Synthesis and characterization of Li1.05Co1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O1.95X0.05 (X = Cl,Br) cathode materials for lithium-ion battery

In order to improve the thermal stability and dynamic performance of LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials, Cl-doped and Br-doped materials were synthesized via the co-precipitation method. The morphology, structure, electrochemical performance and thermal stability were characterized by environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), charge–discharge cycling and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results show that all materials had a stable layered structure with α-NaFeO₂ and that Cl-doping slightly increased the size of grains. Both Cl-doping and Br-doping improved the high rate of discharge capacity, cycle-life performance and thermal stability, but Cl-doping was better than Br-doping in improving the material structure stability, dynamic performance and thermal stability.     

A 3D Luminescent Metal‐organic Framework Constructed from Cu4I4 Cubane Clusters and Triangular Imidazole Ligand

Abstract . The solvothermal reaction between cuprous iodide and the rigid triangular imidazole ligand in mixed N,N′‐dimethylacetamide (DMA)‐acetonitrile solvent leads to the isolation of the 3D metal‐organic framework [(Cu₄I₄)₃(TIPA)₄] · 7DMA ( 1 ) [TIPA = tri(4‐imidazolylphenyl) amine], which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Topologically, the structure of 1 is an unprecedented 3,3,4,4‐connected net with a point symbol of {4.8.10}₂{4.8²}₂{4².8².10²}₂{8⁴.12²}. Compound 1 exhibits orange‐red photoluminescence with an emission maximum at 622 nm at room temperature.     

Investigating the Photostability of Quantum Dots at the Single‐Molecule Level

Quantum dots (QDs) have shown great potential to provide spatial, temporal, and structural information for biological systems. However, blinking, photobleaching, and spectral blueshift are adverse effects on their practical applications in biomedical research. An investigation of the effects of six reducing agents including cysteine (Cys), 1,4‐dithiothreitol (DTT), ethyl gallate (EG), L ‐glutathione (GSH), mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), and thiourea (TU) on the photostability of single QDs was studied. Our experiments demonstrate that both DTT and EG effectively inhibit blinking, photobleaching, and spectral blueshift. GSH molecules block blinking and photobleaching of QDs. The other reagents, Cys, MAA, and TU, only have the ability to counteract blinking. Possible explanations are given on the basis of research evidence. The results suggest possibilities for significant improvements in QDs for biological applications by adjusting the environmental conditions.     

Suppression of the Charge Density Wave State in Two-Dimensional 1T-TiSe2 by Atmospheric Oxidation

Two-dimensional (2D) metallic transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as 1T-TiSe₂, have recently emerged as unique platforms for exploring their exciting properties of superconductivity and the charge density wave (CDW). 2D 1T-TiSe₂ undergoes rapid oxidation under ambient conditions, significantly affecting its CDW phase-transition behavior. We comprehensively investigate the oxidation process of 2D TiSe₂ by tracking the evolution of the chemical composition and atomic structure with various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques and reveal its unique selenium-assisting oxidation mechanism. Our findings facilitate a better understanding of the chemistry of ultrathin TMDCs crystals, introduce an effective method to passivate their surfaces with capping layers, and thus open a way to further explore the functionality of these materials toward devices.     

Why to synthesize vaterite polymorph of calcium carbonate on the cellulose matrix via sonochemistry process?

Vaterite is an important biomedical material due to its features such as high specific surface area, high solubility, high dispersion, and small specific gravity. The purposes of this article were to explore the growth mechanism of vaterite on the cellulose matrix via sonochmistry process. In the work reported herein, the influences of experimental parameters on the polymorph of calcium carbonate were investigated in detail. The calcium carbonate crystals on the cellulose matrix were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results revealed that all the reactants, solvent, and synthesis method played an important role in the polymorph of calcium carbonate. The pure phase of vaterite polymorph was obtained using Na₂CO₃ as reactant in ethylene glycol on the cellulose matrix via sonochmistry process. Based on the experimental results, one can conclude that the synthesis of vaterite polymorph is a system process.     

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Blended Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Composites comprised of chitosan (CS) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by milling and ultrasonication dispersion methods. Scanning electron microscopy images showed homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs throughout the CS matrix for samples prepared by either ultrasonication or milling methods. Further, the crystallinity of the CS component was found to decrease with the addition of MWCNTs, although the decomposition temperature and the storage modulus (E′) of the samples were improved. The decomposition temperature for the composite prepared by milling was 7°C higher than that by the ultrasonication. Meanwhile, the E′ decreased relatively slowly with temperature in the dynamic mechanical analysis measurements. In addition, IR analysis implied an interaction between CS and MWCNTs, which likely originated from hydrogen bonds between the amino, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups of the two components. Compared with the ultrasonication, milling was more effective to promote the formation of the hydrogen bonds between CS and the MWCNTs and thus enhance the thermal stability of CS.