Bimetal-Organic Framework Nanoboxes Enable Accelerated Redox Kinetics and Polysulfide Trapping for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li−S) batteries are considered as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems in view of the high theoretical energy density and low cost of sulfur resources. The suppression of polysulfide diffusion and promotion of redox kinetics are the main challenges for Li−S batteries. Herein, we design and prepare a novel type of ZnCo-based bimetallic metal–organic framework nanoboxes (ZnCo-MOF NBs) to serve as a functional sulfur host for Li−S batteries. The hollow architecture of ZnCo-MOF NBs can ensure fast charge transfer, improved sulfur utilization, and effective confinement of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). The atomically dispersed Co−O₄ sites in ZnCo-MOF NBs can firmly capture LiPSs and electrocatalytically accelerate their conversion kinetics. Benefiting from the multiple structural advantages, the ZnCo-MOF/S cathode shows high reversible capacity, impressive rate capability, and prolonged cycling performance for 300 cycles.     

Synthesis of α-Quaternary β-Lactams via Copper-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical C(sp3)−C(sp2) Cross-Coupling with Organoboronate Esters

The copper-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical C(sp³)−C(sp²) cross-coupling of tertiary α-bromo-β-lactams with organoboronate esters could provide the synthetically valuable α-quaternary β-lactams. The challenge arises mainly from the construction of sterically congested quaternary stereocenters between the tertiary alkyl radicals and chiral copper(II) species. Herein, we describe our success in achieving such transformations through the utilization of a copper/hemilabile N,N,N-ligand catalyst to forge the sterically congested chiral C(sp³)−C(sp²) bond via a single-electron reduction/transmetalation/bond formation catalytic cycle. The synthetic potential of this approach is shown in the straightforward conversion of the corresponding products into many valuable building blocks. We hope that the developed catalytic cycle would open up new vistas for more enantioconvergent cross-coupling reactions.     

Linking Composition,Structure and Thickness of CoOOH layers to Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity by Correlative Microscopy

The role of β-CoOOH crystallographic orientations in catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains elusive. We combine correlative electron backscatter diffraction/scanning electrochemical cell microscopy with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography to establish the structure–activity relationships of various faceted β-CoOOH formed on a Co microelectrode under OER conditions. We reveal that ≈6 nm β-CoOOH(01 0), grown on [ 0]-oriented Co, exhibits higher OER activity than ≈3 nm β-CoOOH(10 3) or ≈6 nm β-CoOOH(0006) formed on [02 - and [0001]-oriented Co, respectively. This arises from higher amounts of incorporated hydroxyl ions and more easily reducible Co^III−O sites present in β-CoOOH(01 0) than those in the latter two oxyhydroxide facets. Our correlative multimodal approach shows great promise in linking local activity with atomic-scale details of structure, thickness and composition of active species, which opens opportunities to design pre-catalysts with preferred defects that promote the formation of the most active OER species.     

钆、氟掺杂二氧化钒的晶体结构演变行为与相变机理

二氧化钒(VO₂)是一种热致相变材料，其过高的相变温度制约了其潜在应用.元素掺杂能够使VO₂的能带结构、态密度、键长和晶胞体积等晶格参数改变，引起其相变行为的变化.借助Materials Studio软件，基于第一性原理和分子轨道理论研究了钆、氟掺杂二氧化钒的晶体结构演变行为与相变机理.结果表明，无论F掺杂于VO₂(M型)中间O的位置还是两侧O位置，都会引起O—O键收缩，V—V键增长，β角增大，体系亥姆霍自由能增加，带隙相对减小，F侧位掺杂效果最好，随着V⁴⁺—V⁴⁺同极结合的减少，在1 at%F掺杂时相变温度达到最低；当Gd以0-1.8 at%掺杂于VO₂(M)中V位置时，O—O键和V—V键发生收缩，β角减小，亥姆霍自能增加，带隙减小，Gd 4f态与t_Ⅱ轨道重合，使相变能垒变低，相变温度显著降低.钆、氟两种元素掺杂VO₂相变机理更符合Peierls-Mott协同相变.