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The capacitive deionization technology uses the electrochemical adsorption of ions in porous electrodes to desalinate seawater or brackish water. Recently, capacitive deionization has gained significant attention as a technology for selective adsorption of ionic species from multicomponent aqueous electrolytes. To investigate the mechanism of selective adsorption at the molecular level, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of aqueous electrolytes and porous electrodes with different divalent or trivalent ions, electrode pore sizes, and applied voltages. We calculated the free energy barriers preventing ions from entering the pores of the electrode and the structure of the water molecules near the ions and the electrode surface under various conditions. Our results suggest that, when the pore and ion sizes are comparable, the steric and electrostatic interactions between the hydrated ions and electrode pores are comparable in magnitude. Moreover, the relative importance of the two interactions can be reversed by slight changes in the external conditions, such as the ion size, valence of the ions, electrode pore size, and applied voltage. Thus, by finely tuning the electrode pore size and the applied voltage, it may be possible to selectively adsorb a particular ionic species from a multicomponent electrolyte through capacitive deionization using a porous electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the formation and transport of gas bubbles across a model porous electrode/catalyst using lattice Boltzmann simulations. This approach enables us to systematically examine the influence of a wide range of morphologies, flow velocities, and reaction rates on the efficiency of gas production. By exploring these parameters, we identify critical parameter combinations that significantly contribute to an enhanced yield of gas output. Our simulations reveal the existence of an optimal pore geometry for which the product output is maximized. Intriguingly, we also observe that lower flow velocities improve gas production by leveraging coalescence-induced bubble detachment from the electrode/catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A formaldehyde-phosphomolybdic acid battery is designed to simultaneously achieve the production of reduced phosphomolybdic acid with electricity and hydrogen generation, in which Cu x O nanowire arrays in-situ grown on Cu foam is used as an efficient porous electrode for the H 2 production from the electrooxidation of formaldehyde. And the reduced polyoxometalate can further act as an electron-coupled proton buffer for the decoupled hydrogen production from water electrolysis. The reported battery possesses an open circuit voltage of about 0.95 V with a peak power density of 8.0 mW cm−2. Multiple discharge experiments reveal that the Faradaic efficiency for the hydrogen production from anodic formaldehyde oxidation is sustained at ∼100%, and a repeatable current density curve of the hydrogen production with a theoretical maximum coulombic efficiency of 100% can be achieved by oxidizing the reduced phosphomolybdic acid, suggesting a good stability of the reported cell device for dual-decoupled hydrogen production. [Display omitted] • Cu x O nanowires with a co-existence of Cu+ and Cu0 species are grown on Cu foam. • It is an efficient catalyst for the electrooxidation of HCHO to H 2 production. • A formaldehyde-phosphomolybdic acid battery is designed. • Dual-decoupled hydrogen production is achieved with electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the contemporary landscape of technological advancements, the burgeoning demand for portable electronics and flexible wearable devices has necessitated the development of energy storage systems with superior volumetric performance. Tungsten oxide (WO3), known for its high density and theoretical capacitance, is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. However, low conductivity and poor cycling stability are still the key bottlenecks for its application. Herein, a novel composite comprising hollow porous WO3 spheres (HPWS) derived by template method was electrostatic self-assembled on the surface of the Ti3C2T x nanosheets. The resulting electrodes exhibited ultra-high volumetric capacitance of 1930 F cm−3 at 1 A g−1 and rate capability of 46% at 50 A g−1, attributed to enhanced ion accessibility from microporous structure and electron transport from conductive network of Ti3C2T x even at a high packing density of 3.86 g cm−3. Utilizing HPWS/Ti3C2T x as the negative electrode and porous carbon as the positive electrode, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor achieved an energy density of 31 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 650 W kg−1 with over 107% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. This work provides a promising approach for developing next-generation supercapacitors with ultra-high volumetric capacitance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to fully utilize industrial lignin, a comparative study was conducted on the properties of porous carbon electrodes prepared by activating different industrial lignin as precursors. The results revealed that carbon electrodes prepared with sodium lignosulfonate (CM-S) exhibited superior specific surface area (SSA) (1,593.5 m2 g−1) and pore volume (PV) (1.03 cm3 g−1) due to the largest relative molecular mass (Mn = 4,539, Mw = 7,290), which is greater than that prepared with alkali lignin (CM-A) and kraft lignin (CM-K), and displayed a well-developed micro-mesoporous macropore hierarchy which was feasible for the efficiency of electron mobility. The electrochemical properties of materials were evaluated, and CM-S showed a mass-specific capacitance of 201 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 current density, along with an impressive capacitance retention rate of 54.7 % at 10 A g−1 current density, which is more potential than CM-A and CM-K (specific capacitances: 100 F g−1 and 75 F g−1 respectively). Additionally, maximum energy and power density of CM-S were measured to be 6.98 W h kg−1 and 2306 W kg−1 with excellent retention rate of 95.5 % after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. Comparatively, sodium lignosulfonate, compared with alkali lignin and kraft lignin, emerges as a more ideal precursor material for porous carbon electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing need for electrode materials exhibiting improved performance to meet the requirements of supercapacitors is on the rise. Hybrid electrodes, which combine reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with transition metal-based oxides, have emerged as promising materials due to their impressive specific capacitance and cost-effectiveness, attributed to their synergistic properties. In the present study, a binder-free CoOrGO composite electrode was synthesized using a facile, fast, and simple one-step co-precipitation method. This was done to improve both capacity and stability for supercapacitor applications. The composite materials underwent comprehensive characterization utilizing various surface analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. Electrochemical measurements of the CoOrGO composite revealed at current density of 2 A cm− 2 a specific capacitance of 132.3 mF cm− 2, with an impressive 95.91% retention of capacitance after 7000 cycles. The results from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) highlighted a meager low relaxation time constant of 0.53 s for the composite films. The reason behind this can be linked to the synergistic interactions, and minimal charge transfer resistance exhibited by the porous electrode without binders. Based on the obtained results, this work introduces a flexible methodology for crafting advanced energy storage systems. This demonstrates the potential for designing high-efficiency supercapacitors that are suitable for a broad range of large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline water electrolysis is the promising technical pathway of large‐scale green hydrogen production. However, its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is hindered by the alkaline environment, leading to slow H2O splitting kinetics, especially for NiMoCu alloy catalysts which are considered potential alkaline HER catalysts. In this work, the Ru‐substrate modified NiMoCu20 porous electrode is designed by a continuous multistep electrodeposition method. It shows the good alkaline HER performance at the high current density of 1000 mA cm−2, which is attributed to the synergistic charge‐reconfiguration effects between Ru‐substrate and NiMoCu alloy by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ Raman spectra analysis. It indicates that the Ru‐substrate is capable of encouraging H‐OH* bond breakage and optimizing transition‐state H* adsorption. Further, the overall water electrolysis results of the alkaline water electrolysis cell (30 wt% KOH) at 70 °C show that it has good performance at the large current density of 1000 mA cm−2 with 2.05 V and good stability at 600 mA cm−2 up to 500 h. It provides the possibility of designing the high‐performance HER electrode from the view of industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "New Journal of Chemistry" published by The Royal Society of Chemistry features a variety of research articles on topics such as catalysis, solar energy, and coordination chemistry. The journal showcases papers on topics like the synthesis of explosives, electrochemical sensing, and the photovoltaic performance of dyes. It also includes research on materials for lithium-ion batteries, humidity detection, and sustainable anodes. The journal aims to connect the global chemistry community and invest profits back into the field. [Extracted from the article]

Carbon nanotube (CNT) based supercapacitors (SCs) were fabricated using magnesium phosphate (MgPO) as a redox material and recycled polypropylene (PP) as the mechanical support for the SC electrodes. Microscopy analysis indicated that the MgPO powder is composed of grains with sizes of 100–420 nm. Firstly, SCs were made with bare CNT electrodes, and these devices generated an energy density of 44.8 W h kg−1 and a maximum capacitance of 243.9 F g−1 (at 1 A g−1). Next, MgPO powder was added to the supercapacitor electrodes resulting in an increase of energy density and capacitance to 88.7 W h kg−1 and 443.8 F g−1, respectively. The CP increased even more (44%) after adding a mixture of MgPO/CuSO4 to the SC electrodes. Interestingly, the device made with MgPO/CuSO4 had the best electrochemical stability, with a capacitance retention of 92% after 500 cycles of charge–discharge. Spectroscopy analysis (XPS, UV-vis, and Raman) of the supercapacitor electrodes demonstrated the existence of the following redox species, which are useful to store charge: Mg2+/Mg0, oxygen vacancies, and P3+/P5+. The best device made with a mixture of redox powder MgPO/CuSO4 presented the highest capacitance (638.6 F g−1) because extra redox centers of Cu+/Cu2+ are found on its electrodes. Thus, combining magnesium phosphate materials and copper sulfate is a useful strategy not only to improve the electrochemical stability of carbon nanotube-based supercapacitors, but also to increase their capacitance/energy density, which are of interest for application in flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes the synthesis of SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites on porous graphene electrodes (PGEs) for high-performance humidity sensors. In the heterojunction structure of SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites, SnO 2 nanoparticles prevented the layered structure of Ti 3 C 2 T x to collapse and restack. Moreover, the high specific surface area of the SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites provided more adsorption sites that improved their response. Porous graphene was fabricated by a fiber laser-induced process on the polyimide film as an electrode layer for flexible humidity sensors. The characteristics of the SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites and PGEs were examined and investigated. SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites were drop-cast on PGEs to fabricate the humidity sensor. Furthermore, the response of humidity sensors was tested in various RHs. The performance of the proposed humidity sensor demonstrated a wide detection range of 11–97 % RH, low hysteresis of 2.8 % RH, low response/recovery times of 14/49 s, high sensitivity of 862.19 kΩ/%RH, excellent long-time stability and repeatability, and good flexibility. In the future, the proposed sensor can be widely applied in human respiration monitoring, non-contact switch, and detection of volatile organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are expected to be the substitute for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of their low cost, high abundance, and similar working mechanism. Among them, polyanion‐type electrodes show great application prospects due to their superior ion diffusion channels and structural stability. However, there are still many scientific issues that need to be thoroughly investigated, especially the formation mechanism, structural stability, and interface impedance of solid–liquid interfaces. Therefore, it is of great significance to systematically study the mechanism of interface reaction and the electrochemical behavior, to promote the further practical application of SIBs. Fortunately, the polyanionic electrodes can effectively improve the transport dynamics and the interfacial stability of the solid–liquid interfaces through constructing the porous structure, surface modification, and electrolyte strategies, thus improving the cycle and rate performance. This review discusses the characteristics and formation mechanisms of electrode/electrolyte interface (EEI), as well as their electrochemical behavior in porous structures with different dimensions. Furthermore, this review covers the application of porous materials in improving transport kinetics and EEI. In particular, it highlights the various strategies employed to comprehend the interplay among structure, chemistry, preparation methods, and the mechanisms of porous electrodes that ultimately affect the electrochemical properties of SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct liquid fuel cell (DLFC) constitutes a promising energy conversion system that directly conveys the chemical energy of liquid fuels into electrical energy. In certain DLFCs, gas is produced as a product of electrochemical reactions during operation. However, the accumulation of gas inside the porous electrode can significantly hinder the transport of reactants, leading to the failure of active sites and severe concentration loss. To address this issue, a gradient‐ordered membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is designed and fabricated, consisting of a dual‐gradient diffusion layer that comprises a pore‐size gradient and a wettability gradient as well as a catalyst layer constructed by nanoneedle catalyst. This MEA promptly removes the produced gas and delivers the fresh solution, thereby enhancing the cell power output and stability. The fuel cell with the gradient‐ordered MEA achieves a remarkable peak power density of 177 mW cm−2 and a discharging time of 19 h, which are more than four times and 30 times, respectively, higher than those of the conventional MEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrodes, which offer sites for mass transfer and redox reactions, play a crucial role in determining the energy efficiencies and power densities of redox flow batteries. This review focuses on various approaches to enhancing electrode performance, particularly the methods of surface etching and catalyst deposition, as well as some other advanced strategies for regulating electrode surface properties. These approaches aim to increase active sites and enhance kinetics for the redox reactions, which are crucial for elevating power density and electrolyte utilization, eventually determining the performance of the flow battery. Highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research, this mini‐review suggests that future advancements in electrode design will significantly impact the commercial viability and adoption of redox flow batteries in sustainable energy storage solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gd0.2Ce0.8O 2−δ (GDC) porous backbone infiltration with La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ (LSC), PrOx and LSC: PrOx as a composite oxygen electrode for intermediate solid oxide cells are conducted within the scope of this work. Samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A uniform distribution of the infiltrated material inside the backbone and at the electrolyte-backbone interface was achieved. EIS measurements on the prepared symmetrical samples showed electrode polarization resistance (Rp) values of 0.029 Ω.cm², 0.23 Ω.cm², and 0.44 Ω.cm² for LSC, LSC: PrOx, and PrOx at 600 °C, respectively. Long-term stability measurements at 600 °C for 100 h showed a slight increase in polarization resistance during the measurement period. Fuel cell measurements of commercial cells (Elcogen) with porous oxygen electrode consisting of GDC infiltrated with LSC showed an increase in power density compared to the reference cell with a value of 0.53 W.cm− 2 obtained at 600 °C. It is proven that infiltration via polymeric precursor into porous scaffolds as backbone oxygen electrode layer is effective and convenient method to develop high performance and stable solid oxide cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the novel composite membrane electrolytes used in Zn/MnO2, Al/MnO2, Al/air, and zinc/air electrochemical devices. The composite membranes were made using poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylic acid), and a sulfonated polypropylene/polyethylene separator to enhance the electrochemical characteristics and dimensional stability of the solid electrolyte membranes. The ionic conductivity was improved significantly by the amount of acrylic acid incorporated into the polymer systems. In general, the ionic conductivity was also enhanced gradually as the testing temperature increased from 20 to 80 °C. Porous zinc gel electrodes and pure aluminum plates were used as the anodes, while porous carbon air electrodes or porous MnO2 electrodes were used as the cathodes. The cyclic voltammetry properties and electrochemical impedance characteristics were investigated to evaluate the cell behavior and electrochemical properties of these prototype cells. The results showed that these prototype cells had a low bulk resistance, a high cell power density, and a unique device stability. The Al/MnO2 cell achieved a density of 110 mW cm−2 at the designated current density for the discharge tests, while the other cells also exhibited good values in the range of 70–100 mW cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn/air cell consisting of the PVA/PAA = 10:5 composite membrane revealed an excellent discharge capacity of 1507 mAh. This represented a very high anode utilization of 95.7% at the C/10 rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a density-based topology optimization framework to design porous electrodes for maximum energy storage. We simulate the full cell with a model that incorporates electronic potential, ionic potential, and electrolyte concentration. The system consists of three materials, namely pure liquid electrolyte and the porous solids of the anode and cathode, for which we determine the optimal placement. We use separate electronic potentials to model each electrode, which allows interdigitated designs. As a result, a penalization is required to ensure that the anode and cathode do not touch, i.e., causing a short circuit. We compare multiple 2D designs generated for different fixed conditions, e.g. material properties. A 3D design with complex channel and interlocked structure is also created. All optimized designs are far superior to the traditional monolithic electrode design with respect to energy storage metrics. We observe up to a 750% increase in energy storage for cases with slow effective ionic diffusion within the porous electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon derived from biomass offers several advantages, including high surface area, customizable pore sizes, abundance, resilience across temperatures, and cost-effectiveness. This study focuses on exploring the potential of palm shell as a renewable alternative for supercapacitor electrode materials. Specifically, it investigates the utilization of a gel composed of NaOH and PVA for activating carbon. Here, palm shell undergoes chemical activation, and its resulting activated carbon's structural and physicochemical properties are comprehensively examined using XRD, FTIR, and BET measurements. The investigation delves into the electrochemical properties using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of electrodes fabricated from chemically activated carbon derived from palm shells. The activated carbon enhanced a surface area of 216.062 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 0.1468 cm3 g−1, and it is produced through the innovative approach of gel-based activation. This research highlights the potential of palm shell-derived activated carbon as a viable, sustainable, and efficient material for supercapacitor electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the use of surface-modified biochar as a porous electrode material for the capacitive deionization removal of chloride and fluoride ions. Incorporation of titanium dioxide and amine groups on biochar aims to increase surface-active sites, facilitate salt ion diffusion, and improve charge efficiency and cation/anion selectivity in asymmetric capacitive deionization. Titania, amine, and activated biochar are denoted as TB, AmB, and AcB, respectively. Physical and electrochemical characterizations were performed to investigate the surface properties of fabricated materials. At the optimum TiO2 loading of 5% (TB-05), the specific capacitance of TB-05 electrode was improved by 35% at scan rate of 1 mV s–1 in comparison to the AcB electrode, despite a decrease in the specific surface area. Three different asymmetric capacitive deionization cell designs—AmB||TB-05, AcB||TB-05, and AmB||AcB—and two symmetrical cell designs—AcB||AcB and TB-05||TB-05 (anode||cathode)—were tested. A symmetric cell design TB-05||TB-05 had a NaCl removal capacity of 8.51 mg g−1, a 42% improvement in comparison to a symmetric AcB cell (6.01 mg g−1). Further, an asymmetric cell AmB||TB-05 showed 67% charge efficiency improvement over symmetric AcB cell, likely due to a reduced co-ion effect. For fluoride removal, a symmetric TB-05 cell showed a removal capacity of 3.51 mg g−1. This study promotes simple surface-modification methods to make inexpensive commercial biochar into a sustainable, and efficient electrode material available for a scale-up asymmetric capacitive deionization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of efficient optoelectronics devices, hybrid lead halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have emerged as highly promising semiconductor materials due to their intriguing properties. While these materials have been used in many applications, the fundamental understanding of their behavior remains relatively unexplored, especially for the mixed halide perovskite samples. To facilitate the advancement of PQD technologies for commercial applications, it is essential to gain insights into the role of ion migration. This study delves into the fundamental aspects of ion migration in halide perovskite nanocrystals. Porous electrodes for supercapacitor application were fabricated using CsPbBr3–xIx (x=0,1,2) nanocrystals prepared via the ligand‐assisted re‐precipitation (LARP) method. Three‐electrode electrochemical measurements and several other characterizations were conducted under dark conditions to evaluate device performance and elucidate the impact of mixed halides on device kinetics and stability. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy before and after the electrochemical measurement reveals intriguing findings. Notably, the analysis uncovered the phase segregation in the metal halide perovskite nanocrystals with particular emphasis on CsPbBr2I due to its distinctive mixed‐halide behavior. The specific capacitance increases with the increasing cycles. Interestingly, as the iodide content increases, there is no selective halide expulsion as the structure collapses rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)‐induced post‐traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a serious brain disease that causes the loss of motor functions, cognitive impairments, and even death. Real‐time and long‐term electrophysiological signal monitoring has significant implication for the treatment of patient with TBI. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) utilizing flexible electrodes enable accurate epilepsy identification by electrocorticography (ECoG) signal monitoring. In this study, a customized flexible osteoid electrode is developed, which contributes to demands and personal differentiation among patients with TBI. The end product of osteoid electrode after full osseointegration will be a stable and firmly integrated structure within the bone tissue, providing a secure platform for continuous electrophysiological signal monitoring. The flexibility and conductivity of the osteoid electrode enables high‐quality and long‐term epilepsy monitoring. Biocompatibility of the osteoid electrode is also demonstrated by in vitro cell experiments. Simultaneously, the porous osteoid electrode also exhibits osseointegration ability based on potential long‐term ECoG signal monitoring, which suggests its potential for the comprehensive treatment of TBI patients. This work not only introduces a potential therapeutic scaffold for TBI‐related diseases, but also provides promising techniques for clinical ECoG monitoring in patients with TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐carbon dioxide batteries (LCBs) require a thick cathode electrode to fulfill their theoretical energy density and high areal capacity (mAh cm−2). However, understanding the design of thick porous electrodes in LCBs is challenging because of the complexity of coupled multispecies transport. Herein, a link is established between the microscopic behaviors of thick electrodes and macroscopic electrochemical performance through a spatio‐temporal resolution technique, filling the gap in knowledge on the degradation mechanism of thick electrodes. Surprisingly, the worst utilization site with the least product deposition is in the central part of the electrode rather than the traditionally presumed separator face. The secondary structure and reaction pathway of solid products exhibit a clear tendency toward spatial growth (on the electrode surface or in the interior). Combined with quantitative modeling, a critical current density shifting the dominance is found from CO2 to Li+ ions, thereby reversing the gradient of the product distribution. Finally, a hotspot map of failure mechanisms with different operating protocols is provided, serving as a guideline for the future design of thick electrodes. This work breaks the knowledge of multi‐field coupling within porous thick electrodes and can be extended to advanced Na (Li)‐CO2 (O2) battery design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate modeling of lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrode microstructures provides essential references for understanding degradation mechanisms and optimizing materials. Traditional segmentation methods often struggle to accurately capture the complex microstructures of porous LIB electrodes in focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) data. In this work, we develop a deep learning model based on the Swin Transformer to segment FIB-SEM data of a lithium cobalt oxide electrode, utilizing fused secondary and backscattered electron images. The proposed approach outperforms other deep learning methods, enabling the acquirement of 3D microstructure with reduced particle elongated artifacts. Analyses of the segmented microstructures reveal improved electrode tortuosity and pore connectivity crucial for ion and electron transport, emphasizing the necessity of accurate 3D modeling for reliable battery performance predictions. These results suggest a path toward voxel-level degradation analysis through more sensible battery simulation on high-fidelity microstructure models directly twinned from real porous electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous organic polymers (POPs) are a type of porous material composed of organic structural units connected by covalent bonds and POPs have been used as efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is chemically modified by B‐doped imidazolium‐based porous organic polymers loaded with Ru nanoparticles on the GCE surface. The incorporation of B in the POPs regulates the electronic structure of electrocatalysts to enhance their inherent electrocatalytic activity for HER. The optimized modified electrode GCE‐Ru/PIM‐Br2 exhibits a low overpotential of 271 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope (80 mV dec−1) in acidic solutions, and shows long‐term stability for up to 22 h. This work presents a strategy to develop B‐doped porous electrodes with loaded metal nanoparticles to strengthen the catalytic performance of electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercialization of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is restricted due to long term performance degradation. SOFC is activated by diffusion of gasses through porous electrodes to the electrochemical active sites termed as triple phase boundary (TPB). Among all other parameters, tortuosity influences the functionality of TPB and is responsible for gas transport which relates its bulk diffusion and its migration through the porous electrode. The novelty of present research lies in designing of optimum tortuous gas diffusion path for effective hydrogen oxidation reaction through engineered morphology of anode functional layer. The study involves the fabrication of anode for planar SOFC using four configurations. Configuration A and B involves anode monolith synthesized through conventional route [(40 vol % Ni in dispersed-8 mol % Yttria stabilized zirconia (SZ)] and functional core-shell Ni@SZ. Configuration C (trilayer anode, TLA) is designed to have graded matrix with conventional Ni-SZ (fuel inlet side), 28 vol% Ni@SZ acting as active layer and 32 vol % Ni@SZ sandwiched in between. Configuration D consists of Ni@SZ as the active layer onto conventional Ni-SZ support. TLA is found to have minimum tortuosity (τ = 2) with maximum cell endurance for 2000 h (2.06–8.2 %/1000 h@800 °C under load). Ni@SZ with unimodal pore distribution is capable of reducing the activation barrier for charge migration (14 kJmol-1) compared to Ni-SZ (32 kJmol-1) with multimodal pores. This results in higher redox tolerance for Configuration B-D (4–7 % conductivity degradation/20 cycles) compared to Configuration A (27% conductivity degradation/20 cycles). Post mortem analyses of microstructure support the retention of core-shell morphology of Ni@SZ with lower deterioration. [Display omitted] • Optimization of electrochemical anodic reaction through unique microstructure of Ni-YSZ. • Tortuosity is established as the primary descriptor to control fuel TPB. • Tri-layer Ni-YSZ shows minimum tortuosity (τ=2), degradation (39 mΩ-cm2kh−1@0.5 A.cm−2,800 C. • TLA composed of conventional anode as support & Ni@SZ (electrochemical active layer). • HOR established as non-equilibrium till propagation & diffuses to equilibrium (saturation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct electrolysis of seawater for the production of green hydrogen energy is an economically attractive approach. However, this technique confronts technical problems because to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) weak stability and inadequate selectivity due to competition with the chlorine evolution process. This work focuses on improving the stability of the electrode and electrolysis efficiency. The phosphating NiCoP active layer with 3D porous morphology was created by electrodeposition on the B-doped diamond (BDD) as an electrode inspired by the bifunctional catalysis strategy. The successfully constructed unique cube-on-nanosheets structure in the NiCoP active layer enables the electrode to exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance. The porous NiCoP/BDD (Por-NiCoP/BDD) electrodes showed good catalytic activity in alkaline-simulated seawater with the OER and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotentials of 400 and 261 mV, respectively, at a current density of 100 mA cm−2. More importantly, the electrode exhibits interesting stability of the catalytic performance and structural in alkaline-simulated seawater electrolysis, with the current density decaying by only 1.52 % and 4.06 % after OER and HER processes for 50 h, respectively. This work expands the valuable application scenarios of BDD electrode and provides novel ideas for the development of seawater electrolysis. [Display omitted] • The controllable preparation of Por-NiCoP/BDD electrodes with 3D porous morphology was achieved. • The constructed NiCoP catalytic layer presents an interesting cauliflower-like structure. • The Por-NiCoP/BDD electrodes exhibit interesting bifunctional catalytic performance (OER and HER). • The Por-NiCoP/BDD electrodes exhibited attractive structural stability in alkaline-simulated seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with adequately selected cathode materials exhibit a higher energy density and better safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Ni-rich layered cathodes are benchmark materials for traditional LIBs owing to their high energy density. Recent studies have highlighted the advantages of using crack-free, single-crystalline cathode materials in ASSBs. In this study, a scalable infiltration sheet-type process was used to fabricate composite electrodes with different cathode-material morphologies for ASSBs. Typically, crack-free single-crystalline materials exhibit better retention performance and lower rate capability (i.e., slower kinetics in charge‒discharge processes) than polycrystalline cathode materials. Li6PS5Cl-infiltrated polycrystalline electrodes showed excellent retention performance and rate capability. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique analysis and transmission electron microscopy of the single-crystalline electrode confirmed severe polarization and the presence of a rock-salt-structure layer in the cathode particles; these results indicated side reactions within the layered structure of the material. In contrast, composite electrodes consisting of polycrystalline cathode materials infiltrated with the solid electrolyte Li6PS5Cl showed excellent electrochemical performance owing to intimate electrode–electrolyte interfacial contact. The result from this study confirmed the critical influence of interface engineering and material morphology on the overall performance and stability of ASSBs and could facilitate the development of high-performance ASSBs in the future. This study introduces a technique for utilizing conventional lithium-ion battery electrodes in all-solid-state batteries. By infiltrating a solid electrolyte solution into the porous electrode, the effects based on the morphology of the active material were investigated. In poly-crystalline materials, high coverage and the formation of a thin side reaction layer were observed. Consequently, the infiltration process also confirmed the superior performance of poly-crystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current goals for implementing the hydrogen economy have highlighted a need to further optimize water‐splitting technologies for clean hydrogen production. Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a leading technology, but further optimizations of anode materials including the porous transport layer (PTL) and the adjacent catalyst layer (CL) are required to increase overall cell performance and reduce cost. This literature review describes advances in PTL development and characterization, highlighting early PTL characterization work and most common methods including capillary flow porometry and mercury intrusion porometry, optical imaging, neutron and x‐ray radiography, and x‐ray computed tomography. The article also discusses PTL protective coatings and their characterizations, focusing on platinum group metal (PGM)‐based coatings, alternative non‐PGM‐based coatings, post‐treated PTLs, and investigations into thin PGM‐based coatings. Furthermore, it highlights the integration of the PTL and the adjacent CL along with associated characterization challenges. Lastly, this review discusses future developments in the characterization needed to improve PEMWE's performance and long‐term durability are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), characterized by its non‐destructive and in situ nature, plays a crucial role in comprehending the thermodynamic and kinetic processes occurring within Li‐ion batteries. However, there is a lack of consistent and coherent physical interpretations for the EIS of porous electrodes. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct thorough investigations into the underlying physical mechanisms of EIS. Herein, by employing reference electrode in batteries, we revisit the associated physical interpretation of EIS at different frequencies. Combining different battery configurations, temperature‐dependent experiments, and elaborated distribution of relaxation time analysis, we find that the ion transport in porous electrode channels and pseudo‐capacitance behavior dominate the high‐frequency and mid‐frequency impedance arcs, respectively. This work offers a perspective for the physical interpretation of EIS and also sheds light on the understanding of EIS characteristics in other advanced energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM), continuous renewal of electrolyte between the tool electrode and the workpiece guarantees stable discharge machining. Proposed in this paper is Porous-electrode ECDM (p-ECDM) using a tool electrode made of porous material containing micrometer pores. The rough surface of the porous electrode promotes electrolyte regeneration between the electrodes to produce a stable and relatively thin gas film. At the same time, the internal connected micropores are used to provide controlled gas flow to the processing area, reduce the energy consumption of electrolytic bubbles, and improve the discharge energy to achieve efficient ECDM processing. Experimental results indicate that compared with a solid electrode, the porous electrode has faster electrolyte renewal, smaller bubble volume, more-stable voltage characteristics, 22.55% less overcut, a 4.7% smaller heat-affected zone, and better deep hole processing ability. Experimental results for p-ECDM assisted by controlled airflow demonstrate a 54.23% increase in the material removal rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel approach through the design and creation of a composite electrode, uniquely made of three distinct layers of micro/mesoporous electrospun carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats, featuring a gradient in pore size. This innovative gradient pore structure merges the benefits of varying pore sizes, significantly enhancing redox flow battery (RFB) efficiency. The first layer, a microporous CNF mat situated near the membrane, offers an extensive reactive surface area, minimizing charge transfer resistance and speeding up electrochemical reactions—key factors in enhancing battery reaction efficiency. The next layer, a mesoporous CNF mat, fine‐tunes the flow properties of the electrolyte, lowering flow resistance while ensuring superior charge transfer capabilities. This structured gradient in pore size not only facilitates improved electrolyte penetration and even distribution but also harmonizes the balance between charge transfer efficiency and electrolyte flow, thus mitigating energy losses without compromising reaction velocity. Charge–discharge testing demonstrated notable performance gains: an energy efficiency of 82% at 100 mA cm−2 (surpassing traditional electrodes by 71.5%) and 69% at 200 mA cm−2, alongside a 77.4% increase in peak power density. This advancement not only enhances energy and power densities but also its lifespan, marking a significant step forward for RFB technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a continuation of our research on modeling electrolyte solutions within charged pores. We make use of the model developed by Blossey et al. [Phys. Rev. E 95, 060602 (2017)], which takes into account the structural interactions between ions through a bilinear form over the gradients of local ionic concentrations in the grand thermodynamic potential, as well as their steric interactions through the lattice gas model. The structural interactions may describe the effects of the molecular structure of ions at a phenomenological level. For example, these effects include steric effects due to non-spherical shapes of ions, their conformational lability, and solvent effects. In addition, we explore their specific interactions with the pore walls by incorporating external attractive potentials. Our primary focus is on observing the behavior of ionic concentration profiles and the disjoining pressure as the pore width changes. By starting with the local mechanical equilibrium condition, we derive a general expression for the disjoining pressure. Our findings indicate that considering the structural interactions of ions leads to a pronounced minimum on the disjoining pressure profiles at small pore widths. We attribute this minimum to the formation of electric double layers on the electrified surfaces of the pore. In addition, our results demonstrate that the inclusion of the attractive interactions of ions with the pore walls enhances this minimum and shifts it to smaller pore thicknesses. Our theoretical discoveries may be useful for those involved in supercapacitor electrochemical engineering, particularly when working with porous electrodes that have been infused with concentrated electrolyte solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Rattan is converted to 3D current collector via a facile and cost-effective strategy. • The CR owns hierarchical structure, directional channels, and superior stability. • 3D MnO 2 cathode with a large mass loading of 10 mg cm−2 is successfully constructed. • Interfacial charge transfer kinetics can be significantly improved by 3D structure. • The cathode offers substantial areal capacity of 3.65 mAh cm−2 and good cyclability. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as prospective candidates for wide-scale energy storage, benefiting from their exceptional reliability and budget-friendliness. To tackle the challenge of limited energy density of AZIBs, it is pivotal to explore cathodes with substantial mass loadings. In this study, rattan is converted into a three-dimensional (3D) current collector with directional channels, high compressive strength, good electrolyte affinity, and superior electrochemical stability through a process involving ultraviolet light irradiation-assisted delignification followed by high-temperature carbonization. Using this current collector and a straightforward slurry pasting method, a 3D MnO 2 cathode featuring substantial loading amount of 10 mg cm−2 for active material can be constructed. This cathode's rich channel structure allows the carbon nanotube/MnO 2 composite material to establish full contact with the electrolyte, significantly facilitating interfacial charge transfer. The optimized cathode achieves an outstanding areal capacity of 3.65 mAh cm−2 at 0.1 A/g and sustains 1.52 mAh cm−2 at 1 A/g. Besides, the capacity retention remains at 60.2 % after 1000 cycles, even under such large mass loading. Notably, the fabrication procedure of the 3D cathode is simple, and the associated costs are relatively low compared to other 3D cathodes for AZIBs. These findings present an effective strategy for developing cost-effective and high-performance electrodes with large areal capacities, advancing energy storage technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recent advances in 3D printing have enabled the manufacture of porous electrodes which cannot be machined using traditional methods. With micron-scale precision, the pore structure of an electrode can now be designed for optimal energy efficiency, and a 3D printed electrode is not limited to a single uniform porosity. As these electrodes scale in size, however, the total number of possible pore designs can be intractable; choosing an appropriate pore distribution manually can be a complex task. To address this challenge, we adopt an inverse design approach. Using physics-based models, the electrode structure is optimized to minimize power losses in a flow reactor. The computer-generated structure is then printed and benchmarked against homogeneous porosity electrodes. We show how an optimized electrode decreases the power requirements by 16% compared to the best-case homogeneous porosity. Future work could apply this approach to flow batteries, electrolyzers, and fuel cells to accelerate their design and implementation.

Recent advances in 3D printing have enabled the manufacture of porous electrodes which cannot be machined using traditional methods. With micron-scale precision, the pore structure of an electrode can now be designed for optimal energy efficiency, and a 3D printed electrode is not limited to a single uniform porosity. As these electrodes scale in size, however, the total number of possible pore designs can be intractable; choosing an appropriate pore distribution manually can be a complex task. To address this challenge, we adopt an inverse design approach. Using physics-based models, the electrode structure is optimized to minimize power losses in a flow reactor. The computer-generated structure is then printed and benchmarked against homogeneous porosity electrodes. We show how an optimized electrode decreases the power requirements by 16% compared to the best-case homogeneous porosity. Future work could apply this approach to flow batteries, electrolyzers, and fuel cells to accelerate their design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Structural battery composites (SBCs) represent an emerging multifunctional technology in which materials functionalized with energy storage capabilities are used to build load‐bearing structural components. However, due to the liquid electrolyte contamination in structural battery electrolyte (SBE) and the large volume expansion of active battery materials, the poor interlayer interfacial in multilayer SBCs often causes difficulties in practical use. In this study, a new porous LiFePO4‐graphite SBC is designed and fabricated by independently distributing battery materials and resin matrix on carbon fiber fabric in pattern lattice form to prepare electrodes prepreg. The cured porous composite framework supports the load‐bearing function while limiting the electrochemical reaction in liquid electrolyte within lattices. The electrodes show reversible electric resistance after 3000 bending cycles with radius as small as 10 mm. The mechanical properties enhance significantly with tensile strength of 486.1 MPa and Young's modulus of 9.1 GPa compared to that with a liquid–solid biphasic mixed SBE structure. The SBC also exhibits a favorable capacity of 27.8 mAh/g at 0.1C. This straightforward integration path of mechanical and electrical functionalities is compatible with the manufacturing process of aerospace composite structures, which will provide an efficient and convenient energy supply solution for distributed electronics. A porous full‐cell structural battery composite (SBC) was designed and fabricated with prepregs. A suspension deposition and volatilization method was developed for robust battery material coating. Electrodes layer exhibited reversible electric resistance after 3000 tensile/bending cycles. The tensile strength and modulus increased significantly compared to the SBC with liquid–solid biphasic mixed structural battery electrolyte. Coordinated integration path was completely compatible with the manufacturing process of aerospace composite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrical double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) comprises two porous electrodes sandwiching an electrolyte‐permeable separator, which prevents the electrodes from short‐circuiting. While previous studies have mainly focused on electrolyte and electrode properties of EDLCs, the device configuration in terms of electrode and separator sizes received less attention, with separators often simplistically modelled as infinitely large reservoirs of ions. Herein, we investigate how the relationship between electrode and separator thicknesses impacts EDLC charging. We find that the assumption of bulk reservoir holds only under specific conditions. Moreover, we identify a tradeoff between stored energy density and pressure variations within the separator, potentially jeopardizing the EDLC durability. We also explore the influence of ionic liquid additives on EDLC charging. While prior research has shown that trace amounts of uncharged additives with strong electrode affinity can significantly enhance energy storage, we observe this effect as negligible for electrodes and separators of comparable sizes. Instead, we show how to optimize EDLC performance by fine‐tuning the concentration of additives and separator‐to‐electrode size ratio to maximize stored energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel/oxygen ion conducting ceramic composite powders (Ni/YSZ) are commonly used materials for fuel electrodes of solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers. One of the ways for increasing the activity of Ni/YSZ is infiltration/impregnation, where a formed porous electrode is impregnated with solutions of active elements, followed by thermolysis. In this study, Ni/YSZ electrodes simultaneously impregnated with nickel and ceria particles in different ratios are investigated. It is shown that the introduction of highly dispersed nickel only slightly increases the activity of the Ni/YSZ electrode and does not affect the pathway of the hydrogen oxidation reaction. If a minor amount of ceria particles is introduced into the electrode, it significantly increases its activity and partially changes the reaction mechanism. The best performance is obtained for the electrode impregnated with an equal volume solution of nickel and cerium nitrates. The polarization resistance of such an electrode in wet hydrogen is about 0.05 and 0.17 Ohm cm2 at 850 and 600 °C, respectively, which is about 10 and 65 times lower compared to initial Ni/YSZ. Long-term tests of more than 1100 h in a wet hydrogen atmosphere at 700 °C showed satisfactory stability of polarization resistance of all investigated electrodes. [Display omitted] • Ni/YSZ electrodes infiltrated with nickel and/or ceria were investigated. • The injection of nickel resulted in a negligible enhancement of Ni/YSZ activity. • Introduction of minor amounts of ceria leads to a partial change in HOR mechanism. • Introduction of close amounts of nickel and cerium is most effective. • Introduction of a significant amount of ceria completely changes the HOR mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In polymer membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), the pore microstructure and the effective diffusion coefficient ( D eff ) of the catalytic layer have a significant impact on the overall performance of the fuel cell. In this work, numerical methods to simulate PEMFC catalytic layers were used to study the effect of isotropy ( I xy ) on the D eff . The proposed methodology studies reconstructed systems by Simulated Annealing imaging with different surface fractions of microstructures composed by two diffusive phases: agglomerates and pores. The D eff is determined numerically by the Finite Volume Method solved for Fick's First Law of Diffusion. The results show that the proposed methodology can effectively quantify the effect of isotropy on the D eff for both diffusion phases. Two trends were obtained in the magnitude of the D eff concerning the change in isotropy: (1) an analytical equation is proposed in this article for D eff ≥ 5 % D 0 and (2) numerical solutions are determined for D eff < 5 % D 0. In our analytical equation are both a lineal and a logarithmic sweep. When the surface fraction is ∅ = 50%, the D eff decreases more linearly than ∅ = 10 % at the beginning of the isotropy change, which indicates that small changes in isotropy in the particulate material modify it drastically; under these conditions the diffusion coefficient in the pore is predominant. (3) When the surface fraction is less than 50%, the D eff decreases more exponentially at the beginning and more linearly at the end of the isotropy change, which shows that small isotropy changes in the bar-aligned material drastically alter it. In this trend, diffusion in the agglomerate is less affected by isotropy. The proposed methodology can be used as a design tool to improve the mass transport in porous PEMFC electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their exceptional energy and power densities, 3D micro‐batteries emerge as highly promising candidates for miniaturized power sources. However, fabricating a complete and uniform electrolyte/separator membrane to separate 3D electrodes in assembled 3D batteries remains a significant challenge. Herein, the study presents a straightforward approach to preparing 3D electrolyte membranes via a modified spray‐deposition method. This 3D electrolyte membrane effectively isolates the 3D porous LiFePO4 cathode from the Li anode with a ionic conductivity of 9.6 × 10−4 S cm−1, facilitating the creation of an integrated aperiodic 3D battery. The 3D battery exhibits a specific capacity of up to 8.8 mAh cm−2 (29.1 mWh cm−2) and attains a maximum power density of 12.7 mW cm−2. The characteristic time is 0.17 s for 3D battery while 0.73 s for traditional 2D batteries. The enhanced rate performance with thick electrode is primarily attributed to the reduced ionic diffusion pathway. These results represent the highest peak power and energy density among all reported aperiodic 3D batteries. The utilization of spray‐deposited electrolytes for 3D electrode separation promises significant advancements in developing 3D batteries and demonstrates great potentials for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on synthesis and characterization of super activated carbon/SnFe2O4 spinel nanocomposite as Li ion-battery soft electrode with high surface area. Various characterizations such as X-rays diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET porosimeter analysis, vibrational sample magnetometry (VSM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to analysis the structural, optical, morphological, magnetic, and electrochemical properties of these nanocomposites. XRD analysis results indicate the presence of the SnFe2O4 phase and preferred peak in (311) plane for the super activated carbon/SnFe2O4 NPs nanocomposite. Various methods, such as Scherrer, Williamson–Hall, Rietveld, Halder–Wagner, and McMaille, were used to calculate structural parameters. FESEM images displayed the creation of very small structures with cubic and polyhedral shapes, showing cluster growth in SnFe2O4 phase. The most significant absorption of light was observed in the super activated carbon/SnFe2O4 sample in order of 105 cm−1. The band gap of the samples was found to be in the range of Eg = 2.54–4.70 eV, indicating that the materials exhibit semiconductor properties. Additionally, BET analysis revealed a notably high specific surface area of 2840.3 m2/g in the super activated carbon/SnFe2O4 nanoparticles nanocomposite. From the UV–Vis analysis, the values of refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), dielectric constant (ϵ ), Urbach energy (Eu), and reflection coefficient were studied. The analysis using VSM showed that nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic properties. FTIR analysis results confirmed the vibrations associated with the presence of metal oxides Sn–O and Fe–O. The existence of these metal oxide bonds suggests the formation of a tin ferrite spinel structure. The CV results demonstrate that lithium ions can penetrate the SnFe2O4 spinel structure due to the presence of the lithium salt electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocaine is one of the most abused illicit drugs, and its abuse damages the central nervous system and can even lead directly to death. Therefore, the development of simple, rapid and highly sensitive detection methods is crucial for the prevention and control of drug abuse, traffic accidents and crime. In this work, an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor based on the low-temperature enhancement effect was developed for the direct determination of cocaine in bio-samples. The signal gain of the sensor at 10 °C was greatly improved compared to room temperature, owing to the improved affinity between the aptamer and the target. Additionally, the electroactive area of the gold electrode used to fabricate the EAB sensor was increased 20 times by a simple electrochemical roughening method. The porous electrode possesses more efficient electron transfer and better antifouling properties after roughening. These improvements enabled the sensor to achieve rapid detection of cocaine in complex bio-samples. The low detection limits (LOD) of cocaine in undiluted urine, 50% serum and 50% saliva were 70 nM, 30 nM and 10 nM, respectively, which are below the concentration threshold in drugged driving screening. The aptasensor was simple to construct and reusable, which offers potential for drugged driving screening in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon black, a key ingredient in ancient inks, is used today to make the porous electrodes found in many rechargeable batteries. Understanding how to control its microstructure can pave the way to better-performing batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Supercapacitors have the advantages of fast charging and discharging speeds, high power density, long cycle life, and wide operating temperature range. They are widely used in portable electronic equipment, rail transit, industry, military, aerospace, and other fields. The design and preparation of low-cost, high-performance electrode materials still pose a bottleneck that hinders the development of supercapacitors. In this paper, coal was used as the raw material, and the coal-based porous carbon electrode material was constructed using the iodine intercalation-assisted activation method and used for supercapacitors. The CK-700 electrode exhibits excellent charge storage performance in a 6 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte, with a maximum specific capacitance of 350 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. In addition, it has an excellent rate performance (310 F/g at 1 A/g) and cycle stability (capacitance retention up to 91.7 % after 30000 cycles). This work provides a method for realizing high-quality, high-yield and low-cost preparation of coal-based porous carbon, and an idea for improving the performance of supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symmetrical solid oxide cells (SSOCs) are very useful for energy generation and conversion. To fabricate the electrode of SSOC, it is very time‐consuming to use the conventional approach. In this work, we design and develop a novel method, extreme heat treatment (EHT), to rapidly fabricate electrodes for SSOC. We show that by using the EHT method, the electrode can be fabricated in seconds (the fastest method to date), benefiting from enhanced reaction kinetics. The EHT‐fabricated electrode presents a porous structure and good adhesion with the electrolyte. In contrast, tens of hours are needed to prepare the electrode by the conventional approach, and the prepared electrode exhibits a dense structure with a larger particle size due to the lengthy treatment. The EHT‐fabricated electrode shows desirable electrochemical performance. Moreover, we show that the electrocatalytic activity of the perovskite electrode can be tuned by the vigorous approach of fast exsolution, deriving from the increased active sites for enhancing the electrochemical reactions. At 900 °C, a promising peak power density of 966 mW cm−2 is reached. Our work exploits a new territory to fabricate and develop advanced electrodes for SSOCs in a rapid and high‐throughput manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the significant volume expansion issue encountered by traditional silicon anodes in lithium‐ion batteries, this study employs chemical etching techniques to treat aluminum–silicon alloys of various ratios, successfully preparing three types of porous silicon electrode materials with different pore structures. Through a series of electrochemical tests, this article investigates the role of porous silicon structures in improving electrode performance. The results demonstrate that the porous silicon anodes exhibit superior cycle stability and rate capability compared to traditional solid silicon anodes. This confirms the effectiveness of the porous structure in mitigating the significant volume expansion during the charge and discharge process of silicon materials and in preventing premature electrode failure, thereby significantly enhancing the electrode's cycle life. Remarkably, the porous silicon with a high porosity rate shows exceptionally outstanding performance. Additionally, using computer simulations, this study also models the impact of changes in pore size within the porous silicon material at different states of charge and discharge on the stress distribution at the particle center and surface. These experimental and simulation results jointly provide strong empirical evidence for applying porous silicon materials as high‐performance anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries and offer essential guidance for future stress analysis and electrode design of porous silicon electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of process parameters on the electroless plating of ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs) were studied in this work. Specifically, the NaBH4 reduction of platinum onto Nafion-117 was characterised. The effects of the concurrent variation of NaBH4 concentration, stir time and temperature on surface resistance were studied through a full factorial design. The three-factor three-level factorial design resulted in 27 runs. Surface resistance was measured using a four-point probe. A regression model with an R2 value of 97.45% was obtained. Surface resistance was found to decrease with increasing stir time (20 to 60 min) and temperature (20 to 60 °C). These responses were attributed to increased platinisation rates, resulting in more uniform electrode deposition, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis. Surface resistance decreased, going from 1% to 5% NaBH4 concentration, but increased from 5% to 10% concentration. This behaviour was attributed to surface morphology: increased grain size inducing porous electrodes, in line with findings in the literature. The maximum tip displacement, measured through a computer vision system, as well as the maximum blocking force, measured through an analytical balance setup, were obtained for all 27 samples. The varying results were discussed with regards to surface and cross-sectional SEMs, alongside EDAX analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniaturized energy storage devices, such as electrostatic nanocapacitors and electrochemical micro-supercapacitors (MSCs), are important components in on-chip energy supply systems, facilitating the development of autonomous microelectronic devices with enhanced performance and efficiency. The performance of the on-chip energy storage devices heavily relies on the electrode materials, necessitating continuous advancements in material design and synthesis. This review provides an overview of recent developments in electrode materials for on-chip MSCs and electrostatic (micro-/nano-) capacitors, focusing on enhancing energy density, power density, and device stability. The review begins by discussing the fundamental requirements for electrode materials in MSCs, including high specific surface area, good conductivity, and excellent electrochemical stability. Subsequently, various categories of electrode materials are evaluated in terms of their charge storage mechanisms, electrochemical performance, and compatibility with on-chip fabrication processes. Furthermore, recent strategies to enhance the performance of electrode materials are discussed, including nanostructuring, doping, heteroatom incorporation, hybridization with other capacitive materials, and electrode configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid advancement of the new energy industry, porous electrode materials and complex electrolytes have gained widespread usage. Electrolytes exhibit distinctive phase behavior when subjected to the combined influence of confined space and electric fields. However, the measurement and prediction of such phase behavior encounter significant challenges. Consequently, numerous theoretical tools have been employed to establish models for phase equilibrium calculations. Nevertheless, current research in this field has notable limitations and fails to address the confinement of space or complex polymer electrolytes. Considering these shortcomings, an associating polymer density functional theory (PDFT) was developed by modifying excess free energy. This study examines the phase behavior of electrolytes with various chain lengths within diverse confined slits, revealing that the confinement effect and fluid tail chains can narrow the phase diagram. Additionally, a linear correlation between the electric field strength and the phase equilibrium offset has been identified, and a quantitative relationship is derived. The results of this investigation contribute to a deeper comprehension of complex fluid phase behavior and guide the design of electrochemical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]