Thiago Bertaglia , Tilmann J. Neubert , Rodrigo M. Iost , Kannan Balasubramanian , Frank N. Crespilho
{"title":"Consequences of edge and substrate modifications on graphene electrochemistry","authors":"Thiago Bertaglia , Tilmann J. Neubert , Rodrigo M. Iost , Kannan Balasubramanian , Frank N. Crespilho","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The electrochemistry of graphene is dictated by its structural inhomogeneities, including defects, edges, and substrate interactions, along with its unique electronic properties. In this current opinion, we analyze how graphene's structural features influence its heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) kinetics. Graphene's low density of states (DOS) introduces quantum capacitance effects that dominate interfacial charge transfer near the charge neutrality point. Defects, such as vacancies and oxidized regions, create localized states that enhance HET rates, while excessive defects reduce conductivity. Graphene edges, show superior HET performance compared to the basal plane. Encapsulation techniques, such as hexagonal boron nitride, enable precise isolation of graphene edges, minimizing capacitive interference. Substrate engineering, including metallic hybridization and twisted bilayer graphene, further modulates graphene's electronic properties. These insights feature graphene's potential in biosensing, energy storage, and catalysis, while highlighting the need for precise defect control and substrate optimization to advance graphene-based electrochemical devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101641"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arup Ghorai , Aby Alex , Shashi Priya Balmuchu , Susanta Banerjee , Soumyadip Choudhury
{"title":"Polymer-based ionic liquids in lithium batteries","authors":"Arup Ghorai , Aby Alex , Shashi Priya Balmuchu , Susanta Banerjee , Soumyadip Choudhury","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ionic liquids (ILs) offer advantages like low volatility, high stability, and conductivity, making them valuable in Li-ion and lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries compared to volatile organic solvents-based electrolytes and other green solvents such as deep eutectic solvents. ILs are propitious in Li–S batteries for reducing polysulfide solubility and preventing dendrite growth, but are hygroscopic, costly, and liquid in nature. Ionic liquids with polymerizable functionalities, such as vinyl groups, may undergo polymerization, thus resulting in a polymerized ionic liquid (PIL), which can be cast as film to serve as a separator loaded with lithium salts. The temperature dependence on ionic conductivity of PILs considering relaxation and segmental motion of the polymer chains are discussed with the help of mathematical expressions. Such PILs have significantly low moisture absorption, low or no flammability, and are castable as films, making them promising candidates for next-generation lithium battery electrolytes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101639"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdelilah Asserghine , Nafisa Ibrahim , Shrayesh N. Patel , Joaquín Rodríguez-López
{"title":"Salt matters: How ionic strength and electrolytes impact redox polymer reactivity and dynamics for energy storage","authors":"Abdelilah Asserghine , Nafisa Ibrahim , Shrayesh N. Patel , Joaquín Rodríguez-López","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the global demand for sustainable energy grows, redox-active polymers (RAPs) have emerged as promising materials for batteries due to their advantages in stability, ease of preparation, and low-cost processability. Despite factors traditionally known to impact polymer dynamics (e.g., temperature, viscosity, and structure), we posit that investigating the effect of ionic strength and/or supporting electrolyte types on the electrochemical performance of RAP systems is crucial, both in aqueous and nonaqueous systems. Here, we first highlight recent findings on RAP-electrolyte interactions, elucidating how their polyelectrolyte nature determines their redox activity. Then, we focus on strategies to enhance RAP performance for energy storage through ionic strength optimization and tailored electrolyte composition. These insights into the modulation of RAP reactivity provide a foundation for improving battery performance in both flow and stationary configurations, thus facilitating progress toward next-generation energy storage solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101636"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaoyi Wang , Zihan Yu , Yitong Niu , Chee Keong Lee , Cheu Peng Leh , Haoran Jiang
{"title":"Recent advances in aqueous manganese-based flow batteries","authors":"Xiaoyi Wang , Zihan Yu , Yitong Niu , Chee Keong Lee , Cheu Peng Leh , Haoran Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aqueous manganese-based redox flow batteries (MRFBs) are attracting increasing attention for electrochemical energy storage systems due to their low cost, high safety, and environmentally friendly. However, due to the intricate and varied electrochemical reactions between manganese redox couples, the development of MRFBs still faces challenges including low efficiency and rapid capacity degradation, which inevitably limit its practical application in large-scale applications. Therefore, focusing on the reaction mechanism of Mn<sup>2+</sup>/Mn<sup>3+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>/MnO<sub>2</sub>, and MnO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>/MnO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup> redox couples, this review identifies current challenges of MRFBs and summarizes recent advances in electrolyte optimization, electrode modification and battery structure design, aiming to pave the way for further development of MRFBs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101637"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Electrochemical interface modelling for electrocatalytic materials design","authors":"Lucas Garcia Verga , Seung-Jae Shin , Aron Walsh","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The advancement of net-zero emissions technologies requires an in-depth understanding of electrochemical reactions at electrified interfaces. Essential processes such as green hydrogen production and CO<sub>2</sub> reduction require sustainable electrocatalysts tailored for varied operational conditions. Computational techniques in electrocatalysis serve as crucial tools for providing microscopic insights and guiding towards higher-performing materials. Traditional modelling frameworks require approximations such as simplified surface models and an implicit description or neglect of electrolyte effects. A significant area for improvement is the treatment of the solid–liquid interface, where an explicit description of the electrolyte under realistic constant potential conditions remains the ultimate goal. This perspective examines recent advancements in charged interface modelling. We highlight cutting-edge simulation approaches, including the integration of machine learning techniques towards realistic atomic scale modelling for electrocatalytic materials design. As a case study, we focus on progress in understanding electrochemical nitrogen reduction for green ammonia production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101638"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Insights on the use of biobased hydrogels in electrochemical water treatment","authors":"Elaine Armelin , Sonia Lanzalaco","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>From the environmental perspective, it is essential to develop eco-friendly materials for water and wastewater treatment that can be integrated into the most effective technologies till now employed in this field. In this regard, biobased hydrogels (BBHs) represent a simple and free from harmful by-products solution to mitigate global water pollution. BBHs are natural polymers very interesting for their availability, price competitiveness, excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and superior physicochemical performance in water treatment. This review outlines the recent progress in developing and applying BBHs hydrogels in electrochemical water treatments, from advanced oxidation processes to microbial fuel cells, capacitive deionization, and the most innovative technologies based on the cogeneration of clean water and electricity. In addition, this review covers the BBH’s current limitations, such as low mechanical performance and poor stability, and provides valuable insights into the efficient applications of BBHs in the electrochemical treatments of water purification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101635"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Electrochemistry-coupled surface plasmon resonance on 2D materials for analysis at solid–liquid interfaces","authors":"Robert Jungnickel, Kannan Balasubramanian","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The integration of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with electrochemistry constitutes a new analytical approach for the investigation of 2D materials (2DMs), such as the study of their electrochemical behavior or electrocatalytic properties. On the other hand, the use of a 2DM as an electrode combined with a plasmonic readout provides new opportunities for the fundamental study of electrochemical processes at the solid–liquid interface. In addition, 2D materials integrated in hyphenated electrochemical plasmonic devices enable the realization of biosensors utilizing novel transduction principles, based on their specialized physical properties. In this review, we collect recent progress in the use of combined electrochemistry-SPR approaches for the study of 2DM interfaces as well as devices with integrated 2DMs, which deliver additional analytical information or enable the realization of new kinds of sensors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"50 ","pages":"Article 101634"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Single-atom catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction in acidic media","authors":"Jean Rouger, Sara Cavaliere, Frédéric Jaouen","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101606","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101606","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an emerging field of research with prospects to maximize the dispersion of active sites and the metal utilization. Therefore, it is promising for reducing the amount of noble metal needed to efficiently electrocatalyze the OER. The objective is to achieve comparable activity for conventionally unsupported and supported iridium and ruthenium oxide catalysts but with significantly lower loading of precious metal. The present review summarizes the recent progress in this field, discussing the preparation of such materials, the structural characterization techniques suited to probe single metal atoms as well as the hitherto achieved activity and stability in acidic OER conditions. We conclude the short review with a summary of the main observations and perspectives for this class of materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101606"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142745609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent understanding on pore scale mass transfer phenomena of flow batteries: Theoretical simulation and experimental visualization","authors":"Xingyi Shi , Qixing Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The performance of flow batteries is critically influenced by mass, ion, and electron transport processes and electrochemical reactions within the heterogenous porous electrodes. Understanding these processes at the pore scale is essential because it is at this level that the fundamental mechanisms governing transport and reaction dynamics occur. However, investigating pore scale mass transfer phenomena presents significant challenges, including the complexity of resolving intricate pore geometries of electrodes and the opaque nature of the flow cells, which hinders in-operando visualization. This mini review aims to summarize recent advances in numerical modeling and experimental visualization of pore scale mass transfer phenomena in flow batteries. By highlighting the importance of pore scale insights, we provide key findings and propose future research directions that focus on advancing pore scale modeling and developing innovative experimental methods to achieve a deeper understanding of pore scale transport phenomena, which are vital for next-generation electrode designs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101603"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142719661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating water structure and dynamics at metal/water interfaces from classical, ab initio to machine learning molecular dynamics","authors":"Fei-Teng Wang , Jun Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2024.101605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metal-water interfaces are central to a wide range of crucial processes, including energy storage, energy conversion, and corrosion. Understanding the detailed structure and dynamics of water molecules at these interfaces is essential for unraveling the fundamental mechanisms driving these processes at the molecular level. Experimentally, a detection of interfacial structure and dynamics with high temporal and spatial resolution is lacking. The advances in machine learning molecular dynamics are offering an opportunity to address this issue with high accuracy and efficiency. To offer insights into the structure and dynamics, this review summarizes the progress made in determining the structure and dynamics of interfacial water molecules using molecular dynamics simulations. The possible application of machine learning molecular dynamics to address the fundamental challenges of simulating metal/water interfaces are also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"49 ","pages":"Article 101605"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142701745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}