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Conventional silver-silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes are widely used for recording surface electromyography (sEMG) with a conductive gel. However, for long-term sEMG recording, the gel has some disadvantages that cause high impedance. Therefore, the dry electrodes have been alternatively purposed to overcome these disadvantages. Recently, the nanomaterial-based dry electrodes have been developed for long term electrophysiological signal recording. In the present study, we aimed to develop a graphene-coated Ag/AgCl electrode for long-term recording. We transferred single layer graphene (SLG) on the Ag/AgCl electrode surface by using chemical vapor deposition and confirmed this process by Raman scattering spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We then compared the graphene-coated Ag/AgCl and conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes by evaluating median motor nerve conduction studies (mNCS) and their impedance. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) for the Ag/AgCl electrode (4170 ?) was much higher than graphene-coated Ag/AgCl electrode (Rct = 24.6 ?). For median mNCS measurements without gel, the graphene-coated Ag/AgCl electrode provided a better amplitude of distal and proximal compound muscle action potential (28.3 mV and 25.8 mV, respectively) than the Ag/AgCl electrode (21.8 mV and 20.9 mV, respectively). Consequently, the present study suggests promising results in terms of the usability of graphene-coated Ag/AgCl electrodes for long-term monitoring and wearable systems applications of sEMG. In future studies, we aim to investigate clinical applicability of graphene-coated sEMG electrodes that include extended clinical settings and larger study population. © 2022 The Author(s)

In this study, Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1−yCuyO4+δ-based electrode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) are investigated. Materials of the series (y = 0–0.4) are obtained by pyrolysis of glycerol-nitrate compositions. The study of crystal structure and high-temperature stability in air and under low oxygen partial pressure atmospheres are performed using high-resolution neutron and in situ X-ray powder diffraction. All the samples under the study assume a structure with Bmab sp.gr. below 350◦C and with I4/mmm sp.gr. above 500◦C. A transition in the volume thermal expansion coefficient values from 7.8–9.3 to 9.1–12.0 × 10−6, K−1 is observed at approximately 400◦C in air and 500◦C in helium.The oxygen self-diffusion coefficient values, obtained using isotope exchange, monotonically decrease with the Cu content increasing, while concentration dependence of the charge carriers goes through the maximum at x = 0.2. The Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni0.8Cu0.2O4+δ electrode materialdemonstrates chemical compatibility and superior electrochemical performance in the symmetrical cells with Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9, BaCe0.8Sm0.2O3−δ, BaCe0.8Gd0.19Cu0.1O3−δ and BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ solid electrolytes, potentially for application in IT-SOFCs. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. 122013100200-2; Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka: AAAA-A21-121011390009-1; Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, UB RAS: 122020100324-3 Material synthesis, sample preparation, and electrochemical studies were performed in the framework of budget tasks for the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry, UB RAS, project № 122020100324-3. The standard characterization of powder and ceramic materials was carried out at the Shared Access Centre “Composition of Compounds” of the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry, UB RAS. The synchrotron XRD experiments were performed at the shared research center SSTRC on the basis of the Novosibirsk VEPP-3 complex at BINP SB RAS. The in situ XRD study was carried out using the facilities of the shared research center “National Center of Investigation of Catalysts” at the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis (BIC). The part of the reported study concerning the crystal structure of the samples was funded within the framework of budget project for Synchrotron radiation facility SKIF, Boreskov Institute of Catalysis.BIC support of the isotope exchange study by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation projects AAAA-A21-121011390009-1 and AAAA-A21-121011390007-7 is greatly acknowledged. XPS study of the electrode materials was partly performed in the framework of the budget task for the Institute of Metallurgy, UB RAS, project № 122013100200-2 using the equipment of the Shared Access Centre “Ural-M” of the Institute of Metallurgy, UB RAS. Acknowledgments: Material synthesis, sample preparation, and electrochemical studies were performed in the framework of budget tasks for the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry, UB RAS, project №122020100324-3. The standard characterization of powder and ceramic materials was carried out at the Shared Access Centre “Composition of Compounds” of the Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry, UB RAS. The synchrotron XRD experiments were performed at the shared research center SSTRC on the basis of the Novosibirsk VEPP-3 complex at BINP SB RAS. The in situ XRD study was carried out using the facilities of the shared research center “National Center of Investigation of Catalysts” at the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis (BIC). The part of the reported study concerning the crystal structure of the samples was funded within the framework of budget project for Synchrotron radiation facility SKIF, Boreskov Institute of Catalysis.BIC support of the isotope exchange study by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation projects AAAA-A21-121011390009-1 and AAAA -A21-121011390007-7 is greatly acknowledged. XPS study of the electrode materials was partly performed in the framework of the budget task for the Institute of Metallurgy, UB RAS, project № 122013100200-2 using the equipment of the Shared Access Centre “Ural-M” of the Institute of Metallurgy, UB RAS.

Minor metal-free sodium iron dioxide, NaFeO2, is a promising cathode material in sodium-ion batteries. Computational simulations based on the classical potentials were used to study the defects, sodium diffusion paths and cation doping behaviour in the &alpha, and &beta, NaFeO2 polymorphs. The present simulations show good reproduction of both &alpha, NaFeO2. The most thermodynamically favourable defect is Na Frenkel, whereas the second most favourable defect is the cation antisite, in which Na and Fe exchange their positions. The migration energies suggest that there is a very small difference in intrinsic Na mobility between the two polymorphs but their migration paths are completely different. A variety of aliovalent and isovalent dopants were examined. Subvalent doping by Co and Zn on the Fe site is calculated to be energetically favourable in &alpha, NaFeO2, respectively, suggesting the interstitial Na concentration can be increased by using this defect engineering strategy. Conversely, doping by Ge on Fe in &alpha, NaFeO2 and Si (or Ge) on Fe in &beta, NaFeO2 is energetically favourable to introduce a high concentration of Na vacancies that act as vehicles for the vacancy-assisted Na diffusion in NaFeO2. Electronic structure calculations by using density functional theory (DFT) reveal that favourable dopants lead to a reduction in the band gap.

International audience; Electrode materials with homogeneous distribution of boron were obtained by heating mixtures of nanosized carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate and BPO4 in 3-9% weight at 700 °C. The materials can be described as nanocomposites containing i) LiFePO4, possibly doped with a low amount of boron, ii) FePO4 and iii) an amorphous layer based on Li4P2O7-derived material that surrounds the phosphate particles. The thermal treatment with BPO4 also triggered changes in the carbon coating graphitic order. Galvanostatic and voltammetric studies in lithium half-cells showed smaller polarisation, higher capacity and better cycle life for the boron-doped composites. For instance, one of the solids, called B6-LiFePO4, provided close to 150 and 140 mAhg-1 (87% and 81% of theoretical capacity, respectively) under C/2.5 and C regimes after several cycles. Improved specific surface area, carbon graphitization, conductivity and lithium ion diffusivity in the boron-doped phospholivine network account for this excellent rate performance. The properties of an amorphous layer surrounding the phosphate particles also account for such higher performance.

In this work the role of TiO2 in improving cathode performance has been investigated through the use of electrode imaging, porosity changes, electrochemical characterisation and changes in the chemical composition of constituent γ-MnO2 particles. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry studies revealed that TiO2 is mobile in the electrolyte and associates itself with the porous γ-MnO2 surface. This association gives rise to improved electrode performance by allowing electron/proton pairs to more easily (de)intercalate into the MnO2 structure. Depth profiling confirmed that upon cycling surface TiO2 becomes incorporated into the bulk γ-MnO2 structure inhibiting proton diffusion. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

In this article, three-dimensional (3D) microstuctured poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) composite electrodes with varying amount of PEDOT loadings were successfully prepared by electrochemical deposition method. The composites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry. Raman spectra suggest that there is a strong interaction between the RVC and backbone of PEDOT chain. It is revealed from the SEM images that the PEDOT amount, thickness, surface roughness, porosity, and globular structure on RVC electrode are increased with the increase in polymerization time. The capacitance of PEDOT/RVC electrode has increased by a factor of 2230 compared to a bare RVC electrode when polymerization is carried out for 120 min. Moreover, the capacitance of PEDOT was found to be very high compared with other PEDOT studies. The electrodes also show good cyclic stability. This substantial increase in capacitance of RVC electrode is due to the rough, highly porous, and honeycomb-like fine structure of PEDOT coating, which shows a flower-like morphology, consisting of numerous thin flakes with numbers of macropores and micropores. This interesting morphology has enhanced the performance of PEDOT because of increased electrode surface area, specific capacitance, and macroporous structure of RVC electrode.