Low-Cost Metal Bipolar Plate Carbon Coating Technology for Heavy Duty Fuel Cells (HDFC)
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08 HYDROGEN↗
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Nanoporous Carbon Coatings Direct Li Electrodeposition Morphology and Performance in Li Metal Anode Batteries
Li metal anodes could significantly improve battery energy density. However, Li generally electrodeposits in poorly controlled morphology, leading to safety and performance problems. One factor that controls Li anode performance and electrodeposition morphology is the nature of the electrolyte–current collector interface. Herein, we modify the Cu current collector interface by depositing precisely controlled nanoporous carbon (NPC) coatings using pulsed laser deposition to develop an understanding of how NPC coating density and thickness impact Li electrodeposition. We find that NPC density and thickness guide Li morphological evolution differently and dictate whether Li deposits at the NPC-Cu or NPC-electrolyte interface. NPC coatings generally lower overpotential for Li electrodeposition, though thicker NPC coatings limit kinetics when cycling at a high rate. Lower-density NPC enables the highest Coulombic efficiency (CE) during calendar aging tests, and higher-density NPC enables the highest CE during cycling tests.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
A completely precious metal–free alkaline fuel cell with enhanced performance using a carbon-coated nickel anode
Significance We present a groundbreaking advance in completely nonprecious hydrogen fuel cell technologies achieving a record power density of 200 mW/cm 2 with Ni@CN x anode and Co−Mn cathode. The 2-nm CN x coating weakens the O-binding energy, which effectively mitigates the undesirable surface oxidation during hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) polarization, leading to a stable fuel cell operation for Ni@CN x over 100 h at 200 mA/cm 2 , superior to a Ni nanoparticle counterpart. Ni@CNx exhibited a dramatically enhanced tolerance to CO relative to Pt/C, enabling the use of hydrogen gas with trace amounts of CO, critical for practical applications. The complete removal of precious metals in fuel cells lowers the catalyst cost to virtually negligible levels and marks a milestone for practical alkaline fuel cells.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Tuning the surface energy of fluorinated diamond-like carbon coatings via plasma immersion ion implantation plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane
Here, we demonstrate an environmentally friendly and scalable method to create fluorine-doped diamond-like carbon (F-DLC) coatings using plasma immersion ion implantation plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PIII-PECVD) with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. F-DLC films tend to have low wettability and good mechanical flexibility, which make them suitable for applications in biomedical devices and antibiofouling surfaces. We report on the effects of fluorine incorporation on the surface chemistry, surface energy, and morphology of these coatings, showing that our method is effective in increasing the fluorine content in the F-DLC up to 40%. We show that the addition of fluorine leads to a decrease in surface energy, which is consistent with a reduction in surface wettability.
Contact angle↗
Boron‐Doped Nano‐Crystalline Coated Carbon Fibers for Phasic Dopamine Sensing
Real time, chronic electrochemical detection of neurotransmitters will provide a positive step in the treatment and understanding of neurological disease. However, current electrodes using carbon fibers (CF) fail to perform chronically. While diamond-based coatings show promise in improving their longevity, achieving a uniform layer of such coatings on CFs is challenging, and the electrodes often lose sensitivity after coating. In this work, a complete and uniform boron-doped nanocrystalline material grown in a diamond reactor (B-NCD) was developed to coat CF microelectrodes for neurochemical sensing. The coating was characterized electrically, optically, mechanically, and chemically. The B-NCD coated CF electrodes were able to detect phasic dopamine at a sensitivity comparable to the most widely used alternatives (uncoated and PEDOT:Nafion coated CFs). During biofouling testing, the B-NCD coated CF electrodes demonstrated better stability than uncoated CFs and comparable performance to PEDOT:Nafion coated CFs. Moreover, B-NCD exhibited no signs of degradation during consecutive FSCV applications, while uncoated and PEDOT:Nafion coated CF electrodes degraded significantly over time. Furthermore, the B-NCD coating supported the survival and development of neurons and astrocytes in vitro, exhibited excellent adhesion and durability during mechanical bending testing, and enabled successful in vivo recording of phasic dopamine release in the rat brain. Overall, B-NCD coated CFs present as an ideal candidate for chronic, flexible neural implantable electrodes for long-term neurochemical monitoring.
carbon fiber↗
Source apportionment of soot particles and aqueous-phase processing of black carbon coatings in an urban environment
Abstract. The impacts of soot particles on climate and human health depend on the concentration of black carbon (BC) as well as the thickness and composition of the coating material, i.e., organic and inorganic compounds internally mixed with BC. In this study, the size-resolved chemical composition of BC-containing aerosol was measured using a high-resolution soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SP-AMS) during wintertime in Fresno, California, a location influenced by abundant combustion emissions and frequent fog events. Concurrently, particle optical properties were measured to investigate the BC absorption enhancement. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis was performed on the SP-AMS mass spectral measurements to explore the sources of soot particles and the atmospheric processes affecting the properties of BC coatings. The analysis revealed that residential woodburning and traffic are the dominant sources of soot particles. Alongside primary soot particles originating from biomass burning (BBOABC) and vehicles (HOABC) two distinct types of processed BC-containing aerosol were identified: fog-related oxidized organic aerosol (FOOABC) and winter-background OOABC (WOOABC). Both types of OOABC showed evidence of having undergone aqueous processing, albeit with differences. The concentration of FOOABC was substantially elevated during fog events, indicating the formation of aqueous secondary organic aerosol (aqSOA) within fog droplets. On the other hand, WOOABC was present at a relatively consistent concentration throughout the winter and was likely related to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in both the gas phase and aerosol liquid water. By comparing the chemical properties and temporal variations in FOOABC and WOOABC, we gain insights into the key aging processes of BC aerosol. It was found that aqueous-phase reactions facilitated by fog droplets had a significant impact on the thickness and chemical composition of BC coatings, thereby affecting the light absorption and hygroscopic properties of soot particles. These findings underscore the important role of chemical reactions occurring within clouds and fogs and influencing the climate forcing of BC aerosol in the atmosphere.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Atomically dispersed iron sites with a nitrogen–carbon coating as highly active and durable oxygen reduction catalysts for fuel cells
Nitrogen-coordinated single atom iron sites (FeN 4 ) embedded in carbon (Fe–N–C) are the most active platinum group metal-free oxygen reduction catalysts for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. Still, current Fe–N–C catalysts lack sufficient long-term durability and are not yet viable for practical applications. Here we report a highly durable and active Fe–N–C catalyst synthesized using heat treatment with ammonia chloride followed by high-temperature deposition of a thin layer of nitrogen-doped carbon on the catalyst surface. We propose that catalyst stability is improved by converting defect-rich pyrrolic N-coordinated FeN 4 sites into highly stable pyridinic N-coordinated FeN 4 sites. The stability enhancement is demonstrated in membrane electrode assemblies using accelerated stress testing and a long-term steady-state test (>300 h at 0.67 V), approaching a typical Pt/C cathode (0.1 mg Pt cm -2 ). The encouraging stability improvement represents a critical step in developing viable Fe–N–C catalysts to overcome the cost barriers of hydrogen fuel cells for numerous applications.
08 HYDROGEN↗
Tribocatalytically-activated formation of protective friction and wear reducing carbon coatings from alkane environment
Minimizing the wear of the surfaces exposed to mechanical shear stresses is a critical challenge for maximizing the lifespan of rotary mechanical parts. In this study, we have discovered the anti-wear capability of a series of metal nitride-copper nanocomposite coatings tested in a liquid hydrocarbon environment. The results indicate substantial reduction of the wear in comparison to the uncoated steel substrate. Analysis of the wear tracks indicates the formation of carbon-based protective films directly at the sliding interface during the tribological tests. Raman spectroscopy mapping of the wear track suggests the amorphous carbon (a-C) nature of the formed tribofilm. Further analysis of the tribocatalytic activity of the best coating candidate, MoN-Cu, as a function of load (0.25–1 N) and temperature (25 °C and 50 °C) was performed in three alkane solutions, decane, dodecane, and hexadecane. Results indicated that elevated temperature and high contact pressure lead to different tribological characteristics of the coating tested in different environments. The elemental energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis and Raman analysis revealed formation of the amorphous carbon film that facilitates easy shearing at the contact interface thus enabling more stable friction behavior and lower wear of the tribocatalytic coating. These findings provide new insights into the tribocatalysis mechanism that enables the formation of zero-wear coatings.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Binder-Coated Carbon Cloth Electrodes for All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising solution for integrating intermittent renewable energy sources into the existing power grid. However, enhancing the electrochemical performance of VRFBs is critical for their widespread adoption in grid-scale energy storage. This study investigates the impact of adding a porous binder to a carbon-cloth electrode, with a focus on optimizing thermal activation conditions. The electrochemical performance of the binder-coated electrodes compared to uncoated electrodes is evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curve measurements, and charge-discharge cycling. The surface morphology and structural integrity of the binder-coated electrodes at each activation stage are examined using various material characterization techniques to assess the effects of thermal activation. The results are benchmarked against the experiments using non-coated electrodes to determine the performance improvements offered by the binder coating. Notably, the study reveals that binder-coated electrodes exhibit significantly lower resistance and improved efficiency compared to their uncoated counterparts, with optimal activation conditions enhancing performance metrics crucial for VRFB applications. These findings provide valuable insights for further optimizing electrode design and activation strategies, advancing the development of more efficient VRFB systems for large-scale energy storage.
Caiado, Ashley A.↗
Computationally guided synthesis of carbon coated mesoporous silica materials
Mesoporous silica materials (MSMs) are well-suited for biomedical applications due to their unique features, including a large surface area and tunable pore size. To enhance their durability, the small pores in MSMs are filled with carbon precursors and then carbonized to prevent them from interacting with unreacted silicic acid. Here, in this study, we synthesized and healed MSMs using a combination of non-reactive and reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The non-reactive MD simulation revealed that the self-assembly of Pluronic® L64 polymers in water resulted in nearly 80 % hydrogen bonds between the hydrophilic sections of the micelle and water. In the bond-boosted ReaxFF MD simulations, silicic acid precursors were condensed on the micelle surface, with over 60 % of them leading to the creation of periodic mesoporous silica within the system. Condensation of silicic acid precursors at 300 K with bond-boosting and at 1500 K without it both significantly promoted the polymerization of Si(OH) 4 , with the latter doubling the rate compared to the former. Subsequently, we healed the MSM surface by carbonizing carbon precursors inside an MSM pore. Polyethylene (PE) and high-rank lignite were identified as the most suitable precursors due to their ability to form turbostratic graphene structures. High-rank lignite exhibited the highest carbon conversion ratio to 6-membered rings, closely followed by PE, in the carbon ring formation analysis. Additionally, the production of gases, such as H 2 , increased significantly for PE at both 2200 K and 2600 K, indicating the conversion of a considerable portion of carbon into graphitic or turbostratic structures. The carbonization of PE primarily led to the formation of planar (sp 2 ) structures, while sucrose yielded the least planar structures. Finally, we studied the protective blocking of unreacted silicic acid precursor by considering a PET turbostratic graphene structure in a silica mesopore formed at 2600 K. The trajectory analysis showed that the surface of the silica was effectively coated with PET tar, preventing unreacted silicic acid from interacting with the inner silica pore surface. These findings offer valuable insights into the synthesis and carbonization-based healing processes of MSMs, enhancing their potential for various biomedical applications.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Multi-layered diamond-like carbon coating for electronic components
A multi-layer coating on an outer surface of a substrate includes a first layer applied directly to the outer surface of the substrate. The first layer includes diamond-like carbon (DLC) configured to mitigate metal whisker formation. A second layer is applied on a top surface of the first layer. The second layer is a conformal coating that includes a second material configured to bind to the top surface of the first layer and fill any microfractures that may form in the first layer. Optionally, a third layer is applied on a top surface of the second layer and includes DLC configured to protect the second layer from oxidation and degradation.
Selter, Thomas Matthew↗
Sorbent-coated carbon fibers for direct air capture using electrically driven temperature swing adsorption
Not Available
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
3D Carbon Coating Enabled High‐capacity and Stable Micro‐sized Silicon Suboxide‐graphite Blended Anodes for Practical Lithium‐ion Batteries
Abstract Silicon oxide (SiO x ) is a promising anode candidate of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its extremely high specific capacity. However, the low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and rapid capacity degradation of SiO x , triggered by the enormous volume variation upon repeated (de)lithiation, gravely hinder its practical use. Herein, two mass‐produced micro‐sized SiO x @C composites with obviously different morphologies for commercial LIBs are reported. Particularly, the SiO x ‐graphite blended anode (SiO x @3D‐G‐Gr) based on SiO x wrapped by three‐dimensional (3D) carbon layers (SiO x @3D‐G) exhibits a capacity of 519 mAh g −1 , an ICE of 90.0 % and a capacity retention of 83.4 % at 0.2 C over 100 cycles. which is far exceeding its counterpart SiO x @C‐H‐Gr (65.7 %). The obtained impressive properties of SiO x @3D‐G originate from the critical contribution of 3D carbon layers, which serves as the effective stress buffer and protective layer as well as the strong networks for electron/Li + transport. Accordingly, the full‐cell based on SiO x @3D‐G‐Gr anode and commercial LiCoO 2 cathode delivers a capacity of 803 mAh and an excellent capacity retention of 95.6 % (616 mAh, 96.6 % for graphite, respectively) at 1 C over 100 cycles with a stabilized CE of nearly 100 %. The micro‐sized SiO x @3D‐G showing a promising prospect in the commercial‐grade anodes in LIBs.
Electrochemistry↗
Rechargeable Alkaline Zn?Cu Batteries Enabled by Carbon Coated Cu/Bi Particles.
Abstract not provided.
Schorr, Noah↗
Pitting resistant carbon coatings
A hydrogenated diamond-like coating (“H-DLC”) for metallic substrates provides improved reliability. The H-DLC is relatively soft and elastic. Unlike hard and/or inelastic coatings in the prior art, the present coatings do not exhibit a loss of adhesion (delamination). A bonding layer may be used between the metallic substrate and the H-DLC. H-DLC coatings can, for example, be used in bearings and gears to reduce the occurrence of micropits and, ultimately, product failure.
Erylimaz, Osman L.↗