Stabilizing an ultrathin MoS layer during electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution with a crystalline SnO underlayer.

Amorphous MoS has been investigated abundantly as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution. Not only its performance but also its chemical stability in acidic conditions have been reported widely. However, its adhesion has not been studied systematically in the electrochemical context.

Ordered SnO nanotube arrays of tuneable geometry as a lithium ion battery material with high longevity.

Ordered arrays of straight, parallel SnO nanotubes are prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on inert 'anodic' aluminum oxide porous membranes serving as templates. Various thicknesses of the SnO tube walls and various tube lengths are characterized in terms of morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemical identity by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and phase composition by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their performance as negative electrode ('anode') materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is quantified at different charge and discharge rates in the absence of additives.