All-inorganic solid-state electrochromic devices: a review

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) are currently attracting much interest in academic and industry for both research and their commercial applications because of their controllable transmission, absorption, and/or reflectance. This paper reviews the progress that has taken place from 1969 until the year 2015 with regard to all-solid-state inorganic ECD fabrication. The main aim of this review article is to provide an easy entrance to literature of all-inorganic solid-state ECD.     

Designer uniform Li plating/stripping through lithium–cobalt alloying hierarchical scaffolds for scalable high-performance lithium-metal anodes

Lithium metal anodes are of great interest for advanced high-energy density batteries such as lithiumair, lithium-sulfur and solid-state batteries, due to their low electrode potential and ultra-high theoretical capacity. There are, however, several challenges limiting their practical applications, which include low coulombic efficiency, the uncontrollable growth of dendrites and poor rate capability. Here, a rational design of 3D structured lithium metal anodes comprising of in-situ growth of cobalt-decorated nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes on continuous carbon nanofibers is demonstrated via electrospinning.The porous and free-standing scaffold can enhance the tolerance to stresses resulting from the intrinsic volume change during Li plating/stripping, delivering a significant boost in both charge/discharge rates and stable cycling performance. A binary Co-Li alloying phase was generated at the initial discharge process, creating more active sites for the Li nucleation and uniform deposition. Characterization and density functional theory calculations show that the conductive and uniformly distributed cobalt-decorated carbon nanotubes with hierarchical structure can effectively reduce the local current density and more easily absorb Li atoms, leading to more uniform Li nucleation during plating. The current work presents an advance on scalable and cost-effective strategies for novel electrode materials with 3D hierarchical microstructures and mechanical flexibility for lithium metal anodes.     

Integrated interface between composite electrolyte and cathode with low resistance enables ultra-long cycle-lifetime in solid-state lithium-metal batteries

We report a three-dimensional(3D)nanofiber-reinforced solid composite electrolyte with a 3D Li⁺-conducting ceramic network of Li_6.25Ga_0.25La₃Zr₂O₁₂(LLZO)nanofibers.Benefiting from the 3D structure,the composite shows a high ionic conductivity of 3.2×10^-4S cm^-1and Li-ion transference number of 0.32 at room temperature.The interfacial resistance between the composite solid electrolyte and cathode is mitigated by creating an integrated interfacial structure,in which the polyethylene oxide(PEO)-lithiumbis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide(LiTFSI)binder and ionic liquids(ILs)form a viscoelastic interface.Therefore,intimate contact,low interfacial impedance,and fast ion-transport between the cathode and the solid electrolyte are simultaneously achieved.Solid-state lithium metal batteries with the Li Fe PO₄ cathode deliver a superior capacity(158.0 m A h g^-1)and significant capacity retention(90.4%retention after 800 cycles)at 60℃.Moreover,the smooth and uniform Li surface after long-term cycling confirms the successful suppression of the dendrite formation.The integrated interfacial structure provides a solution to the interfacial problem and improves the cycling performance in solid-state Li-metal batteries.     

Structures and functions of reaction interfaces developed during solid-state dehydrations

The literature reveals that the mechanisms of some solid-state dehydrations are more complicated than has been generally accepted. Reactions at a thin advancing reactant-product interface provide the geometric models on which the most widely employed rate equations are based. For some systems, this thin interface model is a simplification of observed behaviour. Elimination of water from crystallographic sites may occur to a significant extent within a much thicker zone of reactant towards which the active interface is progressing. Consequently the region of chemical change may not coincide with the region of structural transformation. Limited initial dehydration may occur across all crystal faces prior to the onset of a nucleation and growth process that is usually regarded as the dominant rate process in the dehydrations of many large crystals. Experimental observations for solid-state dehydrations are discussed and reaction mechanisms with different rate controlling processes are distinguished. Studies of dehydrations have contributed substantially to the theory of solid-state reactivity, and advances in understanding may have wider application to other solid-state reactants.     

Interfacial compatibility issues in rechargeable solid-state lithium metal batteries: a review

Solid-state lithium metal batteries(SSLBs) contain various kinds of interfaces, among which the solid electrode|solid electrolyte(ED|SE) interface plays a decisive role in the battery's power density and cycling stability. However, it is still lack of comprehensive knowledge and understanding about various interfacial physical/chemical processes so far. Although tremendous efforts have been dedicated to investigate the origin of large interfacial resistance and sluggish charge(electron/ion) transfer process, many scientific and technological challenges still remain to be clarified. In this review, we detach and discuss the critical individual challenge, including charge transfer process, chemical and electrochemical instability, space charge layers, physical contact and mechanical instability. The fundamental concepts, individual effects on the charge transfer and potential solutions are summarized based on material's thermodynamics, electrode kinetics and mechanical effects. It is anticipated that future research should focus on quantitative analysis, modeling analysis and in-situ microstructure characterizations in order to obtain an efficient manipulation about the complex interfacial behaviors in all solid-state Li batteries.     

Electrochemical performance of all solid-state fluoride-ion batteries based on thin-film electrolyte using alternative conductive additives and anodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - CaF2 and MgF2 were tested as active anode materials for solid-state fluoride-ion battery based on thin-film electrolyte. Tin oxide, indium tin oxide, and...     

Dimeric and oligomeric surfactants. Behavior at interfaces and in aqueous solution: a review

Dimeric and oligomeric surfactants are novel surfactants that are presently attracting considerable interest in the academic and industrial communities working on surfactants. This paper first presents a number of chemical structures that have been reported for ionic, amphoteric and nonionic dimeric and oligomeric surfactants. The following aspects of these surfactants are then successively reviewed the state of dimeric and oligomeric surfactants in aqueous solutions at concentration below the critical micellization concentration (cmc); their behavior at the air/solution and solid/solution interfaces; their solubility in water, cmc and thermodynamics of micellization; the properties of the aqueous micelles of dimeric and oligomeric surfactants (ionization degree, size, shape, micropolarity and microviscosity, solution microstructure, solution rheology, micelle dynamics, micellar solubilization, interaction between dimeric surfactants and water-soluble polymers); the mixed micellization of dimeric surfactants with various conventional surfactants; the phase behavior of dimeric surfactants and the applications of these novel surfactants.     

Designing interfaces that function to facilitate charge injection in organic light-emitting diodes

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of triarylamine (TAA)-containing polymers has been applied for anode functionalizations in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Surface work function of the ITO electrodes was significantly altered with the functionalizations, and the values changed depending on electron affinity of the substituents (X) on the TAA units. When the functionalized ITO electrodes were utilized for the conventional TPD/Alq OLED, the multilayers of P1 (X = 4-OMe) and P2 (X = none) were found to promote better energy matching at the ITO/TPD interface to reduce the hole injection barrier. Furthermore, the multilayers having heterodeposited structure of several TAA polymers provided stepped and graded electronic profiles to facilitate hole mobility from ITO to TPD, so that the resulting OLED devices can exhibit appreciably reduced turn-on voltage and higher luminous intensities.     

Surface electrochemistry approaches for understanding and creating smooth solid-electrolyte interphase and lithiophilic interfaces for lithium metal anodes

Lithium metal anodes involve solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and various SEI-coupled interfaces, where Li deposition/dissolution and related processes take place. Important tasks of fundamental researches are to rationally designing and creating stable SEI and related interfaces based on in-depth understanding of the formation processes and the resultant interfacial/interphase structures. These issues fall into the category of and can be studied by taking the advantages of surface electrochemistry. In this review, we summarize recent advances in constructing SEI and lithiophilic interfaces via surface electrochemistry approaches as well as atomic force microscopic characterizations of morphology and nanomechanics for achieving long-term stability of Li anodes. Further fundamental research directions on Li metal anodes are also briefly discussed.     

Designing composite solid-state electrolytes for high performance lithium ion or lithium metal batteries

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are capable of inhibiting the growth of lithium dendrites, demonstrating great potential in next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, poor room temperature ionic conductivity and the unstable interface between SSEs and the electrode block their large-scale applications in LIBs. Composite solid-state electrolytes (CSSEs) formed by mixing different ionic conductors lead to better performance than single SSEs, especially in terms of ionic conductivity and interfacial stability. Herein, we have systematically reviewed recent developments and investigations of CSSEs including inorganic composite and organic–inorganic composite materials, in order to provide a better understanding of designing CSSEs. The comparison of different types of CSSEs relative to their parental materials is deeply discussed in the context of ionic conductivity and interfacial design. Then, the proposed ion transfer pathways and models of lithium dendrite growth in composites are outlined to inspire future development of CSSEs.

Composite solid-state electrolytes (CSSEs) formed by mixing different ionic conductors lead to better performance than a single solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), demonstrating great potentials in the next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).     

Nematic-isotropic interfaces under shear: a molecular-dynamics simulation

We present a large-scale molecular-dynamics study of nematic-paranematic interfaces under shear. We use a model of soft repulsive ellipsoidal particles with well-known equilibrium properties, and consider interfaces which are oriented normal to the direction of the shear gradient (common stress case). The director at the interface is oriented parallel to the interface (planar). A fixed average shear rate is imposed with moving periodic boundary conditions, and the heat is dissipated with a profile-unbiased thermostat. First, we study the properties of the interface at one particular shear rate in detail. The local interfacial profiles and the capillary wave fluctuations of the interfaces are calculated and compared with those of the corresponding equilibrium interface. Under shear, the interfacial width broadens and the capillary wave amplitudes at large wavelengths increase. The strain is distributed inhomogeneously in the system (shear banding), the local shear rate in the nematic region being distinctly higher than in the paranematic region. Surprisingly, we also observe (symmetry-breaking) flow in the vorticity direction, with opposite direction in the nematic and the paranematic state. Finally, we investigate the stability of the interface for other shear rates and construct a nonequilibrium phase diagram.     

Theoretical description of the geometric and electronic structures of organic-organic interfaces in organic solar cells: a brief review

We review some of the computational methodologies used in our research group to develop a better understanding of the geometric and electronic structures of organic-organic interfaces present in the active layer of organic solar cells. We focus in particular on the exciton-dissociation and charge-transfer processes at the pentacene-fullerene interface. We also discuss the local morphology at this interface on the basis of molecular dynamics simulations.     

第14届固态传感器、传动器与微系统国际会议(Ⅱ)

分组报告续报如下: 生物微流体学组报告4个.(1)M Ikewchi等,供试管中三维组织培养用的人工毛细管网络芯片;(2)A Shastry等,输送小滴用的、微型结构的表面棘轮;(3)T Baba等,供产生双亲(亲水与亲脂)分子的阵列纳米膜用的、在附有多孔性侧壁的微通道中均匀水相栓子的积聚;(4)S H:Huang等,供混合静态或连续流动的流体用的、电渗产生的平面微涡流.     

Single versus poly-crystalline layered oxide cathode materials for solid-state battery applications - a short review article

The recent developments in the application of single-crystalline (SC) cathode materials in solid-state batteries are discussed in this mini-review. The characteristics of SC and poly-crystalline (PC) cathode materials are explored, with emphasis on the kinetic and mechanical properties. The critical factors influencing their performance in liquid electrolyte and solid-state battery cells are investigated. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of both morphologies are discussed and considerations to ensure a fair comparison between SC and PC cathodes in different systems are raised.     

A fluorescence toolbox: A review of investigation of electrophoretic separations,process, and interfaces

This review focuses on fluorescence spectroscopy techniques for the investigation of electrophoretic separations. Fluorescence has been used as a sensitive detector for capillary, gel, and microchip electrophoresis for decades. However, advanced fluorescence methods can be used to study transport, interfacial phenomena, intermolecular and affinity interactions, and other processes that occur during separation. This so‐called spectroscopic toolkit can be implemented to understand fundamental behavior in electrophoresis and electrokinetic chromatography. Techniques such as fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, and fluorescence anisotropy are discussed in relation to electrophoretic separations. Newer methods such as super‐resolution microscope are also introduced.     

MODULEWRITER: a program for automatic generation of database interfaces

MODULEWRITER is a PERL object relational mapping (ORM) tool that automatically generates database specific application programming interfaces (APIs) for SQL databases. The APIs consist of a package of modules providing access to each table row and column. Methods for retrieving, updating and saving entries are provided, as well as other generally useful methods (such as retrieval of the highest numbered entry in a table). MODULEWRITER provides for the inclusion of user-written code, which can be preserved across multiple runs of the MODULEWRITER program.     

Density depletion at solid-liquid interfaces: a neutron reflectivity study

Neutron reflectivity experiments conducted on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) against polar (water) and nonpolar (organic) liquid phases reveal further evidence for a density reduction at hydrophobic-hydrophilic interfaces. The density depletion is found at the interface between hydrophobic dodecanethiol (C12) and hexadecanethiol (C16) SAMs and water and also between hydrophilic SAMs (C12/C11OH) and nonpolar fluids. The results show that the density deficit of a fluid in the boundary layer is not unique to aqueous solid-liquid interfaces but is more general and correlated with the affinity of the liquid to the solid surface. In water the variation of pH has only minor influence, while different electrolytes taken from the Hofmeister series seem to increase the depletion. On hydrophobic SAMs an increase in density depletion with temperature was observed, in agreement with Monte Carlo simulations performed on corresponding model systems. The increase in the water density depletion layer is governed by two effects: the surface energy difference between water and the substrate and the chemical potential of the aqueous phase.     

Spintronics: a challenge for materials science and solid-state chemistry

Spintronics is a multidisciplinary field involving physics, chemistry, and engineering, and is a new research area for solid-state scientists. A variety of new materials must be found to satisfy different demands. The search for ferromagnetic semiconductors and stable half-metallic ferromagnets with Curie temperatures higher than room temperature remains a priority for solid-state chemistry. A general understanding of structure-property relationships is a necessary prerequisite for the design of new materials. In this Review, the most important developments in the field of spintronics are described from the point of view of materials science.     

Crystal-quasicrystal interfaces on Al-Pd-Mn

Two decades after their discovery, quasicrystals continue to fascinate our imagination. Even though there remain many outstanding questions about the basic structure, our focus has lately been shifting beyond the basic structural aspects, towards the search for interesting physical properties and technological applications. In this regard, undoubtedly, thin film growth on quasicrystal surfaces promises to be a very fertile ground. Despite their true long-range orientational order, quasicrystals possess forbidden fivefold or tenfold point-group symmetries and lack translational periodic order. Therefore, the interface between a quasicrystal and a crystal is of immense scientific interest, because it can metastabilize previously unknown structures with unique properties and potentially disclose structural mysteries of quasicrystalline surfaces. In our studies, we used various electron probes and observed that binary Al alloys exist as commensurate single crystals on the fivefold- and threefold-symmetry surfaces of the Al-Pd-Mn alloy. Thus, epitaxial growth conditions, like lattice and chemical matching observed in crystals are apparently satisfied on a local scale. We have also grown Al films at different temperatures on quasicrystal surfaces, and found that above RT Al readily diffuses into the bulk quasicrystal leading to a huge increase of its Debye temperature, implying that the quasicrystalline structure contains vacancies, which are filled with the additional Al. For thin films grown at RT, epitaxy locks the Al atoms to a strained quasicrystalline lattice, whereas for thicker films, excess strain energy cannot be supported and the structure relaxes to the bulk stable face-centered cubic phase by breaking into multi-twinned domains. The crystal-quasicrystal transformations also present an opportunity to investigate the electronic structure in a comparative way. We highlight a relevant result on the filling of the Mn 3d band in Al-Pd-Mn upon quasicrystal formation that gives rise to the pseudo gap.