Monodispersed FeS2 Electrocatalyst Anchored to Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Host for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Despite their high theoretical energy density, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are hindered by practical challenges including sluggish conversion kinetics and shuttle effect of polysulfides. Here, a nitrogen-doped continuous porous carbon (CPC) host anchoring monodispersed sub-10\ua0nm FeS2 nanoclusters (CPC@FeS2) is reported as an efficient catalytic matrix for sulfur cathode. This host shows strong adsorption of polysulfides, promising the inhibition of polysulfide shuttle and the promoted initial stage of catalytic conversion process. Moreover, fast lithium ion (Li-ion) diffusion and accelerated solid–solid conversion kinetics of Li2S2 to Li2S on CPC@FeS2 host guarantee boosted electrochemical kinetics for conversion process of sulfur species in Li–S cell, which gives a high utilization of sulfur under practical conditions of high loading and low electrolyte/sulfur (E/S) ratio. Therefore, the surfur cathode (S/CPC@FeS2) delivers a high specific capacity of 1459 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, a stable cycling over 900 cycles with ultralow fading rate of 0.043% per cycle, and an enhanced rate capability compared with cathode only using carbon host. Further demonstration of this cathode in Li–S pouch cell shows a practical energy density of 372\ua0Wh kg−1 with a sulfur loading of 7.1\ua0mg cm−2 and an E/S ratio of 4\ua0\ub5L mg−1

Construction and performance of semi- confined hierarchical porous carbon three-dimensional lithium anode

Lithium (Li) metal is a potential anode material for high energy density batteries. However, issues such as lithium dendrite growth, interface instability, poor cycling stability and large volume expansion limit the application of lithium metal anode. Aiming at the problem of dendritic growth and volume expansion, a semi-confined hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) material with a large specific surface area was prepared by template method. The high specific area of HPC electrode can reduce the local current density of Li deposition, and the rich pore structure can restrict the Li deposition in it, thus inhibiting the dendritic growth and alleviating the volume expansion. Li‖HPC battery can cycle for more than 250 cycles at a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2 and a deposition capacity of 1.0 mAh/cm2, maintaining a Coulombic efficiency of 97.6%. Li@HPC‖lithium iron phosphate a deposition capacity of (LiFePO4) full cell has a specific capacity of 93.6 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 0.5 C, which is higher than that of Li@Cu‖LiFePO4 full cell (60.8 mAh/g) with an increase of by 32.8 mAh/g

Microstructural study of the formation mechanism of metal-organic framework MOF-5

Metal-organic framework, MOF-5, is re-synthesised using an established method, which reveals an extraordinary formation mechanism. The earliest detected crystalline phase is Zn-5(OH)(8)(NO3)(2)center dot 2H(2)O, in the form of nanoplatelets 5 to 10 nm in diameter, which aggregate with surface adsorbed organic molecules into a layered inorganic-organic composite. Multiple nucleation of MOF-5 takes place inside the composite via intercalation of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate molecules and phase transformation from Zn-5(OH)(8)(NO3)(2)center dot 2H(2)O. The as-formed MOF-5 nanocrystallites aggregate into cubic polycrystalline particles, which undergo surface re-crystallisation followed by extension of re-crystallisation from the surface to the core. This newly established formation mechanism may shed light on the crystal growth of many other MOFs. It may enable scientists to precisely control the microstructures and morphologies of these materials and gain a better understanding of their properties for future applications.</p

Constructing hierarchical urchin-like LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 hollow spheres with exposed {111} facets as advanced cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Constructing hierarchical urchin-like LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 hollow spheres with exposed {111} facets as advanced cathode material for lithium-ion batterie

Review of regulating Zn2+ solvation structures in aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries, due to their high power density, intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental benign, have attracted tremendous attentions recently. However, their application is severely plagued by the inferior energy density and short cycling life, which was mainly ascribed to zinc dendrites, and interfacial side reactions, narrow potential window induced by water decomposition, all of which are highly related with the Zn ^2+ solvation structures in the aqueous electrolytes. Therefore, in this review, we comprehensively summarized the recent development of strategies of regulating Zn ^2+ solvation structures, specially, the effect of zinc salts, nonaqueous co-solvents, and functional additives on the Zn ^2+ solvation structures and the corresponding electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Moreover, future perspectives focused on the challenges and possible solutions for design and commercialization of aqueous electrolytes with unique solvation structures are provided

Recent achievements of free‐standing material and interface optimization in high‐energy‐density flexible lithium batteries

Abstract Lithium‐based batteries are the most potential state‐of‐the‐art energy storage device for flexible electronics. The flexible lithium batteries have the advantages of high energy density, robust mechanical durability, and stable power output even under dynamic deformation. Among them, the synergies of flexible free‐standing electrodes, solid electrolytes, and electrode–electrolyte interfaces are crucial to achieving the goal of high energy density and safety performance for flexible lithium batteries. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the interface formation mechanism and influencing factors is crucial for the design of flexible electrodes and solid electrolytes. In this review, the interface challenges in flexible lithium‐based batteries including interface formation, electrodes‐electrolyte interface, and interparticle interface characteristics are presented. Then, strategies of interface optimization are summarized and discussed. Following this, the interface of flexible lithium‐based batteries with novel architecture is introduced, including the interface between each component and unit of the battery. Finally, the perspectives for the future development of flexible lithium‐based batteries are also given

Rational Construction of Fe2N@C Yolk-Shell Nanoboxes as Multifunctional Hosts for Ultralong Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Rational Construction of Fe2N@C Yolk-Shell Nanoboxes as Multifunctional Hosts for Ultralong Lithium-Sulfur Batterie

The GTPase Rab43 Controls the Anterograde ER-Golgi Trafficking and Sorting of GPCRs

Summary: G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest superfamily of cell-surface signaling proteins. However, mechanisms underlying their surface targeting and sorting are poorly understood. Here, we screen the Rab family of small GTPases in the surface transport of multiple GPCRs. We find that manipulation of Rab43 function significantly alters the surface presentation and signaling of all GPCRs studied without affecting non-GPCR membrane proteins. Rab43 specifically regulates the transport of nascent GPCRs from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi. More interestingly, Rab43 directly interacts with GPCRs in an activation-dependent fashion. The Rab43-binding domain identified in the receptors effectively converts non-GPCR membrane protein transport into a Rab43-dependent pathway. These data reveal a crucial role for Rab43 in anterograde ER-Golgi transport of nascent GPCRs, as well as the ER sorting of GPCR members by virtue of its ability to interact directly. : Li et al. report that Rab43 GTPase controls anterograde ER-Golgi transport of nascent GPCRs, as well as their sorting from other membrane proteins, which is mediated via direct interaction with the receptors. Their results suggest a mechanism of targeting and sorting of the members of the GPCR superfamily. Keywords: G-protein-coupled receptor, adrenergic receptor, angiotensin receptor, Rab GTPase, Rab43, trafficking, anterograde export, ER, Golgi, sortin