Enhanced electrochemical properties of LaFeO_3 with Ni modification for MH–Ni batteries

In this work,we synthesized LaFeO_3–xwt%Ni(x=0,5,10,15)composites via a solid-state reaction method by adding Ni to the reactants,La_2O_3 and Fe_2O_3.Field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM)and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS)results revealed that Ni powders evenly dispersed among the LaFeO_3 particles and apparently reduced their aggregation,which imparted the composites with a loose structure.Moreover,the Ni formed a conductive network,thus improving the conductivity of the composites.The maximum discharge capacity of the LaFeO_3 electrodes remarkably increased from 266.8 mAh·g~(–1)(x=0)to 339.7 mAh·g~(–1)(x=10).In particular,the high-rate dischargeability of the LaFeO_3–10wt%Ni electrode at a discharge current density of 1500 mA·g~(-1) reached 54.6%,which was approximately 1.5 times higher than that of the pure LaFeO_3.Such a Ni-modified loose structure not only increased the charge transfer rate on the surface of the LaFeO_3 particles but also enhanced the hydrogen diffusion rate in the bulk LaFeO_3.     

Electrochemical performance of a nickel-rich LiNi<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode material for lithium-ion batteries under different cut-off voltages

A spherical-like Ni_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2(OH)₂ precursor was tuned homogeneously to synthesize LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The effects of calcination temperature on the crystal structure, morphology, and the electrochemical performance of the as-prepared LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ were investigated in detail. The as-prepared material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, laser particle size analysis, charge-discharge tests, and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The results show that the spherical-like LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ material obtained by calcination at 900℃ displayed the most significant layered structure among samples calcined at various temperatures, with a particle size of approximately 10 μm. It delivered an initial discharge capacity of 189.2 mAh·g-1 at 0.2C with a capacity retention of 94.0% after 100 cycles between 2.7 and 4.3 V. The as-prepared cathode material also exhibited good rate performance, with a discharge capacity of 119.6 mAh·g-1 at 5C. Furthermore, within the cut-off voltage ranges from 2.7 to 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 V, the initial discharge capacities of the calcined samples were 170.7, 180.9, and 192.8 mAh·g-1, respectively, at a rate of 1C. The corresponding retentions were 86.8%, 80.3%, and 74.4% after 200 cycles, respectively.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of carbon-coated LiFePO4 hollow nanofibers

Carbon-coated LiFePO₄ hollow nanofibers as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries were obtained by coaxial electrospinning. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area analysis, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to investigate the crystalline structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of the as-prepared hollow nanofibers. The results indicate that the carbon-coated LiFePO₄ hollow nanofibers have good long-term cycling performance and good rate capability: at a current density of 0.2C (1.0C = 170 mA·g-1) in the voltage range of 2.5–4.2 V, the cathode materials achieve an initial discharge specific capacity of 153.16 mAh·g-1 with a first charge–discharge coulombic efficiency of more than 97%, as well as a high capacity retention of 99% after 10 cycles; moreover, the materials can retain a specific capacity of 135.68 mAh·g-1, even at 2C.     

Direct electrodeposition of ionic liquid-based template-free SnCo alloy nanowires as an anode for Li-ion batteries

SnCo alloy nanowires were successfully electrodeposited from SnCl₂-CoCl₂-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIC) ionic liquid without a template. The nanowires were obtained from the molar ratio of 5:40:60 for SnCl₂:CoCl₂:EMIC at -0.55 V and showed a minimum diameter of about 50 nm and lengths of over 20 μm. The as-fabricated SnCo nanowires were about 70 nm in diameter and featured a Sn/Co weight ratio of 3.85:1, when used as an anode for a Li-ion battery, they presented respective specific capacities of 687 and 678 mAh·g-1 after the first charge and discharge cycle and maintained capacities of about 654 mAh·g-1 after 60 cycles and 539 mAh·g-1 after 80 cycles at a current density of 300 mA·g-1. Both the nanowire structure and presence of elemental Co helped buffer large volume changes in the Sn anode during charging and discharging to a certain extent, thereby improving the cycling performance of the Sn anode.     

Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3sf</Subscript> addition on the friction and wear properties of (SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript>+Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3sf</Subscript>)/Al2024 composites fabricated by pressure infiltration

Aluminum (Al) 2024 matrix composites reinforced with alumina short fibers (Al₂O_3sf) and silicon carbide particles (SiC_p) as wear-resistant materials were prepared by pressure infiltration in this study. Further, the effect of Al₂O_3sf on the friction and wear properties of the as-synthesized composites was systematically investigated, and the relationship between volume fraction and wear mechanism was discussed. The results showed that the addition of Al₂O_3sf, characterized by the ratio of Al₂O_3sf to SiC_p, significantly affected the properties of the composites and resulted in changes in wear mechanisms. When the volume ratio of Al₂O_3sf to SiC_p was increased from 0 to 1, the rate of wear mass loss (K_m) and coefficients of friction (COFs) of the composites decreased, and the wear mechanisms were abrasive wear and furrow wear. When the volume ratio was increased from 1 to 3, the COF decreased continuously; however, the K_m increased rapidly and the wear mechanism became adhesive wear.     

Pseudo-capacitance of ruthenium oxide/carbon black composites for electrochemical capacitors

Hydrous ruthenium oxide was formed by a new process. The precursor was obtained by mixing the aqueous solutions of RuCl₃·xH₂O and NaHCO₃. The addition of NaHCO₃ led to the formation of an oxide with extremely fine RuO₂ particles forming a porous network structure in the oxide electrode. Polyethylene glycol was added as a controller to partly inhibit the sol-gel reaction. The rate capacitance of 530 F·g-1 was measured for the powder formed at an optimal annealing temperature of 210℃. Several details concerning this new material, including crystal structure, particle size as a function of temperature, and electrochemical properties, were also reported. In addition, the rate capacitance of the composite electrode reached 800 F·g-1 after carbon black was added. By using the modified electrode of a RuO₂/carbon black composite electrode, the electrochemical capacitor exhibits high energy density and stable power characteristics. The values of specific energy and maximum specific power of 24 Wh·kg-1 and 4 kW·kg-1, respectively, are demonstrated for a cell voltage between 0 and 1 V.     

Influence of sulfides on the tribological properties of composites produced by pulse electric current sintering

Self-lubricating Al₂O₃-15wt% ZrO₂ composites with sulfides, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂) serving as solid lubricants, were fabricated by using the pulse electric current sintering (PECS) technique. The coefficient of friction (COF) of the Al₂O₃-15wt% ZrO₂ composite without/with sulfides was in the range of 0.37–0.48 and 0.27–0.49, respectively. As the amount of sulfides increased, the COF and the wear rate decreased. The reduction in COF and wear rate of the sulfide-containing composite is caused by a reduction in shear stresses between the specimen and the tribological medium due to the formation of a lubricating film resulting from the lamellar structure of sulfides located on the worn surface.     

In situ reaction mechanism of MgAlON in Al-Al2O3-MgO composites at 1700℃ under flowing N2

The Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites with added aluminum contents of approximately 0wt%, 5wt%, and 10wt%, named as M₁, M₂, and M₃, respectively, were prepared at 1700℃ for 5 h under a flowing N₂ atmosphere using the reaction sintering method. After sintering, the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that specimen M₁ was composed of MgO and MgAl₂O₄. Compared with specimen M₁, specimens M₂ and M₃ possessed MgAlON, and its production increased with increasing aluminum addition. Under an N₂ atmosphere, MgO, Al₂O₃, and Al in the matrix of specimens M₂ and M₃ reacted to form MgAlON and AlN-polytypoids, which combined the particles and the matrix together and imparted the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites with a dense structure. The mechanism of MgAlON synthesis is described as follows. Under an N₂ atmosphere, the partial pressure of oxygen is quite low; thus, when the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites were soaked at 580℃ for an extended period, aluminum metal was transformed into AlN. With increasing temperature, Al₂O₃ diffused into AlN crystal lattices and formed AlN-polytypoids; however, MgO reacted with Al₂O₃ to form MgAl₂O₄. When the temperature was greater than (1640 ±10)℃, AlN diffused into Al₂O₃ and formed spinel-structured AlON. In situ MgAlON was acquired through a solid-solution reaction between AlON and MgAl₂O₄ at high temperatures because of their similar spinel structures.     

Effects of Al,F dual substitutions on the structure and electrochemical properties of lithium manganese oxide

Spinel LiMn₂O₄ and F, Al-doped spinel LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_3.58F_0.02 have been synthesized by a soft chemistry method using adipic acid as the chelating agent. The synthesized spine/materials were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetery (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and chargedischarge testing. The results indicate that all the samples have high phase purity, and fluorine is important in controlling the morphology; the doped aluminum enhances the stability of spinel LiMn₂O₄. The charge-discharge tests indicate that LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O₄ has high capacity retention, which is 92.60% of the initial after 50 cycles. It is found that the novel compound LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_3.98F_0.02 with smaller particles can offer much higher capacity, whose initial discharge capacity is 126.5 mAh·g-1. The cyclic voltammetric experiments disclose the enhanced reversibility of the F, Al3+-modified spinel as compared with the undoped spinel.     

Effect of reinforcement content on the adhesive wear behavior of Cu10Sn5Ni/Si3N4 composites produced by stir casting

The main objective of this paper was to fabricate Cu10Sn5Ni alloy and its composites reinforced with various contents of Si₃N₄ particles (5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt%) and to investigate their dry sliding wear behavior using a pin-on-disk tribometer. Microstructural examinations of the specimens revealed a uniform dispersion of Si₃N₄ particles in the copper matrix. Wear experiments were performed for all combinations of parameters, such as load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding distance (500, 1000, and 1500 m), and sliding velocity (1, 2, and 3 m/s), for the alloy and the composites. The results revealed that wear rate increased with increasing load and increasing sliding distance, whereas the wear rate decreased and then increased with increasing sliding velocity. The primary wear mechanism encountered at low loads was mild adhesive wear, whereas that at high loads was severe delamination wear. An oxide layer was formed at low velocities, whereas a combination of shear and plastic deformation occurred at high velocities. The mechanism at short sliding distances was ploughing action of Si₃N₄ particles, which act as protrusions; by contrast, at long sliding distances, direct metal-metal contact occurred. Among the investigated samples, the Cu/10wt% Si₃N₄ composite exhibited the best wear resistance at a load of 10 N, a velocity of 2 m/s, and a sliding distance of 500 m.     

Filter Paper-Derived Three-Dimensional Carbon Fibers Film Supported Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> as a Superior Binder-Free Anode Material for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Highly uniform and tight adhering of Fe₃O₄ particles on carbon fiber film (Fe₃O₄/CFF) is achieved through a simple in-situ thermal oxidation method. Particularly, 3D CFF with interconnected structure can shorten transfer path and buffer the volume expansion during charge-discharge cycling. Herein, the obtained Fe₃O₄/CFF anode exhibits a stable cycling performance and excellent high rate capability. The cell delivers a reversible capacity of 1 711 mAh·g^–1 at a current density of 100 mA·g^–1 after 100 cycles. Even at a high rate density of 2 A·g^–1, the specific capacity also can maintain 1 034 mAh·g^–1 after 100 cycles. The simplified fabrication is featured with low-cost and this binder-free perspective holds great potential in mass-production of high-performance metal oxide electrochemical devices.     

Electrochemical properties of LaFeO3-rGO composite

LaFeO_3-xwt% r GO composite(x = 8, 10, 12) was synthesized by ultraphonic stirring and lyophilization method.SEM, TEM and XRD results show that the perovskite-type LaFeO_3 was dispersed by rGO to form special porous structure due to the gauze-shaped wrinkles and folds structure of rGO. It was found that the special porous structure can effectively increase the specific surface area and suppress particle aggregation of LaFeO_3, thus improving the electrical conductivity and appreciably enhancing the electrochemical properties of LaFeO_3. As compared with LaFeO_3, the maximum discharge capacity of the composite(x=10) increased from 209.5 mAhg~(–1) to 334.6 mAhg~(–1).The High rate dischargeability at a discharge current density of 1500 mAg~(–1)(HRD1500) and the capacity retention rate after 100 charge/discharge cycles(S100) of the composite increased by 9% and 17%, respectively.     

Synthesis and application of bilayer-surfactant-enveloped Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles: water-based bilayer-surfactant-enveloped ferrofluids

Superparamagnetic carbon-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with high magnetization (85 emu·g-1) and high crystallinity were synthesized using polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG (4000)) as a carbon source. Fe₃O₄ water-based bilayer-surfactant-enveloped ferrofluids were subsequently prepared using sodium oleate and PEG (4000) as dispersants. Analyses using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicate that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a bilayer surfactant coating retain the inverse spinel-type structure and are successfully coated with sodium oleate and PEG (4000). Transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and particle-size analysis results indicate that the coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles also retain the good saturation magnetization of Fe₃O₄ (79.6 emu·g-1) and that the particle size of the bilayer-surfactant-enveloped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is 42.97 nm, which is substantially smaller than that of the unmodified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (486.2 nm). UV–vis and zeta-potential analyses reveal that the ferrofluids does not agglomerate for 120 h at a concentration of 4 g·L-1, which indicates that the ferrofluids are highly stable.     

High temperature electrochemical discharge performance of LaFeO3 coated with C/Ni as anode material for NiMH batteries

Perovskite LaFeO₃ is considered as a promising new anode material for nickel/metal hydride batteries due to its low cost, environmental friendliness and high temperature resistance. However, the poor conductivity of LaFeO₃ material restricts the discharge ability, which is problematic for its future widespread application. To solve the above issue, in this study, we prepared C/Ni-coated LaFeO₃ composite in view of the excellent electrical conductivity of carbon and nickel metal. Results show that the C/Ni-coated LaFeO₃ composite delivers remarkably increased discharge capacity of ～345 mAh g^?1 at 60 ?°C in contrast to ～267 mAh g^?1 for pure LaFeO₃. Furthermore, the carbon and nickel not only increase the electrical conductivity of the LaFeO₃ but also reduces the agglomeration of the LaFeO₃, therefore, the C/Ni-coated LaFeO₃ composite serves superior long cycle-life, which maintains 60.9% after 100 cycles (52.9% for the LaFeO₃ sample). In overall, the electrochemical behavior of the C/Ni-coated LaFeO₃ composite confirms its high potential as nickel/metal hydride batteries for energy storage applications.     

Electrochemical properties of LiNi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1.3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> cells

Spinel compounds LiNi_0.5Mn_1.3Ti_0.2O₄ (LNMTO) and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) were synthesized by different methods. The particle sizes of LNMTO and LTO are 0.5–2 and 0.5–0.8 μm, respectively. The LNMTO/LTO cell exhibits better electrochemical properties at both a low current rate of 0.2C and a high current rate of 1C. When the specific capacity was determined based on the mass of the LNMTO cathode, the LNMTO/LTO cell delivered 137 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 0.2C and 118.2 mA·h·g⁻¹ at 1C, and the corresponding capacity retentions after 30 cycles are 88.5% and 92.4%, respectively.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of FeSbO4 nanorods

Well-crystallized FeSbO 4 nanorods with rutile-like structure are synthesized through a solid-state reaction and used as cathode material of Li-ion battery for the first time.The obtained nanorods can react with 11 Li-ions per FeSbO 4 unit with a specific discharge capacity of 1 100 1 mAh g between 0.1 and 2.0 V.Three discharge plateaus can be observed during the fully discharging process,but the reversible reaction with 1 Li occurs between 1.5 V and 4.5 V vs.Li + /Li,and the reversible capacity is only 50-80 1 mAh g.FeSbO 4 nanorods have a stable cyclic performance between 1.5 V and 4.5 V and it can be used as cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion battery.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Calorimetry of Ni（C4H8N2O3）2Cl2

A coordination complex was synthesized from NiCl2 and dipeptide glycylglycine（GG）. It was characterized by element analysis, NMR and TG methods, and then was determined to be Ni（C4HsN2O3）2Cl2. Using an isoperibolic reaction calorimeter, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of Ni（GG）2Cl2（solid） has been determined to be -（1 674.66±2.02） kJ · mol^-1 at 298.15 K.