Chemistry Aspects and Designing Strategies of Flexible Materials for High-Performance Flexible Lithium-Ion Batteries

In recent years, flexible and wearable electronics such as smart cards, smart fabrics, bio-sensors, soft robotics, and internet-linked electronics have impacted our lives. In order to meet the requirements of more flexible and adaptable paradigm shifts, wearable products may need to be seamlessly integrated. A great deal of effort has been made in the last two decades to develop flexible lithium-ion batteries (FLIBs). The selection of suitable flexible materials is important for the development of flexible electrolytes self-supported and supported electrodes. This review is focused on the critical discussion of the factors that evaluate the flexibility of the materials and their potential path toward achieving the FLIBs. Following this analysis, we present how to evaluate the flexibility of the battery materials and FLIBs. We describe the chemistry of carbon-based materials, covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and MXene-based materials and their flexible cell design that represented excellent electrochemical performances during bending. Furthermore, the application of state-of-the-art solid polymer and solid electrolytes to accelerate the development of FLIBs is introduced. Analyzing the contributions and developments of different countries has also been highlighted in the past decade. In addition, the prospects and potential of flexible materials and their engineering are also discussed, providing the roadmap for further developments in this fast-evolving field of FLIB research.     

Vertical copper oxide nanowire arrays attached three-dimensional macroporous framework as a self-supported sensor for sensitive hydrogen peroxide detection

A hierarchical nanostructure consisting of uniform copper oxide nanowires vertically grown on three-dimensional copper framework (CuO NWs/3D-Cu foam) was prepared by a two-step synthetic process. The uniform CuO NWs anchored onto the 3D foam exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide reduction due to the unique one‐dimensional direction with its excellent catalytic activity and large surface area of 3D substrate, which enhanced electroactive sites and charge conductivity. As a result, a wide linear detection range of 1 µM–1 mM, good sensitivity of 8.87 µA/(mM ⋅ cm²), low detection limit of 0.98 µM, and rapid response time of 5 s to hydrogen peroxide were achieved under a working potential of −0.4 V in phosphate buffer solution (pH of 7.4). In addition, the CuO NWs/3D-Cu foam material showed excellent selectivity to hydrogen peroxide and good resistance against poisonous interferents, including ascorbic acid, dopamine, urea, uric acid, and potassium chloride. Furthermore, the CuO NWs/3D-Cu foam presented good reproducibility, stability, and accurate detection for hydrogen peroxide in real sample; therefore, it may be considered to be a potential free-standing hydrogen peroxide sensor in practical analysis applications.     

Free-standing 3D Co3O4@NF micro-flowers composed of porous ultra-long nanowires as an advanced cathode material for supercapacitor

The development of smart structured cathode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) has sparked tremendous interest. However, the appropriate design to achieve high capacitance and energy density-based cathode materials remains a major problem for energy storage systems. This article describes the effective synthesis of self-supported 3D micro-flowers composed of ultrathin nanowires array of Co₃O₄ on Ni foam (NF) using hydrothermal conditions (Co₃O₄@NF). The mesoporous Co₃O₄@NF with a high surface area, providing a rich active state for the Faraday redox reaction and increasing the diffusion rate of the electrolyte ions. The optimized Co₃O₄@NF-16h electrode exhibited supreme electrochemical performance by delivering a high specific capacitance of 1878, (1127) and 1200 (720 C g⁻¹) F g⁻¹ at 1.0 and 20 A g⁻¹, respectively. The Co₃O₄@NF electrode retained good capacitance stability of 91% over 10000 cycles at 20 A g⁻¹ with excellent rate-performance of 67% at 20 folded high current values. The obtained results for the Co₃O₄@NF electrode are presented the enhanced pseudocapacitive performance, indicating the substantial potential for high-performance supercapacitor applications.     

Designing Self‐Supported Metal‐Organic Framework Derived Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

To achieve efficient water splitting, it is essential to develop catalysts with high electrochemical performance, enhanced durability and tunable properties. Most of the transition metal‐based catalysts employed for the water splitting have been fabricated on the solid‐electrode support by using binder, which decreases the activity and durability of the catalyst system. In this respect, self‐supported metal organic framework (MOF) derived catalysts have been introduced with enhanced catalytic activity and mechanical stability for the electrochemical water splitting. The self‐supported MOF derived catalysts exhibit improved electronic conductivity, high electrochemical surface area, enhanced mechanical stability and strong catalyst‐support interaction. Moreover, these catalysts possess highly porous and hollow structure with designed morphology and multi‐metallic composition. Recently, a tremendous effort has been provided to explore this newly growing field and new dimensions and directions have been achieved. Looking at this point, we have described here the basic principles of catalyst design from self‐supported MOF, structural and interface engineering by controlling the electronic structure of the catalysts to improve the water splitting activity. In addition, the challenges and difficulties associated with this field have been pointed out and addressed for the future progress in this field.     

自支撑Zr膜制备及软X射线透过性能研究

软X射线波段滤光膜材料大都为自支撑金属薄膜,实验室环境下自支撑薄膜长期与空气接触表面易氧化,空气中的杂质原子进入自支撑薄膜内部,致使自支撑膜光学性能大幅下降.5 nm至20 nm软X射线波段Zr具有较低的质量吸收系数和较小的密度,在该波段Zr滤光膜透过率较高.采用脱模剂法制备自支撑Zr膜,在洁净的浮法玻璃上蒸镀一层NaCl做为脱膜剂,直流磁控溅射沉积Zr膜,脱膜后的到自支撑Zr膜.为防止薄膜表面氧化及空气中杂质原子进入薄膜内部,在Zr膜两面各直流磁控溅射沉积一层10 nm厚的C或Si膜作为保护膜,得到C/Zr/C、Si/Zr/Si复合膜,测试结果显示C或Si膜的引入对于自支撑Zr膜光学性能基本无影响.     

自支撑单原子膜电极在能源电催化中的应用

单原子催化剂的催化活性高, 稳定性强, 原子利用率高, 在能源电催化领域已被广泛研究. 然而, 粉末状(颗粒状)单原子催化材料存在工作电极制备过程复杂、 黏结剂添加降低导电性且占据催化材料的体积、 活性位点易被包埋等问题, 在作为电极材料催化能源转化过程时, 载量通常小于1 mg/cm², 反应电流密度不高于100 mA/cm². 与单原子催化剂相比, 自支撑单原子膜电极不仅具有单原子催化剂的诸多优势, 同时展现出整体式电极的特点, 例如无需添加黏结剂、 导电性好、 单原子活性位点暴露率高、 形貌与孔结构可调控等, 在大电流电催化反应、 高能量高功率密度电池等领域拥有应用前景. 本文综合评述了面向能源电催化应用的自支撑单原子膜电极的研究进展, 讨论了自支撑单原子膜电极的优势, 总结了自支撑单原子膜电极的合成方法, 包括自支撑基底上原位制备法、 静电纺丝法、 自组装法、 化学气相沉积与固相扩散法等, 介绍了其在析氢反应、 析氧反应、 电化学制过氧化氢反应、 锌空电池、 二氧化碳还原反应及锂硫电池中的应用, 并对该类电极的发展方向进行了展望.     

Construction of Non-Precious Metal Self-Supported Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution from a Low-Temperature Immersion Perspective

Water splitting is considered as a promising technology to solve energy shortage and environmental pollution. Since oxygen evolution reaction (OER) directly affects the efficiency of hydrogen evolution, the preparation of efficient and inexpensive OER catalysts is an urgent problem. “Low-temperature immersion” (LTI) is expected to be a prospective strategy for electrocatalyst preparation due to its simplicity and energy-saving advantages. However, there is almost no comprehensive overview on the progress of LTI engineering in the construction of non-precious metal self-supported electrocatalysts for OER. Herein, this review firstly introduces the principles and applications of LTI engineering-assisted preparation of non-precious metal self-supported electrocatalysts in terms of etching and deposition. Then the mechanism of OER is analyzed from an amorphous viewpoint, and finally some perspective insights and future challenges of this method are discussed.