1
|
Sousa BP, Lourenço TC, Anchieta CG, Nepel TCM, Filho RM, Da Silva JLF, Doubek G. Direct Evidence of Reversible Changes in Electrolyte and its Interplay with LiO 2 Intermediate in Li-O 2 Batteries. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2306895. [PMID: 38607269 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Lithium-oxygen batteries show promising energy storage potential with high theoretical energy density; however, further investigation of chemical reactions is required. In this study, experimental Raman and theoretical analyzes are performed for a Li-O2 battery with LiClO4/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) electrolyte and carbon cathode to understand the role of intermediate species in the reactional mechanism of the cell using a high donor number solvent. Operando Raman results reveal reversible changes in the DMSO bands, in addition to the formation and decomposition of Li2O2. On discharge, a decrease in DMSO polarizability is observed and bands of DMSO-Li+-anion interactions are evidenced and supported by ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Molecular dynamics (MD) force field simulations and operando Raman show that DMSO interacts with LiO2(sol), highlighting the stability of the electrolyte compared to the interaction with reactiveO 2 - ${\rm O}_2^{-}$ . On charging, the presence of Li+ indicates the formation of a lithium-deficient phase, followed by the release of Li+ and oxygen. Therefore, this study contributes to understanding the discharge/charge chemistry of a Li-O2 cell, employing a common carbon cathode and DMSO electrolyte. The combination of a simple characterization technique in operando mode and theoretical studies provides essential information on the mechanism of Li-O2 system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca P Sousa
- Advanced Energy Storage Division Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE)Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Tuanan C Lourenço
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 780, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Chayene G Anchieta
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, Villigen PSI, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Thayane C M Nepel
- Advanced Energy Storage Division Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE)Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Rubens M Filho
- Advanced Energy Storage Division Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE)Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Juarez L F Da Silva
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 780, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Doubek
- Advanced Energy Storage Division Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE)Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-852, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jordan JW, Vailaya G, Holc C, Jenkins M, McNulty RC, Puscalau C, Tokay B, Laybourn A, Gao X, Walsh DA, Newton GN, Bruce PG, Johnson LR. A lithium-air battery and gas handling system demonstrator. Faraday Discuss 2024; 248:381-391. [PMID: 37846514 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00137g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The lithium-air (Li-air) battery offers one of the highest practical specific energy densities of any battery system at >400 W h kgsystem-1. The practical cell is expected to operate in air, which is flowed into the positive porous electrode where it forms Li2O2 on discharge and is released as O2 on charge. The presence of CO2 and H2O in the gas stream leads to the formation of oxidatively robust side products, Li2CO3 and LiOH, respectively. Thus, a gas handling system is needed to control the flow and remove CO2 and H2O from the gas supply. Here we present the first example of an integrated Li-air battery with in-line gas handling, that allows control over the flow and composition of the gas supplied to a Li-air cell and simultaneous evaluation of the cell and scrubber performance. Our findings reveal that O2 flow can drastically impact the capacity of cells and confirm the need for redox mediators. However, we show that current air-electrode designs translated from fuel cell technology are not suitable for Li-air cells as they result in the need for higher gas flow rates than required theoretically. This puts the scrubber under a high load and increases the requirements for solvent saturation and recapture. Our results clarify the challenges that must be addressed to realise a practical Li-air system and will provide vital insight for future modelling and cell development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack W Jordan
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
| | - Ganesh Vailaya
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
| | - Conrad Holc
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
| | - Max Jenkins
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Rory C McNulty
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
| | | | - Begum Tokay
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Andrea Laybourn
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Xiangwen Gao
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Darren A Walsh
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
| | - Graham N Newton
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
| | - Peter G Bruce
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Lee R Johnson
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anchieta CG, Francisco BAB, Júlio JPO, Trtik P, Bonnin A, Doubek G, Sanchez DF. LiOH Decomposition by NiO/ZrO 2 in Li-Air Battery: Chemical Imaging with Operando Synchrotron Diffraction and Correlative Neutron/X-Ray Computed-Tomography Analysis. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2301749. [PMID: 38183412 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Li-air batteries attract significant attention due to their highest theoretical energy density among all existing energy storage technologies. Currently, challenges related to extending lifetime and long-term stability limit their practical application. To overcome these issues and enhance the total capacity of Li-air batteries, this study introduces an innovative approach with NiO/ZrO2 catalysts. Operando advanced chemical imaging with micrometer spatial resolution unveils that NiO/ZrO2 catalysts substantially change the kinetics of crystalline lithium hydroxide (LiOH) formation and facilitate its rapid decomposition with heterogeneous distribution. Moreover, ex situ combined neutron and X-ray computed tomography (CT) analysis, provide evidence of distinct lithium phases homogeneously distributed in the presence of NiO/ZrO2 . These findings underscore the material's superior physico-chemical and electronic properties, with more efficient oxygen diffusion and indications of lower obstruction to its active sites, avoiding clogging in the active electrode, a common cause of capacity loss. Electrochemical tests conducted at high current density demonstrated a significant kinetic enhancement of the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, resulting in improved charge and discharge processes with low overpotential. This pioneering approach using NiO/ZrO2 catalysts represents a step toward on developing the full potential of Li-air batteries as high-energy-density energy storage systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruno A B Francisco
- Advanced Energy Storage Division, Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Julia P O Júlio
- Advanced Energy Storage Division, Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Pavel Trtik
- Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging, Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Anne Bonnin
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Gustavo Doubek
- Advanced Energy Storage Division, Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), Laboratory of Advanced Batteries, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Dario Ferreira Sanchez
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Eddy NO, Garg R, Garg R, Ukpe RA, Abugu H. Adsorption and photodegradation of organic contaminants by silver nanoparticles: isotherms, kinetics, and computational analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:65. [PMID: 38112987 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12194-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
In view of the widespread and distribution of several classes and types of organic contaminants, increased efforts are needed to reduce their spread and subsequent environmental contamination. Although several remediation approaches are available, adsorption and photodegradation technologies are presented in this review as one of the best options because of their environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, less selectivity, and wider scope of applications among others. The bandgap, particle size, surface area, electrical properties, thermal stability, reusability, chemical stability, and other properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPS) are highlighted to account for their suitability in adsorption and photocatalytic applications, concerning organic contaminants. Literatures have been reviewed on the application of various AgNPS as adsorbent and photocatalyst in the remediation of several classes of organic contaminants. Theories of adsorption have also been outlined while photocatalysis is seen to have adsorption as the initial mechanism. Challenges facing the application of silver nanoparticles have also been highlighted and possible solutions have been presented. However, current information is dominated by applications on dyes and the view of the authors supports the need to strengthen the usefulness of AgNPS in adsorption and photodegradation of more classes of organic contaminants, especially emerging contaminants. We also encourage the simultaneous applications of adsorption and photodegradation to completely convert toxic wastes to harmless forms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nnabuk Okon Eddy
- Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
| | - Rajni Garg
- Department of Applied Science and Humanities, Galgotias College of Engineering & Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India
| | - Rishav Garg
- Department of Civil Engineering, Galgotias College of Engineering & Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India
| | | | - Hillary Abugu
- Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|