Unique Li deposition behavior in Li₃PS₄ solid electrolyte observed via operando X-ray computed tomography

The problem of lithium dendrites must be addressed for practical lithium metal all-solid-state batteries. Herein, three-dimensional morphological changes within Li₃PS₄ electrolyte away from the anode were observed using operando X-ray computed tomography. We revealed that the electronic conduction of decomposition and the electrolyte/void interface cause the lithium deposition within the Li₃PS₄

Properties of Composite Electrodes for All-solid-state Fluoride-ion Secondary Batteries Processed by High-pressure Torsion

All-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries (FIBs) using metal/metal fluorides are expected to be the next generation of storage batteries because they exhibit high volumetric energy densities by utilizing multielectron reactions, compared to the current lithium-ion batteries. However, method of fabricating a composite electrode for all-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries has not yet been established. A fabrication method for a composite electrode that disperses the active material and solid electrolyte is required. To approach this problem, in this study, we employed a high-pressure torsion (HPT) method, in which an active material, solid electrolyte, and conductive agent can be mixed with size reduction, as a new process and prepared Cu (active material)/PbSnF₄ (solid electrolyte)/acetylene black (conductive agent) cathode composites. The crystalline sizes of Cu and PbSnF₄ were significantly reduced. The apparent grain boundary resistance was also reduced owing to the more homogeneous distribution in the cathode composites after HPT processing. These structural and morphological changes led to high electrochemical performances, compared to a cathode composite without HPT

Adenocarcinoma of the Minor Duodenal Papilla: Report of a Case

An 81-year-old male was found to have a duodenal tumor by screening upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The tumor was located in the minor duodenal papilla. Pathological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed adenocarcinoma, and endoscopic ultrasound showed an elevated hypoechoic mass in the minor duodenal papilla. The preoperative diagnosis was therefore considered to be either adenocarcinoma of the minor duodenal papilla or duodenal cancer. We performed a subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed the tumor cells to be primarily located in the submucosa of the minor duodenal papilla, with slight invasion into the pancreatic parenchyma through the accessory pancreatic duct. We therefore diagnosed a primary adenocarcima of the minor duodenal papilla. Adenocarcinoma of the minor duodenal papilla is considered to be a rare disease, but it may be underestimated because of the difficulty in distinguishing advanced adenocarcinoma of the minor duodenal papilla from primary duodenal cancer and cancer of the pancreatic head

Spin polarization in the phase diagram of a Li–Fe–S system

「イオン摂動」による電池材料硫化鉄リチウムの状態変化を解明 --新規相・物性の開拓と革新的高容量蓄電池の開発に向けて--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2020-01-06.Divalent and trivalent states of Fe ions are known to be stable in inorganic compounds. We focus a novel LixFeS5 cathode, in which the Li content (x) changes from 2 to 10 by an electrochemical technique. As x increases from 2, a Pauli paramagnetic conductive Li2FeS5 phase changes into a superparamagnetic insulating Li10FeS5 phase. Density functional theory calculations suggest that Fe+ ions in a high-x phase are responsible for ferromagnetic spin polarization. Reaching the monovalent Fe ion is significant for understanding microscopic chemistry behind operation as Li-ion batteries and the original physical properties resulting from the unique local structure

Role of the particle size of Fe nanoparticles in the capacity of FeF3 batteries

Fluoride cathode materials that undergo conversion reactions such as FeF3 have attracted increasing interest owing to their high energy density. However, the ability of FeF3 to maintain a high capacity over repeated cycles and the decisive factor dominating conversion reactions have yet to be elucidated. By optimizing the choice of lithium salts and electrolyte solutions, we are able to achieve good capacity retention for an FeF3-based cathode, that is, 4.5-fold enhancement compared with a model electrode (372 mAh/g after 30 cycles). The relationship between the capacity and the particle size of the Fe nanoparticles after discharge is well explained by the order parameter description. These findings provide exciting guidelines for achieving higher capacities for FeF3 batteries