Effect of Adding Y Elements on Microstructure Refinement and Mechanical Properties of Mg-9Al-1Zn Alloy.

Grain refinement is of very important significance for improving the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg alloys. This work investigated how the addition of various amounts of Y element affected the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-9Al-1Zn alloy. It was found that the grain size of Mg-9Al-1Zn alloy decreases as Y element content increases.

Unveiling the Microstructural Features during Compression of a High-Modulus Mg-15Gd-8Y-6Al-0.3Mn Alloy Reinforced by a Large Volume of AlRE Phases.

Magnesium alloys with a high volume fraction of secondary phases exhibit inferior formability. Therefore, investigating their thermal deformation characteristics is critical for optimizing thermal processing techniques. In this work, isothermal compression experiments were performed on a Mg-15Gd-8Y-6Al-0.

Controllable amorphization and morphology engineering on mixed-valence MOFs for ultra-fast and high-stability near-pseudocapacitance Li storage.

Coulombic efficiency (CE) and rate capability are crucial parameters for advanced secondary batteries. Herein, for the first time, we report controllable amorphization and morphology engineering on mixed-valence Fe(II,III)-MOFs from the crystalline to amorphous state and micro-clustered to hollow nano-spherical geometry through valence manipulation by a dissolved oxygen-mediated pathway. The disordered structure and the hollow nanostructure can endow the MOFs with the highest initial CE (>80%) to date for MOF electrodes, and ultrafast and super-stable near-pseudocapacitance lithium storage.

In Situ Flash Synthesis of Ultra-High-Performance Metal Oxide Anode through Shunting Current-Based Electrothermal Shock.

The synthesis of anode materials plays an important role in determining the production efficiency, cost, and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, a low-cost, high-speed, scalable manufacturing process of the anode with the desired structural feature for practical technology adoption remains elusive. In this study, we propose a novel method called in situ flash shunt-electrothermal shock (SETS) which is controllable, fast, and energy-saving for synthesizing metal oxide-based materials.

Bubble-Mediated Production of Few-Layer Graphene via Vapor-Liquid Reaction between Carbon Dioxide and Magnesium Melt.

It is urgent to develop novel technologies to convert carbon dioxide to graphene. In this work, a bubble-mediated approach via a chemical reaction between carbon dioxide gas and magnesium melt to fabricate a few-layer graphene was illustrated. The morphology and defects of graphene can be regulated by manipulating the melt temperature.

Thin-Copper-Layer-Induced Early Fracture in Graphene-Nanosheets (GNSs)-Reinforced Copper-Matrix-Laminated Composites.

The strength-ductility trade-off has been a long-standing challenge when designing and fabricating a novel metal matrix composite. In this study, graphene-nanosheets (GNSs)-reinforced copper (Cu)-matrix-laminated composites were fabricated through two methods, i.e.

Synergistic Strengthening of Mechanical Properties and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Performance of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites by CNTs Induced Laminated Structure.

In this study, we reported a laminated CNTs/Mg composite fabricated by spray-deposition and subsequent hot-press sintering, which realized simultaneous enhancement effects on strength and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) by the introduced CNTs and CNT induced laminated 'Mg-CNT-Mg' structure. It was found that the CNTs/Mg composite with 0.5 wt.

Low-temperature pseudomorphic transformation of polyhedral MIL-88A to lithium ferrite (LiFeO) in aqueous LiOH medium toward high Li storage.

The ability to develop novel nanomaterials, and to precisely manufacture their functional structures at the nano- and microscales would benefit many emerging device applications. Herein, as a first example, we describe the exploration of feasibility for the morphological replacement of an iron-based MOF bearing trimeric FeIII-O clusters, MIL-88A preform, with a polyhedral architecture of around 0.4 × 1.

One-Pot Synthesis of Co-Based Coordination Polymer Nanowire for Li-Ion Batteries with Great Capacity and Stable Cycling Stability.

Nanowire coordination polymer cobalt-terephthalonitrile (Co-BDCN) was successfully synthesized using a simple solvothermal method and applied as anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A reversible capacity of 1132 mAh g was retained after 100 cycles at a rate of 100 mA g, which should be one of the best LIBs performances among metal organic frameworks and coordination polymers-based anode materials at such a rate. On the basis of the comprehensive structural and morphology characterizations including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H NMR, C NMR, and scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrated that the great electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized Co-BDCN coordination polymer can be attributed to the synergistic effect of metal centers and organic ligands, as well as the stability of the nanowire morphology during cycling.

Green and Rational Design of 3D Layer-by-Layer MnO Hierarchically Mesoporous Microcuboids from MOF Templates for High-Rate and Long-Life Li-Ion Batteries.

Rational design and delicate control on the textural properties of metal-oxide materials for diverse structure-dependent applications still remain formidable challenges. Here, we present an eco-friendly and facile approach to smartly fabricate three-dimensional (3D) layer-by-layer manganese oxide (MnO ) hierarchical mesoporous microcuboids from a Mn-MOF-74-based template, using a one-step solution-phase reaction scheme at room temperature. Through the controlled exchange of metal-organic framework (MOF) ligand with OH in alkaline aqueous solution and in situ oxidation of manganese hydroxide intermediate, the Mn-MOF-74 template/precursor was readily converted to MnO or δ-MnO counterpart consisting of primary nanoparticle and nanosheet building blocks, respectively, with well-retained morphology.

Exploring the Capacity Limit: A Layered Hexacarboxylate-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Advanced Lithium Storage.

Our previous work suggested that more carboxylate groups might lead to higher energy density for metal-organic frameworks. In this study, we synthesized a layered metal-organic framework (MOF) Ni-BHC by use of 1,2,3,4,5,6-benzenehexacarboxylic acid. After evacuation by thermal treatment, this MOF was employed as an anode for lithium storage.

Ultrathin Cobalt-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets with Both Metal and Ligand Redox Activities for Superior Lithium Storage.

The controllable synthesis and structural tailoring of nanostructured metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is of huge significance in boosting their potential for rechargeable batteries. We herein present the facile synthesis of cobalt-based ultrathin metal-organic framework nanosheets (referred to as "u-CoTDA") by using 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic (H TDA) as the organic building block through a one-pot ultrasonic method for the first time. The obtained u-CoTDA exhibits high reversible capacity (790 mAh g after 400 cycles at 1 A g ) and excellent rate capability (694 mAh g at 2 A g ), which outperforms its bulk counterpart.

Ultrathin Manganese-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets: Low-Cost and Energy-Dense Lithium Storage Anodes with the Coexistence of Metal and Ligand Redox Activities.

We herein demonstrate the fabrication of Mn- and Ni-based ultrathin metal-organic framework nanosheets with the same coordination mode (termed "Mn-UMOFNs" and "Ni-UMOFNs", respectively) through an expedient and versatile ultrasonic approach and scrutinize their electrochemical properties as anode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries for the first time. The obtained Mn-UMOFNs with structure advantages over Ni-UMOFNs (thinner nanosheets, smaller metal-ion radius, higher specific surface area) exhibit high reversible capacity (1187 mAh g at 100 mA g for 100 cycles), excellent rate capability (701 mAh g even at 2 A g), rapid Li diffusion coefficient (2.48 × 10 cm s), and a reasonable charge-discharge profile with low average operating potential at 0.

Highly efficient complexation of sanguinarine alkaloid by carboxylatopillar[6]arene: pK shift, increased solubility and enhanced antibacterial activity.

Encapsulation of a physiologically active substance, sanguinarine (SA), by a water soluble carboxylatopillar[6]arene (CP6A), is described. The efficient complexation by CP6A, giving a K value of (2.4 ± 0.

Graphene nanoplatelets induced heterogeneous bimodal structural magnesium matrix composites with enhanced mechanical properties.

In this work, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) reinforced magnesium (Mg) matrix composites were synthesised using the multi-step dispersion route. Well-dispersed but inhomogeneously distributed GNPs were obtained in the matrix. Compared with the monolithic alloy, the nanocomposites exhibited dramatically enhanced Young's modulus, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength and relatively high plasticity, which mainly attributed to the significant heterogeneous laminated microstructure induced by the addition of GNPs.

Synthesis of a Water-Soluble Carboxylatobiphen[4]arene and Its Selective Complexation toward Acetylcholine.

The first water-soluble biphen[4]arene containing eight carboxylato moieties (carboxylatobiphen[4]arene, CBP4) has been synthesized. Selective molecular recognition of acetylcholine (ACh) against choline (Ch) and betaine (Bt) and pH-responsive host-guest complexation in aqueous media are described.

High Anodic Performance of Co 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylate Coordination Polymers for Li-Ion Battery.

We report the designed synthesis of Co 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate coordination polymers (CPs) via a straightforward hydrothermal method, in which three kinds of reaction solvents are selected to form CPs with various morphologies and dimensions. When tested as anode materials in Li-ion battery, the cycling stabilities of the three CoBTC CPs at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) have not evident difference; however, the reversible capacities are widely divergent when the current density is increased to 2 A g(-1). The optimized product CoBTC-EtOH maintains a reversible capacity of 473 mAh g(-1) at a rate of 2 A g(-1) after 500 galvanostatic charging/discharging cycles while retaining a nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency.

Bimetallic coordination polymer as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Bimetallic coordination polymers (BiCPs) with Zn and Co were synthesized and applied as anode materials. When the rate was increased to 2 A g(-1), a capacity of 622 mA h g(-1) after 500 cycles could still be maintained.

Biphen[]arenes.

To design and exploit novel macrocyclic synthetic receptors is a permanent and challenging topic in supramolecular chemistry. Here we describe the one-pot synthesis, unique geometries and intriguing host-guest properties of a new class of supramolecular macrocycles - biphen[]arenes ( = 3, 4), which are made up of 4,4'-biphenol or 4,4'-biphenol ether units linked by methylene bridges at the 3- and 3'- positions. The biphenarene macrocycles are conveniently accessible/modifiable and extremely guest-friendly.