Structural Engineering of Anode Materials for Low-Temperature Lithium-Ion Batteries:Mechanisms,Strategies,and Prospects

The severe degradation of electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)at low temperatures poses a significant challenge to their practical applications.Consequently,extensive efforts have been contributed to explore novel anode materials with high electronic conductivity and rapid Li^(+)diffusion kinetics for achieving favorable low-temperature performance of LIBs.Herein,we try to review the recent reports on the synthesis and characterizations of low-temperature anode materials.First,we summarize the underlying mechanisms responsible for the performance degradation of anode materials at subzero temperatures.Second,detailed discussions concerning the key pathways(boosting electronic conductivity,enhancing Li^(+)diffusion kinetics,and inhibiting lithium dendrite)for improving the low-temperature performance of anode materials are presented.Third,several commonly used low-temperature anode materials are briefly introduced.Fourth,recent progress in the engineering of these low-temperature anode materials is summarized in terms of structural design,morphology control,surface&interface modifications,and multiphase materials.Finally,the challenges that remain to be solved in the field of low-temperature anode materials are discussed.This review was organized to offer valuable insights and guidance for next-generation LIBs with excellent low-temperature electrochemical performance.

Low-temperature characteristicsof rubbers and performance testsof type 120 emergencyvalve diaphragms

Purpose–The type 120 emergency valve is an essential braking component of railway freight trains,butcorresponding diaphragms consisting of natural rubber(NR)and chloroprene rubber(CR)exhibit insufficientaging resistance and low-temperature resistance,respectively.In order to develop type 120 emergency valverubber diaphragms with long-life and high-performance,low-temperatureresistant CR and NR were processed.Design/methodology/approach–The physical properties of the low-temperature-resistant CR and NRwere tested by low-temperature stretching,dynamic mechanical analysis,differential scanning calorimetryand thermogravimetric analysis.Single-valve and single-vehicle tests of type 120 emergency valves werecarried out for emergency diaphragms consisting of NR and CR.Findings–The low-temperature-resistant CR and NR exhibited excellent physical properties.The elasticityand low-temperature resistance of NR were superior to those of CR,whereas the mechanical properties of thetwo rubbers were similar in the temperature range of 0℃–150℃.The NR and CR emergency diaphragms metthe requirements of the single-valve test.In the low-temperature single-vehicle test,only the low-temperaturesensitivity test of the NR emergency diaphragm met the requirements.Originality/value–The innovation of this study is that it provides valuable data and experience for futuredevelopment of type 120 valve rubber diaphragms.

Boosting oxygen reduction activity and CO_(2) resistance on bismuth ferrite-based perovskite cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells below 600℃

Developing efficient and stable cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs) is of great importance for the practical commercialization.Herein,we propose a series of Sm-modified Bi_(0.7-x)Sm_xSr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ) perovskites as highly-active catalysts for LT-SOFCs.Sm doping can significantly enhance the electrocata lytic activity and chemical stability of cathode.At 600℃,Bi_(0.675)Sm_(0.025)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSSF25) cathode has been found to be the optimum composition with a polarization resistance of 0.098 Ω cm^2,which is only around 22.8% of Bi_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSF).A full cell utilizing BSSF25 displays an exceptional output density of 790 mW cm^(-2),which can operate continuously over100 h without obvious degradation.The remarkable electrochemical performance observed can be attributed to the improved O_(2) transport kinetics,superior surface oxygen adsorption capacity,as well as O_(2)p band centers in close proximity to the Fermi level.Moreover,larger average bonding energy(ABE) and the presence of highly acidic Bi,Sm,and Fe ions restrict the adsorption of CO_(2) on the cathode surface,resulting in excellent CO_(2) resistivity.This work provides valuable guidance for systematic design of efficient and durable catalysts for LT-SOFCs.

A coupled thermo-mechanical peridynamic model for fracture behavior of granite subjected to heating and water-cooling processes

Thermal damage and thermal fracture of rocks are two important indicators in geothermal mining projects.This paper investigates the effects of heating and water-cooling on granite specimens at various temperatures.The laboratory uniaxial compression experiments were also conducted.Then,a coupled thermo-mechanical ordinary state-based peridynamic(OSB-PD)model and corresponding numerical scheme were developed to simulate the damage of rocks after the heating and cooling processes,and the change of crack evolution process was predicted.The results demonstrate that elevated heating temperatures exacerbate the thermal damage to the specimens,resulting in a decrease in peak strength and an increase in ductility of granite.The escalating occurrence of thermal-induced cracks significantly affects the crack evolution process during the loading phase.The numerical results accurately reproduce the damage and fracture characteristics of the granite under different final heating temperatures(FHTs),which are consistent with the test results in terms of strength,crack evolution process,and failure mode.

Low-energy-consumption temperature swing system for CO_(2) capture by combining passive radiative cooling and solar heating

Temperature-swing adsorption(TSA)is an effective technique for CO_(2) capture,but the temperature swing procedure is energy-intensive.Herein,we report a low-energy-consumption system by combining passive radiative cooling and solar heating for the uptake of CO_(2) on commercial activated carbons(CACs).During adsorption,the adsorbents are coated with a layer of hierarchically porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene)[P(VdF-HFP)HP],which cools the adsorbents to a low temperature under sunlight through radiative cooling.For desorption,CACs with broad absorption of the solar spectrum are exposed to light irradiation for heating.The heating and cooling processes are completely driven by solar energy.Adsorption tests under mimicked sunlight using the CACs show that the performance of this system is comparable to that of the traditional ones.Furthermore,under real sunlight irradiation,the adsorption capacity of the CACs can be well maintained after multiple cycles.The present work may inspire the development of new temperature swing procedures with little energy consumption.

Operation optimization of prefabricated light modular radiant heating system:Thermal resistance analysis and numerical study

The utilization of prefabricated light modular radiant heating system has demonstrated significant increases in heat transfer efficiency and energy conservation capabilities.Within prefabricated building construction,this new heating method presents an opportunity for the development of comprehensive facilities.The parameters for evaluating the effectiveness of such a system are the upper surface layer’s heat flux and temperature.In this paper,thermal resistance analysis calculation based on a simplified model for this unique radiant heating system analysis is presented with the heat transfer mechanism’s evaluation.The results obtained from thermal resistance analysis calculation and numerical simulation indicate that the thermal resistance analysis method is highly accurate with temperature discrepancies ranging from 0.44℃ to−0.44℃ and a heat flux discrepancy of less than 7.54%,which can meet the requirements of practical engineering applications,suggesting a foundation for the prefabricated radiant heating system.

Advances in sodium-ion batteries at low-temperature: Challenges and strategies

With the continuing boost in the demand for energy storage,there is an increasing requirement for batteries to be capable of operation in extreme environmental conditions.Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs) have emerged as a highly promising energy storage solution due to their promising performance over a wide range of temperatures and the abundance of sodium resources in the earth's crust.Compared to lithiumion batteries(LIBs),although sodium ions possess a larger ionic radius,they are more easily desolvated than lithium ions.Fu rthermore,SIBs have a smaller Stokes radius than lithium ions,resulting in improved sodium-ion mobility in the electrolyte.Nevertheless,SIBs demonstrate a significant decrease in performance at low temperatures(LT),which constrains their operation in harsh weather conditions.Despite the increasing interest in SIBs,there is a notable scarcity of research focusing specifically on their mechanism under LT conditions.This review explores recent research that considers the thermal tolerance of SIBs from an inner chemistry process perspective,spanning a wide temperature spectrum(-70 to100℃),particularly at LT conditions.In addition,the enhancement of electrochemical performance in LT SIBs is based on improvements in reaction kinetics and cycling stability achieved through the utilization of effective electrode materials and electrolyte components.Furthermore,the safety concerns associated with SIBs are addressed and effective strategies are proposed for mitigating these issues.Finally,prospects conducted to extend the environmental frontiers of commercial SIBs are discussed mainly from three viewpoints including innovations in materials,development and research of relevant theoretical mechanisms,and intelligent safety management system establishment for larger-scale energy storage SIBs.

Temperature inversion enables superior stability for low-temperature Zn-ion batteries

It is challenging for aqueous Zn-ion batteries(ZIBs)to achieve comparable low-temperature(low-T)performance due to the easy-frozen electrolyte and severe Zn dendrites.Herein,an aqueous electrolyte with a low freezing point and high ionic conductivity is proposed.Combined with molecular dynamics simulation and multi-scale interface analysis(time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry threedimensional mapping and in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method),the temperature independence of the V_(2)O_(5)cathode and Zn anode is observed to be opposite.Surprisingly,dominated by the solvent structure of the designed electrolyte at low temperatures,vanadium dissolution/shuttle is significantly inhibited,and the zinc dendrites caused by this electrochemical crosstalk are greatly relieved,thus showing an abnormal temperature inversion effect.Through the disclosure and improvement of the above phenomena,the designed Zn||V_(2)O_(5)full cell delivers superior low-T performance,maintaining almost 99%capacity retention after 9500 cycles(working more than 2500 h)at-20°C.This work proposes a kind of electrolyte suitable for low-T ZIBs and reveals the inverse temperature dependence of the Zn anode,which might offer a novel perspective for the investigation of low-T aqueous battery systems.

Heating of nanoparticles and their environment by laser radiation and applications

This review considers the fundamental dynamic processes involved in the laser heating of metal nanoparticles and their subsequent cooling.Of particular interest are the absorption of laser energy by nanoparticles,the heating of a single nanoparticle or an ensemble thereof,and the dissipation of the energy of nanoparticles due to heat exchange with the environment.The goal is to consider the dependences and values of the temperatures of the nanoparticles and the environment,their time scales,and other parameters that describe these processes.Experimental results and analytical studies on the heating of single metal nanoparticles by laser pulses are discussed,including the laser thresholds for initiating subsequent photothermal processes,how temperature influences the optical properties,and the heating of gold nanoparticles by laser pulses.Experimental studies of the heating of an ensemble of nanoparticles and the results of an analytical study of the heating of an ensemble of nanoparticles and the environment by laser radiation are considered.Nanothermometry methods for nanoparticles under laser heating are considered,including changes in the refractive indices of metals and spectral thermometry of optical scattering of nanoparticles,Raman spectroscopy,the thermal distortion of the refractive index of an environment heated by a nanoparticle,and thermochemical phase transitions in lipid bilayers surrounding a heated nanoparticle.Understanding the sequence of events after radiation absorption and their time scales underlies many applications of nanoparticles.The applicationfields for the laser heating of nanoparticles are reviewed,including thermochemical reactions and selective nanophotothermolysis initiated in the environment by laser-heated nanoparticles,thermal radiation emission by nanoparticles and laser-induced incandescence,electron and ion emission of heated nanoparticles,and optothermal chemical catalysis.Applications of the laser heating of nanoparticles in laser nanomedicine are of particular interest.Significant emphasis is given to the proposed analytical approaches to modeling and calculating the heating processes under the action of a laser pulse on metal nanoparticles,taking into account the temperature dependences of the parameters.The proposed models can be used to estimate the parameters of lasers and nanoparticles in the various applicationfields for the laser heating of nanoparticles.

Research on the Method of Heat Preservation and Heating for the Drilling System of Polar Offshore Drilling Platform

This study investigates the heat dissipation mechanism of the insulation layer and other plane insulation layers in the polar drilling rig system.Combining the basic theory of heat transfer with the environmental requirements of polar drilling operations and the characteristics of polar drilling processes,we analyze the factors that affect the insulation effect of the drilling rig system.These factors include the thermal conductivity of the insulation material,the thickness of the insulation layer,ambient temperature,and wind speed.We optimize the thermal insulation material of the polar drilling rig system using a steady-state method to measure solid thermal conductivity.By analyzing the distribution of temperature in space after heating,we optimize the distribution and air outlet angle of the heater using Fluent hydrodynamics software.The results demonstrate that under polar conditions,polyisocyanurate with stable thermodynamic properties is selected as the thermal insulation material.The selection of thermal insulation material and thickness significantly affects the thermal insulation effect of the system but has little effect on its heating effect.Moreover,when the air outlet angle of the heater is set to 32.5°,the heating efficiency of the system can be effectively improved.According to heat transfer equations and heat balance theory,we determine that the heating power required for the system to reach 5°C is close to numerical simulation.

Performance analysis of deep borehole heat exchangers for decarbonization of heating systems

Meeting the climate change mitigation targets will require a substantial shift from fossil to clean fuels in the heating sector.Heat pumps with deep borehole exchangers are a promising solution to reduce emissions.Here the thermal behavior of deep borehole exchangers(DBHEs)ranging from 1 to 2 km was analyzed for various heat flow profiles.A strong correlation between thermal energy extraction and power output from DBHEs was found,also influenced by the heating profile employed.Longer operating time over the year typically resulted in higher energy production,while shorter one yielded higher average thermal power output,highlighting the importance of the choice of heating strategy and system design for optimal performance of DBHEs.Short breaks in operation for regenerating the borehole,for example,with waste heat,proved to be favorable for the performance yielding an overall heat output close to the same as with continuous extraction of heat.The results demonstrate the usefulness of deep boreholes for dense urban areas with less available space.As the heat production from a single DBHE in Finnish conditions ranges from half up to even a few GWh a year,the technology is best suitable for larger heat loads.

An improved analysis method for assessing the nuclear-heating impact on the stability of toroidal field magnets in fusion reactors

The superconducting magnet system of a fusion reactor plays a vital role in plasma confinement,a process that can be dis-rupted by various operational factors.A critical parameter for evaluating the temperature margin of superconducting magnets during normal operation is the nuclear heating caused by D-T neutrons.This study investigates the impact of nuclear heat-ing on a superconducting magnet system by employing an improved analysis method that combines neutronics and thermal hydraulics.In the magnet system,toroidal field(TF)magnets are positioned closest to the plasma and bear the highest nuclear-heat load,making them prime candidates for evaluating the influence of nuclear heating on stability.To enhance the modeling accuracy and facilitate design modifications,a parametric TF model that incorporates heterogeneity is established to expedite the optimization design process and enhance the accuracy of the computations.A comparative analysis with a homogeneous TF model reveals that the heterogeneous model improves accuracy by over 12%.Considering factors such as heat load,magnetic-field strength,and cooling conditions,the cooling circuit facing the most severe conditions is selected to calculate the temperature of the superconductor.This selection streamlines the workload associated with thermal-hydraulic analysis.This approach enables a more efficient and precise evaluation of the temperature margin of TF magnets.Moreover,it offers insights that can guide the optimization of both the structure and cooling strategy of superconducting magnet systems.

Alternating current heating techniques for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles:Recent advances and perspectives

The significant decrease in battery performance at low temperatures is one of the critical challenges that electric vehicles(EVs)face,thereby affecting the penetration rate in cold regions.Alternating current(AC)heating has attracted widespread attention due to its low energy consumption and uniform heating advantages.This paper introduces the recent advances in AC heating from the perspective of practical EV applications.First,the performance degradation of EVs in low-temperature environments is introduced briefly.The concept of AC heating and its research methods are provided.Then,the effects of various AC heating methods on battery heating performance are reviewed.Based on existing studies,the main factors that affect AC heating performance are analyzed.Moreover,various heating circuits based on EVs are categorized,and their cost,size,complexity,efficiency,reliability,and heating rate are elaborated and compared.The evolution of AC heaters is presented,and the heaters used in brand vehicles are sorted out.Finally,the perspectives and challenges of AC heating are discussed.This paper can guide the selection of heater implementation methods and the optimization of heating effects for future EV applications.

Enhancing performance of low-temperature processed CsPbI2Br all-inorganic perovskite solar cells using polyethylene oxide-modified TiO_(2)

CsPbX_(3)-based(X=I,Br,Cl)inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs)prepared by low-temperature process have attracted much attention because of their low cost and excellent thermal stability.However,the high trap state density and serious charge recombination between low-temperature processed TiO_(2)film and inorganic perovskite layer interface seriously restrict the performance of all-inorganic PSCs.Here a thin polyethylene oxide(PEO)layer is employed to modify TiO_(2)film to passivate traps and promote carrier collection.The impacts of PEO layer on microstructure and photoelectric characteristics of TiO_(2)film and related devices are systematically studied.Characterization results suggest that PEO modification can reduce the surface roughness of TiO_(2)film,decrease its average surface potential,and passivate trap states.At optimal conditions,the champion efficiency of CsPbI_(2)Br PSCs with PEO-modified TiO_(2)(PEO-PSCs)has been improved to 11.24%from 9.03%of reference PSCs.Moreover,the hysteresis behavior and charge recombination have been suppressed in PEO-PSCs.

On the Preparation of Low-Temperature-Rise and Low-Shrinkage Concrete Based on Phosphorus Slag

The effects of different contents of a MgO expansive agent and phosphorus slag on the mechanical properties,shrinkage behavior,and the heat of hydration of concrete were studied.The slump flow,setting time,dry shrinkage,and hydration heat were used as sensitive parameters to assess the response of the considered specimens.As shown by the results,in general,with an increase in the phosphorus slag content,the hydration heat of concrete decreases for all ages,but the early strength displays a downward trend and the dry shrinkage rate increases.The 90-d strength and dry shrinkage of concrete could be improved with a phosphorus residue content between 0%-20%,with the best performances in terms of mechanical properties and shrinkage characteristics being achieved for a content of 20 kg/m^(3).On the basis of these results,it can be concluded that appropriate amounts of phosphorus slag and MgO expansive agent can be used to improve the compressive strength of concrete in the later stage by reducing the hydration heat and dry shrinkage rate,respectively.

Experimental study of low-temperature electrical radiant floor heating system

To evaluate the thermal performance of a low-temperature electrical radiant floor heating system,an experimental facility equipped with a constant temperature chamber and different specimen floors is designed and built.The heating cable is installed in the floor slab with a unit-rated power of 30 W/m.Twenty-four different schemes are worked out and tested,which include three kinds of composite floor structures and eight kinds of cable distances.The cable distances are 30,40,50,60,80,100,130,150 mm.The main affective factors of the thermal performance and their influencing regularity are discussed.The experimental results show that the system has good stability and reliability,and the ratio of the radiation heat-transfer rate to the gross heat-transfer rate is greater than 50%.When the floor structure and the cable distance are fixed,the gross heat-transfer rate of the upper floor surface has a maximum value at an optimal cable distance.Under the experimental conditions in this paper,the optimal cable distance is 50 mm.

Twice-split phosphorus application alleviates low-temperature impacts on wheat by improved spikelet development and setting

Extreme low-temperature incidents have become more frequent and severe as climate change intensifies.In HuangHuai-Hai wheat growing area of China,the late spring coldness occurring at the jointing-booting stage(the anther interval stage)has resulted in significant yield losses of winter wheat.This study attempts to develop an economical,feasible,and efficient cultivation technique for improving the low-temperature(LT)resistance of wheat by exploring the effects of twice-split phosphorus application(TSPA)on wheat antioxidant characteristics and carbon and nitrogen metabolism physiology under LT treatment at the anther interval stage using Yannong 19 as the experimental material.The treatments consisted of traditional phosphorus application and TSPA,followed by a-4℃ LT treatment and natural temperature(NT)control at the anther interval stage.Our analyses showed that,compared with the traditional application,the TSPA increased the net photosynthetic rate(P_(n)),stomatal conductance(Gs),and transpiration rate(T_(r))of leaves and reduced the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration(C_(i)).The activity of carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes in the young wheat spikes was also increased by the TSPA,which promoted the accumulation of soluble sugar(SS),sucrose(SUC),soluble protein(SP),and proline(Pro)in young wheat spike and reduced the toxicity of malondialdehyde(MDA).Due to the improved organic nutrition for reproductive development,the young wheat spikes exhibited enhanced LT resistance,which reduced the sterile spikelet number(SSN)per spike by 11.8%and increased the spikelet setting rate(SSR)and final yield by 6.0 and 8.4%,respectively,compared to the traditional application.The positive effects of split phosphorus application became more pronounced when the LT treatment was prolonged.

Ca and Sr co-doping induced oxygen vacancies in 3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts for boosting low-temperature oxidative coupling of methane

It is urgent to develop catalysts with application potential for oxidative coupling of methane(OCM)at relatively lower temperature.Herein,three-dimensional ordered macro porous(3 DOM)La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)(A_(2)B_(2)O_(7)-type)catalysts with disordered defective cubic fluorite phased structure were successfully prepared by a colloidal crystal template method.3DOM structure promotes the accessibility of the gaseous reactants(O2and CH4)to the active sites.The co-doping of Ca and Sr ions in La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts improved the formation of oxygen vacancies,thereby leading to increased density of surface-active oxygen species(O_(2)^(-))for the activation of CH4and the formation of C2products(C2H6and C2H4).3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts exhibit high catalytic activity for OCM at low temperature.3DOM La1.7Sr0.3Ce1.7Ca0.3O7-δcatalyst with the highest density of O_(2)^(-)species exhibited the highest catalytic activity for low-temperature OCM,i.e.,its CH4conversion,selectivity and yield of C2products at 650℃are 32.2%,66.1%and 21.3%,respectively.The mechanism was proposed that the increase in surface oxygen vacancies induced by the co-doping of Ca and Sr ions boosts the key step of C-H bond breaking and C-C bond coupling in catalyzing low-temperature OCM.It is meaningful for the development of the low-temperature and high-efficient catalysts for OCM reaction in practical application.

Suppression of the m/n=2/1 tearing mode by electron cyclotron resonance heating on J-TEXT

Stabilization of tearing modes and neoclassical tearing modes is of great importance for tokamak operation.Electron cyclotron waves(ECWs)have been extensively used to stabilize the tearing modes with the virtue of highly localized power deposition.Complete suppression of the m/n=2/1 tearing mode(TM)by electron cyclotron resonance heating(ECRH)has been achieved successfully on the J-TEXT tokamak.The effects of ECW deposition location and power amplitude on the 2/1 TM suppression have been investigated.It is found that the suppression is more effective when the ECW power is deposited closer to the rational surface.As the ECW power increases to approximately 230 k W,the 2/1 TM can be completely suppressed.The island rotation frequency is increased when the island width is reduced.The experimental results show that the local heating inside the magnetic island and the resulting temperature perturbation increase at the O-point of the island play dominant roles in TM suppression.As the ECW power increases,the 2/1 island is suppressed to smaller island width,and the flow shear also plays a stabilizing effect on small magnetic islands.With the stabilizing contribution of heating and flow shear,the 2/1 TM can be completely suppressed.

Personal Thermal Management by Radiative Cooling and Heating

Maintaining thermal comfort within the human body is crucial for optimal health and overall well-being.By merely broadening the setpoint of indoor temperatures,we could significantly slash energy usage in building heating,ventilation,and air-conditioning systems.In recent years,there has been a surge in advancements in personal thermal management(PTM),aiming to regulate heat and moisture transfer within our immediate surroundings,clothing,and skin.The advent of PTM is driven by the rapid development in nano/micro-materials and energy science and engineering.An emerging research area in PTM is personal radiative thermal management(PRTM),which demonstrates immense potential with its high radiative heat transfer efficiency and ease of regulation.However,it is less taken into account in traditional textiles,and there currently lies a gap in our knowledge and understanding of PRTM.In this review,we aim to present a thorough analysis of advanced textile materials and technologies for PRTM.Specifically,we will introduce and discuss the underlying radiation heat transfer mechanisms,fabrication methods of textiles,and various indoor/outdoor applications in light of their different regulation functionalities,including radiative cooling,radiative heating,and dual-mode thermoregulation.Furthermore,we will shine a light on the current hurdles,propose potential strategies,and delve into future technology trends for PRTM with an emphasis on functionalities and applications.