Ampere-hour-scale soft-package potassium-ion hybrid capacitors enabling 6-minute fast-charging.

Extreme fast charging of Ampere-hour (Ah)-scale electrochemical energy storage devices targeting charging times of less than 10 minutes are desired to increase widespread adoption. However, this metric is difficult to achieve in conventional Li-ion batteries due to their inherent reaction mechanism and safety hazards at high current densities. In this work, we report 1 Ah soft-package potassium-ion hybrid supercapacitors (PIHCs), which combine the merits of high-energy density of battery-type negative electrodes and high-power density of capacitor-type positive electrodes.

Unsaturated fatty acid-tuned assembly of photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic therapy via lipid peroxidation.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) destroys tumor cells mainly through singlet oxygen (O) generated by light-irradiated photosensitizers (PSs). However, the fleeting half-life of O greatly impairs PDT efficacy. Herein, we propose an unreported unsaturated fatty acid (UFA)-assisted PS co-assembly strategy to address this problem.

Embedding FeS nanodots into carbon nanosheets to improve the electrochemical performance of anode in potassium ion batteries.

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) is one of the most promising alternatives for Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the low-cost and abundant potassium reserves. However, the electrochemical performances of PIBs were seriously hindered by the larger radius of potassium ions, resulting in a slow kinetic during the electrochemical reaction, especially in the PIB anodes. In the study, we propose FeS nanodots embedded S-doped porous carbon (FeS@SPC) synthesized by a simple self-template method for the storage of potassium-ions.

Facile self-templating synthesis of heteroatom-doped 3D porous carbon materials from waste biomass for supercapacitors.

Heteroatom-doped 3D porous carbon materials have been synthesized by utilizing hydroxyapatite in pig bones as a self-template and used as electrode materials for symmetric supercapacitors, which exhibit ultra-high energy density both in an aqueous electrolyte and organic electrolyte, showing great potential applications in the next generation of energy storage and conversion devices.

A composite of FeO@C and multilevel porous carbon as high-rate and long-life anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

The iron oxide-based anode materials are widely studied and reported due to their abundance, low cost, high energy density and environmental friendliness for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, the application of LIBs is always limited by the poor rate capability and stability. In order to tackle these issues, a novel material with carbon-encapsulated FeO nanorods stuck together by multilevel porous carbon (FeO@C/PC) is prepared through directly carbonizing the Fe-based metal-organic framework under a nitrogen atmosphere.

Adsorption behavior of isocyanate/ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-functionalized graphene oxides for Cu removal.

A special adsorption of Cu removal is demonstrated using specifically functionalized graphene oxide (GO)/isocyanate (MDI) composites, on which ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) is grafted via amidation and carbamate reaction. The structure and morphology of GO and functionalized composites (EDTA/MDI/GO) were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This study investigated the adsorption and desorption behaviors of heavy metal cations and the effects of solution conditions such as pH on Cu removal.

Edge-Rich Quasi-Mesoporous Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Framework Derived from Palm Tree Bark Hair for Electrochemical Applications.

Biomass with abundant resources and low price is regarded as potential sources of functionalized carbon-based energy storage and conversion electrode materials. Rational construction and development of biomass-derived carbon equipped with proper morphology, structure, and composition prove the key to highly efficient utilization of advanced energy storage systems. Herein, we use palm tree bark hair as a biomass source and prepare edge/defect-rich quasi-mesoporous carbon (QMC) by a direct pyrolysis followed by NaOH etching strategy.

In Situ Self-Template Synthesis of Fe-N-Doped Double-Shelled Hollow Carbon Microspheres for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Herein, we reported a special Fe-N-doped double-shelled hollow carbon microsphere (Fe-N-DSC) which was prepared by a facile, in situ polymerization followed by pyrolysis. With porous ferroferric oxide (FeO) hollow microspheres as the templates, where pyrrole monomers were dispersed around the outer surface and prefilled the interior space. By adding hydrochloric acid, Fe ions were released to initiate polymerization of pyrrole on both the outer and inner surfaces of FeO microspheres until they were completely dissolved, resulting in the Fe-containing polypyrrole double-shelled hollow carbon microspheres (Fe-PPY-DSC).

Studies of heavy metal ion adsorption on chitosan/sulfydryl-functionalized graphene oxide composites.

Chitosan/Sulfydryl-functionalized graphene oxide composite (CS/GO-SH) was successfully synthesized via covalent modification and electrostatic self-assembly. A facile diazonium chemical process was developed to fabricate sulfydryl-functionalized graphene oxide (GO-SH) by introducing sulfydryl compounds to the graphene oxide sheets (GO), and the GO-SH was used to self-assemble with chitosan via an electrostatic interaction. The chemical structure and morphology of the CS/GO-SH composite were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric examination.

Facile self-assembly synthesis of PdPt bimetallic nanotubes with good performance for ethanol oxidation in an alkaline medium.

PdPt bimetallic nanotubes were prepared by the self-assembly of Pt and Pd on Te nanowires at room temperature. The morphologies of the as-prepared PdPt nanotubes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the results display a large amount of PdPt bimetallic nanotubes with a diameter of 10-20 nm and a length of several micrometers. The composition and structure of the nanotubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy spectrum analysis, and the results display uniform compositional distributions of both elements (Pd and Pt).

Supercapacitors based on high-quality graphene scrolls.

High-quality graphene scrolls (GSS) with a unique scrolled topography are designed using a microexplosion method. Their capacitance properties are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrical impedance spectroscopy. Compared with the specific capacity of 110 F g(-1) for graphene sheets, a remarkable capacity of 162.

Platinum catalysts prepared with functional carbon nanotube defects and its improved catalytic performance for methanol oxidation.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts have been prepared by spontaneous reduction of PtCl6(2-) ion as a result of direct redox reactions between PtCl6(2-) and oxygen-containing functional groups at defect sites of CNTs, which were introduced by chemical and electrochemical oxidation treatment of CNTs. The electrocatalytic properties of as-prepared Pt-CNT catalysts for methanol oxidation were investigated by chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry. Compared with Pt catalysts prepared by hydrogen reduction and electrochemical deposition methods, Pt catalysts synthesized by functional CNT defects show excellent antipoisoning ability and long-term cycle stability.

A label-free electrochemical immunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and nonconductive polymer film.

A simple and sensitive label-free electrochemical immunoassay electrode for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been developed. CEA antibody (CEAAb) was covalently attached on glutathione (GSH) monolayer-modified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and the resulting CEAAb-AuNP bioconjugates were immobilized on Au electrode by electro-copolymerization with o-aminophenol (OAP). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate that the formation of CEA antibody-antigen complexes increases the electron transfer resistance of [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) redox pair at the poly-OAP/CEAAb-AuNP/Au electrode.

Carbon nanotubes as a secondary support of a catalyst layer in a gas diffusion electrode for metal air batteries.

In this paper, we report the use of binary carbon supports (carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and active carbon) as a catalyst layer for fabricating gas diffusion electrodes. The electrocatalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were evaluated by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in an alkaline electrolyte. The binary-support electrode exhibits better performance than the single-support electrode, and the best performance is obtained when the mass ratio of carbon nanotubes and active carbon is 50:50.

Electrochemical behavior of L-cysteine and its detection at carbon nanotube electrode modified with platinum.

The electrochemical behavior of L-cysteine (CySH) on platinum (Pt)/carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. CNTs used in this study were grown directly on graphite disk by chemical vapor deposition. Pt was electrochemically deposited on the activated CNT/graphite electrode by electroreduction of Pt(IV) complex ion on the surface of CNTs.

Glucose biosensor based on platinum microparticles dispersed in nano-fibrous polyaniline.

A sensitive and selective amperometric glucose biosensor based on platinum microparticles dispersed in nano-fibrous polyaniline (PANI) was investigated. Poly (m-phenylenediamine) (PMPD), which was employed as an anti-interferent barrier and a protective layer to platinum microparticles, was deposited onto platinum-modified PANI in the presence of glucose oxidase. The morphology of PANI, Pt/PANI and PMPD-GOD/Pt/PANI were investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

Amperometric glucose biosensor based on adsorption of glucose oxidase at platinum nanoparticle-modified carbon nanotube electrode.

A new amperometric biosensor, based on adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOD) at the platinum nanoparticle-modified carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode, is presented in this article. CNTs were grown directly on the graphite substrate. The resulting GOD/Pt/CNT electrode was covered by a thin layer of Nafion to avoid the loss of GOD in determination and to improve the anti-interferent ability.

High dispersion and electrocatalytic properties of platinum nanoparticles on graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNFs).

Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles were electrodeposited on graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNFs) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 7.7 mM H2PtCl6+0.5 M HCl aqueous solutions.