Insights into the Pseudocapacitive Behavior of Sulfurized Polymer Electrodes for Li-S Batteries.

Practical applications of sulfurized polymer (SP) materials in Li-S batteries (LSBs) are often written off due to their low S content (≈35 wt%). Unlike conventional S /C composite cathodes, SP materials are shown to function as pseudocapacitors with an active carbon backbone using a comprehensive array of tools including in situ Raman and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Critical metric analysis of LSBs containing SP materials with an active carbon skeleton shows that SP cathodes with 35 wt% S are suitable for 350 Wh kg target at the cell level if S loading >5 mg cm , electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio <2 µL mg , and negative-to-positive ratio <5 can be achieved.

Three-Dimensional Si Anodes with Fast Diffusion, High Capacity, High Rate Capability, and Long Cycle Life.

There are many interfaces in conventional nanostructured silicon anodes for LIBs, including (1) the solid-electrolyte interface (SEI), (2) interfaces between Si nanoparticles (NPs) and binders, and (3) interface between the current collector and active materials (CCAMI). Interfacial layers (e.g.

Analyte-induced disruption of luminescence quenching (AIDLuQ) for femtomolar detection of biomarkers.

Here, we present a graphene-based analyte-induced disruption of luminescence quenching (AIDLuQ) assay for specific detection of biomarkers with femtomolar sensitivity. In the AIDLuQ assay, antibody (Ab)-conjugated quantum dots (QDs) are initially deposited on graphene-coated paper. However, the emission from QDs is quenched due to resonance energy transfer to graphene.