Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Functional Electrolytes Designing And Studying For Lithium Metal And Non-Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries, Liping Zhang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Our current energy policy relies heavily on burning fossil fuels, raising serious concerns due to CO₂-related global warming. Consequently, significant progress is being made in pursuing renewable and green energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy. These renewable energies require rechargeable batteries as energy storage systems to compensate for their intermittent nature.

Over the decades, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become the dominant power sources for portable electronic devices. Current LIBs rely on graphite anodes with a limited theoretical capacity (372 mAh g^-1), which restricts their advanced applications. Li metal (Li⁰) anodes, with …

Computational Investigations Of Battery Electrolytes, Ke Li

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, the structure and dynamics of battery electrolytes were investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Battery electrolytes play a key role in transporting ions between the cathode and anode. The chemical stability and ionic conductivity of electrolytes influence battery performance. In order to design better electrolytes, one needs an understanding of the relationship between electrolyte structure, dynamics, and bulk properties. To bridge the gap between the macroscopic phenomenon and the hidden molecular physics, in the first project we focused on probing an ether-based electrolyte, chosen for its relevance in sodium-based batteries. Through studying the impact of concentration …

Open Ensemble Modeling Of Confined Electrolytes, Serban Zamfir

Theses and Dissertations

The main purpose of my study was to work towards better understanding the behavior of salt solutions in nanoconfinements and its causes. To this end I have developed an in-house C++ code that can perform notoriously challenging open ensemble Monte Carlo molecular simulations, calculate relevant thermodynamic and extract structural information about each system. I use this code in my first project which deals with the intrusion/extrusion of aqueous NaCl into a nanopore open to a pressurized bulk environment. For my second project, I study the effect of explicitly accounting for intramolecular polarization and accompanying multi-body interactions on the uptake, structure, …

Supercapacitors With Gate Electrodes, Tazima Selim Chowdhury

Dissertations

A new approach to improve the capacitance of supercapacitors (SC) is proposed in this study. A typical SC is composed of an anode and a cathode; a separator in between them assures an unintentional discharge of the capacitor. The study focuses on a family of structured separators, either electronically active or passive which are called gates. An active structured separator layer has been fabricated and analyzed. The structured separator has characteristics of electrical diode and is fabricated out of functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT). Improvement of the overall capacitance of SC, equipped with either active or passive structured separators demonstrated a …

Development Of A Novel Polymer-Garnet Solid State Composite Electrolyte Incorporating Li-La-Zr-Bi-O And Polyethylene Oxide, Muhammed Ramazan Oduncu

Open Access Theses

Current lithium ion batteries are comprised of organic liquid electrolytes - a mixture of lithium salts and binary solvents such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The main drawbacks of this liquid mixture related to safety are flammability of the organic solvents and chemical instability with the electrode materials. To date, various ceramic and polymer materials have been considered which overcome safety issues. However, a common problem of these solid state materials is that they are not able to provide high ionic conductivity at ambient temperatures. Garnet-type cubic Li7La 3Zr2O12 ceramic material has attracted much interest because of …

Perfluoroalkyl Phosphonic And Phosphinic Acid Electrolytes For Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Mahesha Herath

All Dissertations

Perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymers have been considered as the state-of-art membrane materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. A major technical issue with these polymers is that they do not function well at temperatures above 80 °C and at low humidities. Therefore, research has been focused on developing PEM materials that can operate independent of hydration requirements. The operation of fuel cells at high temperature (e.g. 120 oC) increases fuel cell system efficiency due to faster electrode kinetics and better CO tolerance. This dissertation will describe a study of proton-transport rates and mechanisms under anhydrous and aqueous conditions using a …

A Potentiometric Gaseous Hydrogen Sensor, Anne Guillory

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The development of a potentiometric gaseous hydrogen sensor using a 75% palladium - 25% silver alloy as a selectively hydrogen permeable electrode is described. The sensor showed some promise when used with a molten base electrolyte. Other electrolytes are investigated at ambient and higher temperatures. Various cell designs including a platinum/silver-silver chloride sensor with a gel electrolyte are discussed.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Some Sf₅- Containing Sulfonic Acids, Robert J. Willenbring

Dissertations and Theses

Pentafluorosulfur (VI) bromide (SF₅Br) adds to olefins of the form CX₂=CX₂, where X= H or F, with the pentafluorosulfur group usually adding to the carbon with more hydrogens attached to it. This series of compounds was used in an attempt to prepare the corresponding sulfonic acid hydrates of the general formula SF₅CX₂CX₂SO₃H·nH₂O, in order to have these compounds tested as possible fuel cell electrolytes. The reaction scheme involved reflux of the SF₅Br adduct with an equimolar amount of sodium sulfite in 50% …

Estimations Of The Effective Electrolytic Surface Area Of Rough And Porous Silver Electrodes ; Ii. Potentiostatic Oxidation Of Silver In Alkaline Electrolyte, James Glenn Bearss

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is written in two sections. The first section deals with the development of methods for the estimation of the effective electrolytic surface area of rough and porous silver electrodes in alkaline electrolyte. Data are presented comparing the results of three different methods of surface area estimation. Model pore electrodes were also prepared and oxidized to study the reactions in a pore. Data for constant current oxidations of these electrodes is given. The second section deals with the potentiostatic oxidations of silver in alkaline electrolyte. Data are presented on the total charge acceptance versus applied potential for a potential …

Potentiometric Titration, S. Lillian Kern

Chemistry Honors Papers

This 27 page thesis contains a general description of the theory and technique of potentiometric titrations.

The Determination Of Hydrogen Ion Concentration By The Electrometric Method, Evelyn Matthews Cook

Chemistry Honors Papers

This 12 page thesis examines the measurement of ion concentrations in solution using electrometric titration.

Some Phenomena Which Accompany The Electrolysis Of Certain Salt Solutions, When The Electrodes Are Physically Separated By Means Of A Diaphragm Of Solid Gelatine, Containing The Same Salt As Is Used For The Electrolyte: A Study Of The Automatic Termination Of The Electrolysis, When Conducted Under The Above Conditions, Ernest Carl Wagner

Chemistry Honors Papers

This 22 page thesis is a record of work done during the summer of 1910, by Dr. W. H. Stoner, and during the summer of 1912 and the spring of 1914, by the writer, in the Chemical Laboratory of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia.