Stress-Dispersed Nanoconstruction of CoMoP Anode: Improved Na-Storage Stability and Reversibility.

Metal phosphide anode materials encounter poor reversibility of the discharge product (metal and NaP) and large volume variation, resulting in low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and severe capacity degradation. Herein, a bimetallic phosphide (CoMoP) with three-dimensional ordered porous (3DOP) nanoconstruction was fabricated, which presents a reduced Gibbs free energy change (Δ) of redox reaction between Co-Mo/NaP and CoMoP and improved conductivity compared to CoP and MoP. Additionally, the 3DOP architecture could disperse stress and reduce strain during cycling, thus improving structural stability of CoMoP.

Synergistic Regulation of Sodium Metal Deposition Pattern Through Three-Dimensional Sodiophilic Gradient ZnO/FeCo Frameworks and Magnetic Fields for High-Performance Sodium Metal Batteries.

The application of sodium metal battery is hampered by the large volume change and uncontrollable top growth of Na metal. Herein, a dual strategy including constructing a three-dimensional gradient ZnO/FeCo (ZFC) framework of decreasing sodiophilic capability from bottom to top, and imposing magnetic fields based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect, is proposed to regulate the sodium deposition/stripping behavior and realize the bottom-up deposition of Na. Therefore, the ZFC framework under a magnetic field of 200 mT exhibits high electrochemical reversibility with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.

High-Resolution Magnetoelectric Sensor and Low-Frequency Measurement Using Frequency Up-Conversion Technique.

The magnetoelectric (ME) sensor is a new type of magnetic sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity that suitable for the measurement of low-frequency weak magnetic fields. In this study, a metglas/PZT-5B ME sensor with mechanical resonance frequency fres of 60.041 kHz was prepared.

Perpendicular magnetization anisotropy induced dynamical coherence reduction in stripe domain film.

We investigated the magnetization dynamics of the 350 nm permalloy film with in plane domain (IPD), stripe domain (SD), and labyrinth domain (LD) patterns. Experimental and micromagnetic simulation results showed that the change in magnetic domain structure from IPD to LD was due to the increasing perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of the film. The magnetization dynamics indicated that the resonant modes of the film strongly depended on the magnetic domain structure.

Construction of the POMOF@Polypyrrole Composite with Enhanced Ion Diffusion and Capacitive Contribution for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Polyoxometalate (POM) as an "electronic sponge" can store a great number of electrons; however, shortcomings of poor conductivity and solubility in electrolytes cause a significant decrease in specific capacity and poor rate capability. To address the aforementioned disadvantages, a dual strategy was proposed, including coating the conductive polypyrrole (PPy) and utilizing nitrogenous ligands (1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate = 1,10-phen) for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to fabricate a [Cu(1,10-phen)(HO)][MoO]@PPy (Cu-POMOF@PPy) composite, effectively confining the POM in MOFs to avoid dissolution of POM in the electrolyte and improve electrochemical stability. Simultaneously, the PPy shell could improve the conductivity, contribute extra capacity, and alleviate volume variation of Cu-POMOF during cycling.

Reversible control of magnetization in FeOnanoparticles by a supercapacitor.

The manipulation of magnetism by electrical means is one of the most intensely pursued research topics of recent times aiming at the development of efficient and low-energy consumption devices in spintronics, microelectronics and bioelectronics. Herein, we successfully tuned the saturated magnetization of FeOby a supercapacitor. Through increasing the surface area of magnetic particles and activation of carbon cloth, fully reversible and robust saturation magnetization variation with low power consumption and remarkable switching speed can be realized on FeO/ionic liquid interfaces at room temperature.

Ultrahigh Frequency and Anti-Interference Optical-Mode Resonance with Biquadratic Coupled FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB Trilayers.

Microwave soft magnetic films (SMFs) are the key materials to effectively miniaturize and multifunctionalize the microwave electromagnetic components and devices. However, currently, single-layer SMFs encounter a frequency bottleneck at around 10 GHz. The ferromagnet/nonmagnetic spacer/ferromagnet sandwiched films with strong interlayer exchange coupling are possible solutions to break through that frequency limitation because they exhibit ultrahigh optical-mode (OM) resonance frequency up to 50 GHz, while the tiny permeability and the limited thickness are their own obstacles to overcome.

Nanosized MoSe@Carbon Matrix: A Stable Host Material for the Highly Reversible Storage of Potassium and Aluminum Ions.

Owing to their low cost and abundant reserves relative to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), and aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have shown appealing potential for electrochemical energy storage, but progress so far has been limited by the lack of suitable electrode materials. In this work, we demonstrated a facile strategy to achieve highly reversible potassium and aluminum ions storage in strongly coupled nanosized MoSe@carbon matrix, induced through an ion complexation strategy. We present a broad range of electrochemical characterization of the synthesized product that exhibits high specific capacities, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability toward PIBs and AIBs.

Three-Dimensional Hierarchical Flowerlike FeP Wrapped with N-Doped Carbon Possessing Improved Li Diffusion Kinetics and Cyclability for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Transition-metal phosphides have a potential application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their high theoretical capacities and low cost; nevertheless, they possess dramatic volumetric variation during cycling associated with poor conductivity, limiting their practical applications. Here, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical flowerlike FeP coated with nitrogen-doped carbon layer (FeP@N,C hybrid) was constructed through a solvothermal method, followed by a phosphating approach under low temperature. N-doped carbon not only suppresses the volume fluctuation of FeP, but also promotes electron transfer, accompanied by catalyzing the decomposition of LiP to improve the reversibility of the FeP@N,C hybrid during cycling processes.

Synaptic memory devices from CoO/Nb:SrTiO junction.

Non-volatile memristors are promising for future hardware-based neurocomputation application because they are capable of emulating biological synaptic functions. Various material strategies have been studied to pursue better device performance, such as lower energy cost, better biological plausibility, etc. In this work, we show a novel design for non-volatile memristor based on CoO/Nb:SrTiO heterojunction.

Novel superconducting structures of BH under high pressure.

The crystal structures of boron hydrides in a pressure range of 50-400 GPa were studied using the genetic algorithm (GA) method combined with first-principles density functional theory calculations. BH4 and BH5 are predicted to be thermodynamically unstable. Two new BH2 structures with Cmcm and C2/c space group symmetries, respectively, were predicted, in which the B atoms tend to form two-dimensional sheets.

Improved Electrochemical Performance Based on Nanostructured SnS@CoS-rGO Composite Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

A promising anode material composed of SnS@CoS flower-like spheres assembled from SnS nanosheets and CoS nanoparticles accompanied by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal pathway. The presence of rGO and the combined merits of SnS and CoS endow the SnS@CoS-rGO composite with high conductivity pathways and channels for electrons and with excellent properties as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). A high capacity of 514.

Constructing Three-Dimensional Porous Carbon Framework Embedded with FeSe Nanoparticles as an Anode Material for Rechargeable Batteries.

Metal selenides have caused widespread concern due to their high theoretical capacities and appropriate working potential; however, they suffer from large volume variation during cycling and low electrical conductivity, which limit their practical applications. In this article, a three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon framework embedded with homogeneous FeSe nanoparticles (3D porous FeSe/C composite) was synthesized by a facile calcined approach, following a selenized method without a template. As the uniformity of FeSe nanoparticles and 3D porous structure are beneficial to accommodate volume stress upon cycling and shorten electrons/ions transport path, associated with carbon as a buffer matrix for increasing conductivity, the 3D porous FeSe/C composite displays excellent electrochemical properties with high reversible capacities of 798.

Investigation on the structures and magnetic properties of carbon or nitrogen doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.

Carbon or nitrogen doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized in the air by a facile calcination process. X-ray diffraction, mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and mössbauer spectra results indicate that the nonmetal elements as the interstitial one are doped into cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. The morphologies of doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles change from near-spherical to irregular cubelike shapes gradually with the increased carbon or nitrogen concentration, and their particles sizes also increase more than 200 nm.

A Nanocrystalline FeO Film Anode Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Nanocrystalline FeO thin films are deposited directly on the conduct substrates by pulsed laser deposition as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. We demonstrate the well-designed FeO film electrodes are capable of excellent high-rate performance (510 mAh g at high current density of 15,000 mA g) and superior cycling stability (905 mAh g at 100 mA g after 200 cycles), which are among the best reported state-of-the-art FeO anode materials. The outstanding lithium storage performances of the as-synthesized nanocrystalline FeO film are attributed to the advanced nanostructured architecture, which not only provides fast kinetics by the shortened lithium-ion diffusion lengths but also prolongs cycling life by preventing nanosized FeO particle agglomeration.

Stress-Enhanced Interlayer Exchange Coupling and Optical-Mode FMR Frequency in Self-Bias FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB Trilayers.

Nowadays, the most popular method to increase ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency ( f) in self-bias soft magnetic films is to improve the anisotropy field H. However, to push f to higher frequencies only via raising H becomes increasingly challenging because f is already higher than 10 GHz by now. In this study, we fabricated a series of magnetically anisotropic FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB sandwich films possessing antiferromagnetic-like coupling and gradually increased uniaxial stress in the FeCoB sublayers from 52 to 110 MPa.

Microstructure and Electrochemical Performance of Co₃O₄ Nanopillars Calcinated at Various Temperatures.

One-dimensional (1D) Co3O4 nanopillars were prepared by a facile hydrothermal-calcination method, which involved low thermal decomposition of Co(OH)y(CO3)0.5(2-y) · 11H2O at different temperatures. Microstructure, lithium-storage performance and the conductivity of the Co3O4 nanopillars calcined at different temperatures were systematically investigated.

Engineering optical mode ferromagnetic resonance in FeCoB films with ultrathin Ru insertion.

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in soft magnetic films (SMFs) to a large extent determines the maximum working frequency of magnetic devices. The FMR frequency (fr) in an optical mode is usually much higher than that in the corresponding acoustic mode for exchange coupled ferromagnet/nonmagnet/ferromagnet (FM/NM/FM) trilayers. In this study, we prepared a 50 nm FeCoB film with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (UMA), showing a high acoustic mode fr of 4.

Driving ferromagnetic resonance frequency of FeCoB/PZN-PT multiferroic heterostructures to Ku-band via two-step climbing: composition gradient sputtering and magnetoelectric coupling.

RF/microwave soft magnetic films (SMFs) are key materials for miniaturization and multifunctionalization of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) and their components, which demand that the SMFs should have higher self-bias ferromagnetic resonance frequency fFMR, and can be fabricated in an IC compatible process. However, self-biased metallic SMFs working at X-band or higher frequency were rarely reported, even though there are urgent demands. In this paper, we report an IC compatible process with two-step superposition to prepare SMFs, where the FeCoB SMFs were deposited on (011) lead zinc niobate-lead titanate substrates using a composition gradient sputtering method.

Tunable microwave frequency performance of nanocomposite Co2MnSi/PZN-PT magnetoelectric coupling structure.

Nanocrystalline Co2MnSi Heusler alloy films were deposited on the PZN-PT substrates by a composition gradient sputtering method. It is revealed that this multiferroic heterostructure shows very strong magnetoelectric coupling, leading to continuously tunable microwave frequency characteristics by electric field. With the increase of electric field intensity from 0 to 6 kV/cm, the magnetic anisotropy field H(K) increases from 90 Oe to 182 Oe with an increment of 102%, corresponding to a ME coefficient of 15.

Microwave frequency performance and high magnetic anisotropy of nanocrystalline Fe70Co30-B films prepared by composition gradient sputtering.

The fabrication and high-frequency ferromagnetic performances of nanocrystalline Fe70Co30-B soft magnetic films were investigated. It is revealed that the composition gradient sputtering method dramatically improves the high-frequency soft magnetic properties of the as-prepared films. This method gives rise to almost a linearly-increased distribution of compositions and residual stress.

Integrated biological and chemical control of rice sheath blight by Bacillus subtilis NJ-18 and jinggangmycin.

Background: Sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn is a major disease of rice that greatly reduces yield and grain quality and jinggangmycin is the most widely used fungicide to control this disease in China. Bacillus subtilis NJ-18 has broad antimicrobial activity to many phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi; it is especially effective against Rhizoctonia solani. Laboratory, greenhouse and field tests were conducted to determine the effect of combining the biological control agent Bacillus subtilis NJ-18 with the fungicide jinggangmycin for control of rice sheath blight.

Magnetic carbon nanofoams.

Carbon nanofoams (CNFs) were prepared by air cooling the pyrolysate of high purified acetylene gas. Each particle of the nanofoam was constructed by 2 to 4 mutually nested carbon balls with approximately 300 nm in diameter. Carbon sheets with negative Gaussian curvature are present in the carbon ball, especially at the fringe of the ball.