A theoretical study on the intercalation and diffusion of AlF3 in graphite: its application in rechargeable batteries

Synthesis under Normal Conditions and Morphology and Composition of AlF3 Nanowires

AlF3 has interesting electrophysical properties, due to which the material is promising for applications in supercapacitors, UV coatings with low refractive index, excimer laser mirrors, and photolithography. The formation of AlF3-based nano- and micro-wires can bring new functionalities to AlF3 material. AlF3 nanowires are used, for example, in functionally modified microprobes for a scanning probe microscope. In this work, we investigate the AlF3 samples obtained by the reaction of initial aluminum with an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution of different concentrations. The peculiarity of our work is that the presented method for the synthesis of AlF3 and one-dimensional structures based on AlF3 is simple to perform and does not require any additional precursors or costs related to the additional source materials. All the samples were obtained under normal conditions. The morphology of the nanowire samples is studied using scanning electron microscopy. We performed an intermediate atomic force microscope analysis of dissolved Al samples to analyze the reactions occurring on the metal surface. The surface of the obtained samples was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. During the analysis, it was found that under the given conditions, whiskers were synthesized. The scale of one-dimensional structures varies depending on the given parameters in the system. Quantitative energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy spectra are obtained and analyzed with respect to the feedstock and each other.

Graphene Nano-Blister in Graphite for Future Cathode in Dual-Ion Batteries: Fundamentals, Advances, and Prospects

The intercalating of anions into cost-effective graphite electrode provides a high operating voltage, therefore, the dual-ion batteries (DIBs) as novel energy storage device has attracted much attention recently. The "graphene in graphite" has always existed in the graphite cathode of DIBs, but has rarely been researched. It is foreseeable that the graphene blisters with the intact lattice structure in the shell can utilize its ultra-high elastic stiffness and reversible lattice expansion for increasing the storage capacity of anions in the batteries. This review proposes an expected "blister model" by introducing the high elasticity of graphene blisters and its possible formation mechanism. The unique blisters composed of multilayer graphene that do not fall off on the graphite surface may become indispensable in nanotechnology in the future development of cathode materials for DIBs.

Recent Advancements in Devising Computational Strategies for Dual-Ion Batteries

Dual-ion batteries (DIBs) have been considered a viable alternative to increasingly costly and hazard-prone lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which have reached a level of saturation. DIBs differ from LIBs in the way that the cations and anions originate from the electrolyte, thus signifying the active role played by electrolyte. In this Review, the major developments in research in the field of DIBs are summarized with a major emphasis on computational approaches in this direction. The various computational methods for understanding and designing electrodes are discussed. The advancements in electrode and electrolyte design for efficient DIBs are highlighted. Further, the ways to investigate solid-electrolyte interphase formation through simulations to comprehend the role of various components are discussed. Finally, directions are given on which future computational research can be carried out to design futuristic DIBs to provide useful guidelines to the researchers to understand and design DIBs.