bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Throughput Experimental Technologies for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Andy , Jiang Xiaoping 
Published: May 2020

Next generation Lithium ion batteries materials with higher energy, lower cost, long lifetime, and better safety, require the investigation of unknown lithium-ion systems and a vast amount of experiments. Advanced cathode, anode and electrolyte materials discovery is one possible solution to the rapid optimization. In this work, MTI Corporation and MTI SZKJ’s effort on modify the existing technologies to develop a high throughput materials experimental line for Lithium-ion batteries materials research are reviewed and discussed.
The first step is high throughput, automatic dispensing of solid powders or liquid. Five powder or six liquid dispensing heads and balances, with one dispensing head for each material component, are integrated with a carousel type sample changer for automatic powder or liquid dispensing with varying ratios between different material components. The second step is high throughput ball milling of the as-dispensed powder samples. With 4 sets of 4 cavity milling jars, totally 16 parallel ball milling experiments of 10 g samples can be carried out in a planetary ball mill machine. The mixed powder samples are then high throughput pellet pressed by a 10 ton electric hydraulic press with a carrousel type sample changer. Next, a compact 16-channel tube furnace up to 1100 °C is employed for sintering, annealing, or quenching operations. Finally, the elemental compositions of bulk samples are high throughput analyzed by an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning system for providing instant feedbacks to the synthesis / processing steps.

Keywords: Li-ion Batteries Materials Discovery, High Throughput

Figure 1
Modification of Carbon Black by Thermal Decomposition of Lead Acetylacetonate to Improve Activities for Ethanol Oxidation at Supported Pt Catalysts
Authors: Hang Hui , Pickup Peter G 
Published: May 2020

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) are a type of promising energy-conversion device with high efficiency. The investigation of anode catalysts for DEFC is extremely important in improving energy efficiency. Improvement of the catalytic activity and long-term stability of Pt catalysts supported on some metal oxides has been reported for ethanol oxidation in acidic conditions. This synergistic effect mainly arises from the bifunctional effect and charge transfer between metal oxides and Pt catalysts.[1]

In our study, thermal decomposition of Pb(acac)2 (acac = acetylecetonate) was used to rapidly prepare lead oxide supports on titanium foil and high surface area carbon electrode materials for electrocatalysis. On titanium electrodes, a thin layer of lead oxide was first prepared, followed by drop coating with a certain amount of a Pt nanoparticle solution. For high surface area carbon electrodes, Pt nanoparticles were adsorbed onto a carbon black-lead oxide composite, followed by painting a catalyst ink onto carbon fibre paper.
The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The electrochemical performance of the catalysts for ethanol oxidation was studied through cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and in a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell. Durability was studied through investigating the composition change before and after performing cyclic voltammetry. The lead oxide support was found to have a significant influence on onset potential, current density and product distribution for ethanol oxidation.

Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering, Research Council of Canada and Memorial University.
[1] G.M. Alvarenga, H.M. Villullas, Current Opinion in Electrochemistry, 4, 39, (2017).
The Rational Design of Nanocarbon and Metal Composite Materials for Lithium–Sulfur Battery Cathode: Li- or S-Binding?
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zhang Qiang , Hou Tingzheng 
Published: May 2020

Given the high theoretical capacity 1672 mAh g−1 of sulfur cathode, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been intensively concerned to fulfill the urgent demands of high capacity energy storage. However, quite a few obstacles are still hindering the practical applications of Li–S batteries. One of the major issues is the complex diffusion of lithium polysulfide intermediates, which in combination with the subsequent paradox reactions is known as the shuttle effect. Heteroatom-doped carbon and polar compound additives are two promising routes in ascendant for the adsorption and immobilization of polysulfide intermediates.
In this work, a series of heteroatom-doped graphene nanoribbons (GNR) was modeled and their binding behaviors toward both polar lithium polysulfide and nonpolar elemental sulfur were evaluated. The first-principle calculation was conducted to systematically describe the complex interactions in terms of different doping atoms. By meticulously analyzing the configuration, binding energy, bond length, charge transfer, and deformation charge density, how the doping atoms including B, N, O, F, P, S, and Cl affect the adsorption of sulfur and Li2Sx species was explored. The local polarization of binding sites within the carbon lattice was correlated to the subsequent dipole–dipole interactions, both of which were considered to play critical role in the system. A set of principle rules and a volcano plot correlating the electronegativity of doping atoms to the adsorption energies were proposed to guide the future screening and design of scaffolding materials with chemical dopants.
Besides doped carbon hosts, various metal composites have been considered as additives to enhance the binding effects and promoting the conversion of high-order polysulfides. The first-row transition-metal sulfides (TMSs) are selected as the model system to obtain a general principle for the rational design of a sulfur cathode. The strong S-binding that is induced by charge transfer between transition-metal atoms in TMS slabs and S atoms in Li2S is confirmed to be of great significance in TMS composite cathodes. An analogous periodic law of anchoring strength was find in 3D-metal sulfide system, which can be extended well to the 3D-metal oxide system well, and VS was predicted to be an excellent polar host candidate for sulfur cathodes. This finding provides a general and practical principle for rational design of advanced sulfur cathode materials, which is expected to be an effective toolbox to screen composite sulfur cathode for Li–S batteries with high energy density and long cycle life.
References:
[1] X. Chen, H.-J. Peng, R. Zhang, T.-Z. Hou, J.-Q. Huang, B. Li, Q. Zhang, ACS Energy Lett.
2017, 2, 795−801.
[2] T.-Z. Hou, X. Chen, H.-J. Peng, J.-Q. Huang, B.-Q. Li, Q. Zhang, B. Li, Small
2016, 12, 3283−3291.
[3] T.-Z. Hou, W.-T. Xu, X. Chen, H.-J. Peng, J.-Q. Huang, Q. Zhang, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
2017, 56, 8178−8182.
Lithium Polysulfide-Based Electrolytes for Li Metal Anodes
Authors: Zhao Chen-Zi , Huang Jia-Qi , Zhang Qiang 
Published: May 2020

Li metal batteries (such as lithium–sulfur (Li–S) and lithium-air batteries) have been strongly considered as the promising candidates for the next-generation energy storage devices. Unfortunately, as the result of the notorious Li dendrite growth inherent in these batteries (upon repeated charge/discharge cycling), the concomitant serious safety concerns and low Coulombic efficiency have retarded their practical applications. Herein, we report a facile but effective strategy to in-situ construct a stable and compact solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer to protect Li deposits by the synergetic effect of Li2S5-based ternary-salt (LiTFSI–LiNO3–Li2S5) electrolyte. LiTFSI affords a high Li conductivity of the electrolyte in a working battery. The reactions between LiNO3 and Li2S5 induce Li2SO3 formation, which is favorable to build protective SEI layer. Compared with routine LiTFSI mono-salt electrolyte, the Li2S5-based ternary-salt electrolyte renders Li metal anode (1) dendrite-free morphology, (2) improved Coulombic efficiency (94% compared with 60% in routine electrolyte), (3) suppressed polarization, and (4) prolonged lifespan (80 h compared with 20 h). These superior characteristics are attributed to the enhanced stability of the SEI layer by deliberately introducing the Li2S5 polysulfide as a pre-existing precursor, which, however, is always considered as an undesirable intermediate in Li–S batteries. Further development of this electrolyte enables practical applications for rechargeable lithium metal batteries, especially Li–S batteries.
References
[1] C. Z. Zhao, X. B. Cheng, R. Zhang et al.
Energy Storage Mater. 2016, 3, 77.
[2] C. Z. Zhao and Q. Zhang. Trends in Chem. 2019, 1, 709.
[3] X. B. Cheng, C. Z. Zhao, Y. X. Yao et al.
Chem. 2019, 5, 74.
[4] L. P. Hou, H. Yuan, C. Z. Zhao et al.
Energy Storage Mater. 2019, DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2019.09.037.
[5] G. Zhang, H. J. Peng, C. Z. Zhao et al.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 16732.
Characterization of Formic Acid Oxidation at Surface-Modified Pt/C Catalysts
Authors: Akther Jasmeen , Pickup Peter G 
Published: May 2020

Over the last several decades, much attention has been given to low temperature fuel cells which provide energy based on electrochemical oxidation of fuels such as hydrogen and small organic molecules. Many researchers in the field of fuel cell technology have been focusing on the development of cost effective and durable catalysts. Among the small organic fuel molecules, electrochemical study of formic acid oxidation is being intensively investigated for two main reasons; formic acid can be used as a fuel in direct formic acid fuel cells and it can serve as a model reaction that can be used to understand more complex oxidation reactions, such as the oxidation of methanol and ethanol.
Platinum is one of the most commonly used and effective catalysts for the oxidation of small organic molecules, despite the fact that it has significant disadvantages, such as high cost and loss of performance due to extreme susceptibility to poisoning by CO. To solve these problems several techniques have been applied, most of which are based on modifying the bulk and/or surface of Pt by a second metal. Heterogeneous bimetallic catalysts often show significantly enhanced catalytic performances because of their improved electronic and chemical properties that are different from their parent metals. Bimetallic catalysts provide opportunities to significantly improved catalytic selectivity, activity and durability.
In order to improve the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid, addition of second metals such as Ru, Pb, Os, Sn, Cu, Pd, Rh, Bi has been widely applied. Among them, bismuth especially has received much attention as a Pt surface modifier. Various structures such as PtBi alloy, PtBi intermetallic, and surface modified systems have been reported. Co-deposited, carbon supported PtBi/C [1], under potential deposition [2] and irreversibly absorbed [3] Bi modified Pt surfaces were reported to be good catalysts for formic acid oxidation, in terms of onset potential, activity as well as stability and durability.
The primary objective of this research is to obtain mechanistic information on the oxidation of formic acid, methanol and ethanol by comparing the effects of various modifying metals on voltammetric data at surface-modified Pt/C catalysts. For example, Bi was found to greatly enhance oxidation of formic acid through the direct pathway in which absorbed CO is not formed, while it strongly inhibits methanol oxidation. Data for Pb and Rh modified Pt will also be presented.
References:
1. X. Yu and P.G. Pickup, Electrochimica Acta, 56, 4037-4043, (2011)
2. S. Kang, J. Lee, J.K. Lee, S.Y. Chung and Y. Tak, The Journal of Physical Chemistry B,
110, 7270-7274, (2006)
3. J.B. Kim, K. Kwon, C.K. Rhee, J. Han and T.H. Lim, Electrochimica Acta,
53, 7744-7750, (2006)
A Novel Biomass Derived Interconnected Nanosheets Porous Carbon from Withered Rose Derived as Inexpensive and Sustainable Energy Material for Advanced Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Khan Abrar 
Published: May 2020

The porous carbons derived from bio-mass precursors for energy storage devices have
been gained increased research attention due to their cost effectiveness, easy way to fabrication, ecofriendly nature and more sustainability. Carbon derived from biomass is more favorable electrode material for supercapacitor. In the recent work we successfully prepared interconnected nanosheets porous carbon from withered rose by facile, post treatment, pre carbonization, acid washing and activation process. This rose-derived active carbon nanosheets (RDPC) display a high specific surface area (1980m2g-1) with a small pores after activation process. RDPC exhibit the electrochemical properties of the prepared porous carbon were analyzed by 3-electrode configuration with 6 M KOH electrolyte. It is implies that the porous carbon exhibited the high specific capacitances of 350 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, and 165 F g-1 at 150 A g-1. Besides, the porous carbon can be achieved an excellent long-cycling life with only loss 2.7% of its initial capacitance over 1,20,000 cycles even at 150 A g-1. The observed very attractive electrochemical behavior of the new biomass porous carbon derived from tea waste will be a competitive candidate as cathode material in the development of high-performance and green supercapacitor for advanced energy storage devices.

Figure 1
Incorporation of Carbon Nanotubes in Silicone Matrices to Improve Wave Energy Converters Performance’s
Authors: Sylvestre Alain , Zhao Hang , Fan Benhui , Jean-Mistral Claire , Bai Jinbo 
Published: May 2020

The marine energies constitute a strategic sector of the renewable energies to diversify and complete the energy mix. At present, offshore wind energy and the marine turbines are the main approaches. In stages of more upstream research, demonstrators of wave energy converters (WEC) based on a hydraulic conversion have difficulty in developing because of problems of reliability. The harnessing of this field of wave energy could find a new impetus thanks to the development of concepts in break based on innovative and economically technologies: electroactive polymers (EAP). Based on the distortion of an EAP which plays the double role to get the wave energy and to convert it in electrical energy, these generators open interesting perspectives of development because they free themselves from mechanical absorber at the origin of numerous failures of the WEC.
Among challenges identified for the realization of performant EAP-WEC, the availability of more successful materials to convert the mechanical energy is at the heart of the concerns. Starting from carbon nanotubes nano-object to end in a viable mechanical structure, we have developed methods and processes which will be implemented in the future technologies of the wave energy but also aim at the manufacture of a functional prototype of laboratory.
Our strategy is based on the incorporation of nano/micro hybrid reinforcements of carbon nanotubes within a silicone matrix in order to realize (i) flexible conductive electrodes and (ii) to improve the properties of the active material. A parylene coating of carbon nanotubes has demonstrated to reduce percolation and thus an improvement of the dielectric strength of the active silicone matrix. Finally, mechanical – electrical conversion is undoubtedly improved by this approach as confirmed by mechanical tests, dielectric spectroscopy and dielectric strength.
Acknowledgements : The authors thankfully the national French program ANR SEASEA for funding.
The Impact of Covalent Functionalization on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Biosensor Fluorescence and Function
Authors: Chio Linda , Pinals Rebecca L , Goh Natalie , Murali Aishwarya , Landry Markita P 
Published: May 2020

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are advantageous signal transduction elements for biological imaging and sensing due to their notable fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) region with minimal light absorbance by water or scattering by tissue (1). Recently, exciting developments in SWCNT surface chemistry have shown the retention and improvement of fluorescence intensity in SWCNTs after covalent surface functionalization (2). These chemistries provide chemical handles for specific attachment of molecules of interest to the SWCNT surface while keeping the intrinsic SWCNT NIR fluorescence intact for bioimaging and sensing applications. However, despite their unperturbed fluorescence, it is unclear whether functionalized SWCNTs maintain their ability for molecular sensing, which necessitates a modulation in SWCNT fluorescence provided by the molecular recognition of a noncovalently surface-adsorbed polymer. We compare the photophysical properties of functionalized SWCNTs to their pristine counterparts, and show SWCNT optical properties remain available for sensing applications, however with noted attenuation of fluorescence modulation between certain surface coating and analyte pairs. Molecular recognition provided by phospholipid SWCNT surface coatings maintain their ability to detect molecular analytes such as fibrinogen and insulin. Conversely, DNA oligonucleotide surface coatings under-perform for molecular recognition of dopamine compared to sensors constructed from pristine SWCNTs. We also discuss the use of covalent handles to tune the intrinsic properties of the SWCNT surface for use as biological tools. Lastly, we explore the application of covalently functionalized SWCNTs as dual-functional nanoparticles with both targeting and sensing capabilities. Our work establishes the potential advantages and drawbacks of covalent SWCNT functionalization, despite preservation of SWCNT fluorescence, and implications for applications in molecular sensing.
(1) Bonis-O’Donnell, J. T. D.; Page, R. H.; Beyene, A. G.; Tindall, E. G.; McFarlane, I. R.; Landry, M. P. Dual Near-Infrared Two-Photon Microscopy for Deep-Tissue Dopamine Nanosensor Imaging. Adv. Funct. Mater.
2017, 27 (39), 1–10.
(2) Setaro, A.; Adeli, M.; Glaeske, M.; Przyrembel, D.; Bisswanger, T.; Gordeev, G.; Maschietto, F.; Faghani, A.; Paulus, B.; Weinelt, M.; et al. Preserving π-Conjugation in Covalently Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Optoelectronic Applications. Nat. Commun.
2017, 8, 1–7.
What Can We Learn from Carbon Nanotube Diffusion Trajectories Recorded in the Live Brain?
Authors: Lee Antony , Danné Noémie , Paviolo Chiara , Soria Federico , Ferreira Joana S , Bezard Erwan , Groc Laurent , Cognet Laurent 
Published: May 2020

Luminescent single wall carbon nanotubes are now well established, as unique nanoreporters to probe the brain extracellular space[1-3]. On the imaging side, this comes from their rich near-infrared optical properties, which also eventually be improved by sp3-chemical functionalization. In addition, their uncommon 1D morphology is an important asset for tissue penetration, yet understanding their diffusion behavior in the complex brain extracellular network is challenging and necessitates dedicated analysis tools. To this aim, we propose novel approaches (i) based on the local analysis of trajectory contours to locally measure the nanoscale dimensions of the brain network [4] and (ii) based on the transient evaluation of carbon nanotube mean square displacement to delineate the ECS molecular diffusion landscape [5]. The application of these analytical tools to extract relevant biological parameters in physiological and pathological brain models will be presented [6].

References

[1] Godin et al Nat. Nanotechnol. 12 (2017) 238-243.
[2] Gao, et al, Nanomaterials 7, 11, (2017) 393.
[3] Danné et al ACS Photonics, 5, 2, (2018) 359-364
[4] Paviolo et al Methods (2019) in press

[5] in preparation
[6] Soria et al in revision
Microplasma Synthesis of Luminescent N-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for pH Sensing
Authors: Kurniawan Darwin , Chiang Wei-Hung 
Published: May 2020

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), the newest type of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) with size <20 nm, have attracted many research attentions due to the highly tunable photoluminescence (PL) properties, biocompatibility, chemical and photo stability, and low toxicity. Doping GQDs with heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, can increase the PL quantum yield and has strong electron withdrawing ability. Therefore, nitrogen-doped GQDs as fluorescent pH monitor excels in sensitivity, selectivity, rapidity, and applicability comparing with the conventional electrochemical method, especially for bio-related and medical applications. Good biocompatibility and low toxicity also make N-GQDs more preferable to semiconductor quantum dots, organic fluorescent dyes, and noble-metal nanoparticles. As a matter of fact, pH value plays a very important and crucial role in all life forms. A small variations in pH not only endangers the lives of plants and animal but also human beings as it will mainly pollute our drinking water, which may cause some health issues, like physiological dysfunction or diseases. Furthermore, cancer and tumor cells can also be diagnosed through cellular imaging due to the abnormal pH inside human body.
Most of the approaches for synthesizing N-GQDs are complex, time-consuming, in need of harsh reaction condition, and costly. Hereby, microplasma emerges as one of the most promising approaches for nanomaterials processing due to its facile, stable, efficient, and relatively low cost. The high electron density provided are very energetic (~10eV), which allows non-thermal dissociation of molecular gases to form high concentrations of reactive radical species, e.g. OH˙, O˙, O2
-˙, and NO˙. These reactive radical species along with electrons are brought into the precursor solutions and will interact with the solution chemical species to form GQDs in a cascaded chemical reactions.
Here we report a microplasma synthesis of N-GQDs for pH sensing. N-GQDs with high quantum yield up to 30% have been synthesized via microplasma approach from chitosan. This synthetic method leads to highly crystalline particles with easily tunable properties in high reproducibility from a simple biomass as the sole precursor. Based on protonation and deprotonation of N-GQDs surface functional groups, a PL based pH probe with broad linear range of 1.78-13.56 and high accuracy can be constructed. Moreover, two linear lines relationship between UV absorption and different pH value are also obtained, covering from pH 1.25-10.17 and pH 10.17-13.24. The dual optical sensing characteristics allow for almost covering the entire pH range and better accuracy.

Figure 1
Fluorescent Carbon Nanostructures: Biological Studies
Authors: DaRos Tatiana 
Published: May 2020

The interest in application of carbon nanostructures for theranostics is growing, considering the importance this approach is assuming, as well as personalized medicine and nanomedicine.
The family of carbon nanostructures presents some components which are intrinsically fluorescent while in other case the functionalization with well-known tags, among which fluorescein, can supply to the lack of this properties. In this contribution we will explore some biological studies of materials belonging to the two classes of nanostructures.