Research Highlights
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Stability and Microheterogeneity in Concentrated Nonaqueous Electrolyte Solutions
We compared the molecular dynamics of two different but structurally-related electrolytes in highly concentrated solutions. One catholyte is compact and symmetrical; the other is bulkier and less symmetrical. Incoherent elastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering measurements showed significant differences in crystallization, supercooling, and sudden microheterogeneity. Read More
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Enabling High Concentration Redox Electrolytes for Use in Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Building on prior collaborative JCESR research on iteratively advancing phenothiazines as charge storage materials, we developed a new class of phenothiazine derivatives with high equivalent charge concentration by increasing solubility and stability of multiple electron transfer events. Read More
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Widening Electrochemical Window of Mg Salt by Weakly Coordinating Perfluoroalkoxyaluminate Anion for Mg Battery Electrolyte
Mg[Al{OC(CF3)3}4]2 (Mg[TPFA]2 ) with perfluorinated, e- deficient anions ([TPFA]−) possesses high thermodynamic oxidative stability with high coulombic efficiency for Mg plating/stripping. Read More
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First-principles Exploration of Stability and Associated Decomposition Mechanisms of Solvents in Mg Energy Storage
Obtained a deeper understanding of the chemical and electrochemical stability governing the suitability of several organic solvents commonly considered for Mg battery electrolytes. Read More
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Direct Observation of MgO Formation at the Cathode-Electrolyte Interface of a Spinel MgCo2O4 Cathode upon Electrochemical Mg+2 Removal and Insertion
We have been exploring the versatility and mechanism of Mg insertion into several transition metal spinel compounds and correlating the results with electron count. In this publication we established that the MgCo2O4 works by a conversion mechanism – MgO extraction and precipitation as the primary electrochemical activity with loss of oxide and reduction of cobalt. System characterization was complicated by the observed solid solution between MgCo2O4 – Co3O4 but overcome by utilizing a variety of techniques to fully characterize the materials synthesized. Read More
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Complete electrochemical characterization of a fluorinated electrolyte
Common approaches to measuring the lithium-ion transference number for fluorinated electrolytes leads to severe over-estimation of this value. Read More
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Understanding the Reaction Mechanism of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries by In situ/Operando XAS
We presented the recent progress in the application of in situ/operando XAS in the understanding of the redox mechanism of lithium sulfur batteries, which is of great significance for the development of high-performance lithium sulfur batteries. Read More
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PyLAT: Python LAMMPS Analysis Tools
A series of tools was developed to perform post-analysis on molecular dynamics trajectories from the LAMMPS software. Read More
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Redox Polymers in Electrochemical Systems: From Methods of Mediation to Energy Storage
Redox polymers were designed for mediation in sensors in the 1980s, but it was not until the last five years that researchers realized that they could play a critical role in energy storage, including redox flow batteries and supercapacitors. Read More
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Fluoride Doping Enhances Lithium Diffusivity in Layered Molybdenum Oxide
By fluoride doping MoO3 to MoO2.8F0.2 the reversibility of lithium intercalation could be greatly increased and a sluggish intercalation step could be bypassed. Read More
Latest Updates
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You’re Invited - JCESR and Beyond: Translating the Basic Science of Batteries
Please join us at Argonne National Laboratory on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 for JCESR and Beyond: Translating the Basic Science of Batteries. Registration is now open. This in-person event will celebrate 10 years of research from the Joint Center… Read More
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A Message from JCESR: In Memory of George Crabtree
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to George Crabtree, a Senior Scientist and Distinguished Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory, and Director of the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), who passed away unexpectedly on January 23. Dr. Read More
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Cyanopyridines As Extremely Low-Reduction-Potential Anolytes for Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Discovery of a cyanophenylpyridine derivative with a very low reduction potential and good stability during cycling. Read More
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Characterizing Redoxmer – Electrode Kinetics Using a SECM-Based Spot Analysis Method
Identified asymmetries in electron transfer (ET) kinetics between the reduction and oxidation of ferrocene-based redoxmers by measuring the ET rate constants (kf/kb) as a function of electrode potential. Read More
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Benzotriazoles as Low Potential Anolytes for Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
We developed an easy-to-synthesize benzotriazole-based anolyte with a high energy redox potential (-2.3 V vs Fc/Fc+) and high solubility that demonstrates stable electrochemical cycling performance. Read More