Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is widely acknowledged that lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have had huge success in past decades. However, their safety concerns and insufficient energy density have significantly stymied their wide application in large-scale energy storage systems, such as electric vehicles and grid energy storage. Nowadays, developing safe electrolytes, such as solid-state electrolytes, aqueous electrolytes, non-flammable electrolytes, has been regarded as an effective solution to realize high-safety batteries. Meanwhile, the rational interface design against advanced electrode materials, particularly high-voltage cathodes and high-capacity anodes, can achieve excellent electrochemical performance. Therefore, with great advances in both electrolytes and interface design, next-generation energy storage technologies with both high energy density and great safety are expected.

This Special Issue on “Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage” is dedicated to reporting the latest advances in (but not limited to) solid-state electrolytes, aqueous electrolytes, non-flammable liquid electrolytes, as well as their interface engineering toward realizing excellent electrochemical performance. All the original research articles, reviews and perspectives that are closely related to this theme are most welcome.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Aqueous electrolytes and aqueous batteries
• Solid-state electrolytes and all-solid-state batteries
• Non-flammable electrolytes and their safe batteries
• Metal-sulphur batteries
• Metal-air batteries
• Flow batteries
• Interface engineering
• Cathode surface coating
• Metal anode protection
• Battery safety

Dr. Changhong Wang
Prof. Dr. Xiaofei Yang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Crystals crystals	2.7	3.6	2011	10.6 Days	CHF 2600
Energies energies	3.2	5.5	2008	16.1 Days	CHF 2600
Reactions reactions	-	-	2020	18.3 Days	CHF 1000
Chemistry chemistry	2.1	2.5	2019	19.1 Days	CHF 1800
Batteries batteries	4.0	5.4	2015	17.7 Days	CHF 2700

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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14 pages, 5520 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

High-Efficiency p-n Homojunction Perovskite and CIGS Tandem Solar Cell

by Maryam Hedayati and Saeed Olyaee

Crystals 2022, 12(5), 703; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cryst12050703 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2483

Abstract

Efficiency has been known to be one of the most important factors in a solar cell. This article presents the results of a simulation performed on a perovskite/CIGS dual-junction solar cell. In this report, first, a top solar cell consisting of a perovskite [...] Read more.

Efficiency has been known to be one of the most important factors in a solar cell. This article presents the results of a simulation performed on a perovskite/CIGS dual-junction solar cell. In this report, first, a top solar cell consisting of a perovskite absorber layer is simulated using the pn-junction; the separation and transfer of carriers in this structure are done by the internal electric field. The pn-junction has a discharge area smaller than the pin-junction, which increases carrier recombination and reduces optical losses. The perovskite band gap of 1.9 eV is considered, and the efficiency is 21.65% using the Au electrode. Then, the bottom solar cell is fabricated with a CIGS absorbent layer with a 1.4 eV band gap and an efficiency of 11.46%. After simulating and evaluating the performance of the top and bottom solar cells independently, both cells were simulated and examined for the dual-junction state. Since the perovskite and CIGS band gaps are both adjustable, these two materials can act as a proper partner for an absorbent layer in a dual-junction solar cell. In this structure, instead of the usual connection of p-i-n and n-i-p perovskite, n-type and p-type homojunction perovskite connection is used, in which the transfer and separation of carriers are done by an internal electric field. Due to the fact that in this structure, the discharge area is smaller, the recombination of carriers is increased, and the light losses are reduced, which will increase the absorption and efficiency of the cell. The results show that in the tandem design, we encounter an increase in V_oc (2.25 V), thus increasing the efficiency of the solar cell (30.71%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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16 pages, 3860 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of the Electrochemical Response of Cobalt Hydroxide Electrodes for Energy Storage

by Gabriel Garcia Carvalho, Sónia Eugénio, Maria Teresa Silva and Maria Fátima Montemor

Batteries 2022, 8(4), 37; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/batteries8040037 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2395

Abstract

Cyclic Voltammetry is an analysis method for characterizing the behaviors of electrochemically active materials by measuring current through defined potential sweeps. The current–potential relationship depends on key variables such concentration of electrolyte, electron-transfer rate, and the distance and time of species in relation [...] Read more.

Cyclic Voltammetry is an analysis method for characterizing the behaviors of electrochemically active materials by measuring current through defined potential sweeps. The current–potential relationship depends on key variables such concentration of electrolyte, electron-transfer rate, and the distance and time of species in relation to the electroactive surface of the material. A MATLAB^® simulation was developed on a diffusion and kinetics basis, simulating the equations of Fick’s second law and Butler–Volmer, respectively, towards understanding the energy-storage mechanisms of cobalt hydroxide electrodes. The simulation was compared to a real cobalt hydroxide system, showing an accurate approximation to the experimentally obtained response and deviations possibly related to other physical/chemical processes influencing the involved species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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21 pages, 7222 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Modeling of High Conversion Efficiency FTO/ZnO/CdS/CZTS/MO Thin Film-Based Solar Cells: Using SCAPS-1D Software

by Samer H. Zyoud, Ahed H. Zyoud, Naser M. Ahmed, Anupama R. Prasad, Sohaib Naseem Khan, Atef F. I. Abdelkader and Moyad Shahwan

Crystals 2021, 11(12), 1468; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cryst11121468 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4183

Abstract

The numerical modeling of a copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS)-based kesterite solar cell is described in detail in this article. To model FTO/ZnO/CdS/CZTS/MO structured solar cells, the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator-one-dimension (SCAPS-1D) program was utilized. Numerical modeling was used to estimate and assess [...] Read more.

The numerical modeling of a copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS)-based kesterite solar cell is described in detail in this article. To model FTO/ZnO/CdS/CZTS/MO structured solar cells, the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator-one-dimension (SCAPS-1D) program was utilized. Numerical modeling was used to estimate and assess the parameters of various photovoltaic thin film solar cells. The impact of different parameters on solar cell performance and conversion efficiency were explored. Because the response of a solar cell is partly determined by its internal physical mechanism, J-V characteristic characteristics are insufficient to define a device’s behavior. Regardless of the conviction in solar cell modeling, variable attributes as well as many probable conditions must be handled for simulation. Promising optimized results were obtained with a conversion efficiency of ($\eta$% = 25.72%), a fill factor of (FF% = 83.75%), a short-circuit current of ($J_{SC }$ = 32.96436 mA/cm²), and an open-circuit voltage of ($V_{OC}$ = 0.64 V). The findings will aid in determining the feasibility of manufacturing high-efficiency CZTS-based solar cells. First, in the SCAPS-1D environment, the impacts of experimentally constructed CZTS solar cells were simulated. The experimental data was then compared to the simulated results from SCAPS-1D. After optimizing cell parameters, the conversion efficiency of the improved system was observed to rise. The influence of system factors, such as the thickness, acceptor, and donor carrier concentration densities of the absorber and electron transport layers, and the effect of temperature on the efficiency of CZTS-based photovoltaic cells, was explored using one-dimensional SCAPS-1D software. The suggested findings will be extremely useful to engineers and researchers in determining the best method for maximizing solar cell efficiency, as well as in the development of more efficient CZTS-based solar cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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11 pages, 2806 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Magnetic Coupling-Based Battery Impedance Measurement Method

by Chushan Li, Junjie Mao, Qiang Wu, Yibo Deng, Jiande Wu, Wuhua Li and Xiangning He

Energies 2021, 14(22), 7490; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14227490 - 09 Nov 2021

Viewed by 1467

Abstract

The battery impedance is an important indicator of battery health status. In this paper, a magnetic coupling-based impedance measurement method for electrochemical batteries is proposed. Without affecting the energy injection stage, the designed suppression resistance can minimize the influence of the primary circuit [...] Read more.

The battery impedance is an important indicator of battery health status. In this paper, a magnetic coupling-based impedance measurement method for electrochemical batteries is proposed. Without affecting the energy injection stage, the designed suppression resistance can minimize the influence of the primary circuit response, and the under-damped oscillation waveform containing the battery impedance information can be directly obtained on the primary inductance. The change of the mutual inductance value within a certain range will not affect the measurement results. Therefore, the measurement system has high stability and robustness. By utilizing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-based algorithm to calculate the damped oscillation parameters, the battery impedance is accurately derived from the calculated attenuation coefficient and damped oscillation frequency. The accuracy of this method under different coupling parameters is analyzed and verified by simulation and experiment on a Li-ion battery, which could be employed to estimate the state of charge (SOC). Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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18 pages, 5075 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Impediment of Iron Corrosion by N,N′-Bis[2-hydroxynaphthylidene]amino]oxamide in 3.5% NaCl Solution

by El-Sayed M. Sherif, Ayman H. Ahmed, Hany S. Abdo and Monerah N. DefAllah

Crystals 2021, 11(10), 1263; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cryst11101263 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1803

Abstract

Hydrazone [N,N′-bis[2-hydroxynaphthylidene]amino]oxamide] derived from the condensation of ethanedihydrazide with 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde was synthesized and assessed on the basis of elemental analysis (CHN) and spectral (IR, mass, ¹³C/¹H NMR and UV-Vis) measurements. The influence of N,N [...] Read more.

Hydrazone [N,N′-bis[2-hydroxynaphthylidene]amino]oxamide] derived from the condensation of ethanedihydrazide with 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde was synthesized and assessed on the basis of elemental analysis (CHN) and spectral (IR, mass, ¹³C/¹H NMR and UV-Vis) measurements. The influence of N,N-bis([2-hydroxynaphthylidene]amino)oxamide (HAO) in terms of the inhibition of iron corrosion in concentrated sodium chloride solution (3.5 wt.% NaCl) after various exposure periods was assessed. Numerous electrochemical and spectroscopic assessment techniques were performed. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization experiments indicated that the presence of HAO and its increased concentration decreased the corrosion of iron in NaCl solution by decreasing the corrosion values, anodic and cathodic currents, and corrosion rate. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results showed that HAO molecules greatly increased the corrosion resistance. The chronoamperometric experiments performed at −475 mV (Ag/AgCl) revealed that the HAO molecules decreased the absolute currents and reduced the probability of the occurrence of pitting corrosion. The effect of HAO on the inhibition of iron corrosion was also confirmed through scanning electron microscopy micrographs and energy-dispersive X-ray profile analyses, which proved that the surface of the iron sample exposed to chloride solution alone was pitted, while the presence of HAO molecules reduced the severity of the pitting corrosion. The results confirmed that the presence of HAO molecules inhibits the corrosion of iron and this impact increased when the exposure time was increased to 48 h. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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12 pages, 2773 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Mn-N-C Nanostructure Derived from MnO_2-x/PANI as Highly Performing Cathode Additive in Li-S Battery

by Xingyuan Gao, Ruliang Liu, Lixia Wu, Changdi Lai, Yubin Liang, Manli Cao, Jingyu Wang, Wei Yin, Xihong Lu and Sibudjing Kawi

Reactions 2021, 2(3), 275-286; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/reactions2030017 - 15 Aug 2021

Viewed by 2829

Abstract

Highly dispersed Mn metallic nanoparticles (15.87 nm on average) on a nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix were prepared by thermal treatment of MnO_2-x/polyaniline (PANI), which was derived from the in situ polymerization of aniline monomers initiated by γ-MnO₂ nanosheets. Owing to [...] Read more.

Highly dispersed Mn metallic nanoparticles (15.87 nm on average) on a nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix were prepared by thermal treatment of MnO_2-x/polyaniline (PANI), which was derived from the in situ polymerization of aniline monomers initiated by γ-MnO₂ nanosheets. Owing to the large surface area (1287 m²/g), abundant active sites, nitrogen dopants and highly dispersed Mn sites on graphitic carbon, an impressive specific capacity of 1319.4 mAh g⁻¹ with an admirable rate performance was delivered in a Li-S battery. After 220 cycles at 1 C, 80.6% of the original capacity was retained, exhibiting a good cycling stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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11 pages, 2963 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Anion Coordination Improves High-Temperature Performance and Stability of NaPF6-Based Electrolytes for Supercapacitors

by J. Landon Tyler, Robert L. Sacci and Jagjit Nanda

Energies 2021, 14(15), 4409; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14154409 - 21 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1940

Abstract

Electrolyte stability can be improved by incorporating complexing agents that bind key decomposition intermediates and slow down decomposition. We show that hexamethyl-phosphoramide (HMPA) extends both the thermal stability threshold of sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF₆) in dimethoxyethane (DME) electrolyte and the cycle life [...] Read more.

Electrolyte stability can be improved by incorporating complexing agents that bind key decomposition intermediates and slow down decomposition. We show that hexamethyl-phosphoramide (HMPA) extends both the thermal stability threshold of sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF₆) in dimethoxyethane (DME) electrolyte and the cycle life of double-layer capacitors. HMPA forms a stable complex with PF₅, an intermediate in PF₆ anion thermal degradation. Unbound, this intermediate leads to autocatalytic degradation of the electrolyte solution. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic cycling measurements show large changes in the cell without the presence of HMPA at higher temperatures (≥60 °C). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) on the liquid and gas phase of the electrolyte shows without HMPA the formation of measurable amounts of PF₅ and HF. The complimentary results of these measurements proved the usefulness of using Lewis bases such as HMPA to inhibit the degradation of the electrolyte solution at elevated temperatures and potentially lead to improve cycle life of a nonaqueous capacitor. The results showed a large increase in capacitance retention during cycling (72% retention after 750,000 cycles). The results also provide evidence of major decomposition processes (0% capacitance retention after 100,000 cycles) that take place at higher temperatures without the additive of a thermal stability additive such as HMPA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electrolyte Design and Interface Engineering toward Safer Energy Storage)

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