Hierarchical Nb@NbN core-shell-like nanocolumns for asymmetric supercapacitors.

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their high electrical conductivity and chemical stability. The rational design and facile synthesis of TMNs electrode materials with a unique nanostructure are the key to develop high-performance supercapacitors. Herein, we propose a two-step, binder-free, and eco-friendly approach utilizing magnetron sputtering at an oblique angle deposition configuration to fabricate hierarchical Nb@NbN core-shell-like nanocolumns for supercapacitors.

Sputtered binder-free CuN electrode materials for high-performance quasi-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.

Developing high-efficiency electrode materials is of great importance in manufacturing supercapacitor devices with superior electrochemical performance. Herein, we for the first time report a binder-free method for controllable growth of CuN electrode materials magnetron sputtering for supercapacitor applications. Benefiting from their unique polyhedral structure and good electrical conductivity, CuN electrodes can achieve an areal capacity of 90.

Alloying Sites Anchored on an Amorphous Aluminum Nitride Matrix for Crystallographic Reorientation of Zinc Deposits.

Secondary aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are considered as one of the promising energy storage devices, but their widespread application is limited by the Zn dendrite issues. In this work, we propose a rational design of surface protective coatings to solve this problem. Specifically, a silver (Ag) nanoparticle embedded amorphous AlN matrix (AlN/Ag) protective layer is developed.

Surface and Interface Engineering of Zn Anodes in Aqueous Rechargeable Zn-Ion Batteries.

Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have shown great potential as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The ZIBs utilize Zn metal as the anode, which possesses many advantages such as low cost, high safety, eco-friendliness, and high capacity. However, on the other hand, the Zn anode also suffers from many issues, including dendritic growth, corrosion, and passivation.

Electrostatic Shielding Regulation of Magnetron Sputtered Al-Based Alloy Protective Coatings Enables Highly Reversible Zinc Anodes.

The uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth during plating leads to quick battery failure, which hinders the widespread applications of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The growth of Zn dendrites is often promoted by the "tip effect". In this work, we propose a generate strategy to eliminate the "tip effect" by utilizing the electrostatic shielding effect, which is achieved by coating Zn anodes with magnetron sputtered Al-based alloy protective layers.

Mn-doped CoSe nanosheets as high-efficiency catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.

In this work, we introduce for the first time an aqueous solution method followed by a selenization step to prepare Mn-doped CoSe nanosheets supported on nickel foam for the oxygen evolution reaction. These findings provide us highly efficient electrocatalysts instead of noble metal catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.

Construction of 3D Si@Ti@TiN thin film arrays for aqueous symmetric supercapacitors.

We report the preparation of 3D binder-free Si@Ti@TiN thin film array electrodes for supercapacitors using deep silicon etching and magnetron sputtering for the first time. This work not only offers the 3D array structure of Si@Ti@TiN thin films, but also paves a promising way for the construction of high-energy storage systems.

Accelerating the water splitting kinetics of CoP microcubes anchored on a graphene electrocatalyst by Mn incorporation.

CoP is considered as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic electrolytes but its performance in alkaline solutions is generally poor because of its slow reaction kinetics, which further limits its application in overall water splitting. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy to greatly accelerate its HER and OER kinetics in alkaline solutions through Mn incorporation. Ternary Mn Co P microcubes with a tunable Mn/Co ratio strongly anchored on rGO were synthesized using Prussian blue analogues as precursors.

Hematite concave nanocubes and their superior catalytic activity for low temperature CO oxidation.

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) concave nanocubes bound by high-index {1344̄} and {123̄8} facets were synthesized and their catalytic activity for CO oxidation were also investigated.