Graphene-wrapped yolk-shell of silica-cobalt oxide as high-performing anode for lithium-ion batteries.

Silica (SiO) shows promise as anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its low cost, comparable lithium storage discharge potential and high theoretical capacity (approximately 1961 mA h g). However, it is plagued by issues of low electrochemical activity, low conductivity and severe volume expansion. To address these challenges, we initially coat SiO with CoO, followed by introducing SiO@CoO into graphene sheets to fabricate an anode composite material (SiO@CoO/GS) with uniformly dispersed particles and a 3D graphene wrapped yolk-shell structure.

Engineering a superionic conductor surface enables fast Na transport kinetics for high-stable layered oxide cathode.

Unstable cathode/electrolyte interphase and severe interfacial side reaction have long been identified as the main cause for the failure of layered oxide cathode during fast charging and long-term cycling for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. Here, we report a superionic conductor (NaV(PO), NVP) bonding surface strategy for O3-type layered NaNiFeMnO (NFM) cathode to suppress electrolyte corrosion and near-surface structure deconstruction, especially at high operating potential. The strong bonding affinity at the NVP/NFM contact interface stabilizes the crystal structure by inhibiting surface parasitic reactions and transition metal dissolution, thus significantly improving the phase change reversibility at high desodiation state and prolonging the lifespan of NFM cathode.

Minimizing Undesired Side Reactions Induced by Nanoscale Conductive Carbon Enables Stable Cycling of Semi-Solid Li-Ion Full Batteries.

Semi-solid lithium-ion batteries (SSLIBs) based on "slurry-like" electrodes hold great promise to enable low-cost and sustainable energy storage. However, the development of the SSLIBs has long been hindered by the lack of high-performance anodes. Here the origin of low initial Coulombic efficiency (iCE, typically <60%) is elucidated in the graphite-based semi-solid anodes (in the non-flowing mode) and develop rational strategies to minimize the irreversible capacity loss.

Stable Operation Induced by Plastic Crystal Electrolyte Used in Ni-Rich NMC811 Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries.

The LiNiMnCoO (NMC811) cathode material has been of significant consideration owing to its high energy density for Li-ion batteries. However, the poor cycling stability in a carbonate electrolyte limits its further development. In this work, we report the excellent electrochemical performance of the NMC811 cathode using a rational electrolyte based on organic ionic plastic crystal -ethyl--methyl pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide Cmpyr[FSI], with the addition of (1:1 mol) LiFSI salt.

Ultrafast Charge-Discharge Capable and Long-Life Na Mn Zr V(PO ) /C Cathode Material for Advanced Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Na MnV(PO ) /C (NMVP) has been considered an attractive cathode for sodium-ion batteries with higher working voltage and lower cost than Na V (PO ) /C. However, the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and Jahn-Teller distortion caused by Mn inhibit its practical application. In this work, the remarkable effects of Zr-substitution on prompting electronic and Na-ion conductivity and also structural stabilization are reported.

Toward High-Performance Mg-S Batteries via a Copper Phosphide Modified Separator.

Magnesium-sulfur (Mg-S) batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, due to their high energy density and low cost. Unfortunately, current Mg-S batteries typically suffer from the shuttle effect that originates from the dissolution of magnesium polysulfide intermediates, leading to several issues such as rapid capacity fading, large overcharge, severe self-discharge, and potential safety concern. To address these issues, here we harness a copper phosphide (CuP) modified separator to realize the adsorption of magnesium polysulfides and catalyzation of the conversion reaction of S and Mg toward stable cycling of Mg-S cells.

Prussian blue/RGO with less coordinated water as superior cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.

A micro-cubic Prussian blue (PB) with less coordinated water is first developed by electron exchange between graphene oxide and PB. The obtained reduced graphene oxide-PB composite exhibited increased redox reactions of the Fe sites and delivered ultrahigh specific capacity of 163.3 mA h g (30 mA g) as well as excellent cycle stability as a cathode in sodium-ion batteries.

Retraction: Prussian blue without coordinated water as a superior cathode for sodium-ion batteries.

Retraction of 'Prussian blue without coordinated water as a superior cathode for sodium-ion batteries' by Dezhi Yang , , 2015, , 8181-8184, https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CC01180A.

A High-Rate, Durable Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Sb-Doped O3-Type Ni/Mn-Based Layered Oxides.

O3-Type layered oxides are widely studied as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities. However, their rate capability and durability are limited by tortuous Na diffusion channels and complicated phase evolution during Na extraction/insertion. Here we report our findings in unravelling the mechanism for dramatically enhancing the stability and rate capability of O3-NaNiMnSbO (NaNMS) by substitutional Sb doping, which can alter the coordination environment and chemical bonds of the transition metal (TM) ions in the structure, resulting in a more stable structure with wider Na transport channels.

Establishment of a simplified score for predicting risk during intrahospital transport of critical patients: A prospective cohort study.

Aims And Objectives: To establish a simple score that enables nurses to quickly, conveniently and accurately identify patients whose condition may change during intrahospital transport.

Background: Critically ill patients may experience various complications during intrahospital transport; therefore, it is important to predict their risk before they leave the emergency department. The existing scoring systems were not developed for this population.

Mg-Doping Constructed a Continuous and Homogeneous Cathode-Electrolyte Interphase Film on NaFe(PO) with Superior and Stable High-Temperature Performance for Sodium-Ion Storage.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are on the verge of achieving practical applications, and the key is to find suitable electrode materials. The polyanionic iron-based material NaFe(PO) (NFPO) possesses an open three-dimensional framework structure with good thermal stability and is regarded as an outstanding cathode material for SIBs. Nevertheless, its poor electrical conductivity, problems with erosion of electrolytes, and structural deterioration during cycling still need to be urgently addressed.

Structural and chemical evolution in layered oxide cathodes of lithium-ion batteries revealed by synchrotron techniques.

Rechargeable battery technologies have revolutionized electronics, transportation and grid energy storage. Many materials are being researched for battery applications, with layered transition metal oxides (LTMO) the dominating cathode candidate with remarkable electrochemical performance. Yet, daunting challenges persist in the quest for further battery developments targeting lower cost, longer lifespan, improved energy density and enhanced safety.

Thermal-healing of lattice defects for high-energy single-crystalline battery cathodes.

Single-crystalline nickel-rich cathodes are a rising candidate with great potential for high-energy lithium-ion batteries due to their superior structural and chemical robustness in comparison with polycrystalline counterparts. Within the single-crystalline cathode materials, the lattice strain and defects have significant impacts on the intercalation chemistry and, therefore, play a key role in determining the macroscopic electrochemical performance. Guided by our predictive theoretical model, we have systematically evaluated the effectiveness of regaining lost capacity by modulating the lattice deformation via an energy-efficient thermal treatment at different chemical states.

Efficacy of integrating short-course chemotherapy with Chinese herbs to treat multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in China: a study protocol.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) caused Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) is one of infectious disease that lead a large number of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Although no reliable evidence has been found, it is considered that combining chemotherapeutic drugs with Chinese herbs can significantly improves the cure rate and the clinical therapeutic effect.

Multifunctional Catalyst CuS for Nonaqueous Rechargeable Lithium-Oxygen Batteries.

Copper sulfide with flower-like (f-CuS) and carambola-like (c-CuS) morphologies was successfully synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal route with different surfactants. When employed as cathode catalysts for lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs), f-CuS outperforms c-CuS in terms of oxygen electrochemistry, judging from the faster kinetics and the higher reversibility of oxygen reduction/oxidation reactions, as well as the better LOB performance. Moreover, an abnormal high-potential discharge plateau was observed in the discharge profile of the LOB.

Iron Phosphide Confined in Carbon Nanofibers as a Free-Standing Flexible Anode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Iron phosphide with high specific capacity has emerged as an appealing candidate for next-generation lithium-ion battery anodes. However, iron phosphide could undergo conversion reactions and generally suffer from a rapid capacity degradation upon cycling due to its structure pulverization. Chemomechanical breakdown of iron phosphide due to its rigidity has been a challenge to fully realizing its electrochemical performance.

Structural Tuning of a Flexible and Porous Polypyrrole Film by a Template-Assisted Method for Enhanced Capacitance for Supercapacitor Applications.

Constructing a rational electrode structure for supercapacitors is critical to accelerate the electrochemical kinetics process and thus promote the capacitance. Focusing on the flexible supercapacitor electrode, we synthesized a three-dimensional (3D) porous polypyrrole (PPy) film using a modified vapor phase polymerization method with the use of a porous template (CaCO). The porous design provided the PPy film with an improved surface area and pore volume.

Spray-dried assembly of 3D N,P-Co-doped graphene microspheres embedded with core-shell CoP/MoP@C nanoparticles for enhanced lithium-ion storage.

The advancement of novel synthetic approaches for micro/nanostructural manipulation of transition metal phosphide (TMP) materials with precisely controlled engineering is crucial to realize their practical use in batteries. Here, we develop a novel spray-drying strategy to construct three-dimensional (3D) N,P co-doped graphene (G-NP) microspheres embedded with core-shell CoP@C and MoP@C nanoparticles (CoP@C⊂G-NP, MoP@⊂G-NP). This intentional design shows a close correlation between the microstructural G-NP and chemistry of the core-shell CoP@C/MoP@C nanoparticle system that contributes towards their anode performance in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Risk prediction using the National Early Warning Score and the Worthing Physiological Scoring System in patients who were transported to the Intensive Care Unit from the Emergency Department: A cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the value of the National Early Warning Score and Worthing Physiological Scoring System for predicting changes in the condition of critical cases during transfer from the emergency department to the intensive care unit.

Methods: This prospective single-centre study was conducted at a 1759-bed hospital in Beijing. We recorded the vital signs in the cases before leaving the emergency department and their changes in condition during transit.

Improved Cycling Performance of P2-NaNiMnO Based on Sn Substitution Combined with Polypyrrole Coating.

P2-NaNiMnO presents high working voltage with a theoretical capacity of 173 mAh g. However, the lattice oxygen on the particle surface participates in the redox reactions when the material is charged over 4.22 V.

Surface Tuning to Promote the Electrocatalysis for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: From Metal-Free to Cobalt-Based Carbon Electrocatalysts.

Heterogeneous electrocatalytic reactions only occur at the interface between the electrocatalyst and reactant. Therefore, the active sites are only necessary to be distributed on the surface of the electrocatalyst. Based on this motivation, here, we demonstrate a systematic study on surface tuning for a carbon-based electrocatalyst from metal-free (with the heteroatoms N and S, NS/C) to metal-containing surfaces (with Co, N, and S, CoNS/C).

High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells: progress in advanced materials and key technologies.

High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) are one type of promising energy device with the advantages of fast reaction kinetics (high energy efficiency), high tolerance to fuel/air impurities, simple plate design, and better heat and water management. They have been expected to be the next generation of PEMFCs specifically for application in hydrogen-fueled automobile vehicles and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. However, their high-cost and low durability interposed by the insufficient performance of key materials such as electrocatalysts and membranes at high temperature operation are still the challenges hindering the technology's practical applications.

Design principles for self-forming interfaces enabling stable lithium-metal anodes.

The path toward Li-ion batteries with higher energy densities will likely involve use of thin lithium (Li)-metal anode (<50 µm thickness), whose cyclability today remains limited by dendrite formation and low coulombic efficiency (CE). Previous studies have shown that the solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) of the Li metal plays a crucial role in Li-electrodeposition and -stripping behavior. However, design rules for optimal SEIs are not well established.