An organic-inorganic composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) was constructed via introducing an active filler of Na-β''-Al₂O₃ into a solid-state polymer electrolyte (SPE) composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-imide (NaTFSI). The phase composition, ionic conductivity, Na⁺ transference number, and electrochemical stability were investigated. The electrochemical properties of SPE and CPE in Na|Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃@C solid-state sodium batteries were obtained. The results show that the CPE has a greater Na⁺ transference number of 0.71 than SPE (i.e., 0.19) and a higher Na⁺ conductivity of 8.19×10^-4 S/cm than SPE (i.e., 1.65×10^-4 S/cm) at 80 ℃. The CPE exhibits a superior cycling stability with capacity retentions of 93.9% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C and 74.0% after 500 cycles at 2.0 C in Na|CPE|Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃@C solid-state batteries.

Rechargeable magnesium-ions batteries (RMBs) have attracted termendous attention in large-scale energy storage applications due to the high volumetric capacity, great earth abundance, and environmental friendliness. However, the existing electrodes and electrolyte cannot fully facilitate the Mg²⁺ ion insertion/extraction due to the higher charge density and stronger solvation of Mg ions, resulting in a poor electrochemical performance. Developing stable and high-efficiency electrode materials is thus a key issue to promote the practical application of RMBs. Furthermore, it is essential for the construction of high-capacity and long-lifespan RMBs to optimize the electrolyte. Recent development on electrode materials and electrolytes for RMBs was reviewed, and some challenges and possible resolution strategies were also discussed.

Magnesium/sulfur (Mg/S) battery is one of the most promising energy storage systems due to its high energy density, low cost, and high safety. Although recent research work develops electrolytes, sulfur cathodes and magnesium anodes, the development of Mg/S battery is still in its infancy. The practical implementation of Mg/S battery is a challenge. In this review, some recent research work on Mg electrolytes, sulfur cathode, Mg anode, and Mg/electrolyte interface were summarized. Also, the existing problems that need to be solved were analyzed, and some future application prospects of Mg/S batteries were depicted.

Compared to magnesium metal batteries (MMBs) based on pure Mg²⁺ electrolyte, the MMBs based on hybrid electrolyte containing Mg²⁺ and Li⁺ possess some advantages such as long cycle life, fast charge and discharge processes, high Coulomb efficiency and more choices of cathode materials. The energy density of MMBs can be improved especially when conversion-based cathode materials are used. Recent development on dual-salt magnesium batteries based on conversion reaction or multiple electron transfer process was reviewed based on the aspects of sulfide and organic cathode materials. With the assistance of nano-structure regulation, conductive network construction, and ion pillaring, Mg-S and Mg-rhodizonate batteries are able to achieve a high energy density (i.e., 500 W·h/kg based on active cathode material) and a long-term cycle stability. This review proposed an additive salt strategy to accelerate the kinetics of MMBs based on conversion reaction, and provided some fresh insights for the future development of magnesium-based batteries.

Exploring suitable cathode materials to effectively accommodate Zn ions, optimizing Zn anode structure and clarifing the mechanism of battery can favor the improvement of the electrochemical performance of zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). In this review, recent development on ZIBs was represented and various kinds of cathode materials were introduced. The structural characters, electrochemical properties and Zn ion storage mechanism were reviewed. Some solutions to solve the problems faced by Zn anode were described. Meanwhile, the effect of electrolyte on the electrochemical performance of ZIBs was discussed. In addition, challenges on ZIBs and prospects for future research directions were also given.

Metallic zinc (Zn) has a great promising potential as a negative electrode material for rechargeable batteries because of its high specific capacity, low cost, abundance, non-toxic nature and environmental benignity. However, Zn metal anode (i.e., zinc dendrites, shape change, passivation and self-corrosion) for the application of rechargeable Zn-metal batteries becomes a challenge. The corresponding problem is the thermodynamically instability of Zn metal with aqueous based electrolytes. Recently, work have tried some effective solutions to the intrinsic problem of zinc metal anode, i.e., electrode/electrolyte additives, electrode coatings, 3-dimension electrode structure and novel electrolyte system. This review summarized recent developments on electrode design, electrolyte optimization and novel reversible Zn-based energy storage systems. In addition, a perspective for future research direction of rechargeable Zn-metal batteries was also presented.

This review presents recent research progress on cathode and anode materials for potassium ion batteries (KIBs) and analyzes main factors affecting the specific capacity, rate performance and cycle stability of different types of cathode and anode materials. Moreover, some approaches for improving the performance of electrode materials for KIBs were summarized, including heteroatom doping, surface coating, microstructural regulation, etc.. In addition, a perspective for future research direction of KIBs was also presented.

Potassium ion is heavier and larger than lithium ion, having some features such as harder to diffuse in electrode materials and causing a greater structural stress in electrode material during charging and discharging, thus resulting in the collapse of the electrode. The development of potassium ion battery, especially to the advancement of its cathode material becomes thus a challenge. In order to tackle these problems, some work are carried out in the field of potassium ion battery, and the corresponding results show that cathode materials (i.e., layered metal oxides, polyanionic-type material, Prussian blue and its derivatives) exhibit better potassium storage properties. This review represented various cathode materials used for potassium ion battery and recent developments, mainly including the potassium storage mechanism, electrochemical performance, existing problems and potential strategies. In addition, some possible future research aspects for the cathode material in potassium ion batteries were also addressed.

Aluminum metal delivers great theoretical gravimetric capacity and volumetric capacity, high abundance and low cost. Aqueous electrolytes are widely used in many kinds of metal ion batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and low flammability. Aqueous aluminum ion batteries have been developed rapidly in recent years. This review introduced the optimization of aluminum metal anode, the selection of electrolytes and the research progress of electrode materials. In addition, some challenges in aqueous aluminum ion batteries and possible solutions were also discussed.

Chalcogens and their compounds cathode materials become promising electrode materials for non-aqueous aluminum ion batteries (AIBs) due to their low electronegativity and high specific capacities. A relationship between electrochemical reaction mechanism and electrochemical performance of chalcogens and their compounds was represented. The main problems were discussed and the modification and optimization were summarized. In addition, the future development of chalcogens and their compounds cathode materials was also prospected.

Surface modification and protection of lithium metal are widely regarded as effective methods to improve lithium deposition behaviors as well as suppress lithium dendrites. In this paper, acetic acid gas was used to react with lithium metal to obtain CH₃COOLi-Li anode. A lithium acetate passivation film formed on the lithium surface could prevent lithium metal from further reacting with the electrolyte, thus inhibiting lithium dendrite growth during cycling. The lithium battery, lithium copper battery, and lithium cobaltate full battery were assembled for electrochemical characterization of a proposed modified metal anode. The results show that CH₃COOLi-Li anode has a better cycle stability performance than pure Li anode. The Coulomb efficiency of lithium copper battery with CH₃COOLi-Li anode after 100 cycles remains at 97%, and CH₃COOLi-Li/LiCoO₂ full battery has a capacity retention rate of 73.5% after 1 000 cycles.

A polyurethane-based nanocomposite with modified hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticle/graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated via effective dispersion of modified h-BN and GO into highly viscous polyurethane prepolymer in the presence of a polymer dispersant in a high energy-density stirred bead mill and subsequently crosslinking with a chain extender. The effects of h-BN and GO particles modified by a saline coupling agent, dispersion and h-BN and/or GO contents on the thermal transport capacity and mechanical properties were investigated, and the Kapitza thermal resistivity at the interface between h-BN nanoparticle or graphene oxide and polyurethane matrix was calculated based on the effect media approximation. The samples were characterized by thermal diffusivity measurement, wear rate analysis, Shore hardness measurement, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and infrared image. The results show that the nanoparticles modified by a saline coupling agent and dispersed with a polymer dispersant in the mill have a good compatibility with polyurethane matrix, thus enhancing the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite, i.e., (0.671±0.033) W/(m·K), which is increased by 188 %, compared to neat polyurethane, i.e., 0.233 W/(m·K). This is possibly because the incorporation of modified h-BN nanoparticles or graphene oxide into polyurethane matrix can reduce the Kapitza thermal resistivity at their interface. Also, the Shore hardness of the polyurethane-based nanocomposite is 91, which is increased by 4.12%, and the wear rate is 2.03%, which is decreased by 26.63%, respectively, compared to those of neat polyurethane.

Tungsten (W)-doped vanadium dioxide (VO₂) films were prepared by a polymer-assisted deposition (PAD) method. The morphology and phase transition of the doped VO₂ films with different tungsten concentrations were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that tungsten atoms are incorporated into the VO₂ films via the PAD method, and the fabricated VO₂ films also show great crystallization characteristics. Based on the results by Raman spectroscopy, the M2 phase appears during the phase transition in the 1.0% (in mole) W-doped VO₂ films. The results by electrical test indicate that the phase transition temperature of W-doped VO₂ films is reduced by 10℃ as tungsten ions doped are increased by 0.3% (in mole), and the higher the doping concentration of tungsten is, the narrower the width of the phase transition thermal hysteresis loop will be.

MoS₂ has attracted great attentions as a transition metal sulfide due to its excellent electrical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties, which has the similar structure of graphite. However, the synthesis of high-quality MoS₂ is still a challenge. MoS₂ with specific morphology, a few layers, high active edges and single phase can be prepared by a space-confined method as a novel synthetic strategy. This review summarized the synthesis of MoS₂ by different dimensional space-confined methods, In addition, research progress on lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, photoelectrocatalysis, etc. and future development were also prospected.

Na_0.25K_0.25Bi_2.5-xHo_xNb₂O₉ (NKBN-xHo³⁺, 0.000≤x≤0.030) bismuth layered ceramics were prepared by a conventional solid-state method. Effect of Ho³⁺ doping on the structural, electrical properties and up-conversion luminescence properties of NKBN ceramics was investigated. Based on the results by X-ray diffraction results, Ho³⁺ enters into the NKBN lattice and forms a solid solution. The grain size of NKBN samples decreases with the increased of Ho³⁺ doping. The optimum piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of ceramic can be obtained as x=0.020, i.e., d₃₃=21.8 pC/N, 2P_r=1.84 μC/cm², where d₃₃ is piezoelectric constant and P_r is remanent polarization. All the samples show little depolarization at 400 ℃, thus having a good thermal stability. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser, all the samples have the characteristics of up-conversion fluorescence luminescence, indicating that NKBN-xHo³⁺ ceramics can offer a potential application for optical-electrical multifunctional materials. The lattice structure symmetry of ceramic samples increases and the up-conversion fluorescence luminescence intensity reduces with the increase of polarization voltage.

A floating composite photocatalyst of hollow glass microspheres (HGM)/ZnIn₂S₄/α-Fe₂O₃ was prepared by a modified hydrothermal method. The HGM/ZnIn₂S₄ composite was firstly prepared with HGM as a carrier, and then further modified with nanorod-shaped α-Fe₂O₃ to obtain the floating composite photocatalysts of HGM/ZnIn₂S₄/α-Fe₂O₃. The effects of α-Fe₂O₃ content, photocatalysts addition and solution pH value on the photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalysts for the degradation of hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) were investigated. The results show that α-Fe₂O₃ and hexagonal ZnIn₂S₄ heterogeneous structure are formed, and the composite photocatalyst is uniformly loaded on the surface of HGM. Compared to α-Fe₂O₃ powder and HGM/ZnIn₂S₄ composite microspheres, the photocatalytic performance of HGM/ZnIn₂S₄/α-Fe₂O₃ is improved. The prepared composite photocatalyst still has a good photocatalytic efficiency after several recycling. In addition, the synthesis mechanism of HGM/ZnIn₂S₄/α-Fe₂O₃ and its enhanced photocatalytic mechanism were also discussed.

The influences of sand ratio and paste aggregate ratio on fresh properties of high-fluidity concrete (HFC) were investigated. Two strength grades of HFC with different sand ratios and paste aggregate ratios were prepared. The fresh properties of HFC were investigated by rheological experiment, workability measurement and sliper test. The results show that the rheological properties and workability of HFC are related to the sand ratio and paste aggregate ratio. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of HFC and the lubrication layer initially firstly decrease and then increase with the increase of sand ratio. With the change of sand ratio of 6.38%, the variation range of yield stress of HFC can be up to about 27%, and the variation range of plastic viscosity can be up to about 78%. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of HFC and the lubrication layer gradually decrease with the increase of paste aggregate ratio. With the change of paste aggregate ratio of 16.07%, the variation range of yield stress of HFC can be up to about 331%, and the variation range of plastic viscosity can be up to about 204%. The varying tendency of workability of concrete is consistent with its rheological properties. A linear relationship between pumping pressure and quantity of flow for concrete predicted by sliper test shows the contribution of the lubrication layer to the process of pumping. The reliability of yield stress of the lubrication layer based on the sliper test is low.

R₂O-CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-F (RCSAF) glass-ceramics were prepared via melting method. The nucleation and crystal growth kinetics of RCSAF glass-ceramics were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. The nucleation and crystal growth kinetics of the glass-ceramics were obtained by Gaussian fitting. The temperature-time-transition (T-T-T) curve of R₂O-CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-F glass-ceramics under non-isothermal heating conditions was obtained, and the Gaussian fitting of glass-ceramics and crystal growth kinetics were obtained. The crystallization kinetic parameters including the crystallization apparent activation energy (E_a) and the crystallization index (n) were also measured with Ozawa and JMA methods (i.e. E_a=357.74 kJ/mol, n=3.13). Effects of time, temperature and precipitated crystal phase on the crystallization rate curve of R₂O-CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-F glass-ceramics were established. The CaF₂ crystal particles precipitated from glass-ceramics were uniformly distributed in canasite and α-canasite. The crystal precipitation process of RCSAF glass-ceramics was further verified by typical crystal structure presented in scanning electron microscopic images.

A diatomite composite with a molecular sieve structure was prepared via acid hydrothermal treatment, and its adsorption performance was evaluated by a saturated adsorption rate of methylene blue in solution. The results show that a phase Variscite 10 with a molecular sieve structure can be formed by hydrothermal treatment. The saturated adsorption capacity of the composite with the specific surface area of 96.02 m²/g is 98.60 mg/g, which is 298.79 times greater than that of the raw diatomite. The size and crystallinity of the molecular sieve particles increase and the diatomite shell with tubular structure destroys as the reaction time increases, leading to the decrease of the adsorption performance of methylene blue. The optimum parameters for hydrothermal treatment are mixed acid of 10%(in mass fraction), reaction temperature of 180 ℃ and reaction time of 2 h.

The flake structure SAPO-34 was firstly synthesized via a hydrothermal method with co-template triethylamine and tetraethylammonium bromide as crystal seeds, and then the layered SAPO-34 molecular sieves with different thicknesses were synthesized via changing the template composition. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy and NH₃-temperature programmed desorption. The methanol to olefins catalytic performance of the SAPO-34 was evaluated by a fixed-bed reactor. The results show that the crystallization time of SAPO-34 shortens by to 36 h and the SAPO-34 cannot be produced without template. The template has an influence on the thickness of layered SAPO-34. The lamellar SAPO-34 has better light olefins selectivity than the flake and cubic ones, but its catalytic stability is slightly inferior to that of the flake one.

Based on the study of ancient black glazed porcelains, high-fired glazes of SiO₂-Al₂O_3-K₂O-MgO-CaO-Fe₂O₃ system were designed and prepared. Different glaze decoration effects were achieved by changing the firing schedules to modify the crystallization behavior and microstructure of the glazes. The influence of thermal history on the crystal attribute and morphology, glaze appearance and coloring mechanism was investigated by using optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. ε-Fe₂O₃ crystalline layer was prepared in a slight oxidation atmosphere at about 1 000-1 050 ℃. The results show that α-Fe₂O₃ crystals precipitated on the glaze surface have a good orientation and a variety of morphologies, which are related to the crystallization position and the direction of the crystallization plane. α-Fe₂O₃ crystals on the glaze surface show a silvery metallic luster, which belongs to a physical structural color.