Pillared Structure Design of MXene with Ultralarge Interlayer Spacing for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Capacitors

Two-dimensional transition-metal carbide materials (termed MXene) have attracted huge attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage due to their excellent electrical conductivity, high volumetric capacity, <i>etc.</i> Herein, with inspiration from the interesting structure of pillared interlayered clays, we attempt to fabricate pillared Ti₃C₂ MXene (CTAB–Sn­(IV)@Ti₃C₂) via a facile liquid-phase cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) prepillaring and Sn⁴⁺ pillaring method. The interlayer spacing of Ti₃C₂ MXene can be controlled according to the size of the intercalated prepillaring agent (cationic surfactant) and can reach 2.708 nm with 177% increase compared with the original spacing of 0.977 nm, which is currently the maximum value according to our knowledge. Because of the pillar effect, the assembled LIC exhibits a superior energy density of 239.50 Wh kg^–1 based on the weight of CTAB–Sn­(IV)@Ti₃C₂ even under higher power density of 10.8 kW kg^–1. When CTAB–Sn­(IV)@Ti₃C₂ anode couples with commercial AC cathode, LIC reveals higher energy density and power density compared with conventional MXene materials

Primers and annealing temperatures used for RT-PCR.

<p>Primers and annealing temperatures used for RT-PCR.</p

CXCLs increased the migration and invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells.

<p>Migration and invasion assays were performed on Capan1 cells treated with vehicle, 100/ml CXCL1, 2, and 8, or their antognists 20 µg/ml anti-CXCR1 antibody and 400 nM SB 225002 as indicated, using transwell cell chambers. The number of cells that invaded the membrane was counted in 10 fields under the ×20 objective lens. Original magnification, ×200. The results are presented as the means±SD of values obtained in three independent experiments. The statistical significance was calculated using ANOVA. *<i>P</i> < 0.05.</p

QHYJ treatment inhibited tumor growth and the expression of CXCL1, 2, and 8 in vivo.

<p>A. Effect of QYHJ on tumor growth in a subcutaneously transplanted tumor model. Capan1 cells (2 × 10⁶cells in 200 ml) were injected subcutaneously into the right axilla of each BALB/c-nu/nu nude mouse. The next day, the mice were orally treated with or without QYHJ. The mean tumor volumes of vehicle-treated (saline water) and QYHJ-treated tumors were measured. The mean ±standard deviation was determined in each treatment group. The tumor growth curves are shown in the upper panel, and photographs of subcutaneously transplanted tumors from both groups are shown in the lower panel. Student's t-test was used to determine the statistical significance. *<i>P</i> < .05 compared with the QYHJ-treated group. B. IHC staining for vimentin and α-SMA on sections of tumors to evaluate CAF proliferative activities. A arrow indicates fibroblast and arrowhead indicates pancreatic cancer cell. Original magnification, 200×. CAF proliferative activities (right) were quantitatively evaluated after calculating the ratio of the vimentin or α-SMA antibody-positive staining area to the total area in each field, and the mean value from ten fields under 200× microscopy are indicated. *<i>P</i> < 0.05. C. IHC staining using anti-CXCL1, 2, and 8 antibodies was performed using sections of transplanted tumors. Original magnification, ×200. The positive rates of CXCL1, 2, and 8 in tumors are shown on the right. Student's t-test was used to determine the statistical significance. *<i>P</i> < 0.05.</p

QYHJ suppressed CXCL production in CAFs.

<p>A–B. CAFs were treated with QYHJ-Containing Serum or Control-Containing Serum for 48 h. The cells were then harvested, and the expression of CXCL1, 2 and 8 was evaluated using real-time PCR (A) and western blotting (B). C. The isolated CAFs were plated in T25 flasks (1 × 10⁶ cells) and cultured in DMEM containing 10% QYHJ-Containing Serum or Control-Containing Serum. Twenty-four hours later, the media were removed, and the cells were washed twice with PBS. The cells were subsequently incubated with 5 ml of fresh DMEM medium for an additional 48 hours. The medium was subsequently harvested, and the CXCL1, 2 and 8 concentrations were detected through ELISA. ANOVA was used to determine the statistical significance. * <i>P</i><0.05.</p

Mg₂B₂O₅ Nanowire Enabled Multifunctional Solid-State Electrolytes with High Ionic Conductivity, Excellent Mechanical Properties, and Flame-Retardant Performance

High ionic conductivity, satisfactory mechanical properties, and wide electrochemical windows are crucial factors for composite electrolytes employed in solid-state lithium-ion batteries (SSLIBs). Based on these considerations, we fabricate Mg₂B₂O₅ nanowire enabled poly­(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Notably, these SSEs have enhanced ionic conductivity and a large electrochemical window. The elevated ionic conductivity is attributed to the improved motion of PEO chains and the increased Li migrating pathway on the interface between Mg₂B₂O₅ and PEO-LiTFSI. Moreover, the interaction between Mg₂B₂O₅ and −SO₂− in TFSI^– anions could also benefit the improvement of conductivity. In addition, the SSEs containing Mg₂B₂O₅ nanowires exhibit improved the mechanical properties and flame-retardant performance, which are all superior to the pristine PEO-LiTFSI electrolyte. When these multifunctional SSEs are paired with LiFePO₄ cathodes and lithium metal anodes, the SSLIBs show better rate performance and higher cyclic capacity of 150, 106, and 50 mAh g^–1 under 0.2 C at 50, 40, and 30 °C. This strategy of employing Mg₂B₂O₅ nanowires provides the design guidelines of assembling multifunctional SSLIBs with high ionic conductivity, excellent mechanical properties, and flame-retardant performance at the same time