vicky_Guo

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 25 April 2022; doi:10.1038/s41929-022-00772-9

Single-atom catalysts consisting of isolated iron sites on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe–N–C) are very promising cathode catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), but it is challenging to achieve a high density of single iron sites. Now, a synthetic approach is introduced to afford high-density Fe–N–C catalysts with a high PEMFC performance.

Energy storage: An aqueous concentrated electrolyte comprising 5 m MgCl₂ and 5 m tributylmethylammonium chloride (TBMACl) is demonstrated to construct a graphite∥3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) full cell dual-ion battery. The addition of TBMACl into saturated aqueous MgCl₂ solution renders the formation of [MgCl₃]⁻, which serves as an active charge carrier for the graphite cathode. Reversible storage of bulky TBMA⁺ in the PTCDI anode is observed. A full cell delivers the initial reversible capacity of 41 mAh g⁻¹ based on the mass of both electrodes and shows stable cycling over 400 cycles.

Abstract

A full cell chemistry of aqueous dual-ion battery (DIB) was reported, comprising the graphite cathode and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) as the anode. This DIB employed a mixture aqueous electrolyte: 5 m tributylmethylammonium (TBMA) chloride plus 5 m MgCl₂, where [MgCl₃]⁻ and TBMA⁺ serve as the charge carriers for cathode and anode of the DIB, respectively. This novel full cell exhibited a specific capacity of around 41 mAh g⁻¹ based on the total active mass of both electrodes with an average operation voltage of 1.45 V and stable cycling for 400 cycles.