Anion Chemistry towards On-Site Construction of Solid-Electrolyte Interface for Highly Stable Metallic Zn Anode.

Reversibility of metallic Zn anode serves as the corner stone for the development of aqueous Zn metal battery, which motivates scrutinizing the electrolyte-Zn interface. As the representative organic zinc salt, zinc trifluorosulfonate (Zn(OTf)) facilitates a broad class of aqueous electrolytes, however, the stability issue of Zn anode remains crucial. The great challenge lies in the lack of Zn anode protection by the pristinely formed surface structure in aqueous Zn(OTf) electrolytes.

Boron-Doping Induced Electron Delocalization in Fluorophosphate Cathode: Enhanced Na-Ion Diffusivity and Sodium-Ion Full Cell Performance.

Na V (PO ) O F (NVPOF) is widely accepted as advanced cathode material for sodium-ion batteries with high application prospects ascribing to its considerable specific capacity and high working voltage. However, challenges in the full realization of its theoretical potential lie in the novel structural design to accelerate its Na diffusivity. Herein, considering the important role of polyanion groups in constituting Na diffusion tunnels, boron (B) is doped at the P-site to obtain Na V (P B O )O F (NVP B OF).

Effect of Si on the Oxidation Behaviors of Ti Al Si C at 1000 °C.

In this work, Ti Al Si C (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.

From Solid-Solution MXene to Cr-Substituted NaV(PO): Breaking the Symmetry of Sodium Ions for High-Voltage and Ultrahigh-Rate Cathode Performance.

Stabilizing Na accessibility at high voltage and accelerating Na diffusivity are pressing issues to further enhance the energy density of the NaV(PO) (NVP) cathode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, by taking a V/Cr solid-solution MXene as a precursor, a facile reactive transformation strategy to embed Cr-substituted NVP (NVCP) nanocrystals in a dual-carbon network is proposed. Particularly, the substituted Cr atom triggers the accessibility of additional Na in NVCP, which is demonstrated by an additional reversible redox plateau at 4.

Developments in Surface/Interface Engineering of Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Materials.

Ni-rich layered cathodes with high energy densities reveal an enormous potential for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), however, their poor stability and reliability have inhibited their application. To ensure their stability over extensive cycles at high voltage, surface/interface modifications are necessary to minimize the adverse reactions at the cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI), which is a critical factor impeding electrode performance. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive discussion on the surface engineering of Ni-rich cathode materials for enhancing their lithium storage property.

A Review of MnO Composites Incorporated with Conductive Materials for Energy Storage.

Manganese dioxide (MnO ) has been widely used in the field of energy storage due to its high specific capacitance, low cost, natural abundance, and being environmentally friendly. However, suffering from poor electrical conductivity and high dissolvability, the performance of MnO can no longer meet the needs of rapidly growing technological development, especially for the application as electrode material in metal-ion batteries and supercapacitors. In this review, recent studies on the development of binary or multiple MnO -based composites with conductive components for energy storage are summarized.

Ni-Directed biphase N-doped MoC as an efficient hydrogen evolution catalyst in both acidic and alkaline conditions.

The development of efficient and low-cost catalysts is of great significance for the future application of the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a series of Ni,N co-doped MoC nanostructures (Ni-MoC/N) with different Ni content levels are fabricated. The phase-directing effect of Ni on MoC/N is observed, which is in charge of the phase transformation of MoC/N from an - to a -phase.

Promoting the Water-Reduction Kinetics and Alkali Tolerance of MoNi Nanocrystals via a Mo TiC T Induced Built-In Electric Field.

Mo-Ni alloy-based electrocatalysts are regarded as promising candidates for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), despite their vulnerable stability in alkaline solution that hampers further application. Herein, Mo TiC T MXene, is employed as a support for MoNi alloy nanocrystals (NCs) to fabricate a unique nanoflower-like MoNi -MX electrocatalyst. A remarkably strong built-in electric field is established at the interface of two components, which facilitates the electron transfer from Mo TiC T to MoNi .

Overexpression of the Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene Confers Aluminum Tolerance in .

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the main factor limiting plant growth and the yield of cereal crops in acidic soils. Al-induced oxidative stress could lead to the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and aldehydes in plants. Aldehyde dehydrogenase () genes, which play an important role in detoxification of aldehydes when exposed to abiotic stress, have been identified in most species.

Catalytic polysulfides immobilization within a S/C-Co-N hollow cathode obtained by nonthermal imprison route.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have hitherto attracted dramatic research interests as an optional high-energy output candidate to replace the traditional lithium-ion batteries on account of its high energy density and low cost. Nonetheless, their kinetics arrearage and detrimental "shuttling effect" caused by the migration of soluble lithium polysulfide (LiPS) intermediates severely limit its practical application. Here, by a nonthermal route sulfur is in-situ imprisoned into Co/N-codoped hollow carbon sphere (NC-Co) to construct an integrated S/C-Co-N hollow cathode (S@NC-Co) and directly applied in Li-S batteries, which effectively avoids complex template removal and sulfur infiltration process.

MXenes as a versatile platform for reactive surface modification and superior sodium-ion storages.

Owing to the large surface area and adjustable surface properties, the two-dimensional (2D) MXenes have revealed the great potential in constructing hybrid materials and for Na-ion storage (SIS). In particular, the facilitated Na-ion adsorption, intercalation, and migration on MXenes can be achieved by surface modification. Herein, a new surface modification strategy on MXenes, namely, the reactive surface modification (RSM), is focused and illustrated, while the recent advances in the research of SIS performance based on MXenes and their derivatives obtained from the RSM process are briefly summarized as well.

Multifunctional ionic liquid-assisted interfacial engineering towards ZnS nanodots with ultrastable high-rate lithium storage performance.

In this article, a new zinc-containing ionic liquid (IL) [HMMIm][ZnCl] (HMMIm = 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium) is designed, which acts as a multifunctional source for the interfacial engineering of ZnS nanodots (NDs). Given the electrostatic interaction driven by the imidazolium cation, the steric effect of the alkyl chain, and the released Zn ion from the IL, [HMMIm][ZnCl] shows great advantages in controlling the formation of ZnS NDs. Based on this strategy, a nanocomposite consisting of homodispersed ZnS NDs anchored on sulfur/nitrogen dual-doped reduced graphene oxide (ZnS-NDs@SNG) is prepared.

Recent Advanced on the MXene-Organic Hybrids: Design, Synthesis, and Their Applications.

With increasing research interest in the field of flexible electronics and wearable devices, intensive efforts have been paid to the development of novel inorganic-organic hybrid materials. As a newly developed two-dimensional (2D) material family, MXenes present many advantages compared with other 2D analogs, especially the variable surface terminal groups, thus the infinite possibility for the regulation of surface physicochemical properties. However, there is still less attention paid to the interfacial compatibility of the MXene-organic hybrids.

Synergy of Nb Doping and Surface Alloy Enhanced on Water-Alkali Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Performance in Ti-Based MXene.

Presented are the theoretical calculation and experimental studies of a TiCT MXene-based nanohybrid with simultaneous Nb doping and surface transition metal alloy modification. Guided by the density functional theory calculation, the Nb doping can move up the Fermi energy level to the conduction band, thus enhancing the electronic conductivity. Meanwhile, the surface modification by Ni/Co alloy can moderate the surface M-H affinity, which will further enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity.

Surface Modified MXene-Based Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage.

In recent years, the rapidly growing attention on MXenes makes the material a rising star in the 2D materials family. Although most researchers' interests are still focused on the properties of bare MXenes, little attention has been paid to the surface chemistry of MXenes and MXene-based nanocomposites. To this end, this Review offers a comprehensive discussion on surface modified MXene-based nanocomposites for energy conversion and storage (ECS) applications.

Layered Trichalcogenidophosphate: A New Catalyst Family for Water Splitting.

Due to the rapidly increasing demand for energy and environmental sustainability, stable and economical hydrogen production has received increasing attention in the past decades. In this regard, hydrogen production through photo- or electrocatalytic water splitting has continued to gain ever-growing interest. However, the existing catalysts are still unable to fulfill the demands of high-efficiency, low-cost, and sustainable hydrogen production.

Porous MXene Frameworks Support Pyrite Nanodots toward High-Rate Pseudocapacitive Li/Na-Ion Storage.

Presented are the novel TiC T MXene-based nanohybrid that decorated by pyrite nanodots on its surface (denoted as FeS@MXene). The nanohybrid was obtained by the one-step sulfurization of self-assembled iron hydroxide@MXene precursor. When used for Li/Na-ion storage, the FeS@MXene nanohybrid present excellent rate capabilities.

[CHNH]AgSnSnS: An Open-Framework Mixed-Valent Chalcogenidostannate.

An open-framework chalcogenidostannate, namely, [CHNH]AgSnSnS (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized, which represents the first organically templated three-dimensional (3D) Ag-Sn-S compound containing the mixed valence of Sn(IV)/Sn(II) and displays visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for degradation of crystal violet (CV).

Synthesis, Structure, Band Gap, and Near-Infrared Photosensitivity of a New Chalcogenide Crystal, (NH4)4Ag12Sn7Se22.

A new chalcogenide crystal, (NH4)4Ag12Sn7Se22 (FJSM-STS), has been solvothermally synthesized. The crystal structure, which is composed of arrays of [Sn3Se9]n(6n-) chains interconnecting [SnAg6Se10]n(10n-) and [Ag3Se4]n(5n-) layers, is unprecedented among the reported A/Ag/Sn/Q (A = cation; Q = S, Se, and Te) compounds. Optical absorption together with theoretical calculations of the band structure indicate a direct band gap of 1.

Two novel selenidostannates from mixed structure-directing systems: the large ten-membered ring of [Sn3Se4] semicubes and the 3D [Sn4Se9]n(2n-) with multi-channels.

Ionothermal syntheses, characterization and properties of two selenidostannate compounds with two- or three-dimensional (D) skeletons by utilizing the synergistic structure-directing effects of the ionic liquid (IL) [Bmmim]Cl (Bmmim = 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium) and in-situ generated metal-amine complexes (MACs), namely, 2D-(Bmmim)2[Ni(teta)(en)][Sn3Se7]2 (1, teta = triethylenetetramine, en = ethylenediamine) and 3D-(Bmmim)1.5(dienH)0.5Ni(dien)2[Sn4Se9]2 (2, dien = diethylenetriamine) are presented.

Synthesizing 2D and 3D Selenidostannates in Ionic Liquids: The Synergistic Structure-Directing Effects of Ionic Liquids and Metal-Amine Complexes.

Presented are the ionothermal syntheses, characterizations, and properties of a series of two- and three-dimensional selenidostannate compounds synergistically directed by metal-amine complex (MAC) cations and ionic liquids (ILs) of [Bmmim]Cl (Bmmim=1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium). Four selenidostannates, namely, 2D-(Bmmim)3 [Ni(en)3 ]2 [Sn9 Se21 ]Cl (1, en=ethylenediamine), 2D-(Bmmim)8 [Ni2 (teta)2 (μ-teta)]Sn18 Se42 (2, teta=triethylenetetramine), 2D-(Bmmim)4 [Ni(tepa)Cl]2 [Ni(tepa)Sn12 Se28 ] (3, tepa=tetraethylenepentamine), and 3D-(Bmmim)2 [Ni(1,2-pda)3 ]Sn8 Se18 (4, 1,2-pda=1,2-diaminopropane), were obtained. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that compounds 1 and 2 possess a lamellar anionic [Sn3 Se7 ]n (2n-) structure comprising distinct eight-membered ring units, whereas 3 features a MAC-decorated anionic [Ni(tepa)Sn12 Se28 ]n (6n-) layered structure.

Asymmetric-Indenothiophene-Based Copolymers for Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells with 9.14% Efficiency.

The first two asymmetric-indenothiophene-based donor-acceptor copolymers (PITBT and PITFBT) are prepared through Stille coupling reactions between distannyl indenothiophene and brominated benzothiadiazole derivatives. The best performing solar cell fabricated from PITFBT exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 9.14% which demonstrates a great potential of the asymmetric indenothiophene for high-performance copolymers.

Syntheses, Crystal Structures, Ion-Exchange, and Photocatalytic Properties of Two Amine-Directed Ge-Sb-S Compounds.

Among numerous heterometallic chalcogenidoantimonates, relatively a few amine-directed Ge-Sb-S compounds have been synthesized. Presented here are the solvothermal syntheses, crystal structures, and ion-exchange, optical, and photocatalytic properties of two novel amine-directed Ge-Sb-S compounds, namely, [CH3NH3]20Ge10Sb28S72·7H2O (1) and [(CH3CH2CH2)2NH2]3Ge3Sb5S15·0.5(C2H5OH) (2).

From T2,2@Bmmim to Alkali@T2,2@Bmmim Ivory Ball-like Clusters: Ionothermal Syntheses, Precise Doping, and Photocatalytic Properties.

Presented here are the syntheses, structures, and properties of an In-Sn-Se compound based on a ternary super-supertetrahedral T2,2 cluster nested by Bmmim cations and two of its alkali-doped quaternary analogues. By means of a one-pot ionothermal method, an alkali metal ion (Cs(+) or Rb(+)) could be precisely doped into the central cavity of the cluster, forming an alkali@T2,2@Bmmim quaternary cluster. Remarkably, the undoped compound exhibited excellent stability and visible light photodegradation ability over a wide range of pH, especially in acidic conditions.

Varied forms of lamellar [Sn3Se7]n(2n-) anion: the competitive and synergistic structure-directing effects of metal-amine complex and imidazolium cations.

Presented are the syntheses, characterizations and properties of a series of selenidostannate compounds directed by metal-amine complex (MAC) cations and/or [Bmmim](+) (Bmmim = 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium). Mixtures of the ionic liquid (IL) (Bmmim)Cl and amines, such as ethylenediamine (en) and diethylenetriamine (dien), in various ratios were used to ionothermally/solvothermally prepare four selenidostannates, namely, [Mn(en)3]Sn3Se7 (1), [Mn(dien)2]Sn3Se7·H2O (2), (Bmmim)3[Mn(en)3]2[Sn9Se21]Cl (3) and (Bmmim)6[Mn(dien)2]2Sn15Se35 (4). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that these compounds exhibit lamellar anionic [Sn3Se7]n(2n-) structures.