bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving Room Temperature Performance of All-Solid-State Polymer Batteries through Cell Activation
Authors: Xu Hongliang , Shi Lili , Wu Jing , Xiao Jie , Liu Jun , Lu Dongping 
Published: August 2024

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) are gaining increasing attention for use in all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLB) due to their enhanced safety and simplified processing.[1] However, their conventional operation requires elevated temperatures.[2, 3] Here, we propose a straightforward hot-press activation method to facilitate cell operation at room temperature (r.t., 30 °C) for SPE-based ASSLB. This activation method induces grain amorphization, leading to a substantial reduction in grain boundary resistance within the SPE and achieving a fourfold increase in r.t. ionic conductivity. Furthermore, by decoupling Li-ion transport processes, the activation significantly diminishes the electrode-electrolyte interfacial resistances for both the cathode and anode, thereby enhancing kinetics and overall cell performance at r.t.. Through the application of an optimized activation procedure, all-solid-state LiFeO4 (LFP)|SPE|Li cells exhibit noteworthy performance enhancements, demonstrating both high specific capacity and stable cycling at r.t.
References

Mauger, A., et al., Building Better Batteries in the Solid State: A Review. Materials, 2019. 12(23).

Chen, R.J., et al., The pursuit of solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries: from comprehensive insight to emerging horizons. Materials Horizons, 2016. 3(6): p. 487-516.

Mindemark, J., et al., Beyond PEO—Alternative host materials for Li + -conducting solid polymer electrolytes. Progress in Polymer Science, 2018. 81: p. 114-143.
(Invited) Solid/Electrolyte Interface Under Confinement in Divalent Water-in-Salt Electrolytes
Authors: Berlinger Sarah A. , Kuepers Verena , Dudenas Peter J , Schinski Devin , Flagg Lucas Q , Lamberty Zachary , McCloskey Bryan D. , Winter Martin , Frechette Joelle 
Published: August 2024

Concentrated aqueous electrolytes (water-in-salt electrolytes, WiSEs) have gained increasing attention in the last few years because they display much wider electrochemical stability windows (upwards of 3V) than the thermodynamic limit of water (1.23V), making them exciting candidates for a variety of electrochemical systems including aqueous batteries. Importantly, it is the ions directly at the electrode/electrolyte interface that are key to explaining this unexpected reactivity. The electrode/electrolyte interface is classically thought of as the electrical double layer (EDL), or the ion arrangement at an interface that builds up to neutralize the surface potential. WiSEs present very different EDL structures than do classical dilute electrolytes. However, most work has focused on monovalent WiSEs, primarily motivated by Li-battery applications using lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide (LiTFSI).
In this work, we aim to understand how divalent ions within the WiSE regime alter both the short-range and long-range signatures of the EDL under confinement. For most of the above applications, reactions occur within the pore-space of a porous electrode, which exhibit confined, overlapping EDLs. Therefore, we use confinement as a tool to probe both the short-range layering structure (<10 nm) and electrostatic decay length (~10-100 nm) away from a charged interface with Surface Forces Apparatus (SFA) measurements.
Using WiSEs comprising LiTFSI, Zn(TFSI)2, and mixtures of the two salts, we first establish the bulk structure of these electrolytes using Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering and Raman Spectroscopy, which reveal that the anion and cation are closely associated in all electrolytes, regardless of cation valency. Additionally, clusters of ions are formed in all electrolytes, however, the clusters are suppressed with increasing divalent ion fraction. Under confinement, SFA results demonstrate that the thickness of the adsorbed layer of ions at a solid/electrolyte interface grows with increasing divalent ion fraction. Multiple interfacial layers are formed following this adlayer, and these layers seem dependent on anion size, rather than cation. Importantly, all electrolytes exhibit very long electrostatic decay lengths that are insensitive to valency. This work contributes significant fundamental understanding regarding the structure and charge-neutralization mechanism in this class of electrolytes both in the bulk and under confinement at an interface.
Antimicrobial Peptide-Based Sensor for the Electrochemical Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Authors: Liyanage Madhuka Malshani , Lai Rebecca 
Published: August 2024

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a gram-positive bacterium that colonizes on the skin and nasal track of humans, which can lead to serious illnesses such as skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and septicemia.MRSA is resistant to an entire class of antibiotics called beta-lactams, including penicillin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin, making it more difficult to treat. Culture based methods and molecular based methods like PCR are currently being used for the detection of MRSA, but these methods possess the drawbacks of being slow and expensive, respectively. Thus, we focused on developing a reagentless, cost-effective, near real-time detection method for intact MRSA cells.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess the ability to interact with bacterial cells by inhibiting their growth or by lysing them.However, this initial interaction between the cationic AMPs and the negatively charged bacterial cells can be used for the detection of pathogens like MRSA. Here, we used a MRSA-specific antimicrobial peptide, DP7, to fabricate an electrochemical peptide-based (E-PB) sensor. The DP7 probe was further modified with a methylene blue redox label and an alkanethiol chain which allows for the formation of a thiol-gold self-assembled monolayer. The sensor surface was passivated with both 6-mercapto-1-hexanol and a thiolated tetra-thymine sequence to prevent surface fouling. Electrochemical detection of MRSA was accomplished using alternating current voltammetry. Control experiments were performed using two gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and two gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The DP7 sensor responded to MRSA in a concentration-dependent manner and was proven to be selective for MRSA over the other four microbes. Specifically, the % signal suppression obtained for MRSA was much larger when compared to those obtained for the other microbes. The same behavior was observed in pure buffer and 5% synthetic wound fluid. In addition, the detection time was relatively short, with signal saturation in less than 60 min. Overall, the DP7 sensor has demonstrated to possess attributes similar to other E-PB sensors. It has the potential to be developed as a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective diagnostic tool for MRSA, which will be useful in preventing the spread of the pathogen in the community. Furthermore, this sensing platform is versatile and can be redesigned for detection of other pathogenic bacteria.
The Additive to Mass Manufacturing Process of Mixed Potential Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Halley Sleight , Ramaiyan Kannan , Tsui Lok-kun , Garzon Fernando H. 
Published: August 2024

Additive manufacturing allows for quick turn around and low cost of production of small numbers of parts. These attributes lend the technology to prototype development, where design changes are many and production numbers are low [1]. Once design parameters have been nailed down, additive manufacturing’s low throughput and poor reproducibility limit application to high volume production.
Here, we discuss the implementation of direct-write extrusion of ceramic pastes and metal inks for prototype manufacturing of mixed potential electrochemical sensors and the transition to tape casting and screen printing for high volume production. Throughout the prototyping phase, direct write extrusion enabled quick and easy production of low numbers of parts, enabling various changes in sensor design and material to improve sensor performance. Sensor design evolved from a disk shape (Fig. 1 a) to a stick with integrated heater (Fig. 1 b, c). Direct write extrusion of substrate enabled quick testing of various stabilized zirconia ceramics to improve the sensitivity of the device [2]. Limitations of additive manufacturing became apparent when attempting to integrate the heater into the device, the inconsistent linewidths led to areas of high resistance and hot spots (Fig. 1 c). Tape-casting and screen printing of the devices was adopted for three reasons, first, to improve line fidelity, which is vitally important when printing small electrodes as well as heater traces (Fig. 1 d), second, to further decrease conductivity of substrate by laminating multiple layers of different ceramic materials, and finally to increase manufacturing throughput (Fig. 1 d, e).
This work was supported by US Department of Energy Award DE-FE0031864
References
[1] T. D. Ngo, A. Kashani, G. Imbalzano, K. T. Q. Nguyen, and D. Hui, “Additive manufacturing (3D printing): A review of materials, methods, applications and challenges,” Compos. Part B Eng., vol. 143, pp. 172–196, Jun. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.02.012.
[2] S. Halley, K. Ramaiyan, F. Garzon, and L. Tsui, “Massive enhancement in sensitivity of mixed potential sensors towards methane and natural gas through magnesia stabilized zirconia low ionic conductivity substrate,” Sens. Actuators B Chem., vol. 392, p. 134031, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.snb.2023.134031.

Figure 1
Ultrasonic Analysis for Monitoring Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Milano Lorenzo , Magagnin Luca 
Published: August 2024

To seek for increasing accuracy in LIBs monitoring a new trend is to rely on data indicative of material properties whose variations are induced by Li ions intercalation and deintercalation. A wider variety of information can be achieved if data are referred to a specific layer of the battery. Since ultrasounds propagate at different speed according to materials properties and are reflected every time they hit an interface, ultrasonic analysis (UA) has the potential to improve the quality of LIB monitoring providing in operando and through thickness information.
In this work NMC-graphite LIBs are cycled and monitored in operando via UA in pulse-echo and through-thickness modes with a temporal resolution of 7 ns (which to the best of our knowledge is the highest ever tested) and a 5 MHz frequency. First, the effect of (i) temperature and (ii) C-rate on the waveform evolution was investigated: (i) a 100% charged battery was kept at rest in a thermal chamber at fixed temperatures varying between 10 and 50°C, the ultrasonic signal was acquired after 30 min at rest; (ii) an initially 100% charged battery underwent two subsequent discharge-charge cycles at constant current with fixed C-rates varying between 0.2 and 2C. Then a series of cycles at 50°C aimed at causing battery degradation was performed while acquiring the ultrasonic signal every 2 min. The efficacy of the degradation protocol was assessed through EIS prior and post cycling the battery. Surprisingly, results show an opposite (but systemic) trend with respect to what is reported in literature, with an increasing time of flight (ToF) for increasing state of charge (SoC). Additionally, it is observed that most of the peaks increase their ToF with the number of cycles. Signal amplitude shows a periodical behavior as well but values vary as degradation has gone on. It is also observed that within a cycle some peaks increase their intensity during charge while others decrease, suggesting that they belong to opposite electrodes.
Effect of Lithiation and Delithiation on the Mechanical Properties of Electrodeposited LiCoO2 Cathode
Authors: Wang Yingjin , Juarez Yescaz Carlos , Kwon Patrick , Zahiri Beniamin , Braun Paul V. , Greer Julia R. 
Published: August 2024

Mechanical degradation of cathode active material, such as cracks result from volume changes and phase transitions, is one of the main causes of capacity fading in lithium-ion batteries. Understanding the active material’s deformation behavior during cycling and the impact of electrochemical charging on mechanical properties is crucial for understanding the mechanical degradation mechanism and extending battery lifetime.
Herein, we investigate the mechanical properties of an electroplated LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode with crystallographic texture as a function of state of charge/discharge. Nanoindentation mapping is used to detect the differences in mechanical behavior between grain boundary and grain interior region. To determine the charged LCO crystals’ mechanical properties and avoid the effects from grain boundaries and air-exposure, in-situ nanoindentation experiments are conducted in a custom mechanical testing system within a scanning electron microscope. Considering the anisotropy of LCO, electron backscatter diffraction analysis is utilized to clarify the crystallographic orientation of the electrodeposited LCO cathode. Our result shows a decreasing tendency in elastic modulus and hardness with state of charge, which can be attributed to the expansion of LCO layered structure. The recovery of mechanical properties after discharge indicates that the changes in measured mechanical properties mainly come from Li deintercalation and intercalation rather than intergranular fracture during cycling. By releasing the relationship between mechanical properties and degree of delithiation, our study provides an insight into modeling studies of electro-chemo-mechanics for electrode materials.

Figure 1
Effect of Halide Ion Additives during Electrodeposition of Nanocatalysts
Authors: Hadley Annabelle M. K. , Gautam Sakshi , Gates Byron D. 
Published: August 2024

Platinum (Pt) and platinum ruthenium (PtRu) alloy catalysts are of interest for the development of green energy technologies such as hydrogen and direct methanol fuel cells. However, the high cost of Pt dictates that the precious metal be used as efficiently as possible so the surface area available to catalyze reactions per mass is maximized. Alloying Pt with different metals such as Ru is also of interest due to the increased activity and tolerance to contaminants that the additional metal imparts to the Pt. Industrial nanoparticle synthesis depends on scalable techniques such as electrodeposition. And a feature of this technique is that the morphology of electrodeposited structures is heavily influenced by the composition of the electrodeposition solution.
This work describes how the presence of excess Cl- and Br- ions in an aqueous solution of metal salts affects the morphology of Pt and PtRu electrodeposited onto glassy carbon electrode substrates. The addition Br- ions and mixtures of the two halides resulted in smaller nanoparticles as observed by scanning electron microscopy and, therefore, higher surface areas compared to Pt electrodeposited in the absence of these halide species. Consequently, the mass activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction, one half of the reaction in hydrogen fuel cells, was highest when Pt was electrodeposited in the presence of Br- ions. The PtRu particles were also tested for their activity and resistance to carbon monoxide poisoning as a function of composition and halide additives. These results show that halide ions can be used beneficially in electrocatalyst synthesis without a negative impact on the activity of these catalysts, in contrast to what has been suggested in some prior studies. Presented herein is a simple method to tune the surface area and properties of electrodeposited nanocatalysts.1

Gautam, S.; Hadley, A. M. K.; Gates, B. D. Controlled Growth of Platinum Nanoparticles during Electrodeposition using Halide Ion Containing Additives. J.
Electrochem. Soc.
2022, 169, 112508.
Optimizing the Performance of Nickel Electrocatalysts with Regular Arrays of Linear Ridge-like Features for Enhancing the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Rea Alex J. G. , Pauls Alexi L. , Taylor Audrey K. , Gates Byron D. 
Published: August 2024

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a major source of inefficiency in the production of green hydrogen via electrocatalytic water splitting. At high overpotentials relevant to industrial rates of gas production, bubbles can contribute substantially to these inefficiencies by inhibiting the mass transport of electrolyte and partially obstructing the electrochemically active surface area (Aecsa) of an electrode.1 Arrays of microscale features have been shown to improve the efficiency of gas evolving reactions, including the OER. The performance of electrodes modified with linear ridge-like surface features has been previously observed to increase with the spacing between the ridges with a separation of up to 200 µm, but it was not known whether this trend continues indefinitely.2 The present study utilizes rapid prototyping techniques, including microscope projection photolithography and electrodeposition, to determine whether an optimal ridge separation exists between 200 and 450 µm. At a relatively high overpotential of 1.8 V (vs Hg/HgO) in an alkaline electrolyte, the performance of these ridges was observed to increase up to a critical separation, after which the performance decreased to a level comparable to a planar electrode at a wider separation between the ridges. Chronoamperometry measurements indicated that ridges with this optimal spacing attained a current response nearly 3× that of a planar electrode when normalized to (Aecsa). A better understanding of the reasons for this observed trend was pursued using high speed imaging. Direct observations of bubble production on the surfaces of the electrodes provided a deeper understanding of how the distribution of gas bubbles on an electrode affects performance.
References:

Angulo, A.; van der Linde, P.; Gardeniers, H.; Modestino, M.; Fernández Rivas, D. Influence of Bubbles on the Energy Conversion Efficiency of Electrochemical Reactors. Joule
2020, 4 (3), 555–579.

Taylor, A. K.; Mou, T.; Sonea, A.; Chen, J.; Yee, B. B.; Gates, B. D. Arrays of Microscale Linear Ridges with Self-Cleaning Functionality for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
2021, 13 (2), 2399–2413.
Effect of the Saccharin Concentration on Electrodeposition of the Fe-Ni Alloy
Authors: Kim Jin Bum , KIM In Gyeong , Park Yong-bum , Shin Se eun , Lee Seung-Joon 
Published: August 2024

The FMM (Fine Metal Mask) used in the OLED display manufacturing process is a metal sheet with holes formed to allow the deposition of diode material only in the sub-pixel area. To prevent deformation and misalignment of the FMM (Fine Metal Mask) caused by heat during the RGB organic deposition process, an Invar plate with a thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) close to 0 is used. The Invar sheet applied to the current FMM is manufactured through a metallurgical process, and its final thickness after rolling is 20 micron. However, due to limitations in reducing thickness with the rolling process, for manufacturing FMM with a thickness of under 10 micron for next-generation high-resolution (UHD-level) displays, the bottom-up electroplating process is suitable. However, to maintain the shape of the electroplated Invar sheet while ensuring commercial-grade low CTE, heat treatment at temperatures exceeding 600℃ for an extended period is required, utilizing thermo-mechanical processing methods. If uniformity in the microstructure composed of nano-grains is ensured in the electroplated Invar alloy in the As-deposited, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the process by reducing the heat-treatment processing cost.
Therefore, in this study, we investigated the microstructural evolution in the Invar alloy by controlling the surface stress of the electroplated layer during pre-plating. We controlled the key additive, saccharin, in the Fe-Ni alloy electrolyte to assist the diffusion of iron and nickel ions. By examining the relation between microstructural uniformity, determined by the plated layer, and CTE, we propose optimized process conditions for the pre-plated Invar sheet.
Application of Bifunctional Layered Double Hydroxide Electrocatalysts to Water Splitting
Authors: Ennis Colm , Alves Daniele , Dempsey Eithne , Breslin Carmel B 
Published: August 2024

Water splitting is an area of research which is of pressing interest in addressing climate change. Water splitting provides oxygen and hydrogen as products, with hydrogen finding use as a potential high-density fuel to replace fossil fuels. Water splitting manifests as two half-cell reactions, namely the anodic oxygen evolution reaction and the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction. The purpose of this project is to synthesise a bifunctional electrocatalyst to use in the water splitting reaction, replacing the rare and expensive transition metals catalysts currently in use such as platinum and ruthenium. The ideal material would exhibit strong performance for both the oxygen evolution reaction and the hydrogen evolution reaction.
In this project, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) have been synthesised for use in water splitting. LDHs are a group of ionic compounds characterised by their layered structure of positively charged sheets and an interlayer region consisting of the corresponding anions. LDHs typically contain a bivalent and a trivalent metal as part of the generic formula [M2+
1–xM3+
x(OH)2][An–]x/n·zH2O. In this project the bivalent metal in use is typically cobalt and the trivalent metal is typically iron. The synthesis developed is a simple, one pot hydrothermal synthesis which can be seen in Figure 1. In this synthesis, the process begins with the precursor materials dissolved in solution. These solutions are mixed and stirred until homogenous. The resultant solution is then heated to form an impure product. Following washing steps and centrifugation a purified powder product is obtained. A variety of metallic salts have been tested for their use in these LDHs with the optimum LDHs selected for further study. The metallic salts used to provide the metals for the LDHs are typically hydrated transition metal nitrates.
The LDHs have been characterised and their structure confirmed by a variety of analytical techniques including X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Simple qualitative analysis has been performed with FTIR spectroscopy. These LDHs have been immobilised on a variety of porous, high surface area materials, including nickel foam and copper foam, to enhance the properties seen in the screening study. These materials allow synthesis of high surface area, reactive electrocatalysts. To enhance the stability of the LDHs, carbon materials have been integrated with the LDHs. Examination of a variety of carbon materials involved post-synthesis mixing of the carbon material and the LDH product or inclusion of the carbon material in the LDH synthesis to form a composite. A variety of carbon materials have been analysed including graphene oxide, carbon black and carbon nanotubes.

Figure 1