Computer simulations of the effect of atomic structure and coordination on the stabilities and melting behaviour of copper surfaces and nano-particles

We have studied the structures and stabilities of copper nano-particles and the melting properties of copper surfaces using interatomic potential-based molecular dynamics simulations, where the (1 1 1) surface has been shown to be the most stable in terms of surface energy and melting behaviour. Low energy shapes of nano-particles are influenced by the surfaces present and therefore have a higher proportion of (1 1 1) surface. The effect of surface structure on stability becomes less marked as the size of the nano-particle is increased. Melting is observed to occur below the bulk melting temperature in all the surfaces investigated, at increasingly lower temperatures from the (1 1 1), (1 0 0), (1 1 0) down to the (2 1 0) surface, confirming their order of decreasing stability. The melting processes of defective close-packed copper surfaces were also simulated. Steps, kinks, and facets were all shown to accelerate the melting of the surfaces. The melting is shown to initiate at the site of the defect and the results demonstrate that it is the low-coordinated atoms, at the step edge or kink, that are more mobile at lower temperatures. These features facilitate surface melting even further below the melting temperature than was observed for the perfect surfaces. Furthermore, facets of (1 0 0) surface were shown to be unstable even at moderate temperatures on the close-packed surface

Pseudocapacitive charge storage properties of Na2/3Co2/3Mn2/9Ni1/9O2 in Na-ion batteries

The behaviour of Na2/3Co2/3Mn2/9Ni1/9O2 in composite electrodes is studied via Na half-cells utilizing a dedicated cyclic voltammetry approach. The application of increasing sweep rates enabled a detailed analysis of the red-ox peaks of this material. All peak currents due to cathodic/anodic processes demonstrated clear capacitive properties. This finding widens the picture of classical Na+ insertion/ extraction in this complex oxide, as purely diffusive processes of Na+ through its layers do not fully explain the pseudocapacitance displayed by its red-ox peaks, which are typically linked to concomitant oxidation state changes for its transition metal atoms and/or phase transitions. No phase transition was observed during in operando X-Ray diffraction upon charge to 4.2 V vs. Na+/Na, proving good structural stability for P2-NaxCo2/3Mn2/9Ni1/9O2 upon Na+ removal. The origin of such pseudocapacitive properties is likely nested in strong electrostatic interactions among the metal oxide slabs and a tendency to release Na+ from its crystallites, e.g. to form surface by-products upon air exposure. Such a reactivity induces defects (e.g. vacancies) in its lattice and charge compensation mechanisms are required to maintain an overall charge neutrality, thus ultimately influencing the electrochemical properties. Possible limiting factors for the performances of this compound in composite coatings are also discussed.Correction in: Electrochimica Acta 305 (2019) 514-516DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.03.075</p

The T#2-Li2/3co2/3Mn1/3O2 system. 2 : Its electrochemical behavior

Electrochemical lithium deintercalation from the metastable T#2-Li2/3Co2/3Mn1/3O2 system has been investigated..

The T#2-Li2/3co2/3Mn1/3O2 system. 2 : Its electrochemical behavior

Electrochemical lithium deintercalation from the metastable T#2-Li2/3Co2/3Mn1/3O2 system has been investigated..