Alkylated MXene-Carbon Nanotube/Microfiber Composite Material with Flexible, Superhydrophobic, and Sensing Properties.

Superhydrophobic strain sensors are highly promising for human motion and health monitoring in wet environments. However, the introduction of superhydrophobicity inevitably alters the mechanical and conductive properties of these sensors, affecting sensing performance and limiting behavior monitoring. Here, we developed an alkylated MXene-carbon nanotube/microfiber composite material (AMNCM) that is simultaneously flexible, superhydrophobic, and senses properties.

Solvent-Mediated, Reversible Ternary Graphite Intercalation Compounds for Extreme-Condition Li-Ion Batteries.

Traditional Li-ion intercalation chemistry into graphite anodes exclusively utilizes the cointercalation-free or cointercalation mechanism. The latter mechanism is based on ternary graphite intercalation compounds (t-GICs), where glyme solvents were explored and proved to deliver unsatisfactory cyclability in LIBs. Herein, we report a novel intercalation mechanism, that is, in situ synthesis of t-GIC in the tetrahydrofuran (THF) electrolyte via a spontaneous, controllable reaction between binary-GIC (b-GIC) and free THF molecules during initial graphite lithiation.

Hydrothermally Assisted Conversion of Switchgrass into Hard Carbon as Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, reducing the reliance on scarce transition metals. Converting agricultural biomass into SIB anodes can remarkably enhance sustainability in both the agriculture and battery industries. However, the complex and costly synthesis and unsatisfactory electrochemical performance of biomass-derived hard carbon have hindered its further development.

Self-terminating, heterogeneous solid-electrolyte interphase enables reversible Li-ether cointercalation in graphite anodes.

Ether solvents are suitable for formulating solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI)-less ion-solvent cointercalation electrolytes in graphite for Na-ion and K-ion batteries. However, ether-based electrolytes have been historically perceived to cause exfoliation of graphite and cell failure in Li-ion batteries. In this study, we develop strategies to achieve reversible Li-solvent cointercalation in graphite through combining appropriate Li salts and ether solvents.

Reversible Switch in Charge Storage Enabled by Selective Ion Transport in Solid Electrolyte Interphase.

Solid-electrolyte interphases (SEIs) in advanced rechargeable batteries ensure reversible electrode reactions at extreme potentials beyond the thermodynamic stability limits of electrolytes by insulating electrons while allowing the transport of working ions. Such selective ion transport occurs naturally in biological cell membranes as a ubiquitous prerequisite of many life processes and a foundation of biodiversity. In addition, cell membranes can selectively open and close the ion channels in response to external stimuli (e.

Operando characterization and regulation of metal dissolution and redeposition dynamics near battery electrode surface.

Mn dissolution has been a long-standing, ubiquitous issue that negatively impacts the performance of Mn-based battery materials. Mn dissolution involves complex chemical and structural transformations at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The continuously evolving electrode-electrolyte interface has posed great challenges for characterizing the dynamic interfacial process and quantitatively establishing the correlation with battery performance.

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Sodium-Ion Batteries.

As a promising alternative to the market-leading lithium-ion batteries, low-cost sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are attractive for applications such as large-scale electrical energy storage systems. The energy density, cycling life, and rate performance of SIBs are fundamentally dependent on dynamic physiochemical reactions, structural change, and morphological evolution. Therefore, it is essential to holistically understand SIBs reaction processes, degradation mechanisms, and thermal/mechanical behaviors in complex working environments.

Recycling Polymeric Solid Wastes for Energy-Efficient Water Purification, Organic Distillation, and Oil Spill Cleanup.

Conventional approaches (e.g., pyrolysis) for managing waste polymer foams typically require highly technical skills and consume large amounts of energy resources.

Sub-nanometer confinement enables facile condensation of gas electrolyte for low-temperature batteries.

Confining molecules in the nanoscale environment can lead to dramatic changes of their physical and chemical properties, which opens possibilities for new applications. There is a growing interest in liquefied gas electrolytes for electrochemical devices operating at low temperatures due to their low melting point. However, their high vapor pressure still poses potential safety concerns for practical usages.

Self-Healing and Anti-CO Hydrogels for Flexible Solid-State Zinc-Air Batteries.

Flexible solid-state zinc-air batteries (ZABs) generally suffer from poor electrolyte/electrode contact and mechanical degradation in practical applications. In addition, CO corrosion is also a common issue for ZABs with alkaline electrolyte. Herein, we report a thermoreversible alkaline hydrogel electrolyte that can simultaneously solve the aforementioned problems.

Rational Synthesis of "Grape-like" Ni V O Microspheres as High-capacity Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries.

Vanadates have received booming attention recently as promising materials for extensive electrochemical devices such as batteries and electrocatalysis. However, the enormous difficulties of achieving pure-phase transition metal vanadates, especially for nickel-based, hinder their exploitations. Herein, for the first time, by controlling the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) and reaction time, grape-like Ni V O (or V O /Ni V O ) microspheres were rationally fabricated.

An ester electrolyte for lithium-sulfur batteries capable of ultra-low temperature cycling.

A novel lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide in a methyl propionate/fluoroethylene carbonate (LiFSI MP/FEC) electrolyte was designed for high compatibility with the Li metal and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN). The resulting Li||SPAN cells can charge and discharge at -20 °C and -40 °C with over 91% and 78% room temperature capacity retention.

Pure-phase β-MnVO interconnected nanospheres as a high-performance lithium ion battery anode.

This work primarily exhibits a systematic study of the large-scale hydrothermal synthesis of β-MnVO interconnected nanospheres without templates. An optimal combination of hydrothermal/annealing/atmosphere parameters is identified for the pure phase, which exhibits an excellent cycling performance of 760 mA h g at 0.5 A g over 120 cycles and a rate capability of 470 mA h g at 2 A g as an anode for a lithium ion battery.

Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia in the Nonsurgical Setting: A Systematic Review.

Background: Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) is a phenomenon that causes an increased pain sensitization and perception of pain to noxious stimuli secondary to opioid exposure. While this clinical effect has been described in the surgical setting, it is unclear if OIH occurs in the nonsurgical setting.

Study Question: To review the available literature which evaluated OIH in nonsurgical settings.

Enhanced Electrochemical and Thermal Transport Properties of Graphene/MoS Heterostructures for Energy Storage: Insights from Multiscale Modeling.

Graphene has been combined with molybdenum disulfide (MoS) to ameliorate the poor cycling stability and rate performance of MoS in lithium ion batteries, yet the underlying mechanisms remain less explored. Here, we develop multiscale modeling to investigate the enhanced electrochemical and thermal transport properties of graphene/MoS heterostructures (GM-Hs) with a complex morphology. The calculated electronic structures demonstrate the greatly improved electrical conductivity of GM-Hs compared to MoS.

A Facile Approach to Tune the Electrical and Thermal Properties of Graphene Aerogels by Including Bulk MoS₂.

Graphene aerogels (GAs) have attracted extensive interest in diverse fields, owing to their ultrahigh surface area, low density and decent electrical conductivity. However, the undesirable thermal conductivity of GAs may limit their applications in energy storage devices. Here, we report a facile hydrothermal method to modulate both the electrical and thermal properties of GAs by including bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂).