F-encapsulated B 12 N 12 fullerene as an anode for Li-ion batteries: A theoretical study

Structural, Electronic and Vibrational Properties of B24N24 Nanocapsules: Novel Anodes for Magnesium Batteries

We report on DFT-TDDFT studies of the structural, electronic and vibrational properties of B24N24 nanocapsules and the effect of encapsulation of homonuclear diatomic halogens (Cl2, Br2 and I2) and chalcogens (S2 and Se2) on the interaction of the B24N24 nanocapsules with the divalent magnesium cation. In particular, to foretell whether these BN nanostructures could be proper negative electrodes for magnesium-ion batteries, the structural, vibrational and electronic properties, as well as the interaction energy and the cell voltage, which is important for applications, have been computed for each system, highlighting their differences and similarities. The encapsulation of halogen and chalcogen diatomic molecules increases the cell voltage, with an effect enhanced down groups 16 and 17 of the periodic table, leading to better performing anodes and fulfilling a remarkable cell voltage of 3.61 V for the iodine-encapsulated system.

Intercalation of argon in honeycomb structures towards promising strategy for rechargeable Li-ion batteries

High-performance rechargeable batteries are becoming very important for high-end technologies with their ever increasing application areas. Hence, improving the performance of such batteries has become the main bottleneck to transferring high-end technologies to end users. In this study, we propose an argon intercalation strategy to enhance battery performance via engineering the interlayer spacing of honeycomb structures such as graphite, a common electrode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we systematically investigated the LIB performance of graphite and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) when argon atoms were sent into between their layers by using first-principles density-functional-theory calculations. Our results showed enhanced lithium binding for graphite and h-BN structures when argon atoms were intercalated. The increased interlayer space doubles the gravimetric lithium capacity for graphite, while the volumetric capacity also increased by around 20% even though the volume was also increased. Theab initiomolecular dynamics simulations indicate the thermal stability of such graphite structures against any structural transformation and Li release. The nudged-elastic-band calculations showed that the migration energy barriers were drastically lowered, which promises fast charging capability for batteries containing graphite electrodes. Although a similar level of battery promise was not achieved for h-BN material, its enhanced battery capabilities by argon intercalation also support that the argon intercalation strategy can be a viable route to enhance such honeycomb battery electrodes.

A Methodical Review on Carbon-Based Nanomaterials in Energy-Related Applications

Carbon nanomaterials are endowed with novel and magnificent optical, electrical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties, with a promising prospect in different advanced applications such as electronics, batteries, capacitors, wastewater treatment, membranes, heterogeneous catalysis, and medical sciences. However, macroscopic synthesis of carbon materials for industrial use has been a great challenge. Furthermore, structural nonhomogeneity and indefinite fabrication have hindered vigorous and consistent implementation of these materials in extensive technologies. Nevertheless, they offer exotic physics, and as a result, they have continued to attract great interest from the scientific community in an effort aimed to optimize their properties through innovative synthesis techniques, ensuring macroscopic production and discovering new applications. Hence, this study endeavours to provide a conscious review of these materials via the comprehensive discussion of the various allotropes of carbon (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene), synthesis techniques (arc discharge, laser ablation, and chemical vapor deposition), and their applications in energy-related fields (batteries, capacitors, photocells, hydrogen storage, sensors, etc.) and their impending prospects.

Impact of Polypyrrole Functionalization on the Anodic Performance of Boron Nitride Nanosheets: Insights From First-Principles Calculations

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have displayed superior performance compared to other types of rechargeable batteries. However, the depleting lithium mineral reserve might be the most discouraging setback for the LIBs technological advancements. Alternative materials are thus desirable to salvage these limitations. Herein, we have investigated using first-principles DFT simulations the role of polypyrrole, PP functionalization in improving the anodic performance of boron nitride nanosheet, BNNS-based lithium-ion batteries and extended the same to sodium, beryllium, and magnesium ion batteries. The HOMO-LUMO energy states were stabilized by the PP functional unit, resulting in a significantly reduced energy gap of the BNNS by 45%, improved electronic properties, and cell reaction kinetics. The cell voltage, ΔE_cell was predicted to improve upon functionalization with PP, especially for Li-ion (from 1.55 to 2.06 V) and Na-ion (from 1.03 to 1.37 V), the trend of which revealed the influence of the size and the charge on the metal ions in promoting the energy efficiency of the batteries. The present study provides an insight into the role of conducting polymers in improving the energy efficiency of metal-ion batteries and could pave the way for the effective design of highly efficient energy storage materials.

Carbon and germanium nanocages as anode electrodes in sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries

Here, the potential of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages as anodes of Na-ion battery (IB) and K-IB are investigated by DFT/M06-2X and DFT/B3LYP in gas and solvent. The E_Formation and E_Gap of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages are investigated by theoretical methods. The vertical and adiabatic EA and IP of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages are examined in gas and solvent. The E_ad of Na⁺ and K⁺ on inner and outer positions of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages are investigated. The V_cell and C_Theory of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ as anodes of batteries are investigated. The results of this paper proposed the nano materials (C₄₈ and Ge₄₈ nanocage) as anodes of Na-IB and K-IB with higher C_Theory and V_cell than graphene nanosheet.

An insight into the electro-chemical properties of halogen (F, Cl and Br) doped BP and BN nanocages as anodes in metal-ion batteries

Here, electro-chemical properties of BN and BP nanocages as anodes in metal-ion batteries are examined. The effect of halogens adoption of BN and BP-NCs on electro-chemical properties of M-IBs are investigated. Results showed that the BP nanocages as anode electrode in M-IBs has higher efficiency than BN nanocages and the K-IB has higher cell voltage than N-IBs. Results indicated that the halogens adoption of BN and BP-NCs are improved the cell voltage of M-IBs. Results proved that the F-doped M-IBs have higher cell voltage than M-IBs. Finally, F-B17P18 as anodes in K-IB is proposed as suitable electrodes.

Selective detection of cyanogen halides by BN nanocluster: a DFT study

The electronic sensitivity and adsorption behavior toward cyanogen halides (X–CN; X = F, Cl, and Br) of a B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster were investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. The X-head of these molecules was predicted to interact weakly with the BN cluster because of the positive σ-hole on the electronic potential surface of halogens. The X–CN molecules interact somewhat strongly with the boron atoms of the cluster via the N-head, which is accompanied by a large charge transfer from the X–CN to the cluster. The change in enthalpy upon the adsorption process (at room temperature and 1 atm) is about −19.2, −23.4, and −30.5 kJ mol⁻¹ for X = F, Cl, and Br, respectively. The LUMO level of the BN cluster is largely stabilized after the adsorption process, and the HOMO–LUMO gap is significantly decreased. Thus, the electrical conductivity of the cluster is increased, and an electrical signal is generated that can help to detect these molecules. By increasing the atomic number of X, the signal will increase, which makes the sensor selective for cyanogen halides. Also, it was indicated that the B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster benefits from a short recovery time as a sensor.

Na-ion batteries based on the inorganic BN nanocluster anodes: DFT studies

It has been recently indicated that the Li-ion batteries may be replaced by Na-ion batteries because of their low safety, high cost, and low-temperature performance, and lack of the Li mineral reserves. Here, using density functional theory calculations, we studied the potential application of B₁₂N₁₂ nanoclusters as anode in Na-ion batteries. Our calculations indicate that the adsorption energy of Na⁺ and Na are about -23.4 and -1.4kcal/mol, respectively, and the pristine BN cage to improve suffers from a low cell voltage (∼0.92V) as an anode in Na-ion batteries. We presented a strategy to increase the cell voltage and performance of Na-ion batteries. We showed that encapsulation of different halides (X=F^-, Cl^-, or Br^-) into BN cage significantly increases the cell voltage. By increasing the atomic number of X, the Gibbs free energy change of cell becomes more negative and the cell voltage is increased up to 3.93V. The results are discussed based on the structural, energetic, frontier molecular orbital, charge transfer and electronic properties and compared with the performance of other nanostructured anodes.