Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) are considered to be one of the most promising next-generation Li batteries due to their high capacity and intrinsic safety. However, their sustainable processing is often poorly investigated but could offer additional advantages over conventional batteries in terms of ecological and economic benefits. In this work, a sustainable, water-based processing route for garnet-supported SSLBs featuring a LiFePO 4 (LFP)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) composite cathode is presented. Both the LFP-PEO cathode and the thin free-standing garnet separator (105 μm) are fabricated by water-based tapecasting. After optimizing the composition of the cathode, the full cell with a thin cathode (∼45 μm) delivers a high capacity of 136 mAh g −1 with a high Coulombic efficiency over 99% and good cycling stability for 50 cycles. However, the performance and cycling stability decrease when thicker cathodes (∼110 μm) and higher rates were applied, indicating the need for further optimization. Nevertheless, the here-presented water-based fabrication route provides a baseline for further improvements and pushes SSLB fabrication further toward a green battery production.
Synthosomes are polymer vesicles with transmembrane proteins incorporated into block copolymer membranes. They have been used for selective transport in or out of the vesicles as well as catalysis inside the compartments. However, both the insertion process of the membrane protein, forming nanopores, and the spreading of the vesicles on planar substrates to form solid-supported biomimetic membranes have been rarely studied yet. Herein, we address these two points and, first, shed light on the realtime monitoring of protein insertion via isothermal titration calorimetry. Second, the spreading process on different solid supports, namely, SiO 2 , glass, and gold, via different techniques like spin-and dip-coating as well as a completely new approach of potential-assisted spreading on gold surfaces was studied. While inhomogeneous layers occur via traditional methods, our proposed potential-assisted strategy to induce adsorption of positively charged vesicles by applying negative potential on the electrode leads to remarkable vesicle spreading and their further fusion to form more homogeneous planar copolymer films on gold. The polymer vesicles in our study are formed from amphiphilic copolymers poly(2-methyl oxazoline)block-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(2-methyl oxazoline) (PMOXA-b-PDMS-b-PMOXA). Engineered variants of the transmembrane protein ferric hydroxamate uptake protein component A (FhuA), one of the largest β-barrel channel proteins, are used as model nanopores. The incorporation of FhuA Δ1-160 is shown to facilitate the vesicle spreading process further. Moreover, high accessibility of cysteine inside the channel was proven by linkage of a fluorescent dye inside the engineered variant FhuA ΔCVF tev and hence preserved functionality of the channels after spreading. The porosity and functionality of the spread synthosomes on the gold plates have been examined by studying the passive ion transport response in the presence of Li + and ClO 4 − ions and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. Our approach to form solid-supported biomimetic membranes via the potential-assisted strategy could be important for the development of new (bio-) sensors and membranes.
Solar photovoltaic
(PV) energy generation is highly dependent on
weather conditions and only applicable when the sun is shining during
the daytime, leading to a mismatch between demand and supply. Merging
PVs with battery storage is the straightforward route to counteract
the intermittent nature of solar generation. Capacity (or energy density),
overall efficiency, and stability at elevated temperatures are among
key battery performance metrics for an integrated PV–battery
system. The performance of high-capacity silicon (Si)/graphite (Gr)
anode and LiNi
0.6
Mn
0.2
Co
0.2
O
2
(NMC622) cathode cells at room temperature, 45, and 60 °C
working temperatures for PV modules are explored. The electrochemical
performance of both half and full cells are tested using a specially
formulated electrolyte, 1 M LiPF
6
in ethylene carbonate:
diethyl carbonate, with 5 wt % fluoroethylene carbonate, 2 wt % vinylene
carbonate, and 1 wt % (2-cyanoethyl)triethoxysilane. To demonstrate
solar charging, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are coupled to the developed
batteries, following the evaluation of each device. An overall efficiency
of 8.74% under standard PV test conditions is obtained for the PSC
charged lithium-ion battery via the direct-current–direct-current
converter, showing the promising applicability of silicon/graphite-based
anodes in the PV–battery integrated system.
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