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AbstractElectrochromic devices (ECDs) have broad application prospects in smart windows, low-power displays, anti-glare rearview mirrors, and so on. The electrolyte layer is one of the crucial components of ECDs acting as an interface layer between two electrodes to provide ions transport. Conventional liquid electrolytes have disadvantages of easy leakage, low safety and complex encapsulation, while inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) have very poor room temperature conductivity. Polymer electrolytes are composites consisting of polymeric matrices, solvents, conductive salts and curing agents, including solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) and composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). They are widely used in ECDs because of their excellent ionic conductivity, superior electrochemical stability, high transparency and simplicity of processing. This review provides a detailed discussion of the types, mechanisms, characteristics and preparation methods of polymer electrolytes for ECDs. The latest research progresses in the design and application of CPEs based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are highlighted, and the potential applications of polymer electrolytes in the field of electrochromism are reviewed. Furthermore, the future development of polymer electrolytes in ECDs with stability, significant coloration efficiency and high ionic conductivity is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe need for alternative green energy to fossil fuels has increased research interest in creating energy storage technologies. One of the important components of an energy storage device is electrolytes. Previously, the use of liquid electrolytes (LEs) was dominant; nevertheless, LEs were reported to be flammable. Recently, attempts have been made to switch out the LEs for solid polymer electrolytes (SPE). SPE has a variety of merits; however, their limited ionic conductivity and high operating temperatures impede their development into practical application. Thus, fillers such as alumina (Al2O3) as an additive are introduced to enhance their performance. Recent progress in the use of Al2O3 has shown promising advancements in enhancing the electrochemical performance of SPEs while the future direction includes examining the cost-effectiveness of Al2O3-filled SPEs for large-scale applications, thereby paving the way for their integration into commercial energy storage technologies. This article provides a discussion on the effect of Al2O3 on the conductivity, and electrochemical stability of SPEs. Additionally, the review discusses the impact of various factors such as functionalization on the overall performance of SPEs-filled Al2O3. The review concluded by highlighting the potential applications, prospects, challenges, and recommendations for using Al2O3-filled SPEs in advanced energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopolymer electrolytes based on methyl cellulose (MC) and sodium bromide(NaBr) have been prepared through solvent casting technique. Both the concentrations of MC and NaBr are varied. The prepared biopolymer electrolytes have been subjected to AC impedance and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. The ionic conductivity reached a maximum value of 4.84 × 10−8 Scm−1 for 0.8 g of MC and 0.2 g of NaBr. UV studies revealed that low direct and indirect band gaps have been observed for the maximum ionic conducting sample. Other optical parameters, such as refractive index, extinction coefficient, skin depth, and optical conductivity, have been estimated. The single-oscillator energy (Eo) and dispersion energy (Ed) for all the prepared biopolymer electrolyte samples were calculated with the help of Wemple and DiDomenico single oscillator model. The higher-order non-linear susceptibility values were also calculated. Polymer electrolytes are found to be suitable for optical and electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to predict the commercialization of lithium-based solid-state battery (LSSB) technology and identify the solid electrolyte type that will dominate the market. This study analyzed LSSB patents filed from 2000 to 2020 to determine the current stage of the technology life cycle, and examined the patent quality and competitiveness of three types of solid electrolytes (oxide-, sulfide-, and polymer-based) to identify the most promising. We found that LSSB technology is moving from the emerging to the growth phase, while the oxide-based solid electrolyte is the most promising technology, followed by sulfide- and polymer-based electrolyte technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As synthesized surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), Tetrapropylammonium Dodecylsulfate (TPADS), and Tetrabutylammonium Dodecylsulfate (TBADS) have been characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Conductometric and UV-Visible probe investigations have been attempted to study the aggregation behavior of these synthesized SAILs in aqueous solution of polymers Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) at different temperatures and concentrations. Two breaking points were identified from κ vs [SAILs] plots. First, the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) is recognized with the polymer-SAILs binding and the second being regarded as critical micellar concentration (CMC), suggested to represent saturation point for Polymer-SAIL aggregation. Thermodynamic parameters of micellization (Δ G m o , Δ H m o and Δ S m o) are rationalized in terms of interactions prevailing between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of SAIL-Polymer system. Micellization process for the blend of SAIL-PVP is found to be more favored than SAIL-PEG at all temperatures. Further, the effect of PVP on the antimicrobial activities of TPADS/TBADS has been tested by measuring zone of inhibition which accounts for higher effectiveness of PVP-SAILs system against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) as compared to gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing Solid-State Electrolytes (SSEs) exhibiting high ionic conductivity and high mechanical/thermal stability is the main concern for developing next-generation rechargeable batteries. Here we present the successful synthesis of colorless, transparent, and bubble-free phosphate glasses with high lithium-ion electrical conductivity within the system xLiCl–(1–x)(63Li2WO4–37P2O5) with 0 ≤ x ≤ 30 mol%. The structural study is performed using Raman spectroscopy. Electrical conductivity measurements of the glasses are investigated over a large frequency range at various temperatures using impedance spectroscopy. It is found that the electric conductivity increases with increasing lithium chloride content. The dc conductivity reaches 2.76 × 10−6 (Ω−1.cm−1) at room temperature (RT) for the glass (x = 30 mol%). The frequency dependence of the conductivity is investigated and the scaling of the conductivity spectra shows that the conduction mechanism in the glasses is both temperature and composition-independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid polymer electrolyte blends with varied compositions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) in 10/90, 50/50, and 90/10 compositions have been successfully prepared by means of the solution cast technique at room temperature. The modification of the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared blend samples was studied by employing XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, and electrical impedance spectroscopy methods. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the crystalline nature gradually transforms into amorphous as the Na-CMC content increases in the sample. The variation of bands noticed in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscope characteristic spectrum of the blends reveals the formation of complexes between the individual polymers. The analysis of optical properties using a UV-Vis spectrometer in the wavelength range of 900–1100nm, shows a gradual decrease in the optical indirect energy band gap with an increase in Na-CMC content in the blend. The study of the electrical properties of the blend carried out in the frequency range 50 Hz–1MHz and temperature range 303K–338K, using an electrical impedance analyzer reveals that, the dielectric constant and loss decrease with the rise in frequency, exhibiting the usual behavior of the polymers. AC conductivity is found to increase with an increase in temperature. The highest value of ionic conductivity is found to be 6.06 × 10−3Scm−1 for the blend with a 10/90 composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the phase separation of triton X-100 (TNX-100) and cephradine monohydrate (CPM) drug (a first-generation cephalosporin family drug) mixture was studied in aqueous and in various aq. electrolytes (Na and K-based salts) media. As compared to the water environment, TNX 100 + CPM system demonstrated lower magnitudes of CP values in electrolytes solution. The outcomes exhibited dwindling CP values are: MCl < M2CO3 < M2SO4; (M = Na, K). Moreover, the $ \Delta H_c^0 $ Δ H c 0 (enthalpy change), $ \Delta G_c^0 $ Δ G c 0 (free energy change) and $ \Delta S_c^0 $ Δ S c 0 (entropy change), compensation temperature ( $ {T_c} $ T c ) and intrinsic enthalpy gain $ (\Delta H_c^{0,\ast }) $ (Δ H c 0 , ∗) were also computed in the circumstances of TNX 100 + CPM mixture in water and aq. electrolytes media. The values of $ \Delta G_c^0 $ Δ G c 0 were obtained to be positive demonstrating the non-spontaneity of the process. The $ \Delta H_c^0 $ Δ H c 0 and $ \Delta S_c^0 $ Δ S c 0 values were positive in aq. medium and negative in aq. salts solutions where the magnitudes $ \Delta H_c^0 $ Δ H c 0 and $ \Delta S_c^0 $ Δ S c 0 values decreased with the growing contents of TNX 100/salts. The results suggest that the interaction forces between TNX 100 and CPM in a water environment are hydrophobic in nature with π–π interactions whereas in aq. salts media the recommended forces are hydrophobic and exothermic forces along with π–π interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) with nanoparticles (NPs) of varied dimensions and properties to form LC-NP nanocomposites with improved electro-optic and dielectric properties has recently been a much-explored field of work. But still, NLC nanocomposites based on two-dimensional (2D) NPs have not been studied vividly because of the high tendency of 2D NPs to aggregate together. In the present work, we have studied the effect of incorporating hexadecanethiol functionalised graphene oxide (fGO), a 2D NP, in a conventional NLC medium under varying doping concentrations. We found that at a lower doping concentration (⁓10−4 wt.%), the NLC nanocomposite showed a substantial increase in dielectric anisotropy (Δε) and birefringence (Δµ) values as compared to pure NLC sample. A significant decrease (⁓50%) in ionic conductivity as well as reduced electro-optic response time (⁓75%) was also observed in this NLC nanocomposite. As the fGO doping concentration was increased (⁓10−2 wt.%), a reverse trend was observed for Δε, Δµ and response time values, which declined sharply with increasing doping concentration. Hence, the present work highlights two different working mechanisms at low- and high-doping concentrations of 2D NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are key core materials in water electrolysis, requiring both high conductivity and good dimensional stability and chemical durability. In this work, a series of poly(biphenyl piperidinium) AEMs with side octadecyl groups (Q18PBP-x) are prepared through the superacid catalyzed polymerization and grafting reactions. The long hydrophobic alkyl side chains attached onto the ether-free backbone effectively improve the dimensional stability, chemical durability and ionic conductivity of the obtained AEMs at high temperature. At 80 °C, the water absorption and swelling rate of Q18PBP-30 membrane with IEC of 2.28 mmol g−1 are 47.8 and 10.8%, respectively. Its ionic conductivity is 79.4 mS cm−1 and only decrease by 6.9% after 480 h of immersion in 2 M NaOH at 80 °C. The current density of water electrolyzer assembled with representative Q18PBP-30 membrane reaches 0.53 A cm−2 in 2 M KOH at 2.1 V, and its voltage fluctuation of durability testing is only 15.8% after 480 h at the current density of 300 mA cm−2. These results suggest that grafting long hydrophobic alkyl chains on the backbone of AEMs is a promising strategy to enhance their properties for water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been significant interest in the development of high-performance electroactive ionic actuators that possess biocompatible, biodegradable, and bio-friendly characteristics for use in human-attachable electronics. However, research on biopolymer-based soft actuators has been relatively limited due to challenges such as the low ionic conductivity of biopolymers, difficulty in processing to achieve desired functionalities, and improper mechanical stiffness. Therefore, in this study, an electrospun silk membrane coated with sulfonated chitosan, in which membrane exhibits stable mechanical and electrochemical properties due to its interdigitated structures, is utilized to realize high-performance ionic biopolymer actuators. In particular, the introduction of sulfonated chitosan-ionic liquid on electrospun silk lowers the mechanical stiffness and increases the ionic conductivity, resulting in the provision of ion pathways through the interdigitated silk-chitosan domain. On bare electrospun silk membrane, the ionic electrospun silk-sulfonated chitosan actuators with graphene-PEDOT:PSS electrodes show a 165% increase in bending performance compared to those with only PEDOT:PSS electrodes. The developed biopolymer actuator, which shows substantial improvement in actuation performance, can be a promising candidate for use in skin-attachable and biomedical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat and mass performance of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) directly affects their application in solid-state batteries (SSBs). However, high crystallinity and charged clusters hinder the transport of Li+ in SPEs, resulting in low ion diffusivities and thermal conductivities. Therefore, understanding the effects of SPE structure on ion transport and heat conduction is critical for SPE designing. In this work, the ion diffusivities and thermal conductivities of SPEs containing polyethylene oxide (PEO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt with different PEO chain lengths and salt concentrations are studied and the structural properties are analyzed to determine the mechanisms of ion transport and heat conduction. The results show that the crystallinity and charged clusters decrease in SPEs with short-chain PEO and low salt concentration, thereby improving ion transfer and heat conduction. Moreover, phonon spectra shift to a higher-frequency domain when salt concentration increases, which induces a decrease in thermal conductivity. Decreased salt concentration and chain length increased conductivity by 350% and 176%, respectively, and thermal conductivity by 122% and 140%, respectively. These findings, which indicate that SPEs with short-chain PEO and low salt concentration have better ion and heat transfer, provide valuable insight into the design of PEO-LiTFSI electrolytes. Ion and heat transfer in PEO-LiTFSI electrolytes are studied. High crystallinity hinders ion and heat transfer in long-chain PEO electrolytes. Poor ion and heat transfer are due to ion clusters at high salt concentrations. Enhancement of high-frequency phonon scattering decreases thermal conductivity. Useful insights into ion and heat transfer are obtained for designing SPEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the influences of structural parameters on output performances and further quantify the degree of influences, a one-dimensional transient multiphase proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) model and a global sensitivity analysis model were established. After rigorous model validation, structural parameters such as the thickness of proton exchange membrane (MEM), catalytic layer (CL), micro-porous layer (MPL), and gas diffusion layer (GDL) as well as the porosity of CL, MPL, and GDL were studied. The ionomer volume fraction of cathode and anode were also studied. Increasing the thickness of MEM and CL decreases the membrane water content and increases the ohmic voltage loss. The increase of thickness leads to longer reaction gas transfer path and increase of transfer resistance. The increase of porosity increases the concentration of the reaction gas. However, too high porosity will reduce the effective ion conductivity. The increase of ionomer volume fraction is beneficial to electrochemical reaction. Based on quantitative sensitivity analysis, the MEM thickness and the anode ionomer volume fraction are defined as highly sensitive parameters. The MPL thickness and the GDL porosity are defined as insensitive parameters. The sensitivity of MEM thickness, CL thickness, and anode ionomer volume fraction become more prominent in large current density regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nIMPACT STATEMENTData-driven material research for property prediction and material design using machine learning methods requires a large quantity, wide variety, and high-quality materials data. For battery materials, which are commonly polycrystalline, ceramics, and composites, multiscale data on substances, materials, and batteries are required. In this work, we develop a data network composed of three interlinked databases, from which we can obtain comprehensive data on substances such as crystal structures and electronic structures, data on materials such as chemical composition, structure, and properties, and data on batteries such as battery composition, operation conditions, and capacity. The data are extracted from research papers on solid electrolytes and cathode materials, selected by screening more than 330 thousand papers using natural language processing tools. Data extraction and curation are carried out by editors specialized in material science and trained in data standardization.We develop a comprehensive data network to accelerate battery material research, integrating multiscale data from three databases and 330,000+ papers using natural language processing and expert curation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]