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Textbook Carbon Nanomaterials For Electrochemical Energy Technologies Fundamentals and Applications 1St Edition Shuhui Sun Ebook All Chapter PDF
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Carbon Nanomaterials for
Electrochemical Energy
Technologies
Fundamentals and Applications
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE AND CONVERSION
Series Editor
Jiujun Zhang
National Research Council Institute for Fuel Cell InnovationVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Published Titles
Carbon Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Technologies: Fundamentals and Applications
Shuhui Sun, Xueliang Sun, Zhongwei Chen, Yuyu Liu, David P. Wilkinson, and Jiujun Zhang
Redox Flow Batteries: Fundamentals and Applications
Huamin Zhang, Xianfeng Li, and Jiujun Zhang
Electrochemical Energy: Advanced Materials and Technologies
Pei Kang Shen, Chao-Yang Wang, San Ping Jiang, Xueliang Sun, and Jiujun Zhang
Electrochemical Polymer Electrolyte Membranes
Jianhua Fang, Jinli Qiao, David P. Wilkinson, and Jiujun Zhang
Electrochemical Supercapacitors for Energy Storage and Delivery: Fundamentals and Applications
Aiping Yu, Victor Chabot, and Jiujun Zhang
Photochemical Water Splitting: Materials and Applications
Neelu Chouhan, Ru-Shi Liu, and Jiujun Zhang
Metal–Air and Metal–Sulfur Batteries: Fundamentals and Applications
Vladimir Neburchilov and Jiujun Zhang
Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Fundamentals and Technologies
Jinli Qiao, Yuyu Liu, and Jiujun Zhang
Electrolytes for Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Cheng Zhong, Yida Deng, Wenbin Hu, Daoming Sun, Xiaopeng Han, Jinli Qiao, and Jiujun Zhang
Solar Energy Conversion and Storage: Photochemical Modes
Suresh C. Ameta and Rakshit Ameta
Lead-Acid Battery Technologies: Fundamentals, Materials, and Applications
Joey Jung, Lei Zhang, and Jiujun Zhang
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fundamentals and Applications
Yuping Wu
Graphene: Energy Storage and Conversion Applications
Zhaoping Liu and Xufeng Zhou
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Zhigang Qi
Carbon Nanomaterials for
Electrochemical Energy
Technologies
Fundamentals and Applications
Edited by
Shuhui Sun
Xueliang Sun
Zhongwei Chen
Yuyu Liu
David P. Wilkinson
Jiujun Zhang
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reasonable efforts have been made to pub-
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Chapter 5 The New Graphene Family Materials: Material Synthesis and Applications in
Lithium-Ion Batteries.................................................................................................. 59
Xin Tong and Shuhui Sun
Chapter 9 Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Materials for Oxygen Reduction in PEM Fuel Cells........ 153
Qiliang Wei, Xin Tong, Gaixia Zhang, and Shuhui Sun
v
vi Contents
vii
viii Preface
ix
x About the Editors
11 conference proceeding papers, and 43 book chapters, as well as 140 conference and invited oral
presentations. He also holds over 16 US/EU/WO/JP/CA patents, 11 U.S. patent publications, and has
produced more than 90 industrial technical reports. Dr. Zhang serves as Editor-in-Chief of
Electrochemical Energy Reviews (Springer–Nature), Associate Editor of Green Energy &
Environment (KeAi), Editor of International Journal of Electrochemistry (Hindawi), and editorial
board member for several international journals, as well as Editor for the book series of
Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion (CRC Press). Dr. Zhang is an active member of
The Electrochemical Society (ECS), the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE, Fellow
Member), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Canadian Institute of Chemistry (CIC),
as well as the International Academy of Electrochemical Energy Science (IAOEES, Board
Committee Member).
Contributors
Keegan Adair Jinli Qiao
Department of Mechanical and Materials College of Environmental Science and
Engineering Engineering
The University of Western Ontario Donghua University
Ontario, Canada Shanghai, China
xiii
1 Carbon Nanomaterials
for Li-Ion Batteries
Tongwen Yu, Rui Cai, and Zhongwei Chen
CONTENTS
1.1 Overview of Li-Ion Batteries.....................................................................................................1
1.2 Carbon Nanomaterials for LIBs................................................................................................2
1.2.1 Traditional Carbon.........................................................................................................2
1.2.2 Carbon Nanotubes.........................................................................................................3
1.2.3 Graphene........................................................................................................................7
1.3 Summary and Outlook............................................................................................................ 10
References......................................................................................................................................... 11
The charge neutrality for x ≠ 0 can be maintained by the oxidation of Co3+ to Co4+ ion in the cath-
ode. Furthermore, for 0 < x ≤ 0.5 in Li1–xCoO2 and for 0 < x ≤ 1.0 in Li xC6, the reaction is completely
reversible for a large number of cycles.2
LIBs have displaced nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in the electronics market and have
begun to displace NiMH or nickel–cadmium batteries in the power tool market.3 Their excellent
properties, such as light weight, a high operating voltage of ~3.6 V, and a deliverable capacity rang-
ing from 700 to 2400 mA h for a single cell, coupled with the long cycle life and rate capability,
enable LIBs to be extensively used in emerging diverse applications from portable power tools to
hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.4 However, for the above applications, only 50% of
the theoretical capacity of the LiCoO2 cathode is used (140 mA h g−1 vs. theoretical 274 mA h g−1).
Therefore, it is extremely urgent to investigate the electrode materials to improve their capacities.
Herein, we mainly talk about the use of carbon nanomaterials in LIBs.
1
2 Carbon Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Technologies
2 mm 2 mm
(a) (b)
50 nm 1 mm
(d) (c)
FIGURE 1.1 (a) SEM image of silica template at a lower magnification, (b) SEM images of nanocasting
carbon (carbonized at 700°C) replica at a lower magnification, (c) at a higher magnification, and (d) TEM
image of nanocasting carbon replica. SEM: scanning electron microscopy; TEM: transmission electron
microscopy. (Copyright 2007, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. From Hu, Y. S. et al.,
Advanced Functional Materials, 17, 1873–1878, 2007.)
Carbon Nanomaterials for Li-Ion Batteries 3
dQ/dV (mAhg1V)
400
Current (mA)
200
Voltage (V) 2.0 100
–0.1
0
1.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Voltage (V)
–0.2 1st cycle
1.0
0.5 –0.3
0.0 –0.4
0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Capacity (mAh g–1) Voltage (V)
(a) (b)
0 0
0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
0 10 20 30 40 50
Cycle number Cycle number
(c) (d)
FIGURE 1.2 Electrochemical characteristics of the HCNS electrode. (a) Galvanostatic charge/discharge
curves at a rate of C/10, (b) CV at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1, (c) cycling performance at a rate of C/10, and
(d) rate performance at different rates. The inset in (a) shows the differential capacity versus cell voltage plots
during charging of the electrode. (Copyright 2011, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. From
Han, F. D. et al., Advanced Energy Materials, 1, 798–801, 2011.)
Carbon fibers also can be used as the electrode in LIBs. They are roughly classified into two types:
milled mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers and gas phase–grown carbon fibers. The former may act
as a practical anode material with high density of electrode, larger discharge capacity, and better output
current performances, while the latter can serve as a conductive filler in anode and cathode electrodes.11
Carbon coating for cathode materials is one of the most widely used surface modification tech-
niques to improve rate performance.12 Guo et al. found that carbon coating layers could also lead to
stabilized SEI films. Furthermore, the as-prepared carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanospindles (Figure 1.3)
exhibit very high specific capacity (749 mAh g−1 at C/5 and 600 mAh g−1 at C/2).13
As well as these carbon materials, carbon modified by heteroatoms, such as boron,14 sulfur,15
phosphorus,16 and nitrogen,17 has also been suggested as an anode material in LIBs.11 For example,
B-doped carbon materials, which were formed from a mixture of pristine material and boron car-
bide by heat treatment at 2800°C in an Ar atmosphere, show almost the same performance as that of
other highly graphitized electrodes.18 Chen et al. reported the synthesis of N-doped porous carbon
particles with a nitrogen content of up to 17.72 wt% by the pyrolysis of a nitrogen-containing zeo-
litic imidazolate framework at 800°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Electrochemical tests show that
these particles retain a capacity of 2132 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1,
and 785 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1 (Figure 1.4).19
200 nm 200 nm
(a) (b)
0.25 nm
Fe3O4
c
200 nm 2 nm
(c) (d)
FIGURE 1.3 (a) SEM image of the as-synthesized hematite spindles. (b) SEM image of the carbon
precursor–coated hematite spindles. (c) SEM image of the carbon-coated Fe3O4 spindles (Fe3O4-C composites).
(d) High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of the Fe3O4-C composites. The insets
are close views of corresponding samples. All unmarked scale bars are 50 nm. (Copyright 2008, Wiley-VCH
Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. From Lee, J. S. et al., Advanced Energy Materials, 1, 34–50, 2011.)
Direct
carbonization
er
Pyrrolic N
On
Pyridinic N
Quaternary N
(d)
FIGURE 1.4 Schematic illustration of the synthesis procedure of N-doped graphene analogous particles and
model of N-doping. (a) ZIF-8. (b) N-rich carbon polyhedron containing large amounts of graphene analogous
particles. (c) Enlargement of one graphene particle analogue; these contain several graphene layers and can
provide abundant active sites at their edges for grafting nitrogen heteroatoms. (d) The schematic of three types
of bonding configurations of N atoms within the hexagonal lattice and edges of a graphene layer. (Copyright
2014, Macmillan Publishers Limited. From Zheng, F. et al., Nature Communications, 5, 5261–5270, 2014.)
the active materials, thus enhancing the cyclic performance. Table 1.1 summarizes the electrochemi-
cal parameters, such as initial charge and discharge capacities and residual reversible capacities, of
various anode materials with and without CNT additives, confirming greatly enhanced cycle perfor-
mance of the nanocomposites containing MWCNTs as compared with the neat anode materials.21
Further studies proved that MWCNTs acted as conductive networks between LiNi0.7Co0.3O2 par-
ticles, and the discharge capacity of the composite cathode containing MWCNTs was 223 mA hg−1
with an 89.9% efficiency at C/10 rate and 214 mA hg−1 at 1C rate in the initial cycle.22,23 Shen et al.
TABLE 1.1
Electrochemical Parameters of Anode Materials Consisting of Various Types of MWCNT-Based Nanocomposite
Initial Charge Initial Discharge Cycle Residual Reversible Capacity Charge Transfer
Electrode Type Current Rate Capacity (mA Hg−1 ) Capacity (mA Hg−1 ) Number (mA Hg−1 ) Resistance (Ω )
Sn/MWCNT 0.1 C 643 1590 40 627
Sn-MWCNT 50 mA g−1 570 30 442 16.4
SnNi-MWCNT 50 mA g−1 512 30 431 17.3
Bi/MWCNT 25 mA g−1 308 570 50 315
Sb 50 mA g−1 648 1023 30 115
SnSb0.5 50 mA g−1 726 951 30 171
Sb/MWCNT 50 mA g−1 462 1266 30 287
SnSb0.5 /MWCNT 50 mA g−1 518 1092 30 348
Carbon Nanomaterials for Li-Ion Batteries
Source: W. Guoping et al., Solid State Ionics, 179, 263– 268, 2008.
Note: C is the theoretical capacity of Sn.
5
6 Carbon Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Technologies
found that a novel network composite cathode, which was made by mixing MWCNT with LiFeO4
particles (Figure 1.5), can effectively improve the electron transfer between the active material and
the current collector (Al foil), as well as the electrochemical performance.24 Furthermore, a large
amount of Li+ may be stored in the central core, the interlayer space for MWCNTs, or the empty
space between the nanotubes when they are assembled in bundles.3 Single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs)
are also being investigated in a variety of ways, including conductive additives, current collectors,
and active materials. When they are used as an additive, the high aspect ratio of the SWCNTs can
form an electrical percolation network at much lower weight loading than conventional carbons, such
as carbon black and graphite.25 Theoretical calculations show that SWCNT in LiC2 stoichiometry
has the maximum theoretical reversible capacity value of about 1116 mAh g−1.26 Thus, many effects
have been attempted to achieve the theoretical reversible capacity. Shimoda et al. reported a revers-
ible capacity of about 700 mAh g−1 for SWCNTs that were etched with strong acids to open the tubes
and reduce their length.27 Gao et al. reached a reversible capacity of 1000 mAh g−1 for SWCNTs
that were treated by ball milling.28 Di Leo et al. reported that a measured capacity of 1050 mAh g−1
can be achieved by purified SWCNT electrodes with titanium contacts,29 representing a dramatic
improvement over the conventional graphite LiC6 limit of 372 mAh g−1 for lithium intercalation.30
Another approach to improving the capability involves aligned CNTs, due to their ability to make
better contact with the current collector. For example, Durstock et al. used vertically aligned MWCNTs
that were intimately contacted with a thin nickel metal film (Figure 1.6) as the active electrode mate-
rial, and they have shown high reversible specific capacities of 782 mAh g−1 at 57 mA g−1 in LIBs.31
Laik et al. reported the direct growth of silicon-decorated vertically aligned carbon nanotubes with a
thickness of 5 nm onto metal foil via a two-step CVD process. It exhibits a high reversible Li storage
capacity of 3000 mAh g−1 at 1.3 C, and an impressive rate capability of 1900 mAh g−1 is achieved at 5
C and 760 mAh g−1 at 15 C.32 Bradford et al. used horizontal super-aligned CNT sheets–based silicon
films to design binder-free, thin sheet anodes for flexible LIBs, as shown in Figure 1.7.33
As well as these strategies, CNTs have also been conjugated with nanostructured metal oxides
(MxOy, M=Fe, Mn, Ni, Mo, Cu, Cr) or metal (Si, Ge, Sn, Sn-Sb) to improve the lithium stor-
age capacity and the cycling life in batteries.34,35 Wang et al. proposed and synthesized a new
Sn-Co-CNT@CNT tube-in-tube nanostructure as an anode material for secondary LIBs. They
found that a large number of small CNTs were filled inside a large CNT by the catalytic action of
the filled Sn-Co particles. Furthermore, it showed an unprecedented highly reversible capacity at
both low and high current rates for 200 cycles.36
Although an enormous range of strategies for the use of CNTs have been proposed for improv-
ing the battery performance, from the battery industry point of view, the CNT technology is not yet
considered mature enough. Open issues regarding CNT mass production and cost presently hinder
their use in LIB applications.37
MWCNTs
LiPFeO4
Al foil
1 µm 4 µm
(a) (b)
FIGURE 1.5 SEM images of LiFePO4/MWCNTs composite cathode: (a) plane section and (b) cross section.
(Copyright 2006, Elsevier. From Li, X. et al., Electrochemistry Communications, 9, 663–666, 2007.)
Carbon Nanomaterials for Li-Ion Batteries 7
10 µm 200 nm 100 nm
20 nm
(e)
50 nm
20 nm
(d)
(f )
FIGURE 1.6 (a–c) SEM images of VA-CNTs/Si structure. (d) Low-magnification and (e) high-magnification
TEM picture of VA-CNTs/Si structure. (f) Carbon (red) and silicon (blue) map of an Si-decorated CNT using
energy spatially resolved energy-filtered TEM. (Copyright 2012, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA,
Weinheim. From Welna, D. T. et al., Journal of Power Sources, 196, 1455–1460, 2011.)
(a) (b)
FIGURE 1.7 Procedures for synthesizing CNT-Si and CNT-Si-C sheets. (a) A wide, continuous aligned
CNT sheet was drawn from CNT forests and rolled on a cylinder. (b) Photo image of the CNT sheet. The
CNT sheet was placed onto a quartz plate for CVD silicon coating. (c) Photo image of CNT-Si sheet. The
color changed from black to brown, indicating successful Si coating. (d) Photo image of the CNT-Si sheet.
The self-sustained CNT-based structure shows good flexibility. (e) A free-standing and binder-free electrode
for lithium-ion cell testing. (Copyright 2013, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. From Fu, K.
et al., Advanced Materials, 25, 5109–5114, 2013.)
1.2.3 Graphene
Graphene is an allotrope of carbon in the form of a two-dimensional, atomic-scale, hexagonal
lattice in which one atom forms each vertex. It has also attracted much attention for use as an
anode material in rechargeable LIBs because of its ultrahigh surface area, intriguing electronic
and thermal conductivities, structural flexibility, unique porous structure, and broad electrochemi-
cal window.38 For instance, Zhao et al. reported that disordered graphene exhibited high reversible
capacities of 794–1054 mAh g−1 and good cyclic stability. It is suggested that this is mainly ascribed
to additional reversible storage sites such as edges and other defects.39 Zhao et al. synthesized an
unprecedented type of two-dimensional ordered mesoporous graphene nanosheets via a controlled
low-concentration monomicelle close-packing assembly approach, as shown in Figure 1.8. The
graphene nanosheets were used as the anode materials, and the anode shows an ultrahigh initial
8
Step 1 ste
Step 2 Step 3
Close packing
assembly Micelles aggregation
and crosslinking
Calcination
Surface of the
Monomicelles substrate
FIGURE 1.8 Scheme of the formation process for ordered mesoporous graphene nanosheets. (Copyright 2013, American Chemical Society. From Fang, Y. et al.,
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 135, 1524–1530, 2013.)
Carbon Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Technologies
Carbon Nanomaterials for Li-Ion Batteries 9
discharge capacity of 3535 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, stabilized at 770 mAh g−1 in the following cycles.
Furthermore, even at an ultrahigh current density of 5 Ag−1, a reversible capacity of 255 mAh g−1 is
maintained with excellent cycling stability.40
Almost all of the reported performance of graphene anode materials is significantly higher than
that of graphite. However, the pure graphene electrode exhibits some major disadvantages that hin-
der its application in LIBs.41 To improve the capacity and cycle performance, graphene-based hybrid
nanostructured electrodes with another component, such as oxide, metal, or carbon, are mainly
investigated. This main purpose of this strategy is to use the advantages of both graphene and metal
oxide. Typical examples include graphene/TiO2,42 graphene/SnO2,43,44 graphene/CNTs,45 graphene/
Co3O4,46 graphene/Co(OH)2,47 graphene/Sn,48 graphene/Si,49,50 and graphene/ceramic hybrid elec-
trode materials.51 For instance, Cheng et al. reported the direct growth of vertically aligned CNT
on a free-standing graphene paper, and this was used as the anode material of LIBs.52 Zhang et al.
proposed a solution-based method for the synthesis of three-dimensional TiO2-graphene-carbon
nanotube nanocomposite (Figure 1.9), which acted as the advanced anode material in LIB, and
exhibited ultrahigh-rate capability and good cycling properties at high rates.45 Aksay et al. dem-
onstrated a ternary self-assembly approach using graphene as a fundamental building block to
construct ordered SnO2-graphene nanocomposites, and it was shown that the nanocomposites can
achieve near theoretical specific energy density without significant charge/discharge degradation,
as shown in Figure 1.10.53
The modification of graphene with heteroatom dopants such as boron,54 phosphorus,55,56 and
nitrogen57 has also been investigated to improve the specific capacity. For example, Zhai et al. fab-
ricated an N-doped graphene-SnO2 sandwich paper with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane anion
as N source. It exhibits large capacity, high-rate capability, and excellent cycling stability, which
are ascribed to the special sandwich structure, short transportation length, and elastomeric space to
accommodate volume changes on Li insertion/extraction.57
Ultrasonication
CNT
GO/CNT
TBOT GO
e– Reduction
e–
Li+
Li+ GNS
FIGURE 1.9 Schematic illustration for the synthesis of 3D TiO2-GNS-CNT nanocomposites. (Copyright
2011, American Chemical Society. From Shen, L. et al., The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2, 3096–
3101, 2011.)
10 Carbon Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Technologies
20 µm 1 µm 20 nm 5 nm
1600
1.4
FIGURE 1.10 (a) Side-view SEM image of a self-assembled free-standing SnO2 graphene nanocomposite
(40 wt% graphene) electrode 15 nm thick. Photographs in the inset show a disklike 3 cm diameter SnO2 gra-
phene nanocomposite electrode on the left and a folded electrode on the right. (b) High-magnification cross-
sectional SEM image of the free-standing SnO2 graphene nanocomposite electrode. The electrode is composed
of well-packed wavy layers interspaced by the loosely packed layers through almost the entire cross section.
(c) Cross-sectional TEM images of an SnO2 graphene nanocomposite film. Inset shows high-resolution TEM
image in the nanocomposite film with alternating layers of nanocrystalline SnO2 and graphene materials.
(d) A Li-ion battery configuration directly using a free-standing metal oxide graphene nanocomposite film
as an electrode. The graphene materials in the layered nanostructures function as both current collector and
conductive additives in the anode. (e) Charge/discharge profiles of an SnO2 graphene nanocomposite electrode
(40 wt% graphene) between 0.02 and 1.5 V at a current density of 0.008, 0.02, and 0.08 A g−1, respectively.
(f) (Top) Specific capacity of SnO2 as a function of charge/discharge cycles in the SnO2 graphene nanocom-
posite electrode at a current density of 0.01 A g−1. (Bottom) Specific capacity of SnO2 as a function of charge/
discharge cycles in the SnO2 graphene nanocomposite at different charge/discharge current densities of 0.008,
0.08, and 0.02 A g−1, respectively. Note that the nanocomposite electrode is precycled for 20 cycles at 0.08 A
g−1 to improve the electrolyte wetting and then cycled at 0.008 A g−1 to obtain theoretical capacity. The initial
lower capacity for the first 20 cycles is attributed to insufficient wetting. (Copyright 2010, American Chemical
Society. From Wang, D. et al., ACS Nano, 4, 1587–1595, 2010.)
densities and enhance the battery performance.38 There is still a great deal of work to do for devel-
oping more sustainable and greener strategies to limit environment pollution.58
A number of advances have been made in cathode materials for future generations, including
Li-containing mixed oxides, Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Al1/3)-O259,60 and Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)-O2,61,62 which have a
lower Co content than LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4. Compared with 3 V cathode LiFeO4, the two materials
act as 4 V cathodes.2 There are also the vanadium-containing phosphates, LiVPO4F63,64 (4.2 V vs. Li)
and Li3V2P3O12,65,66 which show good stability in the charged state.
Besides experimental research, theoretical investigation of carbon nanomaterials involving the
electronic structure, interaction between carbon materials and the active materials, and doping
effects is essential for the design and synthesis of more active electrode materials in LIBs.
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— Une femme qui aurait de l’argent et le sens des affaires
pourrait s’acheter une barque comme celle-ci : on tendrait les
cabines de mousseline Liberty.
— Oh ! ça existe au Japon : on les appelle des bateaux de fleurs.
— Eh bien, pourquoi personne n’a-t-il encore tenté cela ici, dans
une ville maritime ? Moi, je ne le savais pas, et maintenant je suis
vieille…
Angelinette s’était désintéressée de la conversation ; elle avait
cherché du fil et enfilait des coquillages. La marée montait, la barque
oscilla, ondula et se remit à flot.
Ils voguèrent encore pendant dix jours sur l’Escaut et se firent
tous les jours échouer.
Les matins de brume, Angelinette apparaissait, dans sa nudité
enfantine, comme une perle sortant d’une huître entr’ouverte, qui,
dans l’éloignement, se refermait et l’absorbait toute ; et alors, prise
de peur de se sentir enveloppée de cette chose impalpable, elle
appelait : « Hélène ! Seigneur ! » et ne se sentait à l’aise que
lorsqu’ils répondaient.
Ils retournèrent à Anvers quand ils n’eurent plus le sou, et
n’oublièrent pas le sac de coquillages et les petits moulins à vent.
Angelinette les distribua aux enfants du quartier et elle raconta aux
femmes son voyage.
— Il y avait…
Et toutes, bouche bée, comme des enfants, écoutaient.
J’étais allée avec Jantje chez une vieille amie. Là vint une dame
française avec un petit garçon de l’âge de Jantje. Les deux enfants
se rapprochèrent vivement l’un de l’autre. Le petit Français était
foncé comme une gaillette, les cheveux coupés ras, une figure mate
et de gros sourcils noirs. Il se planta devant Jantje et dit :
— Je suis Français.
Jantje ne répondit pas, se promena devant lui, la tête levée, avec
des yeux qui demandaient : « Et après ? » Puis il dit :
— J’ai travaillé deux heures ce matin pour ajuster des tuyaux de
poële.
— Ah ! pas mal, s’écria ma vieille amie.
J’étais fière aussi : l’un faisait valoir un état dont il ne pouvait
mais, et l’autre son travail. Il avait décoché cela d’un trait, sans une
hésitation. Ces mots lui étaient restés dans la mémoire : le matin, il
était descendu tout noir du grenier ; mon ami lui avait demandé :
« Qu’as-tu fait pour être si noir ? » et le petit lui avait expliqué, avec
des gestes, et des mots hollandais et français, qu’il avait bien
travaillé deux heures pour ajuster des tuyaux de poële.
— Eh bien, dis : « J’ai travaillé deux heures pour ajuster des
tuyaux de poële. »
Il avait répété et retenu.
Les petits ne se dirent plus rien ; dans leur désillusion, ils
s’étaient, chacun, approchés de leur tante et de là s’observaient. Je
n’ai jamais été mieux à même de juger de la différence entre la
vanité et la fierté.
— Jean, prends ton traîneau, nous irons au parc, où l’on fait des
statues de neige.
— Statues, tante ?
— Oui, ce sont des hommes ou des bêtes, en quelque chose
comme la belle dame sans vêtements qui tient une coquille et que tu
aimes bien.
— Mais puisque ça devient de l’eau, tante.
— Oui, ça ne durera pas, mais on aura pendant quelques jours le
plaisir de les regarder, et quelques jours, c’est long pour du plaisir.
Dès l’entrée du parc, devant l’amas étincelant de neige, il entra
en joie ; mais, quand nous arrivâmes à l’un des carrefours, où
plusieurs sculpteurs, emmitouflés et bleuis de froid, échafaudaient
de la neige et maniaient l’ébauchoir, il courut de l’un à l’autre,
regarda tout, puis s’arrêta devant un groupe que modelait un jeune
sculpteur : c’était un âne monté par le bonhomme Noël.
— Tante, c’est saint Nicolas. Il ne me fera pas de mal ?
— Non, tu as été sage.
— Puis-je travailler avec le monsieur ? Je peux apporter de la
neige dans le traîneau.
— Je ne sais pas, demande au monsieur.
Et pas timide, sa voix sonnant clair, il demanda :
— Monsieur, je aider ?
Le jeune sculpteur le regarda.
— Tiens, quel gentil petit homme !
— Je aider, monsieur ?
Le sculpteur se tourna vers moi, me dévisagea aussi,
curieusement, me salua et dit à Jantje :
— Mais oui, tu peux m’aider, apporte-moi de la neige.
Jan se mit à la besogne et, avec sa bêche, remplissait le
traîneau. Je n’avais pas à craindre le froid pour lui, il se remuait
fiévreusement, mails moi, comment résister ?
— Jan, monsieur est ton patron, fais ce qu’il te dira ; moi je vais
courir de long en large ou je gèlerai.
— Oui, tante, je ferai ce que le monsieur dira.
Je me mis à courir. Et Jantje amassait de la neige à côté du
sculpteur, qui eut la gentillesse d’employer surtout cette neige-là. Il
lui parlait en néerlandais et lui demanda son avis.
— Ajouterai-je aux oreilles de l’âne ou à la queue ?
Jantje trouva qu’il ne fallait rien ajouter à la queue ni aux oreilles,
mais ajouter tout de suite le bras droit du bonhomme Noël.
Le sculpteur et moi demandâmes en même temps pourquoi ce
bras pressait tant.
— C’est avec ce bras-là qu’il jette les bonbons, n’est-ce pas,
tante ?
— Ah ! voilà l’affaire ! Je vais vite mettre le bras, riait le sculpteur.
Et il appliqua de la neige autour de l’armature rudimentaire. Vers
midi, le travail était ébauché.
— Nous devons rentrer, Jantje.
— Tante, comment faire ? le monsieur ne peut pas travailler sans
moi.
— Ah ! oui, il faudra revenir, j’aurai besoin de neige.
— Eh bien, nous reviendrons.
A peine eûmes-nous déjeuné, il fallut qu’il y retournât.
Et voilà que le bonhomme Noël avait, pendu à son poing de
neige, un cornet de caramels sur lequel était écrit : « Pour Jantje, le
bon ouvrier. »
Jantje ne fut pas très étonné, mais fier.
— Tante, il a vu que je travaillais bien et que j’ai fait ajouter son
bras pour les bonbons, puisque de l’autre bras il porte la verge.
Jusque vers la brune, Jantje se démena, le sculpteur travailla, et
le tout fut achevé.
Alors le sculpteur dit à Jantje :
— Demain, de beaux messieurs viendront pour juger le meilleur
travail. Tâche de revenir, je dirai que tu m’as bien aidé. Et c’est vrai,
madame, fit-il en se tournant vers moi, son émotion m’en a donné et
je crois que je l’ai communiquée un peu à mon travail. Ce petit-là ne
fera rien froidement dans la vie ; et plus, il galvanisera les autres.
Quelle conviction et quel exquis petit homme !
— Donne la main au monsieur et dis « à demain ».
Nous revînmes le lendemain avec André. Il connaissait le jeune
sculpteur.
Les beaux messieurs ne lui donnèrent pas leurs suffrages, mais
nous avions trouvé un ami.