Influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the critical current density and the breakdown voltage

The work investigates influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the onset of partial contact glow discharge electrolysis(CGDE)in a water electrolysis.Critical current density(CCD)and breakdown voltage were measured together with in situ observation of hydrogen bubble behavior,whose influence has not been focused on.For a fixed current during normal electrolysis,hydrogen coalescence adjacent to cathode surface was invigorated at a lower conductivity.Photographic analyses elucidated the hydrogen coalescence characteristics by quantifying size and population of detached hydrogen bubbles.The CCD increased about 104% within given range of conductivity(11.50-127.48 mS·cm^(-1))due to impaired bubble coalescence,which delays hydrogen film formation on the cathode.Meanwhile,decreasing trend of breakdown voltage was measured with increased conductivity showing maximum drop of 74%.It is concluded that onset of partial CGDE is directly affected by hydrodynamic bubble behaviors,whereas the electrolyte conductivity affects the bubble formation characteristics adjacent to cathode electrode.

Studies on Electrolyte Conductivity and Activity of Dehydrogenase of Chinese Fir and Masson Pine Bare-Root Seedling under Water and Cold Stress

The electrolyte conductivity and activity of dehydrogenase of bare-root seedlings of both Chinese fir (Cunningha-mia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) and Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) under freezing and desiccation treatments were studied. The results showed that needle electrolyte conductivity of both species increase significantly after freezing treatment and there are no significant differences in needle electrolyte conductivity between the two species. The dehydrogenase activity (ARD) of fine roots of both Chinese fir and Masson pine was negatively correlated with increasing freezing and desiccation. The results suggest that both electrolyte conductivity and dehydrogenase activity could be used as quick indicators of Chinese fir and Masson pine bare-root seedling quality.

INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELD ON ACCURACY OF ECM BY CHANGING THE CONDUCTIVITY OF ANODE FILM

The change of conductivity, thickness and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） appearance of the anode film of CrWMn in 10% NaNO3 at different anode potential either with or without the magnetic field applied are investigated by testing film resistance, galvanostatic transient and using SEM to design magnetic circuit in magnetic assisted electrochemical machining （MAECM）. The experiments show that the anode film has semi-conducting property. Compared with the situation without magnetic field applied, the resistance of the film formed at 1 .SV （anode potential） increased and decreased at 4.0V while B=0.4T and the magnetic north pole points toward anode. The SEM photo demonstrates that the magnetic field will densify the film in the passivation area and quicken dissolution of the anode metal in over-passivation area. Based on the influence of magnetic field on electrochemical machining（ECM） due to the changes of the anode film conductivity behavior, the magnetic north pole should be designed to point towards the workpiece surface that has been machined. Process experiments agree with the results of test analysis.

Enabling high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries with high ionic conductive sulfide-based composite solid electrolyte and ex-situ artificial SEI film

All-solid-state lithium batteries(ASSLBs) employing sulfide electrolyte and lithium(Li) anode have received increasing attention due to the intrinsic safety and high energy density.However,the thick electrolyte layer and lithium dendrites formed at the electrolyte/Li anode interface hinder the realization of high-performance ASSLBs.Herein,a novel membrane consisting of Li_(6)PS_(5) Cl(LPSCl),poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) and Li-salt(LiTFSI) was prepared as sulfide-based composite solid electrolyte(LPSCl-PEO3-LiTFSI)(LPSCl:PEO=97:3 wt/wt;EO:Li=8:1 mol/mol),which delivers high ionic conductivity(1.1 × 10^(-3) S cm^(-1)) and wide electrochemical window(4.9 V vs.Li^(+)/Li) at 25 ℃.In addition,an ex-situ artificial solid electrolyte interphase(SEI) film enriched with LiF and Li3 N was designed as a protective layer on Li anode(Li(SEI)) to suppress the growth of lithium dendrites.Benefiting from the synergy of sulfide-based composite solid electrolyte and ex-situ artificial SEI,cells of S-CNTs/LPSCI-PEO3-LiTFSI/Li(SEI) and Al_(2)O_(3)@LiNi_(0.5)Co_(0.3)Mn_(0.2)O_(2)/LPSCl-PEO3-LiTFSI/Li(SEI) are assembled and both exhibit high initial discharge capacity of 1221.1 mAh g^(-1)(135.8 mAh g^(-1)) and enhanced cycling stability with 81.6% capacity retention over 200 cycles at 0.05 C(89.2% over 100 cycles at 0.1 C).This work provides a new insight into the synergy of composite solid electrolyte and artificial SEI for achieving high-performance ASSLBs.

A series of conducting gel electrolytes for quasi-solid-state quantum dot-sensitized solar cells with boosted electron transfer processes

To pursue electron-generation stability with no sacrifice of photovoltaic performance has been a persistent objective for all kinds of solar cells. Here, we demonstrate the experimental realization of this objective by quasi-solid-state quantum dot-sensitized solar cells from a series of conducting gel electrolytes composed of polyacrylamide（PAAm） matrix and conductive polymers [polyaniline（PANi）, polypyrrole（PPy） or polythiophene（PT）]. The reduction of Sx2- occurred in both interface and three dimensional framework of conducting gel electrolyte as a result of the electrical conduction of PANi, PPy and PT toward refluxed electrons from external circuit to Pt electrode. The resulting solar cells can yield the solarto-electrical conversion efficiency of 2.33%, 2.25% and 1.80% for PANi, PPy and PT based gel electrolytes,respectively. Those solar cells possessed much higher efficiency than that of 1.74% based on pure PAAm gel electrolyte owing to the enhanced kinetics for Sx2- ？ S2- conversion. More importantly, the stability of quasi-solid-state solar cell is significantly advanced, arising from the localization of liquid electrolyte into the three dimensional framework and therefore reduced leakage and volatilization.

Solid Oxide Electrolysis of H_(2)O and CO_(2) to Produce Hydrogen and Low‑Carbon Fuels

Solid oxide electrolysis cells(SOECs)including the oxygen ion-conducting SOEC(O-SOEC)and the proton-conducting SOEC(H-SOEC)have been actively investigated as next-generation electrolysis technologies that can provide high-energy conversion efficiencies for H_(2)O and CO_(2) electrolysis to sustainably produce hydrogen and low-carbon fuels,thus providing higher-temperature routes for energy storage and conversion.Current research has also focused on the promotion of SOEC critical components to accelerate wider practical implementation.Based on these investigations,this perspective will summarize the most recent progress in the optimization of electrolysis performance and long-term stability of SOECs,with an emphasis on material developments,technological approaches and improving strategies,such as nano-composing,surface/interface engineering,doping and in situ exsolution.Existing technical challenges are also analyzed,and future research directions are proposed to achieve SOEC technical maturity and economic feasibility for diverse conversion applications.

Polyacrylonitrile Nanofber‑Reinforced Flexible Single‑Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte for High‑Performance,Room‑Temperature All‑Solid‑State Li‑Metal Batteries

Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes(SIPEs)can be formed by anchoring charge delocalized anions on the side chains of a crosslinked polymer matrix,thereby eliminating the severe concentration polarization efect in conventional dual-ion polymer electrolytes.Addition of a plasticizer into the polymer matrix confers advantages of both liquid and solid electrolytes.However,plasticized SIPEs usually face a trade-of between conductivity and mechanical strength.With insufcient strength,potentially there is short-circuiting failure during cycling.To address this challenge,a simple and mechanicallyrobust SIPE was developed by crosslinking monomer lithium(4-styrenesulfonyl)(trifuoromethylsulfonyl)imide(LiSTFSI)and crosslinker poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate(PEGDA),with plasticizer propylene carbonate(PC),on electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofbers(PAN-NFs).The well-fabricated polymer matrix provided fast and efective Li^(+) conductive pathways with a remarkable ionic conductivity of 8.09×10^(-4) S cm^(−1) and a superior lithium-ion transference number close to unity(t_(Li+)=0.92).The introduction of PAN-NFs not only improved the mechanical strength and fexibility but also endowed the plasticized SIPE with a wide electrochemical stability window(4.9 V vs.Li^(+)/Li)and better cycling stability.Superior longterm lithium cycling stability and dynamic interfacial compatibility were demonstrated by lithium symmetric cell testing.Most importantly,the assembled all-solid-state Li metal batteries showed stable cycling performance and remarkable rate capability both in low and high current densities.Therefore,this straightforward and mechanically reinforced SIPE exhibits great potential in the development of advanced all-solid-state Li-metal batteries.

Helical Covalent Polymers with Unidirectional Ion Channels as Single Lithium-Ion Conducting Electrolytes

Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes have attracted great attention as safe alternatives to liquid electrolytes in high energy density lithium-ion batteries.Herein,we report the first example of a crystalline anionic helical polymer as a single lithium-ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte(SPE).Single-crystal X-ray analysis shows that the polymer folds into densely packed double helices,with bundles of unidirectional negatively charged channels formed that can facilitate lithium-ion transportation.

Preparation and characterization of Ce_(0.8)La_(0.2–x)Y_xO_(1.9) as electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells

In this study, ultrafine Ce0.8La0.2–x Y x O1.9（for x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20） powders were successfully prepared by the sol-gel method.The samples were characterized by fourier transform infrared（FTIR）, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry（TG-DSC）, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, AC impedance and thermal expansion measurements.Experimental results indicated that highly phase-pure cubic fluorite electrolyte Ce0.8La0.2–x Y x O1.9 powders were obtained after calcining at 600 °C.The as-synthesized powders exhibited high sintering activity, the Ce0.8La0.2–x Y x O1.9 series electrolytes which have higher relative densities over 96% could be obtained after sintered at 1400 °C for 4 h.Ce0.8La0.15Y0.05O1.9 electrolyte sintered at 1400 °C for 4 h exhibited higher oxide ionic conductivity（σ800 oC=0.057 S/cm）, lower electrical activation energy（E a=0.87 e V） and moderate thermal expansion coefficient（TEC=15.5×10-6 K-1, temperature range 25–800 °C）.

Effects of ceramic filler in poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(ethyl methacrylate) based polymer blend electrolytes

Effects of nano-ceramic filler titanium oxide（TiO2） have been investigated on the ionic conductance of polymeric complexes consisting of polyvinyl chloride）（PVC）/poly（ethyl methacrylate）（PEMA）,and lithium perchlorate（LiClO4）.The composite polymer blend electrolytes were prepared by solvent casting technique.The TiO2 nanofillers were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer electrolyte matrix and exhibited excellent interconnection with PVC/PEMA/PC/UCIO4 polymer electrolyte.The addition of TiO2nanofillers improved the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte to some extent when the content of TiO2 is 15 wt%.The addition of TiO2 also enhanced the thermal stability of the electrolyte.The changes in the structural and complex formation properties of the materials are studied by X-ray diffraction（XRD） and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FTIR） techniques.The scanning electron microscope image of nano-composite polymer electrolyte membrane confirms that the TiO2 nanoparticles were distributed uniformly in the polymer matrix.

PrF_(3)-NdF_(3)-DyF_(3)-LiF electrolyte system for preparation of Pr-Nd-Dy alloy by electrolysis

The application of Pr-Nd-Dy alloy in the field of high-performance Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet materials has great potential.The composition of the PrF_(3)-NdF_(3)-DyF_(3)-LiF(PND-LiF) electrolyte system used in the production of Pr-Nd-Dy alloys,the distribution of F,Li,RE and other elements in the electrolyte and their occurrence state were studied in this paper.The effect of temperature and lithium fluoride addition on electrolyte conductivity was revealed using the continuous conductivity cell constant(CVCC) method.The thermal analysis method was used to study the influence of lithium fluoride addition on the electrolyte’s liquidus temperature and the optimal process conditions for the production of Pr-Nd-Dy alloy were determined.The results show that the overall distribution of praseodymium neodymium fluoride and lithium fluoride is uniform in the electrolyte and dysprosium fluoride is distributed between praseodymium-neodymium fluoride and lithium fluoride.Praseodymium-neodymium oxide is embedded in praseodymium neodymium fluoride in spotty pattern.The electrolyte’s conductivity is increased as the temperature and lithium fluoride addition are going up,while the liquidus temperature is going down with increasing lithium fluoride addition.The best electrolysis process conditions for the PND-LiF system to produce praseodymium neodymium dysprosium alloy are as follows:temperature1050℃ and 15.56 wt% PrF_(3)-62.22 wt% NdF_(3)-11.11 wt% DyF_(3)-11.11 wt% LiF.

Preparation and characterization of LSO-SDC composite electrolytes

The properties of LSO-SDC composite electrolytes prepared by the mixed powder with different LSO/SDC mass ratios were studied. The apatite-type lanthanum silicates La10Si6O27（LSO） and Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9（SDC） were synthesized via sol-gel process and glycine-nitrate process（GNP）, respectively. The phase structure, microstructure, relative density, thermal expansion properties and oxygen ion conductivity of the samples were investigated by means of techniques such as X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, Archimedes method, dilatometer, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that SDC addition to the samples could enhance the density of the samples. However, the LSO-SDC composite electrolyte sintered at 1550 oC was over sintering when the SDC content was 50 wt.%. At the lower content of SDC（0–10 wt.%）, the decrease of conductivity was predominantly attributed to the reducing concentration of carriers. However, the conductivities of the composite electrolytes increased with the increasing SDC content（10 wt.%–40 wt.%） because of the enhanced percolation of highly conductive SDC component in the microstructure of composite electrolytes. In addition,the dependence of conductivity on p（O2） showed that LSO-SDC composite electrolytes were stable in the examined range of p（O2）.