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Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
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Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion

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: closed (20 December 2023) | Viewed by 21443

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ning Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Process and Technology for Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: carbon and MXene-based materials for energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy storage and conversion technologies have risen to the top of the research and industrial interests, given the proportionate growth of renewable energy sources. The extraordinary advancements in energy storage and conversion technologies are inextricably linked to the development of new materials. This Special Issue intends to report on the most recent advances and findings in developing innovative energy storage and conversion technologies, such as lithium/sodium/potassium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, supercapacitors, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis. The contribution of original research articles and reviews on the design, synthesis, theoretical calculation, characterization, characteristics, energy storage mechanism, industrial engineering, and application of various materials for energy storage and conversion are strongly welcomed.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ning Sun
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • advanced material
  • inorganic material
  • organic material
  • nanomaterial
  • carbon material
  • nanocomposite
  • secondary battery
  • supercapacitor
  • electrocatalysis and photocatalysis

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

17 pages, 3867 KiB  
Article
Copper Nitride: A Versatile Semiconductor with Great Potential for Next-Generation Photovoltaics
by M. I. Rodríguez-Tapiador, J. M. Asensi, M. Roldán, J. Merino, J. Bertomeu and S. Fernández
Coatings 2023, 13(6), 1094; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13061094 - 13 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2605
Abstract
Copper nitride (Cu3N) has gained significant attention recently due to its potential in several scientific and technological applications. This study focuses on using Cu3N as a solar absorber in photovoltaic technology. Cu3N thin films were deposited on [...] Read more.
Copper nitride (Cu3N) has gained significant attention recently due to its potential in several scientific and technological applications. This study focuses on using Cu3N as a solar absorber in photovoltaic technology. Cu3N thin films were deposited on glass substrates and silicon wafers via radio-frequency magnetron sputtering at different nitrogen flow ratios with total pressures ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 Pa. The thin films’ structural, morphology, and chemical properties were determined using XRD, Raman, AFM, and SEM/EDS techniques. The results revealed that the Cu3N films exhibited a polycrystalline structure, with the preferred orientation varying from 100 to 111 depending on the working pressure employed. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Cu-N bonds in characteristic peaks observed in the 618–627 cm−1 range, while SEM and AFM images confirmed the presence of uniform and smooth surface morphologies. The optical properties of the films were investigated using UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS). The obtained band gap, refractive index, and Urbach energy values demonstrated promising optical properties for Cu3N films, indicating their potential as solar absorbers in photovoltaic technology. This study highlights the favourable properties of Cu3N films deposited using the RF sputtering method, paving the way for their implementation in thin-film photovoltaic technologies. These findings contribute to the progress and optimisation of Cu3N-based materials for efficient solar energy conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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16 pages, 4588 KiB  
Article
Al2O3 Ceramic/Nanocellulose-Coated Non-Woven Separator for Lithium-Metal Batteries
by Dong-Min Shin, Hyunsu Son, Ko Un Park, Junyoung Choi, Jungdon Suk, Eun Seck Kang, Dong-Won Kim and Do Youb Kim
Coatings 2023, 13(5), 916; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13050916 - 13 May 2023
Viewed by 1970
Abstract
Separators play an essential role in lithium (Li)-based secondary batteries by preventing direct contact between the two electrodes and providing conduction pathways for Li-ions in the battery cells. However, conventional polyolefin separators exhibit insufficient electrolyte wettability and thermal stability, and in particular, they [...] Read more.
Separators play an essential role in lithium (Li)-based secondary batteries by preventing direct contact between the two electrodes and providing conduction pathways for Li-ions in the battery cells. However, conventional polyolefin separators exhibit insufficient electrolyte wettability and thermal stability, and in particular, they are vulnerable to Li dendritic growth, which is a significant weakness in Li-metal batteries (LMBs). To improve the safety and electrochemical performance of LMBs, Al2O3 nanoparticles and nanocellulose (NC)-coated non-woven poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polyacrylonitrile separators were fabricated using a simple, water-based blade coating method. The Al2O3/NC-coated separator possessed a reasonably porous structure and a significant number of hydroxyl groups (-OH), which enhanced electrolyte uptake (394.8%) and ionic conductivity (1.493 mS/cm). The coated separator also exhibited reduced thermal shrinkage and alleviated uncontrollable Li dendritic growth compared with a bare separator. Consequently, Li-metal battery cells with a LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode and an Al2O3/NC-coated separator using either liquid or solid polymer electrolytes exhibited improved rate capability, cycle stability, and safety compared with a cell with a bare separator. The present study demonstrates that combining appropriate materials in coatings on separator surfaces can enhance the safety and electrochemical performance of LMBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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12 pages, 2701 KiB  
Article
Hard Carbons Derived from Phenyl Hyper-Crosslinked Polymers for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Ziyang Guo, Xiaodong Tian, Yan Song, Tao Yang, Zihui Ma, Xiangjie Gong and Chao Wang
Coatings 2023, 13(2), 421; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13020421 - 13 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
Hyper-crosslinked polymers are attracting extensive attention owing to their ease of design and synthesis. Based on the flexibility of its molecular design, a hyper-crosslinked polymer with a π-conjugated structure and its derived carbon were synthesized by the Friedel–Crafts reaction. The polymer and its [...] Read more.
Hyper-crosslinked polymers are attracting extensive attention owing to their ease of design and synthesis. Based on the flexibility of its molecular design, a hyper-crosslinked polymer with a π-conjugated structure and its derived carbon were synthesized by the Friedel–Crafts reaction. The polymer and its derived hard carbon material were characterized by FTIR, 13C NMR, Raman, BET, and other characterization tools. The electrochemical properties of both materials as anode electrodes of lithium-ion batteries were investigated. Benefiting from the highly cross-linked skeleton and conjugated structure, the as-prepared carbon materials still had high specific surface area (583 m2 g−1) and porosity (0.378 cm3 g−1) values. The hard carbon (CHCPB) anode possessed the powerful reversible capacity of 699 mAh g−1 at 0.1A g−1, and it had an excellent rate of performance of 165 mAh g−1 at the large current density of 5.0 A g−1. Long-cycle performance for 2000 charge/discharge cycles displayed that the capacity was kept at 148 mAh g−1 under 2 A g−1. This work contributes to a better understanding of the properties of hard carbon materials derived from hyper-crosslinked polymers and how this class of materials can be further exploited in various applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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11 pages, 4472 KiB  
Communication
Facile Synthesis of Polyacrylic Acid/Graphene Oxide Composite Hydrogel Electrolyte for High-Performance Flexible Supercapacitors
by Yue Xin, Zhaoxin Yu, Razium Ali Soomro and Ning Sun
Coatings 2023, 13(2), 382; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13020382 - 7 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1481
Abstract
The development of hydrogel electrolytes plays a critical role in high-performance flexible supercapacitor devices. Herein, a composite hydrogel electrolyte of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and graphene oxide (GO) has been successfully prepared, where the oxygen-containing functional groups of GO may crosslink and form hydrogen [...] Read more.
The development of hydrogel electrolytes plays a critical role in high-performance flexible supercapacitor devices. Herein, a composite hydrogel electrolyte of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and graphene oxide (GO) has been successfully prepared, where the oxygen-containing functional groups of GO may crosslink and form hydrogen bonds with carboxyl on the molecular chain of PAA, thereby significantly enhancing the mechanical properties of a PAA-based gel electrolyte. The tensile strength increases from 4.0 MPa for pristine PAA gel to 6.1 MPa for PAA/GO composite gel, with the elongation at break rising from 1556% to 1950%. Meanwhile, GO promotes the transportation of electrolyte ions, which are favorable for enhancing the ionic conductivity of the PAA hydrogel. As a result, the assembled supercapacitor based on PAA/GO composite hydrogel electrolyte shows enhanced capacitance retention of 64.3% at a large current density of 20 A g−1 and excellent cycling stability over 10,000 cycles at 5 A g−1. Furthermore, the fabricated flexible supercapacitor devices could maintain outstanding electrochemical performance at various bending angles of 0–90°, indicating a promising prospect for the PAA/GO hydrogel electrolyte in flexible wearable fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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0 pages, 3360 KiB  
Article
Impact of Iron Pyrite Nanoparticles Sizes in Photovoltaic Performance
by Refka Sai and Rasha A. Abumousa
Coatings 2023, 13(1), 167; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13010167 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1510 | Correction
Abstract
With rising energy demand and depleted traditional fuels, solar cells offer a sustainable and clean option. In recent years, and due to its acceptable band gap, high absorption coefficient, and inexpensive cost, iron pyrite (FeS2) is a popular material for solar [...] Read more.
With rising energy demand and depleted traditional fuels, solar cells offer a sustainable and clean option. In recent years, and due to its acceptable band gap, high absorption coefficient, and inexpensive cost, iron pyrite (FeS2) is a popular material for solar cells. Earth abundance and nontoxicity further boost its photovoltaic possibilities. The current study examined the influence of sulfurization at 350–400 °C on iron pyrite layers fabricated using spray pyrolysis. The morphology and size from TEM confirmed the XRD results of synthesizing a pyrite FeS2 with an average particle size of 10–23 nm at 350–400 °C, respectively. The direct band gap calculated by DFT as a function of temperature was found to be consistent with the experimental findings, 0.87 eV (0.87) and 0.90 eV (0.95) at 350 °C and 400 °C, respectively. We found high-performing photovoltaic cells on ITO/ZnO/FeS2/ MoO3/Au/Ag, obtained with an excellent quality of nanoparticles and nanostructures of FeS2 pyrite, which improved with the method of preparation and growth parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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9 pages, 1505 KiB  
Article
Electrostatic Forces in Control of the Foamability of Nonionic Surfactant
by Stoyan I. Karakashev, Nikolay A. Grozev, Svetlana Hristova, Kristina Mircheva and Orhan Ozdemir
Coatings 2023, 13(1), 37; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13010037 - 25 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1397
Abstract
Can the DLVO theory predict the foamability of flotation frothers as MIBC (methyl isobutyl carbinol)? The flotation froth is a multi-bubble system, in which the bubbles collide, thus either coalescing or rebounding. This scenario is driven by the hydrodynamic push force, pressing the [...] Read more.
Can the DLVO theory predict the foamability of flotation frothers as MIBC (methyl isobutyl carbinol)? The flotation froth is a multi-bubble system, in which the bubbles collide, thus either coalescing or rebounding. This scenario is driven by the hydrodynamic push force, pressing the bubbles towards each other, the electrostatic and van der Waals forces between the bubbles, and the occurrence of the precipitation of the dissolved air between the bubbles. We studied the foamability of 20 ppm MIBC at constant ionic strength I = 7.5 × 10−4 mol/L at different pH values in the absence and presence of modified silica particles, which were positively charged, thus covering the negatively charged bubbles. Hence, we observed an increase in the foamability with the increase in the pH value until pH = 8.3, beyond which it decreased. The electrostatic repulsion between the bubbles increased with the increase in the pH value, which caused the electrostatic stabilization of the froth and subsequently an increase in the foamability. The presence of the particles covering the bubbles boosted the foamability also due to the steric repulsion between the bubbles. The decrease in the foamability at pH > 8.3 can be explained by the fact that, under such conditions, the solubility of carbon dioxide vanished, thus making the aqueous solution supersaturated with carbon dioxide. This caused the precipitation of the latter and the emergence of microbubbles, which usually make the bubbles coalesce. Of course, our explanation remains a hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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14 pages, 6749 KiB  
Article
Co0.6Ni0.4S2/rGO Photocatalyst for One-Pot Synthesis of Imines from Nitroaromatics and Aromatic Alcohols by Transfer Hydrogenation
by Hongming Zhang, Jiahe Zhuang, Xiangrui Feng and Ben Ma
Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings12121799 - 23 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1164
Abstract
Co0.6Ni0.4S2/rGO catalysts exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for one-step synthesis of N-benzylideneaniline from nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol by transfer hydrogenation, and the selectivity and yield of N-benzylideneaniline can reach as high as 93% and 77.2%, respectively. [...] Read more.
Co0.6Ni0.4S2/rGO catalysts exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for one-step synthesis of N-benzylideneaniline from nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol by transfer hydrogenation, and the selectivity and yield of N-benzylideneaniline can reach as high as 93% and 77.2%, respectively. The reaction process for the synthesis of imines can be divided into two steps: benzyl alcohol is oxidized to benzaldehyde, while nitrobenzene is reduced to aniline; benzaldehyde and aniline are condensed to form imines. Under visible light irradiation, photo-induced electrons in Co0.6Ni0.4S2/rGO photocatalyst play an important role in activating nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde. Photo-induced holes are mainly responsible for the partial dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. Next, aniline molecules condense with benzaldehyde molecules to synthesize imine. The photocatalytic system provides an environmentally friendly for the synthesis of imines and supplies an alternative approach for hydrogen auto-transfer reactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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Review

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27 pages, 10255 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in CoSex and CoTex Anodes for Alkali-ion Batteries
by Yuqi Zhang, Zhonghui Sun, Dongyang Qu, Dongxue Han and Li Niu
Coatings 2023, 13(9), 1588; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13091588 - 12 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1003
Abstract
Transition metal selenides have narrow or zero band-gap characteristics and high theoretical specific capacity. Among them, cobalt selenide and cobalt telluride have some typical problems such as large volume changes, low conductivity, and poor structural stability, but they have become a research hotspot [...] Read more.
Transition metal selenides have narrow or zero band-gap characteristics and high theoretical specific capacity. Among them, cobalt selenide and cobalt telluride have some typical problems such as large volume changes, low conductivity, and poor structural stability, but they have become a research hotspot in the field of energy storage and conversion because of their high capacity and high designability. Some of the innovative synthesis, doping, and nanostructure design strategies for CoSex and CoTex, such as CoSe-InCo-InSe bimetallic bi-heterogeneous interfaces, CoTe anchoring MXenes, etc., show great promise. In this paper, the research progress on the multistep transformation mechanisms of CoSex and CoTex is summarized, along with advanced structural design and modification methods such as defect engineering and compositing with MXenes. It is hoped that this review will provide a glimpse into the development of CoSex and CoTex anodes for alkali-ion batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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19 pages, 5047 KiB  
Review
Annealing and Doping Effects on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides—Based Devices: A Review
by Raksan Ko, Dong Hyun Lee and Hocheon Yoo
Coatings 2023, 13(8), 1364; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13081364 - 3 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1479
Abstract
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) have been considered promising electronic materials in recent years. Annealing and chemical doping are two core processes used in manufacturing electronic devices to modify properties and improve device performance, where annealing enhances crystal quality, reduces defects, and enhances carrier [...] Read more.
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) have been considered promising electronic materials in recent years. Annealing and chemical doping are two core processes used in manufacturing electronic devices to modify properties and improve device performance, where annealing enhances crystal quality, reduces defects, and enhances carrier mobility, while chemical doping modifies conductivity and introduces new energy levels within the bandgap. In this study, we investigate the annealing effects of various types of dopants, time, and ambient conditions on the diverse material properties of TMDCs, including crystal structure quality, defect density, carrier mobility, electronic properties, and energy levels within the bandgap. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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20 pages, 3286 KiB  
Review
Review of Degradation Mechanism and Health Estimation Method of VRLA Battery Used for Standby Power Supply in Power System
by Ruxin Yu, Gang Liu, Linbo Xu, Yanqiang Ma, Haobin Wang and Chen Hu
Coatings 2023, 13(3), 485; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13030485 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2105
Abstract
As the backup power supply of power plants and substations, valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are the last safety guarantee for the safe and reliable operation of power systems, and the batteries’ status of health (SOH) directly affects the stability and safety of power [...] Read more.
As the backup power supply of power plants and substations, valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are the last safety guarantee for the safe and reliable operation of power systems, and the batteries’ status of health (SOH) directly affects the stability and safety of power system equipment. In recent years, serious safety accidents have often occurred due to aging and failure of VRLA batteries, so it is urgent to accurately evaluate the health status of batteries. Accurate estimation of battery SOH is conducive to real-time monitoring of single-battery health information, providing a reliable guarantee for fault diagnosis and improving the overall life and economic performance of the battery pack. In this paper, first, the floating charging operation characteristics and aging failure mechanism of a VRLA battery are summarized. Then, the definition and estimation methods of battery SOH are reviewed, including an experimental method, model method, data-driven method and fusion method. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods and their application conditions are analyzed. Finally, for a future big data power system backup power application scenario, the existing problems and development prospects of battery health state estimation are summarized and prospected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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17 pages, 5273 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in the Structural Design of Silicon/Carbon Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries: A Review
by Yanan Mei, Yuling He, Haijiang Zhu, Zeyu Ma, Yi Pu, Zhilin Chen, Peiwen Li, Liang He, Wenwu Wang and Hui Tang
Coatings 2023, 13(2), 436; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings13020436 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3556
Abstract
As the capacity of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with commercial graphite anodes is gradually approaching the theoretical capacity of carbon, the development of silicon-based anodes, with higher energy density, has attracted great attention. However, the large volume variation during its lithiation/de-lithiation tends to lead [...] Read more.
As the capacity of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with commercial graphite anodes is gradually approaching the theoretical capacity of carbon, the development of silicon-based anodes, with higher energy density, has attracted great attention. However, the large volume variation during its lithiation/de-lithiation tends to lead to capacity decay and poor cycling performance. While rationally designed silicon/carbon (Si/C) anodes can exhibit higher specific capacity by virtue of silicon and high electrical conductivity and volume expansion suppression by virtue of carbon, they still show poor cycling performance with low initial coulombic efficiency. This review focuses on three strategies for structural design and optimization of Si/C anodes, i.e., carbon-coated structure, embedded structure and hollow structure, based on the recent researches into Si/Canodes and provides deeper insights into the problems that remain to be addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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Other

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2 pages, 165 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Sai, R.; Abumousa, R.A. Impact of Iron Pyrite Nanoparticles Sizes in Photovoltaic Performance. Coatings 2023, 13, 167
by Refka Sai and Rasha A. Abumousa
Coatings 2024, 14(5), 531; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/coatings14050531 - 25 Apr 2024
Viewed by 230
Abstract
It has been brought to the authors attention that Figure 1 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion)
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