X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Powder X-ray Diffraction Studies on Green Energy Materials

Abstract

A world relying on green energy systems is on the horizon. This study focuses on the improvement of novel material components for two green energy solutions: Li-ion battery cathodes and a hydrogen storage system for hydrogen fuel cells. Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 has been proposed as a potential new Li-ion battery cathode material due to its inexpensive cost, safety, and high theoretical capacity, however, structural changes during charge and discharge have been seen to affect its longevity. Additionally, a promising hydrogen fuel cell material of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) substrate have shown to be a good material for hydrogen storage. Interestingly, doping the rGO with a dopant has altered the Pd nanoparticle formation, increasing capacity (3-fold in the case of a boron dopant). Therefore, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction were used to understand the structural properties of these materials to further improve them.