Effect of Al substitution on structural and electrical properties of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2-x Mx O8+δ superconducting ceramics

In this work we study the effect on structural and electrical properties of superconducting compound Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr 2CaCu2-y My O8+δ were M=Al (with y=0-0.6). The samples were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), direct current (DC) resistivity versus temperature ρ(T) and alternative current (AC) susceptibility measurements. Structural analysis shows that the crystalline lattice structure of the prepared sample belongs, mainly, to the superconductive tetragonal phase Bi(Pb)2212. The SEM micrographs show that in the undoped sample the grain size has a random distribution with few grains greater than 5 μm. The grains are very dense and well connected. A quite different microstructure is obtained for the doped samples of which grains are more connected with a flat characteristic shape of Bi(Pb)2212 superconductors. All samples exhibit a superconducting character and Tc and the superconducting volume fraction decrease with increasing rate of aluminum

Direct observation of lithium metal dendrites with ceramic solid electrolyte

Dendrite formation, which could cause a battery short circuit, occurs in batteries that contain lithium metal anodes. In order to suppress dendrite growth, the use of electrolytes with a high shear modulus is suggested as an ionic conductive separator in batteries. One promising candidate for this application is Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) because it has excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability. In this work, in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was employed to monitor the interface behavior between lithium metal and LLZO electrolyte during cycling with pressure. Using the obtained SEM images, videos were created that show the inhomogeneous dissolution and deposition of lithium, which induce dendrite growth. The energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses of dendrites indicate the presence of Li, C, and O elements. Moreover, the cross-section mapping comparison of the LLZO shows the inhomogeneous distribution of La, Zr, and C after cycling that was caused by lithium loss near the Li electrode and possible side reactions. This work demonstrates the morphological and chemical evolution that occurs during cycling in a symmetrical Li–Li cell that contains LLZO. Although the superior mechanical properties of LLZO make it an excellent electrolyte candidate for batteries, the further improvement of the electrochemical stabilization of the garnet–lithium metal interface is suggested

Hexavalent Ions Insertion in Garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 Toward a Low Temperature Densification Reaction

Nowadays, solid electrolytes are considered the main alternative to conventional liquid electrolytes in lithium batteries. The fabrication of these materials is however limited by the strict synthesis conditions, requiring high temperatures which can negatively impact the final performances. Here, it is shown that a modification of garnet-based Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and the incorporation of tellurium can accelerate the synthesis process by lowering the formation temperature of cubic LLZO at temperatures below 700 °C. Optimized synthesis at 750 °C showed a decrease in particle size and cell parameter for samples with higher amounts of Te and the evaluation of electrochemical performances reported for LLZO Te0.25 a value of ionic conductivity of 5,15×10−5 S cm−1 after hot-pressing at 700 °C, two orders of magnitude higher than commercial Al-LLZO undergoing the same working conditions, and the highest value at this densification temperature. Partial segregation of Te-rich phases occurs for high-temperature densification. Our study shows the advantages of Te insertion on the sintering process of LLZO garnet and demonstrates the achievement of highly conductive LLZO with a low-temperature treatment

Exploring the Ni redox activity in polyanionic compounds as conceivable high potential cathodes for Na rechargeable batteries

Although nickel-based polyanionic compounds are expected to exhibit a high operating voltage for batteries based on the Ni2+/3+ redox couple activity, some rare experimental studies on the electrochemical performance of these materials are reported, resulting from the poor kinetics of the bulk materials in both Li and Na nonaqueous systems. Herein, the electrochemical activity of the Ni2+/3+ redox couple in the mixed-polyanionic framework Na4Ni3(PO4)2(P2O7) is reported for the first time. This novel material exhibits a remarkably high operating voltage when cycled in sodium cells in both carbonate- and ionic liquid-based electrolytes. The application of a carbon coating and the use of an ionic liquid-based electrolyte enable the reversible sodium ion (de-)insertion in the host structure accompanied by the redox activity of Ni2+/3+ at operating voltages as high as 4.8 V vs Na/Na+. These results present the realization of Ni-based mixed polyanionic compounds with improved electrochemical activity and pave the way for the discovery of new Na-based high potential cathode materials

Energy applications of ionic liquids

Ionic liquids offer a unique suite of properties that make them important candidates for a number of energy related applications. Cation–anion combinations that exhibit low volatility coupled with high electrochemical and thermal stability, as well as ionic conductivity, create the possibility of designing ideal electrolytes for batteries, super-capacitors, actuators, dye sensitised solar cells and thermoelectrochemical cells. In the field of water splitting to produce hydrogen they have been used to synthesize some of the best performing water oxidation catalysts and some members of the protic ionic liquid family co-catalyse an unusual, very high energy efficiency water oxidation process. As fuel cell electrolytes, the high proton conductivity of some of the protic ionic liquid family offers the potential of fuel cells operating in the optimum temperature region above 100 °C. Beyond electrochemical applications, the low vapour pressure of these liquids, along with their ability to offer tuneable functionality, also makes them ideal as CO2 absorbents for post-combustion CO2 capture. Similarly, the tuneable phase properties of the many members of this large family of salts are also allowing the creation of phase-change thermal energy storage materials having melting points tuned to the application. This perspective article provides an overview of these developing energy related applications of ionic liquids and offers some thoughts on the emerging challenges and opportunities

Modelling of photocatalytic degradation of a textile azo dye. Study of the ultrasonic-assited photocatalysis

Poste

Novel Li-ion polymer batteries using LiFePO4 as positive electrode

983-988The aging and performance of natural graphite/PEO-based gel electrolyte/ LiFePO4 cells have been reported. The gel polymer electrolytes have been produced by electron-beam irradiation and then soaked in a liquid electrolyte. The natural graphite anode in gel electrolyte containing LiBF4 -EC/GBL exhibits high reversible capacity (345mAh/g) and high coulombic efficiency (91%). The LiFePO4 cathode in the same gel-polymer exhibits a reversible capacity of 150 mAh/g and 83% coulombic efficiency. Better performance has been obtained at high-rate discharge with 6% carbon additive in the cathode. However, the graphite anode performance suffers at high rate. The Li-ion gel polymer battery shows a capacity fade of 13% after 180 cycles and has poor performance at low temperature. Li/polymer/LiFePO4 has an excellent stable cycle life

Dégradation photocatalytique d'un colorant azoïque : approche cinétique

Poste