Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis Research Articles

Layer-Point Structure of Si3N4-NH2@GO for Improving Corrosion and Wear Resistance of Waterborne Epoxy Coating.

The use of graphene-based materials as anticorrosion coatings to protect metals is always a topic of discussion. In this work, silicon nitride (Si3N4) was aminated to improve its water dispersibility. Then it is attached to the graphene oxide (GO) surface to improve compatibility with epoxy (EP) resin as well as conductivity. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zeta potentials test analyses indicated that Si3N4-NH2@GO with a layer-point structure has been successfully prepared. The corrosion resistance of the composite coatings was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization curve analysis, and the wear resistance of the composite coatings was tested by friction and wear tests. The results showed that 1.0% Si3N4-NH2@GO has excellent corrosion and wear resistance. The use of Si3N4-NH2@GO layer point structures in this study broadens the way for GO applications.

Microstructure and corrosion behaviour of structural steel fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM)

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a metal 3D printing technique that allows large-scale elements to be built in a relatively timely and cost-effective manner, well suited to the cost-sensitive construction sector. Despite the potential of this novel technology, the basic properties of WAAM materials remain elusive. This paper presents a comparative study on the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of WAAM steel plates and the conventionally rolled Q345 steel. The WAAM steel exhibited comparable corrosion performance to the conventionally-produced steel within twelve days exposure in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, including the corrosion current density, and the characteristics of steel/concrete interface, determined through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Post-corrosion observations revealed that preferential dissolution occurred at (Si, Mn)-rich oxide inclusions, in addition to the general corrosion of surrounding steel matrix. The much higher content of Si and Mn element in the feedstock material WAAM steel resulted in slightly higher susceptibility to localised corrosion, compared to the Q345 rolled steel.

The Synergistic Effect of Graphene Oxide in Epoxy Resin on Photocured Coating Films with Anticorrosion and Antibacterial Properties.

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) and epoxy-functionalized graphene oxide (GOSi) are chosen as additives and incorporated into epoxy resin (EP) for nanocomposite photo-coating films (GO/EP and GOSi/EP series). Compared to GO/EP, the GOSi/EP nanocomposite demonstrates strong binding and excellent dispersibility, highlighting covalent bonding between GOSi and the epoxy coating. Furthermore, GOSi/EP-based films demonstrated superior thermal stability and adhesion performance on galvanized steel plates. The corrosion performance of the coated galvanized steel is investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization curve analysis (Tafel). The effectiveness of corrosion protection is evaluated based on a combination of photoreactivity, crosslinking density, dispersity, and adhesion properties. Out of all the treated films, the film based on 0.1GOSi/EP exhibited the highest percentage of inhibition (98.89%) and demonstrated superior long-term anticorrosion stability. In addition, the 0.1GOSi/EP based formulation showed remarkable antibacterial activity against S. aureus, resulting in a 92% reduction. This work demonstrates the development of a facile, environmentally friendly functionalized graphene oxide/epoxy photocured film with superior dual functionalities in both anticorrosion and antibacterial properties. These advancements hold promising potential for impactful practical applications.

Enhancing Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance of Metal-Organic Frameworks through Cathode Activation.

Due to their abundant active sites and porous structures, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant interest as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Nevertheless, the development of MOF-based electrocatalysts with efficient OER activity and excellent stability simultaneously still faces challenges. Herein, a cathodic activation strategy was used to enhance the OER electrocatalytic performance of M-HHTP for the first time, where M refers to Ni, Cu, Co, Fe, while HHTP denotes 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11-hexahydroxytriphenylene. As a prototype, the activated Ni-HHTP (HA-Ni-HHTP) demonstrates outstanding OER performance, with an overpotential as low as 140 mV at 20 mA cm-2 and a small Tafel slope of 78.7 mV-1, surpassing commercial RuO2 and rivaling state-of-the-art MOFs-based electrocatalysts. Characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal that the superior performance of HA-Ni-HHTP is primarily ascribed to changes in semiconductor type, contact angle, and oxygen vacancy content induced by cathodic activation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis using the transmission line model confirms that cathodic activation accelerates charge transport, enhancing the OER process. Furthermore, the cathodic activation strategy holds promise for improving the water oxidation performance of other MOFs such as Fe-HHTP, Co-HHTP, and Cu-HHTP.

Halide solid-state electrolyte achieving high ionic conductivity by engineering nanocrystals

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) technologies utilize liquid electrolytes, which can cause safety issues due to electrolyte leakage, uncontrolled side reactions between the liquid electrolyte and electrode, dendrite formation, and flammability of the liquid components with air. These problems can be minimized using solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) containing the functionality of an electrolyte. Our research discovery meets the urgent requirement of developing rapid ionic conductive solid-state electrolytes for lithium metal battery applications, emphasizing safe operation and high energy density. The breakthrough lies in the functionalization and tunability of monoclinic doped Li3InCl6-based solid electrolytes to achieve desirable structural and high ionic conductivity (> 0.15 S cm−1). We report four formulations of solid-state electrolytes obtained using modified sol–gel synthesis and used to assemble symmetrical half cells for electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analyses in the frequency ranging from 10–2 to 106 Hz under five different temperatures (15–55 °C). The EIS data of non-doped, F-, Ce-, and Mo-doped electrolytes showed R1 (solid-electrolyte) ranging from 0.05 to 0.10 Ohm and R2 (interfacial) resistance varying from 0.05 to 1.25 Ohm, resulting in superionic conductivity (0.15–0.45 S cm−1), equivalent to the commercially available liquid electrolyte and evidenced two magnitudes increase compared to the published data.Graphical abstract

Preparation of ternary BiVO4/g-C3N4/diatomite composites for enhanced photodegradation of rhodamine B and formaldehyde

Efficient ternary BiVO4/g-C3N4/diatomite (BCNDE) composites were prepared using a strategy combining in situ polymerisation and self-assembly. The photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of BCNDE composites for rhodamine B (RhB) and formaldehyde (CH2O) were investigated. Compared with BiVO4 (BVO), g-C3N4 (CN) and BiVO4/g-C3N4 (BCN), BCNDE showed better photocatalytic performance for RhB and CH2O degradation. Notably, the 20-BCNDE composite demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance, achieved 99 % degradation of RhB under visible light (λ > 400 nm) within 60 min and 81 % degradation of CH2O gas (0.16 mg·L−1) within 40 min. Incorporation of porous microdisc-shaped diatomite (DE) significantly mitigated the agglomeration of the BCNDE composites, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This structural feature enhanced the separation and migration of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, as evidenced by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. Zeta potential analysis at pH 7 revealed a negatively charged surface with a zeta potential of −8.9 mV, facilitating the attraction of photogenerated holes and inhibiting electron-hole recombination. This effectively inhibited the recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, thereby significantly improving the photocatalytic performance of the material. These mechanisms were critical in boosting the photocatalytic degradation activities for RhB and CH2O. This study highlights the potential of BCNDE composites for environmental remediation applications, offering a promising approach for the development of efficient mineral-based photocatalytic materials.

Effect of nickel and selenium co-doping on molybdenum disulfide structure and its electrochemical activity in polysulfide electrolyte

The development of a low-cost, and highly effective platinum (Pt)-free counter electrode (CE) that is highly stable towards polysulfide electrolyte presents a substantial challenge. Trigonal Molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS2) has shown good chemical stability toward polysulfide electrolytes. In this study, 1T-MoS2 was prepared by co-doping with nickel (Ni) and selenium (Se) into MoS2 through hydrothermal method and utilizing its reduction activity toward polysulfide electrolyte. According to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, Ni-Se-MoS2 has a low charge transfer resistance and electron recombination lifetime. In addition, cyclic voltmeter (CV) analysis reveals a high absolute area indicating a high level of electrocatalytic activity for polysulfide reduction at the electrolyte/counter electrode (CE) interface. The XRD analysis shows that the phase shifting of 2H MoS2 to 1 T MoS2 and the intensity of the co-doped sample is lower than that of others. SEM analysis reveals a microsphere-flower-like morphology that increases specific surface area.

Construction of Z-scheme BiOCl/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions with oxygen vacancies for effectively destruction of two typical contaminants

In this study, Z-scheme BiOCl/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions with enriched oxygen vacancies (OVs) were fabricated. Enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs from BiOCl/Bi2WO6 composite was confirmed through surfacephotovoltagespectroscopy (SPS), photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Photocatalytic decontamination of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC) over BiOCl/Bi2WO6 composite was investigated, and BiOCl/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions reveal higher photocatalytic performance than BiOCl and Bi2WO6. The boosted activity of BiOCl /Bi2WO6 heterojunctions stems from the improved separation rate of carriers. In view of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) results and band structures of BiOCl and Bi2WO6, photocatalytic mechanism of the BiOCl/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions follows Z-scheme mechanism.

Using anodic oxidation for boosting supercapacitive performance of thermally-oxidized cobalt coatings with various morphologies

Metal oxide electrodes for supercapacitors are commonly synthesized through the hydrothermal method. Despite the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of electrodeposition for producing electrode materials, there is a scarcity of literature on electrodeposited electrodes. Previous studies have utilized nitrate-based solutions and subsequent heat-treatment to fabricate these materials without additional treatments to enhance their performance. This research explores the creation of cobalt coatings with varying morphologies (pyramidal, ridge-shaped, powdery, and rough nodular) using electrodeposition from sulfate-based solutions by adjusting deposition parameters. The cobalt coatings were then heat-treated at 550˚C for 3 h to convert them to cobalt oxide, a promising material for supercapacitor electrodes. The study investigates the impact of initial morphology on the structure, phases formed, and supercapacitive properties of the heat-treated coatings. Analysis of XRD and FTIR data indicated that the primary phase post-heat treatment was Co3O4, alongside some CoO. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in 1 M KOH solution revealed that the powdery coating exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 796±21 mF cm−2 (∼110 F g−1) at a scanning rate of 2 mV s−1, surpassing the heat-treated pyramidal coating by approximately tenfold. These CV findings were corroborated by galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. Furthermore, the heat-treated coatings underwent anodic oxidation in a 3 M KCl solution for 5 minutes to assess the impact of this lesser-known process on their capacitive behavior. Following anodic oxidation, the ridge-shaped and pyramidal coatings displayed significantly enhanced specific capacitance due to the formation of fine pores and surface modifications. Specifically, the specific capacitance of the ridge-shaped coating surged from 103±4 mF cm−2 (∼11 F g−1) to 1832±64 mF cm−2 (∼201 F g−1) at a scanning rate of 2 mV s−1 after anodic oxidation. Although the rough nodular coating also experienced an increase in specific capacitance, the morphology and electrochemical characteristics of the powdery coating remained relatively stable throughout the study.

Synergistic electrochemical and optical properties of a UVC class quaternary nanocomposite incorporating graphene oxide and samarium chromium oxide perovskite

This research presents a comprehensive investigation into a novel quaternary nanocomposite comprising graphene oxide (GO), samarium chromium oxide perovskite (SmCrO3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and tin dioxide (SnO2). The nanocomposite was synthesized using a modified Stöber method. In order to assess its potential applications in supercapacitors and UVC devices, an extensive analysis of its electrochemical and optical properties was conducted. The crystal structure and phase identification were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement with X'pert HighScore Plus software, confirming the successful formation of the nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided valuable insights into the structural morphology, while energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of constituent elements. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and Raman Spectroscopy elucidated the functional groups and chemical bonds, confirming the successful synthesis of the nanocomposite. UV–Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy revealed its strong UV radiation absorption and intensified fluorescence properties and confirming the band gap of SmCrO3 and GO/SmCrO3/SiO2/SnO2 quaternary nanocomposite as ∼5.4 eV and 4.84 eV respectively. The potential of nanocomposite potential as a supercapacitor material was evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. Remarkably, the specific capacitance of the nanocomposite reached 253.75 Fg−1 at a scan rate of 10 mVs−1, and electrochemical surface area of 507 cm2, highlighting its exceptional charge storage capability and promising prospects for high-performance energy storage devices. This comprehensive study addresses a significant knowledge gap, providing a profound understanding of the electrochemical and optical behavior of the quaternary nanocomposite. The observed exceptional results underscore its suitability for supercapacitor applications and expected favorable material for UVC device technologies.

Novel Li‐Ion Battery Diagnostics; Detection of Redox Peaks Utilising Plasmonic Fibre Optic Sensors and Evaluation of Interference on Cell Function

AbstractIn this study we demonstrate detection of redox peaks in Li‐ion pouch cells during cyclic voltammetry (CV), via the optical signal of plasmonic based fibre optic sensors placed inside Li‐ion pouch cells. The sensors are placed inside the pouch cells during manufacture, allowing diagnostic data to be obtained from directly inside the cells in real time. We further present data showing the battery cell remains agnostic to the presence of fibre optic sensors over repeated cycling through analysis of the formation cycles, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, coulombic efficiency data, capacity data and post‐mortem materials analysis. This study provides evidence of the utility of fibre optic based diagnostic sensors, and in particular the novel use of plasmonic based fibre optic sensors, as an in situ battery diagnostic technique and potential research tool to investigate battery cell phenomena.

Modulating charge storage mechanism of cobalt-tungsten nitride electrodes using in situ formed metal-p-n heterojunction for ultrahigh energy density supercapattery

Supercapatteries combine both diffusion-controlled and capacitive charge storage mechanisms to simultaneously deliver exceptional power density and energy density. Though developing materials that combine both charge storage mechanisms for use as supercapattery electrodes is difficult, one solution has been to modify a material that inherently has one of these mechanisms so that it also exhibits the other form of charge storage. In the present study, we modulate the electrochemical reconstruction of a W5N4 electrode to modify its charge storage from pure battery-type to pseudocapacitive, thus enhancing its specific capacity and cyclic stability. This modulation was carried out by embedding Co in W5N4 (Co-W5N4), leading to the formation of W and N-doped Co(OH)2 as an active phase and producing a high specific capacity of 2211 C g−1 at 2 A g−1. The incorporation of a thin layer of TiO2 (Co-W5N4/TiO2) through atomic layer deposition minimized tungsten dissolution during reconstruction, thus generating in-situ a dynamic metal–p-n junction heterostructure (Co-W5N4||Co(OH)2||TiO2) that modulated the charge flow, achieving high-rate capability (retaining 53.1 % at 50 A g−1 compared to 2 A g−1) and cyclic stability (82.8 % after 100,000 cycles at a high current density of 40 A g−1). As illustrated by operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and physicochemical analysis, the dynamic response of metal–p-n junction sustains the pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism at high current rate. This study thus demonstrates the formation of metal-p-n heterojunction and describes its dynamic response under actual charge/discharge operating conditions, providing useful information for the design of energy storage electrodes and energy conversion catalysts.

Reactive Magnetron Sputtering for Y-Doped Barium Zirconate Electrolyte Deposition in a Complete Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell

Yttrium-doped barium zirconate is a commonly used electrolyte material for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells (PCFC) due to its high protonic conductivity and high chemical stability. However, it is also known for its poor sinterability and poor grain boundary conductivity. In this work, in response to these issues, reactive magnetron sputtering was strategically chosen as the electrolyte deposition technique. This method allows the creation of a 4 µm tick electrolyte with a dense columnar microstructure. Notably, this technique is not widely utilized in PCFC fabrication. In this study, a complete cell is elaborated without exceeding a sintering temperature of 1350 °C. Tape casting is used for the anode, and spray coating is used for the cathode. The material of interest is yttrium-doped barium zirconate with the formula BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ (BZY). The anode consists of a NiO-BZY cermet, while the cathode is composed of BZY and Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSFC) in a 50:50 weight ratio. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis reveals a global polarization resistance of 0.3 Ω cm2, indicating highly efficient interfaces between electrolytes and electrodes.

Experimental investigation of degradation mechanism in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer under prolonged and severe bubble accumulation condition

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) exhibits significant potential as a technology for hydrogen production driven by sustainable energy sources. In this study, the performance degradation characteristics of PEMWE under severe bubble accumulation condition lasting 100 h were investigated through in-situ and ex-situ characterization techniques. The results show that an increasing performance disparity with higher voltage, notably at lower temperatures, reaching a 58.2 % current density degradation rate at 50 °C and 2.0 V. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis suggests that electrolyzer performance degradation is mainly due to increased charge transfer impedance, especially at the anode. In addition, the degraded electrolyzer exhibits a significant delay in reaching a stable current density during the abrupt voltage loading process, and its Tafel slope and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) increased and decreased by 12.8 % and 13.5 %, respectively. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, post-experiment analysis reveals pronounced thinning and noticeable cracks in both cathode and anode catalyst layers near the outlet, particularly on the anode side. Additionally, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mappings and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirm substantial Pt/C and IrO2 catalyst particle dissolution, migration, and agglomeration. The findings of this study contribute to enhancing understanding of the performance degradation mechanisms in PEMWE.

Gold nanosheet modified electrode with reduced impedance for electrophysiological recordings

In neurophysiological recording, reducing electrode impedance is crucial for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and achieving the desired spatial resolution. This study presents an approach to improve the performance of Au/Cr/glass electrodes by incorporating synthesized gold nanosheets without the need for additional adhesive material. We characterized the performance of the modified electrodes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and equivalent circuit analysis. Our findings showed an 81% reduction in mean impedance for the modified electrode, which was 0.85 kΩ at 1 kHz, compared to the unmodified electrode at 4.5 kΩ, an improvement attributed to the higher effective surface area of the modified electrode. Additionally, Scanning electron microscopy observations of PC12 cells cultured on the modified electrodes indicated favorable cell elongation and interaction with the rough surface. Stability studies indicated acceptable performance of the modified electrodes in solution environments. These results suggest that surface modification of electrodes with gold nanosheets could be a promising strategy for enhancing neural interface applications.

An investigation of the corrosion behavior of zinc-coated stainless steel orthodontic wires: the effect of physical vapor deposition method

BackgroundReleasing of metal ions might implicate in allergic reaction as a negative subsequent of the corrosion of Stainless Steel (SS304) orthodontic wires. The aim of this study was to evaluate the corrosion resistance of zinc-coated (Zn-coated) SS orthodontic wires.MethodsZinc coating was applied on SS wires by PVD method. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Potentiodynamic polarization tests and Tafel analysis methods were used to predict the corrosion behavior of Zn-coated and uncoated SS wires in both neutral and acidic environments.ResultsThe values of Ecorr ,icorr and Rct ,which were the electrochemical corrosion characteristics, reported better corrosion behavior of Zn-coated SS wires against uncoated ones in both artificial saliva and fluoride-containing environments. Experimental results of the Tafel plot analyses were consistent with that of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses for both biological solutions.ConclusionApplying Zn coating on bare SS orthodontic wire by PVD method might increase the corrosion resistance of the underlying stainless-steel substrate.

Role of Semiconductive Property on Selective Cementation Mechanism of Iron Oxides to Gold in Galvanic Interaction with Zero-Valent Aluminum from Gold–Copper Ammoniacal Thiosulfate Solutions

Iron oxides (hematite, Fe2O3, and magnetite, Fe3O4), previously used as electron mediators in the galvanic system with zero-valent aluminum (ZVAl), have been shown to recover Au upon cementation in Au–Cu ammoniacal thiosulfate media selectively, and this warrants further investigation. This research is focused on investigating the role of the semiconductive properties of metal oxides by performing a cementation experiment by mixing 0.15 g of electron mediators (Fe3O4, Fe2O3, TiO2 (anatase and rutile)) and 0.15 g of zero-valent aluminum powder as an electron donor in various electrochemical experiments. The results revealed that upon the cementation experiment, synthetic Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 were consistently able to selectively recover Au at around 90% and Cu at around 20%. Compared to activated carbon (AC), TiO2, in anatase and rutile forms, obtained selective recovery of gold, but the recovery was utterly insignificant compared to that of iron oxides, obtaining an average of 93% Au and 63% Cu recovery. The electrochemical and surface analysis supports the results obtained upon the cementation process, where TiO2, upon cyclic voltammetry (CV), obtained two reduction peaks centered at −1.0 V and −0.5 V assigned to reducing Au and Cu ions, respectively. Furthermore, various electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analyses revealed that the flat band potential obtained in the Mott–Schottky plot is around −1.0 V and −0.2 V for iron oxides and titanium oxides, respectively, suggesting that the electrons travel from semiconductor interface to electrolyte interface, and electrons are accessible only to Au ions in the electrolyte interface (reduction band edge around −1.0 V). The determination of this selective cementation mechanism is one of a kind. It has been proposed that the semiconductive properties of Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and, by configuring their relative energy band diagram, the travel of electrons from the iron oxide–electrolyte interface facilitate the selective cementation towards Au(S2O3)23+ ions in gold–copper ammoniacal thiosulfate solutions.

Effect of copper addition on passivation film of TC18 titanium alloy

TC18 and TC18–0.5Cu alloys were prepared by vacuum arc furnace melting. The properties of its passivation film in 5 % NaCl solution were investigated using constant potential polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Mott-Schottky and XPS analysis. The corrosion resistance of TC18 passivation films was found to be superior to that of TC18–0.5Cu alloy. The passivation films formed on both alloys displayed n-type semiconductor behavior. In the TC18–0.5Cu alloy, the presence of copper as a form of copper interstitial segregation Cuix+ was observed, which was subsequently replaced by low-mobility titanium ionic vacancies in the form of a cationic sublattice CuTix′, as a small defect.

Pore size, conductivity and surface area effects of rGO/ZnO/PTh hybrid nanocomposite for supercapacitors

This paper presents an easy and low-cost synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) as binary nanocomposite (rGO/ZnO) and rGO, ZnO and polythiophene (PTh) as ternary hybrid nanocomposite (rGO/ZnO/PTh). Firstly, graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from modified Hummers method. And it was reduced by microwave-assisted method to form as reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Polythiophene (PTh) was chemically synthesized to comparison with nanocomposites. Secondly, binary nanocomposite of rGO/ZnO were synthesized by probe-sonication method. Thirdly, rGO/ZnO/PTh hybrid nanocomposite was chemically synthesized using FeCl3 as an oxidant. All these materials were examined by many different techniques, such as FTIR-ATR, SEM-EDX, TGA-DTA, BET, Four-point probe analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The average pore width, conductivity and specific capacitance values were comparatively investigated to understand these effects on electrochemical performances of supercapacitor devices.The highest specific capacitance (Csp) was obtained as Csp = 430 F/g for rGO/ZnO nanocomposite at a scan rate of 2 mV/s. Moreover, it also shows a good charge/discharge performance (up to 1000 cycles) with 98.43 % capacitance retention at a scan rate of 100 mV/s by CV method. However, GCD and EIS methods have showed the highest specific capacitances as Csp = 85.6 F/g at 10 A/g, and Csp = 25.8 F/g for both hybrid rGO/ZnO/PTh nanocomposites, respectively. In addition, a new equivalent circuit model [R1(C1(Rct(C2R2)))] was suggested to interpret the EIS data for supercapacitor devices. As a results, both binary and ternary nanocomposites may be recognized as electrode materials with three different methods (CV, GCD and EIS) in supercapacitor applications.

Electrochemical Analysis of an Electrolyte-Supported Solid Oxide Cell-Based MK35x Stack during Long-Term Electrolysis Operation

The currently ongoing scale-up of high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis (SOEL) requires an understanding of the underlying dominant degradation mechanisms to enable continuous progress in increasing stack durability. In the present study, the degradation behavior of SOEL stacks of the type “MK35x” with chromium-iron-yttrium (CFY) interconnects and electrolyte-supported cells (ESC) developed at Fraunhofer IKTS was investigated. For this purpose, the initial electrochemical performance of a 10-cell stack was characterized in various operating conditions in both fuel cell and electrolysis mode. Degradation was evaluated during galvanostatic steady-state steam electrolysis operation for more than 3000 h at an oxygen side outlet temperature of 816 °C and a current density of −0.6 A cm−2 and showed an average voltage evolution rate of −0.3%/kh demonstrating high stability. Initial and final characterization at the part load operating point at −0.39 A cm−2 and 800 °C led to the determination of a positive overall degradation rate of 0.4%/kh showing a considerable impact of the operating conditions on the degradation rate. By means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis it was shown that the stack’s ohmic resistance increased whereas the polarization resistance decreased most likely due to an enhancement in LSMM’/ScSZ oxygen electrode performance.