1
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Dou H, Xu M, Zhang Z, Luo D, Yu A, Chen Z. Biomass Solid-State Electrolyte with Abundant Ion and Water Channels for Flexible Zinc-Air Batteries. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401858. [PMID: 38569594 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Flexible zinc-air batteries are the leading candidates as the next-generation power source for flexible/wearable electronics. However, constructing safe and high-performance solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with intrinsic hydroxide ion (OH-) conduction remains a fundamental challenge. Herein, by adopting the natural and robust cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as building blocks, the biomass SSEs with penetrating ion and water channels are constructed by knitting the OH--conductive CNFs and water-retentive CNFs together via an energy-efficient tape casting. Benefiting from the abundant ion and water channels with interconnected hydrated OH- wires for fast OH- conduction under a nanoconfined environment, the biomass SSEs reveal the high water-uptake, impressive OH- conductivity of 175 mS cm-1 and mechanical robustness simultaneously, which overcomes the commonly existed dilemma between ion conductivity and mechanical property. Remarkably, the flexible zinc-air batteries assemble with biomass SSEs deliver an exceptional cycle lifespan of 310 h and power density of 126 mW cm-2. The design methodology for water and ion channels opens a new avenue to design high-performance SSEs for batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haozhen Dou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mi Xu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Aiping Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Zhongwei Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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2
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Zelovich T, Dekel DR, Tuckerman ME. Electrostatic Potential of Functional Cations as a Predictor of Hydroxide Diffusion Pathways in Nanoconfined Environments of Anion Exchange Membranes. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:408-415. [PMID: 38179916 PMCID: PMC10801687 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Nanoconfined anion exchange membranes (AEMs) play a vital role in emerging electrochemical technologies. The ability to control dominant hydroxide diffusion pathways is an important goal in the design of nanoconfined AEMs. Such control can shorten hydroxide transport pathways between electrodes, reduce transport resistance, and enhance device performance. In this work, we propose an electrostatic potential (ESP) approach to explore the effect of the polymer electrolyte cation spacing on hydroxide diffusion pathways from a molecular perspective. By exploring cation ESP energy surfaces and validating outcomes through prior ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of nanoconfined AEMs, we find that we can achieve control over preferred hydroxide diffusion pathways by adjusting the cation spacing. The results presented in this work provide a unique and straightforward approach to predict preferential hydroxide diffusion pathways, enabling efficient design of highly conductive nanoconfined AEM materials for electrochemical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Zelovich
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University (NYU), New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Dario R. Dekel
- Wolfson
Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion
− Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
- Nancy
& Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion − Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Mark E. Tuckerman
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University (NYU), New York, New York 10003, United States
- Courant
Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New
York University (NYU), New York, New York 10012, United States
- NYU-ECNU
Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, 3663 Zhongshan Rd. North, Shanghai 200062, China
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3
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Di Pino S, Perez Sirkin YA, Morzan UN, Sánchez VM, Hassanali A, Scherlis DA. Water Self-Dissociation is Insensitive to Nanoscale Environments. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306526. [PMID: 37379226 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Nanoconfinement effects on water dissociation and reactivity remain controversial, despite their importance to understand the aqueous chemistry at interfaces, pores, or aerosols. The pKw in confined environments has been assessed from experiments and simulations in a few specific cases, leading to dissimilar conclusions. Here, with the use of carefully designed ab initio simulations, we demonstrate that the energetics of bulk water dissociation is conserved intact to unexpectedly small length-scales, down to aggregates of only a dozen molecules or pores of widths below 2 nm. The reason is that most of the free-energy involved in water autoionization comes from breaking the O-H covalent bond, which has a comparable barrier in the bulk liquid, in a small droplet of nanometer size, or in a nanopore in the absence of strong interfacial interactions. Thus, dissociation free-energy profiles in nanoscopic aggregates or in 2D slabs of 1 nm width reproduce the behavior corresponding to the bulk liquid, regardless of whether the corresponding nanophase is delimited by a solid or a gas interface. The present work provides a definite and fundamental description of the mechanism and thermodynamics of water dissociation at different scales with broader implications on reactivity and self-ionization at the air-liquid interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solana Di Pino
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
- Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, I-34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Yamila A Perez Sirkin
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Uriel N Morzan
- Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, I-34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Verónica M Sánchez
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Ali Hassanali
- Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, I-34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Damian A Scherlis
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, C1428EHA, Argentina
- Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, I-34151, Trieste, Italy
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4
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Long Z, Tuckerman ME. Hydroxide Diffusion in Functionalized Cylindrical Nanopores as Idealized Models of Anion Exchange Membrane Environments: An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2023; 127:2792-2804. [PMID: 36968146 PMCID: PMC10034739 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c05747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have attracted significant interest for their applications in fuel cells and other electrochemical devices in recent years. Understanding water distributions and hydroxide transport mechanisms within AEMs is critical to improving their performance as concerns hydroxide conductivity. Recently, nanoconfined environments have been used to mimic AEM environments. Following this approach, we construct nanoconfined cylindrical pore structures using graphane nanotubes (GNs) functionalized with trimethylammonium cations as models of local AEM morphology. These structures were then used to investigate hydroxide transport using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD). The simulations showed that hydroxide transport is suppressed in these confined environments relative to the bulk solution although the mechanism is dominated by structural diffusion. One factor causing the suppressed hydroxide transport is the reduced proton transfer (PT) rates due to changes in hydroxide and water solvation patterns under confinement compared to bulk solution as well as strong interactions between hydroxide ions and the tethered cation groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoran Long
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York10003, United States
| | - Mark E. Tuckerman
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York10003, United States
- Courant
Institute of Mathematical Science, New York
University, New York, New York10012, United States
- NYU-ECNU
Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, 3663 Zhongshan Road North, Shanghai200062, China
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5
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Vijayan P. P, Chithra P.G, Krishna S V A, Ansar E.B, Parameswaranpillai J. Development and Current Trends on Ion Exchange Materials. SEPARATION & PURIFICATION REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15422119.2022.2149413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Poornima Vijayan P.
- Department of Chemistry, Sree Narayana College for Women (affiliated to University of Kerala), Kollam, India
| | - Chithra P.G
- Department of Chemistry, Sree Narayana College for Women (affiliated to University of Kerala), Kollam, India
| | - Anjana Krishna S V
- Department of Chemistry, Sree Narayana College for Women (affiliated to University of Kerala), Kollam, India
| | - Ansar E.B
- Department of chemistry, MES Asmabi College, Kodungallur, Thrissur, India
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6
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Zhu Z, Paddison SJ. Perspective: Morphology and ion transport in ion-containing polymers from multiscale modeling and simulations. Front Chem 2022; 10:981508. [PMID: 36059884 PMCID: PMC9437359 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.981508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ion-containing polymers are soft materials composed of polymeric chains and mobile ions. Over the past several decades they have been the focus of considerable research and development for their use as the electrolyte in energy conversion and storage devices. Recent and significant results obtained from multiscale simulations and modeling for proton exchange membranes (PEMs), anion exchange membranes (AEMs), and polymerized ionic liquids (polyILs) are reviewed. The interplay of morphology and ion transport is emphasized. We discuss the influences of polymer architecture, tethered ionic groups, rigidity of the backbone, solvents, and additives on both morphology and ion transport in terms of specific interactions. Novel design strategies are highlighted including precisely controlling molecular conformations to design highly ordered morphologies; tuning the solvation structure of hydronium or hydroxide ions in hydrated ion exchange membranes; turning negative ion-ion correlations to positive correlations to improve ionic conductivity in polyILs; and balancing the strength of noncovalent interactions. The design of single-ion conductors, well-defined supramolecular architectures with enhanced one-dimensional ion transport, and the understanding of the hierarchy of the specific interactions continue as challenges but promising goals for future research.
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7
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Kim YC, Chaloux BL, Rolison DR, Johannes MD, Sassin MB. Molecular dynamics study of hydroxide ion diffusion in polymer elecrolytes. Electrochem commun 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2022.107334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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8
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Molecular Modeling in Anion Exchange Membrane Research: A Brief Review of Recent Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113574. [PMID: 35684512 PMCID: PMC9182285 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) fuel cells have attracted growing interest, due to their encouraging advantages, including high power density and relatively low cost. AEM is a polymer matrix, which conducts hydroxide (OH−) ions, prevents physical contact of electrodes, and has positively charged head groups (mainly quaternary ammonium (QA) groups), covalently bound to the polymer backbone. The chemical instability of the quaternary ammonium (QA)-based head groups, at alkaline pH and elevated temperature, is a significant threshold in AEMFC technology. This review work aims to introduce recent studies on the chemical stability of various QA-based head groups and transportation of OH− ions in AEMFC, via modeling and simulation techniques, at different scales. It starts by introducing the fundamental theories behind AEM-based fuel-cell technology. In the main body of this review, we present selected computational studies that deal with the effects of various parameters on AEMs, via a variety of multi-length and multi-time-scale modeling and simulation methods. Such methods include electronic structure calculations via the quantum Density Functional Theory (DFT), ab initio, classical all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, and coarse-grained MD simulations. The explored processing and structural parameters include temperature, hydration levels, several QA-based head groups, various types of QA-based head groups and backbones, etc. Nowadays, many methods and software packages for molecular and materials modeling are available. Applications of such methods may help to understand the transportation mechanisms of OH− ions, the chemical stability of functional head groups, and many other relevant properties, leading to a performance-based molecular and structure design as well as, ultimately, improved AEM-based fuel cell performances. This contribution aims to introduce those molecular modeling methods and their recent applications to the AEM-based fuel cells research community.
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9
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Abstract
Ion-containing polymers have continued to be an important research focus for several decades due to their use as an electrolyte in energy storage and conversion devices. Elucidation of connections between the mesoscopic structure and multiscale dynamics of the ions and solvent remains incompletely understood. Coarse-grained modeling provides an efficient approach for exploring the structural and dynamical properties of these soft materials. The unique physicochemical properties of such polymers are of broad interest. In this review, we summarize the current development and understanding of the structure-property relationship of ion-containing polymers and provide insights into the design of such materials determined from coarse-grained modeling and simulations accompanying significant advances in experimental strategies. We specifically concentrate on three types of ion-containing polymers: proton exchange membranes (PEMs), anion exchange membranes (AEMs), and polymerized ionic liquids (polyILs). We posit that insight into the similarities and differences in these materials will lead to guidance in the rational design of high-performance novel materials with improved properties for various power source technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Zhu
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Xubo Luo
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Stephen J Paddison
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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10
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Zelovich T, Tuckerman ME. Controlling Hydronium Diffusivity in Model Proton Exchange Membranes. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:2245-2253. [PMID: 35238561 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c04071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fuel-cell-based proton exchange membranes (PEMs) show great potential as cost-effective and clean energy conversion devices. In our recent work, we found that for the low-hydrated model PEMs with a inhomogeneous water distribution and a sulfonate anionic functional end group (SO3-), the H3O+ reacts with SO3- according to SO3- + H3O+ ↔ SO3H + H2O, indicating that the anions in PEMs become active participants in the hydronium diffusion. In this work, we use fully atomistic ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the optimal conditions that would promote the participation of SO3- in the hydronium diffusion mechanism by increasing the H3O+/SO3- reactivity, thus increasing the hydronium diffusivity along the cell. The results presented in this work allow us to suggest a set of design rules for creating novel, highly conductive PEMs operating at high temperatures under a nonuniform water distribution using a linker/anion with a relatively high pKa such as (CH2)2SO3. We expect that the discovery of these key design principles will play an important role in the synthesis of high-performing materials for emerging PEM-based fuel cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Zelovich
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Mark E Tuckerman
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, New York 10012, United States
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry, New York University Shanghai, 3663 North Zhongshan Rd, Shanghai 200062, China
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11
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Yang Y, Peltier CR, Zeng R, Schimmenti R, Li Q, Huang X, Yan Z, Potsi G, Selhorst R, Lu X, Xu W, Tader M, Soudackov AV, Zhang H, Krumov M, Murray E, Xu P, Hitt J, Xu L, Ko HY, Ernst BG, Bundschu C, Luo A, Markovich D, Hu M, He C, Wang H, Fang J, DiStasio RA, Kourkoutis LF, Singer A, Noonan KJT, Xiao L, Zhuang L, Pivovar BS, Zelenay P, Herrero E, Feliu JM, Suntivich J, Giannelis EP, Hammes-Schiffer S, Arias T, Mavrikakis M, Mallouk TE, Brock JD, Muller DA, DiSalvo FJ, Coates GW, Abruña HD. Electrocatalysis in Alkaline Media and Alkaline Membrane-Based Energy Technologies. Chem Rev 2022; 122:6117-6321. [PMID: 35133808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen energy-based electrochemical energy conversion technologies offer the promise of enabling a transition of the global energy landscape from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the fundamentals of electrocatalysis in alkaline media and applications in alkaline-based energy technologies, particularly alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers. Anion exchange (alkaline) membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) enable the use of nonprecious electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), relative to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which require Pt-based electrocatalysts. However, the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) kinetics is significantly slower in alkaline media than in acidic media. Understanding these phenomena requires applying theoretical and experimental methods to unravel molecular-level thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen and oxygen electrocatalysis and, particularly, the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process that takes place in a proton-deficient alkaline media. Extensive electrochemical and spectroscopic studies, on single-crystal Pt and metal oxides, have contributed to the development of activity descriptors, as well as the identification of the nature of active sites, and the rate-determining steps of the HOR and ORR. Among these, the structure and reactivity of interfacial water serve as key potential and pH-dependent kinetic factors that are helping elucidate the origins of the HOR and ORR activity differences in acids and bases. Additionally, deliberately modulating and controlling catalyst-support interactions have provided valuable insights for enhancing catalyst accessibility and durability during operation. The design and synthesis of highly conductive and durable alkaline membranes/ionomers have enabled AEMFCs to reach initial performance metrics equal to or higher than those of PEMFCs. We emphasize the importance of using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) to integrate the often separately pursued/optimized electrocatalyst/support and membranes/ionomer components. Operando/in situ methods, at multiscales, and ab initio simulations provide a mechanistic understanding of electron, ion, and mass transport at catalyst/ionomer/membrane interfaces and the necessary guidance to achieve fuel cell operation in air over thousands of hours. We hope that this Review will serve as a roadmap for advancing the scientific understanding of the fundamental factors governing electrochemical energy conversion in alkaline media with the ultimate goal of achieving ultralow Pt or precious-metal-free high-performance and durable alkaline fuel cells and related technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Cheyenne R Peltier
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Rui Zeng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Roberto Schimmenti
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Qihao Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xin Huang
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Zhifei Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Georgia Potsi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Ryan Selhorst
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Xinyao Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Weixuan Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mariel Tader
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Alexander V Soudackov
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Hanguang Zhang
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Mihail Krumov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Ellen Murray
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Pengtao Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jeremy Hitt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Linxi Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Hsin-Yu Ko
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Brian G Ernst
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Colin Bundschu
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Aileen Luo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Danielle Markovich
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Meixue Hu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Cheng He
- Chemical and Materials Science Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Hongsen Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jiye Fang
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Robert A DiStasio
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lena F Kourkoutis
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Andrej Singer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kevin J T Noonan
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Li Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lin Zhuang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bryan S Pivovar
- Chemical and Materials Science Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Piotr Zelenay
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Enrique Herrero
- Instituto de Electroquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain
| | - Juan M Feliu
- Instituto de Electroquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain
| | - Jin Suntivich
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Emmanuel P Giannelis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | | | - Tomás Arias
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Manos Mavrikakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Thomas E Mallouk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Joel D Brock
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - David A Muller
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Francis J DiSalvo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Geoffrey W Coates
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Héctor D Abruña
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Center for Alkaline Based Energy Solutions (CABES), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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12
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Zhou K, Jiao S, Chen Y, Qin H, Liu Y. Reduced Ionic Conductivity but Enhanced Local Ionic Conductivity in Nanochannels. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:12577-12585. [PMID: 34672598 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ionic transport in nanoscale channels with the critical size comparable to ions and solvents shows excellent performance on electrochemical desalination, ion separation, and supercapacitors. However, the key quantity ionic conductivity (σ) in the nanochannel that evaluates how easily the electric current is driven by an external voltage is still unknown because of the challenges in experimental measurement. In this work, we present an atomistic simulation-based study, which shows that how the ion concentration, nanoconfinement, and heterogeneous solvation modify the ionic conductivity in a two-dimensional graphene nanochannel. We find that σ in the confined channel is lower than that in the bulk (σb) at the same concentration along with enhanced ion-ion correlation. However, surprisingly, the local σ near the channel wall is more conductive than σb and is about 2-3 folds of the inner layer due to the highly concentrated charge carriers. Based on the layered feature of σ along the width of the channel, we propose a model that contains two dead (or depletion) layers, two highly conductive layers, and one inner layer to describe the ionic dynamics in the nanochannels. Our findings may open the way to unique nanofluidic functionalities, such as energy harvesting/storage and controlling transport at single-molecule and ion levels using the liquid layer near the wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhou
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, SV LAB, School of Aerospace, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Shuping Jiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mechanics in Energy Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, School of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, SV LAB, School of Aerospace, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Huasong Qin
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, SV LAB, School of Aerospace, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yilun Liu
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, SV LAB, School of Aerospace, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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A high-temperature anion-exchange membrane fuel cell with a critical raw material-free cathode. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceja.2021.100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Muñoz-Santiburcio D, Marx D. Confinement-Controlled Aqueous Chemistry within Nanometric Slit Pores. Chem Rev 2021; 121:6293-6320. [PMID: 34006106 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In this Focus Review, we put the spotlight on very recent insights into the fascinating world of wet chemistry in the realm offered by nanoconfinement of water in mechanically rather rigid and chemically inert planar slit pores wherein only monolayer and bilayer water lamellae can be hosted. We review the effect of confinement on different aspects such as hydrogen bonding, ion diffusion, and charge defect migration of H+(aq) and OH-(aq) in nanoconfined water depending on slit pore width. A particular focus is put on the strongly modulated local dielectric properties as quantified in terms of anisotropic polarization fluctuations across such extremely confined water films and their putative effects on chemical reactions therein. The stunning findings disclosed only recently extend wet chemistry in particular and solvation science in general toward extreme molecular confinement conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Muñoz-Santiburcio
- Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.,CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Dominik Marx
- Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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Zelovich T, Tuckerman ME. OH - and H 3O + Diffusion in Model AEMs and PEMs at Low Hydration: Insights from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:355. [PMID: 34066142 PMCID: PMC8151131 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11050355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fuel cell-based anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) and proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are considered to have great potential as cost-effective, clean energy conversion devices. However, a fundamental atomistic understanding of the hydroxide and hydronium diffusion mechanisms in the AEM and PEM environment is an ongoing challenge. In this work, we aim to identify the fundamental atomistic steps governing hydroxide and hydronium transport phenomena. The motivation of this work lies in the fact that elucidating the key design differences between the hydroxide and hydronium diffusion mechanisms will play an important role in the discovery and determination of key design principles for the synthesis of new membrane materials with high ion conductivity for use in emerging fuel cell technologies. To this end, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are presented to explore hydroxide and hydronium ion solvation complexes and diffusion mechanisms in the model AEM and PEM systems at low hydration in confined environments. We find that hydroxide diffusion in AEMs is mostly vehicular, while hydronium diffusion in model PEMs is structural. Furthermore, we find that the region between each pair of cations in AEMs creates a bottleneck for hydroxide diffusion, leading to a suppression of diffusivity, while the anions in PEMs become active participants in the hydronium diffusion, suggesting that the presence of the anions in model PEMs could potentially promote hydronium diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Zelovich
- Department of Chemistry, New York University (NYU), New York 10003, NY, USA
| | - Mark E. Tuckerman
- Department of Chemistry, New York University (NYU), New York 10003, NY, USA
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University (NYU), New York, NY 10012, USA
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, 3663 Zhongshan Rd. North, Shanghai 200062, China
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Zhegur-Khais A, Kubannek F, Krewer U, Dekel DR. Measuring the true hydroxide conductivity of anion exchange membranes. J Memb Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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