Browsing by Author "Rath, Purna Chandra"

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A Novel Moisture-Insensitive and Low-Corrosivity Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries
(1970-01-01)
Li, Chi
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Patra, Jagabandhu
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Li, Ju
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Rath, Purna Chandra
;
Lin, Ming-Hsien
Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) are extensively developed due to their cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and low flammability and the earth abundance of their electrode materials. However, the commonly used RAB ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte is highly moisture-sensitive and corrosive. To address these problems, a 4-ethylpyridine/AlCl3 IL is proposed. The effects of the AlCl3 to 4-ethylpyridine molar ratio on the electrode charge-discharge properties are systematically examined. A maximum graphite capacity of 95 mAh g(-1) is obtained at 25 mA g(-1). After 1000 charge-discharge cycles, approximate to 85% of the initial capacity can be retained. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction is employed to examine the electrode reaction mechanism. In addition, low corrosion rates of Al, Cu, Ni, and carbon-fiber paper electrodes are confirmed in the 4-ethylpyridine/AlCl3 IL. When opened to the ambient atmosphere, the measured capacity of the graphite cathode is only slightly lower than that found in a N-2-filled glove box; moreover, the capacity retention upon 100 cycles is as high as 75%. The results clearly indicate the great potential of this electrolyte for practical RAB applications.
A Water-Soluble NaCMC/NaPAA Binder for Exceptional Improvement of Sodium-Ion Batteries with an SnO2-Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Anode
(2018-11-23)
Patra, Jagabandhu
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Rath, Purna Chandra
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Li, Chi
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Kao, Hsien-Ming
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Wang, Fu-Ming
SnO2@CMK-8 composite, a highly promising anode for Na-ion batteries (NIBs), was incorporated with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC), sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA), and NaCMC/NaPAA mixed binders to optimize the electrode sodiation/desodiation properties. Synergistic effects between NaCMC and NaPAA led to the formation of an effective protective film on the electrode. This coating layer not only increased the charge-discharge Coulombic efficiency, suppressing the accumulation of solid-electrolyte interphases, but also kept the SnO2 nanoparticles in the CMK-8 matrix, preventing the agglomeration and removal of oxide upon cycling. The adhesion strength and stability towards the electrolyte of the binders were evaluated. In addition, the charge-transfer resistance and apparent Na+ diffusion of the SnO2@CMK-8 electrodes with various binders were examined and post-mortem analyses were conducted. With NaCMC/NaPAA binder, exceptional electrode capacities of 850 and 425 mAh g(-1) were obtained at charge-discharge rates of 20 and 2000 mA g(-1), respectively. After 300 cycles, 90 % capacity retention was achieved. The thermal reactivity of the sodiated electrodes was studied by using differential scanning calorimetry. The binder effects on NIB safety, in terms of thermal runaway, are discussed.
Carbonaceous Anodes Derived from Sugarcane Bagasse for Sodium-Ion Batteries
(2019-05-21)
Rath, Purna Chandra
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Patra, Jagabandhu
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Huang, Hao-Tzu
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Bresser, Dominic
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Wu, Tzi-Yi
To realize the sustainability of Na-ion batteries (NIBs) for large-scale energy storage applications, a resource-abundant and cost-effective anode material is required. In this study, sugarcane bagasse (SB), one of the most abundant types of biowaste, is chosen as the carbon precursor to produce a hard carbon (HC) anode for NIBs. SB has a great balance of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which prevents full graphitization of the pyrolyzed carbon but ensures a sufficiently ordered carbon structure for Na+ transport. Compared with HC derived from waste apples, which are pectin-rich and have less cellulose than SB, SB-derived HC (SB-HC) has fewer defects and a lower oxygen content. SB-HC thus has a higher first-cycle sodiation/desodiation coulombic efficiency and better cycling stability. In addition, SB-HC has a unique flake-like morphology, which can shorten the Na+ diffusion length, and higher electronic conductivity (owing to more sp(2)-hybridized carbon), resulting in superior high-rate charge-discharge performance to apple-derived HC. The effects of pyrolysis temperature on the material characteristics and electrochemical properties, evaluated by using chronopotentiometry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, are systematically investigated for both kinds of HC.
Facile fabrication of titania-ordered cubic mesoporous carbon composite: Effect of Ni doping on photocatalytic hydrogen generation
(2019-07-19)
Rath, Purna Chandra
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Mishra, Mrinalini
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Saikia, Diganta
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Chang, Jeng Kuei
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Perng, Tsong-Pyng
Hitherto TiO2 is the most popular catalyst for photocatalytic H-2 generation and reduction of organic pollutants due to its chemical inertness, high activity, and abundance. In this work, ordered mesoporous carbon CMK-8 supported TiO2 nanoparticles loaded with non-noble metal Ni, denoted as Ni-TiO2@CMK-8 are fabricated for application in photocatalytic H-2 generation. Our results demonstrate that the developed composite exhibit exceptional photocatalytic activity for H-2 generation (3556 mu mol g(-1)) under 300 W Xe lamp irradiation (with an external quantum efficiency of 37.9%), which is around 10 times higher than pure TiO2 and 4 times that of TiO2@CMK-8. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the well-dispersed TiO2 in the ordered mesoporous carbon structure of CMK-8. The performance is boosted by the black body-like light absorbance of CMK-8 and plasmonic effect of Ni. Enhanced UV-visible light absorbance, large surface area and the loaded Ni metal synergistically improve the charge-carrier kinetics to attain highly efficient photocatalytic H-2 generation. The Ni-TiO2@CMK-8 composite shows enhanced activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as well. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ga-doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide electrolyte for solid-state Li batteries
(2020-09-01)
Mishra, Mrinalini
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Hsu, Che-Wei
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Rath, Purna Chandra
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Patra, Jagabandhu
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Lai, Hong-Zheng
Cubic-phase Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) garnet is a promising solid electrolyte candidate for next-generation Li batteries. As a viable approach, the desired cubic-phase formation of LLZO relies on elemental doping. In this regard, various dopants such as Al and Ga are doped into the LLZO samples, which are synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. The Al-and Ga-doped LLZO can transform to a cubic-phase garnet at 900 degrees C. After 1200 degrees C sintering, a Li2ZrO3 impurity phase is found for the Al-doped LLZO pellet, which still shows many voids and inhomogeneous particles on the surface. The Ga doping seems to be attractive since it can effectively stabilize the cubic phase and desired microstructure within 900-1200 degrees C. Based on the optimized Ga-doped LLZO (LGLZO), various electrolyte architecture designs are developed that include LGLZO pellet electrolytes with and without poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-lithium bis(tri-fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)-LGLZO coating, and hybrid electrolyte layers of PEO-LiTFSI, PEO-LGLZO, and PEO-LiTFSI-LGLZO composites. Li//LiFePO4 (LFP) cells with various types of electrolytes are assembled, and their charge-discharge properties are investigated. The all-solid-state Li//PEO-LiTFSI-LGLZO//LFP cell exhibits satisfactory charge storage performance, which has revealed potential for practical applications. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Highly concentrated carbonate electrolyte for Li-ion batteries with lithium metal and graphite anodes
(2020-02-29)
Xie, Jian-De
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Patra, Jagabandhu
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Rath, Purna Chandra
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Liu, Weng-Jing
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Su, Ching-Yuan
Highly concentrated lithium bis(fluorosulfonyflimide (LiFSI) salt dissolved in carbonate solvent is employed as a high-performance and robust organic electrolyte for Li-ion batteries. The influences of Li salt type, concentration, and solvent type (such as diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and ethylene carbonate (EC)) on the electrochemical properties of Li metal and graphite anodes are systematically assessed. A superior electrolyte composition of 5.5 M LiFSI-DMC/EC is achieved, enhancing the anti-flammability, coulombic efficiency, and high rate capability. The optimal efficiency values of Li electrodeposition/stripping utilizing 5.5 M LiFSI-DMC/EC are 97.0% and 94.5% at 0.4 and 6 mA cm(-2), respectively. Such an enhanced performance is due to the formation of a three-dimensional ion network, composed of contact ion pairs (CIPs) and ion aggregates (AGGs) in the highly concentrated LiFSI electrolyte, which effectively decreases the number of free solvent molecules and inhibits the formation of undesired dendritic Li structures. Raman spectroscopy is employed to confirm the formation of CIP and AGG compounds within the electrolyte. The electrochemical data of the 5.5 M LiFSI-DMC/EC electrolyte cell demonstrates a remarkable improvement in the specific capacity and rate capability of a graphite anode.
Hybrid electrolyte enables safe and practical 5 V LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 batteries
(2019-07-21)
Rath, Purna Chandra
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Wu, Chia-Jung
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Patra, Jagabandhu
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Li, Ju
;
Lee, Tai-Chou
Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TFSI)-based ionic liquid (IL) has high thermal and electrochemical stability, but it is not an ideal battery electrolyte due to the poor rate capability of cells that use it, problematic anode compatibility, and high cost. The incorporation of a carbonate solvent could mitigate these problems, but it would also lead to serious Al current collector corrosion at high potential. This long-existing problem is overcome in this study by modulating the LiTFSI concentration and IL/carbonate ratio in the hybrid electrolyte. The Al corrosion and electrolyte decomposition side reactions at 5 V (vs. Li+/Li) can be suppressed in 3 M LiTFSI 25%-IL electrolyte, in which good performance of a high-voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode is achieved. Capacities of 140 and 88 mA h g(-1) were measured at 0.1 and 2C, respectively (vs. 25 mA h g(-1) at 2C for a plain LiTFSI/PMP-TFSI IL electrolyte). After 300 charge-discharge cycles, 90% of the initial LNMO capacity was retained. This electrolyte also shows low flammability and great wettability toward a polyethylene separator. Moreover, this electrolyte allows elevated-temperature storage and operation of LNMO cells at 55 degrees C, which is not possible with the conventional carbonate electrolyte. Good compatibility of the electrolyte with a graphite anode is also demonstrated. The proposed electrolyte design concept has great potential for next-generation 5 V Li-ion batteries.
Ionic Liquids with Various Constituent Ions To Optimize Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Detection Properties of Graphene Electrodes
(2019-10-07)
Xie, Jian-De
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Wang, Chueh-Han
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Patra, Jagabandhu
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Rath, Purna Chandra
;
Gandomi, Yasser Ashraf
Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles, ionic liquids (ILs), or both are integrated with graphene sheets to serve as an electrochemical sensor for detecting various bio-species. Ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), and dopamine (DA) are used as the model analytes. To assess the effects of the constituent ions of ILs on sensing properties, various ILs, namely, EMI-SCN, EMI-DCA, BMP-DCA, BMI-PF6, EMI-NTF2, and BMP-NTF2, are investigated. The results demonstrate that the graphene/IL electrode shows superior detection sensitivity compared to those of the graphene/Pd and graphene/Pd/IL electrodes. Interestingly, the IL anions are found to play a crucial role in sensing performance. Angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that graphene can create an aligned cation/anion orientation in the adsorbed IL film, with the anions preferentially occupying the topmost surface, thus dominating the interaction with analytes. The graphene/EMI-SCN electrode shows the highest sensitivity among the electrodes, 1.49 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2), and a detection limit of 0.11 mu M toward DA. Even with large excesses of AA and UA, the concentration of DA can be effectively detected.