Enhancing the Electrochemical Performance of SbTe Bimetallic Anodes for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries: Roles of the Binder and Carbon Support Matrix.

Synergism between the alloy materials and the carbon support matrix, in conjunction with the binder and electrolyte additives, is of utmost importance when developing sodium-ion batteries as viable replacements for lithium-ion batteries. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of the binder and carbon support matrix in enhancing the stabilities, cyclabilities, and capacity retentions of bimetallic anodes in sodium-ion batteries. SbTe electrodes containing 20%, 30%, and 40% carbon were fabricated with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) binders, and electrochemically evaluated at a current rate of 100 mA g using electrolytes with 0%, 2%, and 5% added fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC).

Structural Anisotropy and Optical Properties of Nonpolar a-Plane GaN Epitaxial Layers.

In-plane structural anisotropy is characteristic of nonpolar (1120) a-plane GaN (a-GaN) films grown on r-plane sapphire substrates. The anisotropic peak broadenings of X-ray rocking curves (XRCs) are clearly observed with M- or W-shaped dependence on the azimuth angles. We investigated the optical properties of both M- and W-shaped a-GaN samples with room and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements.

Lumbar Nerve Root Compression due to Leakage of Bone Cement after Vertebroplasty.

We experienced a 73-year-old male with lumbar nerve root compression due to leakage of bone cement after vertebroplasty. He was underwent vertebroplasty for acute osteoporotic L4 compression fracture at our hospital. After vertebroplasty, his back pain was improved but right leg pain was newly developed.