Ultrafast-Laser Micro-Structuring of LiNiMnCoO Cathode for High-Rate Capability of Three-Dimensional Li-ion Batteries.

Femtosecond ultrafast-laser micro-patterning was employed to prepare a three-dimensional (3D) structure for the tape-casting Ni-rich LiNiMnCoO (NMC811) cathode. The influences of laser structuring on the electrochemical performance of NMC811 were investigated. The 3D-NMC811 cathode retained capacities of 77.

Stable Zn Metal Anodes with Limited Zn-Doping in MgF Interphase for Fast and Uniformly Ionic Flux.

The practical applications of aqueous Zn metal batteries are currently restricted by the inherent drawbacks of Zn such as the hydrogen evolution reaction, sluggish kinetics, and dendrite formation. To address these problems, herein, a limitedly Zn-doped MgF interphase comprising an upper region of pure, porous MgF and a lower region of gradient Zn-doped MgF is achieved via radio frequency sputtering technique. The porous MgF region is a polar insulator whose high corrosion resistance facilitates the de-solvation of the solvated Zn ions and suppression of hydrogen evolution, resulting in Zn metal electrodes with a low interfacial resistance.

Safety and Efficacy of Aspiration Thrombectomy or Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy after Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for the Treatment of Acute Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of additional aspiration thrombectomy (AT) or pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) after catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for the treatment of acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (AIFDVT).

Materials And Methods: Between May 2017 and December 2018, 40 patients with AIFDVT were enrolled. Twenty underwent AT after CDT (CDTAT), while the remaining 20 underwent PMT using an AngioJet device after CDT (CDTPMT).

Plasma-Assisted Surface Modification on the Electrode Interface for Flexible Fiber-Shaped Zn-Polyaniline Batteries.

A novel flexible fiber-shaped zinc-polyaniline battery (FZPB) is proposed to enhance the electrochemical performance, mass loading, and stability of polyaniline cathodes. To this end, electron-cyclotron-resonance oxygen plasma-modified carbon fibers are employed. During plasma treatment, on the carbon-fiber surface, O plasma breaks the C-C, C-H, and C-N bonds to form C radicals, while the O molecules are broken down to reactive oxygen species (O, O, O, and O).

Self-Relaxant Superelastic Matrix Derived from C Incorporated Sn Nanoparticles for Ultra-High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries.

Homogeneously dispersed Sn nanoparticles approximately ⩽10 nm in a polymerized C (PC) matrix, employed as the anode of a Li-ion battery, are prepared using plasma-assisted thermal evaporation coupled by chemical vapor deposition. The self-relaxant superelastic characteristics of the PC possess the ability to absorb the stress-strain generated by the Sn nanoparticles and can thus alleviate the problem of their extreme volume changes. Meanwhile, well-dispersed dot-like Sn nanoparticles, which are surrounded by a thin SnO layer, have suitable interparticle spacing and multilayer structures for alleviating the aggregation of Sn nanoparticles during repeated cycles.

ZnO Nanorod Array Modified PVDF Membrane with Superhydrophobic Surface for Vacuum Membrane Distillation Application.

The vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) is a promising technology for lots of applications. To solve the membrane fouling and wetting problems, in this paper, a novel ZnO nanorods 1 H,1 H,2 H,2 H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PDTS) modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane with a micro/nanoscale hierarchical structure and a superhydrophobic surface has been prepared and applied to the VMD process for distilling highly salty water, for the first time. Among these, a pyrolysis-adhesion method is created to obtain the ZnO seeds and fasten them on the PVDF substrate firmly.

LiSiO-Based Artificial Passivation Thin Film for Improving Interfacial Stability of Li Metal Anodes.

An amorphous SiO (a-SiO) thin film was developed as an artificial passivation layer to stabilize Li metal anodes during electrochemical reactions. The thin film was prepared using an electron cyclotron resonance-chemical vapor deposition apparatus. The obtained passivation layer has a hierarchical structure, which is composed of lithium silicide, lithiated silicon oxide, and a-SiO.

Pseudocapacitive Characteristics of Low-Carbon Silicon Oxycarbide for Lithium-Ion Capacitors.

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are important energy storage devices. As a material with good mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, low-carbon silicon oxycarbide (LC-SiOC), a kind of silicone oil-derived SiOC, is of interest as an anode material, and we have examined the electrochemical behavior of LC-SiOC in LIB and LIC devices. We found that the lithium storage mechanism in LC-SiOC, prepared by pyrolysis of phenyl-rich silicon oil, depends on an oxygen-driven rather than a carbon-driven mechanism within our experimental scope.

One-Step Catalytic Synthesis of CuO/Cu2O in a Graphitized Porous C Matrix Derived from the Cu-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Li- and Na-Ion Batteries.

The hybrid composite electrode comprising CuO and Cu2O micronanoparticles in a highly graphitized porous C matrix (CuO/Cu2O-GPC) has a rational design and is a favorable approach to increasing the rate capability and reversible capacity of metal oxide negative materials for Li- and Na-ion batteries. CuO/Cu2O-GPC is synthesized through a Cu-based metal-organic framework via a one-step thermal transformation process. The electrochemical performances of the CuO/Cu2O-GPC negative electrode in Li- and Na-ion batteries are systematically studied and exhibit excellent capacities of 887.

Interfacial Engineering for Enhanced Light Absorption and Charge Transfer of a Solution-Processed Bulk Heterojunction Based on Heptazole as a Small Molecule Type of Donor.

In the present study, a solution-processed organic semiconductor based on indolocarbazole derivative (heptazole) is introduced as a p-type donor material for a bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic device. The heptazole has an optical band gap of 2.97 eV, and its highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels are compactable with the PC60BM to construct a donor-acceptor heterojuction for energy harvesting and transfer.

Preparation and Characterizations of Carbon Nanospheres Derived from Activated Carbons and Palm Oil as Anode Materials of Lithium Secondary Batteries.

Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) with diameter of around 100 nm were synthesized by pyrolysis technique using activated carbon as Fe-catalyst support and palm oil as carbon precursors with various ratios. Firstly, the Fe catalyst were deposited onto the activated carbon by incipient wetness impregnation method using Fe(NO3)2 x 9H2O as precursors with various content of catalyst (5%, 7% and 10% with respect to the carbon support). The carbon products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles Deposited Silicon Thin Film Electrode by Self-Assembly Method for the Employment of an Anode Material for Lithium Secondary Batteries.

This work describes a self-assembly method of gold nanoparticles coating on the surface of silicon thin films for the anode material of lithium secondary batteries. The preparation of the silicon thin films was carried out by electron cyclotron resonance metal organic chemical vapor deposition (ECR-MOCVD) process. The obtained films were further coated with (3-aminopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (APTMS) which has a role to bind the oxygen functional groups on Si surface and the gold nanoparticles.

Electrochemical Characteristics of Pyrolytic Carbon Coated Silicon for Anode Materials of Lithium Ion Batteries.

Pyrolytic carbon coated silicon is prepared and employ it as an anode material for lithium secondary batteries. The pyrolytic carbon coating of silicon with sucrose precursor not only provides a suitable carbon matrix but also suppresses the breaking away of Si from the current collector during the insertion and extraction of Li+. The increase of disordered carbon content leads to the increase of discharge capacity retention.

Carbon-Coated Li4Ti5O12 as Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The surface-coating of carbon was performed on the spinel Li4Ti5O12 materials for the electrochemical sodium insertion in sodium ion battery application. The carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 was synthesized by using the citric acid sol-gel method. Carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 exhibits superior cycle performance as well as the rate capability in comparison to the pristine Li4Ti5O12.

Formation of Semimetallic Cobalt Telluride Nanotube Film via Anion Exchange Tellurization Strategy in Aqueous Solution for Electrocatalytic Applications.

Metal telluride nanostructures have demonstrated several potential applications particularly in harvesting and storing green energy. Metal tellurides are synthesized by tellurization process performed basically at high temperature in reducing gas atmosphere, which makes the process expensive and complicated. The development of a facile and economical process for desirable metal telluride nanostructures without complicated manipulation is still a challenge.

Oxidation-resistant hybrid metal oxides/metal nanodots/silver nanowires for high performance flexible transparent heaters.

Despite its excellent optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal performances, a silver nanowire (AgNW)-based transparent conducting heater (TCH) still demonstrates several drawbacks such as facile nanowire breakdown on application of a high DC voltage, easy oxidation when exposed to harsh environments, leading to increased surface resistivity, and high resistance among wire junctions causing nonhomogeneous temperature profiles. To overcome these issues, the AgNW was hybridized with other transparent heating materials made of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin films and NiCr nanodots (FTO/NiCr/AgNW). The dispersed NiCr nanodots (∼50 nm) and FTO thin films (∼20 nm) electrically bridge the nanowire junctions leading to a decreased sheet resistance and uniform temperature profiles.

3D Woven-Like Carbon Micropattern Decorated with Silicon Nanoparticles for Use in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Carbon/silicon composite materials are a promising anode substrate for use in lithium-ion batteries. In this study, we suggest a new architecture for a composite electrode made of a woven-like carbon material decorated with silicon nanoparticles. The 3D woven-like carbon (WLC) structure was fabricated using direct carbonization of multi-beam interference lithography polymer patterns.

Si/Ti2O3/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries with Highly Enhanced Cyclic Stability.

Silicon (Si) has attracted tremendous attention as a high-capacity anode material for next generation Li-ion batteries (LIBs); unfortunately, it suffers from poor cyclic stability due to excessive volume expansion and reduced electrical conductivity after repeated cycles. To circumvent these issues, we propose that Si can be complexed with electrically conductive Ti2O3 to significantly enhance the reversible capacity and cyclic stability of Si-based anodes. We prepared a ternary nanocomposite of Si/Ti2O3/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using mechanical blending and subsequent thermal reduction of the Si, TiO2 nanoparticles, and rGO nanosheets.

Charge Transfer-Induced Molecular Hole Doping into Thin Film of Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Despite the highly porous nature with significantly large surface area, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be hardly used in electronic and optoelectronic devices due to their extremely poor electrical conductivity. Therefore, the study of MOF thin films that require electron transport or conductivity in combination with the everlasting porosity is highly desirable. In the present work, thin films of Co3(NDC)3DMF4 MOFs with improved electronic conductivity are synthesized using layer-by-layer and doctor blade coating techniques followed by iodine doping.

Coating lithium titanate with nitrogen-doped carbon by simple refluxing for high-power lithium-ion batteries.

Nitrogen-doped carbon is coated on lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO) via a simple chemical refluxing process, using ethylenediamine (EDA) as the carbon and nitrogen source. The process incorporates a carbon coating doped with a relatively high amount of nitrogen to form a conducting network on the LTO matrix. The introduction of N dopants in the carbon matrix leads to a higher density of C vacancies, resulting in improved lithium-ion diffusion.

Interfacial Engineering of CdO-CdSe 3D Microarchitectures with in situ Photopolymerized PEDOT for an Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance.

In the present work, porous 3D CdO-microstructured electrode obtained by pyrolysis of 3D CdCO3 microstructures is self-sensitized with CdSe using an ion exchange reaction. After sensitization, an interfacial treatment of the CdO-CdSe interface is performed by depositing a thin film of PEDOT using a photoinduce polymerization route. The microstructured electrode before and after interfacial treatment is characterized using field-emission scanning microscope, energy dispersive X-ray analyzer, contact angle measurement, UV-Visible absorption spectrophotometer and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer.

High thermal performance of SnO2:F thin transparent heaters with scattered metal nanodots.

Facile production and novel transparent heaters consisting of fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO2:F or FTO) thin films covered with three different scattered metal nanodots (Cr-nd, NiCr-nd and Ni-nd) prepared by plasma-enhanced sputtering system and electron cyclotron resonance-metal organic chemical vapor deposition are investigated. The heaters exhibit excellent optical transmittances of over 85% and superior saturated temperatures of more than 80 °C when a relatively low 12 V DC is supplied. The scattered metal nanodots FTO heaters successfully improve the specific power of bare FTO heater by 21, 15, and 12% for NiCr-nd FTO, Cr-nd FTO, and Ni-nd FTO, respectively.

Enhanced photovoltaic performance of Cu-based metal-organic frameworks sensitized solar cell by addition of carbon nanotubes.

In the present work, TiO2 nanoparticle and multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite powder is prepared hydrothermally. After doctor blading the paste from composite powder, the resulted composite film is sensitized with Cu-based metal-organic frameworks using a layer-by-layer deposition technique and the film is characterized using FE-SEM, EDX, XRD, UV/Visible spectrophotometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The influence of the carbon nanotubes in photovoltaic performance is studied by constructing a Grätzel cell with I3(-)/I(-) redox couple containing electrolyte.

Si-Mn/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite anodes with enhanced capacity and stability for lithium-ion batteries.

Although Si is a promising high-capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries (LIB), it suffers from capacity fading due to excessively large volumetric changes upon Li insertion. Nanocarbon materials have been used to enhance the cyclic stability of LIB anodes, but they have an inherently low specific capacity. To address these issues, we present a novel ternary nanocomposite of Si, Mn, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for LIB anodes, in which the Si-Mn alloy offers high capacity characteristics and embedded rGO nanosheets confer structural stability.