regression is used to make predictions of the distribution of the proportion of sensor data traffic volume represented by the telematics data for each location of the sensors. Consequently, the fitted GP model can be used to determine the approximate traffic distribution for a testing location outside of the training points. Policymakers in the transportation sector can find the results of this work helpful for making informed decisions relating to current and future transportation conditions in the area.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Bundling measures for food systems transformation: a global, multimodel assessment

Background Current food systems leave one in ten individuals at risk of hunger while driving unsustainable environmental impacts. Inaction risks further exacerbating negative impacts on both human and planetary health. These challenges emerge from complex system interactions, requiring approaches that engage with this complexity and consider how transformation measures interact across food systems. We aimed to quantify the magnitude and uncertainty of the impacts of key food systems transformation measures both individually and in a bundle using an ensemble of global economic models. Methods In this global multimodel assessment, we applied an ensemble of ten state-of-the-art global economic models to evaluate the potential of four key measures in transforming food systems: increasing agricultural productivity, halving food loss and waste, shifting towards healthier diets, and economy-wide climate mitigation policies aligned with limiting warming to 1·5°C. The scenarios used a middle-of-the-road shared socioeconomic pathway for population and gross domestic product growth, climate impact data from Jägermeyr and colleagues, Thornton and colleagues, and Nelson and colleagues, and dietary targets based on the EAT–Lancet healthy reference diet, with model simulations conducted from 2020 to 2050. We then assessed the effect of these measures in isolation and in combination in a bundled scenario. To further understand the interactions between these measures, we conducted a decomposition analysis that distinguishes between the individual effects of a measure (effect when implemented alone), total effects (its contribution within the bundle), and interaction effects (the difference between total and individual effects). This approach aimed to show complementarities and trade-offs that emerge when multiple measures are implemented simultaneously. Findings Our analysis showed that individual measures in isolation are insufficient to achieve high-level environmental objectives and might generate unintended consequences. In contrast, bundling measures produces co-benefits: avoiding 50% of projected agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and almost 20% of anticipated land conversion, while moderating food price increases associated with ambitious climate change mitigation policies. Our decomposition analysis further shows that measures can have varying effects across different dimensions. Although dietary shifts and climate mitigation policies are the largest drivers of environmental benefits (each contributing to a median decline of >10 percentage points in non-CO 2 emissions and 5 percentage points in agricultural land use globally), productivity improvements and reducing food loss and waste play essential roles in moderating price increases (each contributing to a median decline of >5 percentage points in average prices). Interpretation This study highlights the importance of implementing coordinated approaches to food system transformation and climate change mitigation rather than relying on isolated interventions. Comprehensive transformation requires understanding how supply-side and demand-side changes can interact with climate mitigation policies, enabling policy makers to design intervention packages that maximise benefits while minimising trade-offs across environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

Sundiang, Marina [Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (Unite↗

The impact of nickel concentration and stacking fault energy on deformation mechanisms in high-purity austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni alloys

Understanding how composition affects deformation mechanisms in austenitic stainless steels is essential for developing accurate predictive models of stress-induced failures and stress corrosion cracking. Nickel (Ni), an element classified as a critical element, plays a crucial role in these processes. It is important to examine how Ni concentration influences stacking fault energy (SFE) and, consequently, the deformation mechanisms of austenitic stainless steels. However, in commercial stainless steels, the effects of other alloying elements and impurities can obscure Ni's role, complicating efforts to isolate its impact. Here, in this study, we use two high-purity Fe-Cr-Ni alloys to investigate how Ni concentration and SFE interact to alter deformation mechanisms and induce martensitic transformation. By combining in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) tensile testing and post-mortem electron microscopy with density functional theory simulations, we gain precise insights into these phenomena. We find that the Fe18Cr10Ni (wt%) alloy, with its low SFE, exhibits higher stacking fault probability, deformation-induced martensitic transformation, and a lesser increase in dislocation density with plastic strain. In contrast, the Fe18Cr14Ni (wt%) alloy, with its higher SFE, shows enhanced deformation twinning and greater dislocation density with increasing strain. These findings from high-purity ternary alloys provide valuable insights that can guide the search for alternative elements to replace Ni while achieving similar effects on phase stability and deformation behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Underlying mechanism of structural transformation between GaSb and GaAs response to intense electronic excitation

Ion irradiation of semiconductors has emerged as a promising approach for fabricating self-organized nanosystems with high atomic precision, despite often being accompanied by undesirable phenomena. Exploring the mechanisms underlying structural transformations is crucial for assessing nanostructure array types under complex irradiation environments. By quantitatively calculating the thermodynamically driven processes and analyzing the impact of intrinsic structural parameters, distinct structural transformations in response to intense electronic excitation are systematically investigated in gallium antimonide (GaSb) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) systems. In high-energy regimes, the nanofibers layer of GaSb exhibits intriguing structural discrepancy, characterized by partial nanofibers with coherent boundaries, interspersed nanopores accompanied by antisite defects and Ga precipitates, distinguishing to a series of discontinuous latent tracks that emerged within cylindrical trajectories in GaAs. Furthermore, significant diffusion behaviors of the nanohillocks are discovered in GaAs, with higher average roughness than GaSb, driven by the gradient stress distribution influenced by the free-surface effects. The deposition energy for melting phase formation, Gibbs free energy, and Ga diffusion coefficients contribute to the distinctive structural features, evidencing relatively stable morphological configurations and higher irradiation resistance in GaAs. Consequently, special optoelectronic properties associated with structural discrepancies facilitate the design and optimization of material functionalities by irradiation technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic density of states as the descriptor of elastic bond strength, ductility, and local lattice distortion in BCC refractory alloys

Although electronic density of states (DOS) is fundamental to materials properties, its general relationship to mechanical properties of alloys is not well established. In this paper, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we show that the electronic occupancy at the Fermi level, N(E f ), obtained from DOS is a key descriptor of alloy strength and ductility. Our comprehensive analysis of numerous body centered cubic (BCC) refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) shows an overwhelming correlation that low N(E f ) indicates strong bonds that have high stiffness resulting in high elastic constants. High bond stiffness indicates presence of covalent nature of bonds that are directional in nature resulting in resistance to deformation leading to high bulk (B) and shear (G) moduli. Consequently, N(E f ) provides a direct correlation to the tendency of alloy ductility evidenced in the Pugh ratio (G/B). As stiffer bonds result in lower local lattice distortion (LLD), N(E f ) are LLD are also found to be corelated which opens up a correlation to solid solution strengthening and yield strength. Thus, this work unveils fundamental correlations between N(E f ) and (1) elastic bond strength, (2) ductility, and (3) LLD. These correlations open opportunities for the design of high strength high ductile RHEAs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Graph neural networks for mechanical property prediction of 2D fiber composites

This work investigates the ability of graph neural networks (GNNs) to homogenize 2D fiber composite microstructures. We use different inhomogeneity and anisotropy indices to motivate and show that the Volume Elements (VEs) used in ML methods should ideally be far from their Representative Volume Element (RVE) size limit and, consequently, are notably anisotropic. Hence, training only the isotropic limit properties may not be acceptable. Another aspect is the need to normalize elastic stiffness values for ML, especially when high elastic contrast ratios are encountered between composite phases or in the material set. We introduce a normalization technique based on the mean-field method (MFM) to handle such high contrast ratios and train for the entire stiffness tensor. We show that the proposed GNN approaches exhibit high accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional methods and convolutional neural networks, utilizing unstructured graphs constructed from microstructure topology. Our model successfully predicts the stiffness tensor, peak strength under bulk damage, and brittle fracture initiation strength across diverse microstructure configurations while maintaining high accuracy even for extreme material contrasts and volume fractions. We also present a method to improve prediction accuracy for small dataset sizes using Voronoi partitioning.

Brittle strength↗

Evolution from topological Dirac metal to flat-band-induced antiferromagnet in layered K x Ni 4 S 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Condensed matter systems with coexisting Dirac cones and flat bands and a switchable control between them within a single system are desirable but remarkably uncommon. Here, we report a layered quantum material system, K x Ni 4 S 2 (0 <= x <= 1), that simultaneously hosts both characteristics without involving typical Kagome/honeycomb lattices. Enabled by a topochemical K-deintercalation process, the Fermi surface can be fine-tuned continuously over a wide range of energies. Consequently, a non-magnetic Dirac-metal state with a topological nontrivial Z 2 index of 1;(000), supported by first-principles calculations and high mobility up to 1,471 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , is observed on the K-rich x = 1 side, whereas a flat-band-induced antiferromagnetic state with T N up to 10.1 K emerges as the K-content approaches 0. The K x Ni 4 S 2 system offers a versatile platform for exploring emerging phenomena and underscores aviable pathway for in situ control of quantum materials dominated by Dirac cones, flat bands, and their interplay.

dirac metal↗

Unraveling the pathway towards superionic transport in polymer electrolytes

Ionic transport in polymers is critical for Li-ion batteries, fuel cells, flow batteries and many other energy storage and conversion technologies. A significant enhancement of ion conductivity in polymers may be achieved through an increase in the polarity of side chains and their self-organization into specific morphologies, which can potentially act as percolated ionic structures. However, higher polarity increases attractive interactions within a polymer matrix and slows down its segmental dynamics, which conversely hinders ionic transport. To overcome this tradeoff, we designed the functionalization of a Li salt-doped polymer matrix by tailored amounts of zwitterionic (ZI) groups. Our results suggest the emergence of a self-assembled percolation conductivity regime above a specific ZI concentration, in which ion hopping decouples from segmental dynamics by up to ten orders of magnitude. Consequently, in the highly concentrated ZI regime, our polymeric materials exhibit in their glassy state energy barriers for ion hopping similar to, or even smaller than, those reported for superionic ceramics. Our study also reveals that ion dynamics in the poly(zwitterion) with all monomers carrying ZI groups is significantly faster than that of a monomeric ZI compound, although the latter has much faster structural relaxation. Furthermore, this result highlights the crucial role played by the local morphology on the ion transport of polymer electrolytes and opens a new pathway for the design of superionic polymers, significantly expanding the current limited portfolio of solid-state electrolytes for energy applications.

Ion conductivity↗

Laser-engraved defects in TiO 2 support: Enhancing reducibility and redox capability of Pt/TiO 2 catalyst for reactive and selective hydrogenation

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) has been studied as catalyst or catalyst support in catalysis. Its synthesis or modification approach controls the structural, optical, and electronic properties. Here, in this work, we applied laser engraving to the anatase TiO 2 and studied the consequent changes in its structure and property as well as the properties of TiO 2 supported platinum (i.e., Pt/TiO 2 ) catalyst. The laser engraving enlarged the particle size, formed rutile phase and created defects (i.e., oxygen vacancy (O v ) and Ti 3+ ) in anatase TiO 2 . This induced band gap change and enhanced visible light absorption. The defects created by laser engraving are stable and more reducible than those existed in the pristine TiO 2 . The defective TiO 2 is structurally stable and has great redox properties. The metal-support interaction in the Pt/defective TiO 2 catalyst is stronger than that of the pristine Pt/TiO 2 catalyst, which enabled higher reactivity and selectivity in hydrogenation of 3-nitrostyrene and furfuryl alcohol. Laser-engraved TiO 2 has been rarely studied for thermal catalysis. This work provides basic understanding of material properties and catalysis application of laser-engraved catalyst supports and catalysts in field of thermal catalysis.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Cellulose acetate membranes exhibit exceptional monovalent to divalent cation selectivities

Salt transport properties of cellulose acetate membranes are reported for a series of chloride salts with mono- valent and divalent cations (LiCl, NaCl, MgCl 2 , CaCl 2 ). Measurements include salt permeability and sorption, with diffusivity values calculated from the permeability and sorption results. We report an exceptionally high LiCl/MgCl 2 selectivity of 750:1. Salts with similar valence (LiCl and NaCl; MgCl 2 and CaCl 2 ) have similar transport properties. The high monovalent/divalent selectivity arises from differences in both sorption and diffusion, with a LiCl/MgCl 2 solubility selectivity of about 11 and a diffusivity selectivity of about 70. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations show that ions tend to reside in isolated clusters of water. Increasing ion charge strengthens ion–water interactions relative to ion–polymer interactions, explaining the reduced sorption of divalent ions. Diffusion of ions through the membrane occurs via hop-like motion between water clusters. Lithium diffuses faster than magnesium due to weaker ion–water coordination for lithium, which allows for greater mobility within water clusters and more frequent hopping. Altogether, our atomistic simulations suggest that the high LiCl/MgCl 2 selectivity is linked to cellulose acetate’s high water/salt selectivity and is a consequence of low water content and relatively uniform water distribution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Considering interplay between multiple physical phenomena to elucidate single crystal-like texture, phase transformations, and mechanical behavior of directed energy deposited SS316L

A widespread implementation of large scale additive manufacturing (AM) processes, such as wire arc-directed energy deposition (WA-DED) AM can transform the current manufacturing supply chain networks. Naturally, such implementation requires control of the microstructural attributes, such as texture and phase evolution in the processed alloys. Currently, the texture evolution in fusion-based AM (F-BAM) processes is majorly rationalized by the phenomena occurring only during solidification. However, such rationalization is insufficient for understanding the evolution of primary and secondary crystallographic orientations, and consequently, fails to offer a comprehensive understanding and control of overall texture in F-BAM processed alloys. To this end, we report a single crystal (SX)-like texture in WA-DED processed SS316L for the first time. Furthermore, we assess the physical phenomena that may lead to such unique microstructural evolution during WA-DED AM. Subsequently, using microstructural characterization spanning the build height and thermomechanical simulations we investigate the effect of competitive growth and epitaxial growth occurring during solidification and thermally induced plastic deformation occurring post solidification on the overall texture of WA-DED processed SS316L. A spatial variation in solidification pathway is also established and correlated with variation in undercoolings across the build. Tensile tests revealed a strong orientation dependence of deformation mechanisms with over 110% elongation to failure of specimens deformed along <011>. Such anisotropy is rationalized using Schmid's analysis of dislocation slip and deformation twinning. Importantly, overall, the mechanisms outlined in this work will facilitate an enhanced understanding and subsequent control of texture evolution, solidification behavior and mechanical behavior of WA-DED processed steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Infinitely rugged intra-cage potential energy landscape in metallic glasses caused by many-body interaction

The absence of translational symmetry in glassy materials poses a significant challenge in establishing effective structure-property relationships in real space. Consequently, the potential energy landscape (PEL) in phase space is widely utilized to comprehend the complex phenomena in glasses. The classical PEL features a two-scale profile comprising mega-basins and sub-basins, corresponding to α-relaxations (e.g. glass transition) and β-relaxations (e.g. local cage-breaking atomic rearrangements), respectively. Recent studies, however, reveal that sub-basins are not smooth and contain finer structures, the origins of which remain elusive. Here we probe the smoothness of sub-basin bottoms in glasses' PEL by introducing small intra-cage cyclic loading and then measuring the net changes in atomic-level stresses. Compared to glasses with pair interaction, glasses with many-body interaction exhibit orders-of-magnitude larger and loading-dependent stress changes even before the first cage-breaking event takes place, which reflect much more feature-rich sub-basins. We further demonstrate this stark contrast stems from the spatial distribution of individual atom's constraining force field. Specifically, at vanishing perturbations, many-body interactions disrupt the positive-definite synchrony in energy variations of the perturbed atom and the whole system, causing inherently less confined atomic responses and infinitely rugged sub-basins. The implications of these findings for the selective addition or removal of fine structures in the PEL and the subsequent tuning of glassy materials' responses to external stimuli are also explored.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Large electron-phonon drag asymmetry and reverse heat flow in the topological semimetal θ-TaN

A broad range of unusual transport behaviors have been discovered in topological semimetals. However, to date, the effect on the thermopower from intrinsic momentum exchange between electrons and phonons has received little attention. Here we report that huge electron-phonon drag enhancements of the thermopower of the to- pological semimetal, θ-phase tantalum nitride (θ-TaN), can occur that persist even up to room temperature. Our first principles calculations also identify a surprising asymmetry in which the large drag-enhanced thermopowers found slightly above the material’s chemical potential disappear just below it. The large thermopower en- hancements result from anomalous drag contributions from high frequency acoustic phonons with unusually small decay rates. The apparent vanishing drag results from (i) the emergence of an exceptionally high electrical conductivity promoted by the steep linear electronic dispersions extending below one of the topological nodal points; (ii) a remarkable cancellation in which momentum transferred from a charge current creates oppositely directed phonon heat currents of nearly equal magnitude, thereby masking the drag contributions. This extraordinary transport behavior is a consequence of an unusual interplay between intrinsic electron and phonon material properties in θ-TaN. Overall, our work gives new insights into the fundamental physical properties of coupled electron-phonon systems and motivates further exploration of drag effects in semimetals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A novel polymeric lithicone coating for superior lithium metal anodes

Lithium metal (Li) is commonly regarded as the “holy grail” of rechargeable batteries and can serve as anodes for constituting various high-energy lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, it suffers from two notorious issues: (1) continuous formation of inhomogeneous solid electrolyte interphase and (2) Li dendritic growth. Here, in this study, we developed a novel polymeric lithicone via a new molecular layer deposition (MLD) process, using lithium tert-butoxide (LTB) and hydroquinone (HQ) as precursors. We revealed that such an MLD process enabled the resultant LiHQ to grow linearly in a highly controllable and cyclic mode at a growth rate of 4 Å cycle −1 . Furthermore, its low process deposition temperature of 150 °C made it possible to practice high-quality coatings over Li anodes directly. We demonstrated that, very compellingly, this LiHQ coating could protect Li anodes from corrosion and dendritic growth. As a consequence, this LiHQ coating has enabled Li||Li symmetric cells an extremely long cyclability up to 8000 Li-plating/stripping cycles without failure. More excitingly, we demonstrated that, coupled with LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811) cathodes, the LiHQ-modified Li anodes could help the resultant Li||NMC811 realize a much better capacity retention and much longer cyclability. Thus, this study represents a strategic route for developing commercializeable LMBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Construction of MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure with fast interfacial reaction kinetics for ultrafast sodium storage

Constructing heterostructure is a valid method to reinforcing sodium storage performance of transition metal chalcogenides materials. Herein, a simple, safe and controllable one step hydrothermal method is proposed to synthesize MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure. Due to the difference in band gaps and work functions of MoS 2 and NiS 2 , the charges are redistributed at the MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterointerfaces, thereby accelerating the migration of electrons and Na + . The heterointerfaces provide extra active sites for storing Na + , thus increasing the sodium storage capacity of the heterostructure. Furthermore, the distinct redox potentials of NiS 2 and MoS 2 promote the structural stability of MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure during the electrochemical reaction processes. Consequently, the obtained MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure exhibits superior rate properties (339.4 mAh g –1 at 10 A g –1 ) and ultra-stable cycling stability (480.5 mAh g –1 after 350 cycles at 1 A g –1 ). Finally, this paper presents a valid strategy for creating heterostructure anodes with excellent sodium storage properties.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗