Wide Operating Temperature Research Articles

Replenish the Electron‐Deficient State of Carbonyl Carbon Atoms to Achieve Stable Li–S Battery

AbstractCarbonate‐based electrolytes are widely used in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their safe, stable properties and wide operating temperature range. However, the nucleophilic attack at carbonyl carbon atoms by polysulfide anions and the low solubility of lithium nitrate (LiNO3<0.1 m) in carbonate‐based electrolytes seriously hinder the application of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries in carbonate‐based electrolytes. Herein, the electrophilicity of carbonyl carbon atoms is gradually reduced through solvent molecules redesign, eliminated the attack of polysulfide anions on carbonyl carbon atoms, and also changed the intermolecular interactions in the electrolyte, improving the solubility of LiNO3 (>1.0 m) and forming stable LiNxOy‐containing SEI on the surface of the lithium metal. The assembled Li–S battery with these designed solvent molecules delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1251.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1C. In addition, the lithium–sulfur battery assembled with the designed solvent molecule has a discharge capacity of 631 mAh g−1 after 420 cycles at 0.2 C, with a capacity retention of ≈60%. Moreover, the Li||Li symmetrical cell shows stable cycle performance over 1200 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 and 0.5 mAh cm−2.

Enhancing Open-Space Gas Detection Limit: A Novel Environmentally Adaptive Infrared Temperature Prediction Method for Uncooled Spectroscopy

Gas cloud imaging with uncooled infrared spectroscopy is influenced by ambient temperature, complicating the quantitative detection of gas concentrations in open environments. To solve the aforementioned challenges, the paper analyzes the main factors influencing detection errors in uncooled infrared spectroscopy gas cloud imaging and proposes a temperature correction method to address them. Firstly, to mitigate the environmental effects on the radiative temperature output of uncooled infrared detectors, a snapshot-based, multi-band infrared temperature compensation algorithm incorporating environmental awareness was developed. This algorithm enables precise infrared radiation prediction across a wide operating temperature range. Validation tests conducted over the full temperature range of 0 °C to 80 °C demonstrated that the prediction error was maintained within ±0.96 °C. Subsequently, temperature compensation techniques were integrated, resulting in the development of a comprehensive uncooled infrared spectroscopy gas cloud imaging detection method. Ultimately, the detection limits for SF6, ethylene, cyclohexane, and ammonia were enhanced by 50%, 33%, 25%, and 67%, respectively.

A Wide‐Temperature Adaptive Electrochromic Device Based on a Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Poly(acrylic acid) Gel Electrolyte

AbstractAs a promising energy‐saving technology, electrochromic technology has been widely investigated for practical applications. However, there is relatively few research about the applications under certain extreme climatic conditions since gel electrolytes often occur freezing and volatilizing. In this work, a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) gel electrolyte with good anti‐freezing and heat‐resistance performance is developed. Utilizing hydrated tungsten oxide (WO3·xH2O) and polyaniline (PANI) as electrochromic materials and the PVA/PAA gel as electrolyte, a WO3·xH2O/PVA/PAA‐ethylene glycol (EG)‐H2O/PANI electrochromic device (WO3·xH2O/PAEH/PANI ECD) is obtained, which can work efficiently at wide operating temperatures from −20 to 60 °C. The device has multiple reversible color changes, a large optical modulation of 66.2% at 600 nm, high coloration efficiency of 386.0 cm2 C−1, fast responses (with coloration/bleaching times of 1.3/1.1 s), as well as excellent cyclic stability (82.0% of the initial optical modulation is still retained after 2100 cycles). This work reveals the potential application prospects of PAEH gel electrolyte in practical extreme operating conditions.

Large Room-Temperature Electrocaloric Effect in Lead-Free Relaxor Ferroelectric Ceramics with Wide Operation Temperature Range

In order to obtain large room-temperature electrocaloric effect (ECE) and wide operation temperature range simultaneously in lead-free ceramics, we proposed designing a relaxor ferroelectric with a Tm (the temperature at which the maximum dielectric permittivity is achieved) near-room temperature and glass addition. Based on this strategy, we designed and fabricated lead-free 0.76NaNbO3–0.24BaTiO3 (NN-24BT) ceramics with 1wt.% BaO–B2O3–SiO2 glass addition, which showed distinct relaxor ferroelectric characteristics with strongly diffused phase transition and a Tm near-room temperature. Based on a direct measurement method, a large ΔT (adiabatic temperature change) of 1.3 K was obtained at room temperature under a high field of 11.0 kV mm−1. Additionally, large ECE can be maintained (>0.6 K@6.1 kV mm−1) over a broad temperature range from 23 °C to 69 °C. Moreover, the ECE displayed excellent cyclic stability with a variation in ΔT below ±7% within 100 test cycles. The comprehensive ECE performance is significantly better than other lead-free ceramics. Our work provides a general and effective approach to designing lead-free, high-performance ECE ceramics, and the approach possesses the potential to be utilized to improve the ECE performance of other lead-free ferroelectric ceramic systems.

Construction of CuCoCe ternary catalyst via a porous organic polymer template approach for efficient CO-PROX with wide operating temperature window

Preferential CO oxidation (CO-PROX) is a promising approach for removing trace CO from hydrogen-rich streams, effectively preventing Pt anode poisoning in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To effectively eliminate CO within the PEMFC operating temperature range, catalysts must exhibit high CO conversion and O2 selectivity. Expanding the operating temperature window of these catalysts is crucial. This study presents the synthesis of a CuCoCe ternary catalyst (CuCo/Ce-P) using an imidazole-functionalized porous organic polymer as a sacrificial template. Compared to the CuCoCe ternary catalyst prepared without a template (CuCo/Ce), CuCo/Ce-P exhibits significantly enhanced catalytic activity, with a T50 reduction from 85 °C to 55 °C and an expanded operating temperature window of approximately 40 ℃. Characterization results indicate that the imidazole-functionalized porous organic polymer facilitates improved dispersion of active species by anchoring metal ions through electron-rich groups, enhances intermetallic interactions, promotes electron transfer, and significantly improves the oxygen-deficient capacity of the CuCoCe ternary catalyst. Consequently, the catalyst exhibits a greater number of active interfaces, leading to enhanced catalytic activity and a wider operating temperature window.

Fabrication of carbon nanotube neuromorphic thin film transistor arrays and their applications for flexible olfactory-visual multisensory synergy recognition

Abstract Artificial multisensory devices play a key role for the human-computer interaction in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). In this work, we have designed and constructed a novel olfactory-visual bimodal neuromorphic carbon nanotube thin film transistor (TFT) arrays for artificial olfactory-visual multisensory synergy recognition with the ultralow single-pulse power consumption of 25 aJ, employing semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (sc-SWCNTs) as channel materials and gas sensitive materials, and poly[[4,8-bis[5-(2-ethylhexyl)-2-thienyl]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b0]dithiophene-2,6-diyl]-2,5-thiophenediyl-[5,7-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4,8-dioxo-4H,8H-benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c0]dithio-phene-1,3-diyl]] (PBDB-T) as the photosensitive material. It is noted that it is the first time to realize the simulation of olfactory and visual senses (from 280 nm to 650 nm) with the wide operating temperature range (0-150 °C) in a single SWCNT TFT device and successfully simulate the recovery of olfactory senses after COVID-19 by olfactory-visual synergy. Furthermore, our SWCNT neuromorphic TFT devices with high Ion/Ioff ratio (up to 106) at a low operating voltage (-2-0.5 V) can mimic not only the basic biological synaptic functions of olfaction and vision (such as paired-pulse facilitation, short-term plasticity, and long-term plasticity), but also optical wireless communication by Morse code. The proposed multisensory, broadband light-responsive, low-power synaptic devices provide great potential for developing AI robots to face complex external environments.

High-Performance All-Inorganic Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery for Wide-Temperature Operation (−70 to 60 °C)

High-Performance All-Inorganic Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery for Wide-Temperature Operation (−70 to 60 °C)

Humidity-independent NO2 gas sensors based on ZnO-NiOFx nanocomposites and the synergistic humidity-immune effect of fluorine doped NiO

Clean, alternative energy sources, especially fuel cells, are gradually attracting global attentions while the produced toxic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a greatly hazardous chemical impacting their energy efficiencies. Metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) hold significant promise as NO2 sensors. However, intensive humidity interaction intensifies signal drifts and reliable response inhibitions under variable humidity conditions. In this study, we present a novel approach to address this issue by engineering in-situ F-doped NiO nanocomposites (NiOFx) decorated on ZnO snowflakes achieved through decomposition modulation of ZnOHF precursors. The optimized NO2 sensor demonstrates unparalleled humidity-independence across a wide operating temperature range with prime sensitivity, low detection limit and rapid response/recovery. Matrix algorithm is also implemented in highly precise NO2 identification under complicated atmospheric and humid conditions. Mechanism studies based on temperature programmed desorption (TPD), quasi in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (Quasi in-situ XPS) reveal that F− dopants facilitate interfacial electron transferring and inhibit oxygen activity. In-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (In-situ DRIFTS) demonstrates that hygroscopic NiO and electronegative F− synergistically obstruct hydroxyl adsorptions on sensing materials. The innovative approach offers a promising solution for enhancing moisture resistance of MOS sensors for real-time NO2 concentration monitoring in fuel cells and provides valuable insights into anti-humidity mechanisms.

Industrialization challenges for sulfide-based all solid state battery

All-solid-state battery(ASSB) is the most promising solution for next-generation energy-storage device due to its high energy density, fast charging capability, enhanced safety, wide operating temperature range and long cycle life. Although great efforts and breakthroughs have been made in recent years, many challenges still exist for its industrialization. This perspective aims to summarize the most critical challenges in mass production of ASSB to fully release its potential and facilitate the arrival of a more sustainable future.

Wide-temperature and high-voltage Li||LiCoO2 cells enabled by a nonflammable partially-fluorinated electrolyte with fine-tuning solvation structure

Efficient, safe, and reliable energy output from high-energy-density lithium metal batteries (LMBs) at all climates is crucial for portable electronic devices operating in complex environments. The performance of corresponding cathodes and lithium (Li) metal anodes, however, faces significant challenges under such demanding conditions. Herein, a nonflammable electrolyte for high-voltage Li||LCO cells has been designed, including partially-fluorinated ethyl 4,4,4-trifluorobutyrate (ETFB) as the key solvent, guided by theoretical calculations. With this ETFB-based electrolyte, Li||LCO cells exhibit enhanced reversible capacities and superior capacity retention at an elevated charge voltage of 4.5 V and a wide operating temperature range spanning from −60 °C to 70 °C. The cells achieve 67.1% discharge capacity at −60 °C, relative to room temperature capacity, and 85.9% 100th-cycle retention at 70 °C. The outstanding properties are attributed to the LiF-rich interphases formed in the ETFB-based electrolyte with a fine-tuned solvation structure, in which the coordination environment in the vicinity of Li+ cations and the distance between anion and solvents are subtly adjusted by introducing ETFB. This solvation structure has been mutually elucidated through joint spectra characterizations and atomistic simulations. This work presents a new strategy for the design of electrolytes to achieve all-climate reliable and safe application of LMBs.

Ultrahigh Thermal Rectification at Small Temperature Difference Achieved by Near‐Field Thermal Photon Manipulation

AbstractThermal diodes, which allow heat to flow in a preferential direction, are an essential component of thermal circuitry and will find applications in many fields ranging from thermal photon controls to quantum information. The quality of a thermal diode is defined by the thermal rectification ratio (TRR). Here, an ultrahigh TRR exceeding 105 at a small temperature difference (1–5 K) is presented based on near‐field thermal photon (NFTP) manipulation, by utilizing asymmetric gap‐variated dual terminals based on graphene/Si heterostructures and materials with contrasting thermal expansion coefficients. Analyses of the photon tunneling probability show that the colossal TRR comes from coupled and decoupled graphene surface plasmon polaritons under opposite temperature biases, remaining robust across a wide operating temperature range. Further enhancement can be achieved by tuning the Fermi level of graphene. This work demonstrates the significance of asymmetry in NFTP manipulation for thermal diode performance, achieving an ultrahigh TRR, which is at least three orders higher than the state‐of‐the‐art structures at the same small temperature difference (1–5 K), and is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art electronic diodes.

Magnetic and dielectric properties of low‐loss MnZn ferrites with wide temperature stability

AbstractTo meet the needs for higher energy efficiency and a wide operating temperature range of electric vehicles, the low‐loss MnZn ferrites in a wide temperature range have been developed by optimizing the Fe content and the oxygen partial pressure (PO2) during the sintering process in this work. For the optimal sample, power loss at 300 kHz/100mT is 204 kW/m3 at 25°C and remains below 290 kW/m3 in the wide temperature range from ‐10 to 120°C. The loss separation method was employed to clarify the effects of the Fe content and PO2 on power loss. The equivalent circuit model has been employed to fit the complex impedance and it is found that the increase of PO2 enhances both the grain resistance Rg and the grain boundary resistance Rgb. The enhancement of Rgb is mainly responsible for the reduction of eddy current loss and consequently power loss. Dielectric permittivity is as large as about 15000 in this series of samples due to the electric polarization at the rich grain boundaries. Dielectric loss is very low between ‐50 and 150°C and has little contribution to the energy loss.

Boron/phosphorus co-doped nitrogen-rich carbon nanofiber with flexible anode for robust sodium-ion battery

Flexible energy storage devices have been paid much attention and adapts to apply in various fields. Benefiting from the active sites of boron (B) and phosphorus (P) doping materials, co-doped carbon materials are widely used in energy storage devices for the enhanced electrochemical performance. Herein, B and P co-doped flexible carbon nanofibers with nitrogen-rich (B-P/NC) are investigated with electrospinning for sodium-ion battery. The flexible of binderless B-P/NC with annealing of 600 °C (B-P/NC-600) exhibits the remarkable performance for the robust capacity of 200 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 500 cycles and a durable reversible capacity of 160 mAh/g even at 1 A/g after 12,000 cycles, exhibiting the equally commendable stability of flexible B-P/NC-600. In addition, B-P/NC-600 delivers the reversible capacity of 265 mAh/g with the test temperature of 60 °C. More importantly, the flexible B-P/NC-600 is fabricated as anode for the whole battery, delivering the capacity of 90 mAh/g at 1 A/g after 200 cycles. Meanwhile, theoretical calculation further verified that boron and phosphorus co-doping can improve the adsorption capacity of nitrogen carbon materials. The favorable performance of flexible B-P/NC-600 can be ascribed to the nitrogen-rich carbon nanofibers with three-dimensional network matrix for the more active site of boron and phosphorus co-doping. Our work paves the way for the improvement of flexible anodes and wide-operating temperature of sodium-ion batteries by doping approach of much heteroatom.

A wide-output buck DC-DC power management IC

-This article designs and develops a wide-input voltage, high-efficiency, small-size, and peak current-mode control step-down DC-DC converter. The Cadence Spectre simulation tool is used for system simulation to verify the performance of the chip. The overall research content of the article includes the function of the output under heavy load, light load and the stability of the output under transient load changes. The specific content of the research is buck synchronous step-down DC-DC converter chip with pulse modulated. It is provided with an input-voltage range of 6 V–80 V and maximum output-voltage range 72 V. The chip possesses wide operating temperature range of −20 °C to 130 °C. The 92 % high-efficiency can be achieved by using a PWM/PFM hybrid modulation method. When achieving transient load jump, the output voltage change shall not exceed 150 mV. The maximum load current of the chip is 1 A. Furthermore, the chip is packaged and samples can be obtained, and the output light load/heavy load, and other functions are tested through the circuit board. In addition, the chip achieved tape out by using 0.18 μm CMOS process with size of 2027 μm × 2020 μm. The converter features current mode control to simplify external compensation and optimize transient response through a wide range of inductors and output capacitors. It can be adopted user-programmable soft-start time to prevent inrush current during startup. It also includes thermal shutdown protection to provide safe and smooth operation in operating conditions.

The sealing performance of PTFE O-rings at low temperature

Abstract Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has the advantages of high chemical stability, wide operating temperature range, excellent lubrication, etc. It is widely used in aerospace, automotive industry and other engineering fields and plays an important role in sealing applications of low-temperature media. However, in practical engineering applications, the design of PTFE O-rings in low-temperature variable-temperature working conditions lacks a reference basis. Based on the sealing structure of low-temperature pressure vessel, this paper establishes a two-dimensional axisymmetric model using the finite element analysis software Abaqus to study the sealing performance of PTFE O-rings in the static sealing system, and analyzes the effects of temperature, compression rate, cold shrinkage on the deformation of the PTFE O-rings, the Mises stresses, and the contact pressure.

Experimental analysis on improving heat storage efficiency of high-temperature packed bed system using spherical capsules filled with MgCl2–KCl–NaCl/Al2O3 nanoparticles composite phase change material

While thermal energy storage (TES) systems are becoming crucial to the stable operation of solar power plants, molten salt packed bed thermal energy storage (PBTES) systems attracted widespread attention due to their wide operating temperature range and low cost. However, achieving high-efficiency thermal storage systems is still a datum challenge to meet the higher energy demand, as well as sustainable development and utilization of renewable energy systems. This study developed spherical capsules employing nanocomposite salts (MgCl2–KCl–NaCl/Al2O3 nanoparticles) as composite phase change materials to experimentally study the heat storage process of a high-temperature PBTES prototype experimental system. Also, the heat storage performance of the PBTES system under different operating conditions is further investigated. The results showed that the nanocomposite salt gradually melted along the flow direction of the heat transfer fluid by exhibiting three-stage characteristics including solid phase sensible heat, phase change latent heat, and liquid phase sensible heat. Also, the temperature difference inside and outside the capsules showed the characteristics of peak-trough-peak. The PBTES system reached a heat storage density of 1290.51 MJ m−3 at a thermal efficiency of 86.95 %. The average heat storage rate increased by 49.55 % and the heat storage time was shortened by 29.67 % when the blower speed was increased from 800 r·min−1 to 1200 r·min−1. The experimental results implied that the PBTES system encapsulating nanocomposite salts has excellent thermal performance. This study demonstrated solving the problems of insufficient thermal energy supply in time or space and improving energy utilization could result in a high-efficiency thermal storage system.

A novel lanthanum ion-assisted fluorapatite precipitation approach for efficient fluoride removal from water

Excess amounts of fluoride ions (F-) in water/wastewater bring great hazards to human health and the environment. The traditional method such as precipitation by calcium ions does not work well for low-concentration F- removal. Herein, we developed a lanthanum ion (La3+)-assisted fluorapatite precipitation approach to treat F--containing water, aiming at high removal efficiency. Through an orthogonal experimental design and single-factor experiment, the optimized reaction conditions were obtained as the molar ratio of (Ca2++La3+): PO43-: F-=7.5: 4: 1, Ca2+: La3+ = 90: 10, and reaction pH of 9. Under such reaction conditions, F- in water (10 mg L−1) could be well controlled under 1 mg L−1, fulfilling relevant environmental standards. No remarkable F- removal efficiency loss was found in the presence of typical anions (e.g., halides, bicarbonate, sulfate). The developed F- removal approach also worked well in a wide F- concentration range (10–200 mg L−1) and reaction temperature range (5–45 °C). Further reaction mechanism study proved that the formation of LaFx(OH)3-x colloids was the key step, which could accumulate F- ions in water into colloids. The subsequently added Ca2+ and PO43- destroyed the stable colloids, and then promoted the formation of fluorapatite with simultaneous La3+ doping, which existed as precipitate and allowed the easy separation from the reaction solution. As a by-product, the as-produced La3+-doped fluorapatite was evaluated as an adsorbent for organic pollutant removal, which possessed a high adsorption capacity (763.4 mg g−1) for the model pollutant of Congo red. Considering the facile operation process, high F- removal efficiency, wide operation temperature window, and anti-inference for co-existing anions, the La3+-assisted fluorapatite precipitation approach possessed great potential for F--containing water/wastewater treatment.

Polysulfides adsorption and catalysis dual-sites on metal-doped molybdenum oxide nanoclusters for Li-S batteries with wide operating temperature

Polysulfides adsorption and catalysis dual-sites on metal-doped molybdenum oxide nanoclusters for Li-S batteries with wide operating temperature

Solid-state rigid polymer composite electrolytes with in-situ formed nano-crystalline lithium ion pathways for lithium-metal batteries

Polymer-based solid-state electrolytes with excellent processability and flexibility are ideal candidates for commercialisation in lithium-metal batteries. However, the current polymer-based solid-state electrolytes still have many problems such as low ionic conductivity, limited Li+ transport number and high interfacial resistance with electrodes. To address the above challenges, a solid-state rigid polymer composite electrolyte with high ionic conductivity (2.8 mS cm−1) has been prepared based on the rigid polymer poly(2, 2′-disulfonyl-4, 4′-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT). Locally aligned PBDT-EMImN(CN)2 grains are interspersed with in-situ formed interconnected LiFSI to form the structure of the polymer composite electrolyte. The formation of defective LiFSI nanocrystals at grain boundaries inside the polymer electrolyte acts as additional conductive networks providing fast Li+ transportation (tLi+ = 0.59). The flexible region in the electrolyte gives excellent interfacial impedance (32.5 Ω cm2) with Li-metal electrode. The Li||Li batteries can be stably cycled for over 1000 cycles at 1 mA cm−2 (25 °C). The assembled Li||LiFePO4 batteries exhibit excellent cycling and multiplication performance over a wide operating temperature (from −20 to 60 °C). Moreover, this electrolyte material exhibits compatibility with high-voltage cathode LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 batteries. This electrolyte and design strategy is expected to inspire the realization of all-weather practical solid-state lithium-metal batteries.

The impact of the environment of use on the behavior of polychlorinated (vinyl chloride).

Polymers are omnipresent in our daily life thanks to their low production cost and their ease of implementation, which makes thermoplastics more usable in supplying drinking water, distributing cold and hot water, and transporting hot corrosive fluids and industrial chemicals, including inorganic acids. The material of our study is chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC); it has better thermal insulation and a wide operating temperature range. This paper deals with the impact of thermal aging over time on the behavior of CPVC by performing two types of tests according to ISO 15877 (EN ISO 15877) two types of tests; the first is thermal aging (Fig.1) at a temperature of 95°C and a pressure of 10 bars for periods of up to 2000h and the second test exposure of the pipeline to pressure until bursting. On the basis of the test results, we can predict the rupture of the pipeline and thus avoid the dangerous accidents due to the bursting under the effect of the pressure and the high temperature; by using the results of this study, the inspectors change CPVC structures at the right time, neither too early when the part is still in good condition nor too late after failure; this will be very useful to save water and money and of course save the environment.