Enhancing Zinc Anode Reversibility through Dynamic Interface Engineering with Monolayer Hydrophobic Carbon Dots.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries promise low-cost and safe grid storage, but their practical application is hindered by poor Zn anode reversibility, primarily due to dendrite formation and water-induced side reactions in the electric double layer (EDL) structure. Herein, a monolayer of hydrophobic carbon dots (CDs) was dynamically constructed at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The trace-added hydrophobic CDs in the electrolyte reconstruct a hydrophobic and favorable EDL structure, suppressing water-induced side reactions in the inner Helmholtz layer and facilitating the desolvation of hydrated zinc ions at the outer Helmholtz layer.

Vanadium-Based Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Strategies.

ConspectusZinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are highly promising for large-scale energy storage because of their safety, high energy/power density, low cost, and eco-friendliness. Vanadium-based compounds are attractive cathodes because of their versatile structures and multielectron redox processes (+5 to +3), leading to high capacity. Layered structures or 3-dimensional open tunnel frameworks allow easy movement of zinc-ions without breaking the structure apart, offering superior rate-performance.

Highly 002-Oriented Dendrite-Free Anode Achieved by Enhanced Interfacial Electrostatic Adsorption for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are gaining recognition as promising next-generation energy storage solution, due to their intrinsic safety and low cost. Nevertheless, the advancement of AZIBs is greatly limited by the abnormal growth of zinc dendrites during cycling. Electrolyte additives are effective at suppressing zinc dendrites, but there is currently no effective additive screening criterion.

Breaking the trade-off between capacity and stability in vanadium-based zinc-ion batteries.

Water in electrolytes is a double-edged sword in zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). While it allows for proton insertion in the cathode, resulting in a significant increase in capacity compared to that of organic ZIBs, it also causes damage to electrodes, leading to performance degradation. To overcome the capacity-stability trade-off, organic solvents containing a small amount of water are proposed to mitigate the harmful effects of water while ensuring sufficient proton insertion.

Effects of curing concentration and drying time on flavor and microorganisms in dry salted Spanish mackerel.

This study investigated the quality changes of dry salted mackerel during curing and drying process and the relationship between flavor substances and microorganisms. The results showed that the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values increased gradually with the increase of salt concentration and treatment time. The total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) values and total viable counts (TVC) values showed the same trend.

A Novel Atomic-Level Post-Etch-Surface-Reinforcement Process for High-Performance -GaN Gate HEMTs Fabrication.

A novel atomic-level post-etch-surface-reinforcement (PESR) process is developed to recover the -GaN etching induced damage region for high performance -GaN gate HEMTs fabrication. This process is composed of a self-limited surface modification step with O plasma, following by an oxide removal step with BCl plasma. With PESR process, the AlGaN surface morphology after -GaN etching was comparable to the as-epitaxial level by AFM characterization, and the AlGaN lattice crystallization was also recovered which was measured in a confocal Raman system.

Non-Buffer Epi-AlGaN/GaN on SiC for High-Performance Depletion-Mode MIS-HEMTs Fabrication.

A systematic study of epi-AlGaN/GaN on a SiC substrate was conducted through a comprehensive analysis of material properties and device performance. In this novel epitaxial design, an AlGaN/GaN channel layer was grown directly on the AlN nucleation layer, without the conventional doped thick buffer layer. Compared to the conventional epi-structures on the SiC and Si substrates, the non-buffer epi-AlGaN/GaN structure had a better crystalline quality and surface morphology, with reliable control of growth stress.

Advancements in Achieving High Reversibility of Zinc Anode for Alkaline Zinc-Based Batteries.

Rechargeable alkaline zinc-based batteries (ZBBs) have attracted extensive research attention due to their advantages of low cost, high specific energy, and high safety. Although the investigation of cathodes for alkaline secondary ZBBs has reached a relatively advanced stage, the exploration of zinc anodes is still in its infancy. Zinc anodes in alkaline electrolytes encounter challenges such as dendrite formation, passivation, corrosion during periods of cell inactivity, and hydrogen evolution during cycling, thereby limiting their rechargeability and storability.

Critical Issues of Vanadium-Based Cathodes Towards Practical Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are gaining significant attention for their numerous advantages, including high safety, high energy density, affordability, and environmental friendliness. However, the development of ZIBs has been hampered by the lack of suitable cathode materials that can store Zn with high capacity and reversibility. Currently, vanadium-based materials with tunnel or layered structures are widely researched owing to their high theoretical capacity and diversified structures.

Insight into the relationship between metabolite dynamic changes and microorganisms of sea urchin () gonads during storage.

Sea urchin gonads have high nutritional value and degenerate rapidly during storage. Previous assessment of the freshness of sea urchin gonads was based on experience without valid biochemical indicators. Thus, the current study is to find biochemical indicators representing the freshness of sea urchin gonads.

Enhancing Energy Conversion Efficiency and Durability of Alkaline Nickel-Zinc Batteries with Air-Breathing Cathode.

Despite their high output voltage and safety advantages, rechargeable alkaline nickel-zinc batteries face significant challenges associated with the cathodic side reaction of oxygen evolution, which results in low energy efficiency (EE) and poor stability. Herein, we propose to leverage the side oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in nickel-zinc batteries by coupling electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in the cathode, thus constructing an air breathing cathode. Such a novel battery (Ni-ZnAB), designed in a pouch-type cell with a lean electrolyte, exhibits an outstanding EE of 85 % and a long cycle life of 100 cycles at 2 mA cm , which are significantly superior to those of traditional Ni-Zn batteries (54 %, 50 cycles).

Characterization of non-volatile and volatile flavor profiles of meat cooked by different methods.

This study investigated the effects of different cooking methods on non-volatile flavor (free amino acids, 5'-nucleotides, and organic acids, etc.) of meat. The volatile flavor characteristics were also analyzed by electric nose and gas chromatography-ion migration spectrometry (GC-IMS).

Mixed conifer-broadleaf trees on arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal communities in rhizosphere soil of different plantation stands in the temperate zone, Northeast China.

In comparison with ectomycorrhizal (EM) tree species, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees have different litter quality and nitrogen cycle modes, which may affect mycorrhizal colonization and the community composition and diversity. However, available studies addressing the mycorrhizal fungal colonization rate, diversity and community composition in mixed forest stands composed of AM and EM trees are rare. In the present study, we assessed litter quality, soil physicochemical properties and correlated them with mycorrhizal community characteristics in rhizosphere soils of monoculture and mixture plantation stands of AM tree species ( Rupr.

Hewettite ZnV O ⋅ 8H O with Remarkably Stable Layers and Ultralarge Interlayer Spacing for High-Performance Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage because of their intrinsic safety, low-cost and high energy-intensity. Vanadium-based materials are widely used as the cathode of ZIBs, especially A V O  ⋅ nH O (AVO, A=NH , Na, K). However, AVO suffers from serious dissolution, phase transformation and narrow gallery spacing (∼3 Å), leading to poor cycling stability and rate capability.

Carbon-encapsulated VO nanorods for high-performance aqueous Zn-ion batteries.

Searching for stable cathodes is of paramount importance to the commercial development of low-cost and safe aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs). VO is a good candidate for AZIB cathodes but has unsatisfied cycling stability. Herein, we solve the stability issue of a VO cathode by coating a robust carbon shell.

High Selectivity, Low Damage ICP Etching of -GaN over AlGaN for Normally-off -GaN HEMTs Application.

A systematic study of the selective etching of -GaN over AlGaN was carried out using a BCl/SF inductively coupled plasma (ICP) process. Compared to similar chemistry, a record high etch selectivity of 41:1 with a -GaN etch rate of 3.4 nm/min was realized by optimizing the SF concentration, chamber pressure, ICP and bias power.

Reversible Molecular and Ionic Storage Mechanisms in High-Performance ZnVO·HO Xerogel Cathode for Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries.

The cathode is a critical component for aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) to achieve high capacity and long stability. In this work, we demonstrate a dissolution-free, low-Zn-preinserted bilayer-structured VO xerogel cathode, ZnVO·HO (ZnVO), with excellent capacity and stability using a low-cost ZnSO electrolyte. Its discharge capacity reaches 463 mAh g at 0.

[Root architecture and fine root characteristics of Juglans mandshurica saplings in different habitats in the secondary forest on the west slope of Zhangguangcailing, China].

The whole root excavation method was used to examine root configuration of Juglans mandshurica, with the age of 5-6 years in three habitats (forest edge, gap, and canopy) in a secondary forest on the western part of Zhangguangcailing Mountains. Root structure and fine root function were measured. The root topological index, average joint length, cross-sectional area ratio before and after root branching were calculated and fine root chemical compositions were analyzed.

A High Capacity Bilayer Cathode for Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage because they are intrinsically safe, cost competitive, and energy intense. However, the development of ZIBs is currently challenged by the performance of cathode materials. Herein, we report on CaVO·3.

Application of In Situ Techniques for the Characterization of NiFe-Based Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) Electrocatalysts.

Developing high-efficiency and affordable electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a crucial bottleneck on the way to the practical applications of rechargeable energy storage technologies and water splitting for producing clean fuel (H ). In recent years, NiFe-based materials have proven to be excellent electrocatalysts for OER. Understanding the characteristics that affect OER activity and determining the OER mechanism are of vital importance for the development of OER electrocatalysts.

Enhancement of oxygen evolution performance through synergetic action between NiFe metal core and NiFeO shell.

NiFe/NiFeO core/shell electrocatalysts show excellent OER activity by taking advantage of the synergetic effect between the metal core and the oxide/hydroxide shell, i.e. the metal core provides good bulk electron conduction and thus extends the OER active sites to the whole oxide/hydroxide shell, and the shell catalyzes the OER and protects the metal core from oxidation.

A "copolymer-co-morphology" conception for shape-controlled synthesis of Prussian blue analogues and as-derived spinel oxides.

The morphologically and compositionally controlled synthesis of coordination polymers and spinel oxides is highly desirable for realizing new advanced nanomaterial functionalities. Here we develop a novel and scalable strategy, containing a "copolymer-co-morphology" conception, to shape-controlled synthesis of various types of Prussian blue analogues (PBAs). Three series of PBAs MyFe1-y[Co(CN)6]0.

An unprecedented 2-D cluster polymer constructed from unique mixed-valence Cu(I)6Cu(II)6 subunits.

A new 2-D cluster-based polymer {[Cu(I)(6)Cu(II)(6)L(6)(H(2)O)(3)(CH(3)OH)(6)].5H(2)O.3CH(3)OH}(n) (2) (H(3)L = C(6)H(5)C(O)NHC(S)NHCH(2)COOH) containing unique mixed-valence [Cu(I)(6)Cu(II)(6)L(6)] subunits was synthesized by reaction of single crystals of [Ln(2)(H(2)L)(4)(Phen)(2)(NO(3))(2)] (Ln = Pr (1a), Nd (1b) or Ho (1c)) (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with copper(II) acetate in aqueous DMF.