Additional file 3: of Multimodular type I polyketide synthases in algae evolve by module duplications and displacement of AT domains in trans

Amino acid sequences of newly annotated type I PKSs. (DOCX 25 kb

Additional file 2: of Multimodular type I polyketide synthases in algae evolve by module duplications and displacement of AT domains in trans

Table S2. Details on analyzed type I PKSs and NRPSs. (XLSX 22 kb

Nanostructured Fluorite-Type Fluorides As Electrolytes for Fluoride Ion Batteries

Fluoride ion batteries (FIB) provide an interesting alternative to lithium ion batteries, in particular because of their larger theoretical energy densities. These batteries are based on a F anion shuttle between a metal fluoride cathode and a metal anode. One critical component is the electrolyte that should provide fast anion conduction. So far, this is only possible in solid so-called superionic conductors, at elevated temperatures. Herein, we analyze in detail the ionic conductivity in barium fluoride salts doped with lanthanum (Ba_1–<i>x</i>La_<i>x</i>F_2+<i>x</i>). Doping by trivalent cations leads to an increase of the quantity of point defects in the BaF₂ crystal. These defects participate in the ionic motion and therefore improve the ionic conductivity. We demonstrate that further improvement of the conductivity is possible by using a nanostructured material providing additional conduction paths through the grain boundaries. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and AC conductivity analysis, we show that the ionic conduction in this material is controlled by the motion of vacancies through the grain boundaries. The mobility of the vacancies is influenced by the quantity of dopant but decrease for too large dopant concentrations. The optimum compositions having the highest conductivities are Ba_0.6La_0.4F_2.4 and Ba_0.7La_0.3F_2.3. The compound Ba_0.6La_0.4F_2.4 was successfully used as an electrolyte in a FIB

Solid Electrolytes for Fluoride Ion Batteries: Ionic Conductivity in Polycrystalline Tysonite-Type Fluorides

Batteries based on a fluoride shuttle (fluoride ion battery, FIB) can theoretically provide high energy densities and can thus be considered as an interesting alternative to Li-ion batteries. Large improvements are still needed regarding their actual performance, in particular for the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte. At the current state of the art, two types of fluoride families can be considered for electrolyte applications: alkaline-earth fluorides having a fluorite-type structure and rare-earth fluorides having a tysonite-type structure. As regard to the latter, high ionic conductivities have been reported for doped LaF₃ single crystals. However, polycrystalline materials would be easier to implement in a FIB due to practical reasons in the cell manufacturing. Hence, we have analyzed in detail the ionic conductivity of La_1–<i>y</i>Ba_<i>y</i>F_3–<i>y</i> (0 ≤ <i>y</i> ≤ 0.15) solid solutions prepared by ball milling. The combination of DC and AC conductivity analyses provides a better understanding of the conduction mechanism in tysonite-type fluorides with a blocking effect of the grain boundaries. Heat treatment of the electrolyte material was performed and leads to an improvement of the ionic conductivity. This confirms the detrimental effect of grain boundaries and opens new route for the development of solid electrolytes for FIB with high ionic conductivities

Additive Effects of LiBH₄ and ZrCoH₃ on the Hydrogen Sorption of the Li-Mg-N‑H Hydrogen Storage System

LiBH₄ is an effective catalyst for the hydrogen sorption of the Li-Mg-N-H storage system. A combination of LiBH₄ with ZrCoH₃ was reported to be catalytically more effective. In this work, materials doped with LiBH₄ or ZrCoH₃ or a combination of ZrCoH₃ and LiBH₄ were characterized both in the as-prepared and in the cycled states. A comparison of the metathesis conversion, thermal behavior, kinetics, and phase evolution induced by H₂ cycling suggests that the two components function additively. While LiBH₄ facilitates the metathesis conversion in the first cycle and enhances kinetics during H₂ cycling by forming a quaternary complex hydride, ZrCoH₃ has at least a pulverizing effect in the material. The chemical environment and near order of the individual atoms of Zr and Co as well as the structural parameters of ZrCoH₃ were investigated by X-ray absorption and found to be unchanged during H₂ cycling

Synthesis of Fast Fluoride-Ion-Conductive Fluorite-Type Ba_1–<i>x</i>Sb<i>_x</i>F_2+<i>x</i> (0.1 ≤ <i>x</i> ≤ 0.4): A Potential Solid Electrolyte for Fluoride-Ion Batteries

Toward the development of high-performance solid electrolytes for fluoride-ion batteries, fluorite-type nanostructured solid solutions of Ba_1–<i>x</i>Sb<i>_x</i>F_2+<i>x</i> (<i>x</i> ≤ 0.4) were synthesized by high-energy ball-milling method. Substitution of divalent Ba²⁺ by trivalent Sb³⁺ leads to an increase in interstitial fluoride-ion concentration, which enhances the ionic conductivity of the Ba_1–<i>x</i>Sb<i>_x</i>F_2+<i>x</i> (0.1 ≤ <i>x</i> ≤ 0.4) system. Total ionic conductivities of 4.4 × 10^–4 and 3.9 × 10^–4 S cm^–1 were obtained for Ba_0.7Sb_0.3F_2.3 and Ba_0.6Sb_0.4F_2.4 compositions at 160 °C, respectively. In comparison to isostructural Ba_0.3La_0.7F_2.3, the ionic conductivity of Ba_0.7Sb_0.3F_2.3 is significantly higher, which is attributed to the presence of an electron lone pair on Sb³⁺. Introduction of such lone pairs seems to increase fluoride-ion mobility in solid solutions. In addition, Ba_0.7Sb_0.3F_2.3 was tested as a cathode material against Ce and Zn anode using La_0.9Ba_0.1F_2.9 as the electrolyte. Ba_0.3Sb_0.7F_2.3/La_0.9Ba_0.1F_2.9/Ce cell showed high discharge and charge capacities of 301 and 170 mA h g^–1, respectively, in the first cycle at 150 °C

Na-Rich Disordered Rock Salt Oxyfluoride Cathode Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries

The existing classes of Na-based cathode materials and their chemistries are still limited, mainly with respect to the increasing demand for alternative post-Li technologies. In this letter, a newly synthesized Na-rich disordered rock salt (DRS) oxyfluoride with the nominal composition Na2MnO2F is reported as a cathode candidate for Na-ion batteries (SIBs). Rietveld refinement analysis confirmed that the synthesized compound has a DRS structure with larger lattice compared to Li-rich homologues. During the first cycle, up to 1.7 Na+/f.u. can be extracted at a slow rate, while a better capacity retention and cycling stability are obtained at high rate, reminiscent of electrode–electrolyte interaction. Further, X-ray absorption fine structure (operando and ex situ) confirmed the Mn oxidation state evolution upon cycling in agreement with the cyclic voltammetry redox profile, emphasizing the reversible Na+ (de)insertion and change of the Mn local ordering. This work is an additional input to the limited series of cathode candidates for SIBs

Vanadium Oxychloride/Magnesium Electrode Systems for Chloride Ion Batteries

We report a new type of rechargeable chloride ion battery using vanadium oxychloride (VOCl) as cathode and magnesium or magnesium/magnesium chloride (MgCl₂/Mg) as anode, with an emphasis on the VOCl-MgCl₂/Mg full battery. The charge and discharge mechanism of the VOCl cathode has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements, demonstrating the chloride ion transfer during cycling. The VOCl cathode can deliver a reversible capacity of 101 mAh g^–1 at a current density of 10 mA g^–1 and a capacity of 60 mAh g^–1 was retained after 53 cycles in this first study

Magnesium Anode for Chloride Ion Batteries

A key advantage of chloride ion battery (CIB) is its possibility to use abundant electrode materials that are different from those in Li ion batteries. Mg anode is presented as such a material for the first time and Mg/C composite prepared by ball milling of Mg and carbon black powders or thermally decomposed MgH₂/C composite has been tested as anode for CIB. The electrochemical performance of FeOCl/Mg and BiOCl/Mg was investigated, demonstrating the feasibility of using Mg as anode

Thermochemical Energy Storage through De/Hydrogenation of Organic Liquids: Reactions of Organic Liquids on Metal Hydrides

A study of the reactions of liquid acetone and toluene on transition metal hydrides, which can be used in thermal energy or hydrogen storage applications, is presented. Hydrogen is confined in TiFe, Ti_0.95Zr_0.05Mn_1.49V_0.45Fe_0.06 (“Hydralloy C5”), and V₄₀Fe₈Ti₂₆Cr₂₆ after contact with acetone. Toluene passivates V₄₀Fe₈Ti₂₆Cr₂₆ completely for hydrogen desorption while TiFe is only mildly deactivated and desorption is not blocked at all in the case of Hydralloy C5. LaNi₅ is inert toward both organic liquids. Gas chromatography (GC) investigations reveal that CO, propane, and propene are formed during hydrogen desorption from V₄₀Fe₈Ti₂₆Cr₂₆ in liquid acetone, and methylcyclohexane is formed in the case of liquid toluene. These reactions do not occur if dehydrogenated samples are used, which indicates an enhanced surface reactivity during hydrogen desorption. Significant amounts of carbon-containing species are detected at the surface and subsurface of acetone- and toluene-treated V₄₀Fe₈Ti₂₆Cr₂₆ by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The modification of the surface and subsurface chemistry and the resulting blocking of catalytic sites is believed to be responsible for the containment of hydrogen in the bulk. The surface passivation reactions occur only during hydrogen desorption of the samples