Single-Source Alkoxide Precursor Approach to Titanium Molybdate, TiMoO5, and Its Structure, Electrochemical Properties, and Potential as an Anode Material for Alkali Metal Ion Batteries

Transition-metal oxide nanostructured materials are potentially attractive alternatives as anodes for Li ion batteries and as photocatalysts. Combining the structural and thermal stability of titanium oxides with the relatively high oxidation potential and charge capacity of molybdenum(VI) oxides was the motivation for a search for approaches to mixed oxides of these two metals. Challenges in traditional synthetic methods for such materials made development of a soft chemistry single-source precursor pathway our priority. A series of bimetallic Ti-Mo alkoxides were produced by reactions of homometallic species in a 1:1 ratio. Thermal solution reduction with subsequent reoxidation by dry air offered in minor yields Ti2Mo2O4(OMe)(6)((OPr)-Pr-i)(6) (1) by the interaction of Ti((OPr)-Pr-i)(4) with MoO-(OMe)(4) and Ti6Mo6O22((OPr)-Pr-i)(16)(iPrOH)(2) (2) by the reaction of Ti((OPr)-Pr-i)(4) with MoO((OPr)-Pr-i)(4). An attempt to improve the yield of 2 by microhydrolysis, using the addition of stoichiometric amounts of water, resulted in the formation with high yield of a different complex, Mo7Ti7+xO31+x((OPr)-Pr-i)(8+2x) (3). Controlled thermal decomposition of 1-3 in air resulted in their transformation into the phase TiMoO5 (4) with an orthorhombic structure in space group Pnma, as determined by a Rietveld refinement. The electrochemical characteristics of 4 and its chemical transformation on Li insertion were investigated, showing its potential as a promising anode material for Li ion batteries for the first time. A lower charge capacity and lower stability were observed for its application as an anode for a Na ion battery

High-stability tin/carbon battery electrodes produced using reduction expansion synthesis

17 USC 105 interim-entered record; under review.This study shows high stability Sn (10 wt %)/carbon Li-ion battery anodes can be made via the Reduction Expansion Synthesis (RES) process. Hybrid Sn/C anodes had an initial capacity of 425 mAh g-1 which stabilized to ~340 mAh g-1 after less than 10 cycles. Unlike earlier Sn/C anodes, capacity remained virtually constant for more than 180 additional cycles. Neat carbon independently tested for Li capacity had a steady specific capacity of 280 mAh g-1. The difference detected between the pure carbon and Sn/C cases are consistent with Sn having the theoretical capacity of ~1000 mAh g-1. The high stability of the RES derived anodes, relative to earlier Sn based electrodes, is postulated to exist because RES synthesis enables the formation of direct, strong bond between Sn and carbon substrate atoms, hence reducing the rate of Sn electrode disintegration and capacity fade due to expansion upon lithiation. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are consistent with this postulate as both show an initial Sn particles size of only a few nanometers and minimal growth after cycling. Reduced interface resistance is also indicative of unique Sn-carbon bond.Office of Naval Research for supporting this project under Naval Enterprise Partnership Teaming with Universities for National Excellence at Purdue Center for Power and Energy ResearchGrant number N00014-15-1-283

Intelligence, educational attainment, and brain structure in those at familial high-risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

First-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ-FDRs) show similar patterns of brain abnormalities and cognitive alterations to patients, albeit with smaller effect sizes. First-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD-FDRs) show divergent patterns; on average, intracranial volume is larger compared to controls, and findings on cognitive alterations in BD-FDRs are inconsistent. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of global and regional brain measures (cortical and subcortical), current IQ, and educational attainment in 5,795 individuals (1,103 SZ-FDRs, 867 BD-FDRs, 2,190 controls, 942 schizophrenia patients, 693 bipolar patients) from 36 schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder family cohorts, with standardized methods. Compared to controls, SZ-FDRs showed a pattern of widespread thinner cortex, while BD-FDRs had widespread larger cortical surface area. IQ was lower in SZ-FDRs (d = −0.42, p = 3 × 10−5), with weak evidence of IQ reductions among BD-FDRs (d = −0.23, p =.045). Both relative groups had similar educational attainment compared to controls. When adjusting for IQ or educational attainment, the group-effects on brain measures changed, albeit modestly. Changes were in the expected direction, with less pronounced brain abnormalities in SZ-FDRs and more pronounced effects in BD-FDRs. To conclude, SZ-FDRs and BD-FDRs show a differential pattern of structural brain abnormalities. In contrast, both had lower IQ scores and similar school achievements compared to controls. Given that brain differences between SZ-FDRs and BD-FDRs remain after adjusting for IQ or educational attainment, we suggest that differential brain developmental processes underlying predisposition for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are likely independent of general cognitive impairment

Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of stroke — the second leading cause of death worldwide — were conducted predominantly in populations of European ancestry1,2. Here, in cross-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses of 110,182 patients who have had a stroke (five ancestries, 33% non-European) and 1,503,898 control individuals, we identify association signals for stroke and its subtypes at 89 (61 new) independent loci: 60 in primary inverse-variance-weighted analyses and 29 in secondary meta-regression and multitrait analyses. On the basis of internal cross-ancestry validation and an independent follow-up in 89,084 additional cases of stroke (30% non-European) and 1,013,843 control individuals, 87% of the primary stroke risk loci and 60% of the secondary stroke risk loci were replicated (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were highly correlated across ancestries. Cross-ancestry fine-mapping, in silico mutagenesis analysis3, and transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide association analyses revealed putative causal genes (such as SH3PXD2A and FURIN) and variants (such as at GRK5 and NOS3). Using a three-pronged approach4, we provide genetic evidence for putative drug effects, highlighting F11, KLKB1, PROC, GP1BA, LAMC2 and VCAM1 as possible targets, with drugs already under investigation for stroke for F11 and PROC. A polygenic score integrating cross-ancestry and ancestry-specific stroke GWASs with vascular-risk factor GWASs (integrative polygenic scores) strongly predicted ischaemic stroke in populations of European, East Asian and African ancestry5. Stroke genetic risk scores were predictive of ischaemic stroke independent of clinical risk factors in 52,600 clinical-trial participants with cardiometabolic disease. Our results provide insights to inform biology, reveal potential drug targets and derive genetic risk prediction tools across ancestries

Semiconducting, Magnetic or Superconducting Nanoparticles encapsulated in Carbon Shells by RAPET method.

An efficient, solvent-free, environmentally friendly, RAPET (Reactions under Autogenic Pressure at Elevated Temperature)synthetic approach is discussed for the fabrication of core-shell nanostructures. The semiconducting, magnetic orsuperconducting nanoparticles are encapsulated in a carbon shell. RAPET is a one-step, thermal decomposition reaction ofchemical compound (s) followed by the formation of core-shell nanoparticles in a closed stainless steel reactor. Therepresentative examples are discussed, where a variety of nanomaterials are trapped in situ in a carbon shell that offersfascinating properties

Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical and Surface Properties of Sub-Micron Carbon Spheres

This study investigates the mechanical and surface properties of spherical carbon particles. Sub-micrometer carbon spheres were previously used as oil additives to improve the tribological performance of oils, and as anode material to enhance the storage of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In the current work, internal structure and chemical analysis of these carbon sphere particles was conducted via focus ion beam scanning electron microscopy, and the results revealed that the carbon sphere particles are pure carbon particles with a solid internal structure. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nano-indenter were utilized to explore the mechanical properties (hardness and elastic modulus) of carbon sphere particles. The obtained results showed that the carbon spheres have an elastic modulus in the range of 10 to 42 GPa, while their hardness is in the range of 0.5 to 2.6 GPa. Besides, the AFM scans confirmed that the carbon particles are entirely separated and devoid of agglomeration. These results support the viable use of carbon sphere particles in various engineering applications