Surface ionization studies on refractory metals and metal alloys
Surface ionization studies on refractory metals and metal alloys used in long term contact ion engine operation
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Surface ionization studies on refractory metals and metal alloys used in long term contact ion engine operation
Lithium-metal batteries with zero excess lithium on the anode side paired with a fully lithiated cathode are regarded as a form of the highest energy-density configuration. Unfortunately, the continuous lithium loss over cycling from a limited amount of lithium reservoir significantly degrades the overall cell performance in the anode-free system. To mitigate the deterioration, modifying the current collector for enhanced lithium cycling is an indispensable route. Here, we apply a Ag/Cu ion exchange to precipitate micro-sized Ag particles on the Cu current collector to enhance the lithium reversibility via (de)alloying process. Further, we show a smoother morphology of lithium upon alloying, which leads to a lowered nucleation potential as well as increased average Coulombic efficiency in Li||Cu cells regardless of electrolyte formulation. The preferred lithium adsorption on Ag and AgLi over Cu is demonstrated with density functional theory calculations, which supports that Li is forming a gamma-phase alloy in the last stage rather than being deposited beneath the alloy. Lastly, this simple Cu foil modification enhances lithium reversibility and reduces its nucleation barrier, thus mitigating the capacity fade of a Cu||LiFePO 4 with reduced polarization.
In this work, we utilized an ultramicroporous metal–organic framework (MOF) named [Ni 3 (pzdc) 2 (ade) 2 (H 2 O) 4 ]·2.18H 2 O (where H 3 pzdc represents pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylic acid and ade represents adenine) for hydrogen (H 2 ) adsorption. Upon activation, [Ni 3 (pzdc) 2 (ade) 2 ] was obtained, and in situ carbon monoxide loading by transmission infrared spectroscopy revealed the generation of open Ni(II) sites. The MOF displayed a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 160 m 2 /g and a pore size of 0.67 nm. Hydrogen adsorption measurements conducted on this MOF at 77 K showed a steep increase in uptake (up to 1.93 mmol/g at 0.04 bar) at low pressure, reaching a H 2 uptake saturation at 2.11 mmol/g at ~0.15 bar. The affinity of this MOF for H 2 was determined to be 9.7 ± 1.0 kJ/mol. In situ H 2 loading experiments supported by molecular simulations confirmed that H 2 does not bind to the open Ni(II) sites of [Ni 3 (pzdc) 2 (ade) 2 ], and the high affinity of the MOF for H 2 is attributed to the interplay of pore size, shape, and functionality.
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Here, the intrinsic catalytic activity at 10 mA cm –2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is currently working out at overpotentials higher than 320 mV. A highly efficient electrocatalyst should possess both active sites and high conductivity; however, the loading of powder catalysts on electrodes may often suffer from the large resistance between catalysts and current collectors. This work reports a class of bulk amorphous NiFeP materials with metallic bonds from the viewpoint of electrode design. The materials reported here perfectly combine high macroscopic conductivity with surface active sites, and can be directly used as the electrodes with active sites toward high OER activity in both alkaline and acidic electrolytes. Specifically, a low overpotential of 219 mV is achieved at the geometric current density 10 mA cm –2 in an alkaline electrolyte, with the Tafel slope of 32 mV dec –1 and intrinsic overpotential of 280 mV. Meanwhile, an overpotential of 540 mV at 10 mA cm –2 is attained in an acidic electrolyte and stable for over 30 h, which is the best OER performance in both alkaline and acidic media. This work provides a different angle for the design of high–performance OER electrocatalysts and facilitates the device applications of electrocatalysts.
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Metal halide perovskites offer a wide and tunable bandgap, making them promising candidates for top–cell absorbers in tandem photovoltaics. In this work, the authors aim to understand the atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursor–perovskite interactions of the tin oxide ALD system and the role of organic fullerenes at the perovskite–tin oxide interface while establishing a framework for developing alternative perovskite–compatible ALD processes in the future. It is shown, in the case of tin oxide ALD growth with tetrakis(dimethylamino)tin(IV) and water on FA 0.83 Cs 0.17 Pb(I 0.83 Br 0.17 ) 3 perovskite, that perovskite stability is most sensitive to metal–organic exposure at elevated temperatures with an onset near 110 °C, resulting in removal of the formamidinium cation. Transitioning from ALD to pulsed–chemical vapor deposition tin oxide growth can minimize the degradation effects. Investigation of fullerenes at the perovskite interface shows that thin fullerene layers offer minor improvements to perovskite stability under ALD conditions, but significant enhancement in carrier extraction. Fullerene materials are undesirable due to fabrication cost and poor mechanical stability. Compositional tuning of the perovskite material can improve the fullerene–free device performance. Furthermore, this method is demonstrated with a bromine–rich perovskite phase to enable an 8.2% efficient perovskite device with all–inorganic extraction layers.
Abstract Lithium (Li)‐magnesium (Mg) alloy with limited Mg amount, which can also be called Mg‐doped Li (Li‐Mg), has been considered as a potential alternative anode for high energy density rechargeable Li metal batteries. However, the optimum doping‐content of Mg in Li‐Mg anode and the mechanism of the improved performance are not well understood. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to investigate the effect of Mg amount in Li‐Mg anode. The Li‐Mg with about 5 wt. % Mg (abbreviated as Li‐Mg5) has the lowest absorption energy of Li, thus all the surface area can be “controlled” by Mg atoms, leading to the smooth and continuous deposition of Li on the surface around the Mg center. A localized high concentration electrolyte enables Li‐Mg5 to exhibit the best cycling stability in Li metal batteries with high‐loading cathode and lean electrolyte under 4.4 V high‐voltage, which is approaching the demand of practical application. This electrolyte also helps generate an inorganic‐rich solid electrolyte interphase, which leads to smooth, compact and less corrosion layer on the Li‐Mg5 surface. Both theoretical simulations and experimental results prove that Li‐Mg5 has optimum Mg content and gives best battery cycling performance.
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Lithium (Li)-magnesium (Mg) alloy with limited Mg amount, which can also be called Mg-doped Li (Li-Mg), has been considered as a potential alternative anode for high energy density rechargeable Li metal batteries. However, the optimum doping-content of Mg in Li-Mg anode and the mechanism of the improved performance are not well understood. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to investigate the effect of Mg amount in Li-Mg anode. The Li-Mg with about 5 wt. % Mg (abbreviated as Li-Mg5) has the lowest absorption energy of Li, thus all the surface area can be “controlled” by Mg atoms, leading to the smooth and continuous deposition of Li on the surface around the Mg center. A localized high concentration electrolyte enables Li-Mg5 to exhibit the best cycling stability in Li metal batteries with high-loading cathode and lean electrolyte under 4.4 V high-voltage, which is approaching the demand of practical application. This electrolyte also helps generate an inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase, which leads to smooth, compact and less corrosion layer on the Li-Mg5 surface. Both theoretical simulations and experimental results prove that Li-Mg5 has optimum Mg content and gives best battery cycling performance.