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A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2022) | Viewed by 25444

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Mingxia Gao

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Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Interests: electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries; light–metal hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen storage electrode alloys for Ni/MH batteries; advanced ceramic matrix composites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the development of modern society, we are suffering increasingly severe problems in terms of energy shortage and environmental pollution. The development of advanced energy storage and conversion materials of large energy capacity and high energy density, advanced environmentally friendly materials, and materials for sustainable renewable energy conversion are extremely urgently needed with regard to solving these problems.

Fuel cells have high energy conversion efficiency. Solid-state hydrogen storage is expected to be a potential hydrogen storage material due to its high volumetric density and safety, which is highly sought after in the application of fuel cells. The development of novel electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions and hydrogen oxidation reactions is extremely important in the development and application of fuel cells. nowadays, lithium–ion batteries are used in a wide variety of areas. Nevertheless, the development of new electrode materials and electrolytes for lithium–ion batteries with high safety, high capacity, high energy density and low costs and other advanced analogous rechargeable secondly batteries is still urgently required, especially with regard to the applications of electron vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Supercapacitors are also important energy conversion technologies, but need to be developed further.

Tremendous efforts have been devoted to the aforementioned materials and their technologies, and significant progress has been achieved; however, they still do not meet the full requirements of practical applications. This Special Issue seeks novel research contributions in, but not limited to, the following areas:

Hydrogen storage materials, such as metal hydrides, complex hydrides, etc.
Fuel cells and their technologies;
Electrode materials and electrolytes for rechargeable secondly batteries, such as lithium–ion batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries; sodium–ion batteries, lithium–air batteries, etc.;
Electrode materials for supercapacitors, etc.;
Environmentally friendly materials;
Materials for sustainable renewable energy conversion.

Reviews, letters and full papers are all permitted.

Prof. Dr. Mingxia Gao
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

hydrogen storage materials
metal hydrides
complex hydrides
hydrogen storage properties
fuel cells
oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen oxidation reaction
electrocatalysis
lithium-ion batteries
sodium-ion batteries
lithium-sulfur batteries
lithium-air batteries
electrode materials
electrochemical properties
electrolytes
supercapacitors
water electrolysis
environmentally friendly materials
materials for sustainable renewable energy conversion

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 9730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

F-Doped Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Material with Improved Rate Performance for Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Jinbo Zeng, Yue Shen, Xiufeng Ren, Xiang Li, Yanxia Sun, Guotai Zhang, Zhaowei Wu, Shenglong Zhu, Chunxi Hai and Yuan Zhou

Processes 2022, 10(8), 1573; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10081573 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1595

Abstract

Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries have received widespread attention due to their large capacity and low cost; however, the structural stability of the material needs to be improved. Herein, F-doped and undoped cathode materials prepared with an advanced co-precipitation method were used to measure the effect of F doping on the material. Compared to the undoped sample, the F-doped cathode materials exhibited an improved rate performance, because the porous structure of F-doped cathode materials is favorable for the infiltration of the electrolyte and the material, and the F-doped cathode material has a larger (003) crystal plane and a smaller Li⁺ migration barrier energy. This simple F-doping treatment strategy provides a promising way to improve the performance of Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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10 pages, 2262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Li/Na Ion Storage Performance of a FeOF Nano Rod with Controllable Morphology

by Linhua Li, Liangshun Xiang, Yan Lin, Lei Chen, Renqing Guo, Yiqi Cao, Xiaohua Huang and Jianbo Wu

Processes 2022, 10(8), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10081491 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532

Abstract

Although the conversion material iron oxyfluoride (FeOF) possesses a high theoretical specific capacity as a cathode material for Li/Na ion batteries, its poor rate and cycling performances, caused mainly by sluggish (Li⁺/Na⁺) reaction kinetics, restrict its practical application. Herein, FeOF with high purity, a fusiform nanorod shape and high crystallinity is prepared through a facile chemical solution reaction. The electrochemical measurements show that the present FeOF exhibits high capacity and good cycling stability as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries. Capacities of 301, 274, 249, 222, and 194 mAh/g at stepwise current densities of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mA/g are achieved, respectively. Additionally, the capacity at 100 mA/g retains 123 mAh/g after 140 cycles. Meanwhile, as a cathode material for Na ion battery, it delivers discharge capacities of 185, 167, 151, 134 and 115 mAh/g at stepwise current densities of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mA/g, respectively. A discharge capacity of 83 mAh/g at 100 mA/g is achieved after 140 cycles. The excellent lithium/sodium-storage performance of the present FeOF material is ascribed to its unique nanostructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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12 pages, 1860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Property Anode Catalyst Compositing Co-Based Perovskite and NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide for Alkaline Seawater Splitting

by Ruigan Hu, Fuyue Liu, Haoqi Qiu, He Miao, Qin Wang, Houcheng Zhang, Fu Wang and Jinliang Yuan

Processes 2022, 10(4), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040668 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2314

Abstract

The progress of high-efficiency non-precious metal anode catalysts for direct seawater splitting is of great importance. However, due to the slow oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics, competition of chlorine evolution reaction (ClER), and corrosion of chloride ions on the anode, the direct seawater splitting faces many challenges. Herein, we develop a perovskite@NiFe layered double hydroxide composite for anode catalyst based on Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O₃ (BSCF) and NiFe layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) heterostructure. The optimized BSCF@CeO₂@NiFe exhibits excellent OER activity, with the potential at 100 mA cm⁻² (E_{j = 100}) being 1.62 V in the alkaline natural seawater. Moreover, the electrolytic cell composed of BSCF@CeO₂@NiFe anode shows an excellent stability, with negligible attenuation during the long-term overall seawater splitting with the remarkable self-recovery ability in the initial operation stage, and the direct seawater splitting potential increasing by about 30 mV at 10 mA cm⁻². Our work can give a guidance for the design and preparation of anode catalysts for the direct seawater splitting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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9 pages, 2033 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Point Defects on the Electronic Properties of III–V Al_0.5Ga_0.5N Photocathode Nanowires

by Yiting Li, Qianglong Fang, Yang Shen, Shuqin Zhang, Xiaodong Yang, Lanzhi Ye and Liang Chen

Processes 2022, 10(4), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040625 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1379

Abstract

Al_xGa_1−xN nanowires are the key materials for next-generation ultraviolet (UV) detectors. However, such devices have a low quantum efficiency caused by the introduction of defects and impurities throughout the preparation process of nanowires. Herein, the effects of different interstitial defects and vacancy defects on the electronic structure of Al₀.₅Ga₀.₅N nanowires are investigated using density functional theory calculations. Our results successfully discovered that only the formation of an N interstitial defect is thermally stable. In addition, the introduction of different defects makes the different nanowires exhibit n-type or p-type characteristics. Additionally, different defects lead to a decrease in the conduction band minimum in band structures, which is the major cause for the decrease in work function and increase in electron affinity of Al₀.₅Ga₀.₅N nanowires. What is more, the calculation of the partial density of states also proved that the interstitial defects contribute to a re-hybridization of local electron orbitals and then cause more significant movement of the electron density. Our investigations provide theoretical guidance for the pursuit of higher-quantum-efficiency ultraviolet (UV) detectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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11 pages, 4371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

NiS_1−xSe_x Nanoparticles Anchored on Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide as Highly Stable Anode for Sodium-Ion Battery

by Shunjiang Zhang, Ruirui Wang, Ronggen Cao, Fang Fang and Renbing Wu

Processes 2022, 10(3), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10030566 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4187

Abstract

Nickel sulfides are regarded as one of the promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), but the sluggish electrodes kinetics and rapid capacity decay, caused by their intrinsic low electrical conductivity and high bulk expansion, greatly limit their practical application. To overcome these obstacles, nano-sized, selenium-doped, nickel sulfide particles, anchored on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide composites (NiS_1−xSe_x@N–rGO), are rationally synthesized. The broad Na⁺ diffusion channels, resulting from Se doping, as well as the short Na⁺ transferring path, attributed from nano-size scale of NiS_1−xSe_x particles, endow NiS_1−xSe_x@N–rGO composites with ultrafast storage kinetics. Moreover, strong coupled effect between the NiS_1−xSe_x and N–rGO is beneficial to the uniform dispersion of NiS_1−xSe_x nanoparticles, improving electrical conductivity and suppressing the volume variation in charge/discharge process. Furthermore, the cut-off discharge voltage is modulated to realize the smaller volume change during cycle process. As a result, the fabricated anode of SIBs based on NiS_1−xSe_x@N–rGO composites exhibits a high specific capacity of 300 mAh g⁻¹, at the current density of 1 A g⁻¹, after 1000 cycles with almost no capacity degradation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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11 pages, 26096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Performance of Al-1Zn-0.1In-0.1Sn-0.5Mg-xMn (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) Alloys Used as the Anode of an Al-Air Battery

by Wenfeng Zhang, Tongrui Hu, Tao Chen, Xiaowei Yang, Yunfeng Zhu, Tainian Yang and Liquan Li

Processes 2022, 10(2), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020420 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1502

Abstract

In this work, Al-1Zn-0.1In-0.1Sn-0.5Mg-xMn (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) alloys are prepared and used as the anode of an Al-air battery (AAB). We use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and optical microscopy (OM) to analyze the microstructures of the alloys. The hydrogen evolution rate, electrochemical performance (including polarization curves), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and battery performance of the samples are examined in the 4 M NaOH electrolyte. The experimental data display that the average grain size is significantly refined after adding manganese into the Al-1Zn-0.1In-0.1Sn-0.5Mg alloy, with a decrease in grain size from over 100 μm to about 10 μm. The improved activity of the aluminum anode in the AAB can be attributed to the introduction of manganese. The Al-1Zn-0.1In-0.1Sn-0.5Mg-0.1Mn alloy possesses the optimal overall performance with a lower self-corrosion rate (0.128 mL∙cm⁻²∙min⁻¹), the highest working potential (1.630 V) and energy density (2415 mWh·g⁻¹), a higher capacity (1481 mAh·g⁻¹) and anodic utilization (49.75%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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10 pages, 2292 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synthesis of a Ternary Polysulfonate Dispersant and Its Suspension Performance

by Kemei Pei, Yongjie Huang, Xiao Yu and Dekai Wang

Processes 2022, 10(2), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020195 - 20 Jan 2022

Viewed by 1525

Abstract

Allyl alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (APEG), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and styrene sodium sulfonate (SSS) were used as monomers to obtain a APEG-HEMA-SSS comb-like polymer, which was employed as the polysulfonate dispersant for pendimethalin suspensions in this paper. The comb-like polymer has an anionic polysulfonate backbone, hydrophilic APEG side chains and sulfonic acid groups, which makes the dispersant absorb easily on the surface of pendimethalin particles. The polysulfonate dispersant with good dispersion performance was screened out by orthogonal experiments. The surface tension, zeta potential, particle size and dynamic contact angle of the pendimethalin suspension with APEG-HEMA-SSS as dispersant were investigated. The dispersant improves the dispersibility and wettability of the pendimethalin suspension observably. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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12 pages, 4010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Spinel (FeNiCrMnMgAl)₃O₄ High Entropy Oxide as a Cycling Stable Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

by Yu Zheng, Xin Wu, Xuexia Lan and Renzong Hu

Processes 2022, 10(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10010049 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4044

Abstract

Recently, high entropy oxides (HEO) with special stabilization effects have been widely investigated as new anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, the lithium storage mechanism of HEO is still under debate. In this work, we applied a modified solution combustion synthesis method with a subsequent ball milling refinement process to prepare a six-component (FeNiCrMnMgAl)₃O₄ spinel high entropy oxide (6-SHEO). The novel 6-SHEO anode features outstanding electrochemical performance, enabling a stable capacity of 657 mAh g⁻¹ at a current rate of 0.2 A g⁻¹ after 200 cycles, and good high-rate capability with 350 mAh g⁻¹ even at 4 A g⁻¹. In addition, the lithium storage behavior of this 6-SHEO anode was explored in detail through in-situ XRD and ex-situ TEM approaches. Surprisingly, a reversible spinel to rock salt phase transition behavior and spinel phase residue phenomenon was firstly observed by this route. Furthermore, for better understanding of the phase change behavior in this 6-SHEO anode, a high-energy ball milling approach was applied to induce a similar spinel to rock salt phase transformation for the first time, which generates fresh insight into the mechanism of the phase change behavior in this 6-SHEO anode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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12 pages, 14719 KiB

Open AccessArticle

N–Doped Porous Carbon Microspheres Derived from Yeast as Lithium Sulfide Hosts for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Sheng Liang, Jie Chen, Xuehua He, Lingli Liu, Ningning Zhou, Lei Hu, Lili Wang, Dewei Liang, Tingting Yu, Changan Tian and Chu Liang

Processes 2021, 9(10), 1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9101822 - 14 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

Lithium sulfide (Li₂S) is considered to be the best potential substitution for sulfur-based cathodes due to its high theoretical specific capacity (1166 mAh g⁻¹) and good compatibility with lithium metal-free anodes. However, the electrical insulation nature of Li₂S and severe shuttling of lithium polysulfides lead to poor rate capability and cycling stability. Confining Li₂S into polar conductive porous carbon is regarded as a promising strategy to solve these problems. In this work, N-doped porous carbon microspheres (NPCMs) derived from yeasts are designed and synthesized as a host to confine Li₂S. Nano Li₂S is successfully entered into the NPCMs’ pores to form N-doped porous carbon microspheres–Li₂S composite (NPCMs–Li₂S) by a typical liquid infiltration–evaporation method. NPCMs–Li₂S not only delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1077 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, but also displays good rate capability of 198 mAh g⁻¹ at 5.0 A g⁻¹ and long-term lifespan over 500 cycles. The improved cycling and high-rate performance of NPCMs–Li₂S can be attributed to the NPCMs’ host, realizing the strong fixation of LiPSs and enhancing the electron and charge conduction of Li₂S in NPCMs–Li₂S cathodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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13 pages, 3333 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Enhancing Hydrogen Storage Kinetics and Cycling Properties of NaMgH₃ by 2D Transition Metal Carbide MXene Ti₃C₂

by Zhouming Hang, Zhencan Hu, Xuezhang Xiao, Ruicheng Jiang and Meng Zhang

Processes 2021, 9(10), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9101690 - 22 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1645

Abstract

Metal hydrides have recently been proposed for not only hydrogen storage materials but also high-efficiency thermal storage materials. NaMgH₃ contains a considerable theoretical thermal storage density of 2881 kJ/kg. However, its sluggish de/re-hydrogenation reaction kinetics and poor cycling stability exhibit unavailable energy efficiency. Doping with active catalyst into NaMgH₃ is deemed to be a potential strategy to mitigate these disadvantages. In this work, the enhancement of de/re-hydrogenation kinetics and cycling properties of NaMgH₃ is investigated by doping with lamellar-structure 2D carbon-based MXene, Ti₃C₂. Results shows that introducing 7 wt.% Ti₃C₂ is proved to perform excellent catalytic efficiency for NaMgH₃, dramatically reducing the two-step hydrogen desorption peak temperatures (324.8 and 345.3 °C) and enhancing the de/re-hydrogenation kinetic properties with the hydrogen desorption capacity of 4.8 wt.% H₂ within 15 min at 365 °C and absorption capacity of 3.5 wt.% H₂ within 6 s. Further microstructure analyses reveal that the unique lamellar-structure of Ti₃C₂ can separate the agglomerated NaMgH₃ particles homogeneously and decrease the energy barriers of two-step reaction of NaMgH₃ (114.08 and 139.40 kJ/mol). Especially, lamellar-structure Ti₃C₂ can improve the reversibility of hydrogen storage of NaMgH₃, rendering 4.6 wt.% H₂ capacity remained after five cycles. The thermal storage density of the composite is determined to be 2562 kJ/kg through DSC profiles, which is suitable for thermal energy storage application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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16 pages, 27114 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Enhanced Hydrogen Storage Performance of MgH₂ by the Catalysis of a Novel Intersected Y₂O₃/NiO Hybrid

by Yushan Liu, Shun Wang, Zhenglong Li, Mingxia Gao, Yongfeng Liu, Wenping Sun and Hongge Pan

Processes 2021, 9(5), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9050892 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2626

Abstract

MgH₂ is one of the most promising hydrogen storage materials due to its high hydrogen storage capacity and favorable reversibility, but it suffers from stable thermodynamics and poor dynamics. In the present work, an intersected Y₂O₃/NiO hybrid with spherical hollow structure is synthesized. When introduced to MgH₂ via ball-milling, the Y₂O₃/NiO hollow spheres are crushed into ultrafine particles, which are homogenously dispersed in MgH₂, showing a highly effective catalysis. With an optimized addition of 10 wt% of the hybrid, the initial dehydrogenation peak temperature of MgH₂ is reduced to 277 °C, lowered by 109 °C compared with that of the bare MgH₂, which is further reduced to 261 °C in the second cycle. There is ca. 6.6 wt% H₂ released at 275 °C within 60 min. For the fully dehydrogenation product, hydrogenation initiates at almost room temperature, and a hydrogenation capacity of 5.9 wt% is achieved at 150 °C within 150 min. There is still 5.2 wt% H₂ desorbed after 50 cycles at a moderate cyclic condition, corresponding to the capacity retention of 79.2%. The crystal structure and morphology of the Y₂O₃/NiO hybrid is well preserved during cycling, showing long-term catalysis to the hydrogen storage of MgH₂. The Y₂O₃/NiO hybrid also inhibits the agglomeration of MgH₂ particles during cycling, favoring the cyclic stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)

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