Didactic educational opportunities in traditional domains of knowledge can be victims of slow penetration of new ideas and concepts. This is particularly manifested in areas such as electrochemistry that have for long remained supportive subjects rather than main courses. Although electrochemistry is pushing the technological envelope in no uncertain measure, the latest being its foray into the nanodomain, the subject remains largely unheralded. The conspicuous absence of a formal educational base for electrochemistry can potentially lead to loss of institutional knowledge, pulling the subject back further. Electrochemistry being a connector of disparate but key subject areas, there is an urgent need to produce a genre of flag bearers in the form of educators, scientists, engineers, technology leaders, and innovators who can steer the course of civilization through electrochemistry. Our thesis in this perspective is the need to position electrochemistry as a central subject. We also discuss challenges in teaching it and possible ways to surmount them.

n-CdZnS thin films have been prepared by our in-house designed and developed chemical bath deposition (CBD) instrument using 2-mercaptoethanol as capping agent. The structural properties were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis which results the obtained CdZnS thin films are of hexagonal phase. The surface morphology and surface texture of the fabricated CdZnS thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra recorded the optical properties of CdZnS deposited on p-Silicon<100> substrates, which showed obvious blue shift relative to the CdZnS bulk materials. Electrical properties of the grown p-Si/n-CdZnS hetero-junctions were characterized by current-voltage (I-V) measurements.

Since the beginning of modern civilization, static electricity and later current electricity have been used to get to grips with many situations. The publication of Gilbert's De magnete in 1600 triggered a series of inventions such as Leyden jar (1745: von Kleist; van Musschenbrock) and torsion balance (1784: Charles Coulomb). Current electricity was discovered at the end of the eighteenth century. Humphry Davy's remarkable prescience that electricity could overcome the normal 'chemical affinity' that holds elements together was a gamechanger, ushering in an explosion of electrochemical science. Today, electrochemistry has transformed human life in ways unimaginable only decades ago. This article is an effort to reflect upon the role of electrochemistry in our search for solutions to everyday problems and its continuing forays into areas spanning the mundane to outer space.

The good quality CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells were fabricated on molybdenum metal coated soda lime glass substrate. Three-stage co-evaporation method was utilized for the fabrication of high quality p-type CIGS thin film absorber layer. Further, n-type CdS layer, high resistive intrinsic ZnO layer and transparent conducting AlZnO layers were fabricated by CBD method and vacuum sputtering methods. We made three various top metal sandwich grid patterns, i.e. Al, Al/Cu and Cu/Al which were utilized to investigate the metal sandwich layer oriented efficiency enhancement superiority on CuInGaSe2 thin film solar cells. The investigated specific CIGS solar cell device efficiency with respect to various top metal grid sandwich patterns is presented and discussed.

A Sulfur/Poly (acrylonitrile) (PAN)/Graphene oxide (GO) hybrid electrode with inter connected structure is prepared through a simple heat treatment. In this process, the formation of a unified poly acrylonitrile /graphene oxide conductive network is accompanied by the uniform loading of sulfur, with a fraction of 52%. The as-prepared S/PAN/GO hybrid delivers an initial capacity of 1424 mAhg−1 at 0.1C. The electrochemical performance of the composite is ascribed to the conductive network designed by interconnected GO and PAN, which supply an unimpeded and uninterrupted path for electron and Li-ion transfer and accommodate the volume variation of sulfur during charge/discharge cycling. Furthermore, the residual functional groups on S/PAN/GO composite can support close contact of the conducting matrix with sulfur and efficiently confine the diffusion of polysulfides. This study gives a green and highly active technique for carbon–sulfur electrode construction for lithium–sulfur batteries. The electrochemical execution improvement can be attributed to the multiple effects of the PAN and GO additive such as conductivity, sulfur distribution, and an active absorber for the reaction products.

We report a scalable method for the preparation of nickel incorporated nitrogen-doped graphene nanoribbon (Ni/NGNRs) through a facile solvothermal process. Significantly, we show that the incorporation of nitrogen functionalities on graphene nanoribbon with tunable nickel content not only catalyzes efficiently the water oxidation reaction but enables to tweak the catalytic reactivity. Thus, Ni/NGNRs composite with higher nickel content exhibits an overpotential of 380 mV with a Tafel slope of 60 mV dec(-1) to sustain 10 mA cm(-2) under alkaline conditions. Furthermore, only a negligible current density drop is witnessed during the chronoamperometric studies suggesting the robust nature of the electrocatalyst. XPS analysis of the composite before and after polarization studies confirms the formation of nickel oxide on the exposed nickel nanoparticles during the electrochemical reaction but without any major adverse effect on the performance. We attribute the formation of nickel oxide on the exposed nickel nanoparticles as the major reason for the observed enhancement of electrocatalytic performance. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.

This chapter examines the fundamental and technological aspects of nanostructured materials for lithium-ion batteries. The chapter examines the application of nanostructured materials in anode- and cathode-active materials as well as in electrolytes. Lithium-alloying elements from Group IV-A (Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) and V-A (As, Sb, Bi) are potential next-generation anode materials. A limiting factor in the use of alloy anodes is the inordinate volume changes that accompany the charge- discharge processes. At the nanoscale, classical cathode materials, typically LiCoO2, LiNiO2 and their solid solutions, and LiMn2O4, undergo extensive surface reactions with electrolytes, raising safety concerns. Use of nanoparticles of LiMn2O4 can accelerate dissolution of manganese, especially at elevated temperatures. Safety of lithium-ion batteries has been sought to be improved by use of thermally stable electrolytes such as nanoarchitectured plastic crystal polymer electrolytes. Several methods, such as use of safety vents, shutdown separators, less flammable electrolytes, and redox shuttles, have been employed to improve safety.

Copper Indium Gallium diselenide Cu2InGaSe2 (CIGS) thin film was fabricated on molybdenum (Mo) coated soda lime glass substrate. The surface morphology, optical properties and carrier life time measurements were investigated and measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurement. The observed noteworthy results were presented and discussed.

Graphitic carbon continues to dominate as the choice anode material in lithium-ion batteries despite its theoretical specific capacity of 372 mAhg(-1). Tailored forms of graphite with higher practical capacities should, therefore, be of interest to the industry. This paper reports the production of a kish graphitic anode material from polyvinyl chloride by simultaneous carbonization of the polymer and dissolution of the resulting carbon in an iron melt to produce a supersaturated solution of carbon in iron, and subsequent precipitation of the carbon as graphite upon cooling. Our study presents a process for converting non-biodegradable plastic wastes that litter our surroundings into a technologically useful product. The new material exhibits a first-cycle reversible capacity of 444 mAhg(-1) and sustains at least 200 cycles at C/10 rate before its capacity drops below 372 mAhg(-1). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Double antireflection layers consisting of MgF2 and ZnO nanorods layers were grown on a gallium doped MgZnO transparent conducting oxide layer to enhance the efficiency of the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. When ZnO nanorods were coated with the MgF2 layer, the weighted global reflectance was decreased to 5.5% and the enhanced solar power conversion of CIGS solar cells was 17%. The enhancement of the solar cell performance was attributed to the reduction in Fresnel reflection by the gradually changed refractive index of the double antireflection coating layers.

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NDG), synthesized from graphene oxide by a hydrothermal process, was used to construct a non-aqueous symmetric supercapacitor. The electrochemical performance of NDG was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling and impedance analysis in a symmetrical hybrid supercapacitor cell with 1 M tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile as the electrolyte. The specific capacitance of NDG is 103 F g(-1) at a current density of 0.5 mA cm(-2). The NDG product exhibits a remarkably high energy density of 97 Wh kg(-1), which is double that of conventional lead-acid batteries. The superior capacitive behavior has also been compared with a few representative capacitor materials. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

In this work, cemented tungsten carbide (WC) inserts were coated with nanocarbons/carbides by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and their machinability and scratch wear resistance were investigated. The hardness and surface conditions of the WC substrate were studied before and after coating. The CVD-generated nanocarbons on the insert surfaces were examined by SEM, FE-SEM and TEM. The electron microscopic images revealed that the carbons generated were multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWC-NTs) or carbides depending on the experimental conditions. In both the cases, the cutting edges of the inserts had dense deposits. Scratch wear test with the coated inserts showed that the co-efficient of friction was 0.1 mu, as against 0.2 mu, for the uncoated inserts under a ramp load of 1-13 N. The machinability characteristics of commercially available TiCN-coated inserts and the carbon-coated WC inserts were compared by using a CNC machine and a Rapid I vision inspection system. It was found that the carbide-coated inserts exhibited machinability with better surface finish comparable to that of the TiCN-coated inserts while the MWCNT-coated inserts showed inferior adhesion properties. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were transformed into nitrogen-doped graphene/graphitic nanoribbons (N-doped GNRs) in a single-step electrochemical process at room temperature in formamide, which acts as a solvent and a source of nitrogen.

Lithium aluminate, (LiAlO2)-based porous ceramic membrane (PCM) was prepared with poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) as binder. Physical properties such as thermal stability, porosity and tortuosity of the pores were measured. Effective ionic conductivity and compatibility with lithium metal anode were also studied. The porous ceramic membrane was found to be dimensionally stable even at 135 °C. The cycling performance of 2032-type coin cell composed of Li/PCM/LiFePO4 was analyzed at different C-rates. A stable cycling was achieved at 0.1-C rate, which qualifies the membrane for lithium-ion battery applications.

Novel montmorillonite-based ceramic membrane (CM) has been prepared with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene) (PVdF-HFP) copolymer as binder. Physical properties such as surface morphology, porosity, liquid electrolyte uptake and thermal stability were analysed. The ceramic membrane was activated by soaking it in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte (1.0 M LiPF6 solution in 1/1 v/v ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate mixture) for 10 min. The compatibility of the membrane with lithium metal anode as a function of storage time was analysed by assembling a Li/CM/Li symmetric cell. Finally, a lab-scale cell composed of Li/CM/LiFePO4 is assembled and its cycling performance analysed at different C-rates. Although the ceramic membrane is not flexible, it shows high thermal stability and stable interfacial properties when in contact with the lithium metal anode. A stable cycling behaviour is demonstrated even at 1C-rate with limited fade in capacity.

A simple and cost-effective pneumatic spray pyrolysis technique (SPT) was employed to synthesize cobalt-doped zinc oxide (Co-ZnO) thin films onto the glass substrates at 450 degrees C. The effects of Co doping on the structural, optical, compositional, morphological and photoluminescence properties of ZnO thin films were investigated. XRD analysis confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the films having hexagonal crystal structure as well as successful incorporation of Co2+ ions into the lattice position of Zn2+ ions in the ZnO host. The traces of Co incorporation were confirmed by the shift of peak position of (0 0 2) plane, change in lattice parameters, the shift of optical absorption edge towards higher wavelength and observations of three bands related to d-d transitions. The observed band gap energy of Co-ZnO films decreases from 3.22 to 2.76 eV. The transmittance of the ZnO thin films decreases after Co doping. The X-ray photoemission spectra of doped films indicate the Co substitutes for Zn2+ and exist in +2 state. All the deposited pure and Co-ZnO thin films exhibit room temperature photoluminescence (PL). (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tin sulfide (SnxS1-x) nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical bath precipitation method using acetic acid as a complexing as well as capping agent. The growth of SnxS1-x was mainly influenced by the acetic acid concentration. The synthesized nanoparticles were subjected for X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence analysis to investigate its structural, surface and its luminescence properties. A noticeable result was obtained from the photoluminescence of the synthesized SnxS1-x nanoparticles which strongly evidences the SnxS1-x nanoparticles property mainly influenced by capping agent.

Thin and bendable magnesium aluminate, (MgAl2O4)-based porous ceramic membrane (PCM) was prepared with poly (vinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) as binder. The physical properties such as thermal stability, tensile strength, porosity and electrolyte uptake of the membranes were measured. The electrochemical studies like effective ionic conductivity, lithium transference number and compatibility with lithium metal anode were also carried out. The porous ceramic membrane was found to be dimensionally stable even at 135°C. Finally, a 2032-type coin cell composed of Li/PCM/LiFePO4 was assembled and its cycling profile was analyzed at 0.1 and 1C rates. A stable cycling was achieved at 1-C rate, which qualifies the membrane for lithium-ion battery applications.