Heterogeneous nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage

In order to fulfil the future requirements of electrochemical energy storage, such as high energy density at high power demands, heterogeneous nanostructured materials are currently studied as promising electrode materials due to their synergic properties, which arise from integrating multi-nanocomponents, each tailored to address a different demand (e.g., high energy density, high conductivity, and excellent mechanical stability). In this article, we discuss these heterogeneous nanomaterials based on their structural complexity: zero-dimensional (0-D) (e.g. core-shell nanoparticles), one-dimensional (1-D) (e.g. coaxial nanowires), two-dimensional (2-D) (e.g. graphene based composites), three-dimensional (3-D) (e.g. mesoporous carbon based composites) and the even more complex hierarchical 3-D nanostructured networks. This review tends to focus more on ordered arrays of 1-D heterogeneous nanomaterials due to their unique merits. Examples of different types of structures are listed and their advantages and disadvantages are compared. Finally a future 3-D heterogeneous nanostructure is proposed, which may set a goal toward developing ideal nano-architectured electrodes for future electrochemical energy storage devices.     

锂离子电池锡基合金体系负极研究

综述了锂离子电池锡基金属间化合物和复合物负极的研究进展。介绍了锡基合金体系作锂离子电池负极的优势, 指出了锡金属负极的不足,提出了采用锡基合金及其复合物是克服锡金属负极主体材料尺寸稳定问题的解决办法。概述了各种锡基合金和其复合物的结构、电化学性能、相应的加工方法和某些反应机理,总结了这些材料的优点和缺点,提出了改进这些材料性能的一些建议,如采用分散形态的纳米颗粒结构或用非晶合金并控制形态结构的转变,着重指出多相锡基锂合金复合物是最有前景的负极材料。     

Pillar[n]arenes-based materials for detection and separation of pesticides

The effective materials and methods for detection and separation of pesticides are urgently needed because most of pesticides show very harmful influence on life and environment. As a new kind of macrocyclic host compound, pillar[n]arenes show very good performance in the detection and separation of pesticides, especially for paraquat (PQ). For the pesticide detection and separation materials, their structures determine performance. Therefore, this review summarizes the recent progress of pillar[n]arenes-based materials for detection and separation of pesticides covering single/multi-pillar[n]arenes, pillar[n]arenes-based polymers, frameworks, composites, nanomaterials etc. The structure-performance relationships of these materials have been discussed according to the cavity size, the synergistic or collaboration effect, the structure of the polymer or framework, the substrate of the composites and the size of nanomaterials and so on. Based on these, we also look forward to the future and point out the possible way for improving the pesticides detection sensitivity and separation efficiency of this kind of materials.     

Liquid crystals stabilized by physical networks

This review concerns the behavior of a new class of LC composites with physical networks. These composites are prepared through the addition of some low-molecular-mass compounds (gelators) containing various functional groups to liquid crystals. In the medium of liquid crystals, gelators can form gels via non-covalent interactions, thereby stabilizing their structures. The structures of LC composites, their morphologies, and their optical and electro-optical properties are examined, and some application areas of these materials are illustrated.     

Melting Processing of Biodegradable Cellulose Diacetate/Starch Composites

Natural polymers and their derivatives are attracting increasing interest as promising biodegradable materials that can meet the environmental and recycling demands from society. This study prepared biodegradable composites of cellulose diacetate and starch, and examined their physical and thermal properties. In addition, the morphology of the composites was examined by scanning electron microscopy. For melt processing, epoxidized soybean oil, as a lubricant, and triacetine, as a plasticizer, were added to the composites. The optimal conditions for the preparation of the biodegradable composites were determined. Increasing the amount of starch in the composites resulted in further enhancement of the processability of cellulose diacetate. The tensile strength and Young's modulus decreased, and the amount of elongation and T_g value increased with increasing amount of starch.     

Structural Batteries: A Review

Structural power composites stand out as a possible solution to the demands of the modern transportation system of more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. Recent studies demonstrated the possibility to realize these components endowing high-performance composites with electrochemical properties. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic review of the recent developments on this more and more sensitive topic. Two main technologies will be covered here: (1) the integration of commercially available lithium-ion batteries in composite structures, and (2) the fabrication of carbon fiber-based multifunctional materials. The latter will be deeply analyzed, describing how the fibers and the polymeric matrices can be synergistically combined with ionic salts and cathodic materials to manufacture monolithic structural batteries. The main challenges faced by these emerging research fields are also addressed. Among them, the maximum allowable curing cycle for the embedded configuration and the realization that highly conductive structural electrolytes for the monolithic solution are noteworthy. This work also shows an overview of the multiphysics material models developed for these studies and provides a clue for a possible alternative configuration based on solid-state electrolytes.     

Characterization of Engineering Polymers by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

There is a growing need for the use of polymers in high-strength and engineering applications, and many new materials and composites have been developed to satisfy this need. Traditionally, thermosetting polymers have been employed as high-strength materials, with the incorporation of various fillers or additives to improve shortcomings in strength and temperature performance. Although these materials are largely unrivaled in high-temperature performance, some of the newer engineering thermoplastics, such as poly(ether ether ketone)(PEEK), poly(ether sulfone) (PES), poly(pheny1ene sulfide) (PPS), and the new backbone liquid-crystal polymers are becoming much more widely used. With this widespread use and with the increasing complexity of polymer blends and composites, there is a strong requirement for a universal means of characterizing such materials in terms of mechanical properties and high-temperature performance. A powerful and versatile analytical technique which is capable of application to a very wide range of materials is that of dynamic mechanical spectrometry. This technique can be used to establish basic material relaxation temperatures and frequencies, the modulus and loss behavior, as well as factors such as degree of cure, fder/matrix bonding, and phase separation.     

Versatile Lightweight Polymer Composites

Abstract

Knowledge of polymer composites goes back to antiquity, yet their most spectacular boom, from a scientific point of view, began during the 1960s when their microstructure was studied as it relates to their properties. Modern technology demands newer materials in place of conventional engineering materials. Although concrete is an excellent building material, its use is subject to certain limitations. These include its relatively low tensile strength, a tendency to crack with changes in temperature coupled with moisture absorption, and deterioration due to chemical and physical attack under various environmental conditions. Polymer composites, on the other hand, have outstanding strength and durability which offer several advantages over those of conventional materials.     

2020 Roadmap on Carbon Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion

Carbon is a simple, stable and popular element with many allotropes. The carbon family members include carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, graphene, graphite, graphdiyne and hard carbon, etc. They can be divided into different dimensions, and their structures can be open and porous. Moreover, it is very interesting to dope them with other elements (metal or non‐metal) or hybridize them with other materials to form composites. The elemental and structural characteristics offer us to explore their applications in energy, environment, bioscience, medicine, electronics and others. Among them, energy storage and conversion are extremely attractive, as advances in this area may improve our life quality and environment. Some energy devices will be included herein, such as lithium‐ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, potassium‐ion batteries, dual ion batteries, electrochemical capacitors, and others. Additionally, carbon‐based electrocatalysts are also studied in hydrogen evolution reaction and carbon dioxide reduction reaction. However, there are still many challenges in the design and preparation of electrode and electrocatalytic materials. The research related to carbon materials for energy storage and conversion is extremely active, and this has motivated us to contribute with a roadmap on ‘Carbon Materials in Energy Storage and Conversion’.     

A state-of-the-art review on particulate wood polymer composites: Processing,properties and applications

In the present decade, the demands for recyclable, environmentally friendly and low-cost with good strength composites materials have been significantly increased. In this context, the particulate wood polymer composites have attracted the researchers owing to their eco-friendliness, low-cost as they are prepared using waste wood particles, and good mechanical and physical properties. These composites were prepared by filling the waste wood particles into the polymers using different fabrication methods such as extrusion, hand layup, compression moulding, injection moulding and additive manufacturing (3D printing). A good number of research works have been reported on the testing and characterization of wood composites for the various applications so far. This fact motivated to prepare a state-of-the-art review on the recent developments in processing, characterization, and applications of wood composites. This paper presents a discussion on the chemical structure and properties of different types of wood species. The mechanical, thermal and water absorption behaviour of thermosets, thermoplastics and biopolymers based wood composites have also been discussed. Further, characterization of the nano biocomposites prepared using nanocellulose/nanoparticles of wood are also presented. The outcomes of the present review provide a good understanding of wood composites that will encourage the researchers for further research works & developments of novel wood composites for the advanced applications.     

Thermal Study of Polyurethane Elastomers Based on Biopitch–PEG–MDI System

Polyurethanes based on biopitch and PEG of distinct molecular masses (M _w 1500, 4000 and 6000) were synthesized using polymeric MDI. Different materials were obtained through syntheses using various biopitch content and NCO/OH ratio. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to determine their thermal properties. Variations of thermal stability were observed with amorphous and semicrystalline structures depending on the biopitch content and the NCO/OH ratio. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

高效氧催化反应中的金属有机骨架材料（英文）

氧电催化反应包括氧气还原反应(ORR)和氧气析出反应(OER).作为核心电极反应,这两个反应对诸多能源存储与转换技术(比如燃料电池、金属空气电池以及全水分解制氢等)的能量效率起决定性作用.然而,ORR和OER涉及多个反应步骤、多个电子转移过程以及多相界面传质过程.这些复杂的过程较大程度上限制了ORR和OER的反应速率.从理论和实践两个方面来看,ORR和OER都需要高效电催化剂的参与来促进其反应速率,从而能够最终提高上述能源存储与转换技术的能量转换或利用效率.目前,以Pt,Pd,Ir,Ru为代表的贵金属基电催化剂具有十分突出的电催化性能.但是,过高的成本和过低的储量始终制约着贵金属基电催化剂在催化ORR和OER反应方面,乃至在能源存储与转换技术领域的规模化应用.因而,开发高效非贵金属基氧电催化剂成为近年来能源存储与转换领域的研究重点之一.在众多已经报道的非贵金属基氧电催化剂中,金属有机骨架材料(MOFs)备受瞩目.MOFs是一类由有机配体和金属节点通过配位键自组装而成的晶态多孔材料.它们具备超高比表面积、超高孔隙率以及规则性纳米孔道.相比较其他传统的多孔材料(比如活性炭、分子筛、介孔炭、介孔氧化硅等),MOFs最主要的优势在于它们的结构和功能可以依据需求通过选择合适的有机配体和金属节点进行便利地设计,或通过后处理进行必要的改性和调节.基于独特的多孔特性以及结构与功能的可设计、可调节性,MOFs在气体分离与存储、异相催化、化学传感、药物输送、环境保护以及能源存储与转化等领域都具有潜在的应用价值.因而,近年来,MOFs备受基础研究领域和工业界的青睐.针对MOFs开展的基础研究和应用开发逐渐成为诸多领域的研究焦点.也正由于MOFs具有的上述优异特性,尤其是结构与功能的可设计、可调节性,使得设计制备基于单纯MOFs以及MOFs衍生材料成为开发高效非贵金属基氧电催化剂的新途径.本综述首先论述了基于单纯MOFs的氧电催化剂(包括纯MOFs、活性物种修饰的MOFs以及与导电材料构成的复合MOFs)的合成以及它们在ORR或OER催化反应中应用的研究进展.在第二部分论述中,本综述主要针对MOFs衍生的各类氧电催化剂(包括无机微米-纳米结构/多孔碳复合材料、纯多孔碳材料、纯无机微米-纳米结构材料以及单原子型电催化材料)的研究进展进行了简要介绍和讨论.最后,本综述对MOFs基氧电催化剂目前存在的挑战进行了简要分析;同时,也对这类氧电催化剂的通用设计准则以及未来发展方向进行了展望.尽管存在诸多挑战,MOFs始终被认为是极好的"平台"材料.充分利用它们将有利于开发高效且实用的非贵金属基氧电催化剂.     

Assessing the effect of PLA,cellulose microfibers and CaCO3 on the properties of starch-based foams using a factorial design

The effect of polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose microfibers (CEL), and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) on the equilibrium moisture content (EMC), density and flexural mechanical properties of starch-based bio-foams was studied using a full factorial design 2³. Also, a moisture aging study was carried out. The results show the three factors studied changed the bio-foams morphology, contribute to density increment, enhance dimensional stability and improve both the moisture resistance and the mechanical flexural properties. The moisture aging studies show that, although the flexural mechanical properties decrease with increasing humidity, the bio-foams exceed the mechanical properties of commercial expanded polystyrene (EPS) trays. These findings suggest the bio-composites could be used in regions where the humidity conditions are moderate to very humid, guaranteeing their dimensional stability and functional properties. Thus, these new bio-foams are an attractive and sustainable option to replace the non-biodegradable EPS commercial trays.     

Conducting polymers: Efficient thermoelectric materials

This review highlights the recent progress made in the area of thermoelectric (TE) applications of conducting polymers and related composites. Several examples of such materials and their TE properties are discussed. TE properties of new poly(2,7‐carbazole) derivatives are highlighted. References are also made to carbon nanotube/polymer composites and their improved electrical and TE performance. Studies on polymer/inorganic materials composites have also taken a step forward and have shown very promising TE properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

二氧化锰与二维材料复合应用于超级电容器

现如今世界正面临着与能源相关的一系列问题与挑战,科学家们致力于研究绿色高性能的能量存储器件以适应当前乃至以后长久可持续创新发展的需要。超级电容器作为一种新型的绿色能源储存装置,具有功率密度大、理论比电容高、充放电速度快、循环寿命长、安全性高、环境友好且经济等优点,为人类解决能源危机提出了可能。电极材料是影响超级电容器性能的重要因素。近些年,由于二氧化锰基超级电容器具有理论比电容高、化学稳定性好、环境友好等特点被广泛研究。同时多种二维材料也继石墨烯后被相继用作超级电容器电极材料,具有二维结构特征材料在提高双电层电容器的能量密度、改善赝电容电容器方面发挥着重要作用。实现高比电容和高倍率性能,将二氧化锰与二维材料复合将不失为一个有前景的选择。本文系统介绍了以石墨烯为代表的各类二维材料与二氧化锰复合物在超级电容器中的应用研究,并聚焦于这些二维材料与二氧化锰复合后所展现的优异电化学性能。     

基于碳纳米管的超级电容器研究进展

综述了基于碳纳米管及其复合材料作超级电容器的电极材料的研究现状,通过对碳纳米管的改性或与其它材料复合,能有效地提高电容器的电容特性。总结了近几年来在开发超级电容器电极材料领域中对碳纳米管的活化和提高碳纳米管的分散性技术、碳纳米管与过渡金属氧化物复合材料、碳纳米管与导电聚合物复合材料以及碳纳米管与石墨烯复合材料研究的进展。     

A New Strong-Acid Free Route to Produce Xanthan Gum-PANI Composite Scaffold Supporting Bioelectricity

Conductive hybrid xanthan gum (XG)–polyaniline (PANI) biocomposites forming 3D structures able to mimic electrical biological functions are synthesized by a strong-acid free medium. In situ aniline oxidative chemical polymerizations are performed in XG water dispersions to produce stable XG–PANI pseudoplastic fluids. XG–PANI composites with 3D architectures are obtained by subsequent freeze-drying processes. The morphological investigation highlights the formation of porous structures; UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy characterizations assess the chemical structure of the produced composites. I–V measurements evidence electrical conductivity of the samples, while electrochemical analyses point out their capability to respond to electric stimuli with electron and ion exchanges in physiological-like environment. Trial tests on prostate cancer cells evaluate biocompatibility of the XG–PANI composite. Obtained results demonstrate that a strong acid-free route produces an electrically conductive and electrochemically active XG–PANI polymer composite. The investigation of charge transport and transfer, as well as of biocompatibility properties of composite materials produced in aqueous environments, brings new perspective for exploitation of such materials in biomedical applications. In particular, the developed strategy can be used to realize biomaterials working as scaffolds that require electrical stimulations for inducing cell growth and communication or for biosignals monitoring and analysis.     

Structural design and impact resistance of three-dimensional structure-reinforced flexible polymer composites

Three-dimensional (3D) structure-reinforced flexible polymer composites have great potential as personal protective materials. These composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties and failure mechanisms than typical rigid composites because of the complex dynamic reaction processes caused by the 3D structure in response to impact. This paper comprehensively reviews the impact resistance mechanism of 3D structure-reinforced flexible polymer composites by combining current results with relevant investigations. 3D woven fabric reinforcements and flexible matrix materials of flexible polymer composites systems are presented in this paper. The classification for 3D woven fabric reinforcements is reviewed, as well as the effect of reinforcement structures on the impact resistance of the flexible composites. Furthermore, several flexible matrix are introduced. Several external factors affecting the impact resistance of composites are then discussed. Finally, the impact damage mechanism of 3D structure-reinforced flexible polymer composites is summarized and analyzed.     

Fabrication and microstructural characterization of functionally graded porous acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and the effect of cellular morphology on creep behavior

The ability to control material properties in space and time for functionally graded viscoelastic materials makes them an asset where they can be adapted to different design requirements. The continuous microstructure makes them advantageous over conventional composite materials. Functionally graded porous structures have the added advantage over conventional functionally graded materials of offering a significant weight reduction compared to a minor drop in strength. Functionally graded porous structures of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) had been fabricated with a solid‐state constrained foaming process. Correlating the microstructure to material properties requires a deterministic analysis of the cellular structure. This is accomplished by analyzing the scanning electron microscopy images with a locally adaptive image threshold technique based on variational energy minimization. This characterization technique of the cellular morphology is analyst independent and works very well for porous structures. Inferences are drawn from the effect of processing on microstructure and then correlated to creep strain and creep compliance. Creep is strongly correlated to porosity and pore sizes but more associated to the size than to porosity. The results show the potential of controlling the cellular morphology and hence tailoring creep strain/compliance of ABS to some desired values. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 795–803