Mechanism of Cations Suppressing Proton Diffusion Kinetics for Electrocatalysis

Proton transfer is crucial for electrocatalysis. Accumulating cations at electrochemical interfaces can alter the proton transfer rate and then tune electrocatalytic performance. However, the mechanism for regulating proton transfer remains ambiguous. Here, we quantify the cation effect on proton diffusion in solution by hydrogen evolution on microelectrodes, revealing the rate can be suppressed by more than 10 times. Different from the prevalent opinions that proton transport is slowed down by modified electric field, we found water structure imposes a more evident effect on kinetics. FTIR test and path integral molecular dynamics simulation indicate that proton prefers to wander within the hydration shell of cations rather than to hop rapidly along water wires. Low connectivity of water networks disrupted by cations corrupts the fast-moving path in bulk water. This study highlights the promising way for regulating proton kinetics via a modified water structure.     

Optimizing Acetylene Sorption through Induced-fit Transformations in a Chemically Stable Microporous Framework

Developing practical storage technologies for acetylene (C₂H₂) is important but challenging because C₂H₂ is useful but explosive. Here, a novel metal–organic framework (MOF) ( FJI-H36 ) with adaptive channels was prepared. It can effectively capture C₂H₂ (159.9 cm³ cm⁻³) at 1 atm and 298 K, possessing a record-high storage density (561 g L⁻¹) but a very low adsorption enthalpy (28 kJ mol⁻¹) among all the reported MOFs. Structural analyses show that such excellent adsorption performance comes from the synergism of active sites, flexible framework, and matched pores; where the adsorbed-C₂H₂ can drive FJI-H36 to undergo induced-fit transformations step by step, including deformation/reconstruction of channels, contraction of pores, and transformation of active sites, finally leading to dense packing of C₂H₂. Moreover, FJI-H36 has excellent chemical stability and recyclability, and can be prepared on a large scale, enabling it as a practical adsorbent for C₂H₂. This will provide a useful strategy for developing practical and efficient adsorbents for C₂H₂ storage.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation by Interfacial Phase Transition and Photothermal Effect in Multiply Heterostructured Co9S8/Co3S4/Cu2S Nanohybrids

The rational design of advanced nanohybrids (NHs) with optimized interface electronic environment and rapid reaction kinetics is pivotal to electrocatalytic schedule. Herein, we developed a multiple heterogeneous Co₉S₈/Co₃S₄/Cu₂S nanoparticle in which Co₃S₄ germinates between Co₉S₈ and Cu₂S. Using high-angle annular-dark-field imaging and theoretical calculation, it was found that the integration of Co₉S₈ and Cu₂S tends to trigger the interface phase transition of Co₉S₈, leading to Co₃S₄ interlayer due to the low formation energy of Co₃S₄/Cu₂S (−7.61 eV) than Co₉S₈/Cu₂S (−5.86 eV). Such phase transition not only lowers the energy barrier of oxygen evolution reaction (OER, from 0.335 eV to 0.297 eV), but also increases charge carrier density (from 7.76×10¹⁴ to 2.09×10¹⁵ cm⁻³), and creates more active sites. Compared to Co₉S₈ and Cu₂S, the Co₉S₈/Co₃S₄/Cu₂S NHs also demonstrate notable photothermal effect that can heat the catalyst locally, offset the endothermic enthalpy change of OER, and promote carrier migrate, reaction intermediates adsorption/deprotonation to improve reaction kinetics. Profiting from these favorable factors, the Co₉S₈/Co₃S₄/Cu₂S catalyst only requires an OER overpotential of 181 mV and overall water splitting cell voltage of 1.43 V to driven 10 mA cm⁻² under the irradiation of near-infrared light, outperforming those without light irradiation and many reported Co-based catalysts.     

Improving Low-temperature Performance and Stability of Na2Ti6O13 Anodes by the Ti−O Spring Effect through Nb-doping

Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ (NTO) with high safety has been regarded as a promising anode candidate for sodium-ion batteries. In the present study, integrated modification of migration channels broadening, charge density re-distribution, and oxygen vacancies regulation are realized in case of Nb-doping and have obtained significantly enhanced cycling performance with 92 % reversible capacity retained after 3000 cycles at 3000 mA g⁻¹. Moreover, unexpected low-temperature performance with a high discharge capacity of 143 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ under −15 °C is also achieved in the full cell. Theoretical investigation suggests that Nb preferentially replaces Ti3 sites, which effectively improves structural stability and lowers the diffusion energy barrier. What's more important, both the in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in situ Raman furtherly confirm the robust spring effect of the Ti−O bond, making special charge compensation mechanism and respective regulation strategy to conquer the sluggish transport kinetics and low conductivity, which plays a key role in promoting electrochemical performance.     

A Subtle Change in the Flexible Achiral Spacer Does Matter in Supramolecular Chirality: Two-Fold Odd-Even Effect in Polymer Assemblies

Precise control over the chirality and morphologies of polymer assemblies, a remaining challenge for both chemists and materials scientists, is receiving ever-increasing attention in the recent years. Herein, we report the subtle manipulation of the achiral spacers from the chiral stereocenter to the azobenzene (Azo) unit, of which the chiroptical consistency or chiroptical inversion of self-assemblies could be successfully controlled and present “two-fold” odd-even effect. Furthermore, morphological transitions from 0D spherical micelles, 1D worms, and nanowires to 3D vesicles, spindle- and dumbbell-shaped vesicles were also unexpectedly found to exhibit odd-even correlations. These observations were collectively elucidated by mesomorphic properties, stacking modes, chiroptical dynamics, and stimuli-responsive behaviors. Negligible modifications to the spacer structures can enable remarkable modulation of supramolecular chirality and anisotropic topologies in polymer assemblies, which is of great significance for the design of complex chiral functional polymers.     

The effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the optical,electrical and solid state properties of copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) deposited by sensitive spray pyrolysis (SSP)

Recently, the use of CZTS as the basis for other generation of low cost thin films solar cells has stimulated further researches. Its excellent p-type absorber nature, relatively high absorption coefficient and ideal energy band-gap of 1.5eV motivated these efforts. Additionally, CZTS consist of earth-abundant, cheap and non-toxic elements with very low manufacturing cost. Initially, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell device emerged but suffered limitations in further development because of rare indium and gallium in the device structure therefore, CZTS is recently preferred as an alternative to CIGS commercial solar cell absorber layer. In this work, solution mixture of CZTS and PVA was deposited on a substrate at temperature of 150 °C. Sensitive spray pyrolysis was used to grow the thin films where calculated amount of the precursor mixture was allowed to fall and be deposited on a heated substrate to form CZTS/PVA thin films. Subsequently, the thin film samples were annealed at a temperature of 200^oCfor 1 h to achieving pure crystalline thin film formation. SEM, XRD analysis, Optical, Solid State properties and Raman analysis were studied. The XRD analysis showed that the thin films fell into the pure kesterite structure of CZTS. Results show that produced thin films exhibited higher absorption coefficient and optical conductivity than pure CZTS, 10⁶ m^?1 and 10¹⁴(S^?1) against 10⁴cm^?1 and 10¹²(S^?1) respectively. The band-gap is between 1.53eV and 1.73eV. Using a PVA concentration of 0.05 M yielded highest absorbance and optical conductivity with lowest real dielectric constant and transmittance. These improved optical, electrical and solid state properties suitably qualify these thin films as absorber layer material for solar cell applications.     

Inlaying Bismuth Nanoparticles on Graphene Nanosheets by Chemical Bond for Ultralong-Lifespan Aqueous Sodium Storage

Rechargeable aqueous sodium ion batteries (ASIBs) are rising as an important alternative to lithium ion batteries, owing to their safety and low cost. Metal anodes show a high theoretical capacity and nonselective hydrated ion insertion for ASIBs, yet their large volume expansion and sluggish reaction kinetics resulted in poor electrochemical stability. Herein, we demonstrate an electrode cyclability enhancement mechanism by inlaying bismuth (Bi) nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets through chemical bond, which is achieved by a unique laser induced compounding method. This anchored metal-graphene heterostructure can effectively mitigate volume variation, and accelerate the kinetic capability as the active Bi can be exposed to the electrolyte. Our method can achieve a reversible capacity of 122 mAh g⁻¹ at a large current density of 4 A g⁻¹ for over 9500 cycles. This finding offers a desirable structural design of other metal anodes for aqueous energy storage systems.     

Copper-cobalt-nickel oxide nanowire arrays on copper foams as self-standing anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Numerous scientists are in the pursuit of energy storage materials with high energy and high power density by assembly of electrochemically active materials into conductive scaffolds, owing to the emerging need for next-generation energy storage devices. In this architectures, the active materials bonded to the conductive scaffold can provide a robust and free-standing structure, which is crucial to the fabrication of materials with high gravimetric capacity. Thus, hierarchical copper-cobalt-nickel ternary oxide (CuCoNi-oxide) nanowire arrays grown from copper foam were successfully fabricated as free-standing anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). CuCoNi-oxide nanowire arrays could provide more active sites owing to the hyperbranched structure, leading to a better specific capacity of 1191 mAh/g, cycle performance of 73% retention in comparison to CuO nanowire structure, which exhibited a specific capacity of 1029 mAh/g and capacity retention of 43%, respectively.     

Addendum to “Volumetric properties of binary liquid-phase mixture of (water + glycerol) at temperatures of (278.15 to 323.15) K and pressures of (0.1 to 100) MPa” [J. Chem. Thermodyn. 79 (2014) 135–158]: Effect of pressure on excess thermodynamic characteristics of mixture water + glycerol

Experimentally determined volumetric properties of the liquid binary mixture of {water (1) + glycerol (2)} were processed to calculate the changes of the following thermodynamic parameters with pressure: excess molar Gibbs free energy, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{P_o\to P}{G}_m^E$, excess molar entropy, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{P_o\to P}{S}_m^E$, excess molar enthalpy, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{P_o\to P}{H}_m^E$, as well as the enthalpy of mixing of water and glycerol, $H_m^E$, at 100 MPa. The mixing enthalpies of water and glycerol, $H_m^E$, became more exothermic with pressure increasing at all temperatures studied.     

水对Ni/MgAlO催化丙酮加氢的影响

研究了H2O对Ni/MgAlO催化剂上丙酮加氢为异丙醇的催化反应的影响。结果发现,在丙酮中添加少量H2O可提高丙酮转化率,但超过5%的H2O量则会显著降低催化剂活性。吸附量热结果表明,催化剂表面吸附少量H2O会明显降低异丙醇的吸附热,但对丙酮吸附热的影响较小,这也许是反应体系中少量的H2O能促进丙酮加氢活性的原因之一。当催化剂表面吸附较多H2O后,丙酮、异丙醇和H2的吸附热都降低了,因此反而抑制了丙酮的加氢反应。此外,红外光谱结果表明,预吸附水抑制了催化剂表面异丙醇脱氢生成丙酮,并抑制吸附的丙酮在表面生成烯醇盐或异丙叉丙酮等物种,这也许是少量水能促进丙酮加氢生成异丙醇的另一个重要原因。