Electrochemical Synthesis of Barium Tungstate Crystallites with Different Morphologies: Effect of Electrolyte Components

Barium tungstate crystallites with different sizes and morphologies were successfully synthesized using a simple electro-chemical technique by varying the components of electrolyte solutions. XRD analysis evidenced that the as-prepared samples were a pure tetragonal-phase of BaWO4 with a scheelite structure. Scanning electron microscopy images and PL spectra of BaWO4 crystallites revealed that the presence of OH- ions and the incorporation of absolute ethanol into the electrolyte solution would have important effects on their particle sizes, morphologies, and optical properties.

Fabrication and testing of a doped lanthanum gallate electrolyte thin-film solid oxide fuel cell

A supported lanthanum gallate (LSGM) electrolyte thin-film solid oxide fuel cell with Ni-YSZ cermet anode and strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composite cathode was, for the first time, fabricated and tested. The cell was prepared by an unconventional approach, in which an LSGM thin film (about 15 mum thick) was first deposited on a porous substrate such as a porous YSZ disk by a wet process and sintered at a high temperature (above 1400degrees C). NiO was then incorporated into the porous substrate by a carefully controlled impregnation process and fired at a much lower temperature. In this way, the severe reaction between LSGM and NiO at a high temperature, which is required for the full densification of LSGM film, can be avoided. A strontium-doped LaMnO3 (LSM)-YSZ composite cathode was screen printed on the surface of the LSGM film and then fired at 1250degrees C. The electrolyte resistances of the SOFC single cells fabricated by this approach are much lower compared to those of thick LSGM film supported cells. A maximum output power density of over 0.85 W/cm(2) at 800degreesC with H-2 as fuel and air as oxidant for a fabricated cell was achieved. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.

Investigation of platinum utilization and morphology in catalyst layer of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Platinum utilization in the gas-diffusion catalyst layer and thin-film catalyst layer is investigated. The morphology of PTFE and Nafion in a simulated catalyst layer is examined by scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the platinum utilization of the thin-film catalyst layer containing only Pt/C and Nafion is 45.4%. The low utilization is attributed to the fact that the electron conduction of many catalyst particles is impaired by some thick Nafion layers or clumps. For the gas-diffusion (E-TEK) electrode, the platinum utilization is mainly affected by the proton conduction provided by Nafion. The blocking effect of PTFE on the active sites is not serious. When the electrode is sufficiently impregnated with Nafion by an immersion method, the platinum utilization can reach 77.8%. Transmission electron micrographs reveal that although some thick Nafion layers and clumps are observed in the Pt/C + Nafion layer, the distribution of Nafion in the catalyst layer is basically uniform. The melted PTFE disperses in the catalyst layer very uniformly. No large PTFE clumps or wide net-like structure is observed. The reactant gas may have to diffuse evenly in the catalyst layer. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of conducting polymers using room temperature melt as an electrolyte

Aromatic monomers can be polymerised using the chloroaluminate room temperature melt obtained by mixing 1:2 ratio of cetyl pyridinium chloride and anhydrous aluminium chloride miscible in all proportions with organic solvents as an electrolyte. The chloroaluminate (AlCl4-) anion generated in this melt having a tetrahedral symmetry with equal bond lengths and bond angles is the dopant to stabilize macrocation generated near the vicinity of anode to yield better conducting and better ordered electronically conducting free standing polymer film. In this communication, we discuss the polymers derived from benzene and pyrrole and their characterization by various techniques.

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of conducting polyparaphenylene using room-temperature melt as the electrolyte

Freestanding polyparaphenylene films were obtained on polymerization of benzene at potential of 1.2 V versus Al wire on substrates like platinum/transparent conducting glass as an anode. The electrolyte used was chloroaluminate room-temperature melt, which was prepared by intimate mixing of a 1:2 ratio of cetyl pyridinium chloride and anhydrous aluminum chloride to yield a viscous liquid. This liquid was miscible in all proportions with benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons in all proportions at room temperature. The polyparaphenylene films deposited on platinum anode exhibited a prominent cyclic voltammetric peak at 0.7 V versus Al wire as reference electrode in chloroaluminate medium. The impedance spectra gave low charge transfer resistance. The diffused reflectance electronic spectra of the film gave the peaks at 386 nm and 886 nm. The PPP films showed electronic conductivity around 3–4 × 104 S/cm by four probe method under nitrogen atmosphere. The polymer was also characterized by IR spectra, thermal studies, and SEM studies.

Extended electrochemical windows made accessible by room temperature ionic liquid/organic solvent electrolyte systems

The electrochemical windows of acetonitrile solutions doped with 0.1 m concentrations of several ionic liquids were examined by cyclic voltammetry at gold and platinum microelectrodes. These results were compared with those observed in the commonly used 0.1 m tetrabutylammonium perchlorate/acetonitrile system as well as with neat ionic liquids. The use of a trifluorotris(pentofluoroethyl)phosphate-based ionic liquid, specifically, as supporting electrolyte in acetonitrile solutions affords a wider anodic window, which is attributed to the high stability of the anionic component of these intrinsically conductive and thermally robust compounds.

Templated electrodeposition of silver nanowires in a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane from a nonaqueous ionic liquid electrolyte

Template electrodeposition has been used to prepare a wide range of nanostructures but has generally been restricted to aqueous electrolytes. We report the deposition of silver nanowires in a commercial nuclear track-etched polycarbonate template from the nonaqueous ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]) using silver electrochemically dissolved from the anode. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the nanowires have a very high aspect ratio with an average diameter of 80 nm and length of 5 mu m. Ionic liquid electrolytes should greatly extend the range of metals that can be electrodeposited as nanowires using templates.

Low pressure carbon dioxide solubility in pure electrolyte solvents for lithium-ion batteries as a function of temperature. Measurement and prediction

Experimental values for the carbon dioxide solubility in eight pure electrolyte solvents for lithium ion batteries – such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ?-butyrolactone (?BL), ethyl acetate (EA) and methyl propionate (MP) – are reported as a function of temperature from (283 to 353) K and atmospheric pressure. Based on experimental solubility data, the Henry’s law constant of the carbon dioxide in these solvents was then deduced and compared with reported values from the literature, as well as with those predicted by using COSMO-RS methodology within COSMOthermX software and those calculated by the Peng–Robinson equation of state implemented into Aspen plus. From this work, it appears that the CO2 solubility is higher in linear carbonates (such as DMC, EMC, DEC) than in cyclic ones (EC, PC, ?BL). Furthermore, the highest CO2 solubility was obtained in MP and EA solvents, which are comparable to the solubility values reported in classical ionicliquids. The precision and accuracy of the experimental values, considered as the per cent of the relative average absolute deviations of the Henry’s law constants from appropriate smoothing equations and from literature values, are close to (1% and 15%), respectively. From the variation of the Henry’s law constants with temperature, the partial molar thermodynamic functions of dissolution such as the standard Gibbs free energy, the enthalpy, and the entropy are calculated, as well as the mixing enthalpy of the solvent with CO2 in its hypothetical liquid state.