Determination of Chemical Diffusion Coefficient of Lithium Ions in Ceramics Derived from Pyrolysed Poly(1,2-dimethylsilazane) and Starch

AbstractThe apparent chemical diffusion coefficient Li+ (DappLI+) in pyrolysed poly(1,2-dimethylsilazane)/starch (PSN/S) (weight ratio: 30/70) ceramic anode composite is determined by galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT). The electrode material composition is C6.00N0.14H0.47O0.12Si0.13. The calculated values of DappLI+, depend on the applied potential, vary from 10-14 to 10-9 [cm2/s]. The diffusion coefficient of lithium ions calculated in this work are similar with the values reported by other authors for carbonaceous anodes

Improving the Performance of a Graphite Foil/Polyaniline Electrode Material by a Thin PEDOT:PSS Layer for Application in Flexible, High Power Supercapacitors

In this study, we present a novel strategy for enhancing polyaniline stability and thus obtaining an electrode material with practical application in supercapacitors. A promising (graphite foil/polyaniline/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) GF/PANI/PEDOT:PSS) electrode material was characterized and used in the construction of a symmetric supercapacitor that provides an outstanding high power density. For this purpose, the electropolymerization of PANI was carried out on a graphite foil and then a thin protective layer of PEDOT:PSS was deposited. The presence of the nanometer PEDOT:PSS layer made it possible to widen the electroactivity potential range of the electrode material. Moreover, the synergy between materials positively affected the amount of accumulated charge, and thus the thin PEDOT:PSS layer contributed to enhancing the specific capacity of the electrode material. The electrochemical performance of the GF/PANI/PEDOT:PSS electrode, as well as the symmetrical supercapacitor, was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles in 1 M H2SO4 at room temperature. The fabricated electrode material shows a high specific capacitance (Csp) of 557.4 Fg−1 and areal capacitance (Careal) of 2600 mF·cm−2 in 1 M H2SO4 at a current density of 200 mA·cm−2 (~4 A·g−1). The supercapacitor performance was studied and the results show that a thin PEDOT:PSS layer enables cycling stability improvement of the device from 54% to 67% after 10,000 cycles, and provides a high specific capacity (159.8 F·g−1) and a maximum specific power (18,043 W·kg−1) for practical applications

The influence of photointercalaction and photochromism effects on the photocatalytic properties of electrochemically obtained maze-like MoO3 microstructures

Molybdenum oxide (α-MoO3) thin films with oriented crystalline facets were synthesised by anodization of Mo foils. The obtained samples were exposed to UV–Vis illumination in aqueous electrolytes providing different cations. The morphology and structure of modified samples were investigated. The effect of photointercalated alkali metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+) on optical and structural properties was studied using UV–vis and Raman spectroscopies, respectively. The observed energy band gap narrowing caused by the photochromic effect is found to affect the photocatalytic properties of the intercalated oxide. The photoactivity of obtained samples was tested during the photocatalytic process of methylene blue decomposition in the presence of 0.1 M Li2SO4, Na2SO4, K2SO4. After 2 h of continuous illumination, the photodecomposition efficiency of MB in the presence of K2SO4, Na2SO4 and Li2SO4 was 67%, 69% and 76%, respectively, whereas when no inorganic salt had been dissolved it reached only 57%.</p

An Easy and Ecological Method of Obtaining Hydrated and Non-Crystalline WO3−x for Application in Supercapacitors

In this work, we report the synthesis of hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 flakes (WO3&minus;x) via an environmentally friendly and facile water-based strategy. This method is described, in the literature, as exfoliation, however, based on the results obtained, we cannot say unequivocally that we have obtained an exfoliated material. Nevertheless, the proposed modification procedure clearly affects the morphology of WO3 and leads to loss of crystallinity of the material. TEM techniques confirmed that the process leads to the formation of WO3 flakes of a few nanometers in thickness. X-ray diffractograms affirmed the poor crystallinity of the flakes, while spectroscopic methods showed that the materials after exfoliation were abundant with the surface groups. The thin film of hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 exhibits a seven times higher specific capacitance (Cs) in an aqueous electrolyte than bulk WO3 and shows an outstanding long-term cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 92% after 1000 chronopotentiometric cycles in the three-electrode system. In the two-electrode system, hydrated WO3&minus;x shows a Cs of 122 F g&minus;1 at a current density of 0.5 A g&minus;1. The developed supercapacitor shows an energy density of 60 Whkg&minus;1 and power density of 803 Wkg&minus;1 with a decrease of 16% in Csp after 10,000 cycles. On the other hand, WO3&minus;x is characterized by inferior properties as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries compared to bulk WO3. Lithium ions intercalate into a WO3 crystal framework and occupy trigonal cavity sites during the electrochemical polarization. If there is no regular layer structure, as in the case of the hydrated and non-crystalline WO3, the insertion of lithium ions between WO3 layers is not possible. Thus, in the case of a non-aqueous electrolyte, the specific capacity of the hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 electrode material is much lower in comparison with the specific capacity of the bulk WO3-based anode material

Widening of the electroactivity potential range by composite formation – capacitive properties of TiO2/BiVO4/PEDOT:PSS electrodes in contact with an aqueous electrolyte

Composites based on the titania nanotubes were tested in aqueous electrolyte as a potential electrode material for energy storage devices. The nanotubular morphology of TiO2 was obtained by Ti anodization. TiO2 nanotubes were covered by a thin layer of bismuth vanadate using pulsed laser deposition. The formation of the TiO2/BiVO4 junction leads to enhancement of pseudocapacitance in the cathodic potential range. The third component, the conjugated polymer PEDOT:PSS, was electrodeposited from an electrolyte containing the monomer EDOT and NaPSS as a source of counter ions. Each stage of modification and deposition affected the overall capacitance and allowed for an expansion of the potential range of electroactivity. Multiple charge/discharge cycles were performed to characterize the electrochemical stability of the inorganic–organic hybrid electrode. Capacitance values higher than 10 mF·cm−2 were maintained even after 10000 galvanostatic cycles (ic = ia = 0.5 mA·cm−2)

UV-Vis-Induced Degradation of Phenol over Magnetic Photocatalysts Modified with Pt, Pd, Cu and Au Nanoparticles

The combination of TiO2 photocatalyst and magnetic oxide nanoparticles enhances the separation and recoverable properties of nanosized TiO2 photocatalyst. Metal-modified (Me = Pd, Au, Pt, Cu) TiO2/SiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposites were prepared by an ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel method. All prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Mott-Schottky analysis and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Phenol oxidation pathways of magnetic photocatalysts modified with Pt, Pd, Cu and Au nanoparticles proceeded by generation of reactive oxygen species, which oxidized phenol to benzoquinone, hydroquinone and catechol. Benzoquinone and maleic acid were products, which were determined in the hydroquinone oxidation pathway. The highest mineralization rate was observed for Pd-TiO2/SiO2@Fe3O4 and Cu-TiO2/SiO2@Fe3O4 photocatalysts, which produced the highest concentration of catechol during photocatalytic reaction. For Pt-TiO2/SiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite, a lack of catechol after 60 min of irradiation resulted in low mineralization rate (CO2 formation). It is proposed that the enhanced photocatalytic activity of palladium and copper-modified photocatalysts is related to an increase in the amount of adsorption sites and efficient charge carrier separation, whereas the keto-enol tautomeric equilibrium retards the rate of phenol photomineralization on Au-TiO2/SiO2@Fe3O4. The magnetization hysteresis loop indicated that the obtained hybrid photocatalyst showed magnetic properties and therefore could be easily separated after treatment process

Scaling Up the Process of Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Synthesis and Its Effect on Photoelectrochemical Properties

In this work, for the first time, the influence of scaling up the process of titanium dioxide nanotube (TiO2NT) synthesis on the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2 nanotubes is presented. Titanium dioxide nanotubes were obtained on substrates of various sizes: 2 × 2, 4 × 4, 5 × 5, 6 × 6, and 8 × 8 cm2. The electrode material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy as well as Raman and UV–vis spectroscopy in order to investigate their morphology, crystallinity, and absorbance ability, respectively. The obtained electrodes were used as photoanodes for the photoelectrochemical water splitting. The surface analysis was performed, and photocurrent values were determined depending on their place on the sample. Interestingly, the values of the obtained photocurrent densities in the center of each sample were similar and were about 80 µA·cm2. The results of our work show evidence of a significant contribution to wider applications of materials based on TiO2 nanotubes not only in photoelectrochemistry but also in medicine, supercapacitors, and sensors

Controlling crystallites orientation and facet exposure for enhanced electrochemical properties of polycrystalline MoO3 films

Abstract This study focuses on the development and optimization of MoO3 films on commercially available FTO substrates using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. By carefully selecting deposition conditions and implementing post-treatment procedures, precise control over crystallite orientation relative to the substrate is achieved. Deposition at 450 °C in O2 atmosphere results in random crystallite arrangement, while introducing argon instead of oxygen to the PLD chamber during the initial stage of sputtering exposes the (102) and (011) facets. On the other hand, room temperature deposition leads to the formation of amorphous film, but after appropriate post-annealing treatment, the (00k) facets were exposed. The deposited films are studied using SEM and XRD techniques. Moreover, electrochemical properties of FTO/MoO3 electrodes immersed in 1 M AlCl3 aqueous solution are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that different electrochemical processes are promoted based on the orientation of crystallites. When the (102) and (011) facets are exposed, the Al3+ ions intercalation induced by polarization is facilitated, while the (00k) planes exposure leads to the diminished hydrogen evolution reaction overpotential