Editorial
Introduction to the special collection in memoriam of Susan A. Odom (16 November 1980–18 April 2021)
The materials chemistry and electrochemistry communities celebrate Susan’s scientific impact and collaborative spirit with this themed issue.
Perspective
On the challenges of materials and electrochemical characterization of concentrated electrolytes for redox flow batteries
We highlight the status of, and propose future approaches for, rheological, electrochemical, and spectroscopic characterization of concentrated redoxmer electrolytes for energy storage, with an emphasis on nonaqueous redox flow batteries.
Functionalized anthrathienothiophenes: synthesis, properties, and integration into OFETs
Halogen bonding is required in silylethyne-functionalized asymmetrical chromophores to yield crystal packing suitable for efficient transistors.
Paper
Large variability and complexity of isothermal solubility for a series of redox-active phenothiazines
The advance non-aqueous redox flow batteries require redox-active organic molecules (ROM) with large solubilities in all states of charge (NMR-spectrometer icon by DBCLS and screen and workstation icons by Simon Duerr licensed under creative commons).
Paper
Metal-free polypeptide redox flow batteries
Metal-free redox flow batteries with TEMPO-based polypeptide catholytes and viologen-based polypeptide anolytes were demonstrated. Post-cycling analysis indicated the main source of capacity fade was degradation of the redox-active pendant groups.
Flow battery electroanalysis 3: online kinetics measurements using ultramicroelectrodes in channel flow
Integrating an analytical cell, based on a channel-flow microelectrode architecture, into the flow loop of a redox flow battery enables continuous measurements of kinetic and thermodynamic properties in real time.
How additives for tin halide perovskites influence the Sn4+ concentration
Additives for tin halide perovskites are investigated and several mechanisms, including halide exchange, coordination with Sn halides, and sacrificial antioxidant behavior are observed to decrease Sn4+ content in the perovskites.
Paper
Two-dimensional benzo[1,2-b : 4,5-b′]difurans as donor building blocks for the formation of novel donor–acceptor copolymers
In this work, two novel donor–acceptor copolymers comprising a two-dimensional benzodifuran monomer were synthesized. The impact of alkyl chain substitution and co-monomer electron accepting strength was investigated.
Surface ligands influence the selectivity of cation uptake in polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters
Surface modification of polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters influences selectivity for Li+ in electrochemically induced cation uptake.
Discovery of lead low-potential radical candidates for organic radical polymer batteries with machine-learning-assisted virtual screening
Lead candidate radicals for use in radical polymer batteries are discovered by virtual screening with low computational footprint, chemistry-informed machine learning methods.
Mesolytic cleavage of homobenzylic ethers for programmable end-of-life function in redoxmers
Homobenzylic ethers are screened and then incorporated into redoxmers for programmable deconstruction of energy storage materials.
Paper
Tailoring capping-layer composition for improved stability of mixed-halide perovskites
Incorporating a one-dimensional (1D) perovskite capping layer on top of a perovskite absorber, improves the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Dissimilarity matrices gives an stability comparison overview across capping-absorber pairs.
High-performance anthraquinone with potentially low cost for aqueous redox flow batteries
Alkaline anthraquinone flow battery with active species exhibiting long lifetime and potentially low mass-production cost.
About this collection
Guest Edited by Veronica Augustyn, Kelsey B. Hatzell, Malika Jeffries-El, Jodie Lutkenhaus, and Natalie Stingelin.
This special collection across Materials Advances, Journal of Materials Chemistry A and Journal of Materials Chemistry C is in memoriam of Prof. Susan A. Odom, who sadly passed away on April 18, 2021.
Susan’s fundamental understanding of electro-chemical devices, coupled with her deep appreciation for materials chemistry, allowed her to push new boundaries. Amongst these were the development of new redox flow batteries, the design of lithium-ion batteries with redox active organic molecules, and the advancement of novel materials screening methods.
This special collection covers the topics that have been at the core of the scientific activity of Susan. As a chemist, she had a tremendous impact on the broad fields of organic electronics and electrochemical energy storage contributing research on the development of stable electro-active materials, the design of new electrodes and electrolytes for electro-chemical devices, the establishment of understanding of electron transfer reactions and, generally, the synthesis of new conjugated organic materials.