Suppression of current-induced membrane discharge of bipolar membranes by regulating ion crossover transport

Bipolar membranes(BPMs)exhibit the unique capability to regulate the operating environment of electrochemical system through the water dissociation-combination processes.However,the industrial utilization of BPMs is limited by instability and serious energy consumption.The current-induced membrane discharge(CIMD)at high-current conditions has a negative influence on the performance of anion-exchange membranes,but the underlying ion transport mechanisms in the BPMs remain unclear.Here,the CIMD-coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck(PNP)equations are used to explore the ion transport mechanisms in the BPMs for both reverse bias and forward bias at neutral and acid-base conditions.It is demonstrated that the CIMD effect in the reverse-bias mode can be suppressed by enhancing the diffusive transport of salt counter-ions(Na^(+)and Cl^(−))into the BPMs,and that in the forward-bias mode with acid-base electrolytes can be suppressed by matching the transport rate of water counter-ions(H_(3)O^(+)and OH^(−)).Suppressing the CIMD can promote the water dissociation in the reverse-bias mode,as well as overcome the plateau of limiting current density and reduce the interfacial blockage of salt co-ions(Cl^(−))in the anion-exchange layer in the forward-bias mode with acid-base electrolytes.Our work highlights the importance of regulating ion crossover transport on improving the performance of BPMs.

Multiscale modeling of electrolytes in porous electrode:From equilibrium structure to non-equilibrium transport

Understanding the mechanisms and properties of various transport processes in the electrolyte,porous electrode,and at the interface between electrode and electrolyte plays a crucial role in guiding the improvement of electrolytes,materials and microstructures of electrode.Nanoscale equilibrium properties and nonequilibrium ion transport are substantially different to that in the bulk,which are difficult to observe from experiments directly.In this paper,we introduce equilibrium and no-equilibrium thermodynamics for electrolyte in porous electrodes or electrolyte-electrode interface.The equilibrium properties of electrical double layer(EDL)including the EDL structure and capacitance are discussed.In addition,classical non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory is introduced to help us understand the coupling effect of different transport processes.We also review the recent studies of nonequilibrium ion transport in porous electrode by molecular and continuum methods,among these methods,dynamic density functional theory(DDFT)shows tremendous potential as its high efficiency and high accuracy.Moreover,some opportunities for future development and application of the non-equilibrium thermodynamics in electrochemical system are prospected.

Thermal Management of Air-Cooling Lithium-Ion Battery Pack

Lithium-ion battery packs are made by many batteries, and the difficulty in heat transfer can cause many safety issues. It is important to evaluate thermal performance of a battery pack in designing process. Here, a multiscale method combining a pseudo-two-dimensional model of individual battery and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics is employed to describe heat generation and transfer in a battery pack. The effect of battery arrangement on the thermal performance of battery packs is investigated. We discuss the air-cooling effect of the pack with four battery arrangements which include one square arrangement, one stagger arrangement and two trapezoid arrangements. In addition, the air-cooling strategy is studied by observing temperature distribution of the battery pack. It is found that the square arrangement is the structure with the best air-cooling effect, and the cooling effect is best when the cold air inlet is at the top of the battery pack. We hope that this work can provide theoretical guidance for thermal management of lithium-ion battery packs.

Understanding electrokinetic thermodynamics in nanochannels

Understanding the electrokinetic conversion efficiency in a nanochannel is vital for designing energy storage and conversion devices.In this paper,an analytical electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency in a nanochannel is obtained based on the linear electrokinetic response.The analytical result shows that the conversion efficiency has a maximum with the increasing of the nanochannel pore radius.Numerical solutions based on the Poisson-Nernst-Planck(PNP)and Navier-Stokes(NS)equations are used to confirm the analytical expressions.Besides,the influences of the pore radius and surface roughness on the conversion efficiency in nanochannels are also studied by the numerical calculations.In particular,the influences of the surface roughness on the fluid flow,streaming current and streaming potential are examined.The results show that the large bumps and grooves representing the roughness can hinder the fluid flows and ion transports in the nanochannels.The maximum efficiency in a smooth nanochannel is higher than that in a rough channel.However,the small bumps and grooves can increase the surface area of the channel,which is beneficial to improving the conversion efficiency in some cases.This research can provide theoretical guidance to design electrokinetic energy conversion devices.

电化学过程的非平衡态热力学

电化学能源储存和转化过程涉及电解质在多孔电极和隔膜内的传递和反应.理解其中的微观性质和耦合机制对于电解质的筛选、电解液/电极界面的优化以及多孔电极的设计都具有重要意义.此时,我们的研究对象处在微米乃至纳米尺度,并涉及电场、流场和温度场等多个物理场的相互耦合,传统的电化学热力学和动力学理论以及实验技术都难以描述微纳尺度下多物理场中的电化学传递和反应特性,所以亟需发展新的建模方法.本文基于线性非平衡态热力学,提出了一个以化学势驱动的描述电化学传递和反应过程的多物理场建模方法,并从电场下的传质过程、反应和传递耦合以及热效应这三个典型问题阐述了该方法的可行性和理论价值.