Toward High-Energy-Density Aqueous Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Silver Nanowires as Current Collectors

The lack of suitable lightweight current collectors is one of the primary obstacles preventing the energy density of aqueous lithium-ion batteries (ALIBs) from becoming competitive. Using silver nanowire (AgNW) films as current collectors and a molecular crowding electrolyte, we herein report the fabrication of ALIBs with relatively good energy densities. In the 2 m LiTFSI–94% PEG–6% H₂O solution, the AgNW films with a sheet resistance of less than 1.0 ohm/square exhibited an electrochemical stability window as broad as 3.8 V. The LiMn₂O₄//Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ ALIBs using AgNW films as the current collectors demonstrated an initial energy density of 70 Wh/kg weighed by the total mass of the cathode and anode, which retained 89.1% after 50 cycles.     

Surface differences of oxide nanocrystals determined by geometry and exogenously coordinated water molecules

Determining the different surfaces of oxide nanocrystals is key in developing structure–property relations. In many cases, only surface geometry is considered while ignoring the influence of surroundings, such as ubiquitous water on the surface. Here we apply ¹⁷O solid-state NMR spectroscopy to explore the facet differences of morphology-controlled ceria nanocrystals considering both geometry and water adsorption. Tri-coordinated oxygen ions at the 1^st layer of ceria (111), (110), and (100) facets exhibit distinct ¹⁷O NMR shifts at dry surfaces while these ¹⁷O NMR parameters vary in the presence of water, indicating its non-negligible effects on the oxide surface. Thus, the interaction between water and oxide surfaces and its impact on the chemical environment should be considered in future studies, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy is a sensitive approach for obtaining such information. The work provides new insights into elucidating the surface chemistry of oxide nanomaterials.

Both atomic geometry and the influence of surroundings (e.g., exogenously coordinated water) are key issues for determining the chemical environment of oxide surfaces, whereas the latter is usually ignored and should be considered in future studies.     

Locally periodically poled LNOI ridge waveguide for second harmonic generation

Periodically poled lithium niobate on insulator[LNOI]ridge waveguides are desirable for high-efficiency nonlinear frequency conversions,and the fabrication proc...     

Support stabilized PtCu single-atom alloys for propane dehydrogenation

PtCu single-atom alloys (SAAs) open an extensive prospect for heterogeneous catalysis. However, as the host of SAAs, Cu suffers from severe sintering at elevated temperature, resulting in poor stability of catalysts. This paper describes the suppression of the agglomeration of Cu nanoparticles under high temperature conditions using copper phyllosilicate (CuSiO₃) as the support of PtCu SAAs. Based on quasi in situ XPS, in situ CO-DRIFTS, in situ Raman spectroscopy and in situ XRD, we demonstrated that the interfacial Cu⁺–O–Si formed upon reduction at 680 °C serves as the adhesive between Cu nanoparticles and the silicon dioxide matrix, strengthening the metal–support interaction. Consequently, the resistance to sintering of PtCu SAAs was improved, leading to high catalytic stability during propane dehydrogenation without sacrificing conversion and selectivity. The optimized PtCu SAA catalyst achieved more than 42% propane conversion and 93% propylene selectivity at 580 °C for at least 30 hours. It paves a way for the design and development of highly active supported single-atom alloy catalysts with excellent thermal stability.

This paper describes PtCu single-atom alloys supported on copper phyllosilicate via Cu⁺–O–Si. The catalyst exhibits sintering resistance in propane dehydrogenation reaction without sacrificing activity and selectivity.     

Editorial for special issue on lithium niobate based photonic devices

正Lithium niobate(Li Nb O_3), so-called "Silicon in Photonics," is a multifunctional crystal with a combination of a number of excellent physical properties. In optics and photonics, the Li Nb O_3-based devices, such as modulators, wavelength converters, waveguide amplifiers, and quantum photonic chips, have been realized and widely applied in various areas. In addition to the traditional waveguides,     

掏槽参数对煤矿岩巷爆破效果的影响

为了提高掘进进尺,以川煤集团绿水洞矿掘进工程为背景,利用动力有限元程序LS-DYNA3D进行掏槽参数优化研究。结合井下现场实验,分析岩巷掏槽爆破不同参数动态应力、破碎范围的变化以及井下实际爆破效果。掏槽中心孔底向孔口平均有效应力峰值在有中心眼爆破较无中心眼爆破时增加了40%以上,中心眼爆破对槽腔底部的形成起主要作用。在其他条件相同的情况下单孔载荷从1.2 kg提高到1.8 kg,掏槽区中心眼底到孔口平均应力只增加20%,并且破碎范围的增加较少,实际进尺增加小于10%。现场掘进实验表明：在常规爆破载荷下,有中心眼比无中心眼爆破深度提高31%~65%,掏槽角小于78°时,随掏槽角度增加爆破进尺下降较平缓; 但掏槽角增至82°左右, 随掏槽角度增加爆破进尺下降明显。

     

Nutritional Attributes and Phenolic Composition of Flower and Bud of Sophora japonica L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Sophora japonica L. (SJL) and Robinia pseudoacacia L. (RPL) are widely cultivated in China. However, the utilization of their main by-products are limited due to a lack of comprehensive nutritional attributes. Herein, the proximate composition, mineral elements, fatty acids, amino acids, monosaccharides, and phenolics were analyzed to investigate the nutritional attributes of SJL and RPL. Dietary fiber was the main ingredient in SJL and RPL, followed by protein and lipids. The content of Fe in SJL and RPL was highest, especially in flowers of SJL, reaching about 1179.51 mg/kg. The total unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 89.67% of the bud of SJL. Meanwhile, the essential amino acids contents of the flower and bud of SJL and RPL accounted for 35.95–40.59% of total amino acids. The flower of SJL (373.75 mg/g) exhibited the most abundant monosaccharides. Meanwhile, the total phenolics and flavonoid contents in the buds of SJL and RPL were significantly higher than that of the flower, implying the buds possessed better biological activity. Moreover, the bud of SJL possessed the most abundant phenolics. The results provided a reference for the development of functional food derived from SJL and RPL.     

Theoretical investigation of the crystallographic structure,anisotropic elastic response,and electronic properties of the major borides in Ni-based superalloys

ABSTRACT

In Ni-based superalloys, it is usually found that borides can strengthen the grain boundaries, thereby resulting in an increase in mechanical strength and high-temperature creep properties. Due to their importance and prevalence in Ni-based superalloys, this study employs first-principles methods to investigate the crystallographic structure, anisotropic elastic response, and electronic properties of the major borides, such as M₂B, M₅B₃ and M₃B₂ (M: Cr, Mo, W), respectively, which is necessary for the assessment of complex mechanical responses of Ni-based superalloys. The results demonstrate that the studied borides are all thermodynamically and mechanically stable. Among the M _x B _y binary borides analysed, Cr _x B _y exhibits the largest shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and Vicker hardness values, and these properties increase with the increase of B contents. The studied borides display nearly isotropic elastic properties except for W₅B₃ and W₃B₂. The electronic structure analysis of M _x B _y shows that the strong hybridisation between M-d and B-p orbitals leads to these borides exhibiting higher theoretical hardness, and the overlapping peaks of M-d and B-p orbitals move to a lower energy area with the increase of B contents, which leads to the increase of shear and Young’s moduli of M _x B _y . Furthermore, for M₃B₂ borides, the Cr-B bonds and Cr–Cr bonds are much stronger than the W-B & Mo-B bonds, and W-W & Mo-Mo bonds, respectively, which leads to Cr _x B _y yielding the largest values of elastic moduli.     

Structural Characteristics,Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activities of Polysaccharide from Siraitia grosvenorii

The structural characterization, the in vitro antioxidant activity, and the hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide (SGP-1-1) isolated from Siraitia grosvenorii (SG) were studied in this paper. SGP-1-1, whose molecular weight is 19.037 kDa, consisted of Gal:Man:Glc in the molar ratio of 1:2.56:4.90. According to the results of methylation analysis, GC–MS, and NMR, HSQC was interpreted as a glucomannan with a backbone composed of 4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-, α-D-Glcp-(1→4)-, and 4)-Manp-(1 residues. α-1,6 linked an α-D-Galp branch, and α-1,6 linked an α-D-Glcp branch. The study indirectly showed that SGP-1-1 has good in vitro hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities and that these activities may be related to the fact that the SGP-1-1’s monosaccharide composition (a higher proportion of Gal and Man) is the glycosidic-bond type (α- and β-glycosidic bonds). SGP-1-1 could be used as a potential antioxidant and hypoglycemic candidate for functional and nutritional food applications.