Table of Content

28 October 2023, Volume 29 Issue 5

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Application and research progress of solid oxide fuel cell in transportation 

QIN Xiangfu, CAO Junwen, ZHANG Wenqiang, YU Bo

2023, 29(5):  803-818.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2501

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Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an energy conversion technology that can directly transform chemical energy into electric energy. It possesses characteristics of high efficiency, flexible fuel choice, and strong impurity tolerance. In recent years, there has been increased research focus on the application of SOFC in transportation. This study starts from the working principle of SOFC, analyses the application advantages of SOFC in transportation, and introduces the forms of application of SOFC in transportation, including as an auxiliary power unit and powertrain. The calculated efficiency of well-to-wheel (WTW) as a power system is 34%—39%, which is much higher than that of internal combustion engines (14%—17%) and batteries (27%), demonstrating the potential of SOFC as a powertrain in transportation. Then, the research progress of the SOFC power system is presented, 

ncluding principle verification, energy efficiency improvement, and research on the powertrain performance. Finally, the current application status of SOFC in transportation is summarized, and its application prospects are discussed. SOFC holds substantial potential for application in transportation and can contribute to its decarbonization.









Research advances on Pd-based nanoalloy electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

LIU Danye, ZENG Qing , HU Zhenya , LIU Hui , CUI Penglei , CHEN Dong , YANG Jun

2023, 29(5):  819-841.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2530

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In electrocatalysis processes, the interactions among reactants, reaction intermediates and their products, and the surfaces of electrocatalysts are of great significance. Therefore, the tailoring of active sites has become a primary focus in the field of electrocatalysis, which directly determines the catalytic performance and cost of electro catalysis processes. Herein, the fundamentals of electrocatalysis were briefly introduced. The reaction mechanism and principles for designing high-efficiency electrocatalysts were presented using the anodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of fuel cells as a typical model reaction. Recent advances and challenges in tailoring the active sites of ORR electrocatalysts were reviewed, including the structure and chemical composition, as well as the physical effects (eg. lattice-strain and electronic coupling effects) in boosting the catalytic activity and durability of Pd-based nanoalloy electrocatalysts. Finally, considering the cost of noble metal electrocatalysts and the improvements in catalytic performance in ORR processes, the perspectives on future synthetic strategies and developments of Pd-based nanoalloy electrocatalysts were presented. 



Research progress in the application of MXene-based materials in lithium-sulfur batteries 

LIU Guangsen , CAO Jun , NIU Zhiqiang

2023, 29(5):  842-858.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2534

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Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been considered as one of the most promising systems for next-generation high-energy rechargeable Li batteries owing to their high theoretical energy density, safe operation, cost effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, the shuttle effect of polysulfide in the charge-discharge process of Li–S battery degrades its performance in a long-term cycle. MXene-based materials possess excellent electrical conductivity and high specific surface area, which can effectively avoid the shuttle effect of polysulfide owing to their enhanced chemical adsorption capacity and catalytic conversion ability, thereby improving the cycle stability and magnification performance of Li–S batteries. This paper briefly describes the advantages of using MXene-based materials in Li–S batteries, summarises the application status of MXene-based composites in the positive electrodes and separators of Li–S batteries, and the influence of MXene-based materials on the shuttle effect of Li–S batteries. Finally, the future research direction of MXene-based materials in the field of Li–S batteries is prospected.



Advances on machine learning used for high-entropy electrocatalysts 

ZONG Yuyang , LI Junhui , ZHU Xiangdong , SHAN Guangcun , MA Ruguang

2023, 29(5):  859-885.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2528

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As a new class of materials with excellent properties, high-entropy materials (HEMs) have attracted wide interests, in the scientific community owing to their excellent catalytic potential and corrosion resistance. Most traditional studies on high-entropy catalysts are carried out independently, based on existing knowledge systems, which are incompatible and cannot be merged. This has hindered subsequent research and development of better catalysts. Machine learning (ML), as a new strategy to establish mathematical models and conduct research and reasoning based on large data sets, is gradually becoming a branch of artificial intelligence science. The establishment of large databases through ML can effectively transform the traditional research landscape and considerably improve research efficiency. ML can be employed to identify quantitative compositionstructure-performance relationships, providing a novel approach to accelerate the design of electrocatalysts by learning from historical data without explicit programming. This review introduces ML algorithms and HEMs, and it describes and analyses the application of ML in the design of high-entropy electrocatalysts. Finally, the prospects of ML in the screening and prediction of electrocatalysts are discussed and summarised.



Research progress in the design of electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction catalysts

ZHENG Siyu, CAO Xuejie, JIAO Lifang

2023, 29(5):  886-899.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2536

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Electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is the basic reaction involved in urea-assisted hydrogen production from electrolytic water, hydro-chemical degradation of urea-containing waste water, and direct urea fuel cell. However, because UOR involves a six-electron transfer process, it has slow kinetics, and thus has limited practical applications. Efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts must be developed to promote the UOR reaction process. To this end, many synthesis strategies have been reported in recent years, and great progress has been made in terms of catalyst design and elucidation of mechanism. In this paper, we discussed the details of UOR, along with various control game theories, such as doping engineering, heterostructure construction, defect engineering, alloys, and key reaction intermediates. We also summarized the research progress on UOR catalysts and discussed the challenges and prospects associated with the future development of ureabased energy conversion technology and the corresponding catalysts. 



Research progress on electrolyte additives for aqueous zinc ion batteries 

JIN Mingzhe, WANG Chen, WANG Tan, FU Jing

2023, 29(5):  900-914.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2518

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Aqueous Zn ion batteries are regarded as one of the most promising newgeneration electrochemical energy storage devices with a high specific capacity, high safety, and economic benefits. However, the direct utilization of Zn foils as metallic anodes is constrained by the problems of notorious Zn dendrite growth and severe corrosion. Recently, researchers have focused on inhibiting dendrite growth and reducing side reactions through electrolyte additives to obtain high-performance aqueous Zn ion batteries. Hence, this review first presents a general overview of aqueous Zn ion batteries and then systematically summarizes the mechanism of inhibition of dendrite growth and side reactions by electrolyte additives. Finally, suggestions for further development of electrolyte additive strategies in aqueous Zn ion batteries are presented. 



Brief review of ion/electron conductions and their transmission line models for solid-state batteries 

XI Yalu , HUANG Qiuan , LI Weiheng , BAI Yuxuan , WANG Jia , , ZHANG Fangzhou , ZHANG Jiujun

2023, 29(5):  915-925.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2500

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Solid-state lithium batteries with expected high energy density, wide operating temperature range, and high safety will become the primary choice in the field of power supply and energy storage. However, issues like high ion/electron migration resistance, insufficient stability, and ease of peeling at the solid-solid interface considerably limit their practical applications and industrialization. A deep understanding of the ion/electron conduction mechanism is imperative for improving the performance of solid-state batteries. Regarding this, it is necessary not only to obtain original experimental data but also to analyze the mutual influence of ions/electrons and their independent contribution to the total polarization loss through transmission line models. The following aspects are discussed in this brief review: (1) the seven experimental methods for measuring ion/electron conductions in porous electrodes and their characteristics are reviewed; (2) ion/electron conductions in porous electrodes and their nine transport line models are discussed; (3) the unsolved problems in the study of ion/electron conduction mechanism are analyzed; (4) the possible directions of efforts to improve the cycle stability of solid-state batteries are proposed. This review benefits readers by quickly elucidating the research status, key issues, and development trends of ion/electron conduction in intercalation electrodes. 



Advances of photo-enhanced bifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc–air battery 

YE Xiaoxiao , , LU Tuo , , QIAO Jinli ,

2023, 29(5):  926-945.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2499

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With the increase in the global economy, the growing investment in renewable energy is considered to play a key role in addressing the current issues associated with overreliance on fossil fuels and serious environmental pollution. Photo-enhanced rechargeable zinc–air batteries can efficiently convert and store excess solar energy from nature, thereby improving energy utilisation and photoelectric conversion efficiency. Specifically, it ensures that the power supply is not influenced by weather variations. Catalysts play a pivotal role in determining the performance of photo-enhanced rechargeable zinc–air batteries. This review firstly introduces the working principle of photo-enhanced rechargeable zinc–air batteries, then summarizes the preparation methods, performance optimisation, and research and application of bifunctional properties of photo/electric catalysts in rechargeable zinc– air batteries; and at last highlights future research opportunities and challenges in this field. 



Application of electropolymerized films in perovskite solar cells 

LAN Yangjie , , SHAO Jiangyang , CUI Binbin , ZHONG Yuwu

2023, 29(5):  946-959.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2524

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The highest certified power conversion efficiency (25.8%) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has rivalled that of silicone-based solar cells. However, the long-term stability of PSCs should be improved for commercial applications. Electropolymerisation is an effective method for preparing electroactive and/or conducting polymeric films which allows for a simple way to reduce the cost of materials and devices. Moreover, chemically crosslinked electropolymerised films can effectively improve the stability of PSCs. This review summarises the applications of cross-linked electropolymerised films as hole- or electrontransporting layers (HTLs or ETLs) for highly efficient and stable PSCs. Lastly, the future development of PSCs with electropolymerised films is discussed. 



Highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CO by nitrogen-doped carbon/carbon nanotube composite catalysts with abundant mesoporous structures

LIU Bingze, NIU Dongfang

2023, 29(5):  960-972.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2505

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Pyridine nitrogen in nitrogen-doped materials is considered to be the most active nitrogen catalytic site for electroreduction of CO₂ to CO. Dicyandiamide (DCDA) was used as nitrogen source and carbon oxide nanotubes (CNTs-O) as dispersant to prepare nitrogen-doped carbon/carbon nanotube mesoporous composite catalyst with rich pyridinic nitrogen via electrophoretic deposition-calcination method. By changing the mass ratio of DCDA and CNTs-O, the composite catalysts with different contents of g-C₃N₄ were synthesized. Based on a series of characterization and electrochemical tests, it was determined that CN_0.5/CNTs catalyst prepared at DCDA/CNTs-O mass ratio of 0.5 exhibited the best electrocatalytic performance for CO₂ reduction to CO. The Faradaic efficiency (FE) of CO on CN_0.5/CNTs at −1.0 V vs. RHE was as high as 94.1%, and the current density of CO generation was −13.27 mA/cm2 . The FE of CO was still maintained at a high level (>85%) after 24-h long-term electrolysis.



Preparation and interface improvement mechanism of MnO_x-doped PVA-based carbon-coated CF_x

composite materials 

WANG Xueqi, YU Jia, SHI Siqi

2023, 29(5):  973-990.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2510

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 MnO_x-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based carbon-coated CF_x was used to modify the fluorinated carbon. We investigated the appropriate carbonisation and oxidation temperatures and the thickness of the MnO_x-doped PVA-based carbon coating layer to improve the discharge rate performance of lithium-fluorinated carbon batteries and optimise the fluorinated carbon coating layer. The experimental results show that a highly conductive carbon layer is obtained by the optimised carbonization temperature, and pure crystallised manganese oxide is obtained by optimising the oxidation temperature. The coating thickness is adjusted by optimising the concentrations of PVA and Mn(NO₃)₂ to improve the fluorocarbon interface and promote the diffusion of lithium ions to the fluorocarbon electrode. Based on the micromorphology characterisation and electrochemical performance analysis of different combinations, CF_0.79@C-MnO_x-350 ◦C argon-400 ◦C oxygen-0.25 mol/L Mn(NO₃)₂-0.25 mol/L PVA exhibits the best electrochemical performance with a high discharge rate. Both its discharge rate performance and voltage platform are superior to the original fluorinated carbon and other MnO_x-doped PVA-based carboncoated fluorinated carbon materials with other combination mechanisms. 



Preparation of cubic Cu₂O catalyst for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction and its application in a large-area membrane electrode reactor 

LIU Zhaolong , LUO Xi , ZHANG Yang , XU Nengneng , XU Kaibing

2023, 29(5):  991-1002.  doi:10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2493

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The application of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to produce ethylene has attracted much research interest in the field of electrocatalytic CO₂RR. A cubic Cu₂O catalyst with abundant (111) crystal faces was successfully prepared by a simple chemical precipitation coupled chemical reduction protection method. In addition, electrochemical properties of cubic Cu₂O catalysts in an H-type reactor and zero-gap membrane electrode assembly(MEA) reactor were systematically studied. The results revealed several points. First, the Cu₂O catalyst with abundant (111) crystal faces showed excellent ethylene production capabilities. Second, when compared with H-type reactor, the optimal Faradaic efficiency (FE) of zero-gap MEA reactor for CO₂RR was increased by 13.94%, and its total current density satisfied industrialization requirements (>200 mA/cm2 ). In addition, the large-area (25 cm2 ) zero-gap MEA reactor was designed and assembled in this work, and results showed the excellent catalytic performance at CO₂RR and a unique “area effect” above 2.9 V. The appearance of the “area effect” indicates that the current density of the catalytic reaction may be affected by the plate channel design and conductivity optimization in addition to the adjustment of the electrode area, electrolyte concentration, CO₂ flow rate and other key factors when the effective area of the zero-gap MEA reactor is enlarged.