Real‐time Observation of Deep Lithiation of Tungsten Oxide Nanowires by In Situ Electron Microscopy

An in‐depth mechanistic understanding of the electrochemical lithiation process of tungsten oxide (WO₃) is both of fundamental interest and relevant for potential applications. One of the most important features of WO₃ lithiation is the formation of the chemically flexible, nonstoichiometric Li_xWO₃, known as tungsten bronze. Herein, we achieved the real‐time observation of the deep electrochemical lithiation process of single‐crystal WO₃ nanowires by constructing in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) electrochemical cells. As revealed by nanoscale imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy, it is shown that the rapid and deep lithiation of WO₃ nanowires leads to the formation of highly disordered and near‐amorphous Li_xWO₃ phases, but with no detectable traces of elemental W and segregated Li₂O phase formation. These results highlight the remarkable chemical and structural flexibility of the Li_xWO₃ phases in accommodating the rapid and deep lithiation reaction.     

Facile Preparation of WO3−x Dots with Remarkably Low Toxicity and Uncompromised Activity as Co‐reactants for Clinical Diagnosis by Electrochemiluminescence

The exceptional nature of WO_3?x dots has inspired widespread interest, but it is still a significant challenge to synthesize high‐quality WO_3?x dots without using unstable reactants, expensive equipment, and complex synthetic processes. Herein, the synthesis of ligand‐free WO_3?x dots is reported that are highly dispersible and rich in oxygen vacancies by a simple but straightforward exfoliation of bulk WS₂ and a mild follow‐up chemical conversion. Surprisingly, the WO_3?x dots emerged as co‐reactants for the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ with a comparable ECL efficiency to the well‐known Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/tripropylamine (TPrA) system. Moreover, compared to TPrA, whose toxicity remains a critical issue of concern, the WO_3?x dots were ca. 300‐fold less toxic. The potency of WO_3?x dots was further explored in the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with the most competitive limit of detection so far.     

Ultrathin,Porous and Oxygen Vacancies‐Enriched Ag/WO3−x Heterostructures for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Exploring advanced electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution is highly desired but remains a challenge due to the lack of an efficient preparation method and reasonable structural design. Herein, we deliberately designed novel Ag/WO_3?x heterostructures through a supercritical CO₂‐assisted exfoliation‐oxidation route and the subsequent loading of Ag nanoparticles. The ultrathin and oxygen vacancies‐enriched WO_3?x nanosheets are ideal substrates for loading Ag nanoparticles, which can largely increase the active site density and improve electron transport. Besides, the resultant WO_3?x nanosheets with porous structure can form during the electrochemical cycling process induced by an electric field. As a result, the exquisite Ag/WO_3?x heterostructures show an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with a low onset overpotential of ≈30 mV, a small Tafel slope of ≈40 mV dec^?1 at 10 mA cm^?2, and as well as long‐term durability. This work sheds light on material design and preparation, and even opens up an avenue for the development of high‐efficiency electrocatalysts.     

Two‐Dimensional Layered Heterostructures Synthesized from Core–Shell Nanowires

Controlled stacking of different two‐dimensional (2D) atomic layers will greatly expand the family of 2D materials and broaden their applications. A novel approach for synthesizing MoS₂/WS₂ heterostructures by chemical vapor deposition has been developed. The successful synthesis of pristine MoS₂/WS₂ heterostructures is attributed to using core–shell WO_3?x/MoO_3?x nanowires as a precursor, which naturally ensures the sequential growth of MoS₂ and WS₂. The obtained heterostructures exhibited high crystallinity, strong interlayer interaction, and high mobility, suggesting their promising applications in nanoelectronics. The stacking orientations of the two layers were also explored from both experimental and theoretical aspects. It is elucidated that the rational design of precursors can accurately control the growth of high‐quality 2D heterostructures. Moreover, this simple approach opens up a new way for creating various novel 2D heterostructures by using a large variety of heteronanomaterials as precursors.     

Investigation of the Support Effect in Atomically Dispersed Pt on WO3−x for Utilization of Pt in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted growing attention because they maximize the number of active sites, with unpredictable catalytic activity. Despite numerous studies on SACs, there is little research on the support, which is essential to understanding SAC. Herein, we systematically investigated the influence of the support on the performance of the SAC by comparing with single‐atom Pt supported on carbon (Pt SA/C) and Pt nanoparticles supported on WO_3?x (Pt NP/WO_3?x). The results revealed that the support effect was maximized for atomically dispersed Pt supported on WO_3?x (Pt SA/WO_3?x). The Pt SA/WO_3?x exhibited a higher degree of hydrogen spillover from Pt atoms to WO_3?x at the interface, compared with Pt NP/WO_3?x, which drastically enhanced Pt mass activity for hydrogen evolution (up to 10 times). This strategy provides a new framework for enhancing catalytic activity for HER, by reducing noble metal usage in the field of SACs.     

Pressure‐Induced Structural Transition in WO3 Nanowires

Raman spectroscopic analysis is performed on WO₃ nanowires at room temperature at pressures from ambient conditions to 45 GPa. Linear dependence of the first‐order Raman signal on various high‐pressure (HP) sections is observed. Upon increasing the applied pressure, the WO₃ nanowires undergo four phase transitions at pressures around 1.7, 4.6, 21.5, and 26.2 GPa, which are all less than that reported for bulk WO₃. When the pressure is up to 42.5 GPa, a new high‐pressure phase (HP5) appears. This phase has never been reported and is not reversible while unloading the pressure.     

Dual‐Doped Molybdenum Trioxide Nanowires: A Bifunctional Anode for Fiber‐Shaped Asymmetric Supercapacitors and Microbial Fuel Cells

A novel in situ N and low‐valence‐state Mo dual doping strategy was employed to significantly improve the conductivity, active‐site accessibility, and electrochemical stability of MoO₃, drastically boosting its electrochemical properties. Consequently, our optimized N‐MoO_3?x nanowires exhibited exceptional performances as a bifunctional anode material for both fiber‐shaped asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) and microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The flexible fiber‐shaped ASC and MFC device based on the N‐MoO_3?x anode could deliver an unprecedentedly high energy density of 2.29 mWh cm^?3 and a remarkable power density of 0.76 μW cm^?1, respectively. Such a bifunctional fiber‐shaped N‐MoO_3?x electrode opens the way to integrate the electricity generation and storage for self‐powered sources.     

Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Z‐Scheme Overall Water Splitting Using a MgTa2O6−xNy /TaON Heterostructure Photocatalyst for H2 Evolution

An (oxy)nitride‐based heterostructure for powdered Z‐scheme overall water splitting is presented. Compared with the single MgTa₂O_6?xN_y or TaON photocatalyst, a MgTa₂O_6?xN_y /TaON heterostructure fabricated by a simple one‐pot nitridation route was demonstrated to effectively suppress the recombination of carriers by efficient spatial charge separation and decreased defect density. By employing Pt‐loaded MgTa₂O_6?xN_y /TaON as a H₂‐evolving photocatalyst, a Z‐scheme overall water splitting system with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.8 % at 420 nm was constructed (PtO_x‐WO₃ and IO₃^?/I^? pairs were used as an O₂‐evolving photocatalyst and a redox mediator, respectively), the activity of which is circa 7 or 360 times of that using Pt‐TaON or Pt‐MgTa₂O_6?xN_y as a H₂‐evolving photocatalyst, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest AQE among the powdered Z‐scheme overall water splitting systems ever reported.     

Controllable Fabrication of Tungsten Oxide Nanoparticles Confined in Graphene‐Analogous Boron Nitride as an Efficient Desulfurization Catalyst

Tungsten oxide nanoparticles (WO_xNPs) are gaining increasing attention, but low stabiliity and poor dispersion of WO_xNPs hinder their catalytic applications. Herein, WO_xNPs were confined in graphene‐analogous boron nitride (g‐BN) by a one‐step, in situ method at high temperature, which can enhance the interactions between WO_xNPs and the support and control the sizes of WO_xNPs in a range of about 4–5 nm. The as‐prepared catalysts were applied in catalytic oxidation of aromatic sulfur compounds in which they showed high catalytic activity. A balance between the W loading and the size distribution of the WO_xNPs could govern the catalytic activity. Furthermore, a synergistic effect between g‐BN and WO_xNPs also contributed to high catalytic activity. The reaction mechanism is discussed in detail and the catalytic scope was enlarged.     

Synthesis of WOn‐WX2 (n=2.7, 2.9; X=S,Se) Heterostructures for Highly Efficient Green Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes

Preparation of two‐dimensional (2D) heterostructures is important not only fundamentally, but also technologically for applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, we report a facile colloidal method for the synthesis of WO_n ‐WX₂ (n =2.7, 2.9; X=S, Se) heterostructures by sulfurization or selenization of WO_n nanomaterials. The WO_n ‐WX₂ heterostructures are composed of WO_2.9 nanoparticles (NPs) or WO_2.7 nanowires (NWs) grown together with single‐ or few‐layer WX₂ nanosheets (NSs). As a proof‐of‐concept application, the WO_n ‐WX₂ heterostructures are used as the anode interfacial buffer layer for green quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs). The QLED prepared with WO_2.9 NP‐WSe₂ NS heterostructures achieves external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 8.53 %. To our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency in the reported green QLEDs using inorganic materials as the hole injection layer.     

Synthesis of WOn‐WX2 (n=2.7, 2.9; X=S,Se) Heterostructures for Highly Efficient Green Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes

Preparation of two‐dimensional (2D) heterostructures is important not only fundamentally, but also technologically for applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, we report a facile colloidal method for the synthesis of WO_n ‐WX₂ (n =2.7, 2.9; X=S, Se) heterostructures by sulfurization or selenization of WO_n nanomaterials. The WO_n ‐WX₂ heterostructures are composed of WO_2.9 nanoparticles (NPs) or WO_2.7 nanowires (NWs) grown together with single‐ or few‐layer WX₂ nanosheets (NSs). As a proof‐of‐concept application, the WO_n ‐WX₂ heterostructures are used as the anode interfacial buffer layer for green quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs). The QLED prepared with WO_2.9 NP‐WSe₂ NS heterostructures achieves external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 8.53 %. To our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency in the reported green QLEDs using inorganic materials as the hole injection layer.     

Ion‐Exchange‐Induced 2D–3D Conversion of HMA1−xFAxPbI3Cl Perovskite into a High‐Quality MA1−xFAxPbI3 Perovskite

High‐quality phase‐pure MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ planar films (MA=methylammonium, FA=formamidinium) with extended absorption and enhanced thermal stability are difficult to deposit by regular simple solution chemistry approaches owing to crystallization competition between the easy‐to‐crystallize but unwanted δ‐FAPbI₃/MAPbI₃ and FA_xMA_1?xPbI₃ requiring rigid crystallization conditions. Here A 2D–3D conversion to transform compact 2D mixed composition HMA_1?xFA_xPbI₃Cl perovskite precursor films into 3D MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ (x=0.1–0.9) perovskites is presented. The designed Cl/I and H/FA(MA) ion exchange reaction induced fast transformation of compact 2D perovskite film, helping to form the phase‐pure and high quality MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ without δ‐FAPbI₃ and MAPbI₃ impurity. In all, we successfully developed a facile one‐step method to fabricate high quality phase‐pure MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ (x=0.1–0.9) perovskite films by 2D–3D conversion of HMA_1?xFA_xPbI₃Cl perovskite. This 2D–3D conversion is a promising strategy for lead halide perovskite fabrication.     

Selectively Chemocatalytic Conversion of Fructose to 1,2‐Propylene Glycol over Ru‐WOx/Hydroxyapatite Catalyst†

The conversion of fructose to 1,2‐propylene glycol (PG) is an important process from cellulosic biomass to high‐value added chemicals. Herein, Ru‐WO_x/hydroxyapatite (HAP) catalyst was employed for this reaction and reached up to 91.3% yield of PG at 180 °C, 1 MPa initial hydrogen for 8 h in water. On this catalyst, Ru and WO_x were highly dispersed on HAP support and they interacted with each other to form a special catalytic center. The lack of isolated Ru or RuW alloy site led to a moderate activity for hydrogenolysis and hindered the further conversion of PG to propanol. The weak basic HAP support efficiently prevented the humin formation. This precisely controlled catalyst has potential in green PG production.     

Room‐Temperature Synthesis of Cu2−xE (E=S,Se) Nanotubes with Hierarchical Architecture as High‐Performance Counter Electrodes of Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Copper chalcogenide nanostructures (e.g. one‐ dimensional nanotubes) have been the focus of interest because of their unique properties and great potential in various applications. Their current fabrications mainly rely on high‐temperature or complicated processes. Here, with the assistance of theoretical prediction, we prepared Cu_2?xE (E=S, Se) micro‐/nanotubes (NTs) with a hierarchical architecture by using copper nanowires (Cu NWs), stable sulfur and selenium powder as precursors at room temperature. The influence of reaction parameters (e.g. precursor ratio, ligands, ligand ratio, and reaction time) on the formation of nanotubes was comprehensively investigated. The resultant Cu_2?xE (E=S, Se) NTs were used as counter electrodes (CE) of quantum‐dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) to achieve a conversion efficiency (η) of 5.02 and 6.25 %, respectively, much higher than that of QDSSCs made with Au CE (η=2.94 %).     

High Performance Oxide Functionalized Nitrogen‐Doped Mesocellular Carbon Foam for Biosensor Construction

Nitrogen‐doped mesocellular carbon foam (denoted as MCF? CN_x) with high surface area and large pore volume was prepared and characterized in detail. The MCF? CN_x was further functionalized by oxidation with HNO₃ (denoted as MCF? CN_x‐O) in order to effectively improve its hydrophilicity and biocompatibility. Both MCF? CN_x and MCF? CN_x‐O were used for immobilization of Hb and design of electrochemical biosensors. The activity of Hb immobilized on MCF? CN_x‐O is two times higher than that of Hb immobilized on MCF? CN_x. The Hb‐MCF? CN_x‐O‐Nafion modified electrode displays fast response, high sensitivity and low detection limit to the detection of hydrogen peroxide. The sensitivity of Hb‐MCF? CN_x‐O‐Nafion modified electrode (477 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) is twice that of Hb‐MCF? CN_x‐Nafion modified electrode.     

Room‐Temperature and Aqueous‐Phase Synthesis of Plasmonic Molybdenum Oxide Nanoparticles for Visible‐Light‐Enhanced Hydrogen Generation

A straightforward aqueous synthesis of MoO_3?x nanoparticles at room temperature was developed by using (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄?4 H₂O and MoCl₅ as precursors in the absence of reductants, inert gas, and organic solvents. SEM and TEM images indicate the as‐prepared products are nanoparticles with diameters of 90–180 nm. The diffuse reflectance UV‐visible‐near‐IR spectra of the samples indicate localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties generated by the introduction of oxygen vacancies. Owing to its strong plasmonic absorption in the visible‐light and near‐infrared region, such nanostructures exhibit an enhancement of activity toward visible‐light catalytic hydrogen generation. MoO_3?x nanoparticles synthesized with a molar ratio of Mo^VI/Mo^V 1:1 show the highest yield of H₂ evolution. The cycling catalytic performance has been investigated to indicate the structural and chemical stability of the as‐prepared plasmonic MoO_3?x nanoparticles, which reveals its potential application in visible‐light catalytic hydrogen production.     

Angle‐resolved XPS of fluorinated and semi‐fluorinated side‐chain polymers

Angle‐resolved XPS data (elemental quantification and high‐energy‐resolution C 1s) are presented for ten polymers with side‐chains of the form ? OCO(CF₂)_yF, ? COO(CH₂)₂OCO(CF₂)_yF (y = 1, 2, 3) and ? COO(CH₂)_x(CF₂)_yF (x = 1, y = 1, 2, 3; x = 2, y = 8). Particular attention was paid to charge compensation and speed of data acquisition, with co‐addition from multiple fresh samples to give spectra with good energy resolution and good signal‐to‐noise ratio free from the effects of x‐ray‐induced degradation. Water contact angles for the polymers are also reported. The XPS data demonstrate preferential surface segregation of fluorine‐containing groups for all but the shortest side‐chain polymer, where the ? OCOCF₃ side‐chain either does not surface segregate or is too short for surface segregation to be detectable by angle‐resolved XPS. In the other polymers studied the relative positions of functional groups in the side‐chains correlate with the angle‐resolved behaviour of the corresponding C 1s components. This shows that the surface side‐chains are oriented towards the polymer surface. For the ? COO(CH₂)₂OCO(CF₂)_yF (y = 1) side‐chain, the angle‐resolved C 1s data suggest reduced ordering and linearity compared with y = 2 and 3. For any particular series of polymers, e.g. ? COO(CH₂)_x(CF₂)_yF, the water contact angles increase with y, consistent with burying of the hydrophilic ester groups as y increases. For any particular value of y the sequence of water contact angles is ? COO(CH₂)_x(CF₂)_yF > ? OCO(CF₂)_yF ～ ? COO(CH₂)₂OCO(CF₂)_yF, suggesting greater ordering and density of fluorocarbon species at the surface of the ? COO(CH₂)_x(CF₂)_yF side‐chain polymers compared with the other polymers studied. For the ? COO(CH₂)₂(CF₂)₈F polymer a water contact angle of 124° is measured, which is greater than that of poly(tetrafluoroethene). The ? COO(CH₂)₂OCO(CF₂)F polymer is unusual in that it shows a particularly low water contact angle (83° ), suggesting that the probe fluid is able to sense both ester groups, consistent with the reduced ordering of the side‐chain detected by angle‐resolved XPS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation of T‐Shaped versus Charge‐Transfer Molecular Adducts in the Reactions Between Bis(thiocarbonyl) Donors and Br2 and I2

The reactions of 4,5,6,7‐tetrathiocino‐[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′]‐1,3,8,10‐tetrasubstituted‐diimidazolyl‐2,9‐dithiones (R₂,R′₂‐todit; 1 : R=R′=Et; 2 : R=R′=Ph; 3 : R=Et, R′=Ph) with Br₂ exclusively afforded 1:1 and 1:2 “T‐shaped” adducts, as established by FT‐Raman spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction in the case of complex 1? 2 Br₂. On the other hand, the reactions of compounds 1 – 3 with molecular I₂ provided charge‐transfer (CT) “spoke” adducts, among which the solvated species 3? 2 I₂ ? (1?x)I₂ ? x CH₂Cl₂ (x=0.94) and ( 3 )₂ ? 7 I₂ ? x CH₂Cl_2, (x=0.66) were structurally characterized. The nature of all of the reaction products was elucidated based on elemental analysis and FT‐Raman spectroscopy and supported by theoretical calculations at the DFT level.     

Atomic‐Level Alloying and De‐alloying in Doped Gold Nanoparticles

Atomically precise alloying and de‐alloying processes for the formation of Ag–Au and Cu–Au nanoparticles of 25‐metal‐atom composition (referred to as Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈, in which R=CH₂CH₂Ph) are reported. The identities of the particles were determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐MS). Their structures were probed by fragmentation analysis in MALDI‐MS and comparison with the icosahedral structure of the homogold Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles (an icosahedral Au₁₃ core protected by a shell of Au₁₂(SR)₁₈). The Cu and Ag atoms were found to preferentially occupy the 13‐atom icosahedral sites, instead of the exterior shell. The number of Ag atoms in Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–8) was dependent on the molar ratio of Ag^I/Au^III precursors in the synthesis, whereas the number of Cu atoms in Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–4) was independent of the molar ratio of Cu^II/Au^III precursors applied. Interestingly, the Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles show a spontaneous de‐alloying process over time, and the initially formed Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles were converted to pure Au₂₅(SR)₁₈. This de‐alloying process was not observed in the case of alloyed Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. This contrast can be attributed to the stability difference between Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. These alloyed nanoparticles are promising candidates for applications such as catalysis.     

Activation of Water‐Splitting Photocatalysts by Loading with Ultrafine Rh–Cr Mixed‐Oxide Cocatalyst Nanoparticles

The activity of many water‐splitting photocatalysts could be improved by the use of Rh^III–Cr^III mixed oxide (Rh_2?xCr_xO₃) particles as cocatalysts. Although further improvement of water‐splitting activity could be achieved if the size of the Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles was decreased further, it is difficult to load ultrafine (<2 nm) Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles onto a photocatalyst by using conventional loading methods. In this study, a new loading method was successfully established and was used to load Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles with a size of approximately 1.3 nm and a narrow size distribution onto a BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅ photocatalyst. The obtained photocatalyst exhibited an apparent quantum yield of 16 %, which is the highest achieved for BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅ to date. Thus, the developed loading technique of Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles is extremely effective at improving the activity of the water‐splitting photocatalyst BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅. This method is expected to be extended to other advanced water‐splitting photocatalysts to achieve higher quantum yields.