Jiefang Zhu

Network Structured SnO2/ZnO Heterojunction Nanocatalyst with High Photocatalytic Activity

A network-structured SnO(2)/ZnO heterojunction nanocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized through a simple two-step solvothermal method. The as-synthesized samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, N(2) physical adsorption, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that the SnO(2)/ZnO sample with a molar ratio of Sn/Zn = 1 is a mesoporous composite material composed of SnO(2) and ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of SnO(2)/ZnO heterojunction nanocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange is much higher than those of solvothermally synthesized SnO(2) and ZnO samples, which can be attributed to the SnO(2)-ZnO heterojunction, the pore structure, and higher Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of the sample: (1) The SnO(2)-ZnO heterojunction improves the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs due to the potential energy differences between SnO(2) and ZnO, thus enhancing the photocatalytic activity. (2) The SnO(2)/ZnO sample might possess more surface reaction sites and adsorb and transport more dye molecules due to the higher BET surface area and many pore channels, also leading to higher photocatalytic activity.

Ordered mesoporous Ag–TiO2–KIT-6 heterostructure: synthesis, characterization and photocatalysis

Ordered mesoporous Ag–TiO2–KIT-6 heterostructured nanocrystals were successfully synthesized by a template-based method, where a layer of TiO2 and Ag2O nanoparticles were deposited on cubic (Ia3d) silica (KIT-6) in an orderly manner; at the same time, the formed Ag2O nanoparticles were photolyzed to metallic Ag nanoparticles. Our results show that Ag–TiO2–KIT-6 is an ordered mesoporous composite material, which is composed of Ag–TiO2 heterostructures and the amorphous KIT-6 template. In addition, Ag–TiO2–KIT-6 possesses the highest photocatalytic activity among the as-synthesized photocatalysts, which can be attributed to the Ag–TiO2 heterojunctions and the excellent texture: (1) Ag–TiO2 heterojunctions improve the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs due to the potential energy differences between Ag and TiO2 nanocrystals, thus enhancing the photocatalytic activity; (2) the Ag–TiO2–KIT-6 sample possesses a high BET surface area and a large number of ordered pore channels, which facilitate adsorption and transportation of dye molecules, also leading to higher photocatalytic activity. It was also found that the Ag–TiO2 heterostructure plays a more important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity than high BET surface area.

Layer-by-Layer Deposition of Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Multilayer on Microporous Polyethylene Separator to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance of Lithium-Ion Battery

A simple layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly process of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and ZrO2 was applied to construct functional ultrathin multilayers on polyethylene (PE) separators without sacrificing the excellent porous structure of separators. Such PAA/ZrO2 LbL-modified PE separators possess good electrolyte wettability, excellent electrolyte uptake, high ionic conductivity and large Li(+) transference number. More importantly, the top layer of LbL self-assembly would affect the dissociation of electrolyte and the formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer in half-cells. Compared with the pristine and (PAA/ZrO2)1PAA-modified PE separators, (PAA/ZrO2)3-modified PE separator shows a larger Li(+) transference number (0.6) and a faster tendency to form a stable SEI layer, endowing half-cells with excellent capacity retention at high C-rates and superior cycling performance. These fascinating characteristics will provide the LbL self-assembly with a promising method to improve the surface property of PE separators for high performance lithium-ion batteries.

Self-Assembly of PEI/SiO2 on Polyethylene Separators for Li-Ion Batteries with Enhanced Rate Capability

A simple and environmentally friendly self-assembly process of oppositely charged polymer PEI and inorganic oxide SiO2 was demonstrated for the construction of an ultrathin layer on the surface of PE separator. The XPS, FT-IR, SEM, and EDS characterizations give clear evidence of the successful self-assembly of PEI and SiO2 without significantly increasing the thickness and sacrificing the pristine porous structure of PE separator. This process improves a variety of crucial properties of PE separator such as the electrolyte wetting, the electrolyte uptake, the thermal stability, the ionic conductivity, Li+ transference number, the electrochemical stability and the compatibility with lithium electrode, endowing lithium-ion battery (Li as anode and LiCoO2 as cathode) with excellent capacity retention at high C-rates and superior cycling performance. At the current density of 5 C, the cell with PE separator almost loses all the capacity. In contrast, the cell with (PEI/SiO2)-modified PE separator still holds 45.2% of the discharge capacity at 0.2 C. The stabilized SEI formation and high Li+ transference number of (PEI/SiO2)-modified PE separator were interpreted to be the substantial reasons leading to the remarkably enhanced battery performance, rendering some new insights into the role of the separator in lithium-ion batteries.

Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Nanocrystal/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites as Lithium Ion Battery Anode Material with High Capacity and Cycling Stability

Tin oxide (SnO2) is a kind of anode material with high theoretical capacity. However, the volume expansion and fast capability fading during cycling have prevented its practical application in lithium ion batteries. Herein, we report that the nanocomposite of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is an ideal anode material with high capacity, high rate capability, and high stability. The FTO conductive nanocrystals were successfully anchored on RGO nanosheets from an FTO nanocrystals colloid and RGO suspension by hydrothermal treatment. As the anode material, the FTO/RGO composite showed high structural stability during the lithiation and delithiation processes. The conductive FTO nanocrystals favor the formation of stable and thin solid electrolyte interface films. Significantly, the FTO/RGO composite retains a discharge capacity as high as 1439 mAhg(-1) after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mAg(-1). Moreover, its rate capacity displays 1148 mAhg(-1) at a current density of 1000 mAg(-1).

Porous cellulose diacetate-SiO2 composite coating on polyethylene separator for high-performance lithium-ion battery

The developments of high-performance lithium ion battery are eager to the separators with high ionic conductivity and thermal stability. In this work, a new way to adjust the comprehensive properties of inorganic-organic composite separator was investigated. The cellulose diacetate (CDA)-SiO2 composite coating is beneficial for improving the electrolyte wettability and the thermal stability of separators. Interestingly, the pore structure of composite coating can be regulated by the weight ratio of SiO2 precursor tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the coating solution. The electronic performance of lithium ion batteries assembled with modified separators are improved compared with the pristine PE separator. When weight ratio of TEOS in the coating solution was 9.4%, the composite separator shows the best comprehensive performance. Compared with the pristine PE separator, its meltdown temperature and the break-elongation at elevated temperature increased. More importantly, the discharge capacity and the capacity retention improved significantly.

In Situ Synthesis of Tungsten-Doped SnO2 and Graphene Nanocomposites for High-Performance Anode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The composite of tungsten-doped SnO2 and reduced graphene oxide was synthesized through a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. According to the structural characterization of the composite, tungsten ions were doped in the unit cells of tin dioxide rather than simply attaching to the surface. Tungsten-doped SnO2 was in situ grown on the surface of graphene sheet to form a three-dimensional conductive network that enhanced the electron transportation and lithium-ion diffusion effectively. The issues of SnO2 agglomeration and volume expansion could be also avoided because the tungsten-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on a graphene sheet. As a result, the nanocomposite electrodes of tungsten-doped SnO2 and reduced graphene oxide exhibited an excellent long-term cycling performance. The residual capacity was still as high as 1100 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 100 cycles. It still remained at 776 mA h g-1 after 2000 cycles at the current density of 1A g-1.

3-D binder-free graphene foam as cathode for high capacity Li-O2 batteries

To provide energy densities higher than those of conventional Li-ion batteries, a Li–O2 battery requires a cathode with high surface area to host large amounts of discharge product Li2O2. Therefore ...

An Organic Catalyst for Li–O2 Batteries: Dilithium Quinone‐1,4‐Dicarboxylate

Solid organic electrocatalysts have hardly been tested in Li-O2 batteries. Here, a new solid organic electrocatalyst, dilithium quinone-1,4-dicarboxylate (Li2 C8 H2 O6 ) is presented, which is expected to overcome the shortcomings of inorganic catalysts. The function-oriented synthesis is low cost and low polluting. The electrocatalytic performance is evaluated by following the degradation of Li2 O2 during the charge process in a Li-O2 cell through inu2005situ XRD and operando synchrotron radiation powder XRD (SR-PXD) measurements. The results indicate that the electrocatalytic activity of Li2 C8 H2 O6 is similar to that of commercial Pt. The Li2 O2 decomposition in a cell with Li2 C8 H2 O6 catalyst follows a pseudo-zero-order reaction, virtually without any side reactions. These results provide an insight into the development of new organic catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in Li-O2 batteries.

Corrigendum: Towards an Understanding of Li2O2 Evolution in Li–O2 Batteries: An In Operando Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Study

One of the major challenges in developing high-performance Li-O2 batteries is to understand the Li2 O2 formation and decomposition during battery cycling. In this study, this issue was investigated by synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction. The evolution of Li2 O2 morphology and structure was observed under actual electrochemical conditions of battery operation. By quantitatively tracking Li2 O2 during discharge and charge, a two-step process was suggested for both growth and oxidation of Li2 O2 owing to different mechanisms during two stages of both oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. From an observation of the anisotropic broadening of Li2 O2 in XRD patterns, it was inferred that disc-like Li2 O2 grains are formed rapidly in the first step of discharge. These grains can stack together so that they facilitate the nucleation and growth of toroidal Li2 O2 particles with a LiO2 -like surface, which could cause parasitic reactions and hinder the formation of Li2 O2 . During the charge process, Li2 O2 is firstly oxidized from the surface, followed by a delithiation process with a faster oxidation of the bulk by stripping the interlayer Li atoms to form an off-stoichiometric intermediate. This fundamental insight brings new information on the working mechanism of Li-O2 batteries.