Trifunctional robust electrocatalysts based on 3D Fe/N-doped carbon nanocubes encapsulating Co4N nanoparticles for efficient battery-powered water electrolyzers

Herein,we have designed a highly active and robust trifunctional electrocatalyst derived from Prussian blue analogs,where Co_(4)N nanoparticles are encapsulated by Fe embedded in N-doped carbon nanocubes to synthesize hierarchically structured Co_(4)N@Fe/N-C for rechargeable zinc-air batteries and overall water-splitting electrolyzers.As confirmed by theoretical and experimental results,the high intrinsic oxygen reduction reaction,oxygen evolution reaction,and hydrogen evolution reaction activities of Co_(4)N@Fe/N-C were attributed to the formation of the heterointerface and the modulated local electronic structure.Moreover,Co_(4)N@Fe/N-C induced improvement in these trifunctional electrocatalytic activities owing to the hierarchical hollow nanocube structure,uniform distribution of Co_(4)N,and conductive encapsulation by Fe/N-C.Thus,the rechargeable zinc-air battery with Co_(4)N@Fe/N-C delivers a high specific capacity of 789.9 mAh g^(-1) and stable voltage profiles over 500 cycles.Furthermore,the overall water electrolyzer with Co_(4)N@Fe/N-C achieved better durability and rate performance than that with the Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts,delivering a high Faradaic efficiency of 96.4%.Along with the great potential of the integrated water electrolyzer powered by a zinc-air battery for practical applications,therefore,the mechanistic understanding and active site identification provide valuable insights into the rational design of advanced multifunctional electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion.

Method of Electric Powertrain Matching for Battery-powered Electric Cars

The current match method of electric powertrain still makes use of longitudinal dynamics, which can’t realize maximum capacity for on-board energy storage unit and can’t reach lowest equivalent fuel consumption as well. Another match method focuses on improving available space considering reasonable layout of vehicle to enlarge rated energy capacity for on-board energy storage unit, which can keep the longitudinal dynamics performance almost unchanged but can’t reach lowest fuel consumption. Considering the characteristics of driving motor, method of electric powertrain matching utilizing conventional longitudinal dynamics for driving system and cut-and-try method for energy storage system is proposed for passenger cars converted from traditional ones. Through combining the utilization of vehicle space which contributes to the on-board energy amount, vehicle longitudinal performance requirements, vehicle equivalent fuel consumption level, passive safety requirements and maximum driving range requirement together, a comprehensive optimal match method of electric powertrain for battery-powered electric vehicle is raised. In simulation, the vehicle model and match method is built in Matlab/simulink, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) is chosen as a test condition. The simulation results show that 2.62% of regenerative energy and 2% of energy storage efficiency are increased relative to the traditional method. The research conclusions provide theoretical and practical solutions for electric powertrain matching for modern battery-powered electric vehicles especially for those converted from traditional ones, and further enhance dynamics of electric vehicles.

Space range estimate for battery-powered vertical take-off and landing aircraft

A novel method for estimating the space range of battery-powered vertical take-off and landing(VTOL) aircraft is presented. The method is based on flight parameter optimization and numerical iteration. Subsystem models including required thrust, required power and battery discharge models are presented. The problem to be optimized is formulated, and then case study simulation is conducted using the established method for quantitative analysis. Simulation results show that the space range of battery-powered VTOL aircraft in a vertical plane is an oblate curve, which appears horizontally long but vertically short, and the peak point is not located on the vertical climb path. The method and results are confirmed by parameter analysis and validations.