Liang Wang

Excited to kick off the new year with our latest publication in Advanced Materials! Our study focuses on an innovative current collector design for anode-free all-solid-state batteries (AF-ASSBs)—a collaborative effort made possible by an incredible team from The University of Texas at Austin, Purdue University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. In this work, we introduce the concept of “two SEIs” at the negative electrode for argyrodite-based AF-ASSBs: ● SEI-1: The well-recognized Li-SSE interphase. ● SEI-2: The current collector-SSE interphase, which receives less attention but plays a critical role in long-term cycling stability. To address challenges with both SEIs, we developed a bilayer coating using magnesium (Mg) and tungsten (W): ● Mg forms a Li-Mg solid solution to stabilize SEI-1. ● W, as a refractory underlayer, prevents irreversible corrosion of the current collector (SEI-2). This approach enables simultaneous control of both interphases, paving the way for enhanced stability and performance in AF-ASSBs. Big thanks to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication! Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/gut2jGNT #AdvancedMaterials #BatteryResearch #EnergyStorage #SolidStateBatteries #AnodeFree

108

2 kommentarer

Victor Brandão led our newest paper on temperature effects on the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to ethylene. Commercial electrolyzers will operate at elevated temperature due to heat transfer limitations. Thus, these effects are critical for accurate models of CO2 conversion processes at scale. Victor used surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) to follow the evolutions of CO on different sites of copper electrodes and identified the kinetically relevant ones. Thanks to our great co-authors: Hakhyeon Song, Anush Venkataraman, Yuval Fishler, Sukaran S. Arora, Saket Bhargava, Carlos Villa, Adam Holewinski, Marta Hatzell, and Sankar Nair. https://lnkd.in/duHMr4mS

111

3 kommentarer

Our recent study on Anode-free solid-state Li batteries has been published in Advanced Materials. Anode-free sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs), which eliminate the need for a lithium metal anode during fabrication, offer superior energy density, enhanced safety, and simplified manufacturing. Their performance is largely influenced by the interfacial properties of the current collectors. Although previous studies have investigated the degradation of sulfide electrolytes on commonly used copper (Cu) and stainless steel (SS) current collectors, the impact of spontaneously formed surface oxides, such as copper oxide (Cu2O/CuO) and chromium oxide (Cr2O3), on interfacial stability remains underexplored. This study systematically evaluates the neglected role of passivation layers of both Cu and SS. Results demonstrate that Cu facilitates more stable lithium deposition. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals that interfacial resistance on SS is consistently higher than on Cu during cycling. In-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and computational modelling confirm the formation of phosphate (PO43−) and sulfate (SO42−) species at both interfaces, attributed to reactions between the sulfide electrolyte and surface oxides. On SS, partial reversible formation of transition metal chlorides is also detected. Based on these findings, an artificial interface is engineered on Cu, significantly improving lithium plating/stripping efficiency. These insights contribute to solid-solid interface engineering strategies and advance the fundamental understanding of anode-free ASSLMBs. Especially, we developed in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements for the anode-free cell at the SXRMB beamline of Canadian Light Source Inc. / Centre canadien de rayonnement synchrotron with the strong support from the beamline scientist of Drs. Mohsen Shakouri and Qunfeng Xiao. The work is supported by @Flex-Ion Battery Innovation Center; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); Canada Foundation for Innovation/Fondation canadienne pour l'innovation; Mitacs; Canadian Light Source Inc. / Centre canadien de rayonnement synchrotron. The work is a collaboration with Ka Ho (Nick) Chan, PhD; Jack Bekou; Payam Kaghazchi and Lijia Liu. The work is led by PhD student Yijia (Erica) Wang Here is the link: https://lnkd.in/g7zn6uKD

96

4 kommentarer

Did you know that grain boundaries in noble #metal #catalysts can significantly boost electrochemical reactions? Our latest study on grain boundary #engineering for efficient and durable electrocatalysis has been featured as a highlight article in the journal Nature Communications!🥳 The study reveals how gold nanoparticle assemblies can be used to control grain boundary density, which is key to accelerate the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction. Furthermore, the gold nanoparticles prevent structural degradation through boron segregation at the grain boundaries. Congratulations to Xin Geng, Miquel Vega Paredes, Baptiste Gault and their colleagues 😊 Enjoy the free read: https://lnkd.in/dnPV6Y9J #MaterialsScience #Nanotechnology #Catalysis #Electrochemistry

188

3 kommentarer

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠! Exciting progress in the EU MADE4WINDPROJECT! Our latest lab results - developed by Postdoc Indraneel Roy Chowdhury, PhD, MIMMM in the CraCS Research Group at Aalborg University - demonstrate a major step toward circularity in wind turbine blades. We have successfully recovered entire 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 from end-of-life composites while preserving their original material properties and architecture. This finding paves the way for 𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬, significantly enhancing the 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 of composite structures. A huge thanks to Ane Kold di Gennaro and Xabier Hierro-Olabarria from Siemens Gamesa for their invaluable collaboration on this challenge. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬! AAU Materials and Production

190

16 kommentarer

Orion scientists have published a comprehensive article that explores both the fundamentals and latest innovations in carbon black. Authors Werner Dr. Niedermeier, Arndt Schinkel, Hauke Westenberg and Ricardo Chavez present recent technical findings on sustainability, rubber reinforcement, coloristic properties, electrical conductivity and structure breakdown, among other topics. Read the full news release linked in the comments below.

113

7 kommentarer

Thermally stable electrolytes are critical for energy storage systems. Here is very interesting composition with wide Electrochemical window and thermal stability. 7 reviewers from the field reviewed this work which looks bit more rigorous than usual!!!!! Polymer-based gel membranes are highly appealing as solid electrolytes for zinc-air batteries due to their excellent electrochemical properties and stable performance across a wide range of operating temperatures. In this study, a novel gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on polyvinylidene-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) with incorporated sulfolane (ionic liquid) and adiponitrile (plasticizer additive) (PVdF-HFP-Sul-Adn) was synthesized and tested with full cell system using a zinc foil as anode and synthesized zinc vanadate (ZVO) as the cathode. The developed GPE exhibited remarkable thermal stability up to 250 °C, excellent resistance to open flames, and high ionic conductivities across varying temperatures: 142 mS/cm at −10 °C, 288 mS/cm at 35 °C, and 76 mS/cm at 90 °C. In the full cell using zinc vanadate as the cathode and zinc foil as the anode, the PVdF-HFP-Sul-Adn GPE achieved a high specific capacity of up to 193 mAh/g at 2 mA/cm2, with a retention capacity of 94 % after 120 cycles at 35 °C. Significant capacity retention was also observed after 120 cycles at −10 °C, 70 °C, 90 °C, and 100 °C. #Congratulations to #Waheed #Adeosun PhD Student and other co-authors to shape this idea from the scratch and found critical electrolyte composition.... https://lnkd.in/dgWnPrnB

105

13 kommentarer

Crystal defects significantly influence graphene's structural and electronic properties. In our study published in Chemical Physics Letters, we investigated the planar and spatial dynamics of divacancies (DVs) in graphene using density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Our findings demonstrate that the system's energy is highly dependent on the positioning and spacing of DVs, providing new insights into graphene's behavior. This deeper understanding could help optimize its applications in catalysis and energy storage devices. https://lnkd.in/eTzsBwaf

152

2 kommentarer

What electrode hole size is ideal for zero- gap alkaline water electrolysers? Using an extensive experimental campaign we showed that sub-millimetre holes incur large efficiency losses. The reason is that they tend to clog with bubbles, filling also any gap between the electrode and diaphragm. Very large holes also have a higher resistance, as ions have to travel further. Our conclusion is that a few millimeters is usually optimal! J.W. Haverkort, A.S. Aghdam, E.J.B. Craye, The optimal electrode hole size in zero gap alkaline water electrolysis: A combined electrochemical, theoretical, and bubble imaging approach. Int J. Hydrogen Energy (2025), 171, 150919 https://lnkd.in/e3TY62Di https://lnkd.in/eS4T828D Thank you also Araz Sheibani Aghdam and Emile Craye! TU Delft | Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft e-Refinery, Process & Energy Department, NWO (Dutch Research Council) Video: hydrogen bubbles emanating from too small holes in an electrode, whose performance was actually *improved* by *removing* electrode material in the form of the shown large square holes. See the paper supplementary material for many more beautiful videos, some even from through a transparent membrane.

448

9 kommentarer

💡Does it make sense to monitor the counter electrode potential? In #electrochemistry, if there’s one thing we don’t lack, it’s potentials. Normally we talk about the potential of the WE with respect to the RE. But… what about the CE? In a recent post I mentioned that even Pt-CE can easily degrade and contaminate the WE, and that if you use C, you can generate CO or CO2, or even dissolve the electrode in not-so-extreme cases. To know what is really happening in the CE and find the best material and configuration for your application, a good practice is to monitor its potential vs Ref. ➡️Nowadays, many potentiostats already allow it. ❓Is it always necessary? No. But you lose nothing by monitoring it. Let me give you two examples. 1️⃣ You’re running a chronoamperometric measurement of the HER. When using a carbon felt counter, the potential skyrockets. You switch to Pt and see it also drift into oxidation potentials. You keep testing and testing until you finally find that using an Ir/Ru counter drops its potential to around 1.6 V. 2️⃣ You work with a gold SPE at low currents. At first everything goes well, but after several uses something happens (e.g., the counter gets contaminated or oxidizes) and suddenly the CE goes to very high potentials, even exceeding the compliance voltage. If you don’t monitor it… you don’t know where the problem comes from and you don’t think it could be the CE. ‼️And if you need help choosing a potentiostat, electrodes or inks for SPE, write to me. I offer free consultations to guide you in your electrochemical purchases. #ECtip #ECtip67

189

4 kommentarer

Hydrogen in high-strength aluminium based alloys has been a topic of interest to the group for several years now. A few years ago, we worked on the mechanism leading to decohesion of grain boundaries in the 7xxx-series Al: https://lnkd.in/ehc5eVZb demonstrating that this was due to a combination of the segregation of Mg, one of the key alloying elements in the alloy, together with hydrogen. We then investigated industrial alloys in stress-corrosion cracking conditions https://lnkd.in/e3eUZday and worked out that the same mechanism seemed to be active, along with many others that alterations of the microstructure arising from the corrosion and the localised deformation. Importantly both works showcased the importance of intermetallics in the trapping of hydrogen. I started collaborating with colleagues at Shanghai Jiaotong University and we worked out the influence of intermetallics on the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of a range of Al-alloys. https://lnkd.in/eGadT25j Now, we recently joined forces with colleagues from  Xi’an Jiaotong University also used this knowledge to design new alloys containing highly complex phases with numerous interstitial sites that can trap hydrogen. The trick was to disperse this phase throughout the microstructure, and we achieved this by using heterogenous precipitation of a shell on an existing fine dispersion of precipitates of Sc-containing precipitates, leading to a high volume fraction of this complex Samson phase, that can trap very large quantities of hydrogen. This same strategy was then used on other alloy systems as Sc is scarce and could prevent the spread of such an approach. We hope you enjoy reading the paper : https://lnkd.in/eAP3Df4h

225

11 kommentarer

Solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) has always been a fascinating technology, capable of converting CO₂ into CO, or H₂O and CO into syngas, while making use of waste heat from processes like hydrocarbon fuel synthesis or upstream steelmaking, whether via DRI or blast furnaces. It offers an elegant and deeply integrated path toward industrial decarbonisation. But durability, especially under dry CO₂, and cost per kW have held it back. At CRT, while developing and successfully licensing low-temperature green hydrogen technologies such as AEM and C-Cell, we have always believed in the long-term potential of solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) for CO₂ recycling. We knew belief was not enough. It had to be backed by patience, rigour, and deep technical insight. Over the past 4+ years, supported by grants, and more than $3 million in our own investment, several techno-commercial collaborations including leading universities, our dedicated SOE team has quietly been building something different. The result is a robust SOE stack featuring our novel, patented core-shell structured electrode. It is designed not just for performance, but for long-term stability under some of the harshest operating conditions, including near-dry CO₂ electrolysis. We also developed a selectively doped zirconia-based electrolyte that improves ionic conductivity without compromising mechanical strength. This innovation enables the effective use of electrolyte-supported cells, offering a reliable platform while maintaining structural durability. With more than two decades of experience in solid oxide systems, we have lived the ups and downs of this technology. Those hard-won lessons shaped every design decision and every test we ran. This technical note shares the outcome of that journey in brief. More detailed results will be published in an upcoming journal article. We welcome your thoughts and your challenges. We are now preparing to pilot this system with one of the world’s largest steel manufacturers and are in discussions with others exploring integration into synthetic fuel production chains, such as synthetic natural gas and methanol. If you’ve ever believed that solid oxide electrolysis could be a practical solution for CO₂ recycling—one that goes beyond the lab and into the real world—we would love to connect.

98

14 kommentarer