Al Foil Research Articles

Fabrication of Ultrathin Al Foils by Accumulative Pack Rolling: Influence of Pack Materials

Fabrication of Ultrathin Al Foils by Accumulative Pack Rolling: Influence of Pack Materials

Toward electron temperature profiles in hot-dense plasmas from x-ray spectral ensembles

High repetition rate laser systems enable new strategies for diagnosing plasma behavior with large datasets. Here, we define an ensemble technique that relies on randomized targeting of x-ray tracer micro-stripes. On each shot, a high-intensity laser pulse is focused on a solid target with Ti tracer stripes embedded in an Al foil, randomly targeting a micro-stripe, a portion of a stripe, or a gap between stripes. High-resolution, time-integrated x-ray spectrometers capture line emission from the portion of the micro-stripe that is heated to sufficiently high electron temperatures. Accumulation of many such cases is used to construct ensemble distributions of x-ray line intensities that encompass all relative offsets of the laser focus to the micro-stripe centers. Synthetic intensity distributions are likewise generated using collisional-radiative modeling. Bayesian fitting of modeled to measured intensity distributions establishes the most likely radial temperature profiles, enabling comparison to hydrodynamic models and calling into question the cylindrical symmetry of these micro-stripe-embedded systems. Ensemble techniques have significant potential for high-energy-density plasma diagnostics, especially with the advent of high repetition rate experiments.

High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Double-Side Patterned Surfaces Prepared by CO2 Laser for Human Motion Energy Harvesting

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has demonstrated exceptional efficiency in harvesting diverse forms of mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy. This technology is particularly valuable for powering low-energy electronic devices and self-powered sensors. Most traditional TENGs use single-sided patterned friction pairs, which restrict their effective contact area and overall performance. Here, we propose a novel TENG that incorporates microwave patterned aluminum (MC-Al) foil and microcone structured polydimethylsiloxane (MC-PDMS). This innovative design utilizes two PMMA molds featuring identical micro-hole arrays ablated by a CO2 laser, making it both cost-effective and easy to fabricate. A novel room imprinting technique has been employed to create the micromorphology of aluminum (Al) foil using the PMMA mold with shallower micro-hole arrays. Compared to TENGs with flat friction layers and single-side-patterned friction layers, the double-side-patterned MW-MC-TENG demonstrates superior output performance due to increased cone deformation and contact area. The open-circuit voltage of the MW-MC-TENG can reach 141 V, while the short-circuit current can attain 71.5 μA, corresponding to a current density of 2.86 µA/cm2. The power density reaches 1.4 mW/cm2 when the resistance is 15 MΩ, and it can charge a 0.1 μF capacitor to 2.01 V in 2.28 s. In addition, the MW-MC-TENG can function as an insole device to harvest walking energy, power 11 LED bulbs, monitor step speed, and power a timer device. Therefore, the MW-MC-TENG has significant application potential in micro-wearable devices.

Polyaniline‐Doped Textile‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Self‐Powered Device for Wearable Electronics

ABSTRACTThe emergence of wearable electronics in contemporary lifestyles has spurred the need for smart fabrics capable of harnessing biomechanical energy. In the present study, a flexible polyaniline‐doped textile‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (PT‐TENG) is designed to harvest low‐frequency mechanical vibrations and convert them into electricity. For the device fabrication, five different textile fabrics are doped with conducting PANI, which is utilized as the tribopositive material, PVC thin film as the tribonegative material, and Al foil as electrodes. The PT‐TENG works in vertical‐contact separation mode, devised in arch structure for easy and complete contact between the working layers. Interestingly, the device featuring a PANI‐doped silk fabric generated the highest output voltage of 257.68 V and a current of 5.36 μA, respectively. Additionally, the PT‐TENG exhibits mechanical durability and electrical stability during continuous 7000 cyclic operations. Furthermore, the PT‐TENG showcases practical applications such as charging commercial capacitors, powering green LEDs and smartwatches, and as a self‐powered touch sensor. Thus, the PT‐TENG offers a facile fabrication process and robustness, highlighting its potential for sustainable energy harvesting in wearable electronics.

Synthesis and properties of flexible supercapacitor based on zinc-aluminum layered doubled hydroxide

A flexible, effective supercapacitor using zinc-aluminum-layered double hydroxides (Zn-Al LDHs) as an electrode material is reported. Nanosheets of Zn-Al LDHs were synthesized using a chemical bath deposition method, and they were present in a well-standing shape covering the complete area of the Al foil. The imaging of these nanosheets showed that their average thickness is between 60 and 80 nm, with a width and length average of 1.3 and 0.6 μm, respectively. These dimensions help to create the connection arrangements of sheets with a high specific surface area of 88 m2/g which increased electrochemical active sites for charge storage. The X-ray diffraction further approves the structural properties of the prepared material. The flexibility of the supercapacitor was examined by bending and folding up the device to 180° with little mechanical deformation. The highest capacitance value is found to be ∼597F/g in the case of the flat condition. The capacitance value decreased to ∼387F/g after folding the device 30°, and these values drooped slightly after more increasing the folding angle. The energy density (ED) remains nearly constant at any folding angle (ED=3.39Wh/kg at 30° and ED=3.7Wh/kg at 135°), and similarly, the power density (PD) remains nearly constant (PD=27 kW/kg at 30° and 135°). The aforementioned approves the flexibility of the Zn-Al LHD because it provides lifelong stability (87 % retaining after 2000 charge/discharge cycles) and stable efficiency after different bending and twisting conditions. The impedance measurements along with the obtained equivalent circuits confirm the electrical characteristics of the as-prepared electrodes with low equivalent series resistances, ensuing the promising conductive path in the supercapacitor device.

Optimizing O3-type cathode materials with modified collector for sodium-ion batteries: Insights of interfacial reaction between collector and electrolyte

In order to obtain a sodium-ion battery with high energy density and good kinetic properties, high specific capacity of O3-type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (NFM111) cathode material and high ion migration rate of NaClO4 electrolyte are selected. The cycling performance of NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 is tested at 0.5 C after pre-activation at 0.1 C. During the electrochemical testing, a kind of side reaction products are found on the surface of the electrode piece. Through Scanning emission microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) and Raman tests, side reaction products are found on the current collector with NaClO4 and Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). The protective layers are constructed on the surface of Al foil to effectively avoid the occurrence of side reactions. The prepared half cells have excellent stability and rate performance by the modified current collector. After 100 cycles at 0.5 C, the specific discharge capacity is 106 mA h g−1. The specific discharge capacity at 5 C is 107.2 mA h g−1. This measure provides a new idea to the NFM111 cathode materials electrochemical test and offers research basis for the design of sodium ion battery with excellent dynamic performance. Meanwhile, it also eliminates industry doubts about the performance of sodium-ion batteries.

Effect of drying temperature on binder/current collector interfacial adhesion in electrode manufacturing of Li-ion batteries

Li-ion battery manufacturing process parameters are critical to the electrode properties and the final cell electrochemical performance. During the electrode drying process, the drying temperature plays a critical role on the binder migration, which affects the interfacial adhesion between the electrode and the current collector. However, the influence of the temperature on the properties of the binder material and the binder/current collector interface is yet unknown. In this work, we studied the effect of drying temperature on the interfacial adhesion between the binder and the current collector by direct coating of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solution on Al foil and then drying at various temperatures. The interfacial adhesion strength between the PVDF and the Al foil was significantly increased, from 9.72 N/m (dried at room temperature) to > 665.80 N/m (dried at 200 ℃) with increased temperature. DSC and XRD analyses showed the changes in the crystalline forms of PVDF under different drying temperature. This work revealed that the drying temperature during electrode manufacturing should be considered from the aspects of both binder migration in mid-stage and PVDF crystalline properties in late-stage solvent drying.

Quantitative pre-lithiation modulation of aluminum foil anode kinetics enables high rate and stable cycling of high-loading all-solid-state batteries

Aluminum (Al) foil holds great promise as a pure alloy anode for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) due to its suitable potential, high theoretical capacity, and excellent electronic conductivity. However, it remains challenging to achieve high reversibility and stability of the Al foil anode for ASSBs. Herein, we investigate the morphological and lithium (Li) kinetics evolutions of the Al foil anode paired with sulfide solid-state electrolyte (SSE). We identify that the significant reversible capacity loss stems from diminished Li kinetics at low Li contents (LixAl, 0 < x < 0.5), where the accumulation of pores and pure delithiated Al phase obstructs Li diffusion, increasing interfacial resistance and overpotential. Conversely, the Al foil anode with high Li contents (LixAl, 0.5 < x < 1) demonstrates reversible structures and rapid Li kinetics. Through precise pre-lithiation control, ASSBs with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathodes exhibit outstanding rate capabilities and cycling stability, achieving over 4,000 cycles with 82.1 % capacity retention at 5C and demonstrating long-term cycling over 1,000 cycles with nearly 100 % capacity retention at ultra-high loadings. This work offers a viable strategy for advancing practical-level ASSBs with enhanced performance and longevity, contributing valuable insights to future battery technology.

Measurement of electromagnetic pulse in laser acceleration enhanced by near-critical density targets

High-power laser interactions with solid targets create an abundance of high-energy charged particles, resulting in the generation of intense electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), which are strongly pertinent to the target parameters. In this study, the characteristics of EMPs generated by relativistic femtosecond laser irradiation of double-layer targets composed of near-critical density carbon nanotube foams (CNFs) and an aluminum (Al) foil are investigated. The results demonstrate that the CNF double-layer targets accelerate proton energy by over 1.6 times compared to a single-layer Al plane target, thereby indirectly amplifying the EMP amplitude by over 3.6 times. The findings are beneficial to gaining insight into EMPs induced by femtosecond laser coupling with near-critical density targets and open a new avenue to achieve tunable EMPs by managing the material and structure of the target to optimize the coupling efficiency between the laser and solid targets.

Lithium-ion comb—artificial self-regulating lithium-storage film on aluminum anode enabling long cycles of batteries

Al anode can increase battery energy density, but its non-wettability and high Li nucleation hindrance cause uneven Li nucleation to deteriorate the anode structure. Herein, we present a novel in-situ synthesis method for the deposition of molybdenum oxide nanospheres (NMO) onto the surface of Al foil, that is, molybdenum oxide/aluminum (M-Al), which demonstrates a two-stage propulsion effect on Li-ion migration to address the issue at hand. The high wettability and low Li nucleation hindrance of the NMO layer drive the first stage of Li-ion migration. NMO acted as a comb to deliver Li ions uniformly with minor volume expansion. Subsequently, the formation of Li2O-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film with exceptional desolvation capability, facilitated by the NMO layer and electrochemically activated M-Al to Li molybdate/aluminum (Li-M-Al), represents the second stage in the advancement of Li−ion migration. The embedding of lithium ions makes molybdenum oxide evolve into lithium molybdate, thereby enabling Mo to regulate the storage of Li ions through the valence state. Hence, the Li nucleation overpotential of M-Al is decreased by 0.32 V, leading to a significant enhancement in the cycling performance of the Li-M-Al||LiFePO4 (LFP) battery, with a capacity retention rate of 78.5 % after 400 cycles at 1C.

Influence of 3D Structural Design on the Electrochemical Performance of Aluminum Metal as Negative Electrode for Li-Ion Batteries.

Aluminum (Al) is one of the most promising active materials for producing next-generation negative electrodes for lithium (Li)-ion batteries. It features low density, high specific capacity, and low working potential, making it ideal for producing energy-dense cells. However, this material loses its electrochemical activity within 100 cycles, making it practically unusable. Several claims in the literature support the idea that a dual degradation mechanism is at play. First, the slow diffusion of Li in the Al matrix causes the electrochemical reactions to be partly irreversible, making the initial capacity of the cell drop. Second, the stress caused by cycling make the active material pulverize and lose activity. Recent work shows that shortening the diffusion path of Li by 3D structuring is an effective way to mitigate the first capacity loss mechanism, while alloying Al with other elements effectively mitigates the second one. In this work, we demonstrate that the benefits of 3D structuring and alloying are cumulative and that a mesh made of an Al-magnesium alloy performs better than both a pure Al foil and a foil of an Al-Mg alloy.

Delamination and Evaluation of Multilayer PE/Al/PET Packaging Waste Separated Using a Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent.

This research concerns the development and implementation of ground-breaking strategies for improving the sorting, separation, and recycling of common flexible laminate packaging materials. Such packaging laminates incorporate different functional materials in order to achieve the desired mechanical performance and barrier properties. Common components include poly(ethylene) (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), as well as valuable barrier materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and aluminium (Al) foils. Although widely used for the protection and preservation of food produce, such packaging materials present significant challenges for established recycling infrastructure and, therefore, to our future ambitions for a circular economy. Experience from the field of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has been leveraged to develop novel green solvent systems that delaminate multilayer packaging materials to facilitate the separation and recovery of high-purity commodity plastics and aluminium. This research focuses on the development of a hydrophobic DES and the application of a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology to investigate the effects of process parameters on the delamination of PE/Al/PET laminate packaging films. Key variables including temperature, time, loading, flake size, and perforations were assessed at laboratory scale using a 1 L filter reactor vessel. The results demonstrate that efficient separation of PE, Al, and PET can be achieved with high yields for material and solvent recovery. Recovered plastic films were subsequently characterised via Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to qualify the quality of plastics for reuse.

Mechanisms of Strengthening Aluminum Foils Consolidated by High-Pressure Torsion Technique

The contributions of grain boundary and dislocation mechanisms to the experimentally established strengthening of pure Al samples obtained by consolidation of thin foils by high pressure torsion technique were estimated within the framework of well-known theoretical models using structural parameters (sizes of coherently scattering domains and lattice microstrains) determined by X-ray diffraction. Good agreement between the calculated values and the hardness of deformed and aged samples was found, and possible reasons for their differences for the initial foils were discussed. The influence of deformation and aging on the relative contributions of the analyzed mechanisms to the strengthening of samples consolidated from both Al foils and the rapidly quenched Al95.8Mn3.8Fe0.4 ribbons was determined. The structural features of samples processed by high pressure torsion and the relationship between structural parameters and mechanical properties were discussed.

Aluminum Foil Surface Etching and Anodization Processes for Polymer 3D-Printing Applications

Extrusion-based polymer three-dimensional (3D) printing, specifically fused deposition modeling (FDM), has been garnering increasing interest from industry, as well as from the research and academic communities, due to its low cost, high speed, and process simplicity. However, bed adhesion failure remains an obstacle to diversifying the materials and expanding the industrial applications of the FDM 3D-printing process. Therefore, this study focused on an investigation of the surface treatment methods for aluminum (Al) foil and their applications to 3D printer beds to enhance the bed adhesion of a 3D-printed polymer filament. Two methods of etching with sodium hydroxide and anodization with phosphoric acid were individually used for the surface treatment of the Al foil beds and then compared with an untreated foil. The etching process removed the oxide layer from the Al foil and increased its surface roughness, while the anodizing process enhanced the amount of hydroxide functional groups and contributed to the formation of nano-holes. As a result, the surface-anodized aluminum foil exhibited a higher affinity and bonding strength with the 3D-printed polymers compared with the etched and pristine foils. Through the increase in the success rate in 3D printing with various polymers, it became evident that utilizing surface-treated Al foil as a 3D printer bed presents an economical solution to addressing bed adhesion failure.

A lightweight carbon-incorporated polymer current collector for improving the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries

The current collector plays a crucial role in transporting electrons and mechanical support of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Commercial Cu and Al foil with high density deliver no capacity, so decreasing the weight of the metallic current collector is an effective method for enhancing the energy density of batteries. In this study, we prepared a carbon-incorporated polyimide (CIPI) current collector with a lightweight areal density of 1.41 mg cm−2 and voltage window of 0–5 V. CIPI can suppress the current collector corrosion and improve the long-term cycling performance of high-voltage cathode. Besides, CIPI decreases polarization resistance and relieves the volume expansion of SiOx particles, demonstrating a high capacity retention after 200 cycles. In nail penetration tests, the maximum temperature of the pouch battery with CIPI is only 46.73 % of the battery using Cu and Al foil. In addition, the mechanical flexibility makes CIPI suitable for flexible batteries, delivering ultra-stable voltage even when repeatedly folded in half. The CIPI opens a new pathway to develop high energy density and high safety LIBs and promotes the development of flexible and wearable storage devices.

Flexible Artificial Ag NPs:a-SiC0.11:H Synapse on Al Foil with High Uniformity and On/Off Ratio for Neuromorphic Computing.

A neuromorphic computing network based on SiCx memristor paves the way for a next-generation brain-like chip in the AI era. Up to date, the SiCx-based memristor devices are faced with the challenge of obtaining flexibility and uniformity, which can push forward the application of memristors in flexible electronics. For the first time, we report that a flexible artificial synaptic device based on a Ag NPs:a-SiC0.11:H memristor can be constructed by utilizing aluminum foil as the substrate. The device exhibits stable bipolar resistive switching characteristic even after bending 1000 times, displaying excellent flexibility and uniformity. Furthermore, an on/off ratio of approximately 107 can be obtained. It is found that the incorporation of silver nanoparticles significantly enhances the device's set and reset voltage uniformity by 76.2% and 69.7%, respectively, which is attributed to the contribution of the Ag nanoparticles. The local electric field of Ag nanoparticles can direct the formation and rupture of conductive filaments. The fitting results of I-V curves show that the carrier transport mechanism agrees with Poole-Frenkel (P-F) model in the high-resistance state, while the carrier transport follows Ohm's law in the low-resistance state. Based on the multilevel storage characteristics of the Al/Ag NPs:a-SiC0.11:H/Al foil resistive switching device, we successfully observed the biological synaptic characteristics, including the long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). The flexible artificial Ag NPs:a-SiC0.11:H/Al foil synapse possesses excellent conductance modulation capabilities and visual learning function, demonstrating the promise of application in flexible electronics technology for high-efficiency neuromorphic computing in the AI period.

Microjet printing of metal salt or oxide targets for nuclear reaction studies on radionuclides

Radioactive targets for direct measurements of neutron-induced reactions are required to improve evaluated cross-section data and, ultimately, the fidelity of neutron reaction network simulations. Electrodeposition and molecular plating are the current state-of-the-art radioactive target production techniques, but not all metals can be electrodeposited or molecular plated with high yields. Alternative techniques can be expensive or may produce targets that are unsatisfactory in terms of thickness, yield, or purity. Microjet printing is a new, rather inexpensive technique that utilizes equipment with a small footprint and has the potential to produce thin, highly radioactive targets with good uniformity and minimal impurities from the target fabrication process. This study involved optimizing the process of producing microjet printed targets to allow for the fabrication of a stable vanadium(V) oxide (V2O5) target that was compared with an analogous electrodeposition V2O5 target manufactured via the application of a vanadium chemical conversion coating on aluminum (Al) foil. The results from these studies suggest microjet printing could be used to produce relatively uniform target layers with adequate film thicknesses (<15μm). V2O5 microjet printed targets, when compared with chemical conversion coating V2O5 targets, appeared to be qualitatively less uniform and quantitatively larger in thickness (11.7(27) μm vs. 5.3(18) μm). However, the conversion coating target contained more impurities and the Al backing had a higher background contribution to measurements of neutron-induced reactions as opposed to targets produced via microjet printing. Overall, the results from this study suggest microjet printing has the capability to be an excellent alternative target production technique to the electrodeposition and molecular plating methods.

The impact of surface treatment on Al foil for Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films

The impact of surface treatment on Al foil for Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films

Radiated power and soft x-ray diagnostics in the SMART tokamak.

A multi-energy soft x-ray diagnostic is planned to operate in the small aspect ratio tokamak (SMART), consisting of five cameras: one for core measurements, two for edge, and two for divertors. Each camera is equipped with four absolute extreme ultra-violet diodes, with three of them filtered by Ti and Al foils for C and O line emissions, respectively, and Be foils for temperature measurements. In addition, two spectrometers will be installed with a vertical line of sight for impurity control. This study introduces a synthetic model designed to characterize radiated power and soft x-ray emissions. The developed code extracts the radiated power and Zeff values by leveraging distributions of electron density, temperatures, and impurity concentrations. The investigation is centered on the predicted scenarios of SMART's first phase of operation (Ip = 100kA; Bt = 0.1T), employing a double-null configuration with positive and negative triangularity. The anticipated impurities encompass C (1%) and Fe (0.01%) from the vessel, as well as O and N (0.1%) from air and water. For simplicity, the distribution is assumed to be homogeneous within the plasma, considering different mixtures with Zeff values ranging between 1 and 2. Finally, the model estimates signal strength for the diagnostic design, proving its feasibility.

Production, purification and formulation of nanoradiopharmaceutical with 211At: An emerging candidate for targeted alpha therapy

IntroductionAstatine-211 has attained significant interest in the recent times as a promising radioisotope for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) of cancer. In this study, we report the production of 211At via 209Bi (α, 2n) 211At reaction in a cyclotron and development of a facile radiochemical separation procedure to isolate 211At for formulation of nanoradiopharmaceuticals. MethodsNatural bismuth oxide target in pelletized form wrapped in Al foil was irradiated with 30 MeV α-beam in an AVF cyclotron. The irradiated target was dissolved in 2 M HNO3 followed by selective precipitation of Bi as Bi(OH)3 under alkaline condition. The radiochemically separated 211At was used for labeling cyclic RGD peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles (Au-RGD NPs) by surface adsorption. The radiochemical stability of 211At-Au-RGD NPs was evaluated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and human serum media. ResultsThe batch yield of 211At at the end of irradiation was ∼6 MBq.μA−1.h−1. After radiochemical separation, ∼80 % of 211At could be retrieved with >99.9 % radionuclidic purity. Au-RGD NPs (particle size 8.4±0.8 nm) could be labeled with 211At with >99 % radiolabeling yield. The radiolabeled nanoparticles retained their integrity in PBS and human serum media over a period of 21 h. ConclusionsThe present strategy simplifies 211At production in terms of purification and would increase affordable access to this radioisotope for TAT of cancer.