Turgut M. Gür

This article presents technological opportunities for solid oxide electrochemical platforms for achieving multitude of practically important energy transformations towards a sustainable transition. The article’s premise is built upon continued use of coal into the foreseeable future. It introduces environmentally responsible technologies to utilize solid carbonaceous fuels for efficient generation of electric power in solid oxide platforms, which also enable carbon-free electrolytic hydrogen production in a downhill fuel cell mode with simultaneous co-generation of electric power output. Moreover, it offers self-sustaining, simultaneous, and tunable co-production of blue hydrogen and electric power without the need for external heat or power input.

Thin, uniform, and conformal coatings on the active electrode materials are gaining more importance to mitigate degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries. To avoid polarization of the electrode, mixed conductors are of crucial importance. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is employed in this work to provide superior uniformity, conformality, and the ability to precisely control the stoichiometry and thickness of the desired coating materials. We provide experimental and computational guidelines for the need of mixed electronic and ionic conducting coating materials, especially in the case where highly uniform and conformal coatings are achieved. We report promising results for ALD-deposited protective films achieved by doping fluorine (F) into a lithium vanadate coating. The F-doped lithium vanadate coating at the optimal doping level exhibits an electrical conductivity of 1.2 × 10^-5 S·cm^-1. Density functional theory calculations corroborate enhanced mixed electronic and ionic conduction in F-doped lithium vanadate through band structure analysis and climbing-image nudge elastic band (CI-NEB) calculations. It has been demonstrated that the experimentally determined optimal doping concentration aligns well with that predicted by density functional theory calculations. CI-NEB calculations have shown that the activation energy for lithium-ion transport was the lowest for optimally doped lithium vanadate.

Rational design of surface properties of oxide semiconductors for energy conversion requires in situ surface characterization.

Expanding on my earlier statement in the summer 2022 issue of Interface, I wish to share my views with you on the pressing challenges regarding sustainable energy and the environment. I will take an entirely global perspective in viewing these complex and difficult issues, irrespective of local or regional energy practices and trends that can mislead to tunnel vision.