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Full-Text Articles in Power and Energy

Structure Stability And Optical Response Of Lead Halide Hybrid Perovskite Photovoltaic Materials: A First-Principles Simulation Study, Siddharth Narendrakumar Rathod Jan 2017

Structure Stability And Optical Response Of Lead Halide Hybrid Perovskite Photovoltaic Materials: A First-Principles Simulation Study, Siddharth Narendrakumar Rathod

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

A third-generation of solar cell is based on organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials. These have reached up to 22.1% conversion efficiency through exponential growth just within the last decade, compared to much longer improvement times for other photovoltaic technologies. Lead halide perovskites are among the most commonly used materials in this context. Despite the relatively large number of available works on some of these materials, in particular CH3NH3PbI3, others are less investigated. Here, we focused on CH3NH3PbCl3, CH3NH3PbBr3 and CH3NH3PbI3 for assessing structure stability and optical response. Using quantum-mechanics-based first principles approaches, we calculated the optimized structures of these three materials …


Mathematical Modeling Of A P-N Junction Solar Cell Using The Transport Equations, Surjeet Singh Jan 2017

Mathematical Modeling Of A P-N Junction Solar Cell Using The Transport Equations, Surjeet Singh

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

While analytical models are limited in the situations that they can simulate, they are generally easier to implement than numerical models and provide a rapid view of the variables which affect a certain quantity. Analytical models are also very useful in educational situations; such as a graduate class on photovoltaics. The modeling of the interior workings of a solar cell can be complex and involved; and some of the equations can become quite lengthy. A focus of this thesis work is the derivation of the minority carrier density and minority current density equations for a p-n junction solar cell. The …


Configuration And Electronic Properties Of The Interface Between Lead Iodide Hybrid Perovskite And Self-Assembled Monolayers In Solar Cells, Parin Divya Amlani Jan 2017

Configuration And Electronic Properties Of The Interface Between Lead Iodide Hybrid Perovskite And Self-Assembled Monolayers In Solar Cells, Parin Divya Amlani

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Hybrid perovskite photovoltaic materials are currently the most promising functional materials for solar cell applications with efficiency reaching to those of more conventional materials such as silicon. Using self-assembled monolayers between photovoltaic materials and electrodes is a method for improving the stability and functionality. Recent experiments have shown that using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and pentafluorobenzenethiol monolayers bridging lead iodide hybrid perovskite photovoltaic materials and electrodes result in improved stability and efficiency. The details of monolayer assembly, molecular adsorption configuration, and resulting modification of electronic properties are important characteristics related to solar cell performance. These characteristics can be obtained through accurate computer …


A New Formulation Of Time Boundary Integral Equation For Acoustic Wave Scattering In The Presence Of A Uniform Mean Flow, Fang Q. Hu, Michelle E. Pizzo, Douglas M. Nark Jan 2017

A New Formulation Of Time Boundary Integral Equation For Acoustic Wave Scattering In The Presence Of A Uniform Mean Flow, Fang Q. Hu, Michelle E. Pizzo, Douglas M. Nark

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

It has been well-known that under the assumption of a constant uniform mean flow, the acoustic wave propagation equation can be formulated as a boundary integral equation, in both the time domain and the frequency domain. Compared with solving partial differential equations, numerical methods based on the boundary integral equation have the advantage of a reduced spatial dimension and, hence, requiring only a surface mesh. However, the constant uniform mean flow assumption, while convenient for formulating the integral equation, does not satisfy the solid wall boundary condition wherever the body surface is not aligned with the uniform mean flow. In …


Smart Home Energy Management: An Analysis Of A Novel Dynamic Pricing And Demand Response Aware Control Algorithm For Households With Distributed Renewable Energy Generation And Storage, Jamal Abushnaf Jan 2017

Smart Home Energy Management: An Analysis Of A Novel Dynamic Pricing And Demand Response Aware Control Algorithm For Households With Distributed Renewable Energy Generation And Storage, Jamal Abushnaf

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Home energy management systems (HEMS) technology can provide a smart and efficient way of optimising energy usage in residential buildings. One of the main goals of the Smart Grid is to achieve Demand Response (DR) by increasing end users’ participation in decision making and increasing the level of awareness that will lead them to manage their energy consumption in an efficient way. This research presents an intelligent HEMS algorithm that manages and controls a range of household appliances with different demand response (DR) limits in an automated way without requiring consumer intervention. In addition, a novel Multiple Users and Load …


Nuclear Power: Black Sky Liability Or Black Sky Asset?, Sherrell R. Greene Dec 2016

Nuclear Power: Black Sky Liability Or Black Sky Asset?, Sherrell R. Greene

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Ready access to abundant electricity is a key enabler of modern life. During the past decade the vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure sectors in the U.S. to a variety of natural hazards and man-made threats has become increasingly apparent. The electrical infrastructure (the “Grid”) is the foundation for all other critical civil infrastructures upon which our society depends. Therefore, protection of the Grid is an energy security, homeland security, and national security issue of highest importance. Geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) induced by solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, and cyber attacks are three events having the potential to plunge …


A Study On The Oxidation Of Hydrogen Peroxide At Au(111) And Au(100) Electrodes, Yong-Li Zheng, Jie Wei, Yan-Xia Chen Dec 2016

A Study On The Oxidation Of Hydrogen Peroxide At Au(111) And Au(100) Electrodes, Yong-Li Zheng, Jie Wei, Yan-Xia Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The oxidation reactions of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at Au(111) and Au(100) electrodes in 0.1 mol·L-1 HClO4 were investigated by using rotating disk electrode system. It was found that H2O2 could be readily oxidized to O2 at both Au(100) and Au(111) surfaces with the onset potential close to its equilibrium potential. In contrast, the onset overpotential for H2O2 reduction was above 0.4 V, while the onset overpotential for H2O2 oxidation at Au(100) was ca. 0.1 V more negative than that at Au(111), this is probably …


Lithium-Sulfur (Selenium) Batteries: Interface Issues And Solving Strategies, Nian-Wu Li, Ya-Xia Yin, Yu-Guo Guo Dec 2016

Lithium-Sulfur (Selenium) Batteries: Interface Issues And Solving Strategies, Nian-Wu Li, Ya-Xia Yin, Yu-Guo Guo

Journal of Electrochemistry

The stable interface is still a challenge for lithium-sulfur (selenium) batteries because of the low conductivity of sulfur (selenium), dissolution of polysulfide (polyselenide), volume expansion of sulfur (selenium), and lithium dendrite growth. This review describers some recent developments in lithium-sulfur (selenium) batteries and highlights our efforts in this field. The possible strategies for building stable interface in the lithium-sulfur (selenium) batteries including nano-restriction effect, chemical bonding, interface adsorption, surface coating, electrolyte optimization, and Lithium anode treatment have been discussed.


Stm Investigation Of Oxygen Reduction Reaction On Solid Interface In Fuel Cell, Zhen-Feng Cai, Bing Sun, Wen-Jie Jiang, Ting Chen, Dong Wang, Li-Jun Wan Dec 2016

Stm Investigation Of Oxygen Reduction Reaction On Solid Interface In Fuel Cell, Zhen-Feng Cai, Bing Sun, Wen-Jie Jiang, Ting Chen, Dong Wang, Li-Jun Wan

Journal of Electrochemistry

An electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important component for fuel cells. An investigation at interfacial electrochemical reactions toward ORR at a molecular scale benefits mechanistic understanding as well as rational design of catalysts. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has been proven to be a powerful tool to monitor chemical reactions and to provide in-situ information about the interfacial electrochemical reactions at a molecular level. This review summarizes the recent STM studies in monitoring the interface processes such as morphological changes, molecular changes, reaction intermediates, and oxidation products. The prospects of future development in this field are outlined.


Chitosan/Nonahydrate Gel Derived Fe-N-Doped Porous Carbon Sheet As High-Efficient Orr Electrocatalyst, Fan-Lu Meng, Xin-Bo Zhang, Jun-Min Yan Dec 2016

Chitosan/Nonahydrate Gel Derived Fe-N-Doped Porous Carbon Sheet As High-Efficient Orr Electrocatalyst, Fan-Lu Meng, Xin-Bo Zhang, Jun-Min Yan

Journal of Electrochemistry

The chitosan/nonahydrate gel was used as a precursor to realize the uniform mixture of N-polymer and metal salt. After lyophilization treatment, the gel went through heat treatment and acid etch. Accordingly, the Fe-N-doped porous carbon sheet with homogenous composition and microstructure was prepared. Compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the Fe-N-doped porous carbon sheet exhibited more positive onset potential and half-wave potential, higher current density, and especially, excellent durability. The power density of 318 mW·cm-2 was obtained in alkaline fuel cell with the Fe-N-doped porous carbon sheet as a cathode catalyst, which is higher than 267 mW·cm-2 with …


Synthesis Of Ultrathin Co3O4 Nanoflakes Film Material For Electrochemical Sensing, Hui-Juan Wang Dec 2016

Synthesis Of Ultrathin Co3O4 Nanoflakes Film Material For Electrochemical Sensing, Hui-Juan Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Ultrathin cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoflakes film material was synthesized by using an electro-deposited cobalt layer as a raw material through a simple oxidation method and followed by a heat treatment at 350 oC. The physical characterizations of the Co3O4 nanoflakes film were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technologies, and the electrochemical activity was measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV). As a promising material for electrochemical sensing, the as-synthesized ultrathin Co3O4 nanoflakes film material exhibited excellent electrochemical activity for H2O …


Syntheses Of Ag@Pd@Pt Nanoparticles With Tunable Shell Thickness For Electrochemical Oxidation Of Formic Acid, Xiao-Dong Lin, Du-Hong Chen, Zhong-Qun Tian Dec 2016

Syntheses Of Ag@Pd@Pt Nanoparticles With Tunable Shell Thickness For Electrochemical Oxidation Of Formic Acid, Xiao-Dong Lin, Du-Hong Chen, Zhong-Qun Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

In an effort to lower cost of a catalyst, the silver (Ag) core with palladium (Pd) layer then platinum (Pt) island (Ag@Pd@Pt) nanoparticles were synthesized and the electrocatalytic activity of Ag@Pd@Pt nanoparticles on formic acid was compared with that of Au@Pd@Pt nanoparticles reported previously. The results showed that the existence of a small amount of Pt could significantly improve the activity of the catalyst. When the surface coverage of Pt approached 0.5 monolayers, the activity of Ag@Pd@Pt nanoparticles reached the maximum. Though the onset potential of the electro-oxidation was slightly more positive (about 50 mV), the overall electrocatalytic activity of …


Intrinsic Interfacial Property Between High-Voltage Lini0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode And Electrolyte, Li Li, Jing-Jing Xu, Shao-Jie Han, Wei Lu, Li-Wei Chen Dec 2016

Intrinsic Interfacial Property Between High-Voltage Lini0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode And Electrolyte, Li Li, Jing-Jing Xu, Shao-Jie Han, Wei Lu, Li-Wei Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

To obtain high energy density, developing high-voltage cathode materials is an effective approach. The cathode/electrolyte interface stability is the key factor for the cycle performance and safety performance of high-voltage lithium ion batteries. It is, therefore, of significant importance to study the stability of cathode/electrolyte interface. However, many reports have shown that at the cathode/electrolyte interface the cathodes were prepared by coating the mixture of active materials with a conductive additive and a binder on an Al current collector. The introduction of additives will interfere the surface morphology and component analyses, resulting in difficulty to acquire the intrinsic information at …


Lithium Plating Identification From Degradation Behaviors Of Lithium-Ion Cells, Jian-Bo Zhang, Lai-Suo Su, Xin-Yu Li, Hao Ge, Ya-Kun Zhang, Zhe Li Dec 2016

Lithium Plating Identification From Degradation Behaviors Of Lithium-Ion Cells, Jian-Bo Zhang, Lai-Suo Su, Xin-Yu Li, Hao Ge, Ya-Kun Zhang, Zhe Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium plating has huge impact on the lifetime and safety of lithium-ion cells. It is, therefore, necessary to identify lithium plating. In this study, the accelerated stress tests of lithium-ion cells were conducted under different conditions with multi-stress loads. Based on the different effects of the two major aging mechanisms, namely, SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) layer growth and lithium plating, on the degradation behaviors, two lithium plating identification methods of resistance-capacity plot and Arrhenius plot were employed. The experimental results revealed that the two identification methods are highly consistent with each other. Furthermore, the origins of capacity loss were distinguished …


Quantum Dot Band Gap Investigations, John Ryan Peterson Nov 2016

Quantum Dot Band Gap Investigations, John Ryan Peterson

Student Works

Improving solar panel efficiency has become increasingly important as the world searches for cheap renewable energy. Recent developments in the industry have focused on multi-layer cells, some of which use semiconducting dyes to absorb light in place of crystalline solids. In this paper, I characterize various dyes recently synthesized for use in solar panels. These dyes contain semiconducting nanoparticles enclosed primarily by the protein ferritin to limit particle size. The band gaps were measured using either optical absorption spectroscopy or measuring the photoluminescence spectrum, depending on the type of semiconductor. The results indicate that both manganese oxide and lead sulfide …


Micro/Nano-Structured Electrode Materials For Sodium-Ion Batteries, Shuang Yuan, Yun-Hai Zhu, Sai Wang, Tao Sun, Xin-Bo Zhang, Qiang Wang Oct 2016

Micro/Nano-Structured Electrode Materials For Sodium-Ion Batteries, Shuang Yuan, Yun-Hai Zhu, Sai Wang, Tao Sun, Xin-Bo Zhang, Qiang Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Sodium has similar physics and chemical properties to lithium, alternatively, sodium (Na)-ion batteries have again aroused a great deal of interest recently, particularly for large-scale stationary energy storage applications due to the practically infinite sodium resources and low cost. However, the technics and materials for Na-ion batteries are immature. Therefore, development of advanced anode and cathode materials for Na-ion batteries is urgently desired but remains a great challenge. This paper briefly reviews some recent progresses in this field, addressing the morphology effects, as well as functions of carbon composite materials toward Na-ion batteries. Several electrode materials with micro/nano-structures based on …


Research Progress In Cycle Stability Of Silicon Based Li-Ion Battery Anodes, Ze-Liang Guo, Hui Wu Oct 2016

Research Progress In Cycle Stability Of Silicon Based Li-Ion Battery Anodes, Ze-Liang Guo, Hui Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Silicon(Si), with the highest specific capacity currently known, is a promising anode material for Li-ion battery. However, in the charging and discharging process, with Li atoms inserting into and breaking out of the Si crystal lattices, the Si anode undergoes enormous volume expansion and contraction, ending in pulverization. The fact that the specific capacity of bulk Si anodes drop quickly is a challenging problem. In this review, we summarize recent progresses in Si anode. We concern about the nanostructure of silicon, cooperation of silicon with other additives and macrostructure design of anodes. We discuss strengths and shortcomings of different methods, …


Electrochemical Performance Of Crystalline Li12Si7 As Anode Material For Lithium Ion Battery, Ya-Xiong Yang, Rui-Jun Ma, Ming-Xia Gao, Hong-Ge Pan, Yong-Feng Liu Oct 2016

Electrochemical Performance Of Crystalline Li12Si7 As Anode Material For Lithium Ion Battery, Ya-Xiong Yang, Rui-Jun Ma, Ming-Xia Gao, Hong-Ge Pan, Yong-Feng Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Crystalline Li12Si7 is successfully synthesized by heating the mixture of LiH and Si with a molar ratio of 12:7, which avoids the huge difference of the melting points between Li and Si. The electrochemical performance and lithium storage mechanism of the as-prepared Li12Si7 are studied in this work. It is found that only a change in cell volume takes place without a phase change during the lithiation/delithiation of Li12Si7 at a voltage range of 0.02 ~ 0.6 V, exhibiting a solid-solution lithium storage mechanism. Such a lithium storage process effectively retards the volume effect …


Continuous Synthesis And Condition Exploration Of Precursor Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3(Oh)2 Ternary Cathode Material, Zhi-Jun Jiang, Ya-Li Zhang, Qian Wang, Hui Zhang Oct 2016

Continuous Synthesis And Condition Exploration Of Precursor Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3(Oh)2 Ternary Cathode Material, Zhi-Jun Jiang, Ya-Li Zhang, Qian Wang, Hui Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Commercial LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3(OH)2 ternary material is generally prepared by a combination of co-precipitation and solid state reaction method. The particle size distribution and morphology of Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3(OH)2 precursor have a great impact on the electrochemical performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2. In this work, the precursor Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3(OH)2 ternary cathode material was prepared by co-precipitation method with MnSO4, NiSO4, and CoSO4 as raw materials, NaOH as a precipitating agent and NH3 …


Research And Application Of Key Materials For Sodium-Ion Batteries, Yong-Chang Liu, Cheng-Cheng Chen, Ning Zhang, Liu-Bin Wang, Xing-De Xiang, Jun Chen Oct 2016

Research And Application Of Key Materials For Sodium-Ion Batteries, Yong-Chang Liu, Cheng-Cheng Chen, Ning Zhang, Liu-Bin Wang, Xing-De Xiang, Jun Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as a potential large-scale energy storage technology owing to the abundance, wide distribution, and low price of sodium resources. However, the larger and heavier sodium ion as compared to lithium ion makes it difficult to identify appropriate electrode materials with the capability for fast and stable sodium-ion insertion/extraction. Furthermore, the optimization of electrolyte, the matching of cathode and anode materials, and the construction of sodium-ion full batteries with high-performance, high-safety, and low-cost are urgently needed in order to make SIBs commercially available. This review summarizes the up-to-date research progresses in key materials (including cathode, …


Advances And Prospects Of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Shou-Yi Yuan, Ying Pang, Li-Na Wang, Yong-Gang Wang, Yong-Yao Xia Oct 2016

Advances And Prospects Of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Shou-Yi Yuan, Ying Pang, Li-Na Wang, Yong-Gang Wang, Yong-Yao Xia

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium-sulfur batteries have recently attracted worldwide attention due to the high specific theoretical energy density of sulfur cathode (2600 Wh⋅kg-1), low cost and wide availability of sulfur. However, the practical application of lithium-sulfur batteries has been hindered by several challenges, such as the shuttling of polysulfide intermediates, the large volume expansion of sulfur during charge/discharge and the dendrites formation on lithium anode. Foremost among these is the shuttling effect arising from the dissolution of lithium polysulfides intermediate into the electrolyte from the cathode reaction and their diffusion to the anode where they react with metal lithium to form …


Research Progress Of Si-Based Anode Materials For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Ding-Qiong Chen, Yang Yang, Qiu-Li Li, Jin-Bao Zhao Oct 2016

Research Progress Of Si-Based Anode Materials For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Ding-Qiong Chen, Yang Yang, Qiu-Li Li, Jin-Bao Zhao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Owing to its high theoretical specific capacity (4200 mAh·g-1), silicon is a promising candidate to replace graphite as the anode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, low intrinsic electric conductivity and dramatic volume change (~ 300%) during the process of lithiation and delithiation result in electrode pulverization and capacity loss with cycling, accordingly, the application of silicon as an anode in LIBs has been severely hindered. We will discuss the structure of silicon electrode including synthesis of Si-based composites,the selection of binder for silicon and the fabrication of binder-free Si-based electrode, as well as the electrolyte additive to …


Template-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis Of Nio@Co3O4 Hollow Spheres With Hierarchical Porous Surfaces For Supercapacitor Applications, Wen Zhou, Xue-Feng Lu, Ming-Mei Wu, Gao-Ren Li Oct 2016

Template-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis Of Nio@Co3O4 Hollow Spheres With Hierarchical Porous Surfaces For Supercapacitor Applications, Wen Zhou, Xue-Feng Lu, Ming-Mei Wu, Gao-Ren Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Hollow structures have shown great potentials in a variety of important applications, such as energy conversion and storage. In order to further enhance the performance, the rational design of hollow structures with higher complexity in terms of composition and structure is highly desirable and still remains a great challenge. In this work, an efficient strategy was established for the fabrication of novel NiO@Co3O4 hollow spheres (HSs) with hierarchical porous surfaces by silica spheres template-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The as-fabricated NiO@Co3O4 HSs showed high specific surface area of 219.68 m2·g-1, and significant …


Effects Of Lithium Salts On The Properties Of Hyperbrandched/Comb-Like Composite Polymer Electrolytes, Xian-Lei Hu, Xiao-Xu Liang, Ming-Qiu Zhang, Ruo-Xin Zhang, Li-Ping Zhang, Wen-Hong Ruan Oct 2016

Effects Of Lithium Salts On The Properties Of Hyperbrandched/Comb-Like Composite Polymer Electrolytes, Xian-Lei Hu, Xiao-Xu Liang, Ming-Qiu Zhang, Ruo-Xin Zhang, Li-Ping Zhang, Wen-Hong Ruan

Journal of Electrochemistry

Based on the chemical characteristics of the hydroxyl group of PVA side-chain, the hyperbrandched poly(amine-ester) (HBPAE) was used to hypergraftingly pretreated nano-silica (SiO2) and polyving akohol (PVA). And different lithium salts were added to fabricate the SiO2-g-HBPAE/PVA-g-HBPAE hyperbrandched/comb-like composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). The dispersion of nanoparticles in matrix was observed by SEM. The effects of different lithium salts on the properties of CPEs were studied by DSC, tensile test and dielectric spectra. The results showed that the hypergrafting method improved the interphase compatibility between SiO2 and matrix. Sulfonic acid type lithium salts accelerated self-plasticizing with …


The Study Of Dynamical Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy For Oxygen Reduction Reaction On Pt/C Catalyst, Kun-Ming Shi, Jian-Wei Guo, Jia Wang Oct 2016

The Study Of Dynamical Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy For Oxygen Reduction Reaction On Pt/C Catalyst, Kun-Ming Shi, Jian-Wei Guo, Jia Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

With joint techniques of rotating disc electrode(RDE) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), and further establishment on equivalent circuit model, this paper studied oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) on commercial Pt/C catalyst in acid medium. Our results found that the dynamical interface on Pt/C consists of two independent processes: 1) the PtO reduction from Pt surface, 2) the new PtO formation from ORR, thus providing key clues for catalyst stability and activity. This also implied that the dynamical interface facilitates reconstruction for porous electrode, and matches with mass transfer. One important issue is discovered that at high overpotential, the high reaction rate for ORR …


Capture And Recycle Of Industrial Co2 Emissions Using Mircoalgae, Michael H. Wilson, Daniel T. Mohler, John G. Groppo, Thomas E. Grubbs, Stephanie Kesner, E. Molly Frazar, Aubrey Shea, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Mark Crocker Sep 2016

Capture And Recycle Of Industrial Co2 Emissions Using Mircoalgae, Michael H. Wilson, Daniel T. Mohler, John G. Groppo, Thomas E. Grubbs, Stephanie Kesner, E. Molly Frazar, Aubrey Shea, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Mark Crocker

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty and Staff Publications

A novel cyclic flow photobioreactor (PBR) for the capture and recycle of CO2 using microalgae was designed and deployed at a coal-fired power plant (Duke Energy’s East Bend Station). The PBR was operated continuously during the period May–September 2015, during which algae productivity of typically 0.1–0.2 g/(L day) was obtained. Maximum CO2 capture efficiency was achieved during peak sunlight hours, the largest recorded CO2 emission reduction corresponding to a value of 81 % (using a sparge time of 5 s/min). On average, CO2 capture efficiency during daylight hours was 44 %. The PBR at East Bend …


Application Of Metal-Organic Frameworks In Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Ya-Feng Li, Qing-Qing Sun, Ming-Deng Wei Aug 2016

Application Of Metal-Organic Frameworks In Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Ya-Feng Li, Qing-Qing Sun, Ming-Deng Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

To assemble dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with high efficiencies, their photoanodes should have large specific surface area to establish a large adsorption amount of dyes and good light-harvesting ability. From this point of view, it will be an interesting topic to explore the application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the field of DSSCs due to their huge specific surface area. This paper introduces the application of MOFs in photovoltaic devices briefly, and then summaries our approaches in using MOFs in the study of DSSCs, including the pre-treatment and the post-treatment of photoanode, the preparation of photoanode materials and the light …


Prospects Of D-Π-A Structured Porphyrins And Their Photoelectrochemical Application, Shuang-Shuang Liu, Jian-Feng Lu, Ming-Kui Wang Aug 2016

Prospects Of D-Π-A Structured Porphyrins And Their Photoelectrochemical Application, Shuang-Shuang Liu, Jian-Feng Lu, Ming-Kui Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Porphyrins and their metalloderivatives are a class of compounds exhibiting a wide variety of interesting and highly useful properties, such as chlorophyll. Porphyrins are particularly interesting in photoelectrochemical applications due to their structural similarity to chlorophylls in natural photosynthetic systems, as well as their strong and tunable absorption properties. Recently, various porphyrins have been extensively studied for their applications in solar cells, photocatalytic hydrogen production, optical information storage and others. This review will focus on the unique physical and chemical properties of D-π-A structured porphyrins, and their photovoltaic performances in dye-sensitized solar cells. A brief discussion in the future development …


Activation Effect Of Nano-Carbon Derived From Co2 On Lead Electrode In Sulfuric Aqueous Solution, Yu-Qiao Song, Hua Zhu, Guang-Jin Zhao, Wen-Long Wu, Shou-Bin Zhou, Di-Hua Wang Aug 2016

Activation Effect Of Nano-Carbon Derived From Co2 On Lead Electrode In Sulfuric Aqueous Solution, Yu-Qiao Song, Hua Zhu, Guang-Jin Zhao, Wen-Long Wu, Shou-Bin Zhou, Di-Hua Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Serious sulfation of the negative plate is one of the most popular reasons of the early failure of lead-acid battery. Addition of nano-carbon was proved to be effective for recovering the sulfated electrode and the property of the carbon material always plays an important role. In this work, a new kind of nano-carbon material with high electrical conductivity and good adsorption capability for heavy metal cations, which is electrochemically prepared from CO2 in molten carbonates, was tested as activation additive for the sulfated lead electrode by cyclic voltammetry and SEM measurements. The results showed that the as-prepared carbon can …


Hydrothermal One-Step Synthesis Of Layered Nickel/Cobalt Double Hydroxide With Using Shape-Directing Agent And Homogeneous Precipitating Agent, Li-Wei Zhu, Yun-Hai Yan, Hui Jia, Run-Fen Liang Aug 2016

Hydrothermal One-Step Synthesis Of Layered Nickel/Cobalt Double Hydroxide With Using Shape-Directing Agent And Homogeneous Precipitating Agent, Li-Wei Zhu, Yun-Hai Yan, Hui Jia, Run-Fen Liang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nickel/cobalt double hydroxide (Ni/Co-DH) has been prepared by facile hydrothermal one-step synthesis method using hexamethylene tetramine (HMT) as a homogeneous precipitating agent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a shape-directing agent. With the hydrolysis of HMT and the use of CTAB, the Ni/Co-DH could be synthesized without additional alkali source, and in the meantime, the Ni/Co-DH exhibited a controlled mesopore size of 13.4 nm and a large BET surface area of 93.6 m2 •g-1 . The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern displays that the Ni/Co-DH existed as a mixture of α-Ni(OH)2-β-Co(OH)2. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) …