First-principles calculations of diamond/copper (silver, titanium carbide) interface properties

The structure, electrical structure, and heat transmission of diamond/copper, diamond/silver, and diamond/titanium carbide surfaces have been investigated using first-principles calculations. The results show that the diamond/titanium carbide interfacial structure is the most stable, with the shortest interfacial distance (1.990 Å), the greatest interfacial adhesion effort (5.578 J/m2), and the best bond strength. The results of the electronic density of states, mulliken population analysis ,charge density difference, and radial distribution function indicate the presence of more charge transfer and stronger bonding in diamond/titanium carbide. According to the results of the phonon density calculation, the interfacial thermal resistance of diamond/titanium carbide is low

Flexible graphite film with laser drilling pores as novel integrated anode free of metal current collector for sodium ion battery

In this work, flexible polyimide graphite films with laser drilling pores were prepared by laser drilling pore technique. Then a full cell was built based on the porous graphite film anode, Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, and NaPF6 in diglyme electrolyte. This unique battery system makes the best of co-intercalation mechanism of Na+-solvent into porous graphite film host. Moreover, the porous graphite film is directly served as an integrated anode with no electrochemically inactive components, such as binders, conductive agents and metallic current collectors. The above merits allow remarkable progress in electrochemical performance, especially the high energy density and much improved cycle life, which will significantly boost the high energy batteries. Our sodium-ion system is potentially promising power sources for promoting the substantial use of low-cost energy storage systems. Keywords: Porous graphite film, Laser drilling pores, Anode, Sodium ion battery, Co-intercalatio

Carbon nanotubes/carbon paper composite electrode for sensitive detection of catechol in the presence of hydroquinone

The fabrication and application of carbon nanotubes/carbon paper (CNTs/CP) composite electrochemical sensors are reported. This sensing platform allows the sensitive determination of catechol in the range of 1 μM to 100 μM with a detection limit of 0.29 μM. The catechol detection in tea samples demonstrates the applicability of this method. The present study explores an interesting and significant application of CNTs/CP composite in electroanalysis. Keywords: Carbon nanotubes/carbon paper, Electrochemical sensor, Catechol, Tea sample

Mesoporous Cobalt Molybdenum Nitride: A Highly Active Bifunctional Electrocatalyst and Its Application in Lithium–O₂ Batteries

Bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) play a critical role in fuel cells and metal–air batteries. In this article, mesoporous cobalt molybdenum nitride (Co₃Mo₃N) is prepared using a coprecipitation method followed by ammonia annealing treatment. Much more active sites generated by well designed mesoporous nanostructure and intrinsically electronic configuration lead to excellent electrocatalytic performance for ORR/OER in Li–O₂ cells, delivering considerable specific capacity and alleviating polarization. It is manifested that high charge–discharge efficiency and good cycle stability were obtained in the LiTFSI/TEGDME electrolyte owing to a stable interface between optimized electrolyte and electrode material