Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a unique non-destructive technique employed to analyze various devices in different energy storage applications. It characterizes materials and interfaces for their properties in heterogeneous systems employing equivalent circuits as models. So far, it has been used to analyze the performance of various photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, batteries, and other energy storage devices, through equivalent circuit designing. This review highlights the diverse applications of EIS in fuel cells and specific parameters affecting its performance. A particular emphasis has been laid on the challenges faced by this technique and their possible solutions.

Electrochemical properties of LiMn₂O₄ cathode were investigated in three types of Zn-containing electrolytes: lithium-zinc sulfate electrolyte (1M ZnSO₄ / 2M Li₂SO₄), zinc sulfate electrolyte (2MZnSO₄) and lithium-zinc-manganese sulfate electrolyte (1MZnSO₄ / 2MLi₂SO₄ / 0.1MMnSO₄). Cyclic voltammetry measurements demonstrated that LiMn₂O₄ is electrochemically inactive in pure ZnSO₄ electrolyte after initial oxidation. The effect of manganese (II) additive in the zinc-manganese sulfate electrolyte on the electrochemical performance was analyzed. The initial capacity of LiMn₂O₄ is higher in presence of MnSO₄ (140 mAh g^-1 in 1 M ZnSO₄ / 2 M Li₂SO₄ / 0.1 M MnSO₄ and 120 mAh g^-1 in 1 M ZnSO₄ / 2MLi₂SO₄). The capacity increase can be explained by the electrodeposition of MnO_x layer on the electrode surface. Structural characterization of postmortem electrodes with use of XRD and EDX analysis confirmed that partially formed in pure ZnSO₄ electrolyte Zn-containing phase leads to fast capacity fading which is probably related to blocked electroactive sites.

Heavy metals recovery from Printed Circuit Boards industrial wastewater is crucial because of its cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness. In this study, a copper recovery route combining the sequential processes of acid leaching and LIX 984N extracting with an electrowinning technique from Printed Circuit Boards production's sludge was performed. The used residual sludge was originated from Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Limited Company (URENCO). The extracted solution from the printed circuit boards waste sludge containing a high copper concentration of 19.2 g/L and a small amount of iron (0.575 ppm) was used as electrolyte for the subsequent electrolysis process. By using a simulation model for multi-step current electrolysis, the reasonable current densities for an electrolysis time interval of 30 minutes were determined, to optimize the specific consumption energy for the copper recovery. The mathematical simulation model was built to calculate the important parameters of this process.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high energy density and economic viability. In addition, all-solid-state LSBs, which use solid-state electrolytes, have been proposed to overcome the polysulfide shuttle effect while improving safety. However, the high interfacial resistance and poor ionic conductivity exhibited by the electrode and solid-state electrolytes, respectively, are significant challenges in the development of these LSBs. Herein, we apply a poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based composite solid-state electrolyte with oxide Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) solid-state electrolyte in an all-solid-state LSB to overcome these challenges. We use an electrochemical method to evaluate the degradation of the all-solid-state LSB in accordance with the carbon content and loading weight within the cathode. The all-solid-state LSB, with sulfur-carbon content in a ratio of 3:3, exhibited a high initial discharge capacity (1386 mAh g^-1), poor C-rate performance, and capacity retention of less than 50%. The all-solid-state LSB with a high loading weight exhibited a poor overall electrochemical performance. The factors influencing the electrochemical performance degradation were revealed through systematic analysis.

In this paper, we report the effects of temperature on the deterioration of graphite-based negative electrodes during the longterm cycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). After cycling 75 Ah pouch-type LIB full cells at temperatures of 45℃ (45-Cell) and 25℃ (25-Cell) until their end of life, we expected to observe changes in the negative electrode according to the temperature. The thickness of the negative electrode of the cell was greater after cycling; that of the electrode of 45-Cell (144 ㎛) was greater than that of the electrode of 25-Cell (109 ㎛). Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed that by-products caused this increase in the thickness of the negative electrode. The by-products that formed on the surface of the negative electrode during cycling increased the surface resistance and decreased the electrical conductivity. Voltage profiles showed that the negative electrode of 25-Cell exhibited an 84.7% retention of the initial capacity, whereas that of 45-Cell showed only a 70.3% retention. The results of this study are expected to be relevant to future analyses of the deterioration characteristics of the negative electrode and battery deterioration mechanisms, and are also expected to provide basic data for advanced battery design.

In the present study, the corrosion behavior of aluminum Al-7075 tempered (T-6 condition) alloy was evaluated by immersion testing and electrochemical testing in 1.75% and 3.5% NaCl environment at acidic, neutral and basic pH. The data obtained by both immersion tests and electrochemical corrosion tests (potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests) present that the corrosion rate of the alloy specimens is minimum for the pH=7 condition of the solution due to the formation of dense and well adherent thin protective oxide layer. Whereas the solutions with acidic and alkaline pH cause shift in the corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy to more active domains aggravated by the constant flux of acidic and alkaline ions (Cl^- and OH^-) in the media which anodically dissolve the Al matrix in comparison to precipitated intermetallic phases (cathodic in nature) formed due to T6 treatment. Consequently, the pitting behavior of the alloy, as observed by cyclic polarization tests, shifts to more active regions when pH of the solutions changes from neutral to alkaline environment due to localized dissolution of the matrix in alkaline environment that ingress by diffusion through the pores in the oxide film. Microscopic analysis also strengthens the results obtained by immersion corrosion testing and electrochemical corrosion testing as the study examines the corrosion behavior of this alloy under a systematic evaluation in marine environment.

The microblade cutting method, so-called SAICAS, is widely used to quantify the adhesion of battery composite electrodes at different depths. However, as the electrode thickness or loading increases, the reliability of adhesion values measured by the conventional method is being called into question more frequently. Thus, herein, a few underestimated parameters, such as friction, deformation energy, side-area effect, and actual peeing area, are carefully revisited with ultrathick composite electrodes of 135 ㎛ (6 mAh cm^-2). Among them, the existence of side areas and the change in actual peeling area are found to have a significant influence on measured horizontal forces. Thus, especially for ultrahigh electrodes, we can devise a new SAICAS measurement standard: 1) the side-area should be precut and 2) the same actual peeling area must be secured for obtaining reliable adhesion at different depths. This guideline will practically help design more robust composite electrodes for high-energy-density batteries.

The methyl 2-(1,3-dithietan -2- ylidene)-3-oxobutanoate (MDYO) and 2-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene) cyclohexane -1,3-dione (DYCD) were synthesized and tested at various concentrations as corrosion inhibitors for 316L stainless steel in 1 M HCl using weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), surface analysis techniques (SEM / EDX and Raman spectroscopy) and Functional Density Theory (DFT) was also used to calculate quantum parameters. The obtained results indicated that the inhibition efficiency of MDYO and DYCD increases with their concentration, and the highest value of corrosion inhibition efficiency was determined in the range of concentrations investigated (0.01 × 10^-3 - 10^-3 M). Polarization curves (Tafel extrapolation) showed that both compounds act as mixed-type inhibitors in 1M HCl solutions. Electrochemical impedance spectra (Nyquist plots) are characterized by a capacitive loop observed at high frequencies, and another small inductive loop near low frequencies. The thermodynamic data of adsorption of the two compounds on the stainless steel surface and the activation energies were determined and then discussed. Analysis of experimental results shows that MDYO and DYCD inhibitors adsorb to the metal surface according to the Langmuir model and the mechanism of adsorption of both inhibitors involves physisorption. SEM-EDX results confirm the existence of an inhibitor protective film on the stainless steel surface. The results derived from theoretical calculations supported the experimental observation.

Trimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TriMA BF₄), consisting of the smallest trialkylammonium ion, was investigated for use in electrochemical double-layer capacitors. Despite the presence of a proton in TriMA⁺, cycle life tests in acetonitrile (AN) and -butyrolactone (GBL) showed a good capacity retention with a 1.8 V cut-off voltage. The rate of electrolysis of TriMA BF₄ in GBL was lower than that in AN because of the lower conductivity in GBL. As a consequence, the cells based on GBL achieved a higher capacitance and longer life than those with AN. TriMA BF₄ had a higher conductivity and lower viscosity than the quaternary salt tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in GBL, as well as higher ionic mobility, these factors resulted in a higher rate capability.

In this study, electrochemical treatment of urban wastewater with electrical conductivity of 1000 μS cm^-1 and chemical oxygen demand of 250 mg L^-1 was investigated using the variables of initial pH value, current density and flow rate. Electrocoagulation was used, in which aluminum and stainless steel were selected, as the electrochemical treatment process. The electrocoagulation process was operated in continuous mode. The data obtained in experimental studies show that the best COD removal efficiency occurred in experiments where the initial pH value was 6. The increase in current density from 5 A to 15 A decreased the removal efficiency from 79 to 67%. The increase in flow rate under constant current density also reduced the efficiency of removal as expected. In experiments in which current density and flow rate were examined together, the increase in flow rate allowed the application of higher current densities. This situation led to considerable reductions in energy consumption values, even if the COD removal efficiency did not significantly increase. The high COD removal obtained with the use of high flow rate and high current density indicates that the electrocoagulation process can be used for high flow rate municipal wastewater treatment.

Utilization of high-voltage electrolyte additive(s) at a small fraction is a cost-effective strategy for a good solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and performance improvement of a lithium-rich layered oxide-based high-energy lithium-ion cell by avoiding the occurrence of metal-dissolution that is one of the failure modes. To mitigate metal-dissolution, we explored fluorinated dual-additives of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and di(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)carbonate (DFDEC) for building-up of a good SEI in a 4.7 V full-cell that consists of high-capacity silicon-graphite composite (15 wt% Si/C/CF/C-graphite) anode and Li_1.13Mn_0.463Ni_0.203Co_0.203O₂ (LMNC) cathode. The full-cell including optimum fractions of dual-additives shows increased capacity to 228 mAhg^-1 at 0.2C and improved performance from the one in the base electrolyte. Surface analysis results find that the SEI stabilization of LMNC cathode induced by dual-additives leads to a suppression of soluble Mn²⁺-O formation at cathode surface, mitigating metal-dissolution event and crack formation as well as structural degradation. The SEI and structure of Si/C/CF/C-graphite anode is also stabilized by the effects of dual-additives, contributing to performance improvement. The data give insight into a basic understanding of cathode-electrolyte and anode-electrolyte interfacial processes and cathode-anode interaction that are critical factors affecting full-cell performance.

In this report the thermochemical conversion of Sm₂O₃ to SmCl₃ using AlCl₃ in LiCl-KCl melt at 773 K is discussed. The final product was a mixture of SmCl₃, Al₂O₃, unreacted Sm₂O₃ and AlCl₃ in the chloride melt. The electrochemical attributes of the mixture was analyzed with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The crystallographic phases of the mixture were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The major chemical conversion was optimized by varying the effective parameters, such as concentrations of AlCl₃, duration of reaction and the amount of LiCl-KCl salt. The extent of conversion and qualitative assessment of efficiency of the present protocol were evaluated with fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) studies of the mixture. Thus, a critical assessment of the thermochemical conversion efficiency was accomplished by analysing the amount of SmCl₃ in LiCl-KCl melt. In the process, a conversion efficiency of 95% was achieved by doubling the stoichiometric requirement of AlCl₃ in 50 g of LiCl-KCl salt. The conversion reaction was found to be very fast as the reaction reached equilibrium in 15 min.

The study presents kinetics of degradation and mineralization of an anti-epileptic drug Lamotrigine (LAM) in the aqueous matrix by electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) on Ti/DSA (Ta₂O₅-Ir₂O₅) and Stainless Steel (SS) anodes using sodium sulphate as supporting electrolyte. On both the anodes, kinetic behaviour was pseudo-first-order for degradation as well as mineralization of LAM. On Ti/DSA anode, maximum LAM degradation of 75.42% was observed at an associated specific charge of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 100 ppm Na₂SO₄ concentration. Maximum mineralization attained was 44.83% at an associated specific charge of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 50 ppm concentration of Na₂SO₄ with energy consumption of 2942.71 kWh/kgTOC. Under identical conditions on SS anode, a maximum of 98.92% LAM degradation was marked after a specific charge (Q) of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 100 ppm concentration of Na₂SO₄. Maximum LAM mineralization on SS anode was 98.53%, marked at a specific charge of 3.1 (Ah/litre) at a current density of 1.38 mA/cm² and 75 ppm concentration of Na₂SO₄, with energy consumption of 1312.17 kWh/kgTOC. Higher Mineralization Current Efficiency (MCE) values were attained for EAOP on SS anode for both degradation and mineralization due to occurrence of combined electro-oxidation and electro-coagulation process in comparison to EAOP on Ti/DSA anode due to occurrence of lone electro-oxidation process.

The high internal resistance (R_int) that develops across the sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC) limits their power production (~4/10 mW m^-2) that can be recovered from an initial oil-contaminated sediment (OCS). In the anolyte, R_int is related to poor biodegradation activity, quality and quantity of contaminant content in the sediment and anode material. While on the catholyte, R_int depends on the properties of the catholyte, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the cathode material. In this work, the main factors limiting the power output of the SMFC have been minimized. The power output of the SMFC was increased (47 times from its initial value, ~4 mW m^-2) minimizing the SMFC R_int (28 times from its initial value, 5000 ohms), following the main modifications. Anolyte: the initial OCS was amended with several amounts of gasoline and kerosene. The best anaerobic microbial activity of indigenous populations was better adapted (without more culture media) to 3 g of kerosene. Catholyte: ORR was catalyzed in birnessite/carbon fabric (CF)-cathode at pH 2, 0.8M Na₂SO₄. At the class level, the main microbial groups (Gammaproteobacteria, Coriobacteriia, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria) with electroactive members were found at C-anode and were associated with the high-power densities obtained. Gasoline is more difficult to biodegrade than kerosene. However, in both cases, SMFC biodegradation activity and power output are increased when ORR is performed on birnessite/CF in 0.8 M Na₂SO₄ at pH 2. The work discussed here can focus on bioremediation (in heavy OCS) or energy production in future work.