Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Engineering for Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 17705

Special Issue Editors

School of Physics and Materials Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: lithium/sodium/potassium ion batteries; aqueous zinc ion batteries; supercapacitors; functional materials and devices
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: electrochemical sensor; electrochemical energy
Department of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, China
Interests: new graphene composite materials; porous carbon materials; supercapacitor; preparation of fuel cell electrode materials; solid acid catalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrocatalysis and energy storage are currently hot research topics, which can provide effective solutions to the energy crisis and sustainable development. Electrocatalysis technology can be used in many ways, such as for hydrogen production. Energy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries and electrochemical capacitors deeply influence the development of electronic products and electric vehicles. Accordingly, we are launching this new Special Issue of Coatings titled “Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage”, which will focus on the fundamental and application areas of advanced materials for electrocatalysis and energy storage.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Batteries (such as lithium/sodium/potassium ion batteries, aqueous zinc ion batteries, etc.);
  • Electrochemical capacitors;
  • Electrocatalysis materials and applications;
  • Synthesis, analysis, or mechanism research of advanced materials for electrocatalysis and energy storage;
  • Theoretical calculation of advanced materials for electrocatalysis and energy storage;
  • Other types of energy storage applications.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Qinglin Deng
Dr. Zhonghui Sun
Prof. Dr. Xiaoning Tian
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • lithium-ion batteries
  • sodium-ion batteries
  • potassium-ion batteries
  • aqueous-zinc-ion batteries
  • capacitors
  • electrocatalysis
  • energy storage applications

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 161 KiB  
Editorial
Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage
by Qinglin Deng
Coatings 2022, 12(7), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12070901 - 26 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1642
Abstract
Energy problems restrict the sustainable development of human society [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

11 pages, 2251 KiB  
Article
First-Principles Study of Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Ni-Doped Bi4O5Br2
by Hong Sheng, Xin Zhang, Shiheng Xin, Hui Shi, Gaihui Liu, Qiao Wu, Suqin Xue, Xiaoyang Wang, Tingting Shao, Yang Liu, Fuchun Zhang and Xinghui Liu
Coatings 2024, 14(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14010067 - 03 Jan 2024
Viewed by 777
Abstract
In this study, we comprehensively explored the electronic structure and optical properties of Ni-doped Bi4O5Br2 through first-principles computational calculations. By calculating its electronic structure and band characteristics, we investigated the impact of Ni doping on the photocatalytic performance [...] Read more.
In this study, we comprehensively explored the electronic structure and optical properties of Ni-doped Bi4O5Br2 through first-principles computational calculations. By calculating its electronic structure and band characteristics, we investigated the impact of Ni doping on the photocatalytic performance of Bi4O5Br2. The computational results indicated that Ni doping significantly altered the band structure of Bi4O5Br2, leading to a reduction in the band gap width. The band gap for undoped Bi4O5Br2 was 2.151 eV, whereas the Ni-doped system exhibited a smaller band gap, directly indicating its enhanced visible light absorption capacity and facilitating the effective separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs. Through analysis of 2D charge density maps, we observed changes in chemical bonding induced by Ni doping. The shortening of Ni-O bonds suggested increased bond strength, consistent with the observed reduction in cell volume. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the mechanisms behind the enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production performance in Ni-doped Bi4O5Br2, offering valuable insights for the design and optimization of highly efficient photocatalytic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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17 pages, 8339 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of Polymer-Based Electrospun Nanofibers for Flexible Electronic Applications
by Gopiraman Mayakrishnan, Ramkumar Vanaraj, Takayasu Kitauchi, Rajakumar Kanthapazham, Seong Cheol Kim and Ick Soo Kim
Coatings 2024, 14(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14010035 - 27 Dec 2023
Viewed by 706
Abstract
This study was undertaken to synthesize and characterize PVDF/CB (polyvinylidene fluoride/carbon block) nanofiber composites for flexible, wearable electronic applications. Nanofibers were produced by electrospinning method and used to produce thin films. Fiber surface morphologies were investigated by FE-SEM and HR-TEM, crystalline structures by [...] Read more.
This study was undertaken to synthesize and characterize PVDF/CB (polyvinylidene fluoride/carbon block) nanofiber composites for flexible, wearable electronic applications. Nanofibers were produced by electrospinning method and used to produce thin films. Fiber surface morphologies were investigated by FE-SEM and HR-TEM, crystalline structures by FT-IR and P-XRD, and thermal characteristics by TGA and DSC. The prepared materials are thermally stable up to 390 °C. Mechanical properties were ascertained using tensile characteristics, and results showed that the addition of carbon black (CB) powder to PVDF polymer solution decreased Young’s modulus values and reduced the dielectric constant of PVDF nanofiber films. The obtained dielectric constants of nanofibers loaded with various concentrations of CB were found from 1.4 to 2.0. Flexible electronics materials are essential for the production of wearable electronics and various biomedical engineering applications. The PVDF/CB nanofibers containing 1% showed maximum Young’s moduli of 101.29 ± 15.94. Nanofiber thin films offer various advantages, including simplicity of manufacture, low power consumption, flexibility, and exceptional stability, all of which are crucial for flexible, wearable device applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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14 pages, 3552 KiB  
Article
Using Aquatic Plant-Derived Biochars as Carbon Materials for the Negative Electrodes of Li-Ion Batteries
by Andrey A. Belmesov, Alexander A. Glukhov, Ruslan R. Kayumov, Dmitry N. Podlesniy, Elena M. Latkovskaya, Maria A. Repina, Nikita P. Ivanov, Maxim V. Tsvetkov and Oleg O. Shichalin
Coatings 2023, 13(12), 2075; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13122075 - 13 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1141
Abstract
The current study focuses on the production of biochars derived from aquatic plants, specifically red seaweed Ahnfeltia and seagrass Zostera and Ruppia, found in brackish lagoons in the Sea of Okhotsk, Sakhalin Island. These biochars were obtained through a stepwise pyrolysis process [...] Read more.
The current study focuses on the production of biochars derived from aquatic plants, specifically red seaweed Ahnfeltia and seagrass Zostera and Ruppia, found in brackish lagoons in the Sea of Okhotsk, Sakhalin Island. These biochars were obtained through a stepwise pyrolysis process conducted at temperatures of 500 and 700 °C. The characteristics of the biochars, including their elemental composition, specific surface area, and particle size distribution, were found to be influenced by both the type of biomass used and the pyrolysis temperature. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the potential of these biochars to be used as negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries. Among the various samples we tested, the biochar derived from the macroalgae Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis, produced at 700 °C, exhibited the highest carbon content (70 at%) and nitrogen content (>5 at%). The reversible capacity of this particular biochar was measured to be 391 mAh g−1 during the initial cycles and remained relatively stable at around 300 mAh g−1 after 25 cycles. These findings suggest that biochars derived from aquatic plants have the potential to be utilized as effective electrode materials in lithium ion batteries. The specific properties of the biochar, such as its elemental composition and surface area, play a significant role in determining its electrochemical performance. Further research and optimization of the pyrolysis conditions may lead to the development of biochar-based electrodes with improved capacity and cycling stability, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy storage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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14 pages, 3584 KiB  
Article
Component Engineering of Multiphase Nickel Sulfide-Based Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Efficient Overall Water Splitting
by Nianrui Qu, Lu Han, Tianhui Wu, Qingzhi Luo, Shoufeng Tang, Jianmin Gu and Desong Wang
Coatings 2023, 13(11), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13111938 - 14 Nov 2023
Viewed by 640
Abstract
The development of highly efficient and low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting has become increasingly attractive. So far, the strategies to optimize electrocatalytic performance have mainly focused on enhancing the active sites and regulating the surface structures through doping foreign metal or anions [...] Read more.
The development of highly efficient and low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting has become increasingly attractive. So far, the strategies to optimize electrocatalytic performance have mainly focused on enhancing the active sites and regulating the surface structures through doping foreign metal or anions into the composites; however, the internal and external adjustments achieved by tuning the chemical composition and crystalline phases in a material in order to investigate the composition-dependent catalytic activity has generally remained limited. Here, through various in situ composition-dependent nickel sulfides grown while controlling the sulfidation degree, we achieve the precise regulation of nickel sulfides from a single-phase component to multiple-phase components (i.e., two-phase components and three-phase components), further comparing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performances. Benefiting from the synergy of an analogous uniform nanoarray structure and excellent intrinsic activation, the as-obtained NixSy-5, with three-phase components, shows low overpotentials at 10 mA cm−2 for HER (148 mV) and OER (111 mV), as well as a low cell voltage of 1.48 V for overall water splitting in alkaline media, which are among the best results ever reported for overall water splitting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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10 pages, 7354 KiB  
Article
Tribo-Catalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange Solutions Enhanced by Silicon Single Crystals
by Xiaodong Cui, Zhiyu Guo, Hua Lei, Xuchao Jia, Chenyue Mao, Lujie Ruan, Xiaoyuan Zhou, Zhu Wang, Feng Chen and Wanping Chen
Coatings 2023, 13(10), 1804; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13101804 - 20 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1555
Abstract
Coating materials on the bottoms of reactors/beakers has emerged as an effective method to regulate tribo-catalytic reactions. In this study, silicon single crystals were coated on the bottoms of glass beakers, in which 30 mg/L methyl orange (MO) solutions suspended with alumina nanoparticles [...] Read more.
Coating materials on the bottoms of reactors/beakers has emerged as an effective method to regulate tribo-catalytic reactions. In this study, silicon single crystals were coated on the bottoms of glass beakers, in which 30 mg/L methyl orange (MO) solutions suspended with alumina nanoparticles were subjected to magnetic stirring using Teflon magnetic rotary disks. With a gentle rotating speed of 400 rpm for the Teflon disks, the MO solutions were changed from yellow to colorless and the characteristic absorption peak of MO at 450 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum disappeared entirely within 120 min. Mass spectrometry tests were further performed to gain insights into the degradation process, which suggested that the degradation was initiated with the cleavage of the nitrogen-nitrogen double bond in ionized MO molecules by the attack of •OH radicals. Through comparison experiments, we established that the observed degradation was related to the friction between alumina and silicon during magnetic stirring, and hydroxyl and superoxide radicals were formed from the friction, according to electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. It is proposed that electron-hole pairs are excited in silicon single crystals through friction with alumina, which diffuse to the surface of the single crystals and result in the degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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10 pages, 3224 KiB  
Article
Drive Type Virtual Reality Image on a Head-Mounted Display
by Yoichi Ogata
Coatings 2023, 13(5), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13050961 - 20 May 2023
Viewed by 1023
Abstract
We fabricate a head-mounted display (HMD) providing a gradation VR image generated at the surface by using the excitation of the guided mode in a TiO2-slanted nanograting layer. In the TiO2 layer, the beam is waveguided along the short axis [...] Read more.
We fabricate a head-mounted display (HMD) providing a gradation VR image generated at the surface by using the excitation of the guided mode in a TiO2-slanted nanograting layer. In the TiO2 layer, the beam is waveguided along the short axis direction of the grating at a specific injection angle Θ. On the surface of the layer, a beam consisting of leakage generated during the waveguide is emitted. It generates an intensity gradient image for the waveguide direction. In this work, we convert this gradation image to VR by using another coupler. Finally, the obtained gradation VR image is also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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10 pages, 1984 KiB  
Article
Tribo-Catalytic Conversions of H2O and CO2 by NiO Particles in Reactors with Plastic and Metallic Coatings
by Hua Lei, Xuchao Jia, Hongbo Wang, Xiaodong Cui, Yanmin Jia, Linfeng Fei and Wanping Chen
Coatings 2023, 13(2), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020396 - 09 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4216
Abstract
NiO has been found to be highly outstanding in producing H2 and O2 from H2O through magnetic stirring, while its capability for the reduction of CO2 through mechanical stimulation has not been investigated. Presently, NiO particles have been [...] Read more.
NiO has been found to be highly outstanding in producing H2 and O2 from H2O through magnetic stirring, while its capability for the reduction of CO2 through mechanical stimulation has not been investigated. Presently, NiO particles have been employed to promote the conversion of H2O and CO2 enclosed in reactors into flammable gases through magnetic stirring. For a 150 mL glass reactor filled with 50 mL water, 1.00 g of NiO particles, and 1 atm of CO2, 24 h of magnetic stirring using a home-made Teflon magnetic rotary disk resulted in the formation of 33.80 ppm CO, 10.10 ppm CH4, and 12,868.80 ppm H2. More importantly, the reduction of CO2 was found to be substantially enhanced through coating some polymers and metals on the reactor bottoms, including 25.64 ppm CO and 70.97 ppm CH4 obtained for a PVC-coated reactor and 30.68 ppm CO, 52.78 ppm CH4, 3.82 ppm C2H6, and 2.18 ppm C2H4 obtained for a stainless steel-coated reactor. Hydroxyl radicals were detected using fluorescence spectroscopy for NiO particles under magnetic stirring in water. A tribo-catalytic mechanism has been proposed for the conversion of H2O and CO2 into flammable gases by NiO particles under magnetic stirring that is based on the excitation of electron-hole pairs in NiO by mechanical energy absorbed through friction. These findings not only reveal a great potential for mechanical energy to be utilized for CO2 conversion but are also valuable for fundamental studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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7 pages, 2054 KiB  
Communication
Self-Standing Soft Carbon-Coated MoS2 Nanofiber Film Anode for Superior Potassium Storage
by Qinglin Deng and Lingmin Yao
Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1969; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12121969 - 15 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1089
Abstract
The poor electronic conductivity and large volume expansion effect of MoS2 limit its application in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). In addition to exploring effective modification methods, it is also necessary to build a new self-standing electrode system to improve its energy density. In [...] Read more.
The poor electronic conductivity and large volume expansion effect of MoS2 limit its application in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). In addition to exploring effective modification methods, it is also necessary to build a new self-standing electrode system to improve its energy density. In this work, based on the potassium storage advantages and disadvantages of MoS2 and carbon nanofibers, we have successfully prepared a self-standing soft carbon-coated MoS2 nanofiber film electrode without any additives or metal collectors. As for the application in PIBs, it exhibits excellent rate performances (about 93 mA h g−1 at the current density of 10 A g−1), and superior long-term cycling stability performances (a high-capacity retention of ~75% after 1800 cycles at the current density of 1 A g−1). The enhanced potassium storage performance can be attributed to the unique self-standing nanofiber film architectures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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14 pages, 2277 KiB  
Article
Cylindrical Rod Phosphor Structure for Laser-Driven White Lighting
by Bing-Mau Chen, Shang-Ping Ying, Hsuan-Li Huang and Yu-Chieh Cheng
Coatings 2022, 12(11), 1637; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12111637 - 28 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1320
Abstract
In this article, a cylindrical rod phosphor structure was developed and used for laser-driven white lighting. The blue light emitting from the laser diode (LD) with limited divergence enters the cylindrical rod containing phosphor and excites the yellow phosphor particles in the cylindrical [...] Read more.
In this article, a cylindrical rod phosphor structure was developed and used for laser-driven white lighting. The blue light emitting from the laser diode (LD) with limited divergence enters the cylindrical rod containing phosphor and excites the yellow phosphor particles in the cylindrical rod to generate white light. Multiple phosphor blends with yellow and red phosphors were also applied to the cylindrical rod phosphor structure to enhance the red luminescence of white light with a low correlated color temperature (CCT). An advanced structure with a surrounding transparent layer around the central cylindrical rod containing phosphors was also investigated to enhance the possibility of the blue light absorption by phosphors in the cylindrical rod region away from the LD. The cylindrical rod phosphor structures with or without the surrounding transparent layer were fabricated to produce laser-driven white lighting, and the optical characteristics of the cylindrical rod phosphor structures with different phosphor concentrations or yellow-to-red phosphor weight ratios were examined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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13 pages, 5221 KiB  
Article
Identification of the Angle Errors of the LED Parallel-Light Module in PCB Exposure Device by Using Neural Network Learning Algorithms
by Chi-Feng Chen, Jian-Rong Chen and Ting-Yu Chen
Coatings 2022, 12(11), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12111619 - 26 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1001
Abstract
For the smart manufacturing development of printed-circuit-board (PCB) exposure devices, the LED parallel-light (LPL) module is investigated and the angle errors of those LPL units are identified by neural network learning algorithms. At present, in PCB manufacturing, most circuit boards use photoresist covering [...] Read more.
For the smart manufacturing development of printed-circuit-board (PCB) exposure devices, the LED parallel-light (LPL) module is investigated and the angle errors of those LPL units are identified by neural network learning algorithms. At present, in PCB manufacturing, most circuit boards use photoresist covering etching. After exposure and development, unwanted copper foil is etched and removed to make circuit boards. The exposure process is its key process, and the equipment used in this process is an exposure machine. The LPL unit is designed and the LPL exposure module is searched under the principle of higher irradiance uniformity. The learning data of supervised learning for the convolutional neural network (CNN) include a 2D irradiance distribution image constructed by the ray tracing simulation tool. In these supervised learning data, all units of LPL-EM are randomly added with a self-specific angle error. By using Fast Region-based CNN, the identification of the multi-LPL module with the specific errors of inclination and azimuth angle is verified. Those results preliminarily illustrate that supervised learning techniques should be able to help identify the errors of inclination and azimuth angle for the single LPL unit and multi-light module of PCB exposure devices. In other words, this technology should serve as a reference for the development of the PCB exposure process towards smart manufacturing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

17 pages, 3664 KiB  
Review
Advanced Nb2O5 Anode towards Fast Pseudocapacitive Sodium Storage
by Qinglin Deng and Lingmin Yao
Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12121873 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1689
Abstract
Intercalation-type Nb2O5, based on its inherent structural advantages in energy storage, shows excellent energy storage characteristics in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The rapid pseudocapacitive Na-ion insertion/extraction dynamic mechanisms result in its outstanding rate performance. However, the inherent low electronic conductivity [...] Read more.
Intercalation-type Nb2O5, based on its inherent structural advantages in energy storage, shows excellent energy storage characteristics in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The rapid pseudocapacitive Na-ion insertion/extraction dynamic mechanisms result in its outstanding rate performance. However, the inherent low electronic conductivity hinders its application and development in SIBs. Though various modification projects can effectively ameliorate these shortcomings, there are also some basic research problems that need to be clarified and solved. This review summarizes the latest research progress of Nb2O5 in SIBs. The structural advantages and pseudocapacitive characteristics of sodium storage are emphasized. The recent advanced modification strategies are summarized comprehensively, including carbon modification, structural optimization, defect engineering, increased mass loading, flexible electrodes, synergistic effect electrodes, etc. In addition, this review summarizes and prospects the key research strategies and future development directions of Nb2O5 in future practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage)
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