Nb-doped TiO2 support with enhanced durability as a cathode for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Stability is one of the key requirements of electrocatalyst support materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. To develop a highly stable Pt catalyst support material, in this work, we have synthesized Nb-doped TiO2 electrocatalyst supports. The amount of Nb dopant is measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while the characteristics of the as-prepared Nb-doped TiO2 supports are analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Durability experiments are conducted by high potential cycling using the as-prepared Pt/TiO2-Nb x materials; half-cell cyclic voltammetry and single-cell performance measurements reveal that Pt/TiO2-Nb4 shows superior durability and corrosion resistance with a degradation rate of only 20% while the performance of commercial Pt/C support decreased 55%.

Fast charging with high capacity for aluminum rechargeable batteries using organic additive in an ionic liquid electrolyte.

Aluminum-ion batteries have many advantages such as the natural abundance of aluminum, high theoretical capacity, and low cost. However, the ionic liquid commonly used as the electrolyte for aluminum-ion batteries has high viscosity, which hinders the migration of charge carriers. In this study, we used various organic solvents as additives for the ionic liquid electrolyte and investigated their effect on the battery performance. The electrolyte containing 45% (v/v) benzene had the best electrochemical properties, which led to a high specific capacity of 90 mA h g-1 at an extremely high current density of 5 A g-1.

In situ durability of various carbon supports against carbon corrosion during fuel starvation in a PEM fuel cell cathode.

In this study, the degradation of different cathode carbon supports is investigated in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). A platinum catalyst is synthesized using various carbon supports, such as Vulcan XC-72, graphite nanopowder and carbon nanotube, which are evaluated based on the fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies. During the startup and shutdown of PEMFCs, the individual electrode potential can be measured in situ using a dynamic hydrogen electrode. The cathode potential increases instantaneously to 1.4 V in one attempt, when H2/air boundaries are developed on the anode side during the fuel starvation, leading to significant carbon corrosion. The corrosion rates of various carbon supports are calculated from the concentration of gases, such as CO2, CO and SO2, emitted from the cathode outlet, measured directly in situ by Fourier transform infrared gas analysis. The carbon nanotube-supported Pt catalyst shows the best performance against carbon corrosion during fuel starvation, compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst and other types of carbon supports.

Hypostatic instability of aluminum anode in acidic ionic liquid for aluminum-ion battery.

Aluminum-ion batteries are considered to be a promising post lithium-ion battery system in energy storage devices because aluminum is earth-abundant, has a high theoretical capacity, and is of low cost. We report on the chemical activities and stabilities of chloroaluminate anions [Al n Cl n+1]- with aluminum metal using a different mole ratio of AlCl3 and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. The morphological changes in the Al metal surface are investigated as a function of dipping time in electrolyte, revealing that the Al metal surface is locally attacked by chloroaluminate anions followed by the formation of a new Al oxide layer with a specific lattice plane and a craterlike surface around the cracking site. The aluminum-ion battery exhibits outstanding cycle life and capacity even at the high C-rate of 3 A g-1, with a high energy efficiency of 98%, regardless of the differences in the size of chloroaluminate anions.

Electrochemical properties of an aluminum anode in an ionic liquid electrolyte for rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries.

An aluminum metal, both native and with a very thin oxide film, was investigated as an anode for aluminum-ion batteries. Investigations were carried out in an acidic ionic liquid electrolyte, composed of AlCl3 in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIm]Cl), with ß-MnO2/C as a cathode. The battery based on Al metal with a very thin oxide film showed high capacity and stable surface corrosion.

Ultrahigh Energy Density and Long-Life Cyclic Stability of Surface-Treated Aluminum-Ion Supercapacitors.

In this study, aluminum-graphene supercapacitors (denoted as aluminum-ion supercapacitors; ASCs), consisting of a battery-type aluminum anode, a capacitor-type graphene cathode, and ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMImCl) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) electrolyte, were prepared. This study primarily aimed to investigate the enhanced electrochemical performance of ASCs arising from changes in the surface oxide layer and morphology via electrochemical surface treatments, including electropolishing and electrodeposition of aluminum anodes. The ASC devices based on an electrodeposited anode at a current density of 3 A g-1 exhibited a high specific capacity of 211 F g-1 compared to that of the electropolished anode (∼186 F g-1); these were 20 and 5.7%, respectively, higher than that of the pristine aluminum anode. In particular, the electrodeposited ASC delivered an energy density of 151 W h kg-1 at a power density of 3,390 W kg-1. Furthermore, a maximum power density of 11,104 W kg-1 was achieved at an energy density of 124.3 W h kg-1. These values are among the best as compared to those of previously reported aluminum-based supercapacitors, suggesting the potential feasibility of these ASCs with outstanding energy and power densities for next-generation energy storage devices.

Fabrication of a nanosize-Pt-embedded membrane electrode assembly to enhance the utilization of Pt in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

A procedure to locate the Pt nanostructure inside the hydrophilic channel of a Nafion membrane was developed in order to enhance Pt utilization in PEMFCs. Nanosize Pt-embedded MEA was constructed by Cu electroless plating and subsequent Pt electrodeposition inside the hydrophilic channels of the Nafion membrane. The metallic Pt nanostructure fabricated inside the membrane was employed as an oxygen reduction catalyst for a PEMFC and facilitated effective use of the hydrophilic channels inside the membrane. Compared to the conventional MEA, a Pt-embedded MEA with only 68% Pt loading showed better PEMFC performance.

Prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion by electric currents.

The process of controlling bacterial adhesion using an electric current deserves attention because of its ease of automation and environmentally friendly nature. This study investigated the role of electric currents (negative, positive, alternating) for preventing adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and achieving bacterial inactivation. Indium tin oxide (ITO) film was used as a working electrode to observe adhesion and inactivation under electric polarization. Electric current types were classified into negative, positive, and alternating current. The working electrode acted as a cathode or anode by applying a negative or positive current, and an alternating current indicates that the negative current was combined sequentially with the positive current. The numbers of adhered cells were compared under a flow condition, and the in situ behavior of the bacterial cells and the extent of their inactivation were also investigated using time-lapse recording and live/dead staining, respectively. The application of a negative current prevented bacterial adhesion significantly (∼81% at 15.0 µA cm(-2)). The positive current did not significantly inhibit adhesion (<20% at 15.0 µA cm(-2)), compared to the nonpolarized case. The alternating current had a similar effect as the negative current on preventing bacterial adhesion, but it also exhibited bactericidal effects, making it the most suitable method for bacterial adhesion control.

Pulse electrodeposition of Ni-W alloy for trench filling in microelectromechanical systems.

The effect of pulse current (PC) on Ni-W alloy electrodeposition was investigated to fill the trenches with aspect ratio 1:2 for MEMS applications. Rapid deposition of top side in trench produced a void in electrodeposits with direct current (DC). Morphology of Ni-W electrodeposition inside trench was strongly influenced by the applied current density and the current off-time (t(off)). Enhanced filling phenomena were observed with increasing current off-time because of decreasing concentration gradient between top and bottom in trench. The complete Ni-W filling of trench was achieved with a current density of 200 mA/cm2 and a current on- and off-time of 100 ms and 300 ms, respectively. Amorphous structure was revealed in both DC and PC electrodeposits and the concentration of W in Ni-W electrodeposits for complete filling of trench was about 24% in atomic ratio.

Effect of pre-existing oxide film on the electrochemical fabrication of nanoporous alumina film.

Different thickness of barrier-type oxide film was intentionally grown on the Al metal surface and the effect of barrier film on the formation of nanoporous aluminum oxide film during anodization was investigated to control the nanopore structure. Analysis of potential transients during anodization indicated that anodic oxide film is initially overlaid on the barrier film but the anodic film is more facile to dissolve than barrier film. As the thickness of barrier film increases, both nanopore diameter and density decrease but the pore length is irrespective of barrier-film thickness.

Electrochemical fabrication of SrTiO3 nanowires with nanoporous alumina template.

Strontium titanate nanowires were electrochemically synthesized with nanoporous alumina template. Both chemical and electrical variables such as electrolyte pH, temperature, and current waveform were modulated to investigate the synthesis process of SrTiO3 nanowires. Superimposed cathodic pulse and diffusion time accelerated the growth of SrTiO3 nanowires, which suggested that the concentration of H+ and Sr2+ ion inside alumina template had a strong influence on the formation of SrTiO3 nanowires. Morphology and crystallinity of SrTiO3 nanowires were investigated with scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Influence of bi modification of pt anode catalyst in direct formic acid fuel cells.

The influence of Bi modification of Pt anode catalyst on the performance of direct formic acid fuel cells was investigated. Compared with the unmodified Pt anode, the Bi modified Pt (PtBi(m)) electrode prepared by under-potential deposition (UPD) caused faster electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid at the same value of the overpotential, and thus, PtBi(m) resulted in an increase in the power performance of direct formic acid fuel cells. Electrochemical impedance spectra helped to explain the difference of performance between the unmodified Pt and Bi modified Pt electrodes. Solution conductivity and dehydration phenomena occurring in highly concentrated formic acid solutions can also explain the higher power performance of PtBi(m).

Microporous carbon nanoplates from regenerated silk proteins for supercapacitors.

Novel carbon-based microporous nanoplates containing numerous heteroatoms (H-CMNs) are fabricated from regenerated silk fibroin by the carbonization and activation of KOH. The H-CMNs exhibit superior electrochemical performance, displaying a specific capacitance of 264 F/g in aqueous electrolytes, a specific energy of 133 Wh/kg, a specific power of 217 kW/kg, and a stable cycle life over 10000 cycles.

Cu(2)O nanowires in an alumina template: electrochemical conditions for the synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics.

Cu2O nanowires, mainly consisting of (100) and (200) polycrystalline structures with a length of 4 mum are prepared by electrochemical deposition using a porous alumina template. It is found that the optimized electrochemical conditions to prepare Cu2O nanowires are different from those for the formation of a bulk thin Cu2O layer since different pH values are found between the tip of the pores and the bulk, due to diffusion limits in porous alumina with an extremely high aspect ratio of 300. We point out that Cu2O (200), Cu2O (111), Cu, and co-deposited alloys can be obtained under specific electrochemical conditions. In addition, the optical band gap of the prepared Cu2O nanowires with a length of 4 microm and a diameter of 200 nm is estimated to be 2.17 eV from photoluminescence measurements.