Dr. Zaineb MIGHRI

Potassium ions are important for developing electrode materials because they have similar properties to lithium and sodium ions. Mixed chromium phosphates (KMIICr(PO4)2) II Cr (PO 4 ) 2 ) with substituted M II sites using divalent elements (M = Ni, Co, Cu) were synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. The samples were analyzed using various techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The proposed phosphates had a monoclinic phase structure with a P21/n 1 /n space group, and they contained large tunnels occupied by K+ + cations. The dielectric properties showed that the Ni-based phosphates had slower dielectric relaxation, while the Co and Cu-based phosphates had quicker polarization and depolarization processes. Additionally, the resistance of the grains decreased from Ni to Co to Cu-based phosphates, indicating easier charge movement in each material, consistent with the increase in conductive losses and a.c. conductivity when changing the M II ions.

The compounds KBa 1-x Sr x Cr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (with x = 0.00; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; 1.00) were synthesized by a solid-state reaction, and they were thoroughly characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Their structures were indexed in a cubic system with a P2 1 3 space group forming a 3D framework built on CrO 6 octahedra and PO 4 tetrahedra sharing vertices leading to identical Cr 2 P 3 O 18 (U) units. The interconnection between the tetrahedral and octahedral groups leads to the formation of two large closed cavities (K, M II )(1) and (K, M II )(2), statistically occupied by K + and M 2+ (M = Ba, Sr) atoms. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of paramagnetic Cr 3+ ions, showing the effects of substituting the Ba 2+ ions with smaller Sr 2+ ions on the dipolar coupling between the Cr 3+ centers. The obtained materials and active carbon were used as electrode materials in hybrid SC devices. At the same time, their electrochemical properties were assessed by potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements, showing promising results with a maximal specific capacitance (3.86 F/g), energy density (343 mWh/kg), and power density (30.9 kW/kg) in the case of KBa 0.5 Sr 0.5 Cr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , proving them as good candidates for positive and/or negative electrode materials for energy storage applications.

The phosphate KCoCr-(PO4)(2) and iron-substitutedvariants KCoCr1-x Fe x (PO4)(2) (x =0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) were synthesized by a solid-state reaction route,while a high substitution level of Fe was achieved. Their structureswere refined using powder X-ray diffraction and indexed in a monoclinicsystem with a P2(1)/n spacegroup. A 3D framework with six-sided tunnels parallel to the [101]direction was formed in which the K atoms are located. Mo''ssbauerspectroscopy confirms the exclusive presence of octahedral paramagneticFe(3+) ions, with isomer shifts increasing slightly with x substitution. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopyconfirmed the presence of paramagnetic Cr3+ ions. The activationenergy, determined by dielectric measurements, shows that the iron-containingsamples present higher ionic activity. Relative to the electrochemicalactivity of K, these materials could be good candidates for positiveand/or negative electrode materials for energy storage applications. The synthesized phosphate KCoCr-(PO4)(2) and Fe-substituted variants KCoCr1-x Fe x (PO4)(2) (x = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) present a 3D frameworkwith six-sided tunnels in which the K atoms are located. The activationenergy, determined by dielectric measurements, shows that the iron-containingsamples present improved ionic activity, making these materials goodcandidates for positive and/or negative electrode materials for energystorage applications.