Isolation and Characterization of New 24 Microsatellite DNA Markers for Golden Cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta)

Twenty-four microsatellite DNA markers were isolated and characterized for golden cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta) from a (GT)13—enriched genomic library. Loci were tested in 48 individuals from Jiaozhou bay of China. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from two to 25 with an average of 10.3. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.063 to 0.896 and from 0.137 to 0.953, with averages of 0.519 and 0.633, respectively. Six loci significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni’s correction and no significant linkage disequilibrium between loci pairs was detected. These microsatellite markers would be useful for analyzing the population genetic structure to make conservation and management decisions for S. esculenta

Embedding Heterostructured α‐MnS/MnO Nanoparticles in S‐Doped Carbonaceous Porous Framework as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

In this work, the synthesis of α-MnS/MnO/S-doped C micro-rod composites via a simple sulfidation process is demonstrated, starting from a Mn-based metal-organic framework. The resulting heterostructured α-MnS/MnO nanoparticles (8±2 nm) are uniformly embedded into the S-doped carbonaceous porous framework with hierarchical micro-/meso-porosity. The combination of structural and compositional characteristics results in the promising electrochemical performance of the as-obtained composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, coupled with high reversible capacity (940 mAh $g^{−1}$ at 0.1 A $g^{−1}$), excellent rate capability as well as long cycling lifespan at high rate of 2.0 A $g^{−1}$ for 2000 cycles with the eventual capacity of ∼300 mAh $g^{−1}$. Importantly, in situ X-ray diffraction studies clearly reveal mechanistic details of the lithium storage mechanism, involving multistep conversion processes upon initial lithiation

High-entropy energy materials: Challenges and new opportunities

The essential demand for functional materials enabling the realization of new energy technologies has triggered tremendous efforts in scientific and industrial research in recent years. Recently, high-entropy materials, with their unique structural characteristics, tailorable chemical composition and correspondingly tunable functional properties, have drawn increasing interest in the fields of environmental science and renewable energy technology. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of this new class of materials in the energy field. We begin with discussions on the latest reports on the applications of high-entropy materials, including alloys, oxides and other entropy-stabilized compounds and composites, in various energy storage and conversion systems. In addition, we describe effective strategies for rationally designing high-entropy materials from computational techniques and experimental aspects. Based on this overview, we subsequently present the fundamental insights and give a summary of their potential advantages and remaining challenges, which will ideally provide researchers with some general guides and principles for the investigation and development of advanced high-entropy materials

Unveiling the Intricate Intercalation Mechanism in Manganese Sesquioxide as Positive Electrode in Aqueous Zn‐Metal Battery

In the family of Zn/manganese oxide batteries with mild aqueous electrolytes, cubic α-Mn$_{2}$O$_{3}$ with bixbyite structure is rarely considered, because of the lack of the tunnel and/or layered structure that are usually believed to be indispensable for the incorporation of Zn ions. In this work, the charge storage mechanism of α-Mn$_{2}$O$_{3}$ is systematically and comprehensively investigated. It is demonstrated that the electrochemically induced irreversible phase transition from α-Mn$_{2}$O$_{3}$ to layered-typed L-Zn$_{x}$MnO$_{2}$, coupled with the dissolution of Mn$^{2+}$ and OH$^{-}$ into the electrolyte, allows for the subsequent reversible de-/intercalation of Zn$^{2+}$. Moreover, it is proven that α-Mn$_{2}$O$_{3}$ is not a host for H$^{+}$. Instead, the MnO$_{2}$ formed from L-Zn$_{x}$MnO$_{2}$ and the Mn^{2+ in the electrolyte upon the initial charge is the host for H$^{+}$. Based on this electrode mechanism, combined with fabricating hierarchically structured mesoporous α-Mn$_{2}$O$_{3}$ microrod array material, an unprecedented rate capability with 103 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1 as well as an appealing stability of 2000 cycles (at 2.0 A g$^{-1}$) with a capacity decay of only ≈0.009% per-cycle are obtained

Superior Lithium Storage Capacity of α‐MnS Nanoparticles Embedded in S‐Doped Carbonaceous Mesoporous Frameworks

Herein, a Mn‐based metal–organic framework is used as a precursor to obtain well‐defined α‐MnS/S‐doped C microrod composites. Ultrasmall α‐MnS nanoparticles (3–5 nm) uniformly embedded in S‐doped carbonaceous mesoporous frameworks (α‐MnS/SCMFs) are obtained in a simple sulfidation reaction. As‐obtained α‐MnS/SCMFs shows outstanding lithium storage performance, with a specific capacity of 1383 mAh g−1 in the 300th cycle or 1500 mAh g−1 in the 120th cycle (at 200 mA g−1) using copper or nickel foil as the current collector, respectively. The significant (pseudo)capacitive contribution and the stable composite structure of the electrodes result in impressive rate capabilities and outstanding long‐term cycling stability. Importantly, in situ X‐ray diffraction measurements studies on electrodes employing various metal foils/disks as current collector reveal the occurrence of the conversion reaction of CuS at (de)lithiation process when using copper foil as the current collector. This constitutes the first report of the reaction mechanism for α‐MnS, eventually forming metallic Mn and Li2S. In situ dilatometry measurements demonstrate that the peculiar structure of α‐MnS/SCMFs effectively restrains the electrode volume variation upon repeated (dis)charge processes. Finally, α‐MnS/SCMFs electrodes present an impressive performance when coupled in a full cell with commercial LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3O2 cathodes

Advanced Nanoparticle Coatings for Stabilizing Layered Ni‐Rich Oxide Cathodes in Solid‐State Batteries

Improving the interfacial stability between cathode active material (CAM) and solid electrolyte (SE) is a vital step toward the development of high-performance solid-state batteries (SSBs). One of the challenges plaguing this field is an economical and scalable approach to fabricate high-quality protective coatings on the CAM particles. A new wet-coating strategy based on preformed nanoparticles is presented herein. Nonagglomerated nanoparticles of the coating material (≤5 nm, exemplified for ZrO$_{2}$) are prepared by solvothermal synthesis, and after surface functionalization, applied to a layered Ni-rich oxide CAM, LiNi$_{0.85}$Co$_{0.10}$Mn$_{0.05}$O$_{2}$ (NCM85), producing a uniform surface layer with a unique structure. Remarkably, when used in pelletized SSBs with argyrodite Li$_{6}$PS$_{5}$Cl as SE, the coated NCM85 is found to exhibit superior lithium-storage properties (q$_{dis}$ ≈ 204 mAh g$_{NCM85}$$^{-1}$ at 0.1 C rate and 45 °C) and good rate capability. The key to the observed improvement lies in the homogeneity of coating, suppressing interfacial side reactions while simultaneously limiting gas evolution during operation. Moreover, this strategy is proven to have a similar effect in liquid electrolyte-based Li-ion batteries and can potentially be used for the application of other, even more favorable, nanoparticle coatings

Resolving the Role of Configurational Entropy in Improving Cycling Performance of Multicomponent Hexacyanoferrate Cathodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Mn-based hexacyanoferrate (Mn-HCF) cathodes for Na-ion batteries usually suffer from poor reversibility and capacity decay resulting from unfavorable phase transitions and structural degradation during cycling. To address this issue, the high-entropy concept is here applied to Mn-HCF materials, significantly improving the sodium storage capabilities of this system via a solid-solution mechanism with minor crystallographic changes upon de-/sodiation. Complementary structural, electrochemical, and computational characterization methods are used to compare the behavior of high-, medium-, and low-entropy multicomponent Mn-HCFs resolving, to our knowledge for the first time, the link between configurational entropy/compositional disorder (entropy-mediated suppression of phase transitions, etc.) and cycling performance/stability in this promising class of next-generation cathode materials

Introducing Highly Redox‐Active Atomic Centers into Insertion‐Type Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The development of alternative anode materials with higher volumetric and gravimetric capacity allowing for fast delithiation and, even more important, lithiation is crucial for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Herein, the development of a completely new active material is reported, which follows an insertion-type lithiation mechanism, metal-doped CeO$_{2}$. Remarkably, the introduction of carefully selected dopants, herein exemplified for iron, results in an increase of the achievable capacity by more than 200%, originating from the reduction of the dopant to the metallic state and additional space for the lithium ion insertion due to a significant off-centering of the dopant atoms in the crystal structure, away from the original Ce site. In addition to the outstanding performance of such materials in high-power lithium-ion full-cells, the selective reduction of the iron dopant under preservation of the crystal structure of the host material is expected to open up a new field of research