“Electrolytes for Lithium and Lithium-Ion Batteries”, published in 2014 by Springer, is Volume 58 in the Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry series. The volume is edited by T. Richard Jow, Kang Xu, Oleg Borodin and Makoto Ue. In the preface the Editors set out their purpose in compiling this volume, which was to provide a comprehensive overview of electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. It covers electrolyte research and development in the last ten years and may be used as a foundation for future work and directions. The volume succeeds in covering the multifaceted area of electrolytes in a logical and highly comprehensive manner.
Chapter topics include lithium salts, advances in solvents, additives and ionic liquids, then progressing to understanding of the cathode and anode interphases, reviewing various characterisation approaches, a discussion of modelling approaches and finally future technologies such as lithium air batteries.
“Nanomaterials for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fundamentals and Applications” is edited by Rachid Yazami and is published by Pan Stanford Publishing Pte Ltd. The book covers the latest developments in new materials for lithium-ion batteries including examples of novel alloys, oxides and conversion materials for use as anodes and phosphates, high voltage spinels and layered oxides for use as cathodes. Composite structures incorporating reduced graphene oxide are considered along with thin films and nanowires. Emphasis is also placed on combining electrochemical test data with materials characterisation and detailed explanation of the mechanisms occurring.
Angel Cuesta is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, UK. His research is of interest in the field of materials for electrochemical applications and focuses on combining classical electrochemical techniques, in situ vibrational and optical spectroscopy and in situ scanning probe microscopy to obtain as detailed a description as possible, at the molecular level, of the...
Palladium based membranes are widely used for supplying ultra-high purity hydrogen to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) installed on small vehicles and various electronic devices. Compared to pressure swing adsorption (PSA), the use of palladium based membrane is more economical for small size (small capacity) applications. The transportation of hydrogen through a palladium based membrane is governed by Sieverts’ Law and quantified with Fick’s First Law. Since the 20th century, the fabrication of high-performance palladium based membrane for enhanced hydrogen recovery performance has become practical. However, along with the improvement in hydrogen recovery performance, concentration polarisation becomes unavoidable because hydrogen permeation flux starts to affect hydrogen concentration at the membrane surface. Various parametric studies have investigated the effects of membrane thickness, hydrogen molar fraction and total upstream and downstream pressures on concentration polarisation level. The influence of membrane temperature, permeability, type and number of species in the hydrogen mixture, diffusivity of the hydrogen mixture, system configurations and flow patterns are also reported and comprehensively reviewed in this paper. Part II will complete the presentation.
