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Addition of small amounts of tris(hexafluoroisopropyl)borate (THFIPB) has previously been shown to improve the capacity of graphite anodes in a wide temperature window during long-term cycling in electrolytes based on LiPF(6)in ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethylene carbonate (DMC) solvents. Here, we demonstrate that the addition of THFIPB accelerates the LiPF(6)hydrolysis, and consumes residual water. The SEI formation and composition was studied by operando electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ex situ diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRIFT). Differences in the surface products are observed for the THFIPB containing electrolyte already upon exposure of graphite anodes to the electrolyte. Both the mechanism and the kinetics of the EC reduction reaction are affected, as evidenced by the shift in the C(2)H(4)evolution peak to higher potentials as compared to the reference electrolyte. Addition of THFIPB leads to formation of a SEI layer enriched in inorganic components; salt reduction products at high potentials, and inorganic carbonate at lower potentials. The SEI formed is more conductive but slightly less passivating. The SEI formed in the reference electrolyte is dominated by organic compounds, also at high potentials, facilitated by the trace amounts of water inevitably found in the electrolyte.

The interphase formation on carbon (C) anodes in LiPF6/EC + DEC Li-ion battery electrolyte is analyzed by combining operando electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D) with in situ online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS). EQCM-D enables unique insights into the anode solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) mass/thickness, its viscoelastic properties, and changes of electrolyte viscosity during the initial formation cycles. The interphase in the pure electrolyte is relatively soft (G(SEI)' approximate to 0.2 MPa, eta(SEI) approximate to mPa s) and changes its viscoelastic properties dynamically as a function of the electrode potential. With increasing electrolyte water content, the SEI becomes thicker and much more rigid. Doubly labeled (D2O)-O-18 is added to the electrolyte in order to precisely track the reaction pathway of water at the anode by OEMS. In the first cycle between 2.6 and 1.7 V versus Li+/Li, water is reduced, and hydroxide ions initiate an autocatalytic hydrolysis of EC. With large amounts of water initially present in the electrolyte, most of the formed CO2 gas is scavenged by reactions with hydroxide and alkoxide ions, forming a thick, rigid, and Li2CO3-rich early interphase on the C anode. This layer alleviates the following electrolyte decomposition processes and slows the reduction of EC < 1 V versus Li+/Li.

Although layered transition metal oxides are state-of-the-art cathode active materials for Li-ion batteries, many fundamental aspects of their operation are poorly understood, in particular, how the local lattice structure and transition metal composition influence their electrochemical activity. In this work, the local structure and redox activity of Ni-rich LixNi1-2yCoyMnyO2 (y = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.33, abbreviated as NCM811, NCM622, and NCM111, respectively) Li-ion cathodes are characterized under standard and overcharge operating conditions with a recently developed operando Raman spectroscopy methodology. Supported by DFT phonon calculations and advanced data analysis methods, we demonstrate that the Raman spectra of NCMs entail spectroscopic signatures of cation ordering phenomena, sequential oxidation/reduction of nickel, and participation of bulk lattice oxygen in the charge-compensation process at a low state of lithiation (SOL). Our methodology enables monitoring such processes during cycling and offers the potential for investigating the mechanisms by which certain strategies (i.e., doping, surface coatings, etc.) ameliorate electrochemical performance.

Given the 2,400-fold range of genome sizes (0.06–148.9 Gbp (gigabase pair)) of seed plants (angiosperms and gymnosperms) with a broadly similar gene content (amounting to approximately 0.03 Gbp), the repeat-sequence content of the genome might be expected to increase with genome size, resulting in the largest genomes consisting almost entirely of repetitive sequences. Here we test this prediction, using the same bioinformatic approach for 101 species to ensure consistency in what constitutes a repeat. We reveal a fundamental change in repeat turnover in genomes above around 10 Gbp, such that species with the largest genomes are only about 55% repetitive. Given that genome size influences many plant traits, habits and life strategies, this fundamental shift in repeat dynamics is likely to affect the evolutionary trajectory of species lineages.

Electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) commonly denoted supercapacitors are rechargeable energy storage devices with excellent power and energy delivery metrics intermediate to conventional capacitors and batteries. High-voltage aqueous electrolyte based EDLCs are particularly attractive due to their high-power capability, facile production, and environmental advantages. EDLCs should last for thousands of cycles and evaluation of future cell chemistries require long-term and costly galvanostatic cycling. Voltage holding tests have been proposed to shorten evaluation time by accelerating cell degradation processes. Whether voltage holding can replace cycling completely remains undemonstrated. In this work, a systematic investigation of the influence of testing procedure on cell performance is presented. The state-of-the-art post-mortem and operando experimental techniques are implemented to elucidate ageing mechanisms and kinetics inside EDLC cells under different testing procedures. Carbon corrosion occurring on the positively polarized electrode leads to the lower active surface area and higher oxygen content. On the contrary, an increase of surface area and micropore volume are observed on the negatively polarized electrode. Repeated galvanostatic cycles at U<1.6 V appears to facilitate the depletion of oxygen species on the positively polarized electrode in comparison with voltage holding, which indicates a more complex degradation mechanism during cycling. Caution is advised when comparing results from different test procedures.

We study the stability of several diglyme-based electrolytes in sodium|sodium and sodium|graphite cells. The electrolyte behavior for different conductive salts [sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate (NaOTf), NaPF6, NaClO4, bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (NaFSI), and sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI)] is compared and, in some cases, considerable differences are identified. Side reactions are studied with a variety of methods, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, online electrochemical mass spectrometry, and in situ electrochemical dilatometry. For Na|Na symmetric cells as well as for Na|graphite cells, we find that NaOTf and NaPF6 are the preferred salts followed by NaClO4 and NaFSI, as the latter two lead to more side reactions and increasing impedance. NaTFSI shows the worst performance leading to poor Coulombic efficiency and cycle life. In this case, excessive side reactions lead also to a strong increase in electrode thickness during cycling. In a qualitative order, the suitability of the conductive salts can be ranked as follows: NaOTf >= NaPF6 > NaClO4 > NaFSI >> NaTFSI. Our results also explain two recent, seemingly conflicting findings on the degree of solid electrolyte interphase formation on graphite electrodes in sodium-ion batteries [Maibach, J.; ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2017, 9, 12373-12381; Goktas, M.; Adv. Energy Mater. 2018, 8, 1702724]. The contradictory findings are due to the different conductive salts used in both studies.

An operando electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D) with simultaneous in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been developed and applied to study the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on copper current collectors in Li-ion batteries. The findings are backed by EIS simulations and complementary analytical techniques, such as online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The evolution of mass and the mechanical properties of the SEI are directly correlated to the electrode impedance. Electrolyte reduction at the anode carbon active material initiates dissolution, diffusion, and deposition of reaction side products throughout the cell and increases electrolyte viscosity and the ohmic cell resistance as a result. On Cu the reduction of CuOx and HF occurs at >1.5 V and forms an initial LiF-rich interphase while electrolyte solvent reduction at <0.8 V vs Li+/Li adds a second, less rigid layer on top. Both the shear storage modulus and viscosity of the SEI generally increase upon cycling but-along with the SEI Li+ diffusion coefficient-also respond reversibly to electrode potential, likely as a result of Li+/EC interfacial concentration changes. Combined EIS-EQCM-D provides unique prospects for further studies of the highly dynamic structure-function relationships of electrode interphases in Li ion batteries.

In situ and operando Raman spectroscopy is proposed to provide unique means for deeper fundamental understanding and further development of layered transition metal LiMO2 (M = Ni, Co, Mn) oxides suitable for Li-ion battery applications. We compare several spectro-electrochemical cell designs and suggest key experimental parameters for obtaining optimum electrochemical performance and spectral quality. Studies of the most practically relevant LiMO2 compositions are exemplified with particular focus on two experimental approaches: (1) lateral and axial Raman mapping of the electrode's (near-) surface to monitor inhomogeneous electrode reactions and (2) time-dependent single-particle spectra during cycling to analyze the LixMO2 lattice dynamics as a function of lithium content. Raman Spectroscopy is claimed to provide a unique real-time probe of the M-O bonds, which are at the heart of the electrochemistry of LiMO2 oxides and govern their stability. We highlight the need for further fundamental understanding of the relationships between the spectroscopic response and oxide lattice structure with particular emphasis on the development of a theoretical framework linking the position and intensity of the Raman bands to the local LixMO2 lattice con figuration. The use of complementary experimental techniques and model systems for validation also deserve further attention. Several novel LiMO2 compositions are currently being explored, especially containing dopings and coatings, and Raman spectroscopy could offer a highly dynamic and convenient tool to guide the formulation of high specific charge and long cycle life LiMO2 oxides for next-generation Li-ion battery cathodes.

Allopolyploidy has played an important role in the evolution of the flowering plants. Genome mergers are often accompanied by significant and rapid alterations of genome size and structure via chromosomal rearrangements and altered dynamics of tandem and dispersed repetitive DNA families. Recent developments in sequencing technologies and bioinformatic methods allow for a comprehensive investigation of the repetitive component of plant genomes. Interpretation of evolutionary dynamics following allopolyploidization requires both the knowledge of parentage and the age of origin of an allopolyploid. Whereas parentage is typically inferred from cytogenetic and phylogenetic data, age inference is hampered by the reticulate nature of the phylogenetic relationships. Treating subgenomes of allopolyploids as if they belonged to different species (i.e., no recombination among subgenomes) and applying cross-bracing (i.e., putting a constraint on the age difference of nodes pertaining to the same event), we can infer the age of allopolyploids within the framework of the multi-species coalescent within BEAST2. Together with a comprehensive characterization of the repetitive DNA fraction using the RepeatExplorer pipeline, we apply the dating approach in a group of closely related allopolyploids and their progenitor species in the plant genus Melampodium (Asteraceae). We dated the origin of both the allotetraploid, M. strigosum, and its two allohexaploid derivatives, M. pringlei and M. sericeum, which share both parentage and the direction of the cross, to the Pleistocene (less than 1.4 Ma). Thus, Pleistocene climatic fluctuations may have triggered formation of allopolyploids possibly in short intervals, contributing to difficulties in inferring the precise temporal order of allopolyploid species divergence of M. sericeum and M. pringlei. The relatively recent origin of the allopolyploids likely played a role in the near-absence of major changes in the repetitive fraction of the