ChemElectroChem最新文献

This cover artwork illustrates the development of emerging materials such as MOFs, 2D materials, SACs, HEAs, perovskites, and MXenes as highly efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting. It highlights the advances in synthesis and heterostructural engineering for judicious synchronization of the synthesis strategies with the emerging electrocatalysts for exploring the potentials and challenges of the next generation of high-performing advanced electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production. Further information can be found in the Research Article by Thangjam Ibomcha Singh, Seunghyun Lee, and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/celc.202500014).

This study presents the synthesis of biomass-derived carbon-metal organic framework (C-MOF) using modified sawdust as a sustainable precursor and elucidates its electrochemical performance as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Optimization at a pyrolysis temperature of 1000 °C with 7.5% catalyst concentration, C-MOF achieves a high surface area of 312 m⁻²g⁻¹ and electrical conductivity of 28 S cm⁻¹, contributing to its long cycling electrochemical performance compared to commercial hard carbon (HC). The C-MOF delivers a maximum discharge capacity of 348.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 25 mA g⁻¹ and exhibits an outstanding cycling stability over 600 cycles with minimal degradation. Electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry, impedance, and galvanostatic charge–discharge) reveal efficient sodium-ion intercalation and favorable ion diffusion characteristics within the porous C-MOF structure. These findings position C-MOF as a promising, sustainable, and long-standing anode material for advanced SIB applications, offering enhanced rate capability, durability, and effective sodium-ion kinetics.

The synthesis of peptide-based linkers for antibody-drug conjugates involves an oxidative decarboxylation step. Traditional Hofer–Moest electrolysis conditions are not suitable to achieve this transformation due to the presence of an oxidatively labile Fmoc-protecting group. Herein, a solvent-enabled electrochemical procedure has been established, whereby the solvent electrochemical window prevents degradation of the protecting group. The method has been demonstrated for several relevant peptides in good to very good yields (64–92%).

Physical and chemical parameters, such as temperature, water/hydrogen/oxygen partial pressures, are distributed inhomogeneous inside a polymer electrolyte fuel cell during the operation and have a large influence on its performance and durability. In this study, the oxygen partial pressure (p(O₂)) is visualized in real-time/space using an oxygen-sensitive dye on the surface of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) during power generation at temperatures of 80, 100, and 110 °C using a 20 mm × 20 mm single cell with ten straight gas flow channels. p(O₂) on the surface of the GDL is visualized for the first time at temperatures higher than 100 °C, desired especially for heavy-duty vehicle application, due to advantages such as less susceptibility to catalyst poisoning and the option to use smaller and lighter radiators. The oxygen partial pressure on the surface of the GDLs is monitored to be higher than the values expected from a simple model and decreased only slightly along the gas flow channel with increasing current densities. The work shows that high p(O₂) on the surface of the GDL is due to the short gas flow channels and accumulating water/vapor inside the GDL and the catalyst layer limiting the gas diffusion.

Lithium–sulfur batteries have attracted great research interest due to the high theoretical capacity of sulfur of 1672 mAh g⁻¹. However, they have various problems due to the shuttle current caused by molecular sulfur dissolving in the electrolyte. Hence, electrolyte design is a key focus when optimizing the batteries. This study investigates the relationship between cycling data and electrochemical properties measured with cyclovoltammetric measurements, shuttle current measurements, and impedance spectroscopy. Using the acquired data, a partial least squares model to screen solvent candidates in reference to these findings is introduced. This model is based on cycling data as well as density functional theory-calculated Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents data of the solvents and (solvated) lithium–polysulfides. The usefulness of the converged method is demonstrated by using it to identify new possible electrolyte systems. A subset of ten selected electrolyte systems is evaluated experimentally and their performance is reported. One of those electrolytes, 1.4 M LiTFSI, in pimelonitrile solution and without any further additives, displays exceptional cycling stability already on the first attempt, reaching a state of health of 50% after 115 cycles and maintaining a Coulombic efficiency of close to 100% during the entire cycling procedure.

The surface oxide reduction method, a well-established technique for determining the electrochemically active surface area of Pd, is also widely used for Pd–Co alloys. However, comprehensive studies investigating the influence of the alloy composition on the determination of the surface area by the surface oxide reduction method are lacking for this alloy system. To fill this gap, a systematic investigation is conducted by applying the surface oxide reduction method to homogeneous Pd_100−xCo_x alloy samples with different compositions (x = 0−20). The results reveal that full monolayer coverage with surface oxide occurs at lower potentials than for pure Pd and that the surface area determined by this method systematically decreases with increasing Co content, indicating that only the Pd sites are accessible by this method. However, it is demonstrated that by taking the alloy composition into account, the surface area of the whole alloy can also be reliably determined.

The image depicts personifications of sulfur and lithium mirroring each other’s movements to illustrate the linear correlation observed in our study. They are surrounded by molecules of the solvents used in the research. The Research Article by Ingo Krossing and co-workers explores the correlation between the potentials of lithium and sulfur as influenced by the choice of electrolyte solvent (DOI: 10.1002/celc.202500109).

To improve the chemical durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) while imposing minimal performance penalties, the effects of simultaneously incorporating tungsten oxide (WO_x) and cerium (Ce) ions into the membrane are evaluated. Open-circuit voltage (OCV) hold tests are conducted using Nafion membranes containing Ce ions alone, WO_x alone, or both. The combination of Ce³⁺, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, and WO_x, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst with high stability and immobility under acidic conditions, achieves a degradation suppression effect that is consistent with the product of their individual contributions. The distinct mitigation mechanisms of Ce ions and WO_x are supported by ex situ H₂O₂ decomposition experiments and membrane molecular weight analysis. No marked initial performance loss is observed with WO_x addition. These results indicate that the use of WO_x allows for reduced Ce ion loading and that it mitigates negative effects associated with Ce ion mobility. The combined use of suppressants that target different degradation pathways presents a promising strategy for achieving high membrane durability with minimal performance tradeoffs.

Water electrolysis technology is a core pathway for green hydrogen production and plays a crucial role in enabling efficient storage and conversion of clean energy. Among electrolysis systems, proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are ideal for large-scale hydrogen production due to their high current density, rapid response characteristics, and high-purity hydrogen output. However, the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode remains a key bottleneck in PEMWEs cost and lifetime due to its sluggish kinetics, high overpotential, and heavy reliance on noble metal-based catalysts (Ir and Ru). Developing highly active, low-cost, and durable acidic OER electrocatalysts is essential for reducing electrolyzer energy consumption and advancing the green hydrogen economy. This review systematically examines advancements in acidic OER catalysts over the past five years, focusing on fundamental mechanistic insights, advanced low-loading noble metal-based catalysts, and progress in nonnoble metal-based catalyst design. An outlook on future directions for acidic OER research, emphasizes mechanistic studies and electrocatalyst design strategies to overcome current challenges.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation energy-storage solutions, particularly for electric vehicle applications. To overcome challenges related to interfacial stability and electro-chemo-mechanical degradation during operation, the development of protective surface coatings for cathode active materials (CAMs) is essential. Lithium-rich antiperovskites (LiRAPs) exhibit a unique set of beneficial properties, notably a high ionic partial conductivity at room temperature, enabling the deployment of advanced coating techniques via cost-effective and environmentally benign methods. In the present work, the application of LiRAP coatings to a layered Ni-rich CAM, namely LiNi_0.85Co_0.1Mn_0.05O₂ (NCM85), is examined, utilizing a low-temperature and solvent-free approach. The effectiveness of the procedure is evaluated through microscopy analyses and electrochemical performance assessments. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in cyclability, highlighting the potential of LiRAP-based surface coatings for enhancing the performance and longevity of high-capacity cathodes in SSB systems.