Hu, L;
Johnson, ID;
Kim, S;
Nolis, GM;
Freeland, JW;
Yoo, HD;
Fister, TT;
... Cabana, J; + view all
(2019)
Tailoring the electrochemical activity of magnesium chromium oxide towards Mg batteries through control of size and crystal structure.
Nanoscale
, 11
(2)
pp. 639-646.
10.1039/c8nr08347a.
Preview |
Text
c8nr08347a.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Chromium oxides with the spinel structure have been predicted to be promising high voltage cathode materials in magnesium batteries. Perennial challenges involving the mobility of Mg2+ and reaction kinetics can be circumvented by nano-sizing the materials in order to reduce diffusion distances, and by using elevated temperatures to overcome activation energy barriers. Herein, ordered 7 nm crystals of spinel-type MgCr2O4 were synthesized by a conventional batch hydrothermal method. In comparison, the relatively underexplored Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Synthesis (CHFS) method was used to make highly defective sub-5 nm MgCr2O4 crystals. When these materials were made into electrodes, they were shown to possess markedly different electrochemical behavior in a Mg2+ ionic liquid electrolyte, at moderate temperature (110 °C). The anodic activity of the ordered nanocrystals was attributed to surface reactions, most likely involving the electrolyte. In contrast, evidence was gathered regarding the reversible bulk deintercalation of Mg2+ from the nanocrystals made by CHFS. This work highlights the impact on electrochemical behavior of a precise control of size and crystal structure of MgCr2O4. It advances the understanding and design of new cathode materials for Mg-based batteries.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Tailoring the electrochemical activity of magnesium chromium oxide towards Mg batteries through control of size and crystal structure |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1039/c8nr08347a |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1039/c8nr08347a |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Chemistry |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10064870 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
