Operando FTIR study on water additive in lithium-sulfur batteries to mitigate shuttle effect

Additives in the electrolytes of Li-S batteries aim to increase overall capacity,improve Li ion conductivity,enhance cyclability,and mitigate the shuttle effect,which is one of the major issues of this system.Here,the use of water as an additive in the commonly used electrolyte,1.0 M LiTFSI/1.0%(w/w) LiNO_(3) and a 1:1 mixture of 1,3-dioxolane(DOL) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane(DME) was investigated.We used Co_(2)Mn_(0.5)Al_(0.5)O_(4)(CMA) as an electrocatalyst anchored on an activated carbon(AC) electrode with added sulfur via a melt-diffusion process.The structural analysis of CMA via Rietveld refinement showed interatomic spaces that can promote ionic conductivity,facilitating Li^(+) ion migration.Electrochemical tests determined 1600 ppm as the optimal water concentration,significantly reducing the shuttle effect.Post-mortem XPS analysis focused on the lithium metal anode revealed the formation of Li_(2)O layers in dry samples and LiOH in wet samples.Better capacity was observed in wet samples,which can be attributed to the superior ionic conductivity of LiOH at the electrode/electrolyte interface,surpassing that of Li_(2)O by 12 times.Finally,Operando FTIR experiments provided real-time insights into electrolyte degradation and SEI formation,elucidating the activity mechanisms of water and Li_(2)CO_(3) over the cycles.This work presents results that could aid future advancements in Li-S battery technology,offering possibilities to mitigate its challenges with inexpensive and scalable additives.

Operando NMR methods for studying electrocatalysis

The combination of electrochemical measurements with spectroscopic characterizations provides valuable insights into reaction mechanisms.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy,as a powerful technique due to its atomic specificity and versatility in studying gas,liquid,and solid,allows the study of electrolyte solution,catalyst and catalyst-adsorbate interfaces.When applied in operando,NMR can offer molecular-level insights into various electrochemical processes.Operando NMR has been applied extensively in battery research,but relatively underexplored for electrocatalysis in the past two decades.In this mini review,we first introduce the operando electrochemical NMR setups,categorized by different probe designs.Then we review the applications of operando NMR for monitoring the electrolyte solution and the catalyst-adsorbate interface.Considering the high environmental impact of electrochemical conversion of CO_(2)into value-added products,we zoom in to the use of operando NMR in studying electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.Finally,we provide our perspective on further developing and applying operando NMR methods for understanding the complex reaction network of Cu-catalyzed electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.

大豆油煎炸过程理化指标与LF-NMR弛豫特性的相关性研究

在对大豆油无料/薯条煎炸过程[温度:(180±5)℃,持续36 h]中的酸价(AV)、粘度(V)、吸光值(A)及总极性化合物(TPC)含量等及低场核磁共振(LF-NMR)弛豫特性(峰起始时间T21、T22、T23、相应的峰面积比例S21、S22、S23、单组份弛豫时间T2W)变化规律研究的基础上,利用多元回归分析建立了理化指标与其LF-NMR检测结果的相关性模型,并进行验证。结果表明:大豆油的酸价、TPC含量及S21峰面积均随煎炸时间的延长而线性增大,T21、T22峰起始时间及T2W则随煎炸时间的延长而线性减小(r2>0.90),粘度、吸光值随煎炸时间的延长逐渐增加并符合二项式关系(r2>0.90),而T23峰起始时间及S22、S23与煎炸时间之间无明显规律性变化。煎炸薯条后,油样的酸价、粘度、TPC含量、吸光值及S21均较无料煎炸显著增大(P<0.05),而T21、T22峰起始时间及T2W显著缩短。多元回归分析表明,酸价及TPC含量与T2W、T21,粘度与T2W,吸光值与S21间均可建立良好的相关性模型(R2>0.93)。模型验证合理可靠,可通过油样的LF-NMR检测结果有效预测其理化指标的变化。

基于低场核磁共振(LF-NMR)弛豫特性的油脂品质检测研究

研究了低场核磁共振(LF-NMR)检测过程中的仪器参数、检测温度及体积等对大豆油、棕榈油和猪油弛豫特性检测结果的影响,并给出了适用于含固态脂类油脂样品的LF-NMR检测条件,即:TR=2000ms,τ=250μs,EchoCount=6000个,检测体积2.5mL,检测温度50℃。并应用建立的方法对多种地沟油样品进行了检测。结果表明,基于油样的LFNMR弛豫特性,可有效区分8种固态油样和10种液态地沟油,检测正确识别率可达75%和100%,有效避免了假阳性,且S21峰比例面积可有效反映样品的掺杂梯度变化,说明了该方法对固态和液态地沟油也具有较好的识别能力,在后期油脂品质检测应用中具有较好的可行性。

皱皮木瓜真空冻干工艺优化及基于LF-NMR技术的复水特性研究

目的:对皱皮木瓜片的真空冷冻条件进行优化,研究木瓜片复水过程中水分状态变化。方法:采用单因素试验结合Box-Behnken响应面法,分别以复水比和色差值为指标,考察木瓜片厚度,真空冷冻干燥机的隔板温度以及真空度3个因素对冻干工艺的影响,优化皱皮木瓜片冻干工艺;利用低场核磁共振技术比较真空冷冻干燥和热风干燥的木瓜片成品复水过程中水分状态的变化情况。结果:确定皱皮木瓜真空冷冻干燥的复水比最佳工艺条件:木瓜片厚度4mm,隔板温度40℃,真空度2.4mbar;色差值最优的组合为:木瓜片厚度7.45mm,隔板温度28.37℃,真空度2.02mbar。NMR试验表明,复水过程中进入木瓜片中的水很快转化为不易流动水,结合水和自由水变化不大,且真空冷冻干燥的木瓜片中不易流动水增加较快,说明冻干比热风干燥的木瓜片品质好。结论:本研究结果为优化的皱皮木瓜真空冷冻干燥工艺参数,低场核磁共振技术可用于表征皱皮木瓜复水过程中水分状态的变化。

LF-NMR结合化学模式识别鉴别油脂种类及餐饮废弃油脂

应用主成分分析(Principal component analysis,PCA)和聚类分析法(Cluster analysis,CA)对9种(27个)常见食用植物油及100个餐饮废油的低场核磁共振(Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance,LF-NMR)(T2)弛豫特性数据进行分析。结果表明:在正常食用油种类区分方面,主成分分析的效果较优,9种食用油在主成分分布图上按种类正确分组,边界清晰。而在正常食用油与餐饮废油的区分方面,聚类分析效果较优,引入30个待测样本后,聚类分析(127个样品,欧式距离=5)的正确率为94.49%,分析误判率为5.51%,分组效果良好。LF-NMR结合化学模式识别可实现对油脂种类及餐饮废弃油脂的鉴别。

食用/工业明胶的凝胶及LF-NMR弛豫特性的比较

该文研究了食品/工业明胶浓度、混合比例及蔗糖或NaCl对体系的黏度、凝冻强度及LF-NMR弛豫特性的影响。结果发现,与食用明胶相比,工业明胶的凝冻强度与黏度较低。随着明胶浓度的增加,体系的黏度、凝胶强度均相对增大;结合水弛豫时间T_(21)、自由水弛豫时间T_(22)及自由水比例S_(22)均减小,而结合水比例S_(21)增大。随着工业明胶含量的增多,混合体系的黏度与凝冻强度均线性降低,T_(21)、T_(22)及S_(21)均线性增大,S_(22)线性减小;相同蔗糖或NaCl浓度下,食用明胶体系的黏度、凝冻强度最大,混合明胶体系次之,而工业明胶体系的最小;随着蔗糖浓度的增加,体系的黏度均增大,食用、混合体系的凝冻强度增大,而工业明胶变化较小;各体系的T_(22)、S_(22)均减小,S_(21)增大,工业明胶的T_(21)增大,而食用明胶、混合明胶体系的T_(21)变化不大。随着NaCl浓度的增加,各体系的凝冻强度均相对降低,而T_(21)、T_(22)、S_(21)均相对增大,S_(22)减小。

无机盐对乙醇-水体系LF-NMR弛豫特性的影响及主成分分析

该文研究了不同浓度（0~9%）的Na Cl,Mg SO4或Na OH对乙醇-水体系LF-NMR弛豫特性的影响,并应用主成分分析（PCA）对样品的弛豫特性进行了分析。研究表明：无机盐种类和浓度会对水及乙醇-水体系的LF-NMR弛豫特性产生影响。无机盐-水二元体系仅存在1个弛豫峰,且弛豫时间：Mg SO4〉Na OH〉Na Cl。而无机盐-乙醇-水三元体系则存在2个弛豫峰,Na Cl/Na OH-乙醇-水体系的弛豫峰分别位于200~330 ms和1 300~1 600 ms处;而Mg SO4-乙醇-水体系则位于约250~335 ms和1 620~1 707 ms处。不同种类无机盐、水和乙醇-水体系间的LF-NMR弛豫特性差异均可在PCA得分图上有效反映,且随着无机盐浓度的增加,各浓度梯度在主成分得分图中亦呈规律性分布。说明基于样品的LF-NMR弛豫特性,结合主成分分析法可快速分析无机盐对水/乙醇-水的缔合特性。

“Zero‑Strain” NiNb_(2)O_(6) Fibers for All‑Climate Lithium Storage

Niobates are promising all-climate Li^(+)-storage anode material due to their fast charge transport,large specific capacities,and resistance to electrolyte reaction.However,their moderate unit-cellvolume expansion(generally 5%–10%)during Li^(+)storage causes unsatisfactory long-term cyclability.Here,“zero-strain”NiNb_(2)O_(6) fibers are explored as a new anode material with comprehensively good electrochemical properties.During Li^(+)storage,the expansion of electrochemical inactive NiO_(6) octahedra almost fully offsets the shrinkage of active NbO_(6) octahedra through reversible O movement.Such superior volume-accommodation capability of the NiO_(6) layers guarantees the“zero-strain”behavior of NiNb_(2)O_(6) in a broad temperature range(0.53%//0.51%//0.74%at 25//−10//60℃),leading to the excellent cyclability of the NiNb_(2)O_(6) fibers(92.8%//99.2%//91.1%capacity retention after 1000//2000//1000 cycles at 10C and 25//−10//60℃).This NiNb_(2)O_(6) material further exhibits a large reversible capacity(300//184//318 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and 25//−10//60℃)and outstanding rate performance(10 to 0.5C capacity percentage of 64.3%//50.0%//65.4%at 25//−10//60℃).Therefore,the NiNb_(2)O_(6) fibers are especially suitable for large-capacity,fast-charging,long-life,and all-climate lithium-ion batteries.

利用Operando IR-MS研究S Zorb工艺中烯烃反应的影响因素

设计构建了用于S Zorb反应化学研究的Operando IR-MS分析表征平台,开发了烯烃加氢反应Operando IR-MS表征技术。以炼油厂运行装置使用的S Zorb工业新剂、待生剂及参比剂为对象,以正丁烯为反应探针分子,系统考察了影响烯烃加氢造成辛烷值损失的因素及其规律。结果表明:与新剂相比,待生剂的烯烃相对消耗量大幅减少,其变化趋势与吸附剂中ZnS和碳的质量分数均成负相关;吸附剂表面的活性Ni对加氢和脱硫反应贡献均较大;吸附剂上NixSy的生成及量的增加抑制烯烃的加氢反应。因此,在保证脱硫率前提下为降低汽油的辛烷值损失,可通过抑制吸附剂上过多的活性Ni、选择性调变表面Ni的存在形态、合理控制吸附剂表面ZnS和积炭量等综合方法来实现。

动态现场原位(operando)表征技术在多相催化反应中的应用与进展

动态现场原位(operando)表征是在接近过程工业反应条件下,揭示催化反应机理及工业催化剂结构演变的新兴动态结构解析技术。本文综述了operando表征技术在多相催化反应中的应用及发展趋势,从operando红外、operando拉曼、operando X射线衍射、operando穆斯堡尔谱、operando X射线吸收谱及operando X射线光电子能谱6个方面概述了operando技术的最新进展。此外,还介绍了正在兴起的operando联用技术,该技术综合多种operando技术为一体,能够在反应过程中对催化剂的结构全貌进行深度表征,实现工业催化剂的理性设计,将成为未来多相催化研究的重要手段。然而,目前operando技术的时间分辨率和空间分辨率仍需进一步提升,其巨大潜力依然有待开发。

Local structural evolutions of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for methanol synthesis under operando conditions studied by in situ quick X-ray absorption spectroscopy

In situ quick X-ray absorption spectroscopy(QXAFS) at the Cu and Zn K-edge under operando conditions has been used to unravel the Cu/Zn interaction and identify possible active site of CuO/ZnO/Al_2O_3 catalyst for methanol synthesis. In this work, the catalyst, whose activity increases with the reaction temperature and pressure, was studied at calcined, reduced, and reacted conditions. TEM and EDX images for the calcined and reduced catalysts showed that copper was distributed uniformly at both conditions. TPR profile revealed two reduction peaks at 165 and 195 °C for copper species in the calcined catalyst. QXAFS results demonstrated that the calcined form consisted mainly of a mixed Cu O and Zn O, and it was progressively transformed into Cu metal particles and dispersed Zn O species as the reduction treatment. It was demonstrated that activation of the catalyst precursor occurred via a Cu^+intermediate, and the active catalyst predominantly consisted of metallic Cu and Zn O evenunder higher pressures. Structure of the active catalyst did not change with the temperature or pressure, indicating that the role of the Zn was mainly to improve Cu dispersion.This indicates the potential of QXAFS method in studying the structure evolutions of catalysts in methanol synthesis.

Operando X-ray diffraction analysis of the degradation mechanisms of a spinel LiMn2O4 cathode in different voltage windows

The understanding of reaction mechanisms of electrode materials is of significant importance for the development of advanced batteries.The LiMn2O4 cathode has a voltage plateau around 2.8 V(vs.Li^+/Li),which can provide an additional capacity for Li storage,but it suffers from a severe capacity degradation.In this study,operando X-ray diffraction is carried out to investigate the structural evolutions and degradation mechanisms of LiMn2O4 in different voltage ranges.In the range of 3.0-4.3 V(vs.Li^+/Li),the LiMn2O4 cathode exhibits a low capacity but good cycling stability with cycles up to 100 cycles and the charge/discharge processes are associated with the reversible extraction/insertion of Li^+from/into LixMn2O4(0≤x≤1).In the range of 1.4-4.4 V(vs.Li^+/Li),a capacity higher than 200 mAh/g is achieved,but it rapidly decays during the cycling.The voltage plateau around 2.8 V(vs.Li^+/Li)is related to the transformation of the cubic LiMn2O4 phase to the tetragonal Li2Mn2O4 phase,which leads to the formation of cracks as well as the performance degradation.

In-situ/operando characterization techniques in lithium-ion batteries and beyond

Nowadays,in-situ/operando characterization becomes one of the most powerful as well as available means to monitor intricate reactions and investigate energy-storage mechanisms within advanced batteries.The new applications and novel devices constructed in recent years are necessary to be reviewed for inspiring subsequent studies.Hence,we summarize the progress of in-situ/operando techniques employed in rechargeable batteries.The members of this large family are divided into three sections for introduction,including bulk material,electrolyte/electrode interface and gas evolution.In each part,various energy-storage systems are mentioned and the related experimental details as well as data analysis are discussed.The simultaneous strategies of various in-situ methods are highlighted as well.Finally,current challenges and potential solutions are concluded towards the rising influence and enlarged appliance of in-situ/operando techniques in the battery research.

Thickness evolution of graphite-based cathodes in the dual ion batteries via in operando optical observation

Graphite has been currently considered as a promising cathode material in dual ion batteries(DIBs)due to its unique features of sp2 hybridized carbon and stacked two-dimensional layered structures.However,unexpected volume/thickness changes in the graphite cathodes,induced by the intercalation/deintercalation of anions with large molecular size have been known to be a critical problem in designing DIB cells.To understand the volume/thickness changes in the DIB electrodes,in operando optical observing apparatus has been employed to observe the cross-section view of a graphite-based cathode upon cycles in the present work.The observation suggests that the cathode initially presented a huge irreversible thickness change(60%),and such thickness variation was prone to reduce and remain <20% in the following cycles.The results from both in operando observation and electrochemical characterizations collectively indicate that the greater thickness variation at initial cycle should be attributed to both anion intercalation into graphite-based cathodes and irreversible decomposition of chemical components in the DIB system.The method here highlights a universal route for fundamentally understanding the electrodes of huge volume variation.

Rapid operando gas monitor for commercial lithium ion batteries: Gas evolution and relation with electrode materials

Internal gases caused by side reactions are crucial signals for evaluating health and safety states of Li-ion batteries(LIBs)while it is still a great challenge to timely realize accurate monitoring.To address the issues of implanting various gas sensors into commercial batteries,here a novel method is developed to fast operando monitoring gas evolution via equipping non-dispersive infrared multi-gases sensors into a sealed tank,where real commercial batteries with one open end could be settled for operating.The generated CO_(2)concentration is strongly linked with both voltage and temperature,while the concentrations of CH_(4) and C_(2)H_(4) are solely dependent on temperature.As a typical trace gas,evolution behaviors of CO_(2)have been related to 0_(2) generation from LiNi_(o.5)Mn_(0.3)CoO_(2)0_(2) positive electrode,implying stable CO_(2)release below a critical voltage of 4.5 V.By tracking CO_(2)concentration,an increased amount of Li_(2)CO_(3) was monitored on the surface of graphite negative electrode during discharge process at dfferent temperatures and cutoff voltages,which contributes to the component variation of solid electrolyte interfaces.Such operando techniques promise a plaform for well understanding the interaction of side reactions linked with gas evolution between positive and negative electrodes in commercial LIBs.

Simultaneously mastering operando strain and reconstruction effects via phase-segregation strategy for enhanced oxygen-evolving electrocatalysis

Material strain and reconstruction effects are critical for catalysis reactions,but current insights into operando strain effects during reaction and means to master catalyst reconstruction are still lacking.Here,we propose a facile thermal-induced phase-segregation strategy to simultaneously master material operando strain and reconstruction effects for enhanced oxygen-evolving reaction(OER).Specifically,self-assembled and controllable layered LiCoO_(2)phase and Co_(3)O_(4)spinel can be generated from pristine Li2Co_(2)O_(4)spinel via Li and O volatilization under different temperatures,realizing controllable proportions of two phases by calcination temperature.Combined operando and ex-situ characterizations reveal that obvious tensile strain along(003)plane appears on layered LixCoO_(2)phase during OER,while low-valence Co_(3)O_(4)phase transforms into high-valence CoOOHx,realizing simultaneous operando strain and reconstruction effects.Further experimental and computational investigations demonstrate that both strained LixCoO_(2)phase and reconstructed CoOOHxcompound contribute to the beneficial adsorption of important OH-reactants,while respective roles in activity and stability are uncovered by exploring their latticeoxygen participation mechanism.This work not only reveals material operando strain effects during OER,but also inaugurates a new thermal-induced phase-segregation strategy to artificially master material operando strain and reconstruction effects,which will enlighten rational material design for many potential reactions and applications.

Operando HERFD-XANES and surface sensitive Δμ analyses identify the structural evolution of copper(Ⅱ) phthalocyanine for electroreduction of CO_(2)

The quantitative understanding of how atomic-level catalyst structural changes affect the reactivity of the electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction is challenging.Due to the complexity of catalytic systems,conventional in situ X-ray spectroscopy plays a limited role in tracing the underlying dynamic structural changes in catalysts active sites.Herein,operando high-energy resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to precisely identify the dynamic structural transformation of well-defined active sites of a representative model copper(Ⅱ)phthalocyanine catalyst which is of guiding significance in studying single-atom catalysis system.Comprehensive X-ray spectroscopy analyses,including surface sensitive△μspectra which isolates the surface changes by subtracting the disturb of bulk base and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy simulation,were used to discover that Cu species aggregated with increasing applied potential,which is responsible for the observed evolution of C_(2)H_(4).The approach developed in this work,characterizing the active-site geometry and dynamic structural change,is a novel and powerful technique to elucidate complex catalytic mechanisms and is expected to con tribute to the rational design of highly effective catalysts.

Design and operando/in situ characterization of precious-metal-free electrocatalysts for alkaline water splitting

Electrochemical water splitting has attracted considerable attention for the production of hydrogen fuel by using renewable energy resources.However,the sluggish reaction kinetics make it essential to explore precious-metal-free electrocatalysts with superior activity and long-term stability.Tremendous efforts have been made in exploring electrocatalysts to reduce the energy barriers and improve catalytic efficiency.This review summarizes different categories of precious-metal-free electrocatalysts developed in the past 5 years for alkaline water splitting.The design strategies for optimizing the electronic and geometric structures of electrocatalysts with enhanced catalytic performance are discussed,including composition modulation,defect engineering,and structural engineering.Particularly,the advancement of operando/in situ characterization techniques toward the understanding of structural evolution,reaction intermediates,and active sites during the water splitting process are summarized.Finally,current challenges and future perspectives toward achieving efficient catalyst systems for industrial applications are proposed.This review will provide insights and strategies to the design of precious-metalfree electrocatalysts and inspire future research in alkaline water splitting.

Unraveling Shuttle Effect and Suppression Strategy in Lithium/Sulfur Cells by In Situ/Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Characterization

The polysulfides shuttle effect represents a great challenge in achieving high capacity and long lifespan of lithium/sulfur(Li/S)cells.A comprehensive understanding of the shuttle-related sulfur speciation and diffusion process is vital for addressing this issue.Herein,we employed in situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS)to trace the migration of polysulfides across the Li/S cells by precisely monitoring the sulfur chemical speciation at the cathodic electrolyte-separator and electrolyte-anode interfaces,respectively,in a real-time condition.After we adopted a shuttle-suppressing strategy by introducing an electrocatalytic layer of twinborn bismuth sulfide/bismuth oxide nanoclusters in a carbon matrix(BSOC),we found the Li/S cell showed greatly improved sulfur utilization and longer life span.The operando S Kedge XAS results revealed that the BSOC modification was bi-functional:trapping polysulfides and catalyzing conversion of sulfur species simultaneously.We elucidated that the polysulfide trapping-and-catalyzing effect of the BSOC electrocatalytic layer resulted in an effective lithium anode protection.Our results could offer potential stratagem for designing more advanced Li/S cells.