Numerical computation of central crack growth in an active particle of electrodes influenced by multiple factors

Mechanical degradation, especially fractures in active particles in an electrode, is a major reason why the capacity of lithiumion batteries fades. This paper proposes a model that couples Li-ion diffusion, stress evolution, and damage mechanics to simulate the growth of central cracks in cathode particles（Li Mn_2 O_4） by an extended finite element method by considering the influence of multiple factors. The simulation shows that particles are likely to crack at a high discharge rate, when the particle radius is large, or when the initial central crack is longer. It also shows that the maximum principal tensile stress decreases and cracking becomes more difficult when the influence of crack surface diffusion is considered. The fracturing process occurs according to the following stages： no crack growth, stable crack growth, and unstable crack growth. Changing the charge/discharge strategy before unstable crack growth sets in is beneficial to prevent further capacity fading during electrochemical cycling.

Electrocatalytic Activity of Ni/C Electrodes Prepared by Metal Vapor Synthesis For Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Solution

The metal vapor synthesis (MVS) methed was used to prepare activatedcarbon supported nickel electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of the electrode forhydrogen evolution reaction(HGR) in alkaline solution was studied. Cathodicpolarization curves showed the electrocatalytic activity of Ni/C electrode prepared byMVS method was higher than that of the one prepared by conventional method.

EFFECT OF STRUCTURE OF FUNCTIONAL POLYMER ACTIVE MATERIALS ON PROPERTIES OF GADOLINIUM ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODE

In this paper,the functional polymeric active materials were prepared by the grafting copolymerization and their structure and properties were studied.The results show that the structure and properties of these ac- tive materials have the relative large effects on the properties of gadolinium ion selective electrodes.

Effects of preparation temperature on electrochemical performance of nitrogen-enriched carbons

The activated nitrogen-enriched novel carbons (NENCs) were prepared by direct carbonization using polyaniline coating activated mesocarbon microbead composites as the precursor. Herein the influences of the carbonization temperature on the structure and morphology of the NENCs samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm at 77 K. The electrochemical properties of the supercapacitors were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cycle life, leakage current and self-discharge measurements in 6 mol/L KOH solution. The results demonstrate that the NENC samples carbonized at 600 °C show the highest specific capacitance of 385 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g and the lowest ESR value (only 0.93?). Furthermore, the capacity retention ratio of the NENCs-600 supercapacitor is 92.8 % over 2500 cycles.

Electrochemical Performance of Nickel Hydroxide/Activated Carbon Supercapacitors Using a Modified Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte

Polyvinyl alcohol （PVA）-sodium polyacrylate （PAAS）-KOH-H2O alkaline polymer electrolyte film with high ionic conductivity was prepared by a solution-casting method. Polymer Ni（OH）2/activated carbon （AC） hybrid supercapacitors with different electrode active material mass ratios （positive to negative） were fabricated using this alkaline polymer electrolyte, nickel hydroxide positive electrodes, and AC negative electrodes. Galvanostatic charge/ discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） methods were used to study the electrochemical performance of the capacitors, such as charge/discharge specific capacitance, rate charge/discharge ability, and charge/discharge cyclic stability. Experimental results showed that with the decreasing of active material mass ratio m（Ni（OH）2）/m（AC）, the charge/discharge specific capacitance increases, but the rate charge/discharge ability and the charge/discharge cyclic stability decrease.

Gas free oxidation of NaCN for presodiating and stabilizing the anodic host of sodium-ion capacitors

Sodium-ion capacitors(NICs)trigger considerable attention due to their higher specific energy than electrical double-layer capacitors(EDLCs)at comparable specific power.However,the presodiation process of the anodic host is extremely crucial for the construction of high-performance NICs.Herein,a positive EDL electrode containing activated carbon(AC)mixed with sodium cyanide(NaCN)as a sacrificial material was electrochemically oxidized to presodiate a Sn_(4)P_(3) anodic host buffered by hard carbon(HC).The oxidation of CN-occurred ca.2.9 V vs.Na/Na+and finished by a short region of linearly increasing potential with a total capacity close to the theoretical value of 547 mAh g^(-1).The operando electrochemical mass spectrometry(EMS)analysis of the atmosphere in the cell together with the internal pressure measurements realized during the galvanostatic oxidation of a YP80F-NaCN electrode demonstrate that the process occurs without any gas evolution.A precursor cell of an NIC was constructed in a pouch with YP80FNaCN and HC/Sn_(4)P_(3) electrodes.After the oxidative sodium transfer from NaCN to HC/Sn_(4)P_(3),the realized YP80F//Nax(HC/Sn_(4)P_(3))NIC demonstrated a discharge capacitance retention higher than 80%for 8900 cycles in the voltage range from 2.0 to 3.8 V.The infrared analysis of the anode obtained by the herein described transfer process detected polycyanogen,which stabilizes the electrode structure during cycling,and thereof is at the origin of the enhanced life span of the NIC.

Synthesis of α-Mo_2C by Carburization of α-MoO_3 Nanowires and Its Electrocatalytic Activity towards Tri-iodide Reduction for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Nanowire-shaped α-Mo O3 was synthesized on a large scale by hydrothermal route.Nanocrystalline α-Mo2 C phase was obtained by the carburization of α-Mo O3 nanowires with urea as a carbon source precursor.The phase purity and crystalline size of the synthesized materials were ascertained by using powder X-ray diffraction.The shape and morphology of synthesized materials were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy（FE-SEM） and high resolution transmission electron microscopy（HR-TEM）.The electrocatalytic activity of α-Mo2 C for I-/I3^-redox couple was investigated by the cyclic voltammetry.The synthesized α-Mo2 C was subsequently applied as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells to replace the expensive platinum.