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Showing papers by "Magali Ferrandon published in 2016"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Through coupled experimental analysis and computational techniques, the origin of anodic stability for a range of nonaqueous zinc electrolytes is uncovered, and it is elucidates that the solvents play an important role in anodic Stability of most electrolytes.
Abstract: Through coupled experimental analysis and computational techniques, we uncover the origin of anodic stability for a range of nonaqueous zinc electrolytes. By examination of electrochemical, structural, and transport properties of nonaqueous zinc electrolytes with varying concentrations, it is demonstrated that the acetonitrile-Zn(TFSI)2, acetonitrile-Zn(CF3SO3)2, and propylene carbonate-Zn(TFSI)2 electrolytes can not only support highly reversible Zn deposition behavior on a Zn metal anode (≥99% of Coulombic efficiency) but also provide high anodic stability (up to ∼3.8 V vs Zn/Zn(2+)). The predicted anodic stability from DFT calculations is well in accordance with experimental results, and elucidates that the solvents play an important role in anodic stability of most electrolytes. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to understand the solvation structure (e.g., ion solvation and ionic association) and its effect on dynamics and transport properties (e.g., diffusion coefficient and ionic conductivity) of the electrolytes. The combination of these techniques provides unprecedented insight into the origin of the electrochemical, structural, and transport properties in nonaqueous zinc electrolytes.

172 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a combinatorial set of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene derivatives with different arrangements of substituents was generated and a minimalistic structure that combines exceptional long-term stability in its oxidized form and a record-breaking intrinsic capacity of 161.
Abstract: In advanced electrical grids of the future, electrochemically rechargeable fluids of high energy density will capture the power generated from intermittent sources like solar and wind. To meet this outstanding technological demand there is a need to understand the fundamental limits and interplay of electrochemical potential, stability, and solubility in low-weight redox-active molecules. By generating a combinatorial set of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene derivatives with different arrangements of substituents, we discovered a minimalistic structure that combines exceptional long-term stability in its oxidized form and a record-breaking intrinsic capacity of 161 mAh/g. The nonaqueous redox flow battery has been demonstrated that uses this molecule as a catholyte material and operated stably for 100 charge/discharge cycles. The observed stability trends are rationalized by mechanistic considerations of the reaction pathways.

57 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the concentration-dependent electrochemical and mass transport properties of a non-aqueous, halogen-free Mg electrolyte composed of magnesium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide in diglyme (Mg(TFSI)2/G2) were evaluated.
Abstract: Development of Mg electrolytes that can plate/strip Mg is not trivial and remains one of the major roadblocks to advance Mg battery research. Halogen-free electrolyte has attracted great attention due to its high stability, less corrosive nature and compatibility with Mg metal anodes. However, the electrochemical properties of such electrolytes have not been analytically evaluated in the literature. Herein, we report a systematic study of the concentration-dependent electrochemical and mass transport properties of a non-aqueous, halogen-free Mg electrolyte composed of magnesium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide in diglyme (Mg(TFSI)2/G2). Specifically, cyclic voltammograms confirm that plating and stripping of Mg in Mg(TFSI)2/G2 electrolyte occur over a wide concentration range. Results suggest a comparably difficult magnesium dissolution in Mg(TFSI)2/G2 electrolyte in contrast to in Grignard based electrolytes. Dissolution overpotential shows a non-monotonic dependence on electrolyte concentration, it requires an ∼2 V overpotential to deposit Mg. Findings also reveal concentration-dependent mass transport properties, including concentration-dependent electrolyte diffusivity and transference number. The atomic environment of the Mg(TFSI)2/G2, as being further explored by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurement and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, is coupled with the electrochemical measurements to explain the observed concentration-dependent mass transport properties.

56 citations


Journal Article
01 Aug 2016-Nature
TL;DR: A minimalistic structure is discovered that combines exceptional long-term stability in its oxidized form and a record-breaking intrinsic capacity of 161 mAh/g by generating a combinatorial set of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene derivatives with different arrangements of substituents.
Abstract: United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, & Biosciences Division (Contract DE-AC02-06CH11357)

47 citations