Carbon Nanotubes Act as Conductive Additives in the cathode of Lithium Ion Batteries

The layered compounds LiCoO2, LiNiO2 and spinel compound LiMn2O4 have served as very effective cathode active materials in lithium ion rechargeable batteries. Generally, their high conductive resistance easily results in a serious polarization and poor utilization of active materials. In order to make full use of the active materials and increase the capacity, the charge–discharge rate and the cycle life of lithium ion batteries, conductive additives are often added into the above cathode …     

A new anode material LiMoS_2 for use in rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries

The novel applications of molybdenum disulfide in recent research were reviewed, such as in lubricant, catalyst and photoelectrochemical solar cells. Recently, we found that LiMoS2 is a good candidate for new anode materials for lithium ion batteries with high lithium storage capacity. Here, the anode material LiMoS2 was synthesized by a hydrothermal method at 150oC and the electrochemical characterization as an anode material for lithium ion batteries was examined. The preparation procedur…     

Pre-intercalation of Ammonium Ions in Layered δ-MnO2 Nanosheets for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Layered manganese dioxide is a promising cathode candidate for aqueous Zn-ion batteries. However, the narrow interlayer spacing, inferior intrinsic electronic conductivity and poor structural stability still limit its practical application. Herein, we report a two-step strategy to incorporate ammonium ions into manganese dioxide (named as AMO) nanosheets as a cathode for boosted Zn ion storage. K⁺-intercalated δ-MnO₂ nanosheets (KMO) grown on carbon cloth are chosen as the self-involved precursor. Of note, ammonium ions could replace K⁺ ions via a facile hydrothermal reaction to enlarge the lattice space and form hydrogen-bond networks. Compared with KMO, the structural stability and the ion transfer kinetics of the layered AMO are enhanced. As expected, the obtained AMO cathode exhibits remarkable electrochemical properties in terms of high reversible capacity, decent rate performance and superior cycling stability over 10000 cycles.     

General Synthesis of Sulfonate-Based Metal–Organic Framework Derived Composite of MxSy@N/S-Doped Carbon for High-Performance Lithium/Sodium Ion Batteries

A general and simple strategy is realized for the first time for the preparation of metal sulfide (M_xS_y) nanoparticles immobilized into N/S co-doped carbon (NSC) through a one-step pyrolysis method. The organic ligand 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonic acid in the metal–organic framework (MOF) precursor is used as a sulfur source, and metal ions are sulfurized in situ to form M_xS_y nanoparticles, resulting in the formation of M_xS_y/NSC (M=Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn) composites. Benefiting from the M_xS_y nanoparticles and conductive carbon, a synergistic effect of the composite is achieved. For instance, the composite of Fe₇S₈/NSC as an anode displays excellent long-term cycling stability in lithium/sodium ion batteries. At 5 A g⁻¹, large capacities of 645 mA h g⁻¹ and 426.6 mA h g⁻¹ can be retained after 1500 cycles for the lithium-ion battery and after 1000 cycles for the sodium-ion battery, respectively.     

Understanding the High-Performance Anode Material of CoC2O4⋅2 H2O Microrods Wrapped by Reduced Graphene Oxide for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries

Metal oxalate has become a most promising candidate as an anode material for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. However, capacity decrease owing to the volume expansion of the active material during cycling is a problem. Herein, a rod-like CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O/rGO hybrid is fabricated through a novel multistep solvo/hydrothermal strategy. The structural characteristics of the CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O microrod wrapped using rGO sheets not only inhibit the volume variation of the hybrid electrode during cycling, but also accelerate the transfer of electrons and ions in the 3 D graphene network, thereby improving the electrochemical properties of CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O. The CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O/rGO electrode delivers a specific capacity of 1011.5 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ after 200 cycles for lithium storage, and a high capacity of 221.1 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ after 100 cycles for sodium storage. Moreover, the full cell CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O/rGO//LiCoO₂ consisting of the CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O/rGO anode and LiCoO₂ cathode maintains 138.1 mA h g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹ and has superior long-cycle stability. In addition, in situ Raman spectroscopy and in situ and ex situ X-ray diffraction techniques provide a unique opportunity to understand fully the reaction mechanism of CoC₂O₄⋅2 H₂O/rGO. This work also gives a new perspective and solid research basis for the application of metal oxalate materials in high-performance lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.     

Orthorhombic 3-LiV2O5 as Cathode Materials in Lithium Ion Batteries： Synthesis and Property

The rod-like and bundle-like v-LiV205 were synthesized via a simple solvothermal process- ing. The rod-like 7-LiV205 with diameter of 500-800 nm and the bundle-like architectures are composed of several of order-attached rods with diameter of 100-600 nm. ＂y-LiV205 were synthesized using LiOH.H20, NH4VO3, HNO3, C2H5OH without and with PVP as raw materials. At the same time, the actual formation mechanism of Y-LiV205 was also investigated. As the cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, the bundle-like Y-LiV205 prepared with PVP delivers a better electrochemical performance, which has an initial dis charge capacity of 269.3 mAh/g at a current density of 30 mA/g and is still able to achieve 228 mAh/g after the 20th cycle. The good electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized Y-LiV205 coupled with the simple, relatively low temperature, and low cost of the prepara tion method may make this material a promising candidate as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries.     

Ionic Liquid Electrolyte with Weak Solvating Molecule Regulation for Stable Li Deposition in High-Performance Li−O2 Batteries

Li−O₂ batteries with bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide-based ionic liquid (TFSI-IL) electrolyte are promising because TFSI-IL can stabilize O₂⁻ to lower charge overpotential. However, slow Li⁺ transport in TFSI-IL electrolyte causes inferior Li deposition. Here we optimize weak solvating molecule (anisole) to generate anisole-doped ionic aggregate in TFSI-IL electrolyte. Such unique solvation environment can realize not only high Li⁺ transport parameters but also anion-derived solid electrolyte interface (SEI). Thus, fast Li⁺ transport is achieved in electrolyte bulk and SEI simultaneously, leading to robust Li deposition with high rate capability (3 mA cm⁻²) and long cycle life (2000 h at 0.2 mA cm⁻²). Moreover, Li−O₂ batteries show good cycling stability (a small overpotential increase of 0.16 V after 120 cycles) and high rate capability (1 A g⁻¹). This work provides an effective electrolyte design principle to realize stable Li deposition and high-performance Li−O₂ batteries.     

Temperature Dependence of Transport Properties and Ion–Molecular Forms of LiAsF6 in γ-Butyrolactone

The solvation and association electrolyte interactions are analyzed in the concentration range of 0–2 m at temperatures of 253.15–313.15 K using measurements of the conductivity and viscosity of LiAsF₆ solutions in -butyrolactone (-BL). Concentrated LiAsF₆ solutions in -BL are considered as molten electrolytic solvates, whose transport processes are considerably influenced by a cooperative restructuring of the system. The concentration dependence of the molar conductivity is linear in the vs. c^1/3 coordinates, which agrees with a theory of quasi-crystalline electrolyte lattice in solution. The Lee–Wheaton model is used to determine the limiting molar conductivities, distance parameters, and association constants and their temperature dependences. The size of solvate spheres increases with decreasing temperature and their overlapping occurs at lower concentrations.     

Efficient Gating of Ion Transport in Three-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework Sub-Nanochannels with Confined Light-Responsive Azobenzene Molecules

1D nanochannels modified with responsive molecules are fabricated to replicate gating functionalities of biological ion channels, but gating effects are usually weak because small molecular gates cannot efficiently block the large channels in the closed states. Now, 3D metal–organic framework (MOF) sub-nanochannels (SNCs) confined with azobenzene (AZO) molecules achieve efficient light-gating functionalities. The 3D MOFSNCs consisting of a MOF UiO66 with ca. 9–12 Å cavities connected by ca. 6 Å triangular windows work as angstrom-scale ion channels, while confined AZO within the MOF cavities function as light-driven molecular gates to efficiently regulate the ion flux. The AZO-MOFSNCs show good cyclic gating performance and high on–off ratios up to 17.8, an order of magnitude higher than ratios observed in conventional 1D AZO-modified nanochannels (1.3–1.5). This work provides a strategy to develop highly efficient switchable ion channels based on 3D porous MOFs and small responsive molecules.     

Sulfur-/Nitrogen-Rich Albumen Derived “Self-Doping” Graphene for Sodium-Ion Storage

The development of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is hindered by the rapid reduction in reversible capacity of carbon-based anode materials. Outside-in doping of carbon-based anodes has been extensively explored. Nickel and NiS₂ particles embedded in nitrogen and sulfur codoped porous graphene can significantly improve the electrochemical performance. Herein a built-in heteroatom “self-doping” of albumen-derived graphene for sodium storage is reported. The built-in sulfur and nitrogen in albumen act as the doping source during the carbonization of proteins. The sulfur-rich proteins in albumen can also guide the doping and nucleation of nickel sulfide nanoparticles. Additionally, the porous architecture of the carbonized proteins is achieved through removable KCl/NaCl salts (medium) under high-temperature melting conditions. During the carbonization process, nitrogen can also reduce the carbonization temperature of thermally stable carbon materials. In this work, the NS-graphene delivered a specific capacity of 108.3 mAh g⁻¹ after 800 cycles under a constant current density of 500 mA g⁻¹. In contrast, the Ni/NiS₂/NS-graphene maintained a specific capacity of 134.4 mAh g⁻¹; thus the presence of Ni/NiS₂ particles improved the electrochemical performance of the whole composite.     

Novel Gel—like Process for Synthesizing Submicron LiaNi0.8Co0.2O2 Powders Used in Lithium Ion Batteries

A novel gel-like process has been developed for synthesizing LiaNi0.8Co0.2O2 powders,using citric acid as a chelating agent. This process improves the homogeneity of constituent cation and enhances their reactivity in the obtained precursor. The results of electrochemical test demonstrated that these materials exhibited excellent electrochemical properties. Its initial capacity reached 181.6 mAh/g and reversible efficiency at the first cycle is about 88.6%.     

Orthorhombic γ-LiV2O5 as Cathode Materials in Lithium Ion Batteries: Synthesis and Property

The rod-like and bundle-like γ-LiV₂O₅ were synthesized via a simple solvothermal process-ing. The rod-like γ-LiV₂O₅ with diameter of 500-800 nm and the bundle-like architectures are composed of several of order-attached rods with diameter of 100-600 nm. γ-LiV₂O₅ were synthesized using LiOH·H₂O, NH₄VO₃, HNO₃, C₂H₅OH without and with PVP as raw materials. At the same time, the actual formation mechanism of γ-LiV₂O₅ was also investigated. As the cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, the bundle-like γ-LiV₂O₅ prepared with PVP delivers a better electrochemical performance, which has an initial dis-charge capacity of 269.3 mAh/g at a current density of 30 mA/g and is still able to achieve 228 mAh/g after the 20th cycle. The good electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized γ-LiV₂O₅ coupled with the simple, relatively low temperature, and low cost of the prepara-tion method may make this material a promising candidate as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries.     

Electroconductivity and Ion Transport in Protonic Solid Electrolytes BaCe0.85R0.15O3–δ, where R is a Rare-Earth Element

The total, ionic, and protonic conductivities of solid electrolytes BaCe_0.85R_0.15O_{3 –} (BC15R), where R = Sc, Y, La, and all lanthanides bar Pm, are studied at ₂ = 2.1 × 10⁴–10^–15 Pa, ₂ = 2.1 × 10³ Pa, and temperatures of 550–1000°. The samples are synthesized in air at 1450° for two hours. In oxidizing media, all the electrolytes are mixed ion–hole conductors. In reducing environment, BC15R doped with R³⁺ exhibit oxygen–proton conduction. Ionic and protonic conductivities are independent of ₂. Protonic conductivity disobeys the Arrhenius dependence: it decreases with increasing temperature. The total and ionic conductivities of BC15R are virtually independent of the nature of cations R³⁺ in the interval from Nd to Lu.     

Ammonia‐Annealed TiO2 as a Negative Electrode Material in Li‐Ion Batteries: N Doping or Oxygen Deficiency?

Improving the chemical diffusion of Li ions in anatase TiO₂ is essential to enhance its rate capability as a negative electrode for Li‐ion batteries. Ammonia annealing has been used to improve the rate capability of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. Similarly, ammonia annealing improves the Li‐ion storage performance of anatase TiO₂ in terms of the stability upon cycling and the C‐rate capability. In order to distinguish whether N doping or oxygen deficiencies, both introduced upon ammonia annealing, are more relevant for the observed improvement, a systematic electrochemical study was performed. The results suggest that the creation of oxygen vacancies upon ammonia annealing is the main reason for the improvement of the stability and C‐rate capability.     

Chemical Fingerprinting and Quantification of Biomarker Wedelolactone in Different Sources of “Bhringaraja” by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography and Method Validation

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Two different botanical sources, Eclipta alba and Wedelia calen-dulacea are used as “Bhringaraja” in the Ayurvedic...     

Ion recognition by 1,2,3-triazole moieties synthesized via “click chemistry”

1,2,3-Triazole-based ligands obtained through copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) have been exploited in vast array of research domains owing to the stitching of simpler molecules through a needle of Cu(I) catalyst. The numerous reports on ion(s) detection capabilities of synthesized 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole ligands using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy are accessible. This review enlists substituted 1,2,3-triazole-based sensor probes, since 2010, synthesized selectively by CuAAC, having the ability to sense either a single ion or multiple ions under specific set of conditions along with their detection limits. The review also apprehends the different techniques and sensing mechanisms involved in the detection of ions by chemosensor probes.     

Simultaneous Determination of Ten Active Components in Chinese Medicine “Huang-Lian-Shang-Qing” Tablets by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Photodiode Array Detection

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detection (HPLC-PAD) method was investigated for the simultaneous determination of ten components (rutin, berberine, palmatine, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion) in “Huang-Lian-Shang-Qing” (HLSQ) tablets. The method was optimized and the mobile phase composed of methanol (A)-3% phosphoric acid (B) was used to elute the targets in a gradient elution mode. All the calibration curves, precisions, and recoveries were good. Then, this method was successfully used to determine the ten compounds in 33 batches of HLSQ tablets for quality control of this medicinal product.     

An Attempt to Adapt Superacid Chemistry for “Living” Carbenium Ion Polymerizations

The discovery that carbocations can be stabilized in super acid media, e.g., SbF₅-SO₂, etc., raises the possibility of “living” carbenium ion polymerization. Polymerization experiments with isobutylene and styrene carried out at high acid concentrations and in the virtual absence of nucleophile, i.e., under conditions conducive for living polymerization, failed to indicate a linear conversion vs molecular weight relationship and/or block copolymer formation. Additional model experiments with 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene substantiate our conclusions that “living” carbocation polymerizations are unlikely to be produced by superacid chemistry.     

Towards next generation “smart” tandem catalysts with sandwiched mussel-inspired layer switch

In this paper, we prepared a novel reactor with switchable ability to address present challenges in tandem catalyst. By introducing mussel-inspired moiety, this goal was achieved via preparing a “smart” polymer reactor which can open or closes the entry tunnel of the targeted substrate in cascade reactions. The catalyst consisted of two functional layers acting as tandem catalytic parts and one smart layer with mussel-inspired moieties as a controlled middle switch. The top and the bottom layer were made of molecularly imprinted polymers and catalytic components, like acidic parts and metal nanoparticles, respectively. The middle layer made of polymeric dopamine (PDPA) and acrylamide with self-healing ability will allow or inhibit the intermediate product for the reaction, thus controlling the process of the tandem catalysis. As a result, the novel catalyst exhibited self-controlled tandem catalysis, which provides new opportunities to design smart tandem catalysts, showing a promising prospect in this area.