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Author Snoeckx, R.; Van Wesenbeeck, K.; Lenaerts, S.; Cha, M.S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title (up) Suppressing the formation of NOxand N2O in CO2/N2dielectric barrier discharge plasma by adding CH4: scavenger chemistry at work Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Sustainable Energy & Fuels Abbreviated Journal Sustainable Energy Fuels
Volume 3 Issue 6 Pages 1388-1395
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The need for carbon negative technologies led to the development of a wide array of novel CO<sub>2</sub>conversion techniques. Most of them either rely on high temperatures or generate highly reactive O species, which can lead to the undesirable formation of NO<sub>x</sub>and N<sub>2</sub>O when the CO<sub>2</sub>feeds contain N<sub>2</sub>. Here, we show that, for plasma-based CO<sub>2</sub>conversion, adding a hydrogen source, as a chemical oxygen scavenger, can suppress their formation,<italic>in situ</italic>. This allows the use of low-cost N<sub>2</sub>containing (industrial and direct air capture) feeds, rather than expensive purified CO<sub>2</sub>. To demonstrate this, we add CH<sub>4</sub>to a dielectric barrier discharge plasma used for converting impure CO<sub>2</sub>. We find that when adding a stoichiometric amount of CH<sub>4</sub>, 82% less NO<sub>2</sub>and 51% less NO are formed. An even higher reduction (96 and 63%) can be obtained when doubling this amount. However, in that case the excess radicals promote the formation of by-products, such as HCN, NH<sub>3</sub>and CH<sub>3</sub>OH. Thus, we believe that by using an appropriate amount of chemical scavengers, we can use impure CO<sub>2</sub>feeds, which would bring us closer to ‘real world’ conditions and implementation.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000469258600021 Publication Date 2019-02-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2398-4902 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, G0F9618N ; Universiteit Antwerpen; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, BAS/1/1384-01-01 ;The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from the “Excellence of Science Program” (Fund for Scientic Research Flanders (FWO): grant no. G0F9618N; EOS ID: 30505023). The authors R. S. and M. S. C. acknowledge nancial support from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under award number BAS/1/1384-01-01. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @UA @ admin @ c:irua:160268 Serial 5188
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Author Van Alphen, S.; Jardali, F.; Creel, J.; Trenchev, G.; Snyders, R.; Bogaerts, A.
Title (up) Sustainable gas conversion by gliding arc plasmas: a new modelling approach for reactor design improvement Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Sustainable energy & fuels Abbreviated Journal Sustainable Energy Fuels
Volume 5 Issue 6 Pages 1786-1800
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Research in plasma reactor designs is developing rapidly as plasma technology is gaining increasing interest for sustainable gas conversion applications, like the conversion of greenhouse gases into value-added chemicals and renewable fuels, and fixation of N<sub>2</sub>from air into precursors of mineral fertilizer. As plasma is generated by electric power and can easily be switched on/off, these applications allows for efficient conversion and energy storage of intermittent renewable electricity. In this paper, we present a new comprehensive modelling approach for the design and development of gliding arc plasma reactors, which reveals the fluid dynamics, the arc behaviour and the plasma chemistry by solving a unique combination of five complementary models. This results in a complete description of the plasma process, which allows one to efficiently evaluate the performance of a reactor and indicate possible design improvements before actually building it. We demonstrate the capabilities of this method for an experimentally validated study of plasma-based NO<sub>x</sub>formation in a rotating gliding arc reactor, which is gaining increasing interest as a flexible, electricity-driven alternative for the Haber–Bosch process. The model demonstrates the importance of the vortex flow and the presence of a recirculation zone in the reactor, as well as the formation of hot spots in the plasma near the cathode pin and the anode wall that are responsible for most of the NO<sub>x</sub>formation. The model also reveals the underlying plasma chemistry and the vibrational non-equilibrium that exists due to the fast cooling during each arc rotation. Good agreement with experimental measurements on the studied reactor design proves the predictive capabilities of our modelling approach.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000631643300013 Publication Date 2021-02-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2398-4902 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, GoF9618n ; Vlaamse regering, HBC.2019.0107 ; European Research Council, 810182 ; This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWOFNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project), the 1798 | Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021, 5, 1786–1800 Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:177540 Serial 6745
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Author Van Havenbergh, K.; Turner, S.; Marx, N.; Van Tendeloo, G.
Title (up) The mechanical behavior during (de)lithiation of coated silicon nanoparticles as anode material for lithium-ion batteries studied by InSitu transmission electron microscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication Energy technology Abbreviated Journal Energy Technol-Ger
Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 1005-1012
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract One approach to cope with the continuous irreversible capacity loss in Si-based electrodes, attributed to lithiation-induced volume changes and the formation of a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI), is by coating silicon nanoparticles. A coating can improve the conductivity of the electrode, form a chemical shield against the electrolyte, or provide mechanical confinement to reduce the volume increase. The influence of such a coating on the mechanical behavior of silicon nanoparticles during Li insertion and Li extraction was investigated by insitu transmission electron microscopy. The type of coating was shown to influence the size of the unreacted core that remains after reaction of silicon with lithium. Furthermore, two mechanisms to relieve the stress generated during volume expansion are reported: the initiation of cracks and the formation of nanovoids. Both result in a full reaction of the silicon nanoparticles, whereas with the formation of cracks, additional surface area is created, on which an SEI can be formed.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000382549500012 Publication Date 2016-06-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2194-4296; 2194-4288 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.789 Times cited 6 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:137167 Serial 4406
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Author Lutz, L.; Corte, D.A.D.; Chen, Y.; Batuk, D.; Johnson, L.R.; Abakumov, A.; Yate, L.; Azaceta, E.; Bruce, P.G.; Tarascon, J.-M.; Grimaud, A.
Title (up) The role of the electrode surface in Na-Air batteries : insights in electrochemical product formation and chemical growth of NaO2 Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Advanced energy materials Abbreviated Journal Adv Energy Mater
Volume 8 Issue 4 Pages 1701581
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The Na-air battery, because of its high energy density and low charging overpotential, is a promising candidate for low-cost energy storage, hence leading to intensive research. However, to achieve such a battery, the role of the positive electrode material in the discharge process must be understood. This issue is herein addressed by exploring the electrochemical reduction of oxygen, as well as the chemical formation and precipitation of NaO2 using different electrodes. Whereas a minor influence of the electrode surface is demonstrated on the electrochemical formation of NaO2, a strong dependence of the subsequent chemical precipitation of NaO2 is identified. In the origin, this effect stems from the surface energy and O-2/O-2(-) affinity of the electrode. The strong interaction of Au with O-2/O-2(-) increases the nucleation rate and leads to an altered growth process when compared to C surfaces. Consequently, thin (3 mu m) flakes of NaO2 are found on Au, whereas on C large cubes (10 mu m) of NaO2 are formed. This has significant impact on the cell performance and leads to four times higher capacity when C electrodes with low surface energy and O-2/O-2(-) affinity are used. It is hoped that these findings will enable the design of new positive electrode materials with optimized surfaces.
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Publisher WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. Place of Publication Weinheim Editor
Language Wos 000424152200009 Publication Date 2017-09-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1614-6832; 1614-6840 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 16.721 Times cited 13 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ; L.L. thanks ALISTORE-ERI for his PhD grant. P.G.B. is indebted to the EPSRC for financial support, including the Supergen Energy Storage grant. ; Approved Most recent IF: 16.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:149269 Serial 4951
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Author Quintero-Coronel, D.A.; Lenis-Rodas, Y.A.; Corredor, L.A.; Perreault, P.; Gonzalez-Quiroga, A.
Title (up) Thermochemical conversion of coal and biomass blends in a top-lit updraft fixed bed reactor : experimental assessment of the ignition front propagation velocity Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Energy Abbreviated Journal Energy
Volume 220 Issue Pages 119702-119710
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Co-thermochemical conversion of coal and biomass can potentially decrease the use of fossil carbon and pollutant emissions. This work presents experimental results for the so-called top-lit updraft fixed bed reactor, in which the ignition front starts at the top and propagates downward while the gas product flows upwards. The study focuses on the ignition front propagation velocity for the co-thermochemical conversion of palm kernel shell and high-volatile bituminous coal. Within the range of assessed air superficial velocities, the process occurred under gasification and near stoichiometric conditions. Under gasification conditions increasing coal particle size from 7.1 to 22 mm decreased ignition front velocity by around 26% regardless of the coal volume percentage. Furthermore, increasing coal volume percentage and decreasing coal particle size result in product gas with higher energy content. For the operation near stoichiometric conditions, increasing coal volume percentage from 10 to 30% negatively affected the ignition front velocity directly proportional to its particle size. Additional experiments confirmed a linear dependence of ignition front velocity on air superficial velocity. Further steps in the development of the top-lit updraft technology are implementing continuous solids feeding and variable cross-sectional area and optimizing coal particle size distribution.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000623087300003 Publication Date 2020-12-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0360-5442 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.52 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.52
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:175861 Serial 8664
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Author Ben Dkhil, S.; Pfannmöller, M.; Saba, M.I.; Gaceur, M.; Heidari, H.; Videlot-Ackermann, C.; Margeat, O.; Guerrero, A.; Bisquert, J.; Garcia-Belmonte, G.; Mattoni, A.; Bals, S.; Ackermann, J.
Title (up) Toward high-temperature stability of PTB7-based bulk heterojunction solar cells : impact of fullerene size and solvent additive Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication Laser physics review Abbreviated Journal Adv Energy Mater
Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 1601486
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The use of fullerene as acceptor limits the thermal stability of organic solar cells at high temperatures as their diffusion inside the donor leads to phase separation via Ostwald ripening. Here it is reported that fullerene diffusion is fully suppressed at temperatures up to 140 degrees C in bulk heterojunctions based on the benzodithiophene-based polymer (the poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b: 4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl) carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl]], (PTB7) in combination with the fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM). The blend stability is found independently of the presence of diiodooctane (DIO) used to optimize nanostructuration and in contrast to PTB7 blends using the smaller fullerene derivative PC70BM. The unprecedented thermal stability of PTB7: PC70BM layers is addressed to local minima in the mixing enthalpy of the blend forming stable phases that inhibit fullerene diffusion. Importantly, although the nanoscale morphology of DIO processed blends is thermally stable, corresponding devices show strong performance losses under thermal stress. Only by the use of a high temperature annealing step removing residual DIO from the device, remarkably stable high efficiency solar cells with performance losses less than 10% after a continuous annealing at 140 degrees C over 3 days are obtained. These results pave the way toward high temperature stable polymer solar cells using fullerene acceptors.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Place of publication unknown Editor
Language Wos 000396328500009 Publication Date 2016-11-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1614-6832; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 16.721 Times cited 27 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ; The authors acknowledge financial support by the French Fond Unique Interministeriel (FUI) under the project “SFUMATO” (grant number: F1110019V/ 201308815) as well as by the European Commission under the Project “SUNFLOWER” (FP7-ICT-2011-7, grant number: 287594). Generalitat Valenciana (ISIC/2012/008 Institute of Nanotechnologies for Clean Energies) is also acknowledged for providing financial support. The authors further acknowledge financial support via ERC Starting Grant Colouratoms (335078). ; Approved Most recent IF: 16.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:141991UA @ admin @ c:irua:141991 Serial 4697
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Author Paulus, A.; Hendrickx, M.; Mayda, S.; Batuk, M.; Reekmans, G.; von Holst, M.; Elen, K.; Abakumov, A.M.; Adriaensens, P.; Lamoen, D.; Partoens, B.; Hadermann, J.; Van Bael, M.K.; Hardy, A.
Title (up) Understanding the Activation of Anionic Redox Chemistry in Ti4+-Substituted Li2MnO3as a Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS applied energy materials Abbreviated Journal ACS Appl. Energy Mater.
Volume 6 Issue 13 Pages 6956-6971
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Layered Li-rich oxides, demonstrating both cationic and anionic redox chemistry being used as positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries,have raised interest due to their high specific discharge capacities exceeding 250 mAh/g. However, irreversible structural transformations triggered by anionic redox chemistry result in pronounced voltagefade (i.e., lowering the specific energy by a gradual decay of discharge potential) upon extended galvanostatic cycling. Activating or suppressing oxygen anionic redox through structural stabilization induced by redox-inactivecation substitution is a well-known strategy. However, less emphasishas been put on the correlation between substitution degree and theactivation/suppression of the anionic redox. In this work, Ti4+-substituted Li2MnO3 was synthesizedvia a facile solution-gel method. Ti4+ is selected as adopant as it contains no partially filled d-orbitals. Our study revealedthat the layered “honeycomb-ordered” C2/m structure is preserved when increasing the Ticontent to x = 0.2 in the Li2Mn1-x Ti (x) O-3 solidsolution, as shown by electron diffraction and aberration-correctedscanning transmission electron microscopy. Galvanostatic cycling hintsat a delayed oxygen release, due to an improved reversibility of theanionic redox, during the first 10 charge-discharge cyclesfor the x = 0.2 composition compared to the parentmaterial (x = 0), followed by pronounced oxygen redoxactivity afterward. The latter originates from a low activation energybarrier toward O-O dimer formation and Mn migration in Li2Mn0.8Ti0.2O3, as deducedfrom first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the“charged” state. Upon lowering the Ti substitution to x = 0.05, the structural stability was drastically improvedbased on our MD analysis, stressing the importance of carefully optimizingthe substitution degree to achieve the best electrochemical performance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001018266700001 Publication Date 2023-07-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0962 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 24.12.2023
Notes Universiteit Hasselt, AUHL/15/2 – GOH3816N ; Russian Science Foundation, 20-43-01012 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, AUHL/15/2 – GOH3816N G040116N ; The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the FWO Vlaanderen and the Flemish Government-department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:198160 Serial 8809
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