A Modification of LiMn2O4 by Ionic Conductive Agent and Electronic Conductive Agent Coating

Carbon was used as electronic conductive agent, and metasilicic acid lithium (Li2SiO3) as ionic conductive agent, the two factors were investigated cooperatively. We evaluated their effect by using spherical spinel LiMn2O4 which prepared ourselves as cathode material. Then Li2SiO3/carbon surface coating on LiMn2O4 (LMO/C/LSO) which Li2SiO3 inside and carbon/Li2SiO3 coated LiMn2O4 (LMO/LSO/C) were prepared, All of materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical test;spherical LiMn2O4 was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM);and coated materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). While uncoated spinel LiMn2O4 maintained 72% of capacity in 60 cycles by the rate of 0.2C, and LMO/LSO/C showed the best electrochemical performance, 89% of the initial capacity remained after 75 cycles at 0.2C. Furthermore, the rate performance of LMO/LSO/C also improved obviously, about 30 mAh·g-1 of capacity attained at the rate of 5C, higher than LMO/C/LSO and bare LiMn2O4.

Metal-nitrogen-doped hybrid ionic/electronic conduction triple-phase interfaces for high-performance all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries

The point-to-point contact mechanism in all-solid-state Li-S batteries(ASSLSBs)is not as efficient as a liquid electrolyte which has superior mobility in the electrode,resulting in a slower reaction kinetics and inadequate ionic/electronic conduction network between the S(or Li_(2)S),conductive carbon,and solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)for achieving a swift(dis)charge reaction.Herein,a series of hybrid ionic/electronic conduction triple-phase interfaces with transition metal and nitrogen co-doping were designed.The graphitic ordered mesoporous carbon frameworks(TM-N-OMCs;TM=Fe,Co,Ni,and Cu)serve as hosts for Li_(2)S and Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl(LPSC)and provide abundant reaction sites on the triple interface.Results from both experimental and computational research display that the combination of Cu-N co-dopants can promote the Li-ion diffusion for rapid transformation of Li_(2)S with adequate ionic(6.73×10^(−4)S·cm^(−1))/electronic conductivities(1.77×10^(−2)S·cm^(−1))at 25℃.The as-acquired Li_(2)S/Cu-N-OMC/LPSC electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity(1147.7 mAh·g^(−1))at 0.1 C,excellent capacity retention(99.5%)after 500 cycles at 0.5 C,and high areal capacity(7.08 mAh·cm^(−2)).

Tuning the electronic conductance of REH_(x)(RE=Nd,Ce,Pr)by structural deformation

Hydride ion(H-)conductors have drawn much attention due to their potential applications in hydrideion-based devices.Rare earth metal hydrides(REH_(x))have fast H-conduction which,unfortunately,is accompanied by detrimental electron conduction preventing their application as ion conductors.Here,REH_(x)(RE=Nd,Ce,and Pr)with varied grain sizes,rich grain boundaries,and defects have been prepared by ball milling and subsequent sintering.The electronic conductivity of the ball-milled REH_(x)samples can be reduced by 2-4 orders of magnitude compared with the non-ball-milled samples.The relationship of electron conduction and miscrostructures in REH_(x)is studied and discussed based on experimental data and previously-proposed classical and quantum theories.The H-conductivity of all REH_(x)is about 10^(-4)to 10^(-3)S cm^(-1)at room temperature,showing promise for the development of H-conductors and their applications in clean energy storage and conversion.

Machine Learning Approach Accelerates Search for Solid State Electrolytes

In the current aera of rapid development in the field of electric vehicles and electrochemical energy storage,solid-state battery technology is attracting much research and attention.Solid-state electrolytes,as the key component of next-generation battery technology,are favored for their high safety,high energy density,and long life.However,finding high-performance solid-state electrolytes is the primary challenge for solid-state battery applications.Focusing on inorganic solid-state electrolytes,this work highlights the need for ideal solid-state electrolytes to have low electronic conductivity,good thermal stability,and structural and phase stability.Traditional experimental and theoretical computational methods suffer from inefficiency,thus machine learning methods become a novel path to intelligently predict material properties by analyzing a large number of inorganic structural properties and characteristics.Through the gradient descent-based XGBoost algorithm,we successfully predicted the energy band structure and stability of the materials,and screened out only 194 ideal solid-state electrolyte structures from more than 6000 structures that satisfy the requirements of low electronic conductivity and stability simultaneously,which greatly accelerated the development of solid-state batteries.

Investigating Stability Properties for Transition Metal Carbonate Precursors Using Universal Cluster Expansion Technique(UNCLE)as Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries

The universal cluster expansion technique was used in this study to determine the binary phase diagrams for the transition metal carbonate precursors MCO3(M:Mn,Ni,Co).The use of mixed cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries such as NMC(Ni,Mn and Co)formulations,is a strategic approach to optimize performance,enhance safety and address cost and environmental considerations in the rapidly evolving field of energy storage.This study focuses on the cost issue related to lithium ion batteries by investigating the manganese rich NMC since manganese is more abundant and cost-effective.We doped MnCO3 with nickel and doped MnCO3 with cobalt then ran cluster expansion calculations to generate binary phases.The binary phase diagrams generated indicated that doping MnCO3 with nickel favours the Mn-rich side,while doping MnCO3 with cobalt favours 50%Mn-rich and 50%Co-rich.We further extracted the most stable structures from both binary diagrams and determined their electronic,mechanical and vibrational stabilities using DFT(density functional theory)calculations within the LDA(local gradient approximation)with Hubbard parameter(U).The electronic properties revealed that both materials are semiconductors due to their narrow energy band gap obtained while the mechanical properties showed that structures are mechanically stable since their necessary conditions for trigonal and triclinic systems were satisfied.

A review on electronically conducting polymers for lithium-sulfur battery and lithium-selenium battery:Progress and prospects

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S) batteries and lithium-selenium(Li-Se) batteries,as environmental protection energy storage systems with outstanding theoretical specific capacities and high energy densities,have become the hotspots of current researches.Besides,elemental S(Se) raw materials are widely sourced and their production costs are both low,which make them considered one of the new generations of high energy density electrochemical energy storage systems with the most potential for development.However,poor conductivity of elemental S/Se and the notorious "shuttle effect" of lithium polysulfides(polyselenides) severely hinder the commercialization of Li-S/Se batteries.Thanks to the excellent electrical conductivity and strong absorption of lithium polysulfide(polyselenide) about electronically conducting polymer,some of the above thorny problems have been effectively alleviated.The review presents the fundamental studies and current development trends of common electronically conducting polymers in various components of Li-S/Se batteries,which involves polyaniline(PANI) polypyrrole(PPy),and polythiophene(PTh) with its derivatives,e.g.polyethoxythiophene(PEDOT) and poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS).Finally,the review not only summarizes the research directions and challenges facing the application of electronically conducting polymers,but also looks forward to the development prospects of them,which will provide a way for the practical use of electronically conducting polymers in Li-S/Se batteries with outstanding electrochemical properties in the short run.

Effect of ZrO_2 (9mol% Y_2O_3) coating thickness on the electronic conductivity of Mg-PSZ oxygen sensors

The ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating was prepared evenly on the surface of MgO partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) tube (oxygen sensor probe) by dipping the green Mg-PSZ tube in a ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) slurry and then co-firing at 1750°C for 8 h. The double-cell method was employed to measure the electronic conductivity parameter and exam the reproducibility of the coated Mg- PSZ tube. The experimental results indicate that the good thermal shock resistance of the Mg-PSZ tube can be retained when the coating thickness is not more than 3.4 μm. The ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating reduces the electronic conductivity parameter remarka- bly, probably due to the lower electronic conductivity of Y2O,-stabilized ZrO2 than that of MgO-stabilized ZrO2. Moreover, the ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating can improve the reproducibility and accuracy of the Mg-PSZ tube significantly in the low oxygen measure- ment. The smooth surface feature and lower electronic conductivity of the coated Mg-PSZ tube should be responsible for this im- provement.

Study on Electronic Conductivity of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-FeOx Slag System

A study on electronic conductivity of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-FeOxslag system with Wagner polarization technique was carried out.The experimental data show that electronic conductivity is consisted of free electron conductivity and electron hole conductivity and both are related to the content of Fe3+and Fe2+.Free electron conductivity is decreasing and electron hole conductivity is increasing while Fe3+changes to Fe2+.There is a maximum electronic conductivity at some ratio of ferric ions Fe3+to total ion content.Under the experimental conditions,the electronic conductivity is in the range of 10-4—10-2S/cm.

IR, 1H NMR, Electronic Properties and Conductivity Studies of N1 ,N4-Bis（Diphme）Benzene-l,4-Diamine Chloride Zirconium （IV） [{（Ar）2NC6H5N（Ar）2}ZrCl4] （Ar = C6H5）

A range of new compounds such as N1,N4-bis（diphenylmethlene）benzene-l,4-diamine zirconium （IV） chloride [{（Ar）2NC6HsN（Ar）z}ZrCl4] （Ar = C6H5） complex counting the chelating amine and chloride in position trans have been prepared. Well-defined NI,N4-bis（diphenylmethlene）benzene-l,4-diamine zirconium （IV） chloride [{（Ar）2NC6H5N（Ar）2}ZrCl4] （Ar = C6H5） was obtained by stoichiometric addition of {（Ar）2NC6H5N（Ar）2} （Ar = C6H5） and {ZrC14} in ethanol at reflex temperature. IR, 1H NMR, electronic properties using hyperchem program study has been improved for this compound such as bond distance, and this compound was also defined as electric conductivity which proves to be useful for conductively compound.

Microstructure and properties of electronic packaging shell with high silicon carbide aluminum-base composites by semi-solid thixoforming

The electronic packaging shell with high silicon carbide aluminum-base composites was prepared by semi-solid thixoforming technique. The flow characteristic of the Si C particulate was analyzed. The microstructures of different parts of the shell were observed by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, and the thermophysical and mechanical properties of the shell were tested. The results show that there exists the segregation phenomenon between the Si C particulate and the liquid phase during thixoforming, the liquid phase flows from the shell, and the Si C particles accumulate at the bottom of the shell. The volume fraction of Si C decreases gradually from the bottom to the walls. Accordingly, the thermal conductivities of bottom center and walls are 178 and 164 W·m-1·K-1, the coefficients of thermal expansion(CTE) are 8.2×10-6 and 12.6×10-6 K-1, respectively. The flexural strength decreases slightly from 437 to 347 MPa. The microstructures and properties of the shell show gradient distribution.

Electronic Transport of Uranium Mononitride

We investigated the electronic heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and resistivity of UN using Quantum Espresso and EPW code. GGA, PBEsol functional was used. The calculated electronic heat coefficient was found to be significantly reduced (0.0176 J⋅mol-1⋅K-2 versus 0.0006 J⋅mol-1⋅K-2) when the non-local hybrid functional (B3LYP) was used. Furthermore, we calculated electrical resistivity using a very transparent Ziman’s formula for metals with the Eliashberg transport coupling function as implemented in EPW code for non-spin-polarized calculations. The number of mobile electrons in UN, as a function of temperature, was derived from the ratio of the calculated resistivity and available experimental data. The electronic thermal conductivity was evaluated from the calculated electronic resistivity via Wiedemann-Franz law with the number of mobility electrons (nav) incorporated (averaged over the temperature range 300 K - 1000 K). Both the electronic thermal conductivity and resistivity, as calculated using newly evaluated nav, compare well with experimental data at ~700 K, but to reproduce the observed trend as a function of temperature, the number of mobile electrons must decrease with the temperature as evaluated.

Ni-P-SBR composite-electroless-plating enables Si anode with high conductivity and elasticity for high performance Li-ion batteries application

Silica-based anode is widely employed for high energy density Li-ion batteries owing to their high theoretical specific capacity(4200 m A h g-1).However,it is always accompanied by a huge volume expansion(300%)and shrinks during the lithiation/delithiation process,further leading to low cycle stability.Efforts to mitigate the adverse effects caused by volume expansion such as robust binder matrix,Coreshell structure,etc.,inevitably affect the electronic conductivity within the electrode.Herein,a high conductivity and elasticity Si anode(Ni-P-SBR(styrene-butadiene rubber)@Si)was designed and fabricated via the Ni-P-SBR composite-electroless-plating process.In this design,the Si particles are surrounded by SBR polymer and Ni particles,where the SBR can adapt to the volume change and Ni particles can provide the electrode with high electronic conductivity.Therefore,the Ni-P-SBR@Si delivers a high initial capacity of 3470 m A h g-1and presents capacity retention of 49.4%within 200 cycles at 600 m A g-1.Additionally,a high capacity of 1153 m A h g-1can be achieved at 2000 m A g-1and can be cycled stably under bending conditions.This strategy provides feasible ideas to solve the key issues that limit the practical application of Si anodes.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of La_(2)CuO_(4)as a promising coating material for high voltage Li-rich layered oxide cathodes

The structural transformations,oxygen releasing and side reactions with electrolytes on the surface are considered as the main causes of the performance degradation of Li-rich layered oxides(LROs)cathodes in Li-ion batteries.Thus,stabilizing the surfaces of LROs is the key to realize their practical application in high energy density Li-ion batteries.Surface coating is regarded as one of the most effective strategies for high voltage cathodes.The ideal coating materials should prevent cathodes from electrolyte corrosion and possess both electronic and Li-ionic conductivities simultaneously.However,commonly reported coating materials are unable to balance these functions well.Herein,a new type of coating material,La_(2)CuO_(4)was introduced to mitigate the surface issues of LROs for the first time,due to its superb electronic conductivity(26-35 mS·cm^(-1))and lithium-ionic diffusion coefficient(10^(-12)-10^(-13)cm^(2)·s^(-1)).After coating with the La_(2)CuO_(4),the capacity retention of Li_(1.2)Ni_(0.54)Co_(0.13)Mn_(0.13)O_(2)cathode was increased to 85.9%(compared to 79.3%of uncoated cathode)after 150 cycles in the voltage range of 2.0-4.8 V.In addition,only negligible degradations on the deliverable capacity and rate capability were observed.

A lithium–tin fluoride anode enabled by ionic/electronic conductive paths for garnet-based solid-state lithium metal batteries

The high energy density and stability of solid-state lithium metal batteries(SSLMBs)have garnered great attention.Garnet-type oxides,especially Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12)(LLZTO),with high ionic conductivity,wide electrochemical window,and stability to Li metal anode,are promising solid-state electrolyte(SSEs)materials for SSLMBs.However,Li/LLZTO interface issues including high interface resistance,inhomogeneous Li deposition,and Li dendrite growth have hindered the practical application of SSLMBs.Herein,a multi-functional Li–SnF_(2) composite anode with Li,LiF,and Li-Sn alloy was specifically designed and prepared.The composite anode improves the wettability to LLZTO,constructing an intimate contact interface between it and LLZTO.Meanwhile,ionic/electronic conductive paths in situ formed at the interface can effectively uniform Li deposition and suppress Li dendrite.The solid-state symmetric cell exhibits low interface resistance(11Ω·cm^(2)) and high critical current density(1.3 mA·cm^(−2))at 25℃.The full SSLMB based on LiFePO_(4) or LiNi_(0.5)Co_(0.2)Mn_(0.3)O_(2) cathode also shows stable cycling performance and high rate capability.This work provides a new composite anode strategy for achieving high-energy density and high-safety SSLMBs.

Enhancing thermoelectric performance of p-type SnTe through manipulating energy band structures and decreasing electronic thermal conductivity

SnTe has received considerable attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to the representative thermoelectric material of PbTe.However,excessive hole carrier concentration in SnTe results in an extremely low Seebeck coefficient and high thermal conductivity,which makes it exhibit relatively inferior thermoelectric properties.In this work,the thermoelectric performance of p-type SnTe is enhanced through regulating its energy band structures and reducing its electronic thermal conductivity by combining Bi doping with CdSe alloying.First,the carrier concentration of SnTe is successfully suppressed via Bi doping,which significantly decreases the electronic thermal conductivity.Then,the convergence and flattening of the valence bands by alloying CdSe effectively improves the effective mass of SnTe while restraining its carrier mobility.Finally,a maximum figure of merit(ZT) of~ 0.87 at 823 K and an average ZT of~ 0.51 at 300-823 K have been achieved in Sn_(0.96)Bi_(0.04)Te-5%CdSe.Our results indicate that decreasing the electronic thermal conductivity is an effective means of improving the performance of thermoelectric materials with a high carrier concentration.

CNTs@S composite as cathode for all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries with ultralong cycle life

The main challenges in development of traditional liquid lithium-sulfur batteries are the shuttle effect at the cathode caused by the polysulfide and the safety concern at the Li metal anode arose from the dendrite formation.All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries have been proposed to solve the shuttle effect and prevent short circuits.However,solid-solid contacts between the electrodes and the electrolyte increase the interface resistance and stress/strain,which could result in the limited electrochemical performances.In this work,the cathode of all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries is prepared by depositing sulfur on the surface of the carbon nanotubes(CNTs@S)and further mixing with Li10GeP2S12 electrolyte and acetylene black agents.At 60℃,CNTs@S electrode exhibits superior electrochemical performance,delivering the reversible discharge capacities of 1193.3,959.5,813.1,569.6 and 395.5 mAhg^-1 at the rate of 0.1,0.5,1,2 and 5 C,respectively.Moreover,the CNTs@S is able to demonstrate superior high-rate capability of 660.3 mAhg^-1 and cycling stability of 400 cycles at a high rate of 1.0 C.Such uniform distribution of the CNTs,S and Li10GeP2S12 electrolyte increase the electronic and ionic conductivity between the cathode and the electrolyte hence improves the rate performance and capacity retention.

ABSTRACTS——From Journal of Iron and Steel Research(in Chinese)

The electrochemical nature of reaction between melt and slag in a closed system was worked out. Experimental results demonstrated that both the rate and reaction extent increase when the electronic conductor or voltage was applied between melt and slag. The bigger the contact area of the conductor with melts is, the faster the reaction rate is. With the increase of applied voltage which is beneficial for electron's migration between metal and slags, the rate and extent of reaction increase.

Study on rare earth electrolyte of SDC-LSGM

Ce0.85Sm0.15O1.925 （SDC） and La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.5Mg0.2O2.85 （LSGM） were synthesized using Glycine-Nitrate Process （GNP）, and the composite electrolytes were prepared by mixing SDC and LSGM. An X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that the mixture of SDC and LSGM consisted of their original phases after heating at 1450 ℃ for 10 h. The electronic conductivity of SDC-LSGM composite electrolytes were measured by direct current polarization method using Hebb-Wagner ion blocking cell at 700-800 ℃ in the oxygen partial pressure range of 104-10-20 MPa and compared with the results of SDC. Typical polarization curves, which were theoretically predicted, were observed on all the samples. The slopes of lgσe-lgPo2 plot for all the composite electrolytes agreed with the theoretically predicted value of-1/4 at some intermediate oxygen partial pressures and -1/6 at low oxygen partial pressure. The electronic conductivity of SDC-LSGM composite electrolytes decreased with the increase in LSGM content, whereas the ionic transport number ti of all the samples increased with the increase in LSGM content.

Architecture engineering of carbonaceous anodes for high-rate potassium-ion batteries

The limited lithium resource in earth's crust has stimulated the pursuit of alternative energy storage technologies to lithium-ion battery.Potassium-ion batteries(KIBs)are regarded as a kind of promising candidate for large-scale energy storage owing to the high abundance and low cost of potassium resources.Nevertheless,further development and wide application of KIBs are still challenged by several obstacles,one of which is their fast capacity deterioration at high rates.A considerable amount of effort has recently been devoted to address this problem by developing advanced carbonaceous anode materials with diverse structures and morphologies.This review presents and highlights how the architecture engineering of carbonaceous anode materials gives rise to high-rate performances for KIBs,and also the beneficial conceptions are consciously extracted from the recent progress.Particularly,basic insights into the recent engineering strategies,structural innovation,and the related advances of carbonaceous anodes for high-rate KIBs are under specific concerns.Based on the achievements attained so far,a perspective on the foregoing,and proposed possible directions,and avenues for designing high-rate anodes,are presented finally.

Hydrogen Permeation Properties of Perovskite-type BaCe_(0.9)Mn_(0.1)O_(3-δ)Dense Ceramic Membrane

The electrical conduction properties of dense BaCe0.9Mn0.1O3-d (BCM10) membrane were investigated in the temperature range of 600-900oC. High ionic and electronic conductivities at elevated temperatures make BCM10 a potential ceramic material for hydrogen separation. Hydrogen permeation through BCM10 membranes was studied using a high- temperature permeation cell. Little hydrogen could be detected at the sweep side. However, appreciable hydrogen can permeate through BCM10 membrane coated with porous platinum black, which shows that the process of hydrogen permeation through BCM10 membranes was controlled by the catalytic decomposition and recomposition of hydrogen on the surfaces of BCM10 membranes.