Chen Liquan

First Principles Study on NaxLi1−xFePO4 As Cathode Material for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

The electronic structure and ionic dynamic properties of pure and Na doped (Li site) LiFePO4 have been investigated by first-principles calculations. The band gap of the Na doped material is much narrow than that of the undoped one, indicating of better electronic conductive properties. First-principles based molecular dynamic simulations have been performed to examine the migration energy barriers for the Li ion diffusion. The results shown that the energy barriers for Li diffusion decreased a little along the one-dimensional diffusion pathway, indicating that the ionic conductive property is also improved, as compared with the high valance doping (such as Cr) cases.

New layered metal oxides as positive electrode materials for room-temperature sodium-ion batteries

In order to achieve better Na storage performance, most layered oxide positive electrode materials contain toxic and expensive transition metals Ni and/or Co, which are also widely used for lithium-ion batteries. Here we report a new quaternary layered oxide consisting of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ti transition metals with O3-type oxygen stacking as a positive electrode for room-temperature sodium-ion batteries. The material can be simply prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction route and delivers a reversible capacity of 94 mAh/g with an average storage voltage of 3.2 V. This paves the way for cheaper and non-toxic batteries with high Na storage performance.

Recombination reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells by screen-printed TiO2 underlayers

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the TiO2 underlayer can block the electron recombination at the FTO (fluorine doped SnO2) glass/electrolyte interface. This underlayer was traditionally prepared by spray-pyrolysis or spin coating. In this study, we develop an alternative method based on screen-printing. The quality of the screen-printed underlayers is characterized by SEM, XPS and the photoelectrochemistry measurements. The prepared underlayers are smooth and effective. The screen-printing technique is cheap and easy to handle and can produce films with different patterns. These advantages will facilitate applications of the screen-printed underlayer.

Significant effect of electron transfer between current collector and active material on high rate performance of Li4Ti5O12

The rate and cycling performances of the electrode materials are affected by many factors in a practical complicated electrode process. Learning about the limiting step in a practical electrochemical reaction is very important to effectively improve the electrochemical performances of the electrode materials. Li4Ti5O12, as a zero-strain material, has been considered as a promising anode material for long life Li-ion batteries. In this study, our results show that the Li4Ti5O12 pasted on Cu or graphite felt current collector exhibits unexpectedly higher rate performance than on Al current collector. For Li4Ti5O12, the electron transfer between current collector and active material is the critical factor that affects its rate and cycling performances.

Efficiency enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells: Using salt CuI as an additive in an ionic liquid

Energy conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell is improved from 3.5% to 4.5% by adding a small amount of CuI into an ionic liquid electrolyte. It is found that other copper-I salts, for example, CuBr, have the same effect for the dye-sensitized solar cell. Experimental results show that no Cu2+ ions exist in this electrolyte. It is suggested that this improvement is caused by the adsorption of Cu+ onto the TiO2 porous film.

Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using a Composite Electrolyte Consisting of LiI(CH3OH)4-I2, SiO2Nano-Particles and an Ionic Liquid

Solid-state electrolyte LiI(CH3OH)4-I2 is used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSCs using only the LiI(CH3OH)4-I2 electrolyte show very poor performance due to the quick crystal growth of LiI(CH3OH)4. In order to improve the performance of DSSCs, we prepare a composite electrolyte by adding SiO2 nano-particles and an ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium iodide, into the original solid-state electrolyte. High efficiency of 4.3% is achieved by applying this composite electrolyte to DSSCs.

Mossbauer study and magnetic properties of electrochemical material LiFePO4

Magnetic properties and crystal symmetry of electrochemical material LiFePO4 have been investigated by Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetization measurement. Magnetization reveals the antiferromagnetic nature of LiFePO4. Temperature dependence of inverse susceptibility and that of hyperfine field confirm that there is an antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition at about 50K.

Optical Design of Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Solar Cells

In nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) the absorption of a large fraction of the incident solar radiation is important for achieving high efficiencies. We develop a model to include both the optical process and the electrochemical process. This model allows us to calculate the performance of the different optical designs (for example the different scattering layers and the different reflecting plane). It is found that appropriate optical designs can improve the performance of DSSCs greatly.

A New Method for Generating Hydrogen from Water

A new method for generating hydrogen by the reaction of Al powder with water using iodine as additive is developed. I2 can penetrate through the surface oxide layer on aluminium to form AlI3. High solubility of AlI3 in water is benefited to activate Al surface. It is found that the production of hydrogen becomes significant above 60° C and obeys a logarithm rule. The pH value varies from 5 to 3 then back to 4.5 during the reaction, which is determined mainly by the kinetics of hydration reaction of AlI3 and the reaction of Al and HI produced spontaneously.

The identification of two superconducting phases in the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide system

Two superconducting phases with Tc at 120 and 90 K in the Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide system have been identified. The 120 K superconductor has been found to be the compound TlBa(Ca1-xCux)CuOy (x approximately=0.3) possessing a tetragonal structure with a=5.470 AA and c=36.07 AA respectively and the 90 K superconductor has been determined to be the compound Tl2Ba2Ca1Cu2O, having a tetragonal structure with a=5.462 AA and c=30.06 AA respectively by X-ray powder diffraction based on single-phase superconducting materials.