MoS spheres covered with a few layers of MXene as a high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries.

As a kind of anode material with high theoretical sodium storage capacity for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), MoS has been widely studied. However, its low conductivity and large volume change hamper its application in SIBs. Herein, MoS microspheres were first synthesized through the sulfidation of molybdenyl acetylacetonate a solvothermal method and then successfully covered with a few layers of MXene nanosheets using the electrostatic assembly method.

Harnessing Polymer-Matrix-Mediated Manipulation of Intermolecular Charge-Transfer for Near-Infrared Security Applications.

Precise recognition of near-infrared (NIR) signals holds great prospects in optical communication, remote sensing, information security, and anti-counterfeiting. For these applications, filters with good NIR transparency are typically essential components. Currently, such NIR transparent filters are dominated by inorganic materials such as chalcogenide glasses.

Anchoring Copper Single Atoms on Porous Boron Nitride Nanofiber to Boost Selective Reduction of Nitroaromatics.

Single-atom catalysts have received widespread attention for their fascinating performance in terms of metal atom efficiency as well as their special catalysis mechanisms compared to conventional catalysts. Here, we prepared a high-performance catalyst of single-Cu-atom-decorated boron nitride nanofibers (BNNF-Cu) via a facile calcination method. The as-prepared catalyst shows high catalytic activity and good stability for converting different nitro compounds into their corresponding amines both with and without photoexcitation.

3D Ag@C Cloth for Stable Anode Free Sodium Metal Batteries.

While sodium metal anodes (SMAs) feature many performance advantages in sodium ion batteries (SIBs), severe safety concerns remain for using bulk sodium electrodes. Herein, a 3D Ag@C natrophilic substrate prepared by a facile thermal evaporation deposition method, which can be employed as a much safer "anode-free" SMA, is reported. Initially, there is no bulk sodium on the Ag@C substrate in the assembled SIBs.

Mechanisms of sodiation in anatase TiO in terms of equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics.

Anatase TiO is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, its sodium storage mechanisms in terms of crystal structure transformation during sodiation/de-sodiation processes are far from clear. Here, by analyzing the redox thermodynamics and kinetics under near-equilibrium states, we observe, for the first time, that upon Na-ion uptake, the anatase TiO undergoes a phase transition and then an irreversible crystal structure disintegration.

Aqueous MnV O -Zn Battery with High Operating Voltage and Energy Density.

Aqueous Zn ion batteries (AZIBs), featuring low cost, long-term cycling stability, and superior safety are promising for applications in advanced energy storage devices. However, they still suffer from unsatisfactory energy density and operating voltage, which are closely related to cathode materials used. Herein, the use of monoclinic MnV O (MVO) is reported, which can be activated for high-capacity Zn ions storage by electrochemically oxidizing part of the Mn to Mn or Mn while the remaining Mn ions act as binders/pillars to hold the layer structure of MVO and maintain its integrity during charging/discharging process.

Porous BN Nanofibers Enable Long-Cycling Life Sodium Metal Batteries.

Sodium metal anode, featuring high capacity, low voltage and earth abundance, is desirable for building advanced sodium-metal batteries. However, Na-ion deposition typically leads to morphological instability and notorious chemical reactivity between sodium and common electrolytes still limit its practical application. In this study, a porous BN nanofibers modified sodium metal (BN/Na) electrode is introduced for enhancing Na-ion deposition dynamics and stability.

Three-Dimensional Rigidity-Reinforced SiO Anodes with Stabilized Performance Using an Aqueous Multicomponent Binder Technology.

Three-dimensional (3D) rigidity-reinforced SiO anodes are prepared using the aqueous multicomponent binders to stabilize the performances of lithium-ion batteries. Considering an elastic skeleton, adhesiveness, electrolyte absorption, etc., four kinds of binders [polyacrylamide (PAM), poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), carboxymethyl cellulose, and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)] are selected to prepare aqueous multicomponent binders.