| 1. |
- Banerjee, Amitava
(author)
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Materials Modelling for Energy Harvesting : From Conversion to Application through Storage
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In this Ph.D. thesis, ab initio density functional theory along with molecular dynamics and global optimization methods are used to unveil and understand the structures and properties of energy relevant materials. In this connection, the following applications are considered: i. electrocatalyst for solar fuel production through water splitting, ii. hybrid perovskite solar cell for generation of electrical energy and iii. Battery materials to store the electrical energy. The water splitting mechanism in terms of hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) on the catalytic surfaces has been envisaged based on the free energy diagram, named reaction coordinate, of the reaction intermediates. The Ti-functionalized two-dimensional (2D) borophene monolayer has been emerged as a promising material for HER and OER mechanisms as compared to the pristine borophene sheet. Further investigation in the series of this noble metal free monolayer catalyst is 2D Al2C monolayer both in form of pristine and functionalized with nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), boron (B), and sulphur (S). It has been observed that only B substituted Al2C shows very close to thermoneutral, that could be the most promising candidate for HER on functionalized Al2C monolayer. The adsorption of O* intermediate is stronger in S-substituted Al2C, whereas it is less strongly adsorbed on N-substituted Al2C. The subsequent consideration is being the case of n-type doping (W) along with Ti codoped in BiVO4 to enhance the efficiency of BiVO4 photoanode for water splitting. The determined adsorption energy and corresponding Gibbs free energies depict that the Ti site is energetically more favorable for water splitting. Moreover, the Ti site possesses a lower overpotential in the W–Ti codoped sample as compared to the mono-W doped sample. We have also explored the effect of mixed cation and mixed anion substitution in the hybrid perovskite in terms of structural stability, electronic properties and optical response of hybrid perovskite crystal structures. It has been found that the insertion of bromine (Br) into the system could modulate the stability of the Guanidinium lead iodide (GAPbI3) hybrid perovskite. Moreover, the band gap of the mixed hybrid perovskite is increased with the inclusion of smaller Br anion while replacing partially the larger iodine (I) anion. Finally the electrochemical storage mechanism for Sodium (Na) and lithium (Li) ion insertion has been envisaged in inorganic electrode (eldfellite, NaFe(SO4)2) as well as in more sustainable organic electrode (di-lithium terephthalate, Li2TP). The full desodiation capability of the eldfellite enhances the capacity while the activation energies (higher than 1 eV) for the Na+ ion diffusion for the charged state lower the ionic insertion rate. The key factor as the variation of Li-O coordination in the terephthalate, for the disproportionation redox reaction in Li2TP is also identified.
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| 2. |
- Shukla, Vivekanand
(author)
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Computational Studies of 2D Materials : Application to Energy Storage and Electron Transport in Nanoscale Devices
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The field of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials provides a new platform for studying diverse physical phenomena that are scientifically interesting and relevant for technological applications. Novel applications in electronics and energy storage harness the unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of 2D materials for design of crucial components. Atomically thin, with large surface to volume ratio, these materials are attractive for broad applications for hydrogen storage, sensing, batteries and photo-catalysis. Theoretical predictions from atomically resolved computational simulations of 2D materials play a pivotal role in designing and advancing these developments.The central topic of this thesis is 2D materials studied using density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green’s function. The electronic structure and transport properties are discussed for several synthesized and predicted 2D materials, with diverse potential applications in nanoscale electronic devices, gas sensing, and electrodes for rechargeable batteries. Lateral and vertical heterostructures have been studied for applications in nanoscale devices such as graphene/hBN heterostructure nanogap for a potential DNA sequencing device, while in case of twisted bilayer black phosphorus nanojunction, where electronic and transport properties have been explored for diode-like characteristics device. We also have addressed the structural, electronic and transport properties of the recently synthesized polymorphs of 2D borons known as borophenes. We have explored the conventional methods of tuning the material’s properties such as strain in borophene and substitutional doping in black phosphorus with the further investigation of their gas sensing application.A significant portion of this thesis is also dedicated to the energy storage applications of different 2D materials. Energy storage technologies arise with vital importance in providing effective ways to transport and commercialize the produced energy, aiming at rechargeable batteries with high energy and power density. In this context, first-principles simulations have been applied together with other theoretical tools to evaluate structural properties, ion intercalation kinetics, specific capacity and open circuit voltage of selected 2D materials at the atomic level. The simulation study supports the understanding while improving the properties of the materials to increase their efficiency in battery operation.
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| 3. |
- Watcharatharapong, Teeraphat
(author)
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Defect Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Polyanionic Cathodes : A Theoretical Roadmap for Na-ion based Batteries and Hybrid Supercapacitors
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In this thesis, the framework of the density functional theory is employed to study and predict properties of polyanionic cathodes for Na-ion batteries and hybrid supercapacitors. It consists of three main parts as follows:The first part is primarily dedicated to kröhnkite-type Na2Fe(SO4)22H2O cathode. The major goal is to probe diffusion mechanisms of Na+ ions. The chemical potentials diagrams for the pentrary compound are determined under thermodynamic equilibrium and are used to calculate pH value for solution-based synthesis. We find that the presence of NaFe facilitates a faster migration and reduces the channel blockage issue. Moreover, the defect concentration can be tuned by controlling the pH condition. We conclude that defects and small hole polarons play a role in ionic and electronic conductivity.The second part focuses on alluaudite-type Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3 (NFSδ). We unveil the effect of the non-stoichiometry on the thermodynamics, defect nature, and voltage profiles NFSδ with δ = 0, 0.25 and 0.5. The relation between Na ion distribution and energetics is studied and reveals the necessity of using a supercell model. Chemical potential diagrams indicate an inevitable impurity precipitation in all cases, but can be reduced at low δ. Defect formation analysis shows an unlikely formation of channel blockage and can explain the impurity precipitation in experiment. Two types of phase transition are observed after half-desodiation. A higher degree of non-stoichiometry offers an improvement in specific capacity and structural reversibility for NFS0.25 and NFS0.5. The voltage profiles and formation energy reveal the Na intercalation mechanism and strategy to enhance the specific capacity.The third part is associated with battery-type cathodes used in hybrid supercapacitors, namely the NaMPO4 and MMoO4 (where M is a transition metal). We find that triphylite NaNiPO4 shows a better electrochemical performance as compared to maricite phase due to the merit of intercalation mechanism. A mixed-NaMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4 is predicted to show faradaic behavior, mainly contributed from the Ni and Mn redox reactions, along with an improved electronic conductivity. Moreover, the effect of M substitution on phase stability, electronic properties and charge transfer is also studied in MMoO4 with M = Mn, Co and Ni. The highest capacitance is predicted for NiMoO4 amongst the others and is attributed to the higher active surface area. To compromise the capacitance and cycling stability, Mn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3MoO4 is synthesized. We predict its crystal structure by using the SQS method. Based on electronic structure, we can identify a source of the improved cycling efficiency and specific capacitance of this mixed compound.
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