The Trustees of Boston College

Dunwei Wang

Qi Dong

Sa Zhou

Xizi Zhang

Qingmei Cheng

Jingru Luo

Xiahui Yao

Yongjing Lin

A flow cell for reducing carbon dioxide may include a first chamber having a gold coated gas diffusion layer working electrode, a reference electrode, and a water-in-salt electrolyte comprising a super concentrated aqueous solution of lithium bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). A second chamber adjacent the first chamber has a gold coated gas diffusion layer counter electrode and the water-in-salt electrolyte. The second chamber being separated from the first chamber by a proton exchange membrane. A reservoir coupled to each of the first and the second chambers with a pump contains a volume of the water-in-salt electrolyte and a head space.

Water-in-salt electrolyte for electrochemical redox reactions

Solar rechargeable battery combines the advantages of photoelectrochemical devices and batteries and has emerged as an attractive alternative to artificial photosynthesis for large-scale solar energy harvesting and storage. Due to the low photovoltages by the photoelectrodes, however, most previous demonstrations of unassisted photocharge have been realized on systems with low open circuit potentials (&#x3c;0.8 V). In response to this critical challenge, here the present disclosure shows that the combined photovoltages exceeding 1.4 V can be obtained using a TaNnanotube photoanode and a GaN nanowire/Si photocathode with high photocurrents (&#x3e;5 mA/cm). The photoelectrode system makes it possible to operate a 1.2 V alkaline anthraquinone/ferrocyanide redox battery with a high ideal solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 3.0% without externally applied potentials. Importantly, the photocharged battery was successfully discharged with a high voltage output.

Photorechargeable high voltage redox battery enabled by photoelectrodes

The present invention demonstrates Br-based conversion chemistry is a potential route toward rechargeable Mg-batteries. Compared with Mg-ion or Mg-air chemistries, the Mg&#x2014;Brsystem features fast kinetics and good cyclability. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a rechargeable non-aqueous, dual-electrolyte scheme. In one embodiment, the anolyte consisted of Mg(TFSI)dissolved in a monoglyme and diglyme mixture, whereas the catholyte was composed of Mg(TFSI)in PYRTFSI ionic liquid mixed with active bromine species. When Mg was used as the anode, an open circuit voltage of 3.0 V (vs. Mg/Mg) was measured.

Rechargeable non-aqueous Mg&#x2014;Brbattery

The invention generally relates to new materials based on C49 titanium disilicide (TiSi) as a new, layered anode material, within which lithium ions can react with the Si-only layers. Stabilization by a coating a thin layer of oxide on the surface of TiSisignificantly improves the charge and discharge performance.

Layered titanium disilicide, method of preparation and applications thereof

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to hetero-nanostructures for efficient solar energy conversions, and more particularly to the fabrication of titanium dioxide hetero-nanostructures and methods of using same for water splitting. In an embodiment, a hetero-nanostructure includes a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams linked together at an about 90-degree angle, the plurality of nanobeams including a conductive silicide core having an n-type photoactive titanium dioxide shell. In an embodiment, a device for splitting water to generate hydrogen and oxygen includes a first compartment two-dimensional hetero-nanostructure having a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams, each nanobeam substantially perpendicular to another nanobeam, the plurality of nanobeams including an n-type photoactive titanium dioxide shell having a highly conductive core; and a second compartment copper-doped titanium dioxide nanostructure, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a semi-permeable membrane.

Hetero-nanostructures for solar energy conversions and methods of fabricating same

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the fabrication of complex two-dimensional conductive silicide nanostructures, and methods of fabricating the nanostructures. In an embodiment, a conductive silicide includes a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams linked together at an about 90-degree angle, the plurality of nanobeams forming a two-dimensional nanostructure having a mesh-like appearance. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a two-dimensional conductive silicide includes performing chemical vapor deposition, wherein one or more gas or liquid precursor materials carried by a carrier gas stream react to form a nanostructure having a mesh-like appearance and including a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams linked together at an about 90-degree angle.

Growing community of inventors

Newton Highlands, MA, United States of America

Dunwei Wang