Influence of Gold Nanoparticles Anchored to Carbon Nanotubes on Formation and Decomposition of Li₂O₂ in Nonaqueous Li–O₂ Batteries

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) anchored to vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) act as additional nucleation sites for the Li₂O₂ growth, leading to the decreased size while increased density of Li₂O₂ particles in process of discharge. Correspondingly, at the deep discharge to 2.0 V the batteries show increased specific capacity. Upon charge, the AuNPs exhibit promotion effect on the Li₂O₂ decomposition by improving the conduction property of the discharge-formed particles, rather than by imposing the conventional electrocatalytic effect on the oxygen evolution reaction. Moreover, the AuNPs show promotion effect on decomposition of carbonate species arising from the side reactions. These effects consequently lead to the reduced charge overpotentials and extended cycle operation of the batteries. The results here provide a new as well as clear picture on the role of incorporated AuNPs in the Li₂O₂ formation and decomposition, which would be helpful for better understanding and constructing of high-performance air cathodes

FeS@C on Carbon Cloth as Flexible Electrode for Both Lithium and Sodium Storage

Flexible and self-supported carbon-coated FeS on carbon cloth films (denoted as FeS@C/carbon cloth) is prepared by a facial hydrothermal method combined with a carbonization treatment. The FeS@C/carbon cloth could be directly used as electrodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (NIBs). The synthetic effects of the structure, highly electron-conductive of carbon cloth, porous structure for electrolyte access, and uniform carbon shell on FeS surface to accommodate the volume change lead to improved cyclability and rate capability. For lithium storage, the FeS@C/carbon cloth electrode delivers a high discharge capacity of 420 mAh g^–1 even after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.15 C and 370 mAh g^–1at a high current density of 7.5 C (1 C = 609 mA g^–1. When used for sodium storage, it keeps a reversible capacity of 365 mAh g^–1after 100 cycles at 0.15 C. Similar process can be utilized for the formation of various cathode and anode composites on carbon cloth for flexible energy storage devices

Preparation of Silicon@Silicon Oxide Core–Shell Nanowires from a Silica Precursor toward a High Energy Density Li-Ion Battery Anode

Bulk-quantity silicon@silicon oxide nanowires have been successfully synthesized via a facile high-temperature approach using environment-friendly silica mixed with titanium powders. It is confirmed that the obtained nanowires process a crystalline core and amorphous oxide sheath. The obtained nanowires grow along the [111] direction which catalyzed by spherical silicon@siilcon oxide nanoparticles. The unique one-dimensional structure and thin oxide sheath result in the favorable electrochemical performances, which may be beneficial to the high energy density silicon anode for lithium ion batteries

MOESM1 of Veritable antiviral capacity of natural killer cells in chronic HBV infection: an argument for an earlier anti-virus treatment

Additional file 1. Supplementary Figures 1–4

Additional file 1: of Co-infection with hepatitis B virus among tuberculosis patients is associated with poor outcomes during anti-tuberculosis treatment

Table S1. Demographics and clinical characteristics between TB group and TB-HBVgroup. It showed that more patients in the TB-HBV group experienced severe hyperbilirubinemia (Median of TBIL [μmol/L]: 391.4 vs. 145.8, P = 0.007), cirrhosis (55.2% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.000), Grade-4 DILI (36.2% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.015), liver failure (67.2% vs. 38.5%, P = 0.013) and had poor clinical outcomes (37.9% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.005), compared with those in the TB group. (DOCX 23 kb

General Strategy for Fabricating Sandwich-like Graphene-Based Hybrid Films for Highly Reversible Lithium Storage

We report a general strategy for the fabrication of freestanding sandwich-like graphene-based hybrid films by electrostatic adsorption and following reduction reaction. We demonstrate that by rational control of pH value in precursors, graphene oxide (GO) sheets can form three-dimensional (3D) sandwich frameworks with nanoparticles decorated between the layers of graphene. In our proof-of-concept study, we prepared the graphene/Si/graphene (G@Si@G) sandwich-like films. When used as negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, it exhibits superior lithium-ion storage performance (∼1800 mA h g^–1 after 40 cycles at 100 mA g^–1). Importantly, with this simple and general method, we also successfully synthesized graphene/Fe₂O₃/graphene and graphene/TiO₂/graphene hybrid films, showing improved electrochemical performance. The good electrochemical property results from the enhanced electron transport rate, and the 3D flexible matrix to buffer volume changes during cycling. In addition, the porous sandwich structure consisting of plate-like graphene with high surface area provides effective electrolyte infiltration and promotes diffusion rate of Li⁺, leading to an improved rate capability

Additional file 2: of Co-infection with hepatitis B virus among tuberculosis patients is associated with poor outcomes during anti-tuberculosis treatment

Table S2. Demographics and characteristics of patients in TB-HBV group with different clinical outcomes. Compared with those with better clinical outcomes, the proportions of patients with advanced age (Mean [years]: 53.9 vs. 45.5, P = 0.017; age > 50 years old: 63.6% vs. 36.1%, P = 0.041), severe hyperbilirubinemia (Median of TBIL [μmol/L]: 478.8 vs. 251.0, P = 0.000), cirrhosis (77.3% vs. 41.7%, P = 0.008) and HBV DNA > 20,000 IU/L (77.3% vs. 47.2%, P = 0.024) in the TB-HBV group were significantly higher. (DOCX 22 kb

Carbon-Coated Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ Anchored on Freestanding Graphite Foam for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Cathodes

Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (NVP) has been considered as a most promising cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), but NVP usually exhibits poor cycling stability and rate performance due to the low intrinsic electrical conductivity. Herein, we prepared carbon-coated Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ anchored on freestanding graphite foam (denoted as NVP@C-GF) as a cathode for SIBs. The NVP@C-GF exhibits superior sodium-ion storage performance, including rate capability (56 mAh g^–1 at 200 C) and long cycle life (54 mAh g^–1 at 100 C after 20 000 cycles). The resulting NVP@C-GF inherits the advantages of 3D free-standing graphite that possesses high electrical conductivity and porous structure for the electrolyte to soak in. Furthermore, carbon-coated NVP particles anchored on the surface of GF not only accommodate the volume change of NVP during charge/discharge but also reduce the diffusion distance of the Na⁺ ion

Charge Carrier Accumulation in Lithium Fluoride Thin Films due to Li-Ion Absorption by Titania (100) Subsurface

The thermodynamically required redistribution of ions at given interfaces is being paid increased attention. The present investigation of the contact LiF/TiO₂ offers a highly worthwhile example, as the redistribution processes can be predicted and verified. It consists in Li ion transfer from LiF into the space charge zones of TiO₂. We not only can measure the resulting increase of lithium vacancy conductivity in LiF, we also observe a transition from n- to p-type conductivity in TiO₂ in consistency with the generalized space charge model

Surface Structure Evolution of LiMn₂O₄ Cathode Material upon Charge/Discharge

Surface dissolution of manganese is a long-standing issue hindering the practical application of spinel LiMn₂O₄ cathode material, while few studies concerning the crystal structure evolution at the surface area have been reported. Combining X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and density functional theory calculations, we investigate the chemical and structural evolutions on the surface of a LiMn₂O₄ electrode upon cycling. We found that an unexpected Mn₃O₄ phase was present on the surface of LiMn₂O₄ via the application of an advanced electron microscopy. Since the Mn₃O₄ phase contains ¹/₃ soluble Mn²⁺ ions, formation of this phase contributes significantly to the Mn²⁺ dissolution in a LiMn₂O₄ electrode upon cycling. It is further found that the Mn₃O₄ appears upon charge and disappears upon discharge, coincident with the valence change of Mn. Our results shed light on the importance of stabilizing the surface structure of cathode material, especially at the charged state. The understanding of the manganese dissolution reaction that occurs in the LiMn₂O₄ can certainly be extended to other oxide cathodes