Ethylene glycol-regulated ammonium vanadate with stable layered structure and favorable interplanar spacing as high-performance cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries

Ammonium vanadate compounds featuring large capacity, superior rate capability and light weight are regarded as promising cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). However, the controllable synthesis of desired ammonium vanadates remains a challenge. Herein, various ammonium vanadate compounds were successfully prepared by taking advantage of ethylene glycol (EG) regulated polyol-reduction strategy and solvent effect via hydrothermal reaction. The morphology and crystalline phase of resultant products show an evolution from dendritic (NH₄)₂V₆O₁₆ to rod-like NH₄V₄O₁₀ and finally to lamellar (NH₄)₂V₄O₉ as increasing the amount of EG. Specifically, the NH₄V₄O₁₀ product exhibits a high initial capacity of 427.5 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and stable cycling with a capacity retention of 90.4% after 5000 cycles at 10 A/g. The relatively excellent electrochemical performances of NH₄V₄O₁₀ can be ascribed to the stable open-framework layered structure, favorable (001) interplanar spacing, and peculiar rod-like morphology, which are beneficial to the highly reversible Zn²⁺ storage behaviors. This work offers a unique way for the rational design of high-performance cathode materials for AZIBs.     

Radical-Bridged Heterometallic Single-Molecule Magnets Incorporating Four Lanthanoceniums

The syntheses and magnetic properties of organometallic heterometallic compounds [K(THF)₆]{Co^I[(μ₃-HAN)RE₂Cp*₄]₂} ( 1-RE ) and [K(Crypt)]₂{Co^I[(μ₃-HAN)RE₂Cp*₄]₂} ( 2-RE ) containing hexaazatrinaphthylene radicals (HAN⋅³⁻) and four rare earth (RE) ions are reported. 1-RE shows isolable species with ligand-based mixed valency as revealed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) thus leading to the isolation of 2-RE via one-electron chemical reduction. Strong electronic communication in mixed-valency supports stronger overall ferromagnetic behaviors in 2-RE than 1-RE containing Gd and Dy ions. Ac magnetic susceptibility data reveal 1-Dy and 2-Dy both exhibit slow magnetic relaxation. Importantly, larger coercive field was observed in the hysteresis of 2-Dy at 2.0 K, indicating the enhanced SMM behavior compared with 1-Dy . Ligand-based mixed-valency strategy has been used for the first time to improve the magnetic coupling in lanthanide (Ln) SMMs, thus opening up new ways to construct strongly coupled Ln-SMMs.     

Enhanced Four-Electron Oxygen Reduction Selectivity of Clamp-Shaped Cobalt(II) Porphyrin(2.1.2.1) Complexes

The molecular structure, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) features of two Co^II porphyrin(2.1.2.1) complexes bearing Ph or F₅Ph groups at the two meso-positions of the macrocycle are examined. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveal a highly bent, nonplanar macrocyclic conformation of the complex resulting in clamp-shaped molecular structures. Cyclic voltammetry paired with UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry in PhCN/0.1 M TBAP suggest that the first electron addition corresponds to a macrocyclic-centered reduction while spectral changes observed during the first oxidation are consistent with a metal-centered Co^II/Co^III process. The activity of the clamp-shaped complexes towards heterogeneous ORR in 0.1 M KOH show selectivity towards the 4e⁻ ORR pathway giving H₂O. DFT first-principle calculations on the porphyrin catalyst indicates a lower overpotential for 4e⁻ ORR as compared to the 2e⁻ pathway, consistent with experimental data.     

Two-dimensional Supramolecular Polymers Based on Selectively Recognized Aromatic Cation-π and Donor-Acceptor Motifs for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Two-dimensional (2D) organic polymers have recently received considerable interest, especially those whose architectures are held together via supramolecular engineering. However, current approaches toward supramolecular 2D structures usually suffer from mutual interference of noncovalent interactions and lack of intrinsic functions. Herein, we report well-regulated 2D supramolecular polymers (2DSPs) through an aromatics-selective recognition strategy of cation-π and donor-acceptor (D-A) motifs, which are derived from C₄-symmetric cationic monomers and electron-withdrawing molecules. By subtly designing the strength and direction of noncovalent driving forces, the mutual interference between cation-π and D-A interactions is effectively avoided, enabling the construction of 2DSPs in aqueous solution. On this basis, the resultant 2DSPs possess boosted photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity at a rate of 600 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is mainly ascribed to the specific stacking mode of cation-π/D-A motifs and the ordered 2D structures.     

Stabilizing Solid-state Lithium Metal Batteries through In Situ Generated Janus-heterarchical LiF-rich SEI in Ionic Liquid Confined 3D MOF/Polymer Membranes

Pursuing high power density lithium metal battery with high safety is essential for developing next-generation energy-storage devices, but uncontrollable electrolyte degradation and the consequence formed unstable solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) make the task really challenging. Herein, an ionic liquid (IL) confined MOF/Polymer 3D-porous membrane was constructed for boosting in situ electrochemical transformations of Janus-heterarchical LiF/Li₃N-rich SEI films on the nanofibers. Such a 3D-Janus SEI-incorporated into the separator offers fast Li⁺ transport routes, showing superior room-temperature ionic conductivity of 8.17×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and Li⁺ transfer number of 0.82. The cryo-TEM was employed to visually monitor the in situ formed LiF and Li₃N nanocrystals in SEI and the deposition of Li dendrites, which is greatly benefit to the theoretical simulation and kinetic analysis of the structural evolution during the battery charge and discharge process. In particular, this membrane with high thermal stability and mechanical strength used in solid-state Li||LiFePO₄ and Li||NCM-811 full cells and even in pouch cells showed enhanced rate-performance and ultra-long life spans.     

Ferric Single-Site Catalyst Confined in a Zeolite Framework for Propane Dehydrogenation

Non-oxidative dehydrogenation of propane is a highly efficient approach for industrial preparation of propene that is commonly catalyzed by noble Pt or toxic Cr catalysts and suffers from coking. In this work, ferric catalyst confined in a zeolite framework was synthesized by a hydrothermal procedure. The isolated Fe in the framework formed distorted tetrahedra, which were beneficial for the selective dehydrogenation of propane and reached over 95 % propene selectivity and over 99 % total olefins selectivity. This catalyst had a silanol-free structure and was oxygen tolerant, hydrothermally stable, and coke free, with a deactivation constant of 0.01 h⁻¹. This study provided guidance for the synthesis of structural heteroatomic zeolite and efficient propane non-oxidative dehydrogenation over early transition metals.     

Total Synthesis of Metaphanine and Oxoepistephamiersine

Herein, we report a concise and divergent synthesis of the complex hasubanan alkaloids metaphanine and oxoepistephamiersine from commercially available and inexpensive cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal. Our synthesis features a palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction to set the tricyclic carbon framework of the desired molecules, a regioselective Baeyer–Villiger oxidation followed by a MeNH₂ triggered skeletal reorganization cascade to construct the benzannulated aza[4.4.3]propellane, and a strategically late-stage regio-/diastereoselective oxidative annulation of sp³ C−H bond to form the challenging THF ring system and hemiketal moiety in a single step. In addition, a highly enantioselective alkylation of cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal paved the way for the asymmetric synthesis of target molecular.     

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.     

Absolute CO2/Xenon Separation in Ultramicropore MOF for Anesthetic Gases Regeneration

Xe is an ideal anesthetic gas, but it has not been widely used in practice due to its high cost and low output. Closed-circuit Xe recovery and recycling is an economically viable method to ensure adequate supply in medical use. Herein, we design an innovative way to recover Xe by using a stable fluorinated metal-organic framework (MOF) NbOFFIVE-1-Ni to eliminate CO₂ from moist exhaled anesthetic gases. Unlike other Xe recovery MOFs with low Xe/CO₂ selectivity (less than 10), NbOFFIVE-1-Ni could achieve absolute molecular sieve separation of CO₂/Xe with excellent CO₂ selectivity (825). Mixed-gas breakthrough experiments assert the potential of NbOFFIVE-1-Ni as a molecular sieve adsorbent for the effective and energy-efficient removal of carbon dioxide with 99.16 % Xe recovery. Absolute CO₂/Xe separation in NbOFFIVE-1-Ni makes closed-circuit Xe recovery and recycling can be easily realized, demonstrating the potential of NbOFFIVE-1-Ni for important anesthetic gas regeneration under ambient conditions.     

Alcohol-Assisted Synthesis of Sheet-Like ZSM-5 Zeolites with Controllable Aspect Ratios

Sheet-like ZSM-5 has been regarded as a promising material for catalytic applications due to its diffusion superiority. However, it still remains a challenge to obtain a desirable sheet-like morphology because of the complex synthesis process of zeolites. Here, a facile strategy for synthesizing sheet-like ZSM-5 is developed by only adding ethanol as zeolite growth modifier in the synthesis gel. It is thought that ethanol might be preferentially absorbed on the {010} surface of zeolite crystals, interact with the exposed silicon hydroxyl groups on the crystal {010} facet, and suppress the growth of b axis, resulting in the sheet-like shape. Through finely tunning synthesis parameters, sheet-like ZSM-5 crystals with thin b-axis thickness of 90 nm and different aspect ratios could be obtained. Owing to its shorter diffusion path and optimized acidity, sheet-like ZSM-5 exhibits better catalytic performance than conventional ZSM-5 in the alkylation of benzene with ethanol.