Atomic-scale simulations for lithium dendrite growth driven by strain gradient

Dendrite formation is a major obstacle, e.g., capacity loss and short circuit, to the next-generation high-energy-density lithium (Li)-metal batteries. The development of successful Li dendrite mitigation strategies is impeded by an insufficient understanding in Li dendrite growth mechanisms. The Li-plating-induced internal stress in Li-metal and its effects on dendrite growth have been widely studied, but the underlying microcosmic mechanism is elusive. In the present study, the role of the plating-induced stress in dendrite formation is analyzed through first-principles calculations and ab initio molecular dynamic (AIMD) simulations. It is shown that the deposited Li forms a stable atomic nanofilm structure on the copper (Cu) substrate, and the adsorption energy of Li atoms increases from the Li-Cu interface to the deposited Li surface, leading to more aggregated Li atoms at the interface. Compared with the pristine Li-metal, the deposited Li in the early stage becomes compacted and suffers the in-plane compressive stress. Interestingly, there is a giant strain gradient distribution from the Li-Cu interface to the deposited Li surface, making the deposited atoms adjacent to the Cu surface tend to press upwards with perturbation and causing the dendrite growth. This provides an insight into the atomicscale origin of Li dendrite growth, and may be useful for suppressing the Li dendrite in Li-metal-based rechargeable batteries.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric chlorinative dearomatization of naphthols

An organocatalytic asymmetric chlorinative dearomatization of naphthols was realized for the first time, providing chiral naphthalenones with a Cl-containing all-substituted stereocenter in excellent yields and enantioselectivity (up to 97% yield and 96% ee). The reaction features mild reaction conditions, good tolerance of diverse functional groups and simple reaction operation.     

Polypyrrole Shell@3D‐Ni Metal Core Structured Electrodes for High‐Performance Supercapacitors

Three‐dimensional (3D) nanometal films serving as current collectors have attracted much interest recently owing to their promising application in high‐performance supercapacitors. In the process of the electrochemical reaction, the 3D structure can provide a short diffusion path for fast ion transport, and the highly conductive nanometal may serve as a backbone for facile electron transfer. In this work, a novel polypyrrole (PPy) shell@3D‐Ni‐core composite is developed to enhance the electrochemical performance of conventional PPy. With the introduction of a Ni metal core, the as‐prepared material exhibits a high specific capacitance (726 F g^?1 at a charge/discharge rate of 1 A g^?1), good rate capability (a decay of 33 % in C_sp with charge/discharge rates increasing from 1 to 20 A g^?1), and high cycle stability (only a small decrease of 4.2 % in C_sp after 1000 cycles at a scan rate of 100 mV s^?1). Furthermore, an aqueous symmetric supercapacitor device is fabricated by using the as‐prepared composite as electrodes; the device demonstrates a high energy density (≈21.2 Wh kg^?1) and superior long‐term cycle ability (only 4.4 % and 18.6 % loss in C_sp after 2000 and 5000 cycles, respectively).     

Sulfono‐γ‐AApeptides as a New Class of Nonnatural Helical Foldamer

Foldamers offer an attractive opportunity for the design of novel molecules that mimic the structures and functions of proteins and enzymes including biocatalysis and biomolecular recognition. Herein we report a new class of nonnatural helical sulfono‐γ‐AApeptide foldamers of varying lengths. The crystal structure of the sulfono‐γ‐AApeptide monomer S6 illustrates the intrinsic folding propensity of sulfono‐γ‐AApeptides, which likely originates from the bulkiness of tertiary sulfonamide moiety. The two‐dimensional solution NMR spectroscopy data for the longest sequence S1 demonstrates a 10/16 right‐handed helical structure. Optical analysis using circular dichroism further supports well‐ defined helical conformation of sulfono‐γ‐AApeptides in solution containing as few as five building blocks. Future development of sulfono‐γ‐AApeptides may lead to new foldamers with discrete functions, enabling expanded application in chemical biology and biomedical sciences.     

Influence of external load on friction coefficient of Fe-polytetrafluoroethylene

A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation model was developed in this study to investigate the friction process occurring between Fe and polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE).We investigated the effect of an external load on the friction coefficient of Fe–PTFE using the molecular dynamics simulations and experimental methods.The simulation results show that the friction coefficient decreases with the external load increasing,which is in a good agreement with the experimental results.The high external load could result in a larger contact area between the Fe and PTFE layers,severer springback as a consequence of the deformed PTFE molecules,and faster motion of the PTFE molecules,thereby affecting the friction force and normal force during friction and consequently varying the friction coefficient.