Graphene oxide assisted facile hydrothermal synthesis of LiMn_(0.6)Fe_(0.4)PO_4 nanoparticles as cathode material for lithium ion battery

Assisted by graphene oxide（GO）,nano-sized LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4 with excellent electrochemical performance was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method as cathode material for lithium ion battery.SEM and TEM images indicate that the particle size of LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4（S2）was about 80 nm in diameter.The discharge capacity of LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4 nanoparticles was 140.3 mAh-g^1 in the first cycle.It showed that graphene oxide was able to restrict the growth of LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4 and it in situ reduction of GO could improve the electrical conductivity of LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4 material.

外加物理场调控二维材料的HER和OER性能

长期以来,氢燃料一直被认为是一种有前途和可行的传统化石燃料的替代品,可以支撑我们未来的能源格局。电催化水分解是一种可用于大规模高效生产高纯度氢气的可持续和环保的技术。该技术的工业化需要我们不断地提高两个电极上的析氢反应(HER)和析氧反应(OER)的反应动力学。此外,催化剂催化活性和结构稳定性的持续优化对于该技术的实际实施同样关键。因此,合适的催化剂的选取是影响电催化水分解的关键因素之一。二维(2D)纳米材料由于其独特的物理化学性质和丰富的活性位点成为了电解水领域的热点。此外,2D材料独特的物理化学特性能与外加物理场之间高度契合,可以产生一些独特的效果来增强电催化性能。因此,近些年,外加物理场在辅助改善HER和OER方面的作用和机制越来越受到关注。外加物理场,如电场,磁场,应变,光,温度和超声波,可以应用于催化剂合成和电催化过程。本文首先总结了物理场辅助电解水催化剂合成的研究。随后,根据外场在电催化过程中作用机制的不同,对外场辅助HER和OER的研究进行了分类。最后,本文指出了本领域快速发展所面临的主要挑战和前景。

Synergetic effects of NaAlH_4-TiF_3 co-additive on dehydriding reaction of Mg(AlH_4)_2

The effects of NaA1H4, TiF3 and NaA1H4-TiF3 co-additive on dehydriding reaction of Mg（A1H4）2 are systematically investigated. The on- set dehydrogenation temperature of the co-doped Mg（A1H4）2 composites decreased to 74 ℃, which is about 59 ℃ lower than that of pure Mg（A1H4）2. The dehydrogenation kinetics of NaA1H4-TiF3 co-doped Mg（A1H4）2 sample was also improved, which released about 94% hydrogen within 48 min, but no visible hydrogen was released from pure Mg（A1H4）2 under the same conditions. The activation energy of co-doped Mg（A1H4）2 was 85.6 kJ.mol-t, which was significantly lower than that of additive-free Mg（A1H4）2 sample. The synergetic effects of NaA1H4 and TiF3 on the dehydrogenation performance of Mg（A1H4）2 were confirmed. In addition, a possible catalytic mechanism is discussed, regarding the different roles of NaA1H4 and TiF3 on Mg（A1H4）2.

Hydrogel-based catalysts for hydrogen generation by the hydrolysis of B–H compounds under external physical fields

Hydrogen is a popular clean high-energy-density fuel.However,its utilization is limited by the challenges toward low-cost hydrogen production and safe hydrogen storage.Fortunately,these issues can be addressed using promising hydrogen storage materials such as B–H compounds.Hydrogen stored in B–H compounds can be released by hydrolysis at room temperature,which requires catalysts to increase the rate of the reaction.Recently,several effective approaches have been developed for hydrogen generation by catalyzing the hydrolysis of B–H compounds.This review summarizes the existing research on the use of nanoparticles loaded on hydrogels as catalysts for the hydrolysis of B–H compounds.First,the factors affecting the hydrolysis rate,such as temperature,p H,reactant concentration,and type of nano particles,were investigated.Further,the preparation methods(in situ reduction,one-pot method,template adsorption,etc.)for the hydrogel catalysts and the types of loaded catalysts were determined.Additionally,the hydrogel catalysts that can respond to magnetic fields,ultrasound fields,optical fields,and other physical fields are introduced.Finally,the issues and future developments of hydrogel-based catalysts are discussed.This review can inspire deeper investigations and provide guidance for the study of hydrogel catalysts in the field of hydrogen production via hydrolysis.

Progress on mechanical and tribological characterization of 2D materials by AFM force spectroscopy

Two-dimensional(2D)materials are potential candidates for electronic devices due to their unique structures and exceptional physical properties,making them a focal point in nanotechnology research.Accurate assessment of the mechanical and tribological properties of 2D materials is imperative to fully exploit their potential across diverse applications.However,their nanoscale thickness and planar nature pose significant challenges in testing and characterizing their mechanical properties.Among the in situ characterization techniques,atomic force microscopy(AFM)has gained widespread applications in exploring the mechanical behaviour of nanomaterials,because of the easy measurement capability of nano force and displacement from the AFM tips.Specifically,AFM-based force spectroscopy is a common approach for studying the mechanical and tribological properties of 2D materials.This review comprehensively details the methods based on normal force spectroscopy,which are utilized to test and characterize the elastic and fracture properties,adhesion,and fatigue of 2D materials.Additionally,the methods using lateral force spectroscopy can characterize the interfacial properties of 2D materials,including surface friction of 2D materials,shear behaviour of interlayers as well as nanoflake-substrate interfaces.The influence of various factors,such as testing methods,external environments,and the properties of test samples,on the measured mechanical properties is also addressed.In the end,the current challenges and issues in AFM-based measurements of mechanical and tribological properties of 2D materials are discussed,which identifies the trend in the combination of multiple methods concerning the future development of the in situ testing techniques.

Strain engineering in electrocatalysis:Strategies,characterization,and insights

Strain engineering,as a cutting-edge method for modulating the electronic structure of catalysts,plays a crucial role in regulating the interaction between the catalytic surface and the adsorbed molecules.The electrocatalytic performance is influenced by the electronic structure,which can be achieved by introducing the external forces or stresses to adjust interatomic spacing between surface atoms.The challenges in strain engineering research lie in accurately understanding the mechanical impact of strain on performance.This paper first introduces the basic strategy for generating the strain,summarizes the different strain generation forms and their advantages and disadvantages.The progress in researching the characterization means for the lattice strains and their applications in the field of electrocatalysis is also emphasized.Finally,the challenges of strain engineering are introduced,and an outlook on the future research directions is provided.

Lightweight hydrides nanocomposites for hydrogen storage: Challenges, progress and prospects

As typical high-capacity complex hydrides,lightweight hydrides have attracted intensive attention due to their high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities of hydrogen storage.However,lightweight hydrides also have high thermodynamic stability and poor kinetics,so they ususally require high hydrogen desorption temperature and show inferior reversibility under mild conditions.This review summarizes recent progresses on the endeavor of overcoming thermodynamic and kinetic challenges for Mg based hydrides,lightweight metal borohydrides and alanates.First,the current state,advantages and challenges for Mg-based hydrides and lightweight metal hydrides are introduced.Then,alloying,nanoscaling and appropriate doping techniques are demonstrated to decrease the hydrogen desorption temperature and promote the reversibility behavior in lightweight hydrides.Selected scaffolds materials,approaches for synthesis of nanoconfined systems and hydriding-dehydriding properties are reviewed.In addition,the evolution of various dopants and their effects on the hydrogen storage properties of lightweight hydrides are investigated,and the relevant catalytic mechanisms are summarized.Finally,the remaining challenges and the sustainable research efforts are discussed.

基于等效电路模型理解机械应变对电催化反应的作用

电催化的应变工程被认为是提高材料电催化性能最有效的策略之一.然而,目前还缺乏数学模型来深入理解这些有趣的科学现象.本文基于等效电路理论研究了应变对电极反应中法拉第过程的影响.根据基尔霍夫定律,获得了应变影响电极响应电流的数学表达式,研究了法拉第过程逐渐成为电催化反应的主导作用时,由应变导致的响应电流参数的变化趋势和峰值的变化规律,并深入探索电催化反应中不同因素相互作用的复杂机制.