Li-Duan Tsai

Ultrathin TiO2-coated MWCNTs with excellent conductivity and SMSI nature as Pt catalyst support for oxygen reduction reaction in PEMFCs

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the instability of platinum on the carbon support, and carbon corrosion are still critical issues affecting the activity and long-term durability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. An ideal solution would be to modify the catalytic supports to enhance the durability and performance of supported catalysts. Here we have synthesized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) supported ultrathin TiO2 films (MWCNT@UT-TiO2) using a simple modified sol–gel method. Our approach takes advantage of the strong metal support interactions (SMSIs) between the MWCNT@UT-TiO2 support and platinum nanoparticles, which results in a decrease of the d-band vacancy of platinum due to electron transfer from the support, thereby enhancing the performance of the supported catalysts. Our results revealed that Pt–MWCNT@UT-TiO2 has better catalytic activity and durability compared to Pt–MWCNT and Pt–C with equivalent Pt loadings.

A new highly conductive organic-inorganic solid polymer electrolyte based on a di-ureasil matrix doped with lithium perchlorate

A new hybrid organic-inorganic polymer electrolyte based on poly(propylene glycol) tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate terminated (PPGTDI), poly(propylene glycol)-block–poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) (ED2000) and 3-isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane (ICPTES) has been synthesized and characterized. A maximum ionic conductivity value of 1.0 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C and 1.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 °C is achieved for the hybrid electrolyte with a [O]/[Li] ratio of 32. The conductivity mechanism changes from Arrhenius to Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) behavior with the increase in temperature from 20 to 80 °C. The present hybrid electrolyte system offers a remarkable improvement in ionic conductivity by at least one order of magnitude higher than the previously reported organic-inorganic electrolytes. The 7Li NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) results reveal that there exists a strong correlation between the dynamic properties of the charge carriers and the polymer matrix. Two Li+ local environments are identified, for the first time, in such a di-ureasil based polymer electrolyte. The electrochemical stability window is found to be in the range of 4.6–5.0 V, which ensures that the present hybrid electrolyte is a potential polymer electrolyte for solid-state rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

Synthesis and characterization of a highly conductive organic–inorganic hybrid polymer electrolyte based on amine terminated triblock polyethers and its application in electrochromic devices

A new highly ion conductive organic–inorganic hybrid electrolyte based on the reaction of triblock co-polymer poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) (ED2003) with 3-(glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and followed by co-condensation with 2-methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl trimethoxysilane (MPEOPS) in the presence of LiClO4 was synthesized by a sol–gel process and characterized by a variety of experimental techniques. The maximum ionic conductivities of 1.1 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C and 6.0 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 80 °C were obtained for the hybrid electrolyte with a [O]/[Li] ratio of 24. The conductivity mechanism changed from Arrhenius at lower temperatures to Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher (VTF) behavior at higher temperatures. The results of solid-state NMR confirmed the structural framework of the hybrids, and provided a microscopic view of the effects of salt concentrations on the dynamic behavior of the polymer chains. The electrochemical stability window was found to be around 3.7–4.5 V, which is sufficient for electrochemical device applications. Preliminary tests performed with prototype electrochromic devices (ECDs) comprising the hybrid electrolyte with various [O]/[Li] ratios and mesoporous WO3 as the cathode layer are extremely encouraging. The best performance device exhibits an optical density change of 0.58, coloration efficiency of 375 cm2 C−1 and a good cycle life with the hybrid electrolyte with a [O]/[Li] ratio of 24. The present hybrid electrolyte offers a remarkable ionic conductivity and coloration efficiency in the solid state than previously reported organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes.

A new organic–inorganic hybrid electrolyte based on polyacrylonitrile, polyether diamine and alkoxysilanes for lithium ion batteries: synthesis, structural properties, and electrochemical characterization

A new type of organic–inorganic hybrid polymer electrolyte based on poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly-(propylene glycol)bis(2-aminopropyl ether), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), 3-(glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) complexed with LiClO4 via the co-condensation of organosilicas was synthesized. The structural and electrochemical properties of the materials were systematically investigated by a variety of techniques including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), multinuclear (13C, 29Si, 7Li) solid-state NMR, AC impedance, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and charge–discharge measurement. A maximum ionic conductivity value of 7.4 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 30 °C and 4.6 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 80 °C is achieved for the solid hybrid electrolyte. The 7Li NMR measurements reveal the strong correlation of the lithium cation and the polymer matrix, and the presence of two lithium local environments. After swelling in an electrolyte solvent, the plasticized hybrid membrane exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of 6.4 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 30 °C. The good value of the electrochemical stability window (∼4.5 V) makes the plasticized hybrid electrolyte membrane promising for electrochemical device applications. The preliminary lithium ion battery testing shows an initial discharge capacity value of 123 mA h g−1 and a good cycling performance with the plasticized hybrid electrolyte.