• Energy Research

Room-temperature sodium–sulfur (RT Na–S) batteries combine abundant natural resources, low cost, and outstanding energy density, thus attracting much research attention.

A novel two-step etching approach is used to modify the surface layer of photovoltaic glasses, leading to a porous surface layer with a graded refractive index, and nearly 100% transmittance over a broad range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to near infrared.

Binder-free self-assembled 3D architecture electrodes have been fabricated by a novel convienient method. Liquid crystalline graphene oxide (LC GO) was used as precursor to interact with poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in dispersion in order to form a conductive polymer entrapped, self-assembled layer-by-layer structure. This advanced network containing PEDOT:PSS enabled us to ascribe the superior electrochemical properties of particular graphene sheets. This layer-by-layer self-assembled 3D architecture of best performing composite (rGO-PEDOT:PSS 25) showed excellent electrochemical performance of 434 F g-1 through chemical treatment. To highlight these advances, we further explored the practicality of the as-prepared electrode by varying the composite material content. An asymmetric supercapacitor device using aqueous electrolyte was also studied of this same composite. The resulting performance from this set up included a specific capacitance of 132 F g-1. Above all, we observed an increase in specific capacitance (19%) with increase in cycle life emphasizing the excellent stability of this device.

Recent advances in interfacial constructions between composite polymer electrolytes and electrodes are reviewed. Moreover, the mechanisms of the interfacial contact, ionic migration, and electrochemical reactions between them are highlighted.

The bi-functional electrocatalytic activity of CoNC-x/CC nanosheet arrays has been successfully tuned by regulating the valence states and particle size.

Pseudocapacitive charge storage at the surface/interface of atomically thin mesoporous heterostructures is promising for achieving both high energy density and high power density in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Potentiodynamic measurements have been employed to study the electrooxidation-reduction reaction of PbSO/sub 4//PbO/sub 2/ on a common lead-calcium-tin-aluminum grid alloy in sulfuric acid solution from -10/spl deg/C to 50/spl deg/C. The logarithm of the peak current density of the electro-oxidation reduction of PbSO/sub 4//PbO/sub 2/ vs. The reciprocal of absolute test temperature has been plotted and presented in Arrhenius form. The effect of alloying with bismuth upon the electrochemical behaviors, in particularly the changes in the kinetics parameters as the electrodes were cycled at different temperature, have been examined.

Nickel hydroxide powders currently used in the positive electrode of nickel-metal hydride (Ni–MH) batteries require cobalt or cobalt oxides to make them viable and attractive. As a step to eliminate the cobalt-containing materials, spherical nickel hydroxide powders coprecipitated with Zn(OH)2 were prepared by a spraying technique. These powders, which have a higher tapping density and a much smaller pore volume than conventional powders, were used as the active materials of nickel hydroxide electrodes. The effects of the Zn(OH)2 additions on the electrode properties, such as percentage utilization and cycle life, were studied, and the relationship between the electrode performance and the formation of γ–NiOOH was investigated. The cycle life was increased because there was less electrode swelling due to much reduced formation of γ–NiOOH.