Zinc Tellurium with Anionic Vacancies Anchored on Ordered Macroporous Carbon Skeleton Enabling Accelerated Polysulfide Conversion for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) showcase great promise for large-scale energy storage systems, however, their practical commercialization is seriously hindered by the sluggish redox reaction kinetics and detrimental shuttle effect of soluble polysulfides. Herein, small ZnTe nanoparticles with anionic vacancies firmly anchored on 3D ordered macroporous N-doped carbon skeleton (3DOM-ZnTe @NC) are elaborately constructed as a high-efficiency electrocatalyst for LSBs. The ordered macroporous carbon skeleton not only greatly increases the external surface area to expose sufficient active sites but also facilitates the electrolyte penetration.

Engineering Hierarchical Co@N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes/α-Ni(OH) Heterostructures on Carbon Cloth Enabling High-Performance Aqueous Nickel-Zinc Batteries.

Searching for high-performance Ni-based cathodes plays an important role in developing better aqueous nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries. For this purpose, herein, we demonstrate the design and synthesis of ultrathin α-Ni(OH) nanosheets branched onto metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived 3D cross-linked N-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulated with tiny Co nanoparticles (denoted as Co@NCNTs/α-Ni(OH)), which are directly supported on a flexible carbon cloth (CC). An aqueous Ni-Zn battery employing the hierarchical CC/Co@NCNTs/α-Ni(OH) as the binder-free cathode and a commercial Zn plate as the anode is fabricated, which displays an ultrahigh capacity (316 mAh g) and energy density (540.

Hierarchical Nanoreactor with Multiple Adsorption and Catalytic Sites for Robust Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Developing high-performance cathode host materials is fundamental to solve the low utilization of sulfur, the sluggish redox kinetics, and the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Here, a multifunctional Ag/VN@Co/NCNT nanocomposite with multiple adsorption and catalytic sites within hierarchical nanoreactors is reported as a robust sulfur host for LSB cathodes. In this hierarchical nanoreactor, heterostructured Ag/VN nanorods serve as a highly conductive backbone structure and provide internal catalytic and adsorption sites for LiPS conversion.

A lightweight and low-cost electrode for lithium-ion batteries derived from paper towel supported MOF arrays.

Herein, Cu-doped Co-ZIF nanoplate arrays are uniformly grown on a commercial paper towel substrate first. After a subsequent annealing treatment, well-defined Cu-doped Co/CoO nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon hybrid nanoplate arrays supported on the carbon paper substrate (denoted as Cu-doped Co/CoO/NC NPAs@CP) are obtained, which exhibit excellent performance as a low-cost, lightweight and binder-free anode for lithium ion storage.

MOF-Derived Hybrid Hollow Submicrospheres of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Encapsulated Bimetallic Ni-Co-S Nanoparticles for Supercapacitors and Lithium Ion Batteries.

The development of bimetallic transition-metal sulfide and nitrogen-doped carbon composites with unique hollow structure is highly desirable for energy storage applications but is also challenging. In the present work, we demonstrate a facile metal-organic framework engaged strategy for synthesizing bimetallic nickel cobalt sulfide and nitrogen-doped carbon composites with hollow spherical structure (denoted as hollow Ni-Co-S- n/NC composites) and a Ni/Co molar ratio ( n value) that can be easily controlled. When evaluated as electrode materials for both supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries, it is found that the hollow Ni-Co-S-0.

Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Resin-Coated Prussian Blue Core-Shell Spheres and Their Derived Unique Yolk-Shell FeS@C Spheres for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The practical applications of transition metal sulfides as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is greatly hindered by the fast capacity fading owing to the large volume expansion. To address this issue, construction of transition metal sulfide and carbon nanocomposites with unique yolk-shell structures is an effective strategy but also remains a great challenge. In this work, we reported a facile approach to synthesize the unique yolk-shell FeS@carbon (FeS@C) spheres via calcination treatment of the resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin-coated Prussian blue (FeFe PB) core-shell spheres in Ar atmosphere and a subsequent sulfidation treatment.

Construction of MOF-derived hollow Ni-Zn-Co-S nanosword arrays as binder-free electrodes for asymmetric supercapacitors with high energy density.

Mixed transition metal sulfides with hollow structures hold great promise for energy-related applications. However, most of them are in the powder form, which should be mixed with unwanted polymer binders and conductive agents. In this study, a facile two-step strategy has been developed to grow mesoporous and hollow Ni-Zn-Co-S nanosword arrays (NSAs) on a nickel foam (NF) substrate with robust adhesion, which involves the hydrothermal growth of bimetallic Zn-Co-ZIF NSAs on NF and subsequent transformation into hollow Ni-Zn-Co-S NSAs through the sulfurization process.

Bimetallic CoNiS nanocrystallites embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon anchored on reduced graphene oxide for high-performance supercapacitors.

Exploring high-performance and low-priced electrode materials for supercapacitors is important but remains challenging. In this work, a unique sandwich-like nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-supported N-doped carbon embedded with ultrasmall CoNiS nanocrystallites (rGO/CoNiS/N-C nanocomposite) has been successfully designed and synthesized by a simple one-step carbonization/sulfurization treatment of the rGO/Co-Ni precursor. The intriguing structural/compositional/morphological advantages endow the as-synthesized rGO/CoNiS/N-C nanocomposite with excellent electrochemical performance as an advanced electrode material for supercapacitors.

Comparison of the electrochemical performance of iron hexacyanoferrate with high and low quality as cathode materials for aqueous sodium-ion batteries.

In this work, high quality iron hexacyanoferrate nanocubes (HQ-PB NCs) were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method and then investigated as cathode electrode materials for aqueous sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), which displayed a much enhanced electrochemical performance compared with the PB nanoparticles with low quality (LQ-PB NPs). The HQ-PB NCs could be promising cathode materials for aqueous SIBs.

Dendritic unzipped carbon nanofibers enable uniform loading of surfactant-free Pd nanoparticles for the electroanalysis of small biomolecules.

In this study, graphene nanofibers (GNF), which are a superior support material, are successfully synthesized via the dendritic unzipping of stacked-cup carbon nanofibers (SCNF). Ultrasmall Pd nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the GNF (Pd/GNF) via chemical reduction under mild conditions without any surfactant involved. The components and structure of Pd/GNF are evaluated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Muti-component nanocomposite of nickel and manganese oxides with enhanced stability and catalytic performance for non-enzymatic glucose sensors.

A muti-component nanocomposite of nickel and manganese oxides with a uniformly dispersed microspherical structure has been fabricated by a hydrothermal synthesis method. The as-prepared nanocomposite has been employed as a sensing material for non-enzymatic glucose detection and shown excellent electrocatalytic activity, such as high sensitivities of 82.44 μA mM(-1) cm(-2) and 27.

Non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor based on NiMoO₄ nanorods.

A non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on the NiMoO4 nanorods has been fabricated for the first time. The electrocatalytic performance of the NiMoO4 nanorods' modified electrode toward glucose oxidation was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The NiMoO4 nanorods' modified electrode showed a greatly enhanced electrocatalytic property toward glucose oxidation, as well as an excellent anti-interference and a good stability.

High-performance supercapacitor electrode based on the unique ZnO@Co₃O4₄ core/shell heterostructures on nickel foam.

Currently, tremendous attention has been paid to the rational design and synthesis of unique core/shell heterostructures for high-performance supercapacitors. In this work, the unique ZnO@Co3O4 core/shell heterostructures on nickel foam are successfully synthesized through a facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method combined with a short post annealing treatment. Mesoporous Co3O4 nanowires are multidirectional growing on the rhombus-like ZnO nanorods.

Enhanced sensitivity and stability of room-temperature NH₃ sensors using core-shell CeO₂ nanoparticles@cross-linked PANI with p-n heterojunctions.

We report a room-temperature NH3 gas sensor with high response and great long-term stability, including CeO2 NPs conformally coated by cross-linked PANI hydrogel. Such core-shell nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization with different weight ratios of CeO2 NPs and aniline. At room temperature, the nanohybrids showed enhanced response (6.

Surrounding sensitive electronic properties of Bi₂Te₃ nanoplates-potential sensing applications of topological insulators.

Significant efforts have been paid to exploring the fundamental properties of topological insulators (TIs) in recent years. However, the investigation of TIs as functional materials for practical device applications is still quite limited. In this work, electronic sensors based on Bi2Te3 nanoplates were fabricated and the sensing performance was investigated.

Strongly coupled hybrid nanostructures for selective hydrogen detection--understanding the role of noble metals in reducing cross-sensitivity.

Noble metal-semiconductor hybrid nanostructures can offer outperformance to gas sensors in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. In this work, a catalytically activated (CA) hydrogen sensor is realized based on strongly coupled Pt/Pd-WO3 hybrid nanostructures constructed by a galvanic replacement participated solvothermal procedure. The room-temperature operation and high selectivity distinguish this sensor from the traditional ones.

Three-dimensional Co₃O₄@NiMoO₄ core/shell nanowire arrays on Ni foam for electrochemical energy storage.

In this work, we report a facile two-step hydrothermal method to synthesize the unique three-dimensional Co3O4@NiMoO4 core/shell nanowire arrays (NWAs) on Ni foam for the first time. The Co3O4 nanowires are fully covered by ultrathin mesoporous NiMoO4 nanosheets. When evaluated as a binder-free electrode for supercapacitors in a 2 M KOH aqueous solution, the Co3O4@NiMoO4 hybrid electrode exhibits a greatly enhanced areal capacitance of 5.

Comparison of the electrochemical performance of NiMoO4 nanorods and hierarchical nanospheres for supercapacitor applications.

Much attention has been paid to exploring electrode materials with enhanced supercapacitor performance as well as relatively low cost and environmental friendliness. In this work, NiMoO4 nanospheres and nanorods were synthesized by facile hydrothermal methods. The hierarchical NiMoO4 nanospheres were about 2.

High-performance room-temperature hydrogen sensors based on combined effects of Pd decoration and Schottky barriers.

A new hydrogen sensor was fabricated by coating a Pd-decorated In2O3 film on Au electrodes. In response to 1 vol% H2 at room temperature, an ultra high sensitivity of 4.6 × 10(7) was achieved.