Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Alkali metal – carbon interaction'

The development and commercialization of alkali ion secondary batteries has played a critical role in the development of personal electronics and electric vehicles. The recent increase in demand for electric vehicles has pushed for lighter batteries with a higher energy density to reduce the weight of the vehicle while with an emphasis on improving the mile range. A resurgence has occurred in lithium, and sodium, metal anode research due to their high theoretical capacities, low densities, and low redox potentials. However, Li and Na metal anodes suffer from major safety issues and long-term cycling stability. This dissertation focuses on the investigation of the interfacial chemistries between alkali metal-carbon host interactions and the electrode-electrolyte interactions of the cathode and anode with boron-based electrolytes to establish design rules for "lean" alkali metal composite anodes and improve long-term stability to enable alkali metal batteries for practical electrochemical applications. Chapter 2 of this thesis focuses on the design and preliminary investigation of "lean" lithium-carbon nanofiber (<5 mAh cm-2) composite anodes in full cell testing using a LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC 622) cathode. We used the electrodeposition method to synthesize the Li-CNF composite anodes with a range of electrodeposition capacities and current densities and electrolyte formulations. Increasing the electrodeposition capacity improved the cycle life with 3 mAh cm-2 areal capacity and 2% vinylene carbonate (VC) electrolyte additive gave the best cycle life before reaching a state of "rapid cell failure". Increasing the electrodeposition rate reduced cycling stability and had a faster fade in capacity. The electrodeposition of lithium metal into a 2D graphite anode significantly improved cycle life, implying the increased crystallinity of the carbon substrate promotes improved anode stability and cycling capabilities. As the increased crystallinity of the carbon anode was shown to improve the "lean" composite anode's performance, Chapter 3 focuses on utilizing a CNF electrode designed with a higher degree of graphitization and probing the interacting mechanism of Li and Na with the CNF host. Characterization of the CNF properties found the material to be more reminiscent of hard carbon materials. Electrochemical analysis showed better long-term performance for Na-CNF symmetric cells. Kinetic analysis, using cyclic voltammetry (CV), revealed that Na ions successfully (de)intercalated within the CNF crystalline interlayers, while Li ions were limited to surface adsorption. A change in mechanism was quickly observed in the Na-CNF symmetric cycling from metal stripping/plating to ion intercalation/deintercalation, enabling the superior cycling stability of the composite anode. Improving the Na metal stability is necessary for enabling Na-CNF improved long-term performance. Sodium batteries have begun to garner more attention for grid storage applications due to their overall lower cost and less volumetric constraint required. However, sodium cathodes have poor electrode-electrolyte stability, leading to nanocracks in the cathode particles and transition metal dissolution. Chapter 4 focuses on electrolyte engineering with the boron salts sodium difluoro(oxolato)borate (NaDFOB) and sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4) mixed together with sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF6) to improve the electrode-electrolyte compatibility and cathode particle stability. The electrolytes containing NaDFOB showed improved electrochemical stability at various temperatures, the formation of a more robust electrode-electrolyte interphase, and suppression in transition metal (TM) reduction and dissolution of the cathode particles measured after cycling. In Chapter 5, we focus on the electrochemical properties and the anode-electrolyte interfacial chemistry properties of the sodium borate salt electrolytes. Similar to Chapter 4, the NaDFOB containing electrolytes have improved electrochemical performance and stability. Following the same electrodeposition parameters as Chapter 2, we find the NaDFOB electrolytes improves the stability of electrodeposited Na metal and the "lean" composite anode's cyclability. This study suggests the great potential for the NaDFOB electrolytes for Na ion battery applications.
Doctor of Philosophy
The ever-increasing demand for high energy storage in personal electronics, electric vehicles, and grid energy storage has driven for research to safely enable alkali metal (Li and Na) anodes for practical energy storage applications. Key research efforts have focused on developing alkali metal composite anodes, as well as improving the electrode-electrolyte interfacial chemistries. A fundamental understanding of the electrode interactions with the electrolyte or host materials is necessary to progress towards safer batteries and better battery material design for long-term applications. Improving the interfacial interactions between the host-guest or electrode-electrolyte interfaces allows for more efficient charge transfer processes to occur, reduces interfacial resistance, and improves overall stability within the battery. As a result, there is great potential in understanding the host-guest and electrode-electrolyte interactions for the design of longer-lasting and safer batteries. This dissertation focuses on probing the interfacial chemistries of the battery materials to enable "lean" alkali metal composite anodes and improve electrode stability through electrolyte interactions. The anode-host interactions are first explored through preliminary design development for "lean" alkali composite anodes using carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrodes. The effect on increasing the crystallinity of the CNF host on the Li- and Na-CNF interactions for enhanced electrochemical performance and stability is then investigated. In an effort to improve the capabilities of Na batteries, the electrode-electrolyte interactions of the cathode- and anode-electrolyte interfacial chemistries using sodium borate salts are probed using electrochemical and X-ray analysis. Overall, this dissertation explores how the interfacial interactions affect, and improve, battery performance and stability. This work provides insights for understanding alkali metal-host and electrode-electrolyte properties and guidance for potential future research of the stabilization for Li- and Na-metal batteries.

Abstract Carbon nanotubes are a promising material for various applications due to their unique collection of properties. However, carbon nanotube material as such is inert and insoluble, which hampers the true realization of its potential. In order to enhance the applicability of carbon nanotubes, their surface must be modified. This work concerned the chemical modification of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) by the Birch reduction, which is based on the reduction of the SWNT surface with the valence electron of alkali metal solvated in liquid ammonia. The reduction generates a SWNT anion, which reacts with electrophiles resulting in the covalent attachment of functional groups to the tube surface. In this work, aryl halides or alcohols were used as electrophiles to yield arylated or hydrogenated SWNTs, respectively. At first, the goal was to modify SWNTs as a filler material for polystyrene. The use of five halogenated ethenylphenyl derivatives as electrophiles revealed that the structure of electrophile affected the success of functionalization and the solubility of SWNTs in polystyrene-toluene solution. The most successful functionalization and solubilization of SWNTs were achieved with 1-chloro-4-ethenylbenzene. In the second part, liquid ammonia was replaced with a new solvent, 1-methoxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane (diglyme) in order to avoid the restrictions, hazards and inconvenience of its handling. The work concentrated on the study of alkali metal reduction of SWNTs in diglyme by the use of arylation with 4-iodobenzoic acid or 4-chlorobenzoic acid and hydrogenation as model reactions. Li, Na or K was used as an alkali metal while naphthalene or 1-tert-butyl-4-(4-tert-butylphenyl)benzene was used in order to enhance the solvation of electrons. As a result, functionalization was simplified and enhanced. Electrophile affected the functionalization in such a way that arylation was significantly more successful than hydrogenation. The effect of alkali metal and electron carrier varied with electrophile. The most successful hydrogenation was achieved with the complex of Li and 1-tert-butyl-4-(4-tert-butylphenyl)benzene while arylation was the most successful with the complex of K and naphthalene. The solubility of SWNTs in water, ethanol, methanol and dimethylformamide was clearly improved by arylation whereas hydrogenation led to moderate improvement
Tiivistelmä Hiilinanoputket ovat ainutlaatuisten ominaisuuksiensa vuoksi lupaava materiaali moniin sovelluksiin, mutta liukenemattomuus ja epäreaktiivisuus haittaavat niiden tehokasta hyödyntämistä. Käytettävyyttä voidaan parantaa kemiallisella modifioinnilla. Tässä työssä yksiseinäisiä hiilinanoputkia modifioitiin Birch-pelkistyksellä, joka perustuu putken pinnan pelkistykseen nestemäiseen ammoniakkiin solvatoituneella alkalimetallin valenssielektronilla. Pelkistyksessä hiilinanoputkesta muodostuu anioni, joka reagoi elektrofiilin kanssa johtaen funktionaalisten ryhmien kovalenttiseen sitoutumiseen putken pintaan. Tässä työssä hiilinanoputkia aryloitiin käyttämällä aryylihalideja elektrofiilinä tai vedytettiin käyttämällä alkoholia. Aluksi tavoitteena oli hiilinanoputkien modifiointi sellaiseen muotoon, että niitä voitaisiin käyttää polystyreenin täyteaineena. Viittä aryylihalidia käyttämällä havaittiin, että elektrofiilin rakenne vaikutti funktionalisoinnin määrään ja putkien liukoisuuteen polystyreeni-tolueeni-liuokseen. 1-Kloori-4-etenyylibentseenillä saavutettiin onnistunein arylointi ja paras liukoisuus. Työn toisessa osassa luovuttiin ammoniakin käytöstä siihen liittyvien rajoitteiden ja haittojen vuoksi. Keskityttiin hiilinanoputkien alkalimetallipelkistyksen tutkimiseen uudessa liuottimessa, 1-metoksi-2-(2-metoksietoksi)etaanissa (diglyymi). Mallireaktioina käytettiin arylointia 4-jodibentsoehapolla tai 4-klooribentsoehapolla ja vedytystä alkoholilla. Ammoniakin korvaaminen diglyymillä yksinkertaisti ja tehosti funktionalisointia. Reaktiot suoritettiin eri alkalimetalleilla (Li, Na tai K). Naftaleenia tai 1-tert-butyyli-4-(4-tert-butyylifenyyli)bentseeniä käytettiin elektronien solvatoinnin parantamiseksi. Elektrofiilin rakenne vaikutti funktionalisointiin siten, että aryylihalidi johti huomattavasti onnistuneempaan funktionalisointiin kuin alkoholi. Alkalimetallin ja elektroninkantajamolekyylin vaikutus vaihteli elektrofiilin mukaan. Litiumin käyttö 1-tert-butyyli-4-(4-tert-butyylifenyyli)bentseenin kanssa johti onnistuneimpaan vedytykseen. Kaliumin käyttö naftaleenin kanssa johti onnistuneimpaan arylointiin. Hiilinanoputkien liukoisuus vaihteli elektrofiilin mukaan. Arylointi paransi selkeästi hiilinanoputkien liukoisuutta veteen, etanoliin, metanoliin ja dimetyyliformamidiin. Vedytyksen vaikutus liukoisuuteen oli vähäisempi

The investigation of CO oxidation with supported noble metal catalysts to develop a fundamental understanding of the nature of the active sites, adsorbate-surface interactions, surface reaction pathways and the role of promoters is of prime importance for development of highly active and selective catalyst formulations for low temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide. Low temperature CO oxidation catalysts find applications in monitoring and elimination of CO in chemical process exhaust gases, in on-board control and diagnostics devices, automobile exhaust gas treatment systems for the development of zero-emission vehicles and, in closed-cycle CO2 lasers for remote sensing. Moreover, the investigation of the interaction of CO with noble metals and noble metals catalyzed oxidation of CO have important outcomes for upstream fuel processing systems and for the development of more CO tolerant anode materials for hydrogen fuel cell. Palladized tin dioxide is a well-known and highly active catalyst for CO oxidation which possesses the potential to satisfy the need for CO oxidation catalysts in the abovementioned areas however, research on this material is concentrated mostly around empirical studies which focus solely on CO sensing applications. This current research is undertaken to investigate both the mechanism of CO oxidation with Pd/SnO2 at the molecular scale and the possibility of promoting the CO activity of this catalyst by the application alkali-metal modifiers. Alkali-metal modified PdO/SnO2 catalysts were characterized by XPS, XRD and SEM and, tested with regard to their oxidation/reduction and CO oxidation behavior by in-situ dynamic methods such as, temperature-programmed reaction/reduction/desorption and impulse techniques. Modification of PdO/SnO2 by alkali-metals, namely Li, Na and K, resulted in catalyst formulations with different surface characteristics and reduction/oxidation behaviors that lead to superior activity in low temperature CO oxidation and selectivity towards CO in the presence of hydrogen. Studies have shown that these catalysts are potential candidates for CO oxidation catalysts in a wide range of areas.

L'incorporation de nanotubes de carbone (NTC) dans des polymères et des métaux modifie leurs propriétés intrinsèques. Disperser des NTCs uniformément dans une matrice reste difficile du fait de leur forte agglomération. La spectroscopie Raman est une technique particulièrement adaptée pour détecter la présence et l'interaction avec l'environnement de NTCs. Dans ce travail, la spectroscopie Raman est utilisée, en association avec d'autres techniques, pour étudier les NTCs dans une matrice métallique ou polymère. Le dopage avec des super-acides, l'analyse de défauts dans les zones d'usure et la dispersion des NTCs sont abordés. L'analyse statistique des images Raman permet de générer des histogrammes permettant d'estimer la quantité et la dispersion des NTCs. La diffusion lors de recuit d'un polymère thermoplastique poly (éther-éther-cétone) ou PEEK dans des NTCs agglomérées est étudiée par imagerie Raman et microscopie électronique. Les mesures de transport électronique en fonction de la température et de la concentration de NTCs montrent une forte conductivité électrique compatible avec la formation d'un réseau percolant de NTCs
The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into polymers and metals modifies their intrinsic properties. Dispersing CNTs uniformly in a matrix remains challenging due to strong tube agglomeration. Raman spectroscopy is a compelling technique to detect the presence of CNTs and their interaction with the environment. In this work, Raman spectroscopy is applied in association with other techniques to investigate CNTs in a metallic or polymer matrix. Doping with superacids, analysis of defects in friction wear and CNT dispersion are investigated. Statistical analysis of Raman images are used to generate histograms of Raman bands maps in order to estimate the amount of CNTs and their dispersion. The diffusion of a Poly (Ether Ether Ketone) PEEK thermoplastic polymer into agglomerated carbon nanotubes when annealing on the surface of a polymer sheet is studied by Raman imaging and transmission electron microscopy. Electronic transport measurements as a function of temperature and CNT concentration show high electrical conductivity consistent with the formation of a uniform percolating CNT network

Dans le cas de li(le plus reactif), identification de li(co)::(n), ou n = 1,2,3,4,(ou 6), avec des frequences de vibration de valence de co plus perturbees que pour les metaux de transition carbonyle,et de li::(m) co, ou m = 2,3, avec frequences nu (co) abaissees. Pour na et k, observation d'especes de haute stoechiometrie (c::(n)o::(n))**(2-) (m**(+))::(2) ou n = 2,3,4, formees apres irradiation uv-visible et correspondant a des transformations chimiques. Essai d'interpretation de ces differences de reactivite par une description quantique des agregats de plus basse stoechiometrie : dans le complexe 1 :1, les deux etats electroniques inferieurs sont l'etat **(2)sigma non liant et l'etat **(2)pi liant; la courbe de potentiel de lico possede un minimum pour li-c equiv. A 2,5 a au-dessous de la courbe de l'etat **(2)pi alors que pour naco, le minimum de la courbe pour l'etat **(2)pi est au-dessous de la courbe de l'etat **(2)sigma ; le calcul met en evidence le caractere ionique de m::(2)c::(2)o::(2) (acetylenediolate) resultant d'une reaction chimique

A number of novel cationic carbonyl complexes of ruthenium and rhodium have been synthesised and characterised. The work also investigates the attack of nucleophiles on such species and examines the feasibility of these reactions as a possible first step in the catalytic production of organic esters. Mono and dipositive species of ruthenium have been effectively prepared by the reaction of [RuCl 2 (CO) 2{PPh3) 2 ] with AgBF4. The cationic 2species [RuCl(CO) 2 (PPh3) 2 ] [BF4 ] . 1/2(CH2C1 2 ) and [Ru(CO) 2 (PPh3) 2 ] [BF4] 22£H2cl2jiave been prepared under nitrogea The compound [Ru(CO)3(PPh3)2] [BF4 ] 2 has been synthesised in the presence of CO. The compound, [RuCl(CO)2(PPh3)2] [BF4 ] . l/2(CH2Cl2) reacts with 0*30 under CO to give [RuCl(COOCH3J I (00)2^*13)2. The compounds [Ru(CO) 2 (PPh3 ) 2 r [BF4 ] 2.CH2C1 2 and [Ru(CO) 3 (PPh3 ) 2 ] [BP4 ] 2 effectively form cis-[Ru(COOCH3)2(CO)2(PPh3)2] by the reaction of CHsONa in the presence of CO at room temperature. This dialkoxycarbonyl compound preparation from the dipositive species are energetically more favourable than the cis-[RuCl2(CO)2(PPh3)2L where the2reaction takes place at CO high pressure. The compound [Ru(CO)2(PPh3)2] [BF4 ] 2. CH2C1 2 reacts with NaBH4, Nal, cone. HC1 and CHsCOONa to give the dihydrido, diiodo, dichloro and bisethanoato compounds respectively. Cationic complexes of rhodium have been synthesised by the reaction of trans-[RhCl(CO)(L)2], (L = PPhs, AsPhs, PCys) with AgBF4 in the absence and presence of CO to give [Rh(CO|(L)2]_[BF4]~. n CH2C12 [where n = 1/2 or 3/2] and trans- [Rh(CO) 2 (L) 2 ] [BF4J~ respectively. These cations react with PONa (R = CH3/ C2Hs) to give [Rh(OR) (CO) (L) 2 ] and [Rh(COOR)(CO)(L) 2 ], (R = CH3, L = PPh3/ PCy3 ). The alkoxycarbonyl compound, [Rh(COOR) (CO) 2 (L) 2 ] is formed by the reaction of sodium alkoxide in the presence of CO, (when R = CH3, C2Hs, C3H7, then L = PPh3 and when R = CH3 then L = AsPh3). The alkoxo compound, Rh(OCH3) (CO) (L) 2, (L = PPh3 ) oxidatively adds CH3I to give [Rh(OCH3) (CH3 )I(CO) (L) 2 ]. The cation [Rh(CO)(L) 2 ] , reacts with RCOONa to give the carboxylato compounds, trans-[Rh(CCCR) (CO) (L) 2 L when L = PPh3 then R = CH3, when L = AsPh3 then R = H, CH3, C2H5_and when L = PCys then R = CH3. The compound [Rh(CO) 2 (SbPh3)3] [BF4J . CH2C12 has been formed from [RhCl(CO)(SbPh3)aJ with AgBF4 in the _presence of CO. The cation [Ru(CO) 2 (PPh3) 2 ] reacts with CH^p in the presence of CO (10 atmospheres) to give [Ru(CO)3(PPh3)2) and a trace amount of dimethylcarbonate. The same compound is obtained by using triethylamine in methanol under CO (10 atmospheres) at 65-70 C. Dimethylcarbonate rapidly reacts with Cl^ONa in contact with air to form a white precipitate, suggested to be Na2COj. Homogeneous solutions of [RuCl 2 (CO) 2 (PPh3 ) 2 ], [Ru(CO) 2 (PPh3 ) 2 r and [Rh(CO) (PPh3 ) 2 ] in dichloromethane produce benzene in the presence of CI^ONa in air. The cationic complexes of rhodium [Rh(CO)(L) 2 l , where L = PPh3, AsPh3, PCy3 and ruthenium complex [RuCl(CO) 2 (PPh3) 2 ] are effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of alkenes under hydrogen at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The compounds .-have been characterised by analysis, infrared, H-NMR, P-NMR and C-NMR spectres copy and the organic products have been characterised by gas chromatography and in one case, GC/MS.

Recent trends in composite research include the development of structural materials with multiple functionalities. In new studies, novel materials are being designed, developed, modified, and implemented into composite designs. Typically, an increase in functionality requires additional material phases within one system. The presence of excessive phases can result in deterioration of individual or overall properties. True multi-functional materials must maintain all properties at or above the minimum operating limit. In this project, samples of antimony and cobalt-doped tin oxide (ATO(Co2O3)) sol-gel solutions are used to coat carbon fibers and are heat treated at a temperature range of 200 - 500 °C. Results from this research are used to model the implementation of sol-gel coatings into carbon fiber reinforced multifunctional composite systems. This research presents a novel thermo-responsive sol-gel/ (dopant) combination and evaluation of the actuating responses (reflectivity and surface heat dissipation) due to various heat treatment temperatures. While ATO is a well-known transparent conductive material, the implementation of ATO on carbon fibers for infrared thermal reflectivity has not been examined. These coatings serve as actuators capable of reflecting thermal infrared radiation in the near infrared wavelengths of 0.7-1.2 μm. By altering the level of Co2O3 and heat treatment temperatures, optimal optical properties are obtained. While scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used for imaging, electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS) is used to verify the compounds present in the coatings. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was performed to analyze the chemical bonds and reflectivity in the infrared spectra after the heat treatments. Total reflection and angle-dependent reflectivity measurements were performed on the coatings in the wavelengths of 0.7-2 μm. Laser induced damage threshold testing was done to investigate the dielectric breakdown and used to calculate surface temperatures.

Adsorption of monolayers and multilayers of metal-free and metal phthalocyanines molecules on metal surfaces has been investigated using complementary microscopic and synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques. It was observed by STM measurements that at monolayer coverage the adsorption direction of the metal-free phthalocyanine molecules with respect to the gold surface vary as a function of temperature, i.e. at room temperature (RT) and low temperature (LT). It was explained by the difference in strength of intermolecular and adsorbate-substrate interactions at room and low temperatures. Nature of the interaction between adsorbed species and the surfaces as a function of coverage has been further characterized by XPS measurements. Binding energy shifts as a function of coverage have been attributed to initial- and final-state effects, the latter being due to different core-hole screening for the different molecular coverage. The alignment of molecular films at both monolayer and multilayer coverages, which has been determined by XAS measurements in several cases, is also dependent upon the relative strength of molecule-molecule versus molecule-substrate interaction. Parallel alignment of the molecular film with respect to the surface is the result of significant interaction between the adsorbate and the substrate, whilst standing geometry of the molecular film is due to more significant intermolecular interactions. DFT simulations have provided further information on the nature of the adsorbate-substrate interaction as well as contribution of different molecular orbitals in XPS and XAS spectra. Moreover, investigation of alkali interaction with the phthalocyanine films revealed a significant modification in their geometric and electronic structures due to charge transfer from the alkali metal to the molecular film. However, no sign of metallization of the molecules has been observed by spectroscopic and microscopic studies.

Acid/Base characterizations of metal oxide surfaces are often used to explain their catalytic behavior. However, the vast majority of these studies have been performed on powders or supported oxides, and there is very little information available in the literature on the interaction of acid/base probe molecules with well-defined oxide surfaces of known coordination geometry and oxidation state. The well-defined, single crystal surfaces of Cu₂O (111), SnO₂ (110), and Cr₂O₃ (1012) were investigated for their acid/base properties by the interactions between the probe molecules and the well-defined surface features. The adsorption of NH₃ at cation sites was used to characterize the Lewis acidity of SnO₂ (110) and Cu₂O (111) surfaces. The adsorption of CO₂, a standard acidic probe molecule, was used to characterize the Lewis basicity of the oxygen anions on SnO₂ (110), Cu₂O (111) , and Cr₂O₃ (1012) surfaces. BF₃, while not a standard probe molecule, has been tested as a probe of the Lewis basicity of the oxygen anions on SnO₂ (110) and Cr₂O₃ (1012). By studying probe molecules on well-defined metal oxide surfaces with known coordination geometry and oxidation state, an overall evaluation of NH₃, CO₂, and BF₃ as probe molecules can be made using the surfaces studied. NH₃ probed differences in Lewis acidity of Sn cations on SnO₂ (110), which had differences in coordination environments and oxidation states. But, NH₃ adsorption failed to provide any direct information on differences in Lewis acidity of Cu cations in different local coordination geometries on Cu₂O (111). CO₂ is a poor probe of the Lewis basicity of oxygen anions on the metal oxide surfaces studied here. CO₂ does not strongly adsorb to either SnO₂ (110) or Cu₂O (111). On Cr₂O₃ (1012), CO₂ does interact with oxygen sites but in two different coordinations, which vary with surface condition, making a comparison of basicity difficult. In the cases studied here, CO₂ either does not adsorb, or it does not provide a clear set of results that can be related simply to Lewis basicity. BF₃ seems to be a much better probe of the Lewis basicity than CO₂ for the well-defined metal oxide surfaces studied here. On SnO₂ (110) and Cr₂O₃ (1012), the boron atom of BF₃ directly interacts with oxygen sites by accepting their electrons. BF₃ thermal desorption seems to provide a direct measure of the Lewis basicity of different surface oxygen species as long as they are thermally-stable in vacuum.
Ph. D.

Issues with the dissolution and diffusion of polysulfides in liquid organic electrolytes hinder the advance of lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries for next generation energy storage. To trap and re-utilize the polysulfides, brush-like, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires based interlayers were prepared ex-situ using a wet chemistry method and were coupled with a sulfur/multi-walled carbon nanotube (S/MWCNT) composite cathode. The cell with this configuration showed a good cycle life at a high current rate ascribed to (a) a strong interaction between the polysulfides and ZnO nanowires grown on conductive substrates; (b) fast electron transfer and (c) an optimized ion diffusion path from a well-organized nanoarchitecture. A praline-like flexible interlayer consisting of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and carbon (C) nanofiber was further prepared in-situ using an electrospinning method, which allows the chemical adsorption of polysulfides throughout a robust conductive film. A significant enhancement in cycle stability and rate capability was achieved by incorporating this interlayer with a composite cathode of S/MWCNT. These results herald a new approach to building functional interlayers by integrating metal oxides with conductive frameworks. The derivatives of the TiO2/C interlayer was synthesized by changing the precursor concentration and carbonization temperature. Finally, a dual-interlayer was fabricated by simply coating titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles onto an electro-spun carbon nanofiber mat, which was then sandwiched with a sulfur/assembled Ketjen Black (KB) composite cathode with an ultra-high sulfur loading. The conductive polar TiN nanoparticles not only have a strong chemical affinity to polysulfides through a specific sulfur-nitrogen bond but also improve the reaction kinetics of the cell by catalyzing the conversion of the long-chain polysulfides to lithium sulfide. Besides, carbon nanofiber mat ensures mechanical robustness to TiN layer and acts as a physical barrier to block polysulfides diffusion. The incorporation of dual interlayers with sulfur cathodes offers a commercially feasible approach to improving the performance of Li-S batteries.

This dissertation demonstrates the application of a vapor phase method to synthesize supported and unsupported nanoparticle catalysts for CO oxidation. The method is based on the Laser Vaporization/Controlled Condensation (LVCC) technique. The first part of this dissertation presents the vapor phase synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles supported on a variety of oxide supports such as CeO2, TiO2, CuO and MgO.The results indicate that Au nanoparticles supported on CeO2 exhibit higher catalytic activity than Au supported on other oxides. The high activity of the Au/CeO2 catalyst is attributed to the strong interaction of Au with CeO2. The results also indicate that 5% Au loading on CeO2 has higher activity than 2% Au or 10% Au. When comparing the catalytic activity of Au/CeO2 prepared by physical (LVCC) and chemical (deposition-precipitation)methods, it was found that the catalytic activity is higher for Au/CeO2 prepared by the deposition-precipitation method.The effect of alloying Au and Cu nanoparticles on the catalytic activity for low temperature CO oxidation was also investigated. The unsupported Au-Cu alloy nanoparticle catalyst exhibits higher catalytic activity than the activities of the individualcomponents and their physical mixtures. The XRD data of Au-Cu alloy taken after the catalysis test indicates the formation of CuO within the bimetallic nanoparticles, whichimproves the catalytic activity of Au-Cu alloy nanoparticle.The second part of this dissertation investigates the gas phase reactions of Au+ and Cu+ with CO, O2 and H2O molecules using the Laser Vaporization ionization, High-Pressure Mass Spectrometry (LVI-HPMS) technique. The gas phase reactions resulting from the interactions of Au+ with CO and O2 molecules are investigated. Although multiple additions of CO and O2 molecules on Au+ have been observed at room temperature, no evidence was found of the production of CO2. This is attributed to the presence of water molecules which effectively replace the oxygen molecules on Au+ at room temperature.Finally, the role of the metal cations Au+ and Cu+ in initiating the gas phase polymerization of butadiene and isoprene vapors was investigated.

京都大学
0048
新制・課程博士
博士(工学)
甲第22467号
工博第4728号
新制||工||1738(附属図書館)
京都大学大学院工学研究科分子工学専攻
(主査)教授 田中 庸裕, 教授 江口 浩一, 教授 佐藤 啓文
学位規則第4条第1項該当
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)
Kyoto University
DFAM

De nos jours, les matériaux carbonés macroscopiques font face à un nombre croissant d'applications en catalyse, soit en tant que supports, soit directement en tant que catalyseurs sans métal. Cependant, il reste difficile de développer un support de catalyseur hiérarchisé à base de. carbone ou un catalyseur utilisant un procédé de synthèse beaucoup plus simple. À la recherche de nouveaux matériaux carbonés structurés pour la catalyse hétérogène, nous avons exploré le potentiel du feutre de carbone / graphite du commerce (FC / FG). Le but du travail décrit dans cette thèse a été le développement du monolithe FG et FC en tant que catalyseur sans métal pour les réactions d’oxydation en phase gazeuse et en tant que support de catalyseur, notamment pour le palladium, pour les réactions d’hydrogénation en phase liquide, et leur rôle dans la performance de réaction de ces catalyseurs. En raison de leur surface de chimie inerte avec une mouillabilité inappropriée, une telle étude avait pour condition d'activer celles d'origine. Par conséquent, des FG et des FC modifiés bien arrondis ont été synthétisés avec des propriétés physico-chimiques adaptées par une série de procédés de traitement chimique, tels que l'oxydation, l'amination, la thiolation, le dopage à l'azote et au soufre. L’oxydation partielle du sulfure d’hydrogène en soufre élémentaire et l’hydrogénation sélective du cinnamaldéhyde α, β-insaturé, en tant que réactions sensibles à l’effet des propriétés du catalyseur sur l’activité et la sélectivité, combinées à des techniques de caractérisation, ont été choisis pour étudier l’effet de la matériaux carbonés sur le comportement catalytique
Nowadays, macroscopic carbon materials are facing an increasing number of applications in catalysis, either as supports or directly as metal-free catalysts on their own. However, it is still challenging to develop hierarchical carbon-based catalyst support or catalyst using a much simple synthesis process. In the quest for novel structured carbon materials for heterogeneous catalysis we explored the potential of commercial carbon/graphite felt (CF/GF). The aim of the work described in this thesis has been the development of GF and CF monolith as metal-free catalyst for gas-phase oxidation reactions and as catalyst support, notably for palladium, for liquid-phase hydrogenation reactions, and their roles in the reaction performance of these catalysts. Due to their inert chemistry surface with inappropriate wettability, a prerequisite for such a study was to activate the origin ones. Therefore, well-rounded modified GFs and CFs were synthesized with tailored physic-chemical properties by a series of chemical treatment processes, such as oxidation, amination, thiolation, nitrogen- and sulfur-doping. The partial oxidation of hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur and selective hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated cinnamaldehyde, as the sensitive test reactions to the influence of the catalyst properties on activity and selectivity, combined with characterization techniques, were chosen to investigate the effect of functionalized carbon materials on the catalytic behavior

The modern world faces a number of challenges related to energy and the environment. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide have now surpassed the 400 ppm mark due to the burning of fossil fuels, yet despite its abundance and potential use as a C1 feedstock for value-added products, there are both thermodynamic and kinetic barriers associated with the strong carbon-oxygen bonds that preclude its widespread deployment in industry. Nuclear energy is an alternative power source that reduces carbon emissions by billions of tonnes each year, but there are widespread concerns regarding the treatment of the radioactive waste that it accrues (of which the main component is uranyl, [UO2]2+). Most of the work presented in this thesis concerns the synthesis of transition-metal complexes, with the aim of directing catalytic reactivity to convert CO2 to useful products. Part of this thesis also concerns the synthesis of uranyl complexes and the study of uranyl reduction chemistry, which is relevant to uranyl remediation and nuclear waste treatment at a fundamental level. Making use of Earth-abundant metals to carry out hydrocarbon oxidation catalysis is a further focus of this work, as the efficient production of oxygenated compounds under mild conditions is of importance to the fine-chemical industry. Chapter 1 reviews important complexes reported in the literature that successfully convert CO2 to useful products through molecular, homogenous electro-catalysis and ring-opening copolymerisation catalysis. Reactions that exemplify a two-electron reduction of uranyl (i.e. uranium(VI) to uranium(IV)) are reviewed, along with uranyl complexes that undergo ligand-centred redox to give ligand-based radicals. The state of the literature on hydrocarbon oxidation catalysis is reviewed in the introduction. The development of multinuclear, macrocyclic complexes and the reactivity of dinuclear Pacman complexes are also presented. Chapter 2 reports the synthesis and characterisation of a new set of Schiff-base macrocycles and acyclic dipyrrin ligands. A number of attempted synthetic routes towards incorporating a dipyrrin coordination compartment in a macro-cyclic setting are discussed. Differences in electronic structures between dipyrromethanes and dipyrromethenes are also examined by theoretical and experimental methods. Chapter 3 introduces the coordination chemistry of these new macrocycles with zinc(II), where the isolation of dinuclear and tetranuclear complexes is demonstrated using different zinc(II) precursors. Tetranuclear zinc-alkyl complexes presented here are shown to be resistant to insertion chemistry with small molecules, but readily form zinc-oxo, -hydroxyl and -alkoxide clusters upon protonolysis with water and alcohols. These molecular clusters display reactivity towards CO2: a zinc-hydroxyl complex precipitates ZnCO3 at high temperature; and zinc-alkoxide complexes have been used to catalyse the copolymerisation reaction between CO2 and cyclohexene oxide to form polycarbonates. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of late-transition-metal complexes of macrocyclic ligands and dipyrrins, and explores the relationship between macrocycle geometry and electronic structure. Their reactivities towards CO2 are assessed here, using cyclic voltammetry to assess the electro-catalytic activity of a number of the complexes. Chapter 5 reports the oxidation chemistry of hydrocarbon substrates catalysed by copper(II) complexes. High-temperature catalysis occurs with bimetallic copper(II) complexes, and this chapter describes how added FeCl3 acts as a co-catalyst, leading to greater catalyst stability and allowing the catalytic reaction to occur at room temperature. A range of analytical methods have been used to deduce the catalytically active species, and chemical kinetic measurements have been used to deduce a possible reaction mechanism. Chapter 6 reports the synthesis of a uranyl(VI) dipyrrin complex and details characterisation of its electronic structure by theoretical and experimental methods. Theoretical modelling has indicated that the observed two-electron reduction of uranium(VI) to uranium(IV) is facilitated by the dipyrrin ligand, representing a novel uranyl reduction mechanism.

Etude de la promotion par le potassium du catalyseur composite fe-co-c, c'est-a-dire de l'amelioration de son activite catalytique et de sa selectivite en alcenes. L'addition de potassium est realisee soit par impregnation par une solution aqueuse de k#2co#3, soit par la formation intermediaire d'un compose d'insertion avec le carbone de formule kc#3#2. L'evolution de la selectivite des catalyseurs promus et non promus par le potassium est etudiee a des conversions en monoxyde de carbone analogues a celles d'un procede industriel. Des tests catalytiques a faible conversion et des mesures de chimisorption de gaz reagissants sont effectues

碩士
中原大學
化學研究所
102
We report a computational study on hydrogen storage media consisting of alkali-metal (Li, Na, K, Li+, Na+, K+) atom and aromatic carbon ring based (benzene, coronene) molecular materials. We use two major and reliable computational method: B3LYP/6-311++g(2d,2p) &; MP2/6-311++g(2d,2p) to calculate our materials. Doping some boron or nitrogen atoms into carbon ring is our strategy to enhance the bonding ability between metal and carbon ring. Our calculations show that the systems with positive charge are better than neutral on hydrogen adsorption process because of its charge transfer. Finally, according to our calculations, the maximum hydrogen storage capacity can reach 11.85 wt %, it has already shoot the target of U.S. DoE. In the future, we hope the information will be useful for extending the study of graphene-based system for hydrogen storage.

碩士
中國文化大學
應用化學研究所
91
Abstract In this research, we discuss the collision reactions of Li2 + CH and Be2 + CH. The potential energy surface calculation is at the level of HF/CASSCF, in which the basis set for all atoms is cc-p VQZ. In Li2 + CH and Be2 + CH collision reactions, we calculate the PES for the 179° and 89° collision angles. For Li2 + CH, we found that both 1A’ and 1A” states are Li2(X1Σg+) + CH(X2Π) at the far distance, while 2A’ and 2A” are Li2(b3Πu) + CH(X2Π) and Li2(a3u+) +CH(X2Π), respectively. In the collision reactions of Be2 + CH, 1A’ and 1A” are ground states Be2(X1g+) + CH(X2Π), while 2A’ and 2A” states are Be2(13g) + CH(X2Π) at the far distance. We also found that 1A’ , 2A’, 1A” and 2A” can form intermediates at the near distance at both collision angles in both cases. Because the energy gaps between the excited state and the ground state intermediates are all small, so non-adiabatic transitions may take place to form the ground state product.

碩士
中國文化大學
應用化學研究所
91
In this study, we reported the properties at M* + CH and M* + C2H2, where M is either an alkali（Li）or alkaline（Be）metal atom. Electronic energies along the proposed reaction coordinates have been calculated at the CASSCF level using the ROOS basis set. Li（22P） + CH（X2Π） → LiC + H and Li（22P） + CH （X2Π）→ LiH + C are both endothermic on the triplet surface in our study. For the Be（23P） + CH → BeC + H, Be 2p orbital may have a π-overlap with CH（X2Π） px or py orbital to produce a stable BeCH intermediate. For the insertion reaction of M *+ C2H2 (where M is Li or Be), the alkaline earth metal (Be) may be able to transition from 2A’ to 1A’, due to a small energy gap between them and this is an exothermic reaction. Transition between 2A’ and 1A’ is not likely to occur due to a large energy gap.

The thesis contains two parts. Part 1 describes the investigations on graphene and contains five sections. Section 1, gives a brief overview of graphene and other nanocarbons. The other four sections deal with various aspects of single-layer and few-layer graphene such as functionalization and solubilization, surface properties and gas adsorption, molecular charge transfer interaction and some properties and applications. Section 2 describes covalent and noncovalent functionalization and solubilization of few-layer graphene samples prepared by different methods as well as of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). It includes covalent functionalization of graphene with organometallic reagents, noncovalent functionalization of graphene and SWNTs with surfactants as well as large aromatic molecules, and exfoliation of few-layer graphene by a water-soluble coronene carboxylate. Section 3 deals with surface properties and gas adsorption (mainly H2 and CO2) of few-layer graphenes. It is found that graphene samples with high surface area can adsorb even more than 3 wt% of H2 at high pressure which makes it promising material for gas-storage applications. Section 4 describes the molecular charge-transfer interaction of single and few-layered graphenes and SWNTs with different electron-donor and -acceptor molecules probed by both ITC measurements and Raman spectroscopy. Electron–acceptor molecules interact more strongly with graphene and SWNTs than the -donor molecules and nature of interaction of metallic SWNTs are different than the as-prepared ones. A Raman study of the interaction of single-layer graphene, prepared by micromechanical cleavage as well as chemical route, with an electron donor molecule such as tetrathiofulvalene (TTF) and an electron acceptor molecule such as tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is examined. In Section 5, some properties and applications of graphene are discussed. These include fluorescence quenching phenomena observed with few-layer graphene samples on two fluorescent molecules such as coronene and perylene derivatives. Fabrication of a sensing device as well as of FETs prepared from doped and undoped few-layer and single-layer graphene samples forms part of this section. Part 2 of the thesis includes a brief introduction of hybrid open-framework material and synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of various open-framework metal carboxylates, starting with different transition and main group metals. The carboxylic acids used to form these frameworks vary such as simple aliphatic amino acids such as beta-alanine and aspartic acid or simple aliphatic hydroxyl carboxylic acid such as malic acid in its chiral and achiral forms or five-membered heterocyclic aromatic acid, such as imidazole dicarboxylic acid.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Aqueous ion-intercalation batteries (AIB’s) have the potential to provide both high power for hybrid-electric transport, and low cost bulk energy storage for electric grid supply. However, a major setback to AIB development is the instability of suitable ionintercalation anode material in aqueous electrolyte. To counter this problem, the use of activated carbon (AC) (a supercapacitor anode) paired against the low cost ionintercalation cathode spinel LiMn2O4 (LMO) provides a stable alternative. This thesis comprises two novel areas of investigation concerning: (1) the development of the AC/LMO cell for high power applications, and (2) the introduction of PbSO4 as a high capacity alternative anode material paired against LMO for low cost bulk energy storage. The study on AC/LMO explores the electrode combination’s practical specific energy and power capability at high P/E (power to energy ratio) of 50:1 suitable for hybrid electric vehicle batteries. To study the relationship between electrode material loading density, active material performance, and current collector mass contribution, a specially designed cell was constructed for galvanic cycling of different thicknesses of electrode. Between a loading density range of 25 – 100 mg, ~50 mg of total active material between two 1 cm2 current collectors produced the highest 50:1 P/E ratio values of 4 Wh/kg and 200 W/kg, constituting a 4-fold reduction of the active material values of thin films at 50:1 P/E. The cycling potentials of the individual electrodes revealed that doublings of electrode film loading density increased the LMO electrode’s polarization and voltage drop to similar levels as doublings in applied current density. However, by increasing the charging voltage from 1.8 V to 2.2 V, 6 Wh/kg and 300 W/kg was obtainable with minimal loss of energy efficiency. Finally a large-format cell of a calculated 3 Ah capacity at 50:1 P/E was constructed and tested. The cell produced ~60% of the anticipated capacity due to a suspected high level of resistance in the electrode contact points. The overall conclusion to the study was that AC/LMO holds promise for high power applications, and that future use of higher rate capability forms of LMO offers a promising avenue for further research. v The second part of this thesis presents the development of a novel cell chemistry, PbSO4/LMO, that has yet to be reported elsewhere in existing literature. The cell uses aqueous pH 7, 1 M, Li2SO4 electrolyte, and forms an electrode coupling where the PbSO4 anode charge/discharge is analogous to that in Pb-acid batteries. The average discharge voltage of the cell was 1.4 V and formed a flat charge/discharge plateau. The use of a low cost carbon coating method to encapsulate PbSO4 microparticles had a marked improvement on cell performance, and compared to uncoated PbSO4 improved both rate capability and specific capacity of the material. The active materials of the carbon-coated PbSO4/LMO cell produced a specific energy 51.1 Wh/kg, which, if a 65% yield is possible for a practical cell format, equals 38.4 Wh/kg, which is 15 Wh/kg higher than AC/LMO bulk storage cells at 23 Wh/kg, but lower than Pb-acid batteries at ~25-50 Wh/kg. Interestingly, the specific capacity of PbSO4 was 76 mAh/g compared to 100 mAh/g in Pb-acid cells. The predicted cost of the cell, providing a 65% value of the active material specific energy for a practical cell can be realized, is on par with Pb-acid battery technology and, importantly, uses 2.3 × less Pb/kWh. The cycling stability achieved thus far is promising, but will require testing over comparable cycle life periods to commercial batteries, which could be anywhere between 5 – 15 years.