The AMEE Research Group, under Dr. Özgür Çapraz, Associate Professor, CBEE, has 2 new publications in the Journal of Energy Storage and MRS Communications, and a preprint article in ChemRxiv.
Authors:
Athira Anilkumar, Nachammai Nachiappan, Aswani Poosapati, Rohan Ambade, Aneisa Jangbahadur, Yucheng Lan, Joseph Washington, Priyanshu Banerjee, Rahuldeb Roy, Navid Etebari Alamdari, Deepa Madan
Abstract:
Flexible aqueous zinc‑manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO2) batteries offer a promising route toward safe, sustainable, and low-cost energy storage for wearable electronics, but their rechargeability is often limited by irreversible cathode structures, unstable electrode-electrolyte interfaces, and sluggish ionic transport. Here, we present a systematic co-optimization of gel polymer electrolytes and cathode binders to address these challenges. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Poly acrylic acid (PAA) and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) were used to synthesize three flexible gel polymer electrolytes, PVA-KOH, PVA -PAA, and PVA-PAA-KOH. The amorphous, microporous PVA-PAA electrolyte enabling efficient ion transport exhibited the highest ionic conductivity (155 mS/cm), with thickness of 0.23 mm, wide electrochemical stability window (~ 2 V), excellent swelling capacity, and mechanical robustness (tensile strength: 29.5 MPa). Parallel evaluation of cathode binder systems (Carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC), PVA-PAA, Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)) revealed that CMC promotes homogeneous dispersion of γ-MnO2, preserves the Mn3+/Mn4+ redox balance, and minimizes irreversible complex accumulation, resulting superior electrode cohesion, roughness, and ion-electron percolation pathways. Electrochemical testing confirmed that the optimized PVA-PAA electrolyte coupled with CMC binder, among tested, better supports reversible kinetics by creating suitable interface, delivering high specific capacity (257 mAh/g at C/4), > 95% coulombic efficiency, and the lowest charge-transfer resistance with reduced polarization for limited cyclic testing. Our results highlight the critical role of electrolyte-binder interactions in governing electrochemical performance, paving the way for rational materials design strategies for sustainable, flexible, and high-rate Zn-MnO2 energy storage devices.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2026.123729
Title:
Utilization of particulate matter from marine engine as a carbonaceous anode for Na-ion batteries
Authors:
Mariella Anderson, Mesut Eryigit, Mehedi H. Himel, Stephen B. Cronin & Ö. Özgür Çapraz
Abstract:
Maritime transport generates substantial amounts of carbon emissions and particulate matter (PM 2.5) particles waste, which is considered as abundant industrial waste. This study presents repurposing the PM as an anode for Li and Na-ion batteries. Structure and morphology properties of the PM particles were characterized with Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry analysis at various rates indicated a pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism in the annealed PM electrode, with diffusive contributions dominating at lower scan rates. This study provides insight for waste valorization by repurposing of PM particles from heavy fuel oil into electrochemical energy storage applications.
https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-026-01012-y
Title:
Evidencing Fast and Reversible Proton Insertion of a Metastable Bilayered Tungsten Oxide
Authors:
Noah P. Holzapfel, Saeed Saeed, Alan Ferris, Ruocun Wang, Naresh C. Osti, Eugene Mamontov, Bret Marckx, Ö. Özgür Çapraz, and Veronica Augustyn
Abstract:
Materials that exhibit fast and reversible electrochemical modulation of properties such as electronic conductivity, optical absorption, and volume are of interest for electrochromic, neuromorphic, and actuator switching technologies. Here, we report on the rapid first-order phase transition during proton-insertion coupled electron transfer (PICET) in a metastable bilayered tungsten oxide hydrate (H2W2O7). We utilize quasi-elastic neutron scattering measurements to gain insights into the structural water content and dynamics. We employ operando electrochemical X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy to track changes in structure and color during PICET. X-ray diffraction results reveal that H2W2O7 has a rapid first-order structural transition characterized by the loss of octahedral tilting and the relaxation of geometric distortions within the inorganic layers. Operando stress measurements during electrochemical polarization reveal that the phase transition coincides with rapid mechanical deformation. Optical microscopy shows a reversible two-step color change concurrent with the structural transition, from transparent to blue to gold. These discrete optical regimes correspond to changes in electronic conductivity. Our results show that H2W2O7 is a promising material for electrochemical switching technologies.
https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.15005668/v1
]]>Dr. Özgür Çapraz, Associate Professor, CBEE, was invited to showcase his contributions to the field of electrochemistry in a new publication in the Journal of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage titled "Emerging Investigators in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage 2025."
The article is available here:
Emerging Investigators in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage 2025 - ASME
https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4071726
Editorial:
This special issue features the 2025 Emerging Investigators in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage. Twenty-three emerging investigators were invited to this special issue to showcase up-and-coming scientists and engineers in the field of electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Emerging investigators are typically in the early stages of their independent careers (within about 12 years following graduation with a doctorate degree) and have demonstrated potential for high impact in the field. The purpose of this special issue is to highlight emerging scientists and engineers making outstanding contributions to the field of electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
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