MOF-Transformed In_(2)O_(3-x)@C Nanocorn Electrocatalyst for Efficient CO_(2)Reduction to HCOOH

For electrochemical CO_(2) reduction to HCOOH,an ongoing challenge is to design energy efficient electrocatalysts that can deliver a high HCOOH current density(JHCOOH)at a low overpotential.Indium oxide is good HCOOH production catalyst but with low con-ductivity.In this work,we report a unique corn design of In_(2)O_(3-x)@C nanocatalyst,wherein In_(2)O_(3-x)nanocube as the fine grains dispersed uniformly on the carbon nanorod cob,resulting in the enhanced conductivity.Excellent performance is achieved with 84%Faradaic efficiency(FE)and 11 mA cm^(−2)JHCOOH at a low potential of−0.4 V versus RHE.At the current density of 100 mA cm^(−2),the applied potential remained stable for more than 120 h with the FE above 90%.Density functional theory calculations reveal that the abundant oxygen vacancy in In_(2)O_(3-x) has exposed more In^(3+) sites with activated electroactivity,which facilitates the formation of HCOO*intermediate.Operando X-ray absorp-tion spectroscopy also confirms In^(3+) as the active site and the key intermediate of HCOO*during the process of CO_(2) reduction to HCOOH.

Understanding fluorine-free electrolytes via small-angle X-ray scattering

Fluorine-free electrolytes have attracted great attention because of its low-cost and environmental friendliness. However, so far, little is known about the solution structures of these electrolytes. Here,we compare the solvation phenomenon of sodium tetraphenylborate(NaBPh_(4)) salt dissolved in organic solvents of propylene carbonate(PC), 1,2-dimethoxyethane(DME), acetonitrile(ACN) and tetrahydrofuran(THF). Small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS) reveals a unique two-peak structural feature in this saltconcentrated PC electrolyte, while solutions using other solvents only have one scattering peak.Molecular dynamics(MD) simulations further reveal that there are anion-based clusters in addition to the short-range charge ordering in the concentrated NaBPh4/PC electrolyte. Raman spectroscopy confirms the existence of considerable contact ion pairs(CIPs). This work emphasizes the importance of global and local structural analysis, which will provide valuable clues for understanding the structureperformance relationship of electrolytes.

The Transference Number

The performance of rechargeable batteries and other electrochemical systems depends on the rate at which the working ion(often a cation)is transported from one electrode to the other.The cation transference number is an important transport parameter that affects this rate.The purpose of this perspective is to distinguish between approximate and rigorous methods used in the literature to measure the transference number.We emphasize the fact that this parameter is dependent on the reference frame used in the analysis;care must be taken when comparing values obtained from different sources to account for differences in reference frames.We present data obtained from a well-characterized electrolyte.We compare rigorously determined transference numbers in two reference frames with values obtained by an approximate method.We conclude with a qualitative discussion of the relationship between the transference number and salt concentration gradients that are obtained when current is drawn through a battery。

In Situ/Operando(Soft) X-ray Spectroscopy Study of Beyond Lithium-ion Batteries

The lightweight,rechargeable lithium-ion battery is one of the dominant energy storage devices globally in portable electronics due to its high energy density,no memory effect,wide operating voltage,lightweight,and good charge efficiency.However,due to safety concerns,the depletion of lithium reserves,and the corresponding increase of cost,an alternative battery system becomes more and more desirable.To develop alternative battery systems with low cost and high material abundance,for example,sodium,magnesium,zinc,and calcium,it is important to understand the chemical and electronic structure of materials.Soft X-ray spectroscopy,for example,X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS),X-ray emission spectroscopy(XES),and resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering(RIXS),is an element-specific technique with sensitivity to the local chemical environment and structural order of the element of interest.Modern soft X-ray systems enable operando experiments that can be applied to amorphous and crystalline samples,making it a powerful tool for studying the electronic and structural changes in electrode and electrolyte species.In this article,the application of in situ/operando(soft)X-ray spectroscopy in beyond lithium-ion batteries is reviewed to demonstrate how such spectroscopic characterizations could facilitate the interpretation of interfacial phenomena under in situ/operando condition and subsequent development of the beyond lithium-ion batteries.

Quantifying Electrochemical Processes in Batteries and Beyond

The correlation of electrochemical measurements with materials characterization has advanced our understanding of operation and degradation mechanisms in electrochemical energy storage and many other fields.Yet,often these correlations are qualitative,preventing the unambiguous identification of both operational principles and the root causes of performance losses.Here we suggest quantitative approaches to define competing mechanisms and determine their relative contributions.We illustrate the importance of quantitative methodologies over a range of electrochemical systems and highlight the need to consider the effect of the experimental design and measurement itself.These approaches will reveal the most detrimental degradation mechanisms and enable the development of strategies to suppress,stabilize or eliminate them,leading to materials and devices with longer lifetimes,reduced environmental impact,and improved performance.

Solvation Structure and Dynamics of Mg(TFSI)_(2) Aqueous Electrolyte

Using ab initio molecular dynamics(AIMD)simulations,classical molecular dynamics(CMD)simulations,small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS),and pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance(PFG-NMR),the solvation structure and ion dynamics of magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide(Mg(TFSI)_(2))aqueous electrolyte at 1,2,and 3 m concentrations are investigated.From AIMD and CMD simulations,the first solvation shell of an Mg;ion is found to be composed of six water molecules in an octahedral configuration and the solvation shell is rather rigid.The TFSI^(-)ions prefer to stay in the second solvation shell and beyond.Meanwhile,the comparable diffusion coefficients of positive and negative ions in Mg(TFSI)_(2)aqueous electrolytes have been observed,which is mainly due to the formation of the stable[Mg(H_(2)O_(6))_(2)]^(+)complex,and,as a result,the increased effective Mg ion size.Finally,the calculated correlated transference numbers are lower than the uncorrelated ones even at the low concentration of 2 and 3 m,suggesting the enhanced correlations between ions in the multivalent electrolytes.This work provides a molecular-level understanding of how the solvation structure and multivalency of the ion affect the dynamics and transport properties of the multivalent electrolyte,providing insight for rational designs of electrolytes for improved ion transport properties.

Microscopic Understanding of the Ionic Networks of“Water-in-Salt”Electrolytes

“Water-in-salt”electrolytes with excellent electrochemical and physical properties have been extensively investigated.However,the structural understanding of the lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide(LiTFSI)in water is still lacking.Here,we perform synchrotron X-ray scattering to systemically study the structural variation of TFSI anions in an aqueous solution under a variety of concentrations and temperatures.There are two different solvation structures in the solution:TFSI-solvated structure and TFSI-network.As the concentration increases,the TFSI-solvated structure gradually disappears while the TFSI-network gradually forms.Even at relatively low concentrations,the TFSI-network can be observed.Our experimental results show that these two structures can coexist at a particular concentration,and temperature changes will lead to one structure’s formation or disappearance.Also,the TFSI-network is the key to obtain a stable electrochemical window under relatively high temperatures.