Applications In Electrochemical Devices Research Articles

Challenges faced with 3D-printed electrochemical sensors in analytical applications.

Prototyping analytical devices with three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques is becoming common in research laboratories. The attractiveness is associated with printers' price reduction and the possibility of creating customized objects that could form complete analytical systems. Even though 3D printing enables the rapid fabrication of electrochemical sensors, its wider adoption by research laboratories is hindered by the lack of reference material and the high "entry barrier" to the field, manifested by the need to learn how to use 3D design software and operate the printers. This review article provides insights into fused deposition modeling 3D printing, discussing key challenges in producing electrochemical sensors using currently available extrusion tools, which include desktop 3D printers and 3D printing pens. Further, we discuss the electrode processing steps, including designing, printing conditions, and post-treatment steps. Finally, this work shed some light on the current applications of such electrochemical devices that can be a reference material for new research involving 3D printing.

Harmonizing Energies: The Interplay Between a Nonplanar SalEn-Type Molecule and a TEMPO Moiety in a New Hybrid Energy-Storing Redox-Conducting Polymer.

Redox-conducting polymers based on SalEn-type complexes have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in electrochemical devices. However, their charge transfer mechanisms, physical and electrochemical properties remain unclear, hindering their rational design and optimization. This study aims to establish the influence of monomer geometry on the polymer's properties by investigating the properties of novel nonplanar SalEn-type complexes, poly[N,N'-bis(salicylidene)propylene-2-(hydroxy)diaminonickel(II)], and its analog with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-N-oxyl (TEMPO)-substituted bridge (MTS). To elucidate the charge transfer mechanism, operando UV-Vis spectroelectrochemical analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance are employed. Introducing TEMPO into the bridge moiety enhanced the specific capacity of the poly(MTS) material to 95mA h g-1, attributed to TEMPO's and conductive backbone's charge storage capabilities. Replacement of the ethylenediimino-bridge with a 1,3-propylenediimino- bridge induced significant changes in the complex geometry and material's morphology, electrochemical, and spectral properties. At nearly the same potential, polaron and bipolaron particles emerged, suggesting intriguing features at the overlap point of the electroactivity potentials ranges of polaron-bipolaron and TEMPO, such as a disruption in the connection between TEMPO and the conjugation chain or intramolecular charge transfer. These results offer valuable insights for optimizing strategies to create organic materials with tailored properties for use in catalysis and battery applications.

Tailored Synthesis of CN-PPy Composite for Enhanced Electrochemical Functionality

This study details the synthesis of pure carbon nitride (CN) and composite polypyrrole through an in-situ polymerization method. The prepared samples were comprehensively characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). These analyses confirmed the chemical bonding, structural, and morphological characteristics of the products. Electrochemical measurements, conducted through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV), revealed significant current rates in both anodic and cathodic peaks, indicating superior electrochemical properties. This work not only details the synthesis process but also provides a thorough understanding of the structural, morphological, and electrochemical aspects, exhibiting the materials’ potential for various applications in electrochemical devices.

Selenium‐Based Catalysts for Efficient Electrocatalysis

AbstractElectrocatalytic technology is essential to develop environmentally friendly energy technologies and to reduce dependence on non‐renewable resources. The construction of highly efficient, inexpensive, and robust electrocatalysts is the primary prerequisite to the large‐scale application of electrochemical devices. In recent years, selenium‐based catalysts (SBCs) have been extensively investigated and emerged as a promising candidate for electrocatalysis given their potential to reduce or replace the dosage of noble metals and their ability to catalyze a range of critical electrochemical processes. This Review minutely analyses the recent research advances in SBCs, highlighting the significant role of Se in enhancing the catalytic performance. First, it starts from the concepts related to SBCs, followed by the classification of SBCs as well as the strategies to regulate the activity of SBCs are elaborated. Then, the techniques for characterizing SBCs are systematically summed up, mainly focusing on morphological and structural characterization methods. Next, the applications of SBCs in various energy‐conversion reactions (e.g., hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, nitrogen reduction reaction, CO2 reduction reaction) are discussed, aiming at elucidating the association between their structure–activity correlations. Finally, the challenges related to SBCs and their future development trends are presented.

A novel protonic ceramic fuel cell with SrSn0.8Sc0.2O3-δ electrolyte

The recent discovery of SrSn0.8Sc0.2O3-δ (SSS) perovskite oxide as a promising proton-conducting material has generated interest in its potential application in electrochemical devices as PCFCs. This study assesses the feasibility of SSS in PCFCs by its stability, density, chemical compatibility, and electrochemical performance. The study demonstrated the favorable stability of SSS even after reduction at 800 °C under H2 for 24 h as well as immersion in boiling water for 5 h. The relative density of SSS could easily exceed 94% after sintering with NiO aid at 1400 °C. The chemical compatibility and electrochemical performance of SSS were investigated with various electrode materials. The BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3-δ exhibited relatively better electrochemical performance with SSS. The electrolyte was co-sintered with a Ni-based anode substrate and densified to high density at 1450 °C without sintering aids. The fuel cell utilizing an anode-supported Ni-SSS|SSS|BCFZY-SSS configuration exhibited a peak power density of 432.1 mW cm−2 at 800 °C.

Synergistic Blends of Sodium Alginate and Pectin Biopolymer Hosts as Conducting Electrolytes for Electrochemical Applications.

The world needs sustainable energy resources with affordable, economic, and accountable sources. Consequently, energy innovation technologies are evolving toward electrochemical applications like batteries, supercapacitors, etc. The current study involves the solid blend biopolymer electrolyte (SBBE) with different compositions of sodium alginate blended with pectin via the casting technique. The characterization of the sample was tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, AC impedance, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analyses. Evidently, the sample NP4 (NaAlg/pectin = 60:40 wt %) has a higher conductivity of 1.26 × 10-7 and 3.25 × 10-6 S cm-1 at 303 and 353 K, respectively. The performances of the samples were analyzed with variations in temperature, frequency, and time responses to signify the blended nature of the electrolyte. Hence, the studied biopolymers can be constructed for electrochemical device applications.

Regulating atomic Fe/Cu dual sites with unsymmetrical Fe-N6 and Cu-N1S2 coordination for promoting bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis in advanced zinc-air batteries

Dual-metal single-atom catalysts with heteronuclear active sites exhibit superior oxygen catalysis performance than their single-atom counterparts, facilitating the practical applications in advanced electrochemical energy devices. Herein, a Fe-Cu dual-metal single-atom catalyst with Fe-N6 and Cu-N1S2 coordination environment (FeCu-DSAs/NSC) is reported. Due to the synergism of bimetallic active sites and asymmetric heteroatom coordination, the resultant FeCu-DSAs/NSC displays better bifunctional catalytic performance (a small potential gap between the Eη10 and E1/2, ΔE=0.647 V) when compared with the counterparts (Pt/C+IrO2 and Cu-ISAs/NSC), as well as surpassing most of bifunctional metal atom-based catalysts reported to date. As expected, FeCu-DSAs/NSC based rechargeable zinc-air battery shows remarkable superiority than commercial Pt/C+IrO2 benchmark, resulting in a high peak power density (230.66 mW cm−2), open-circuit voltage (1.464 V) and long-term cycling stability (up to 350 h at 10 mA cm−2).

Highly transparent sustainable biogel electrolyte based on cellulose acetate for application in electrochemical devices

In this study, an easy and low-cost production method for a cellulose acetate-based gel polymer containing lithium perchlorate and propylene carbonate is described, as well as the investigation of its properties for potential use as an electrolyte in electrochemical devices. Cellulose acetate, a biopolymer derived from natural matrix, is colourless and transparent, as confirmed by the UV–Vis spectroscopy, with 85 % transparency in visible spectrum. The gels were prepared and tested at different concentrations and proportions to optimise their properties. Thermogravimetry, XRD, and FTIR analyses revealed crucial characteristics, including a substantial 90 % mass loss between 150 and 250 °C, a semi-crystalline nature with complete salt dissociation within the polymer matrix, and a decrease in intensity at 1780 cm−1 with increasing Li+ ion concentration, suggesting an improvement in ionic conduction capacity. In terms of electrochemical performance, the gel containing 10 % by mass of cellulose acetate and 1.4 M of LiClO4 emerged as the most promising. It exhibited a conductivity of 2.3 × 10−4 S.cm−1 at 25 °C and 3.0 × 10−4 S.cm−1 at 80 °C. Additionally, it demonstrated an ideal shape of cyclic voltammetry curves and stability after 400 cycles, establishing its suitability as an electrolyte in electrochemical devices.

Polyethylene terephthalate waste derived nanomaterials (WDNMs) and its utilization in electrochemical devices

Plastics are a vital component of our daily lives in the contemporary globalization period; they are present in all facets of modern life. Because the bulk of synthetic plastics utilized in the market are non-biodegradable by nature, the issues associated with their contamination are unavoidable in an era dominated by polymers. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is extensively used in industries such as automotive, packaging, textile, food, and beverages production represents a major share of these non-biodegradable polymer productions. Given its extensive application across various sectors, PET usage results in a considerable amount of post-consumer waste, majority of which require disposal after a certain period. However, the recycling of polymeric waste materials has emerged as a prominent topic in research, driven by growing environmental consciousness. Numerous studies indicate that products derived from polymeric waste can be converted into a new polymeric resource in diverse sectors, including organic coatings and regenerative medicine. This review aims to consolidate significant scientific literatures on the recycling PET waste for electrochemical device applications. It also highlights the current challenges in scaling up these processes for industrial application.

Studies of the Properties of New Electrospun Based on PVA-PEG Polymer Systems Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have been considerably investigated due to various electrochemical device applications. Most of the SPEs comprise polymer as a host material to provide strength and good mechanical stability and salt that transfers charge carriers to cause conductivity. Nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blend complexed with LiClO4 and nanofillers Al2O3 at different weight percent ratios have been obtained by using electrospinning method. The conductivity and structural properties of the different systems have been characterized by using various experimental approaches such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the systems has been measured by using an LCR meter in a temperature ranging from 298 to 353 K. Maximum ionic conductivity of 1.58 × 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature has been observed for the system of PVA-PEG-LiClO4-Al2O3 (50-25-15-10) with 15 wt% weight percent of LiClO4 salt in PVA-PEG blend matrix. The ac conductivity report indicates that the ionic conductivity of the PVA-PEG-LiClO4-Al2O3 complex is influenced by the concentration of LiClO4. The effect of temperature on the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolyte complexes has been estimated by changing the temperature ranging from 298 to 353 K. However, the conductivity of the nanofiber polymer electrolyte systems increases with the rise of temperature, and the maximum conductivity of 1.58 × 10-2 S cm-1 has been recorded at 353 K. The temperature-dependent conductivity follows the Arrhenius behavior.

Bio‐based nanomaterials for energy application: A review

AbstractBio‐nanomaterials have been gaining increased attention recently due to their special, nano‐specific properties such as their high specific area compared to their bulk materials and their environmentally friendly, and renewable properties. Overall, this review discusses recent advances of two nanomaterials derived from bio‐sources, which are nanocellulose and carbon‐based nanomaterials in the application of electrochemical energy storage devices, specifically batteries and supercapacitors. Besides, this review briefly analyses the challenges and perspectives of biomass utilization for the synthesis of nanomaterials. The emergence of another conductive nanomaterials such as MXene, which can be a challenge to the bio‐based nanomaterials for the application in energy storage devices, is also mentioned in this review.

Review on Comparative Study of Solid Polymer Electrolyte Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) Doped with Ionic Liquid

AbstractFuture demands for energy shortages have prompted a lot of effort to be put into finding alternatives. The use of renewable energies as a revolutionary energy source has gained acceptance. Due to their high flexibility and the interaction between the electrode and the electrolyte, solid polymer electrolytes are employed as a favorable electrolyte for application of electrochemical devices to storage renewable energy. As these are easy in synthesis, have much lower mass density, shows high mechanical stability, also have low binding energy with salts, and high mobility of charge carriers, polyethylene Oxide (PEO) based electrolyte has attracted a lot of interest. Configuration rectification combining PEO with ionic liquids has been introduced to enhance the low ionic conductivity and poor thermodynamic stability of the PEO materials in high‐voltage devices at ambient temperature. This configuration modification can successfully validate the applications of PEO polymer electrolyte with large electro‐stable voltage ranges. Solution casting method has been used for the synthesis of polymer electrolyte. The essential physical characteristics of PEO in polymer matrices work as a polymer host in SPEs has been described in this review paper, along with several modifications to overcome these limitations. It has been seen that the addition of ionic liquid increases the all over conductivity of the solid polymer electrolyte in most cases also improves the electrical stability of the electrolyte.

Nanocomposites comprising PVA/CMC matrix and CNTs/Fe2O3 nanohybrid: A comparative investigation of structural, optical, electrical, and dielectric properties as an application in advanced electrochemical and optoelectronic devices

This work addresses the fabrication of innovative flexible polymer nanocomposite films for electrochemical products made of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) as nanohybrid. The PVA/CMC-CNTs/Fe2O3 nanocomposite films were characterized using various approaches. The PVA/CMC blend polymer matrix shows significant improvements in terms of amorphous nature with the CNTs/Fe2O3 nanofiller content, resulting in an exceedingly flexible polymer backbone and with higher ionic conductivity of the PVA/CMC-CNTs/Fe2O3 nanocomposites films, as reported by the XRD examination. The nanoparticle surfaces and the blend matrix exhibit a significant interaction, as seen by the FTIR spectra. To learn more about how CNTs/Fe2O3 NPs affect the optical characteristics of the PVA/CMC, its optical characteristics were examined. The absorption edge appeared to migrate towards lower photon energy sides upon the addition of CNTs/Fe2O3 NPs to the PVA/CMC matrix. The Eg (direct and indirect) of pure PVA/CMC was considerably decreased from 5.12 to 3.55 eV and 4.23 to 3.01 eV respectively by adding 3.5 wt% of CNTs/Fe2O3 NPs. The results proved the influence of the nanofiller on the host polymer's decreased band gap energy. The blend nanocomposite had a substantially higher AC conductivity compared with the blend, and the PVA/CMC-3.5%CNTs/Fe2O3 nanocomposite had the highest electrical conductivity. It was discovered that while the dielectric loss and dielectric constant increased with the high content of nanoparticles, they reduced with increasing frequency. These findings demonstrated that the produced films had undergone substantial changes, which allows for the use of flexible films made of PVA/CMC-CNTs/Fe2O3 in a variety of electrochemical and optoelectronic applications.

Performance study of sodium alginate (SA) with lithium chloride (LiCl)-based solid-state membrane as an electrolyte in electrochemical device application

Performance study of sodium alginate (SA) with lithium chloride (LiCl)-based solid-state membrane as an electrolyte in electrochemical device application

Biochar and Hydrochar in the Development and Application of Electrochemical Devices in the Sensing and Degradation of Target Compounds: A Mini-Review of the Recent Contributions of 2020-2023

Biochar and Hydrochar in the Development and Application of Electrochemical Devices in the Sensing and Degradation of Target Compounds: A Mini-Review of the Recent Contributions of 2020-2023

Towards the 4 V-class n-type organic lithium-ion positive electrode materials: the case of conjugated triflimides and cyanamides.

Organic electrode materials have garnered a great deal of interest owing to their sustainability, cost-efficiency, and design flexibility metrics. Despite numerous endeavors to fine-tune their redox potential, the pool of organic positive electrode materials with a redox potential above 3 V versus Li+/Li0, and maintaining air stability in the Li-reservoir configuration remains limited. This study expands the chemical landscape of organic Li-ion positive electrode chemistries towards the 4 V-class through molecular design based on electron density depletion within the redox center via the mesomeric effect of electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs). This results in the development of novel families of conjugated triflimides and cyanamides as high-voltage electrode materials for organic lithium-ion batteries. These are found to exhibit ambient air stability and demonstrate reversible electrochemistry with redox potentials spanning the range of 3.1 V to 3.8 V (versus Li+/Li0), marking the highest reported values so far within the realm of n-type organic chemistries. Through comprehensive structural analysis and extensive electrochemical studies, we elucidate the relationship between the molecular structure and the ability to fine-tune the redox potential. These findings offer promising opportunities to customize the redox properties of organic electrodes, bridging the gap with their inorganic counterparts for application in sustainable and eco-friendly electrochemical energy storage devices.

In situ growth of a redox-active metal-organic framework on electrospun carbon nanofibers as a free-standing electrode for flexible energy storage devices.

The rational construction of free-standing and flexible electrodes for application in electrochemical energy storage devices and next-generation supercapacitors is an emerging research focus. Herein, we prepared a redox-active ferrocene dicarboxylic acid (Fc)-based nickel metal-organic framework (MOF) on electrospun carbon nanofibers (NiFc-MOF@CNFs) via an in situ approach. This in situ approach avoided the aggregation of the MOF. The NiFc-MOF@CNF flexible electrode showed a high redox-active behavior owing to the presence of ferrocene and flexible carbon nanofibers, which led to unique properties, including high flexibility and lightweight. Furthermore, the prepared electrode was utilized in a supercapacitors (SC) without the use of any binder, which achieved a specific capacity of 460 C g-1 at 1 A g-1 with an excellent cyclic retention of 82.2% after 25 000 cycles and a good rate capability. A flexible asymmetric supercapacitor device was assembled, which delivered a high energy density of 56.25 W h kg-1 and a long-lasting cycling performance. Also, the prepared electrode could be used as a freestanding electrode in flexible devices at different bending angles. The obtained cyclic voltammetry curves showed negligible changes, indicating the high stability and good flexibility of the electrode. Thus, the use of the in situ strategy can lead to the uniform growth of redox-active MOFs or other porous materials on CNFs.

An insight of photoelectrochemical driven urea oxidation from nickel manganese oxide nanostructures

Nickel manganese spinel oxide finds tremendous application in electronic and electrochemical devices because of its high redox activity and better durability. Here, we have stabilized nickel rich, nickel manganese oxide Ni6MnO8 through chemical route and studied their application in electrochemical urea oxidation. The as-prepared Ni6MnO8 affords a two-fold high performance toward urea oxidation reaction as photoanode with a maximum peak current density of 44.58 mAcm−2 and exhibited low overpotential of 1.39 V at 10 mAcm−2. Smaller Tafel slope value (16 mV/decade) and 12 h chronoamperometry stability show faster rate kinetics and better durability as photoanode electrocatalyst for urea electrocatalysis. The robust photoelectrochemical urea oxidation is due to Ni2+/Ni3+ redox active species. The present work is sunlight-driven and sustainable approach for hydrogen production and remediation for urea-rich wastewater. It is the first time Ni6MnO8 used as promising photoanode for urea electrocatalysis.

Lead integrated two-dimensional (MXene/PbCrO4) nanocomposite designed for energy storage and photocatalytic degradation applications

Supercapacitors (SCs), among other electrochemical device applications, require materials with maximal energy storage capacity, and the stacked two-dimensional titanium carbide MXene (Ti3C2) sparked the development of these materials. This paper embellished to present smoothed MXene/PbCrO4 nanocomposite via co-precipitation method along with modified sol–gel achieved lead chromate (PbCrO4) nano-crystalline for energy storage and photocatalytic applications using ethylene glycol as connecting agent to restrict nano-particle growth. It is evident from photoluminescence spectra that peak intensity has decreased, whilst Raman spectra show the presence of MXene and lead peaks in the nanocomposite, whereas FTIR has revealed the presence of functional groups in synthesized material. According to calculations made using EIS spectra, the charge transfer resistance is 1.4 Ω, with the electron shift rate constant Kapp value 6.98 10−9 cm s−1. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of the designed material in supercapacitors at 0.3Ag−1 of current density indicates elevated capacitance of 5408 Fg−1 with scan rate of 10 mV s−1 using 1MKOH aqueous electrolyte, resulting in power and energy densities of 2991.8 W kg−1 and 110.1 Wh K−1 g−1, respectively. UV–vis spectra shows the nanocomposite has a 1.86 eV band gap that, in the presence of direct sunlight, might cause the destruction of MB dye at a rate of 92.79%. These findings suggested that the newly created MXene/PbCrO4 nanocomposite demonstrates evidence of substantial features as compared to single materials has potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors as well as best photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants regarding water purification.

Interfacial molecular structure of phosphazene-based polymer electrolyte at the air-aqueous interface using sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy

The change induced in the physicochemical properties of polymer while hosting ions provides a platform for studying its potential applications in electrochemical devices, water treatment plants, and materials engineering science. The ability to host ions is limited in very few polymers, which lack a detailed molecular-level understanding for showcasing the polymer-ion linkage behavior at the interfacial region. In the present manuscript, we have employed sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy to investigate the interfacial structure of a new class phosphazene-based methoxyethoxyethoxyphosphazene (MEEP) polymer in the presence of lithium chloride salt at the air-aqueous interface. The interfacial aspects of the molecular system collected through SFG spectral signatures reveal enhanced water ordering and relative hydrogen bonding strength at the air-aqueous interface. The careful observation of the study finds a synchronous contribution of van der Waals and electrostatic forces in facilitating changes in the interfacial water structure that are susceptible to MEEP concentration in the presence of ions. The observation indicates that dilute MEEP concentrations support the role of electrostatic interaction, leading to an ordered water structure in proximity to diffused ions at the interfacial region. Conversely, higher MEEP concentrations promote the dominance of van der Waals interactions at the air-aqueous interface. Our study highlights the establishment of polymer electrolyte (PE) characteristics mediated by intermolecular interactions, as observed through the spectral signatures witnessed at the air-aqueous interface. The investigation illustrates the polymer-ion linkage adsorption effects at the interfacial region, which explains the macroscopic changes observed from the cyclic voltammetry studies. The fundamental findings from our studies can be helpful in the design and fine-tuning of better PE systems that can offer improved hydrophobic membranes and interface stability for use in electrochemical-based power sources.