Synthesis and applications of MOF - derived porous nanostructures

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a class of porous material which is formed by strong bonds between metal ions and organic linkers. By careful selection of constituents, MOFs can exhibit very high surface area, large pore volume, and excellent chemical stability. Research on synthesis, structures and properties of various MOFs has shown that they are promising materials for many applications, such as energy storage, gas storage, heterogeneous catalysis and sensing. Apart from direct use, MOFs have also been used as support substrates for nanomaterials or as sacrificial templates/precursors for preparation of various functional nanostructures. In this review, we aim to present the most recent development of MOFs as precursors for the preparation of various nanostructures and their potential applications in energy-related devices and processes. Specifically, this present survey intends to push the boundaries and covers the literatures from the year 2013 to early 2017, on supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, electrocatalysts, photocatalyst, gas sensing, water treatment, solar cells, and carbon dioxide capture. Finally, an outlook in terms of future challenges and potential prospects towards industrial applications are also discussed

Comparative study of the implementation of tin and titanium oxide nanoparticles as electrodes materials in Li-ion batteries

Transition metal oxides potentially present higher specific capacities than the current anodes based on carbon, providing an increasing energy density as compared to commercial Li-ion batteries. However, many parameters could influence the performance of the batteries, which depend on the processing of the electrode materials leading to different surface properties, sizes or crystalline phases. In this work a comparative study of tin and titanium oxide nanoparticles synthesized by different methods, undoped or Li doped, used as single components or in mixed ratio, or alternatively forming a composite with graphene oxide have been tested demonstrating an enhancement in capacity with Li doping and better cyclability for mixed phases and composite anodes

Ellagic acid - a novel organic electrode material for high capacity lithium ion batteries

Ellagic acid, a naturally occurring polyphenol, extracted from pomegranate husk, is found to be a very good organic electrode material for rechargeable lithium batteries with high reversible capacities of similar to 450 and 200 mA h g(-1) at C/10 and C/2.5 discharge rates, respectively; ex situ NMR studies reveal possible lithiation-delithiation modes at different stages of the charge-discharge process

Nitrogen-doped single walled carbon nanohorns enabling effective utilization of Ge nanocrystals for next generation lithium ion batteries

Nitrogen-doped single walled carbon nanohorns enabling effective utilization of Ge nanocrystals for next generation lithium ion batterie

Cryogenic Laser Ablation Reveals Short-Circuit Mechanism in Lithium Metal Batteries

The dramatic 50% improvement in energy density that Li-metal anodes offer in comparison to graphite anodes in conventional lithium (Li)-ion batteries cannot be realized with current cell designs because of cell failure after a few cycles. Often, failure is caused by Li dendrites that grow through the separator, leading to short circuits. Here, we used a new characterization technique, cryogenic femtosecond laser cross sectioning and subsequent scanning electron microscopy, to observe the electroplated Li-metal morphology and the accompanying solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) into and through the intact coin cell battery's separator, gradually opening pathways for soft-short circuits that cause failure. We found that separator penetration by the SEI guided the growth of Li dendrites through the cell. A short-circuit mechanism via SEI growth at high current density within the separator is provided. These results will inform future efforts for separator and electrolyte design for Li-metal anodes

Cryogenic Laser Ablation Reveals Short-Circuit Mechanism in Lithium Metal Batteries

The dramatic 50% improvement in energy density that Li-metal anodes offer in comparison to graphite anodes in conventional lithium (Li)-ion batteries cannot be realized with current cell designs because of cell failure after a few cycles. Often, failure is caused by Li dendrites that grow through the separator, leading to short circuits. Here, we used a new characterization technique, cryogenic femtosecond laser cross sectioning and subsequent scanning electron microscopy, to observe the electroplated Li-metal morphology and the accompanying solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) into and through the intact coin cell battery's separator, gradually opening pathways for soft-short circuits that cause failure. We found that separator penetration by the SEI guided the growth of Li dendrites through the cell. A short-circuit mechanism via SEI growth at high current density within the separator is provided. These results will inform future efforts for separator and electrolyte design for Li-metal anodes