Electrochemical Properties and Applications of Ceramic Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 10674

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Technische Universitat Darmstadt, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany

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Guest Editor
Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza, Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: synthesis of materials for energy storage and conversion; nanostructured materials; electrochemical storage; mechanisms of charge transfer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we hope to collect contributions from the research groups engaged in the processing of nanostructured ceramics, their electrochemical characterisation and testing, as well as prospective applications in energy-related fields.

Many electrical and electrochemical properties of ceramics can be tailored by changing their composition and morphology. This Special Issue aims attracting publications on the following aspects:

  1. Impact of synthesis/processing methods on the morphology/structure of the ceramic nanomaterials with a view to tailoring electrochemical properties (e.g., charge carriers transport, charge storage);
  2. “In situ” electrochemical characterisation of ceramic nanomaterials allowing for tracing microstructural changes during the electrochemical testing;
  3. Application of ceramic nanomaterials, with a focus on energy storage (e.g., batteries and supercapacitors electrode materials, electrode support materials, electrolytes/electrodes for fuels cells). 

Dr. Magdalena Graczyk-Zaja̧c
Prof. Dr. Monika Wilamowska-Zawłocka
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3980 KiB  
Article
Electrochemical Performance of Carbon-Rich Silicon Carbonitride Ceramic as Support for Sulfur Cathode in Lithium Sulfur Battery
by Fangmu Qu, Zhaoju Yu, Monika Krol, Nan Chai, Ralf Riedel and Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081283 - 09 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1936
Abstract
As a promising matrix material for anchoring sulfur in the cathode for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, porous conducting supports have gained much attention. In this work, sulfur-containing C-rich SiCN composites are processed from silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramics, synthesized at temperatures from 800 to 1100 [...] Read more.
As a promising matrix material for anchoring sulfur in the cathode for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, porous conducting supports have gained much attention. In this work, sulfur-containing C-rich SiCN composites are processed from silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramics, synthesized at temperatures from 800 to 1100 °C. To embed sulfur in the porous SiCN matrix, an easy and scalable procedure, denoted as melting-diffusion method, is applied. Accordingly, sulfur is infiltrated under solvothermal conditions at 155 °C into pores of carbon-rich silicon carbonitride (C-rich SiCN). The impact of the initial porosity and microstructure of the SiCN ceramics on the electrochemical performance of the synthesized SiCN-sulfur (SiCN-S) composites is analysed and discussed. A combination of the mesoporous character of SiCN and presence of a disordered free carbon phase makes the electrochemical performance of the SiCN matrix obtained at 900 °C superior to that of SiCN synthesized at lower and higher temperatures. A capacity value of more than 195 mAh/g over 50 cycles at a high sulfur content of 66 wt.% is achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Properties and Applications of Ceramic Nanomaterials)
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18 pages, 4864 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Li-Ion Rate Capability and Stable Efficiency Enabled by MoSe2 Nanosheets in Polymer-Derived Silicon Oxycarbide Fiber Electrodes
by Sonjoy Dey, Shakir Bin Mujib and Gurpreet Singh
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030553 - 06 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2617
Abstract
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as MoSe2 have continued to generate interest in the engineering community because of their unique layered morphology—the strong in-plane chemical bonding between transition metal atoms sandwiched between two chalcogen atoms and the weak physical attraction between adjacent [...] Read more.
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as MoSe2 have continued to generate interest in the engineering community because of their unique layered morphology—the strong in-plane chemical bonding between transition metal atoms sandwiched between two chalcogen atoms and the weak physical attraction between adjacent TMD layers provides them with not only chemical versatility but also a range of electronic, optical, and chemical properties that can be unlocked upon exfoliation into individual TMD layers. Such a layered morphology is particularly suitable for ion intercalation as well as for conversion chemistry with alkali metal ions for electrochemical energy storage applications. Nonetheless, host of issues including fast capacity decay arising due to volume changes and from TMD’s degradation reaction with electrolyte at low discharge potentials have restricted use in commercial batteries. One approach to overcome barriers associated with TMDs’ chemical stability functionalization of TMD surfaces by chemically robust precursor-derived ceramics or PDC materials, such as silicon oxycarbide (SiOC). SiOC-functionalized TMDs have shown to curb capacity degradation in TMD and improve long term cycling as Li-ion battery (LIBs) electrodes. Herein, we report synthesis of such a composite in which MoSe2 nanosheets are in SiOC matrix in a self-standing fiber mat configuration. This was achieved via electrospinning of TMD nanosheets suspended in pre-ceramic polymer followed by high temperature pyrolysis. Morphology and chemical composition of synthesized material was established by use of electron microscopy and spectroscopic technique. When tested as LIB electrode, the SiOC/MoSe2 fiber mats showed improved cycling stability over neat MoSe2 and neat SiOC electrodes. The freestanding composite electrode delivered a high charge capacity of 586 mAh g−1electrode with an initial coulombic efficiency of 58%. The composite electrode also showed good cycling stability over SiOC fiber mat electrode for over 100 cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Properties and Applications of Ceramic Nanomaterials)
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16 pages, 6817 KiB  
Article
Material Design and Optimisation of Electrochemical Li-Ion Storage Properties of Ternary Silicon Oxycarbide/Graphite/Tin Nanocomposites
by Dominik Knozowski, Pradeep Vallachira Warriam Sasikumar, Piotr Madajski, Gurdial Blugan, Maria Gazda, Natalia Kovalska and Monika Wilamowska-Zawłocka
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030410 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2078
Abstract
In this work, we present the characterization and electrochemical performance of various ternary silicon oxycarbide/graphite/tin (SiOC/C/Sn) nanocomposites as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. In binary SiOC/Sn composites, tin nanoparticles may be produced in situ via carbothermal reduction of SnO2 to metallic Sn, which [...] Read more.
In this work, we present the characterization and electrochemical performance of various ternary silicon oxycarbide/graphite/tin (SiOC/C/Sn) nanocomposites as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. In binary SiOC/Sn composites, tin nanoparticles may be produced in situ via carbothermal reduction of SnO2 to metallic Sn, which consumes free carbon from the SiOC ceramic phase, thereby limiting the carbon content in the final ceramic nanocomposite. Therefore, to avoid drawbacks with carbon depletion, we used graphite as a substitute during the synthesis of precursors. The ternary composites were synthesized from liquid precursors and flake graphite using the ultrasound-assisted hydrosilylation method and pyrolysis at 1000 °C in an Ar atmosphere. The role of the graphitic component is to ensure good electric conductivity and the softness of the material, which are crucial for long term stability during alloying–dealloying processes. The presented approach allows us to increase the content of the tin precursor from 40 wt.% to 60 wt.% without losing the electrochemical stability of the final material. The charge/discharge capacity (at 372 mA g−1 current rate) of the tailored SiOC/C/Sn composite is about 100 mAh g−1 higher compared with that of the binary SiOC/Sn composite. The ternary composites, however, are more sensitive to high current rates (above 372 mA g−1) compared to the binary one because of the presence of graphitic carbon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Properties and Applications of Ceramic Nanomaterials)
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Review

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18 pages, 8210 KiB  
Review
Polymer Binders of Ceramic Nanoparticles for Precision Casting of Nickel-Based Superalloys
by Paweł Wiśniewski
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(7), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11071714 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3334
Abstract
This study presents the general characteristics of binders used in precision casting of Nickel-based superalloys. Three groups of binders were described: resins, organic compounds, and materials containing nanoparticles in alcohol or aqueous systems. This study also includes literature reports on materials commonly used [...] Read more.
This study presents the general characteristics of binders used in precision casting of Nickel-based superalloys. Three groups of binders were described: resins, organic compounds, and materials containing nanoparticles in alcohol or aqueous systems. This study also includes literature reports on materials commonly used and those recently replaced by water-soluble binders, i.e., ethyl silicate (ES) and hydrolysed ethyl silicate (HES). The appearance of new and interesting solutions containing nano-alumina is described, as well as other solutions at the initial stage of scientific research, such as those containing biopolymers, biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL), or modified starch. Special attention is paid to four binders containing nano-SiO2 intended for the first layers (Ludox AM, Ludox SK) and structural layers (EHT, Remasol) of shell moulds. Their morphology, viscosity, density, reactions, and electrokinetic potential were investigated. The binders were characterized by a high solid-phase content (>28%), viscosity, and density close to that of water (1–2 mPa·s) and good electrokinetic stability. The nanoparticles contained in the binders were approximately spherically shaped with an average particle size of 16–25 nm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Properties and Applications of Ceramic Nanomaterials)
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