Application of Anomalous X-ray Scattering Method to Liquid Electrolytes Used in a Battery: Local Structural Analysis around a Dilute Metallic Ion.

In liquid electrolytes used for a battery, various metal complexes are formed as a result of ion-solvent and ion-ion interactions, which strongly influence the properties of the electrolyte and thus the performance of the battery. Therefore, the structural characterization of such complexes is of great importance. In this study, the anomalous X-ray scattering (AXS) technique was applied to the potassium hydroxide solution including ∼0.3 mol % zinc, which is widely used in various batteries such as the alkaline battery. In spite of the small amount of the metallic ions, we have successfully extracted a local structure around zinc after careful data analysis. The obtained pair distribution function exhibited not only the short-range correlation corresponding to the Zn-O bond within the zincate anion but also a medium-range correlation above 3.5 Å. The present study demonstrates the capability of the AXS technique to detect local structures around dilute metallic ions in liquid electrolytes, which will largely extend the applicable range of this technique, especially to the field related to batteries.

Kinetic asymmetry of subunit exchange of homooligomeric protein as revealed by deuteration-assisted small-angle neutron scattering.

We developed a novel, to our knowledge, technique for real-time monitoring of subunit exchange in homooligomeric proteins, using deuteration-assisted small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and applied it to the tetradecamer of the proteasome α7 subunit. Isotopically normal and deuterated tetradecamers exhibited identical SANS profiles in 81% D(2)O solution. After mixing these solutions, the isotope sensitive SANS intensity in the low-q region gradually decreased, indicating subunit exchange, whereas the small-angle x-ray scattering profile remained unchanged confirming the structural integrity of the tetradecamer particles during the exchange. Kinetic analysis of zero-angle scattering intensity indicated that 1), only two of the 14 subunits were exchanged in each tetradecamer and 2), the exchange process involves at least two steps. This study underscores the usefulness of deuteration-assisted SANS, which can provide quantitative information not only on the molecular sizes and shapes of homooligomeric proteins, but also on their kinetic properties.

SAXS and SANS observations of abnormal aggregation of human alpha-crystallin.

Aggregation states of human alpha-crystallins are observed complementarily using small-angle X-ray and small-angle neutron scatterings (SAXS and SANS). Infant alpha-crystallin is almost a monodispersed system of the aggregates with gyration radius of ca. 60 A, which is a normal aggregate. On the other hand, the aged and cataract alpha-crystallins have not only the normal but also the larger aggregates. In the aged alpha-crystallin, the normal aggregate is a major component, but in the cataract alpha-crystallin the larger ones are dominant. Both alpha A- and alpha B-crystallins, which are subunits of alpha-crystallin, also form an aggregate with the size close to the normal aggregate. Under UV irradiation, only aggregates of alpha B-crystallin undergo further aggregation. Therefore, considering increase of ratio of alpha B-crystallin in the aggregate of alpha-crystallin as aging, the abnormal aggregation (formation of the huge aggregates) mainly results in the further aggregation of alpha B-crystallin caused by external stresses.

Spin polarization in the phase diagram of a Li-Fe-S system.

Divalent and trivalent states of Fe ions are known to be stable in inorganic compounds. We focus a novel LixFeS5 cathode, in which the Li content (x) changes from 2 to 10 by an electrochemical technique. As x increases from 2, a Pauli paramagnetic conductive Li2FeS5 phase changes into a superparamagnetic insulating Li10FeS5 phase. Density functional theory calculations suggest that Fe+ ions in a high-x phase are responsible for ferromagnetic spin polarization. Reaching the monovalent Fe ion is significant for understanding microscopic chemistry behind operation as Li-ion batteries and the original physical properties resulting from the unique local structure.

Degradation Mechanism of Conversion-Type Iron Trifluoride: Toward Improvement of Cycle Performance.

Conversion-type iron trifluoride (FeF3) has attracted considerable attention as a positive electrode material for lithium secondary batteries due to its high energy density and low cost. However, the conversion process through which FeF3 operates leads it to suffer from capacity degradation upon repeated cycling. To improve the cycle performance, in this study we investigated the degradation mechanism of conversion-type FeF3 electrode material. Bulk analyses of FeF3 upon cycling reveal incomplete oxidation to Fe3+ concomitant with the aggregation of LiF at the charged state. In addition, surface analyses of FeF3 reveal that a film covered the electrode surface after 10 cycles, which leads to a remarkable increase in resistance. We show that the choice of the electrolyte formulation is crucial in preventing the formation of the film on the electrode surface; thus, FeF3 shows better performance in an electrolyte comprising LiBF4 solute in cyclic carbonate solvents than in chain carbonate-containing LiPF6 as the electrolyte. This study underpins that a careful selection of solvent, rather than solute, is significantly essential to improve the cycle performance of the FeF3 electrode.

Structural evolution of human recombinant alpha B-crystallin under UV irradiation.

External stresses cause certain proteins to lose their regular structure and aggregate. In order to clarify this abnormal aggregation process, a structural evolution of human recombinant alphaB-crystallin under UV irradiation was observed with in situ small-angle neutron scattering. The abnormal aggregation process was identified to fall in three time zones: incubation, aggregation, and saturation. During the incubation time, the size of aggregates was almost unchanged but a deformation in the local structure was developing. After the incubation time, abnormal aggregation proceed. When the volume of the aggregates reached around twice the size as that of the initial aggregates, the aggregation rate slowed down, which marked the onset of saturation.

Structural difference between liquidlike and gaslike phases in supercritical fluid.

Density fluctuation structures of supercritical carbon dioxide along the isothermal and isochoric lines were observed with small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). All the scattering intensities in the low-Q range were well described with the Ornstein-Zernike (OZ) equation. It was confirmed that there exists a locus where the OZ correlation length and scattering intensity at Q=0 exhibit extrema on the isothermal lines: this locus, named the ridge, was interpreted as the boundary by which the supercritical state is divided into liquidlike and gaslike phases. In order to clarify the difference of the fluctuation structure between the liquidlike and the gaslike phases, a real-space molecular distribution was obtained with a reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) method. Number density distributions of CO2 molecules at all measured states were calculated with the real-space molecular distributions obtained. In addition, the statistical parameters of the number density distributions, the standard deviations, and the skewnesses, were examined. The standard deviations of the number density distributions almost coincide with the results of the OZ analysis. On the other hand, the skewnesses, which describe the asymmetric nature of the number density distribution, clearly showed a difference between the two phases: the skewness became negative in the liquidlike phase, positive in the gaslike phase, and almost zero at the nearest state to the ridge in all isotherms. It was proved with simple equations of statistical mechanics that the skewness is described as the first differential of the magnitude of the density fluctuation with respect to the pressure. We conclude that the skewness, obtained with a RMC analysis for SANS data, is an important structural parameter distinguishing between the liquidlike and gaslike phases.

Structural analysis of polyelectrolyte film absorbing metal ion by SAXS utilizing with X-ray anomalous dispersion effect.

A distribution of Cu ions in polyelectrolyte film (Nafion) is directly observed with a small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) method utilizing an X-ray anomalous dispersion effect. A partial structure factor of the Cu ions, GAA(q), can be derived from the SAXS profiles obtained by scanning the incident X-ray energy around the Cu K absorption edge. GAA(q) has two peaks, indicating that the Cu ions hierarchically distribute in Nafion film. In addition, a standard SAXS also shows that Nafion film has a hierarchical structure. These results mean that the Cu ions locate in the domain where the hydrophilic bases aggregate.

Structural and electronic features of binary Li2S-P2S5 glasses.

The atomic and electronic structures of binary Li2S-P2S5 glasses used as solid electrolytes are modeled by a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) simulation using synchrotron X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy data. The ratio of PSx polyhedral anions based on the Raman spectroscopic results is reflected in the glassy structures of the 67Li2S-33P2S5, 70Li2S-30P2S5, and 75Li2S-25P2S5 glasses, and the plausible structures represent the lithium ion distributions around them. It is found that the edge sharing between PSx and LiSy polyhedra increases at a high Li2S content, and the free volume around PSx polyhedra decreases. It is conjectured that Li(+) ions around the face of PSx polyhedra are clearly affected by the polarization of anions. The electronic structure of the DFT/RMC model suggests that the electron transfer between the P ion and the bridging sulfur (BS) ion weakens the positive charge of the P ion in the P2S7 anions. The P2S7 anions of the weak electrostatic repulsion would causes it to more strongly attract Li(+) ions than the PS4 and P2S6 anions, and suppress the lithium ionic conduction. Thus, the control of the edge sharing between PSx and LiSy polyhedra without the electron transfer between the P ion and the BS ion is expected to facilitate lithium ionic conduction in the above solid electrolytes.

Real-time observations of lithium battery reactions-operando neutron diffraction analysis during practical operation.

Among the energy storage devices for applications in electric vehicles and stationary uses, lithium batteries typically deliver high performance. However, there is still a missing link between the engineering developments for large-scale batteries and the fundamental science of each battery component. Elucidating reaction mechanisms under practical operation is crucial for future battery technology. Here, we report an operando diffraction technique that uses high-intensity neutrons to detect reactions in non-equilibrium states driven by high-current operation in commercial 18650 cells. The experimental system comprising a time-of-flight diffractometer with automated Rietveld analysis was developed to collect and analyse diffraction data produced by sequential charge and discharge processes. Furthermore, observations under high current drain revealed inhomogeneous reactions, a structural relaxation after discharge, and a shift in the lithium concentration ranges with cycling in the electrode matrix. The technique provides valuable information required for the development of advanced batteries.

A three-microphone acoustic reflection technique using transmitted acoustic waves in the airway.

The acoustic reflection technique noninvasively measures airway cross-sectional area vs. distance functions and uses a wave tube with a constant cross-sectional area to separate incidental and reflected waves introduced into the mouth or nostril. The accuracy of estimated cross-sectional areas gets worse in the deeper distances due to the nature of marching algorithms, i.e., errors of the estimated areas in the closer distances accumulate to those in the further distances. Here we present a new technique of acoustic reflection from measuring transmitted acoustic waves in the airway with three microphones and without employing a wave tube. Using miniaturized microphones mounted on a catheter, we estimated reflection coefficients among the microphones and separated incidental and reflected waves. A model study showed that the estimated cross-sectional area vs. distance function was coincident with the conventional two-microphone method, and it did not change with altered cross-sectional areas at the microphone position, although the estimated cross-sectional areas are relative values to that at the microphone position. The pharyngeal cross-sectional areas including retropalatal and retroglossal regions and the closing site during sleep was visualized in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The method can be applicable to larger or smaller bronchi to evaluate the airspace and function in these localized airways.