One-Pot Sol-Gel Synthesis of Highly Insulative Hybrid P(AAm-CO-AAc)-Silica Aerogels with Improved Mechanical and Thermal Properties.

Silica aerogels and their derivatives have outstanding thermal properties with exceptional values in the thermal insulation industry. However, their brittle nature restricts their large-scale commercialization. Thus, enhancing their mechanical strength without affecting their thermal insulating properties is essential.

Mitigating grain growth in fully stabilized zirconia via a two-step sintering strategy for esthetic dental restorations.

Overall, 8-mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ), unlike 3YSZ, is optically transparent and stable against low-temperature degradation but has insufficient mechanical properties due to its large grain size. The influence of the grain size of 8YSZ on mechanical properties was investigated to develop an 8YSZ suitable for dental restoration. Modulation of the grain size and relative density was achieved via a two-step sintering (TSS) process, and the corresponding kinetic window was established.

Batteries: encapsulated monoclinic sulfur for stable cycling of li-s rechargeable batteries (adv. Mater. 45/2013).

On page 6547 Do Kyung Kim, Jang Wook Choi and co-workers describe a highly aligned and carbon-encapsulated sulfur cathode synthesized with an AAO template that exhibits a high and long cycle life, and the best rate capability based on the complete encapsulation of sulfur (physical) and implementation of the monoclinic sulfur phase (chemical).

Encapsulated monoclinic sulfur for stable cycling of li-s rechargeable batteries.

Monoclinic S8 , an uncommon allotrope of sulfur at room temperature, can be formed when common orthorhombic S8 is heat-treated under enclosed environments in nanometer dimensions. Monoclinic S8 prevents the formation of soluble polysulfides during battery operation, resulting in unprecedented cycling performance over 1000 cycles under the highest sulfur content to date.