Topic Editors

School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Prof. Dr. Peter Hall
School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
“One Belt-One Road” Institute, Kazakh-British Technical University, 59 Tole bi Street, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan

Batteries, Supercapacitors, Fuel Cells and Combined Energy/Power Supply Systems

Abstract submission deadline
closed (30 September 2023)
Manuscript submission deadline
closed (31 December 2023)
Viewed by
89424

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the world faces the daunting combination of surging energy demands, rising greenhouse gas emissions and tightening energy resources, renewable power is growing impressively to fulfil the ever-increasing power demands of newly emerging applications. However, the utilization of energy in the form of electricity generated from renewable resources to satisfy a strong rebound in global electricity demand can only be addressed by a step change in energy storage. This signifies that energy storage is more important now than ever, and the continuously developing demands of contemporary applications necessitate the design of adaptable energy storage/conversion and power supply systems offering wide ranges of energy and power densities. Since no single energy storage technology can address such energy/power requirements simultaneously, various combinations of storage technologies and systems can be developed. In this regard, batteries, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) and fuel cells, three crucially important electrochemical energy storage/conversion devices, will play a vital role in producing sufficient renewable energy to meet our future energy demands. Yet, the inherent intermittency of supply from renewable energy resources can only be addressed by a step change in the energy storage/conversion capability of these devices to ensure security and continuity of energy supply from a more distributed and intermittent supply base. This Special Issue seeks to contribute to an agenda encompassing all aspects of energy storage/conversion in batteries, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) and fuel cells and their combinations through enhanced scientific and multi-disciplinary works, aiming to improve the current knowledge and performance of energy storage/conversion systems and their combinations for a wide range of energy and power supplies.

We are particularly interested in articles and reviews that explore all features of batteries, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) and fuel cells, their energy storage/conversion mechanisms and electric components. We also encourage papers presenting processes and implementations in this field while addressing the currently existing challenges associated with their electrode and electolyte materials, structural design and optimization, application of novel materials, current trends and future developments, including both electrochemical as well as electrical engineering aspects and fabrication of their components and production of the device. Moreover, their performance analysis, operational management and integration to improve the overall performance of energy /power supply systems with their associated advances and challenges are also of special interest.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Technologies, processes and materials.
  • Synthesis, characterization and properties of the electrode materials.
  • Novel and benign electrolytes for batteries and electrochemical capacitors and the type of electrolytes used in fuel cells.
  • Understanding of their underlying mechanisms of energy storage/conversion.
  • Structural design and optimization, and application of novel materials.
  • Experimental techniques for testing, characterization, monitoring and diagnosis.
  • Modeling and experimental validation of the device.
  • Reliability and safety.
  • Sizing and optimization algorithms.
  • Performance analysis and operational management of the device under different conditions.
  • Their technoeconomic analysis and market analyses. 
  • Their integration with other storage technologies to improve the overall performance of energy systems.

Prof. Dr. Mojtaba Mirzaeian
Prof. Dr. Peter Hall
Prof. Dr. Desmond Gibson
Prof. Dr. Saule Aidarova
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • renewable energy
  • electrochemical energy conversion and storage
  • battery
  • supercapacitor
  • fuel cell
  • electrode
  • electrolyte
  • binder
  • performance analysis, management and control
  • modeling
  • hybrid system and integration
  • energy storage/conversion mechanisms
  • energy density
  • power density

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Applied Sciences
applsci
2.5 5.3 2011 17.8 Days CHF 2400
Batteries
batteries
4.6 4.0 2015 22 Days CHF 2700
Coatings
coatings
2.9 5.0 2011 13.7 Days CHF 2600
Energies
energies
3.0 6.2 2008 17.5 Days CHF 2600
Nanomaterials
nanomaterials
4.4 8.5 2010 13.8 Days CHF 2900

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Published Papers (33 papers)

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17 pages, 2999 KiB  
Article
Identification and Mitigation of Predominant Challenges in the Utilization of Aged Traction Batteries within Stationary Second-Life Scenarios
by Merlin Frank, Daniel Serafin Holz, Domenic Klohs, Christian Offermanns, Heiner Hans Heimes and Achim Kampker
Energies 2024, 17(5), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17050988 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 879
Abstract
As the production of battery cells experiences exponential growth and electric vehicle fleets continue to expand, an escalating number of traction batteries are nearing the conclusion of their operational life for mobility purposes, both presently and in the foreseeable future. Concurrently, the heightened [...] Read more.
As the production of battery cells experiences exponential growth and electric vehicle fleets continue to expand, an escalating number of traction batteries are nearing the conclusion of their operational life for mobility purposes, both presently and in the foreseeable future. Concurrently, the heightened interest in sustainable energy storage solutions has spurred investigations into potential second-life applications for aging traction batteries. Nonetheless, the predominant practice remains the removal of these batteries from electric vehicles, signifying the end of their life cycle, and their subsequent incorporation into recycling processes, with limited consideration for life-extending measures. This study seeks to elucidate the reasons behind the deprioritization of battery repurposing strategies. Therefore, the research team conducted two industry studies with over 20 battery experts from Europe, revealing concerns about the economic viability of repurposing batteries for stationary storage applications. A literature review of studies published since 2016 confirmed the industry’s struggles to address this issue theoretically. In conclusion, a research question was formulated, and a solution approach was delineated to assess the economic prospects of aged traction batteries within the industry’s landscape in the future. This solution approach encompasses pertinent market analysis, the identification of representative second-life applications, as well as the formulation of a methodology for evaluating the residual value of these batteries. Full article
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20 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid Control-Oriented PEMFC Model Based on Echo State Networks and Gaussian Radial Basis Functions
by José Agustín Aguilar, Damien Chanal, Didier Chamagne, Nadia Yousfi Steiner, Marie-Cécile Péra, Attila Husar and Juan Andrade-Cetto
Energies 2024, 17(2), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020508 - 20 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1013
Abstract
The goal of increasing efficiency and durability of fuel cells can be achieved through optimal control of their operating conditions. In order to implement such controllers, accurate and computationally efficient fuel cell models must be developed. This work presents a hybrid (physics-based and [...] Read more.
The goal of increasing efficiency and durability of fuel cells can be achieved through optimal control of their operating conditions. In order to implement such controllers, accurate and computationally efficient fuel cell models must be developed. This work presents a hybrid (physics-based and data-driven), control-oriented model for approximating the output voltage of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) while operating under dynamical conditions. First, a physics-based model, built from simplified electrochemical, membrane dynamics and mass conservation equations, is developed and validated through experimental data. Second, a data-driven, neural network (echo state network) is trained, fitted and tested with the same dataset. Then, the hybrid model is formed as a parallel structure, where the simplified physics-based model and the trained data-driven model are merged through an algorithm based on Gaussian radial basis functions. The merging algorithm compares the output of both single models and assigns weights for computing the prediction of the hybrid result. The proposed hybrid model structure is successfully trained, validated and tested with an experimental dataset originating from fuel cells within an automotive PEMFC stack. The hybrid model is assessed through the mean square error index, with the result of a low tracking error. Full article
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13 pages, 2404 KiB  
Article
Scalable Precursor-Assisted Synthesis of a High Voltage LiNiyCo1−yPO4 Cathode for Li-Ion Batteries
by Mobinul Islam, Ghulam Ali, Muhammad Faizan, Daseul Han, Basit Ali, Sua Yun, Haseeb Ahmad and Kyung-Wan Nam
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(24), 3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13243156 - 16 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1328
Abstract
A solid-solution cathode of LiCoPO4-LiNiPO4 was investigated as a potential candidate for use with the Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) anode in Li-ion batteries. A pre-synthesized nickel–cobalt hydroxide precursor is mixed with lithium and phosphate sources by wet [...] Read more.
A solid-solution cathode of LiCoPO4-LiNiPO4 was investigated as a potential candidate for use with the Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) anode in Li-ion batteries. A pre-synthesized nickel–cobalt hydroxide precursor is mixed with lithium and phosphate sources by wet ball milling, which results in the final product, LiNiyCo1−yPO4 (LNCP) by subsequent heat treatment. Crystal structure and morphology of the product were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its XRD patterns show that LNCP is primarily a single-phase compound and has olivine-type XRD patterns similar to its parent compounds, LiCoPO4 and LiNiPO4. Synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis, however, indicates that Ni doping in LiCoPO4 is unfavorable because Ni2+ is not actively involved in the electrochemical reaction. Consequently, it reduces the charge storage capability of the LNCP cathode. Additionally, ex situ XRD analysis of cycled electrodes confirms the formation of the electrochemically inactive rock salt-type NiO phase. The discharge capacity of the LNCP cathode is entirely associated with the Co3+/Co2+ redox couple. The electrochemical evaluation demonstrated that the LNCP cathode paired with the LTO anode produced a 3.12 V battery with an energy density of 184 Wh kg−1 based on the cathode mass. Full article
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19 pages, 9898 KiB  
Article
The Operation Method of Hybrid Power Supply System Combining Lithium Polymer Battery and Supercapacitor for Industrial Drones
by Kyung-Min Kang, Young-Sang Ko, Yoon-Seong Lee, Junsin Yi and Chung-Yuen Won
Energies 2023, 16(22), 7552; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227552 - 13 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1555
Abstract
This paper proposes a hybrid power supply system for commercial drones. The proposed hybrid power supply system consists of a lithium polymer battery, a supercapacitor, and a power converter for charging the supercapacitor. In the proposed system, the supercapacitor is pre-charged with a [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a hybrid power supply system for commercial drones. The proposed hybrid power supply system consists of a lithium polymer battery, a supercapacitor, and a power converter for charging the supercapacitor. In the proposed system, the supercapacitor is pre-charged with a lithium polymer battery through a power converter, and the supercapacitor first supplies the power required for the drone’s initial startup and lift-up. Afterward, in the section where the power consumption of the drone is low, the battery and the supercapacitor supply power together, minimizing the stress on the battery. To verify the proposed hybrid power supply system, a computer simulation was conducted, the actual hardware was fabricated, and experiments were performed. Full article
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16 pages, 4540 KiB  
Article
Research on the Energy Management Strategy of a Hybrid Energy Storage Type Railway Power Conditioner System
by Ying Wang, Ya Guo, Xiaoqiang Chen, Yunpeng Zhang, Dong Jin and Jing Xie
Energies 2023, 16(15), 5759; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155759 - 2 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1064
Abstract
High-speed railways generate a large amount of regenerative braking energy during operation but this energy is not utilized efficiently. In order to realize the recycling of regenerative braking energy of high-speed railways, the hybrid energy storage type railway power conditioner (RPC) system is [...] Read more.
High-speed railways generate a large amount of regenerative braking energy during operation but this energy is not utilized efficiently. In order to realize the recycling of regenerative braking energy of high-speed railways, the hybrid energy storage type railway power conditioner (RPC) system is proposed. The working principle and the control strategy of the system are studied. The energy management strategy consisting of a hybrid energy storage system charging and discharging strategy and variational modal decomposition (VMD) power allocation strategy is proposed. Three system operation modes are proposed: the power of the hybrid energy storage system is decomposed by VMD and an interrelationship number is proposed to determine the lithium battery and supercapacitor power. The hardware-in-the-loop test experiments are conducted by the StarSim power electronics small-step real-time simulator from Modeling Tech and the validation analysis is carried out on MATLAB/Simulink with the actual measurement data of a traction substation on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang line. The results verify that the proposed strategy can effectively recycle the regenerative braking energy, realize the peak-shaving effect on the load, and reduce the energy consumption of the train. Full article
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21 pages, 6608 KiB  
Article
Voltage Reference Realignment Cell Balance to Solve Overvoltage Caused by Gradual Damage of Series-Connected Batteries
by Sang-Sun Yun and Seok-Cheol Kee
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7624; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137624 - 28 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1751
Abstract
This paper analyzes the cause of electric vehicle battery fires. The fundamental cause is attributed to a low cell balance current, and it is proven that the variation in the battery’s internal voltage due to temperature change is the decisive reason for battery [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes the cause of electric vehicle battery fires. The fundamental cause is attributed to a low cell balance current, and it is proven that the variation in the battery’s internal voltage due to temperature change is the decisive reason for battery fires. In this paper, the authors studied a method of solving the problem by changing only the software of the existing Battery Management System (BMS) without changing the hardware. Batteries cannot be made with 100% capacity, resulting in voltage division. Cell balancing is performed to prevent such phenomena, but a low cell balance current prevents the proper operation of cell balancing. As a result, relatively small batteries, due to progressive degradation, have continuous voltage rise toward overvoltage. Subsequently, an additional voltage rise occurs as the chemical activity of the battery increases due to temperature rise. In this paper, a new cell balancing method is proposed to limit the aging process of cells with a relatively small capacity and peak voltage. In addition, it was validated through simulation using MATLAB R2019a. Full article
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18 pages, 4008 KiB  
Article
Non-Linear Analytical Model for the Study of Double-Layer Supercapacitors in Different Industrial Uses
by Joaquín F. Pedrayes, Maria F. Quintana, Manés F. Cabanas, Manuel G. Melero, Gonzalo A. Orcajo and Andrés S. González
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6714; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116714 - 31 May 2023
Viewed by 1578
Abstract
It is generally considered that the representation of a double layer supercapacitor (DLSC) cannot be performed with the usual capacitance and resistance series connected, as it induces a relatively high level of inaccuracy in the results. In multiple previous studies, more advanced models [...] Read more.
It is generally considered that the representation of a double layer supercapacitor (DLSC) cannot be performed with the usual capacitance and resistance series connected, as it induces a relatively high level of inaccuracy in the results. In multiple previous studies, more advanced models have been developed with very different approaches: models with distributed parameter circuits, based on artificial neural networks (ANNs), fractional order, etc. A non-linear model, less complex than the previous ones and whose behavior adequately represents the DLSCs, is the one formed by a variable capacitance, dependent on its internal voltage. This paper presents a mathematical study to obtain analytical expressions of all the electrical variables of DLSCs, voltage, current, dissipated power and so on, by means of a previous model. This study is carried out considering that the DLSC is charged and discharged through a voltage source and also discharged through a resistor. In later sections, the operational conditions of the DLSC in numerous industrial applications are presented. Finally, a comparative analysis is made between the results produced by the conventional model, with constant capacitance, and the developed model. This analysis is finally followed by the conclusions. Full article
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18 pages, 3899 KiB  
Article
Engendering High Energy Density LiFePO4 Electrodes with Morphological and Compositional Tuning
by Aleksei V. Kubarkov, Alexander V. Babkin, Oleg A. Drozhzhin, Keith J. Stevenson, Evgeny V. Antipov and Vladimir G. Sergeyev
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(11), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13111771 - 31 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3061
Abstract
Improving the energy density of Li-ion batteries is critical to meet the requirements of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. In this work, LiFePO4 active material was combined with single-walled carbon nanotubes as the conductive additive to develop high-energy-density cathodes for rechargeable [...] Read more.
Improving the energy density of Li-ion batteries is critical to meet the requirements of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. In this work, LiFePO4 active material was combined with single-walled carbon nanotubes as the conductive additive to develop high-energy-density cathodes for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The effect of the morphology of the active material particles on the cathodes’ electrochemical characteristics was investigated. Although providing higher packing density of electrodes, spherical LiFePO4 microparticles had poorer contact with an aluminum current collector and showed lower rate capability than plate-shaped LiFePO4 nanoparticles. A carbon-coated current collector helped enhance the interfacial contact with spherical LiFePO4 particles and was instrumental in combining high electrode packing density (1.8 g cm−3) with excellent rate capability (100 mAh g−1 at 10C). The weight percentages of carbon nanotubes and polyvinylidene fluoride binder in the electrodes were optimized for electrical conductivity, rate capability, adhesion strength, and cyclic stability. The electrodes that were formulated with 0.25 wt.% of carbon nanotubes and 1.75 wt.% of the binder demonstrated the best overall performance. The optimized electrode composition was used to formulate thick free-standing electrodes with high energy and power densities, achieving the areal capacity of 5.9 mAh cm−2 at 1C rate. Full article
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19 pages, 9457 KiB  
Article
Symmetrical Composite Supercapacitor Based on Activated Carbon and Cobalt Nanoparticles with High Cyclic Stability and Current Load
by Khabibulla A. Abdullin, Maratbek T. Gabdullin, Zhanar K. Kalkozova, Shyryn T. Nurbolat and Mojtaba Mirzaeian
Energies 2023, 16(11), 4287; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114287 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1857
Abstract
Supercapacitors play an important role in a future clean-energy landscape to meet the challenges of existing energy-storage/delivery systems. They suffer from low energy density and are mainly used for the storage/delivery of electrical energy in high power demands. However, improvement of their energy [...] Read more.
Supercapacitors play an important role in a future clean-energy landscape to meet the challenges of existing energy-storage/delivery systems. They suffer from low energy density and are mainly used for the storage/delivery of electrical energy in high power demands. However, improvement of their energy density is vital to develop energy storage systems that can respond to the energy demands of emerging technologies requiring a wider energy/power spectrum. In this article, a symmetrical capacitor is developed from a composite consisting of synthesized activated carbon and cobalt oxide to improve the energy storage performance of the supercapacitor. Uniform distribution and immobilization of cobalt nanoparticles within the composite is achieved by embedding cobalt acetate into the initial resorcinol formaldehyde polymeric aerogels, followed by the pyrolysis of the gel in Ar atmosphere and activation of the carbon in CO2 atmosphere at 800 °C. The activated carbon/cobalt composite is used as the electroactive material in electrode formulation. The electrochemical characteristics of the synthesized electrode materials demonstrates an optimized specific capacitance of 235 F g−1 at a sweep rate of 10 mV s−1 in a three-electrode system. The symmetrical capacitor has a capacitance of 66 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, a very high rate of performance in 10,000 cycle tests, and a rate capability of 24% at 30 A g−1. The capacitor shows a power density of up to 15 Wh k g−1. The presence of cobalt spices makes it possible to optimize the capacitance of a symmetrical capacitor, while the capacitance of a symmetrical activated carbon capacitor cannot be optimized. Full article
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12 pages, 2464 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of MnCoS Thin Films Deposited by the SILAR Method with the Assistance of Surfactants and Supercapacitor Properties
by Qifan Yang, Qianhui Chen, Fuzhong Gong and Yanlin Li
Coatings 2023, 13(5), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13050908 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1587
Abstract
Compact MnCoS thin films on a nickel foam (NF) substrate were prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and a reaction (SILAR) method, and two surfactants (SDS and CTAB) were used to improve the wettability of the NF. The MnCoS thin films were characterized [...] Read more.
Compact MnCoS thin films on a nickel foam (NF) substrate were prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and a reaction (SILAR) method, and two surfactants (SDS and CTAB) were used to improve the wettability of the NF. The MnCoS thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The supercapacitive properties were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that while the NF was first dipped in surfactant solution, followed by a mixture of Mn2+ and Co2+ or a Na2S solution, the load and density of the MnCoS on the NF’s surface significantly increased and delivered a much higher specific capacitance than that of the MnCoS thin film formed without the assistance of surfactants, which were 2029.8 F g−1 (MnCoS-CTAB), 1500.3 F g−1 (MnCoS-SDS), and 950.4 F g−1 (MnCoS-H2O) at a current density of 1 A g−1 in 3 M KOH aqueous solution. When the current density increased to 10 A g−1, the MnCoS-CTAB with the highest specific capacitance exhibited a capacitance of 1371.9 F g−1, with a 71% capacity retention up to 1000 cycles, showing a good rate performance and cycle stability. Full article
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17 pages, 9586 KiB  
Article
Nanomaterial with Core–Shell Structure Composed of {P2W18O62} and Cobalt Homobenzotrizoate for Supercapacitors and H2O2-Sensing Applications
by Lanyue Zhang, Shan Di, Hong Lin, Chunmei Wang, Kai Yu, Jinghua Lv, Chunxiao Wang and Baibin Zhou
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071176 - 25 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1792
Abstract
Designing and preparing dual-functional Dawson-type polyoxometalate-based metal–organic framework (POMOF) energy storage materials is challenging. Here, the Dawson-type POMOF nanomaterial with the molecular formula CoK4[P2W18O62]@Co3(btc)2 (abbreviated as {P2W18}@Co-BTC, H [...] Read more.
Designing and preparing dual-functional Dawson-type polyoxometalate-based metal–organic framework (POMOF) energy storage materials is challenging. Here, the Dawson-type POMOF nanomaterial with the molecular formula CoK4[P2W18O62]@Co3(btc)2 (abbreviated as {P2W18}@Co-BTC, H3btc = 1,3,5-benzylcarboxylic acid) was prepared using a solid-phase grinding method. XRD, SEM, TEM et al. analyses prove that this nanomaterial has a core–shell structure of Co-BTC wrapping around the {P2W18}. In the three-electrode system, it was found that {P2W18}@Co-BTC has the best supercapacitance performance, with a specific capacitance of 490.7 F g−1 (1 A g−1) and good stability, compared to nanomaterials synthesized with different feedstock ratios and two precursors. In the symmetrical double-electrode system, both the power density (800.00 W kg−1) and the energy density (11.36 Wh kg−1) are greater. In addition, as the electrode material for the H2O2 sensor, {P2W18}@Co-BTC also exhibits a better H2O2-sensing performance, such as a wide linear range (1.9 μM–1.67 mM), low detection limit (0.633 μM), high selectivity, stability (92.4%) and high recovery for the detection of H2O2 in human serum samples. This study provides a new strategy for the development of Dawson-type POMOF nanomaterial compounds. Full article
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19 pages, 3971 KiB  
Perspective
Second-Life of Lithium-Ion Batteries from Electric Vehicles: Concept, Aging, Testing, and Applications
by Kateřina Nováková, Anna Pražanová, Daniel-Ioan Stroe and Vaclav Knap
Energies 2023, 16(5), 2345; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052345 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3038
Abstract
The last decade has seen a significant increase in electromobility. With this trend, it will be necessary to start dealing with the subsequent recycling and disposal of electric vehicles, including the batteries. Currently, the battery is one of the most expensive components of [...] Read more.
The last decade has seen a significant increase in electromobility. With this trend, it will be necessary to start dealing with the subsequent recycling and disposal of electric vehicles, including the batteries. Currently, the battery is one of the most expensive components of an electric vehicle, which in part hinders their sufficient competitiveness with the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the lifetime of a battery for use in an electric vehicle is assumed to be 8–10 years/160,000 km, after which the battery capacity drops to 80% of the initial capacity. However, it transpires that a battery at the end of its life in an electric vehicle does not need to be disposed of immediately, but can be used in other applications wherein the emphasis is not so strictly on an excellent power and capacity capability related to its volume or weight. Thus, reusing batteries can help reduce their cost for use in electric vehicles, increase their utility value, and reduce the environmental impact of batteries. This paper discusses methods for researching battery aging in electric vehicles, testing methods for batteries during the transition from first life to second life, and prospective battery second-life use and its specifics. The main contribution of this perspective article is to provide a comprehensive view of the current state of second-life batteries and an overview of the challenges that need to be overcome in order to use them on a large industrial scale. Full article
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10 pages, 2880 KiB  
Communication
Development of SOFC Interconnects Based on Industrial Steels with Oxide Coating
by Andrey Bushuev, Oleg El’kin, Ivan Tolstobrov, Yulia Chetvertnykh, Mark Bobro, Nailya Saetova and Anton Kuzmin
Energies 2023, 16(3), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031237 - 23 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2203
Abstract
This work suggests a method for obtaining heat-resistant protective coatings for 08Kh17T stainless steel that can be used as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells. The suggested approach is based on the layer-by-layer precipitation of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, followed by heat [...] Read more.
This work suggests a method for obtaining heat-resistant protective coatings for 08Kh17T stainless steel that can be used as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells. The suggested approach is based on the layer-by-layer precipitation of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, followed by heat treatment in a vacuum and oxidizing atmosphere. XRD results show that the coatings consist of a mixture of metal oxides and compounds with a spinel structure. The obtained coatings demonstrate high resistance to high-temperature oxidation for 100 h. The coating with the ratio of the thicknesses of the cobalt and manganese layers of 1.5/0.5 μm obtained by electrodeposition is the most stable. The specific electrical resistance of this coating is 3.50·10−3 Ω·cm2 after 100 h of exposure at 850 °C, which meets the requirements for SOFC interconnect materials. Full article
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15 pages, 2345 KiB  
Article
Energy Efficiency Optimization of Collaborative Power Supply System with Supercapacitor Storages
by Yibo Deng, Chushan Li, Yan Deng, Ting Chen, Shaoyu Feng, Yujie Chu and Chengmin Li
Energies 2023, 16(3), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031227 - 23 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
To solve the challenge of low efficiency and high operation cost caused by intermittent high-power charging in an energy storage tram, this work presents a collaborative power supply system with supercapacitor energy storage. The scheme can reduce the peak power of the transformer, [...] Read more.
To solve the challenge of low efficiency and high operation cost caused by intermittent high-power charging in an energy storage tram, this work presents a collaborative power supply system with supercapacitor energy storage. The scheme can reduce the peak power of the transformer, therefore reducing the grid-side capacity and improving the efficiency. However, there is a lack of quantitative analysis on the performance improvement of the solution. The energy efficiency models of critical components are proposed to evaluate the efficiency of the system, and energy efficiency optimization is conducted. Taking an operational tram line as an example, the improved charging efficiency and reduced operating costs are derived. Further, the ground energy storage capacity is designed and implemented. The measured data demonstrates that the energy efficiency of the optimized charging system is improved, which proves its effectiveness and practicability. Full article
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34 pages, 3442 KiB  
Review
Models for Battery Health Assessment: A Comparative Evaluation
by Ester Vasta, Tommaso Scimone, Giovanni Nobile, Otto Eberhardt, Daniele Dugo, Massimiliano Maurizio De Benedetti, Luigi Lanuzza, Giuseppe Scarcella, Luca Patanè, Paolo Arena and Mario Cacciato
Energies 2023, 16(2), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020632 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2955
Abstract
Considering the importance of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and the attention that the study of their degradation deserves, this work provides a review of the most important battery state of health (SOH) estimation methods. The different approaches proposed in the literature were analyzed, highlighting [...] Read more.
Considering the importance of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and the attention that the study of their degradation deserves, this work provides a review of the most important battery state of health (SOH) estimation methods. The different approaches proposed in the literature were analyzed, highlighting theoretical aspects, strengths, weaknesses and performance indices. In particular, three main categories were identified: experimental methods that include electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and incremental capacity analysis (ICA), model-based methods that exploit equivalent electric circuit models (ECMs) and aging models (AMs) and, finally, data-driven approaches ranging from neural networks (NNs) to support vector regression (SVR). This work aims to depict a complete picture of the available techniques for SOH estimation, comparing the results obtained for different engineering applications. Full article
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10 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
Poly(ether ether ketone)-Induced Surface Modification of Polyethylene Separators for Li-Ion Batteries
by Yunjung Kim, Yong-Jin Jang, Hyungeun Seo, Je-Nam Lee, Sang-Gil Woo and Jae-Hun Kim
Energies 2023, 16(2), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020627 - 4 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1892
Abstract
With the global effort to reduce fossil fuels and to use eco-friendly energy, interest in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is rapidly increasing. In the LIB system, the separator is an important component for determining the rate performance and safety of cells. Although polyolefin separators [...] Read more.
With the global effort to reduce fossil fuels and to use eco-friendly energy, interest in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is rapidly increasing. In the LIB system, the separator is an important component for determining the rate performance and safety of cells. Although polyolefin separators are commercially used in LIBs, they still suffer from inferior electrolyte wettability and low thermal stability issues. Here, we introduce a chemical surface modification for polyethylene (PE) separators using a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) coating. The separators were pretreated in a tannic acid solution to enforce the adhesion of the coated layers. Then, PEEK was coated onto the PE surface by a doctor blading method. The separators were examined by infrared spectroscopy, and the surface properties were characterized by electrolyte uptake and contact angle measurements. The treated surface was hydrophilic, and the ionic conductivity of the cell with the modified separator was significantly improved. As a result, the corresponding rate performance was significantly improved. The surface modification strategy proposed here can be applied to polyolefin-based separators as well. Full article
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15 pages, 3294 KiB  
Article
Remaining Useful Life Prediction for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Improved Variational Mode Decomposition and Machine Learning Algorithm
by Chuang Sun, An Qu, Jun Zhang, Qiyang Shi and Zhenhong Jia
Energies 2023, 16(1), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010313 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2981
Abstract
Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of batteries is important for the health management and safety evaluation of lithium-ion batteries. Because lithium-ion batteries have capacity recovery and noise interference during actual use, direct use of measured capacity data to predict their RUL generalization ability [...] Read more.
Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of batteries is important for the health management and safety evaluation of lithium-ion batteries. Because lithium-ion batteries have capacity recovery and noise interference during actual use, direct use of measured capacity data to predict their RUL generalization ability is not efficient. Aimed at the above problems, this paper proposes an integrated life prediction method for lithium-ion batteries by combining improved variational mode decomposition (VMD) with a long short-term memory network (LSTM) and Gaussian process regression algorithm (GPR). First, the VMD algorithm decomposed the measured capacity dataset of the lithium-ion battery into a residual component and capacity regeneration component, in which the penalty factor α and mode number K in the VMD algorithm were optimized by the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). Second, the LSTM and GPR models were established to predict the residual component and capacity regeneration components, respectively. Last, the predicted components are integrated to obtain the final predicted lithium-ion battery capacity. The experimental results show that the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the proposed lithium-ion battery capacity prediction model are less than 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively, and the method outperforms the five compared algorithms and several recently proposed hybrid algorithms in terms of prediction accuracy. Full article
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15 pages, 2930 KiB  
Article
Electrochemical Deposition of Multicomponent Mixed Metal Oxides on rGO/Ni Foam for All-Solid-State Asymmetric Supercapacitor Device: Mn, Co, and Ni Oxides with Ag Doping
by Yunus Emre Firat and Viktor Čolić
Energies 2022, 15(22), 8559; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228559 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
In this study, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASSC) device is assembled by the deposition and annealing of silver-doped mixed metal oxides on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Ni foam and activated carbon (AC) on Ni foam as positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The best performing Ag:MnCoNiO [...] Read more.
In this study, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASSC) device is assembled by the deposition and annealing of silver-doped mixed metal oxides on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Ni foam and activated carbon (AC) on Ni foam as positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The best performing Ag:MnCoNiO active material is synthesized on rGO/Ni foam using chronopotentiometry combined with heat treatment. The XRD study clearly confirms the crystalline nature of the electrode with MnCo2O4 and MnNi2O4 phases. FT-IR and XPS studies revealed the formation of Ag:MnCoNiO/rGO on Ni foam. SEM images show a thin-film layer of fabricated material on the surface of rGO/Ni foam. The supercapacitor properties were tested in two- and three-electrode configurations, with cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments in a 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. In the three-electrode configuration, reversible faradic reactions can be observed in a potential range of 0.0 and +0.6 V vs. Hg/HgSO4. In the two-electrode device configuration, the system exhibits a maximum energy density of 45.5 Wh kg−1 and provides a maximum power density of 4.5 kW kg−1. The results showed that the doping of Ag in a MnCoNiO electrode shows promising properties, achieved by a very simple fabrication process. The results showcase the synergistic effects achieved by mixed multiple-component metal oxides, leading to improved supercapacitive properties. Full article
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14 pages, 2952 KiB  
Article
Effects of Current and Ambient Temperature on Thermal Response of Lithium Ion Battery
by Shuping Wang, Tangqin Wu, Heng Xie, Changhao Li, Jiaqing Zhang, Lihua Jiang and Qingsong Wang
Batteries 2022, 8(11), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8110203 - 1 Nov 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7118
Abstract
Both operating current and ambient temperature have a great impact on heat generation and the available residual capacity of the lithium ion battery. The thermal response of the lithium ion battery is investigated under isothermal conditions. Six currents from 1 A to 6 [...] Read more.
Both operating current and ambient temperature have a great impact on heat generation and the available residual capacity of the lithium ion battery. The thermal response of the lithium ion battery is investigated under isothermal conditions. Six currents from 1 A to 6 A, with a 1 A interval, are investigated in order to discuss the effect of current under 25 °C; four temperatures from 10 °C to 55 °C, with a 15 °C interval, are investigated to study the effect of temperature under the current of 2 A. The heat generation rate increases with the current increasing during both the charge and discharge stage, but the charge capacity remains independent of current, while the discharge capacity decreases with increasing current. Heat generation decreases with increasing temperature in both the charge and discharge stage, while charge capacity and discharge capacity increase. with the temperature increasing from 10 °C to 55 °C. Heat generation of per charge/discharge capacity is also discussed, and in most cases, the heat generation of per charge capacity during the constant voltage charge stage is larger than that during the constant current charge stage. Heat generation increases at the expense of available capacity, during the discharge stage. Full article
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21 pages, 6358 KiB  
Article
Influence of Radial Flows on Power Density and Gas Stream Pressure Drop of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
by Abdellah Essaghouri, Zezhi Zeng, Bingguo Zhao, Changkun Hao, Yuping Qian, Weilin Zhuge and Yangjun Zhang
Energies 2022, 15(21), 7875; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15217875 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1321
Abstract
The development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for powering vehicles requires high power densities. The radial flows generated by the insert structures in SOFC fuel channels could improve the power density by facilitating the fuel to enter the porous anode for electrochemical [...] Read more.
The development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for powering vehicles requires high power densities. The radial flows generated by the insert structures in SOFC fuel channels could improve the power density by facilitating the fuel to enter the porous anode for electrochemical reactions. In this paper, we developed a 2D axisymmetric numerical model to examine the influence of a convergent conical ring insert on the flow and mass transfer characteristics in a tubular SOFC. The mass transfer conductance of fuel was analyzed and proposed to quantify the performance of different insert designs. The effects of the radius and offset angle of the convergent conical ring insert were examined and analyzed. We demonstrate that increasing the insert radius could increase the fuel mass transfer conductance and effectively improve the net output power of the tubular SOFC by 12% while the offset angle of the inserts exhibits a negligible impact on the fuel mass transfer conductance. Increasing the offset angle could help reduce the gas-phase pressure drop in fuel channels by 42%. The present study helps improve our understanding of the relationship between fuel mass transfer conductance and electrochemical reactions. It also proposes channel design methods based on mass transfer conductance for high-power-density solid oxide fuel cells. Full article
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16 pages, 6017 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Microporous Hollow Carbon from Milkweed Pappus as Cathode Material of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
by Jun-Ki Kim, Yunju Choi, Euh Duck Jeong, Sei-Jin Lee, Hyun Gyu Kim, Jae Min Chung, Jeom-Soo Kim, Sun-Young Lee and Jong-Seong Bae
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(20), 3605; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12203605 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1599
Abstract
Microtube-like porous carbon (MPC) and tube-like porous carbon–sulfur (MPC-S) composites were synthesized by carbonizing milkweed pappus with sulfur, and they were used as cathodes for lithium–sulfur batteries. The morphology and uniformity of these materials were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning [...] Read more.
Microtube-like porous carbon (MPC) and tube-like porous carbon–sulfur (MPC-S) composites were synthesized by carbonizing milkweed pappus with sulfur, and they were used as cathodes for lithium–sulfur batteries. The morphology and uniformity of these materials were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. The electrochemical performance of the MPC-S cathodes was measured using the charge/discharge cycling performance, C rate, and AC impedance. The composite cathodes with 93.8 wt.% sulfur exhibited a stable specific capacity of 743 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at a 0.5 C. Full article
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16 pages, 3242 KiB  
Review
Lithiated Manganese-Based Materials for Lithium-Ion Capacitor: A Review
by Ntuthuko W. Hlongwa and Naledi Raleie
Energies 2022, 15(19), 7276; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197276 - 4 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2568
Abstract
Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) are a novel and promising form of energy storage device that combines the electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries with supercapacitors. They have the potential to deliver high energy density, power density, and long cycle life concurrently. Due to the good [...] Read more.
Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) are a novel and promising form of energy storage device that combines the electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries with supercapacitors. They have the potential to deliver high energy density, power density, and long cycle life concurrently. Due to the good electrochemical performance of lithiated manganese-based materials in LICs, they have received extensive attention in recent years. The latest advancements in lithiated manganese-based materials as electrode materials in lithium-ion capacitors are presented here, including LiMnPO4, LiMn2O4, and Li2MnSiO4. These electrode materials have a lot of potential as high-performance energy storage materials. Apart from capacitive-type electrodes, lithiated manganese-based materials are also used in the creation of LIC battery-type electrodes. The LICs based on lithiated manganese-based electrode materials demonstrated energy density, power density, and cycle life, which are relatively comparable with various electrode material values reviewed in this paper. The electrochemical performance of lithiated manganese-based materials is attributed to the synergistic effect of the doping and the conductive carbon coating which provided new pathways for the movement of Li+ ions and electrons, thus facilitating charge transfer reactions. Although much effort has gone into synthesizing lithium-ion battery electrode materials and contracting LICs based on them because of their higher energy density, there is still work to be carried out. Additionally, the potential barriers and opportunities for LIC-based future research in energy applications are explored. Full article
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21 pages, 3606 KiB  
Article
Effects of Radial and Circumferential Flows on Power Density Improvements of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
by Abdellah Essaghouri, Zezhi Zeng, Bingguo Zhao, Changkun Hao, Yuping Qian, Weilin Zhuge and Yangjun Zhang
Energies 2022, 15(19), 7048; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197048 - 25 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
Improving the power density of SOFC stacks will accelerate their integration into mobile applications. We developed a 3D Multiphysics model validated by experimental results from early studies to examine the effect of radial and circumferential flows on the power density improvements in a [...] Read more.
Improving the power density of SOFC stacks will accelerate their integration into mobile applications. We developed a 3D Multiphysics model validated by experimental results from early studies to examine the effect of radial and circumferential flows on the power density improvements in a micro-tubular SOFC. The inserts were placed inside the fuel channel to generate flow in different directions. The effects of geometric parameters of these inserts on flow and mass transfer in the fuel channel and porous anode were analyzed. We demonstrate that the radial flow enables the fuel to penetrate directly into the porous anode, increasing the local fuel concentration and enhancing the fuel diffusion to the anode triple-phase boundaries. We found that the circumferential flow has a negligible effect on the diffusion process in the anode and on the increase in power density. The impact of local convective and diffusive mass transfer mechanisms on power density improvement is analyzed using the local Péclet number along the axial direction. Enlarging the radial velocity component perpendicular to the porous anode could effectively increase the power density of the micro-tubular SOFC by 37%. This study helps improve our understanding of mass transfer in fuel channels and helps build a foundation for SOFC channel designs and optimizations. Full article
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16 pages, 2377 KiB  
Article
Development of an Adequate Formation Protocol for a Non-Aqueous Potassium-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor (KIC) through the Study of the Cell Swelling Phenomenon
by Marie-Eve Yvenat, Benoit Chavillon, Eric Mayousse, Fabien Perdu and Philippe Azaïs
Batteries 2022, 8(10), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8100135 - 21 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2247
Abstract
Hybrid supercapacitors have been developed in the pursuit of increasing the energy density of conventional supercapacitors without affecting the power density or the lifespan. Potassium-ion hybrid supercapacitors (KIC) consist of an activated carbon capacitor-type positive electrode and a graphitic battery-type negative one working [...] Read more.
Hybrid supercapacitors have been developed in the pursuit of increasing the energy density of conventional supercapacitors without affecting the power density or the lifespan. Potassium-ion hybrid supercapacitors (KIC) consist of an activated carbon capacitor-type positive electrode and a graphitic battery-type negative one working in an electrolyte based on potassium salt. Overcoming the inherent potassium problems (irreversible capacity, extensive volume expansion, dendrites formation), the non-reproducibility of the results was a major obstacle to the development of this KIC technology. To remedy this, the development of an adequate formation protocol was necessary. However, this revealed a cell-swelling phenomenon, a well-known issue whether for supercapacitors or Li-ion batteries. This phenomenon in the case of the KIC technology has been investigated through constant voltage (CV) tests and volume measurements. The responsible phenomena seem to be the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation at the negative electrode during the first use of the system and the perpetual decomposition of the electrolyte solvent at high voltage. Thanks to these results, a proper formation protocol for KICs, which offers good energy density (14 Wh·kgelectrochemical core−1) with an excellent stability at fast charging rate, was developed. Full article
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11 pages, 664 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Energy Characteristics of a Circuit under the Charge of a Supercapacitor and an Equivalent Linear Capacitor
by Oleh Biletsky, Vitalii Kotovskyi, Nikolaj Višniakov and Andžela Šešok
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(18), 9182; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12189182 - 13 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1518
Abstract
In this paper, the energy characteristics of the charge circuits of a supercapacitor (nonlinear capacitor) and an equivalent linear capacitor from a DC voltage source, which is a lithium-ion battery for such energy storage devices, are analyzed. It is established under what conditions [...] Read more.
In this paper, the energy characteristics of the charge circuits of a supercapacitor (nonlinear capacitor) and an equivalent linear capacitor from a DC voltage source, which is a lithium-ion battery for such energy storage devices, are analyzed. It is established under what conditions the losses of electricity in the charge circuits of linear and equivalent nonlinear capacitors from the DC voltage source are reduced. The influence of final and initial voltages on similar terminals and capacitance terminals on similar energy losses is analyzed. The regularities of increasing the energy transfer coefficient in the circuits of the aperiodic charge of supercapacitors and equivalent linear capacitors from a DC voltage source (battery) with increasing initial voltages at the capacitor terminals are determined. Full article
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14 pages, 2597 KiB  
Article
Estimating the State of Charge of Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on the Transfer Function of the Voltage Response to the Current Pulse
by Ivan Radaš, Nicole Pilat, Daren Gnjatović, Viktor Šunde and Željko Ban
Energies 2022, 15(18), 6495; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15186495 - 6 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2290
Abstract
There are several methods for estimating the SoC of lithium-ion batteries that use electrochemical battery models or artificial intelligence and intelligent algorithms. These methods have numerous advantages but are complex and computationally intensive. This paper presents a new method for estimating the SoC [...] Read more.
There are several methods for estimating the SoC of lithium-ion batteries that use electrochemical battery models or artificial intelligence and intelligent algorithms. These methods have numerous advantages but are complex and computationally intensive. This paper presents a new method for estimating the SoC of lithium-ion batteries based on identifying the transfer function of the measured battery voltage response to the charging current pulse. It is assumed that the transfer function of the battery changes with the state of charge. In the learning phase, a reference table of known SoCs and associated transfer functions is created. The parameters of these transfer functions form the reference points in hyperspace. In the phase of determining the unknown SoC of the battery, the parameters of the measured transfer function form a point in hyperspace that is compared with the reference points of the transfer functions for known SoCs. The unknown SoC of the battery at the particular measurement time is obtained by finding the two reference points closest to the point of unknown SoC using the Euclidean distance and a linear interpolation based on this distance. The method is simple, computationally undemanding, insensitive to measurement noise, and has high accuracy in SoC estimation. Full article
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14 pages, 781 KiB  
Review
Current Transition of Nucleation and Growth under Diffusion-Controlled Electrocrystallization: A Brief Review
by Gong Luo, Yuan Yuan, De-Yu Li, Ning Li and Guo-Hui Yuan
Coatings 2022, 12(8), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12081195 - 16 Aug 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2754
Abstract
A brief review is given on the current transition of the electrodeposition of materials by a mechanism of nucleation followed by diffusion-controlled growth. A short historical background to study the nucleation and growth by diffusion-controlled electrocrystallization is provided. Then, an outline of the [...] Read more.
A brief review is given on the current transition of the electrodeposition of materials by a mechanism of nucleation followed by diffusion-controlled growth. A short historical background to study the nucleation and growth by diffusion-controlled electrocrystallization is provided. Then, an outline of the major potentiostatic current transient modeling is given, with some comments on their relative merits. Finally, a summary of the current transition functions of nucleation and growth under diffusion-controlled electrocrystallization is given including the theoretical models that have been recently applied. Full article
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15 pages, 5160 KiB  
Article
Nanoporous Carbon Electrodes Derived from Coffee Side Streams for Supercapacitors in Aqueous Electrolytes
by Julian Selinger, Sebastian Stock, Werner Schlemmer, Mathias Hobisch, Nikolaos Kostoglou, Qamar Abbas, Oskar Paris, Christian Mitterer, Michael Hummel and Stefan Spirk
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2647; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152647 - 1 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2911
Abstract
Coffee, as one of the most traded resources, generates a vast amount of biogenic by-products. Coffee silver skins (CSS), a side stream from the roasting process, account for about 4 wt.%. Despite the abundancy of CSS, possible routes to generate added value for [...] Read more.
Coffee, as one of the most traded resources, generates a vast amount of biogenic by-products. Coffee silver skins (CSS), a side stream from the roasting process, account for about 4 wt.%. Despite the abundancy of CSS, possible routes to generate added value for broad applications are limited. Herein, we present an approach to use CSS as a precursor material for supercapacitor electrodes. KOH activated carbon (AC) was produced from CSS. The resulting AC—CSS was characterized by X-ray diffraction, gas sorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The highly porous AC—CSS exposes a specific surface area of more than 2500 m2 g−1. Electrodes formed with AC—CSS were electrochemically characterized by performing cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. The electrodes were further assembled into a supercapacitor device and operated using 1 M sulfuric acid as electrolyte. In addition, various quinones were added to the electrolyte and their impact on the capacitance of AC—CSS electrodes was analyzed. In this work, we were able to show that CSS are a valuable source for supercapacitor applications and that coffee-waste-derived quinones can act as capacitance enhancers. Thus, the findings of this research show a valuable path towards sustainable and green energy storage solutions. Full article
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14 pages, 968 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous DC Railway Power System Analysis Method Using Model-Based TPS
by Hwanhee Cho, Jaewon Kim, Hosung Jung and Hyungchul Kim
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(14), 6929; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12146929 - 8 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1951
Abstract
This paper focuses on the development of a model-based train performance simulation with the practical train operation data using MATLAB Simulink. The developed program uses input operation data of a DC 1500 V metro line. And the simultaneous and multi-rate simulation for DC [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on the development of a model-based train performance simulation with the practical train operation data using MATLAB Simulink. The developed program uses input operation data of a DC 1500 V metro line. And the simultaneous and multi-rate simulation for DC metro was performed to interface train schedule data with actual railway electrification system and vehicle. In the simulation, the voltage and power measured at each substation are provided during the traction, coasting and breaking mode. From this study, railroad vehicle load can be virtually modeled in the system internally and contribute to verifying new parts of the overall railway electrification systems. Full article
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17 pages, 5285 KiB  
Article
A Short-Term and Long-Term Prognostic Method for PEM Fuel Cells Based on Gaussian Process Regression
by Tianxiang Wang, Hongliang Zhou and Chengwei Zhu
Energies 2022, 15(13), 4844; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134844 - 1 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2289
Abstract
An accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is of great significance for its large-scale commercialization and life extension. This paper aims to develop a PEMFC degradation prediction method that incorporates short-term and long-term [...] Read more.
An accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is of great significance for its large-scale commercialization and life extension. This paper aims to develop a PEMFC degradation prediction method that incorporates short-term and long-term predictions. In the short-term prediction, a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network is combined with a Gaussian process regression (GPR) probabilistic model to form a hybrid LSTM-GPR model with a deep structure. The model not only can accurately forecast the nonlinear details of PEMFC degradation but also provide a reliable confidence interval for the prediction results. The results showed that the proposed LSTM-GPR model outperforms the single models in both prediction accuracy and confidence interval. For the long-term prediction, a novel RUL prediction model based on an extended Kalman filter (EKF) and GPR is proposed. The GPR model is used to solve the problem that the EKF cannot update the model parameters in the prediction stage. The results showed that the proposed EKF-GPR model can achieve better RUL prediction than the model-based approach and the data-driven approach. Full article
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18 pages, 5933 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Synthesis Method on the Local Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Li-Rich/Mn-Rich NMC Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries
by Mylène Hendrickx, Andreas Paulus, Maria A. Kirsanova, Marlies K. Van Bael, Artem M. Abakumov, An Hardy and Joke Hadermann
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(13), 2269; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12132269 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3654
Abstract
Electrochemical energy storage plays a vital role in combating global climate change. Nowadays lithium-ion battery technology remains the most prominent technology for rechargeable batteries. A key performance-limiting factor of lithium-ion batteries is the active material of the positive electrode (cathode). Lithium- and manganese-rich [...] Read more.
Electrochemical energy storage plays a vital role in combating global climate change. Nowadays lithium-ion battery technology remains the most prominent technology for rechargeable batteries. A key performance-limiting factor of lithium-ion batteries is the active material of the positive electrode (cathode). Lithium- and manganese-rich nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LMR-NMC) cathode materials for Li-ion batteries are extensively investigated due to their high specific discharge capacities (>280 mAh/g). However, these materials are prone to severe capacity and voltage fade, which deteriorates the electrochemical performance. Capacity and voltage fade are strongly correlated with the particle morphology and nano- and microstructure of LMR-NMCs. By selecting an adequate synthesis strategy, the particle morphology and structure can be controlled, as such steering the electrochemical properties. In this manuscript we comparatively assessed the morphology and nanostructure of LMR-NMC (Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2) prepared via an environmentally friendly aqueous solution-gel and co-precipitation route, respectively. The solution-gel (SG) synthesized material shows a Ni-enriched spinel-type surface layer at the {200} facets, which, based on our post-mortem high-angle annual dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction analysis, could partly explain the retarded voltage fade compared to the co-precipitation (CP) synthesized material. In addition, deviations in voltage fade and capacity fade (the latter being larger for the SG material) could also be correlated with the different particle morphology obtained for both materials. Full article
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13 pages, 7869 KiB  
Article
Revisiting Polytetrafluorethylene Binder for Solvent-Free Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Fabrication
by Yang Zhang, Frederik Huld, Song Lu, Camilla Jektvik, Fengliu Lou and Zhixin Yu
Batteries 2022, 8(6), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries8060057 - 16 Jun 2022
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 13072
Abstract
Solvent-free (SF) anodes with different carbon materials (graphite, hard carbon, and soft carbon) were fabricated to investigate the stability of different anodes with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) degradation. The graphite anode with large volume variation during the charge/discharge process showed poor cycle life performance, while [...] Read more.
Solvent-free (SF) anodes with different carbon materials (graphite, hard carbon, and soft carbon) were fabricated to investigate the stability of different anodes with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) degradation. The graphite anode with large volume variation during the charge/discharge process showed poor cycle life performance, while hard carbon and soft carbon with low-volume expansion showed good cycle life. The SF hard carbon electrodes with a high loading of 10.7 mg/cm2 revealed good long-term cycling performance similar to conventional slurry-casting (CSC) electrodes. It demonstrated nearly 90% capacity retention after 120 cycles under a current of 1/3 C with LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) as cathode in coin cell. The rate capability of the high-loading SF electrodes also is comparable to the CSC electrodes. The high stability of SF hard carbon and soft carbon anodes was attributed to its low-volume variation, which could maintain their integrity even though PTFE was defluorinated to amorphous carbon irreversibly. However, the reduced amorphous carbon cannot tolerate huge volume variation of graphite during cycling, resulting in poor stability. Full article
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15 pages, 3546 KiB  
Article
MoO3@MoS2 Core-Shell Structured Hybrid Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Muhammad Faizan, Sajjad Hussain, Mobinul Islam, Ji-Young Kim, Daseul Han, Jee-Hwan Bae, Dhanasekaran Vikraman, Basit Ali, Saleem Abbas, Hyun-Seok Kim, Aditya Narayan Singh, Jongwan Jung and Kyung-Wan Nam
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(12), 2008; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122008 - 10 Jun 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3815
Abstract
We explore a phase engineering strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) in anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A one-pot hydrothermal approach has been employed to synthesize MoS2 nanostructures. MoS2 and MoO3 phases can be [...] Read more.
We explore a phase engineering strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) in anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A one-pot hydrothermal approach has been employed to synthesize MoS2 nanostructures. MoS2 and MoO3 phases can be readily controlled by straightforward calcination in the (200–300) °C temperature range. An optimized temperature of 250 °C yields a phase-engineered MoO3@MoS2 hybrid, while 200 and 300 °C produce single MoS2 and MoO3 phases. When tested in LIBs anode, the optimized MoO3@MoS2 hybrid outperforms the pristine MoS2 and MoO3 counterparts. With above 99% Coulombic efficiency (CE), the hybrid anode retains its capacity of 564 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, and maintains a capacity of 278 mAh g−1 at 700 mA g−1 current density. These favorable characteristics are attributed to the formation of MoO3 passivation surface layer on MoS2 and reactive interfaces between the two phases, which facilitate the Li-ion insertion/extraction, successively improving MoO3@MoS2 anode performance. Full article
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