Latest ArticlesHard carbon materials are currently the only practical anode materials for commercial sodium-ion battery production, due to their advantages such as high volumetric capacity, low discharge potential, and low production cost. However, hard carbon typically faces issues like low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE), poor rate performance, and structural instability during cycling, on account of its disordered and porous structure. To address these challenges, this study designs and implements a surface modification strategy to coat hard carbon with a carbon layer derived from the pyrolysis of liquid paraffin. This modified layer significantly reduces the surface defect sites, promotes the ordering of the material's surface structure, and effectively fills the pores of the material. As a result, the ICE of surface-modified hard carbon can be improved from 80% to 90%, with an increased reversible capacity to 310 mAh/g, while also enhancing the rate and cycling performance. This method offers a simple yet efficient approach for structural modification and performance optimization of hard carbon anode materials for developing advanced sodium-ion battery technologies.
The development of photosynthetic biological systems (PBSs) presents a promising approach to mitigating global climate change. However, the practical application of PBSs remains hindered by their low product yields. Key determinants of production efficiency include light utilization, electron transfer efficiency, and catalyst stability. To address these challenges, we developed a high-performance Cupriavidus necator/CdS@Au@Poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (C. necator/CdS@Au@PDDA) biohybrid system for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into bioplastic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The incorporation of Au nanoclusters extends the visible light absorption range and alleviates photocorrosion of CdS, while the PDDA modification enhances electron transfer rates and enables the material to firmly adhere to the bacterial surface. In situ H2 production by CdS@Au@PDDA drives CO2 fixation through bacterial metabolic pathways, achieving a quantum efficiency of 2.76% ± 0.22% and a maximum PHB yield of 53.6 ± 5.2 mg/L, representing the highest yield reported for C. necator-based artificial PBSs. This biohybrid system demonstrates the effective integration of advanced nanomaterials with microbial processes, offering a robust platform for sustainable bioplastic production through carbon-neutral artificial photosynthesis technology and providing a novel perspective for addressing the global challenge of microplastic pollution.
Lithium plating and gas evolution during fast charging of graphite-based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are among the pivotal challenges contributing to rapid capacity loss. However, the mechanisms underlying gas generation and corresponding mitigation strategies in electrolytes comprising mixed organic molecules and Li salts remain underexplored. Herein, we employed first-principles studies to simulate the lithiation process of electrolytes and predicted gas formation at anode interfaces with Li plating. Our results emphasize the critical role of Li salts in initiating solvent molecule decomposition and the exacerbation of interfacial degradation under conditions of elevated temperature and prolonged annealing, giving rise to the production of CO, C2H4, CH4, and H2, along with a significant increase in SEI's electronic conductivity. Moreover, our computations highlight that ethylene carbonate (EC) in commercial electrolytes is the overarching cause of interface instability and gas evolution. Experimental validations demonstrate that reducing the EC content in electrolytes results in an enhancement of the specific capacity of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2graphite full cells from 158.13 mAh/g to 182.53 mAh/g, and an improvement in capacity retention from 72.0% to 80.4% over 130 cycling at 3 C. This research provides a theoretical framework for designing fast-charging electrolytes with stable interfaces and minimal gas generation.
Developing metal matrix composites with low thermal expansion yet high thermal conductivity (λ) has been an ongoing effort in electronic packaging materials due to the growing demand for high-power applications. However, progress has been hindered by the insufficient thermal expansion suppression of conventional low thermal expansion reinforcements or the low λ of negative thermal expansion reinforcements. In this study, this challenge is overcome via a multiphase design strategy using ZrW2O8 and SiC to co-reinforce the aluminum matrix composites. This approach simultaneously combines the advantages of the ZrW2O8 for controlling the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and SiC for improving λ. A controlled CTE-λ balance (6.22–9.7 × 10–6 K-1, 63.1–131.1 W/mK) can be obtained by varying the volume ratio of ZrW2O8 to SiC. The CTE of this composite is significantly lower than that of the 50 vol% SiC/Al composite, while its CTE is approximately equal to that of the 45 vol% ZrW2O8/Al composite but with a twofold increase in λ. The good thermal performance of this composite can be attributed to the strong interfacial interactions of SiC and the tailored variation in CTE. Furthermore, simulation and experimental results revealed that the residual stress can be effectively relieved through this strategy. This work presents a straightforward structural design and an effective pathway to manufacture composites with excellent integrated properties.
At present, electromagnetic wave absorbing materials provide an effective solution to the electromagnetic pollution generated by electronic devices. However, materials with a single function can no longer meet practical requirements. Therefore, reduced graphene oxide/Fe3O4 composites were prepared via a combined process involving sol-gel, click chemistry reaction (thiol-ene reaction), and reduction. The results demonstrated that Fe3O4 was covalently grafted onto graphene oxide (GO), which significantly influenced the morphology, electrical conductivity, and electromagnetic wave absorption performance of the composite. When the mass ratio of GO to modified Fe3O4 was 1:1, the composite G2-Fe exhibited optimal impedance matching and the best electromagnetic wave absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) reached -42.0 dB at 4.91 GHz. When the thickness was 2.0 mm, the maximum effective absorption bandwidth (RL < -10 dB) was 4.85 GHz. Moreover, the composite also displayed excellent thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. The thermal conductivity of the composite material was maintained above 1.486 W m-1 K-1. In a 3.5 wt% saline solution, the composite showed a low corrosion current (3.07 × 10–5 A) and a high corrosion potential (-0.110 V). This study not only achieved structural regulation of the composite through covalent grafting of modified Fe3O4 on GO, but also offered valuable insights for the design of multifunctional materials integrating electromagnetic wave absorption, thermal conduction, and corrosion resistance properties.
Tandem CO2 electroreduction integrated with carbonylation reactions offers a promising pathway for transforming greenhouse gases into valuable chemical products. The development of efficient CO2–to–CO electrocatalysts operational across wide potential ranges is crucial to address renewable energy fluctuations and facilitate integrated cascade systems. Herein, a Ni single–atom catalyst (SAC) with sulfur doping in the second shell of Ni–N4 is reported. In situ measurements and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the incorporation S atoms not only modulates the electronic configuration of Ni active sites but also enhances H2O adsorption, enabling rapid CO2 hydrogenation into *COOH intermediates even at high potentials. Consequently, the Ni–N–S/CNS catalyst achieves a Faradaic efficiency for CO2–to–CO (FECO) of 99.3% at –0.7 VRHE and maintains over 90% across pH–universal conditions with ultrawide potential windows: 1400 mV (from –0.3 VRHE to –1.7 VRHE) in alkaline media, 1200 mV (from –0.7 VRHE to –1.9 VRHE) in neutral conditions, and 1000 mV (from –1.3 VRHE to –2.3 VRHE) in acidic environments. Remarkably, this catalyst enables the tandem CO2RR and N–alkylaniline carbonylation process for synthesizing o–aminobenzoates and isatoic anhydrides with high yield. Our findings demonstrate an electrothermo–catalytic tandem strategy for cost–effective CO2 conversion and synthesis of high valuable fine chemicals, thereby broadening the scope of its utilization.
Controlling gas sorption via pore environment regulation is of significance yet challenging in the adsorption and separation process. Herein, we report a pillar modification strategy in the pillar–layered metal–organic frameworks for enhancing C2H2/CO2 separation by controlling host-guest interactions. Altering pillars from aromatic ligand to aliphatic ligand in the prototype MOF (Ni-MOF-1) not only manufactures an aliphatic pore environment conducive to generate multiple van der Waals interactions with C2H2 but also increases adsorption sites for C2H2 verified by theoretical calculations. The pore environment optimized Ni-MOF-2 exhibits 3.5-fold enhanced equimolar C2H2/CO2 selectivity and practical separation performance evidenced by dynamic breakthrough experiments. This work provides an example for the in-depth investigation of delicate pore environment regulation and offers an alternative for the C2H2/CO2 separation.
Though polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is commonly employed as a binder for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, it still faces the challenge of serious electrode fracture caused by dramatic volume changes during cycling, and lacks extended functions such as capturing dissolved lithium polysulfides (LIPSs) and promoting Li+ transfer. Herein, a multifunctional water-soluble binder lithium sulfonated cellulose (Cel-SO3Li) is designed and prepared. The Cel-SO3Li binder can capture LIPSs due to nucleophilic substitution reaction between -SO4Li and dissolved LIPSs. Its abundant hydroxyl groups provide excellent electrode mechanical properties, which effectively alleviate sulfur volume changes during cycling. Furthermore, the -SO3Li groups also enhance the diffusion of Li+ in the electrodes. In addition, density functional theory calculations reveal that the Cel-SO3Li exhibits strong affinity and catalytic ability for LIPSs, indicating that it can effectively suppress the shuttle effect and enhance their reaction kinetics. Therefore, the electrode using Cel-SO3Li binder reach a high initial discharge capacity of 1165 mAh/g at 0.5 C, remain 545 mAh/g after 1000 cycles with a low capacity decay rate of 0.053% per cycle. This study proposes the concept of a multifunctional and environmentally friendly binder with the ability of "three birds with one stone" (high adhesion, fast Li+ diffusion, effective capture and even catalysis for LIPSs), which will contribute to accelerating applications of Li-S batteries.
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with their maximized atomic efficiency, unique atomic structure and electronic properties, have attracted widespread research interest. The systematic understanding of reaction mechanism for single atom catalysis is an important frontier in catalysis research. The bonding energy and electron transfer between a single metal atom and its neighboring coordinating atoms can determine the charge density and distribution of the central metal sites, thereby affecting the overall catalytic performance of SACs. This review describes recent progress on understanding the electronic micro-environment for single atom sites, the bonding energy and electron transfers among the single atoms/supports/reactants during chemical/electrochemical reactions. We firstly introduce the theoretical insights in single atom catalysis, and then three characterization methods for characterizing the electronic structure and coordination environments of SACs are demonstrated. The detailed information about the bonding energy and electron transfer in SACs are emphasis described in three parts: (1) Bonding energy between SACs and substrates; (2) bonding energy between neighboring metal atoms; (3) bonding energy between SACs and reactants during reactions. The systematic summary of the microelectronic structure change of single atoms could provide a deep understanding of the catalytic mechanism during single atom catalysis.
Exploring multiphase interfaces to modulate the electronic structure of catalysts is critical for energy conversion catalysis processes. Herein, we demonstrated the carbon-constrained heterogeneous NiTe-MoTe2 microsphere catalysts with high performance induced by heterostructure charge redistribution for energy-saving hydrogen generation from urea electrolysis. The hybrid NiTe-MoTe2 generated the optimized Gibbs adsorption-free energy for reducing the reaction energy barrier and enhancing catalytic kinetics. The high-valence Mo created a favorable chemical environment for positively charged Ni species formation by modulating the electronic structure. The NiTe-MoTe2 composites exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity compared to the pure-phase NiTe or MoTe2 catalysts, achieving a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at 1.40 V for urea oxidation, along with rapid catalytic kinetics and robust stability. The NiTe-MoTe2Pt/C electrolyzer achieves a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a cell potential of 1.49 V and maintains excellent long-term durability over 120 h at 1.60 V for urea electrolysis. The promoted spontaneous dehydrogenation and CO2 desorption ability catalyzed by NiTe-MoTe2 largely improved the reaction kinetics and performance. The current work showed new insights for the development of advanced energy conversion catalytic mate.
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